How an Inner Foundation Can Keep You On-Track
Life bumped me off-track recently. I needed to catch-up with myself, to remind myself of what matters, to ground myself in who I want to be and how I want to show up. I started by stopping, which isn’t my natural inclination. My default action when I’m overwhelmed is to focus on doing more faster and working longer hours. I’m great at staying busy. That’s the problem.
Life bumped me off-track recently. I needed to catch-up with myself, to remind myself of what matters, to ground myself in who I want to be and how I want to show up. I started by stopping, which isn’t my natural inclination. My default action when I’m overwhelmed is to focus on doing more faster and working longer hours. I’m great at staying busy. That’s the problem.
I finally realized that in order to catch up with myself, I would need to press pause and reconnect with my foundation so my actions aligned with the future I wanted to create.
A strong foundation can give you solid ground to stand on when your world feels out of control. It can be a reliable touchstone for reconnecting with what motivates you from the inside out and what defines you. It can steer your actions and get you back on track.
Here’s what I did to get back on track:
First, I did what I call a brain-dump. I wrote out all the things that were in my head to get done on my whiteboards. This process helped me see everything together to get a sense of the big picture. I energized myself by standing up, moving, using colored markers, and listening to music.
Next, I marked everything that I had made a commitment to do and wrote the date it needed to be done by.
Then I stopped to revisit my foundation so I could use it for making decisions about what to do next. Here are the elements that form my foundation, which I refresh at least annually to keep me grounded and inspired.
Touchstone Foundation Elements
Annual Theme
What is my focus for the year? This is a word, phrase, or sentence that’s a guiding light for the year.
In 2021, my annual theme is “choose & grow.” I had to chuckle because choosing was exactly what I was facing at the moment! The word grow reminded me that I want to focus on growing my business. This helped me cross off some of the things I had written on the whiteboard.
Core Values
Who am I at my best? What influences hard decisions? Now is when values go to work. In other words, this is what values look like when they’re operationalized.
For the last couple of years, I’ve reduced my values to only two that I truly use to make tough decisions and describe how I want to show up. (You can find more about this practice in Dare to Lead by Brene Brown.) I looked at my two values of usefulness and connection, and again, crossed-off more to do items.
Purpose
What is the belief or cause that drives me? This is a phrase or sentence that inspires and motivates how you want to live your life. It’s a thread that weaves throughout your life, a theme that shows up repeatedly.
My purpose is to help people connect with themselves and each other so they can do what matters most. I know that when I’m doing something related to my purpose, it’s important to me and will bring a sense of satisfaction and joy.
Love Notes to Myself
What will I remind myself of when times get rough? These are 2-5 words, phrases, or sentences that will energize you when you need it most. These can change as often as you wish.
I realized that this was one of those tough times! Reading my love notes was a way to give myself compassion, tenderness, and love. These are a couple of them: K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple Sweetie), Be you. I ended up adding this new one: Step Out/Step Up to remind myself that when I’m growing, I’m stepping outside my comfort zone and stepping up to a new level.
By the time I finished revisiting all of my foundation elements, I felt focused, calm and clear about my direction.
Life will knock you off-track once in a while, especially when you’re the kind of person who is drawn to learning, growing, challenges and changes. Building a solid foundation can give you the inner strength to get out there and be the kind of person that you want to be. If you have questions about these touchstone foundation elements, reach out to me a Jalene@JaleneCase.com.
Note: This is part one in a series of nine blog posts exploring a blueprint for self leadership.
How to Choose Between “Want” and “Should”
Doing what we want to do brings fulfillment and joy. On the other hand, doing what we think we should do can bring discomfort and confusion. The tricky thing is deciding for ourselves what we truly want and will commit to doing.
Doing what we want to do brings fulfillment and joy. On the other hand, doing what we think we should do can bring discomfort and confusion. The tricky thing is deciding for ourselves what we truly want and will commit to doing.
I’ve been working with two executives who are grappling with the decision of whether or not they want to advance in their organizations. I hear things like, “I should want to be the top leader. I should want to make more money.”
I’ve experienced this myself when my husband and I made the decision in our 50s to quit our good jobs so we could take two years to ride our motorcycles to the southern tip of South America. A big obstacle for us was thinking that we should be making more money to save more for retirement.
You may be thinking, “Yes! You should want to be the top leader and make more money!” You are not wrong. That’s why discerning what you want versus what you think you should want is complex.
The two executives have done lots of should do’s in their lives. Perhaps that’s why they’re beyond ready to focus more on what they truly want to do. The question is, “What will you commit to doing?”
That’s a big question! To help answer it, you can differentiate between the should do’s and the truly want to do’s by using skills in self-awareness and decision-making.
The first step is noticing when there’s a discrepancy between a should and a want. Here’s a tip. Pay attention to when your internal voice says something like this: I want to __________ but I should __________. When you notice some version of this, put on your sleuth hat and start investigating.
For example, I want to eat the whole cake but I should only eat a slice. I want to accept the job I’m excited about but I should take the one that pays more. Noticing and questioning is the first step, which involves the cornerstone skill of emotional intelligence: self-awareness.
Connecting with Your True Wants Using Self-Awareness
Give yourself space. A client has been giving herself space to do things she likes and to do nothing at all. There’s a saying that goes something like this: the best solutions come when you’re not thinking about the problem. That’s what she’s experiencing. She’s learning more about what she wants and doesn’t want without directly thinking about it. Plus, she’s having fun!
5 Years/5 Scenarios. What might your life look like in the next five years? Create five different scenarios and then choose the one you want. Think about your work, personal life, body, learning, spirituality, and more.
Write, draw, paint or create a Vision Board. Express what you want your life to look and feel like. Dare to dream. Imagine what you want in one, five, and 10 years. Lately I’ve needed to remind myself that it’s okay to want. Allow yourself to be wholeheartedly you.
Combine data with self-knowledge. Learning about yourself using data may sound counter-intuitive but it’s surprisingly comforting and turbo charges self-awareness.
When you answer questions about yourself and then read a report based on those answers, you see yourself from a new vantage point. The report won’t get you 100% right. It can’t. But it can give you language about yourself, words that you may not have used to describe yourself but that you know are spot-on.
The magic happens when you choose what fits and what doesn’t. The key is for the data to be based on science which is why I recommend TTI Success Insights. I use several of their assessment tools with clients. To learn more, reach out to me on JaleneCase.com or visit TTISI.com.
Go down the rabbit hole. What have you been curious about doing? What is your internal voice whispering? Perhaps … learn to sail or change jobs or go back to school or start a business. Follow that voice by giving yourself full permission to simply research the topic. Go down any rabbit hole you choose. Google it. Read about it. Reach out to learn more from teachers, authors, businesses, whoever might shed light on what you want to explore.
The more self-awareness you develop, the easier it will be to decide between what you want to do versus what you think you should do. Ask yourself right now, “What do I want to do next?” I’d love to hear what you learn in that internal conversation. Send me an email to Jalene@JaleneCase.com.
Paddle Toward Your Vision
Our responsibilities can toss us around like we’re rafting through white-water rapids without a paddle. Our direction feels like it’s utterly controlled by the river. This is how it can feel when we don’t have a clear vision and goals guiding us to where we want to go.
Our responsibilities can toss us around like we’re rafting through white-water rapids without a paddle. Our direction feels like it’s utterly controlled by the river. This is how it can feel when we don’t have a clear vision and goals guiding us to where we want to go.
I knew where I was heading and how I was going to get there before the pandemic hit. And then, for a while there, it felt like I was on a wild river without a paddle! To stick with this metaphor…now I see my path forward and have paddles in-hand to take me where I want to go. Here’s what my route looked like.
First, I felt mad and frustrated.
Then, I took advantage of several virtual learning opportunities.
Slowly, a new vision of my future began to emerge.
Recently, I wrote my new vision and goals and feel more focused and productive than ever.
In the past, I would have lingered longer in a state of busyness that gave me a false sense of purpose based on getting something done. This time, I went inside first to clarify what I wanted and how to get it. I didn’t get lost in wishing things were different. I took action – even though it was mostly uncomfortable – to make changes from the inside out.
Imagine you have a blank canvas in front of you and that your vision and goals are going to paint your future. Like every artist’s work is original, your approach will be your own. Use the ideas below to stimulate your inner creative, visionary.
Clarify Your Vision
Choose the exercise(s) that will help you paint your vision of the future.
Write or Mind Map what you want your future to look like. Include every sensory detail possible and the aspect of your life that you want to focus on now.
Use the Wild Writing technique by Natalie Goldberg. This method helps bypass the inner critic and get to what I call our inner operating system. Hold the topic of your vision in mind. Write for 10-minutes using the prompt “I know…” and then (shake your hand out!), and use the prompt “I don’t know…” to write for another 10-minutes. Follow these rules:
Don’t lift your pen from the paper.
Keep writing no matter what. If you don’t know what to write then write “I don’t know what to write” until something else comes.
Go for the jugular. You can burn or shred it later!
Don’t go back and correct anything. You can do that when you’re finished.
Consider these questions through writing, speaking the answers into your phone, pondering them while walking, or sharing them with someone you trust.
What do I want more of in my life? What do I want less of in my life?
If I could wave a magic wand, I would…
If I were to step into a way of being that represents me more fully, I would…
Make a Vision Board by gluing images to paper that represent the future you want. Tips: Choose metaphorical images such as facial expressions that represent how you want to feel or images that represent something tangible you want like a new BBQ grill, dog, or house. Use any paper you want. I’ve used everything from letter-size to poster-size. Give yourself uninterrupted time to create this visual image of your future.
Craft Your Goals
Disclaimer: I have a love/hate relationship with goals. I hate declaring what I will do because it means I have to abandon (for now!) some of my bright shiny ideas. I love that goals tether me, in the best way possible, to the future I want.
Goals work when they’re held within a system that works for you. Design your process. Work with it. Innovate it over and over again so it’s a valuable tool for you.
Tips for building a goal system:
Connect them to your values and vision.
Language matters so use words that inspire you (for example, instead of goal use action or target).
Key Results (which I call Desires) set a general direction (such as connect with clients, earn a healthy income, etc.).
Monthly and Quarterly Goals maintain focus on specific actions to achieve Key Results. These are the S.M.A.R.T. goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound).
Post Key Results and Goals in a prominent spot to minimize Squirrel! moments.
Share the results out loud monthly, with a person you trust, to stay true to yourself.
Take 15-minutes in the morning to write what you will do that day.
Consider what will support you in terms of habits, people, structures, etc.
Celebrate often! Based on neuroscience, celebration teaches our brain to do more of whatever we’re celebrating. I like to raise my arm in the air and say, “Yay me!”
Discerning your vision and goals will make riding the river of life much more fulfilling and meaningful. I’m a geek when it comes to learning about goal systems so I’d love to hear what yours looks like. Send me a note to Jalene@JaleneCase.com.
Revive to Thrive
Are you feeling the urge to revive your spirt so you can thrive in the coming year? I sure am.
Hey there!
Are you feeling the urge to revive your spirt so you can thrive in the coming year? I sure am.
It’s full-on wintertime, snuggle in time, reflection, celebration, and envisioning time. Remember, I’m here for you if you want a Coach to walk with you toward those big, juicy dreams in 2019. Send me an email or schedule a complimentary Curious About Coaching Session.
In appreciation of the year-end swirl of activity, I’m signing-off until the new year.
Before I leave, I want to share five inspiring images I just found while reorganizing files on my laptop. They contributed to my digital Vision Board in 2017. I still love them! I hope one or more of them speak to the desires in your heart.
In the spirit of creating lives we love!
Jalene
2019 Creation Sessions
What are you doing to wrap up 2018 and hit the ground running in 2019?
I’ve been in my own deep-dive process of reviewing 2018, and designing a system for setting and tracking meaningful goals for 2019. I feel focused on what I want to create and excited to do it!
I’d love to be your partner in:
Reviewing your accomplishments from 2018
Designing a 2019 goal setting and tracking system that works for you
Tapping into the primal power of your values
Building a support system to inspire and nurture you
Reach out to me and we’ll customize a program for you.
Always Offering
Executive & Personal Coaching
I help powerful female leaders who are always improving (and sometimes anxious!) do what they want. Learn more.
Team Development
I help teams who want to be more potent, and are struggling to authentically communicate with each other so they can get the right work done. Learn more.
Outside Our Comfort Zone
I’m guessing that you’re a person who dares to step outside your comfort zone, to challenge yourself, to expand what’s possible for you — personally and professionally.
Hey there!
I’m guessing that you’re a person who dares to step outside your comfort zone, to challenge yourself, to expand what’s possible for you — personally and professionally.
What do you do when you stumble and fall, when reality doesn’t match the brilliant vision in your mind? It’s bound to happen. It happens to all of us who say, “Yes!” to doing something new because it excites us, even though it also scares the heck out of of us. Let’s talk about how we can support ourselves when (not if!) we stumble.
In the spirit of creating lives we love!
Jalene
2019 Creation Sessions
What are you doing to wrap up 2018 and hit the ground running in 2019?
Where are you heading in 2019?
I’ve been in my own deep-dive process of reviewing 2018, and designing a system for setting and tracking my most meaningful goals for 2019. I feel focused on what I want to create and excited to do it!
I’d love to be your partner to coach you in:
Reviewing your accomplishments from 2018
Designing a 2019 goal setting and tracking system that works for you
Tapping into the primal power of your values
Building a support system to inspire and nurture you
Reach out to me and we’ll customize a program for you.
Always Offering
Executive & Personal Coaching
I help powerful female leaders who are always improving (and sometimes anxious!) do what they want. Learn more.
Team Development
I help teams who want to be more potent, and are struggling to authentically communicate with each other so they can get the right work done. Learn more.
To Break or Not To Break
When you’re exhausted — not “if” but “when” — and you want to get more work done, there’s a moment when you have a chance to decide whether to give yourself a break or not.
Hey there!
When you’re exhausted — not “if” but “when” — and you want to get more work done, there’s a moment when you have a chance to decide whether to give yourself a break or not.
I believe that giving ourselves a break, no matter how small, will lead to better quality work, reduce the risk of burnout, AND bring us more joy.
In the spirit of creating lives we love!
Jalene
Offering
Executive & Personal Coaching
I help powerful female leaders who are always improving (and sometimes anxious!) do what they want. Learn more.
Professional Development
I help teams who want to be more potent, and are struggling with communication, goal setting, collaboration, accountability, decision making, and participation. Learn more.
Being Your Own Wise Cheerleader
Rather relying on someone else — a boss, colleague, partner, or friend — to tell you what you need to hear, try being your own wise cheerleader. Learn more about what that sounds like…
Hey there!
Do you ever feel like you could use a pep talk?
Rather relying on someone else — a boss, colleague, partner, or friend — to tell you what you need to hear, try being your own wise cheerleader. Learn more about what that sounds like…
In the spirit of creating lives we love!
Jalene
P.S. Are you beginning to think about 2019 goals? I sure am and will have lots to share ;)
Offering
Executive & Personal Coaching
I help powerful female leaders who are always improving (and sometimes anxious!) do what they want. Learn more.
Professional Development
I help teams who want to be more potent, and are struggling with communication, goal setting, collaboration, accountability, decision making, and participation. Learn more.
What lights you up?
What’s lighting you up these days? I’m not talking about the minor thrill of checking off a To Do List item. I’m talking about noticing when you say things to yourself like, “it would be a dream come true to…” I heard those words this week. The idea scares and excites me!
Hey there!
What’s lighting you up these days? I’m not talking about the minor thrill of checking off a To Do List item. I’m talking about noticing when you say things to yourself like, “it would be a dream come true to…” I heard those words this week. The idea scares and excites me!
If you have a big dream that you really want to make progress on consider this:
Pilot Women’s Mastermind Group
Three to five women will meet 6 times from November-January via Zoom video.
You’re Invited…
To unlock your potential and take empowered action to reach your goals with the continued support of a mastermind group.
You could benefit from a mastermind group if:
You want to expand your vision of what’s possible and be held gently, yet firmly accountable in taking action.
You often feel isolated and alone in working toward your goals.
You have a desire to gather with other women who are ready to go all-in on making their dreams come true.
Does this sound like you? If you’re feeling an excited (yet slightly scared!) yes, I invite you to consider joining.
The group will be 3-5 women meeting 6 times from November to January via Zoom video.
Why Join a Mastermind Group?
Napoleon Hill wrote about the mastermind group principle as: “The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony.”
At the core, a mastermind group helps all members achieve success and be better versions of themselves:
Better Humans = Better World!
I believe that desires are divine and that the dream that’s been whispering to you is yours to do. It is your positive contribution to a better world for all of us. Doing it alone is the hard way! In our mastermind group, we empower each other to transform our dreams into realities, one baby step at a time.
Send me a message and I'll send you all the details so you can sign-up by October 23. There’s only room for 5 women — don’t wait!
In the spirit of creating lives we love!
Jalene
Offering
Executive & Personal Coaching
I help powerful female leaders who are always improving (and sometimes anxious!) do what they want. Learn more.
Professional Development
I help teams who want to be more potent, and are struggling with communication, goal setting, collaboration, accountability, decision making, and participation. Learn more.
Cleaning & Choosing
How the heck are cleaning and choosing connected? Cleaning and organizing my home, office, and laptop led me to a surprising realization involving choice.
Hey there!
How the heck are cleaning and choosing connected? Cleaning and organizing my home, office, and laptop led me to a surprising realization involving choice.
“Get rid of clutter and you may just find that it was blocking the door you’ve been looking for.” – Katrina Mayer
Choosing is also part of this mastermind group I’m offering:
Pilot Women’s Mastermind Group
Three to five women will meet 6 times from November-January via Zoom video.
You’re Invited…
To unlock your potential and take empowered action to reach your goals with the continued support of a mastermind group.
You could benefit from a mastermind group if:
You want to expand your vision of what’s possible and be held gently, yet firmly accountable in taking action.
You often feel isolated and alone in working toward your goals.
You have a desire to gather with other women who are ready to go all-in on making their dreams come true.
Does this sound like you? If you’re feeling an excited (yet slightly scared!) yes, I invite you to consider joining.
The group will be 3-5 women meeting 6 times from November to January via Zoom video.
Why Join a Mastermind Group?
Napoleon Hill wrote about the mastermind group principle as: “The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony.”
At the core, a mastermind group helps all members achieve success and be better versions of themselves:
Better Humans = Better World!
I believe that desires are divine and that the dream that’s been whispering to you is yours to do. It is your positive contribution to a better world for all of us. Doing it alone is the hard way! In our mastermind group, we empower each other to transform our dreams into realities, one baby step at a time.
Send me a message and I'll send you all the details so you can sign-up by October 23. There’s only room for 5 women — don’t wait!
A parting thought about cleaning & choosing:
“Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions” – Barbara Hemphill
In the spirit of creating lives we love!
Jalene
Offering
Executive & Personal Coaching
I help powerful female leaders who are always improving (and sometimes anxious!) do what they want. Learn more.
Professional Development
I help teams who want to be more potent, and are struggling with communication, goal setting, collaboration, accountability, decision making, and participation. Learn more.
Why are some people more happy & successful?
Do you ever have a question, and its answer, suddenly pop into your brain? That what happened to me with the question, “Why are some people more happy & successful?”
Hey there!
Do you ever have a question, and its answer, suddenly pop into your brain? That what happened to me with the question, “Why are some people more happy & successful?”
In the video, I talk about doing what’s most important to you. I’m not talking about the never-ending to do list. I’m talking about the baby steps leading to the future that you envision. What excites you? What lights you up? Do that!
Being a member of a mastermind group is an effective (and fun!) way to transform your dreams into realities. That’s why I’m offering the…
Pilot Women’s Mastermind Group
Three to six women will meet 6 times from November-January via Zoom video.
You’re Invited…
To unlock your potential and take empowered action to reach your goals with the continued support of a mastermind group.
You could benefit from a mastermind group if:
You want to expand your vision of what’s possible and be held gently, yet firmly accountable in taking action.
You often feel isolated and alone in working toward your goals.
You have a desire to gather with other women who are ready to go all-in on making their dreams come true.
Does this sound like you? If you’re feeling an excited (yet slightly scared!) yes, I invite you to consider joining.
The group will be 3-5 women meeting 6 times from November to January via Zoom video.
Why Join a Mastermind Group?
Napoleon Hill wrote about the mastermind group principle as: “The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony.”
At the core, a mastermind group helps all members achieve success and be better versions of themselves:
Better Humans = Better World!
I believe that desires are divine and that the dream that’s been whispering to you is yours to do. It is your positive contribution to a better world for all of us. Doing it alone is the hard way! In our mastermind group, we empower each other to transform our dreams into realities, one baby step at a time.
Send me a message and I'll send you all the details :)
In the spirit of creating lives we love!
Jalene
Offering
Executive & Personal Coaching
I help powerful female leaders who are always improving (and sometimes anxious!) do what they want. Learn more.
Professional Development
I help teams who want to be more potent, and are struggling with communication, goal setting, collaboration, accountability, decision making, and participation. Learn more.
With my monthly blog posts, I dig into topics related to leading ourselves so we can get what matters most done.
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