jen spencer coaches

The world is full and fast. Technology, trends, fads, taste, people, planets… everything changes. You’re either struggling to keep up or keep your head down while it all moves by you.

I don’t know any (I mean any) creative executives that have too little to do or not enough on their plate. The reactive world of getting shit done can take us down. And that can get messy. Really messy. Just when we have it figured out, controlled, and organized something changes.

How do you manage to flow with it all and not get too far under it?
How do you carve out space in the chaos to be present to what feeds your greatness?

Don’t resist the change.
For starters, accept that chaos is a part of our human experience. Balance is aspirational, but expecting to have perfect equilibrium sets you up for disappointment (says the new mother of a four-month old).

Identify what’s important.
What are your non-negotiables? Identifying them is Power.

Communicate your priorities.
Let the world know. This arms you with accountability and sets the expectations of others.

Follow through.
Make time for the things that are important to you. Even when it’s hard. Giving time and energy to your priorities makes it easier for you to stay motivated when you’re In It.

Ask for help.
That’s what team and tribe and community are all about. At work or at home, who can cover you in your biggest moments of chaos so you can duck out? To run or see your family or read a paper (yes, an actual paper)? Who’s got your back?

Be present.
You may only get small windows of space. Ten minutes here, three days there. However long you have or need, be present when you are there. Savor it. Fill back up.

Where do you need to create some space in your chaos? What will it take for you to give yourself that presence in the midst of change? You, your teams, and your life deserve that clarity.

Championing you always,
jen

CeeLo Green recently opened up about taking a year off from NBC’s hit show, The Voice. He explained that it all comes down to time.

His career endeavors – TV, music, production, life – have made him busier than ever. While he’s enjoyed being on TV, he’s a musician at his core and wants to spend time immersing himself in his true creative passion.

It got me thinking about choices and multi-tasking. Creative Executives are rarely at a loss for ideas or passions. We can start something that seems like an incredible idea, but our involvement and focus in that endeavor can be so great that really important parts of who we are get neglected.

I ask you:  What has this last year felt like to you?  Do you feel satisfied?  Have you been making choices that allow for you to focus on things that make you YOU.  Are you taking care of yourself or are you just doing something that feels like you should?

The holidays and end of the year can be an excellent time to regroup. If you can carve out some time to have an hour or two on your own, you can reflect on the past year, think about what really matters, and plot out a game plan to put into action in the New Year.

You may discover that you need to shift your course and direction.  Maybe you just need to re-engage in what you are currently doing in way that feels more connected to who you are. Or maybe you need to explore a hobby where the purpose is having fun vs. making a career out of it.

It’s about giving yourself the gift of time and thinking. You work hard and deserve it.  In fact, you may even owe it to yourself.

Wishing you all a very happy holiday and New Year!

Much love,
Jen

I recently came across Harvard Business Review’s latest issue about what makes people thrive and create sustainable performance within their work environments. The article is called The Value of Happiness.

Researchers identified two components that influence thriving, sustainable performance: Vitality + Learning. A combo that makes absolute sense, but is more rare than you might think.
(more…)

As I look around my space, I am grateful for my relationships.  They have allowed me personal and professional fulfillment throughout my life.  I’ve definitely had my fair share of heartache as well as valuable learning opportunities, too, but the net is always greater than the loss.

Look around you.  What are your relationships like?  Are you surrounded by new relationships?  Do you have a lot of people around you that you’ve known for years?  A mix of both?  Which relationships are you most proud of?  Which relationships do you need to reinvent or simply say goodbye to?

Relationships have the potential to enhance life’s engagement, make business happen, and help the world go round.  What do relationships create for you?

Curators don’t just belong in museums. We all have the responsibility to
be curators in our careers and life.

A curator is the person responsible for developing and maintaining
collections. And “collections” are everywhere. They can be personnel
and team members, your inner circle relationships, assets, a body of work, a brand, a great meal.

(more…)

Two Words: Open Forum

I feel like my adult years have been formulated by advertising.  My bullshit meter is pretty good.

False promises, inauthentic branding, and fluff are pretty easy to see through.

Why is Open Forum so great?

MORE >>