Teams365 Blog - POTENTIALS REALIZED

TEAMS365 #2434 – Weekly Journaling Prompt 114

8/29/2020

Welcome back to another Saturday Weekly Journaling Prompt. This week’s WJP is number 114 in the series. It asks the question:

What are you truly excited about right now?

When we are able to tap into the river of excitement that can course through our body, and soul, it’s likely that we are tapping into that magical place called FLOW. At moments of flow, time takes on new meaning. Things may feel magical. And it’s usually a signal that we are doing the things we are MEANT to.

What are you noticing about FLOW moments?

What are you noticing about what you are truly excited about?

What do you need to say YES to in order to cultivate more of that?

What do you need to say NO to in order to create more space for the flow?

As we wrap up today’s post, here’s a quote about FLOW from the author himself:
“To overcome the anxieties and depressions of contemporary life, individuals must become independent of the social environment to the degree that they no longer respond exclusively in terms of its rewards and punishments. To achieve such autonomy, a person has to learn to provide rewards to herself. She has to develop the ability to find enjoyment and purpose regardless of external circumstances.”
― Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

Reading this book as a young university student in the early 1990s has been transformational in the work I do and in the way I structure my time. What’s going to support you with flow?

Best wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Coaching Team Leaders
Coaching Skills Training | Leadership Development | Teamwork
Growing Team Leaders, One Conversation at a Time™ in the Remote Space
Contact us to discuss leadership, coaching or performance needs for your and your team
Phone: (416)996-8326

TEAMS365 #2333 - Conflict in the Remote Space

5/20/2020

The most recent episode of the Remote Pathways podcast focuses on Conflict in the Remote Space. This is probably one of the most challenging topics for teams today as often it’s easier to pretend that conflict is not happening – avert our gaze, push it under the rug, or even hope that it will just go away – than address it.

In Episode 12 we are joined by Conflict Specialist Gayle Oudeh who is also the author of Conflict is for the Birds. She brings a wonderful metaphor to us in her writing of the different types of approaches to conflict.

Gayle also joined us for the May 7th Remote Pathways Community Call which I am embedding below.

If you weren't able to make the call live, catch up on the recording!
It's now available on YouTube.

Gayle is the author of Conflict is for the Birds: Understanding Your Conflict Management Styles.

As you’ll see in our call Gayle’s writing explores the varying ways we may approach conflict through the metaphor of birds. Listen into the call as she shares more about the different types of birds. What types are you?

Conflict is an inevitable part of change, innovation and disruption – three things which are characterizing business right now.

Our approaches to conflict are shaped by our socialization, experience and also knowledge of ourselves.

How do you approach conflict?

What do you notice about how others on the team approach conflict?
What’s important to take note of as a team right now?
What are the conversations you want to have?

Be sure to check out episode 12 of the Remote Pathways podcast as Gayle shares even more about conflict in the remote space. You can find it at your favorite podcast player or here.

Enjoy!
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Coaching Team Leaders | Remote Pathways Podcast
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Everything DiSC
Phone (416)996-8326

Get your Q2 planning on with the PlanDoTrack Workbook and Planner or Coaching Business Builder

Looking to enhance your virtual conversations? Webinars? Pick up a copy of Effective Virtual Conversations at Amazon, or join me for the Virtual Facilitation Essentials program

Contact us to discuss how we can support you and your teams and organization with remote work.

Check out upcoming virtual programs on our calendar

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#TEAMS365 #2124 – Team Building Tip 259: Creating Safety

10/24/2019

Safety is an essential element for teams to thrive. Since the publication of her 2012 book, Teaming, I’ve been pointing people to the research of Amy Edmondson, as it relates to the trust, safety and connection teams require in order to operate. Her writing includes Teaming (2012), Extreme Teams and the Fearless Organization (2018).

You can view what she has to say on this topic in her TED talk on “How to Turn a Bunch of Strangers into a Team” here.

Having a discussion with the team about “What would create more safety?” for the team can be seen as a risky conversation by some. At the same time, it’s useful to surface questions like these in creating the open dialogue which is needed in high trust organizations. The feedback received, AND ideas created by the various members of the team, helps to create shared ownership for the team experience.

Enjoy your conversation this week, and if you are looking for more on the topic of building trust, connection and safety be sure to also check out the series of posts I’ve included here at the Teams365 blog post around TRUST.

Enjoy the conversation!
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton – Potentials Realized
Leadership | Teamwork | Business Success
Author of multiple books including Effective Virtual Conversations (2017), PlanDoTrack (2019) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013)
Follow along with the #90DaysPlanDoTrack series over at Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder
Join the conversation at the Conversation Sparker Zone - our online community where you can explore virtual and team issues, coaching, productivity and business development.
Pick up a copy of Volume 1 of the Weekly Journaling Prompts in a digital format. Print it out and take it with you for some inspiration and writing on the go! Available at the Potentials Realized Store.
For those looking for tips, tools and ideas about remote work and support for your remote teams, be sure to check out these tags and resources.

#TEAMS365 #2100 – Effective Virtual Conversations Tip 113

9/30/2019

It’s Monday at time for our next Effective Virtual Conversations Tip. This is tip 113 in the series. Be sure to check out the weekly Effective Virtual Conversations Tips here. You can find out more about this book and related programming over at EffectiveVirtualConversations.com.

This week’s tip gets you to consider the question “What digital distractions are impacting you?”. From pings to things flashing across the screen, interruptions in the digital space can quickly take us off focus. While Gloria Marks research has shown that it can take upwards of 22 minutes to regain focus, sometimes we don’t have that long.

What are the things we can do to create more focus in the virtual/digital space?

Go on airplane mode or non-wifi for parts of the day when you need deep concentration
Work on different devices – i.e. a smaller laptop for writing projects
Schedule "deeper thinking" work at different parts of the day
Make a point of spending part of a work day outside of the office. For example, I spend 2-3 hours working out of a public library once a week. In addition to being a great research resource, it also is an place where I know I will be able to work without the usual distractions. I usually target to take action on the one project that has been left hanging for that week. It gives me a keen sense of satisfaction as I do to leave after my time spent.

As another resource you may want to check out, I continue to enjoy the writing of Cam Newport in his books – Deep Work and Digital Minimalism. If today’s topic is of interest to you, you may find these books interesting.

Questions to consider:

What are the digital distractions you are most aware of?
When do they happen?
What are 3-5 things you can do RIGHT NOW to create more focus and minimize distractions. DO IT NOW! (Before you get up or click on or reply to the next email). Thank you!

Best,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton – Potentials Realized
Leadership | Teamwork | Business Success
Author of multiple books including Effective Virtual Conversations (2017), PlanDoTrack (2019) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013)
Follow along with the #90DaysPlanDoTrack series over at Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder
Join the conversation at the Conversation Sparker Zone - our online community where you can explore virtual and team issues, coaching, productivity and business development.
Pick up a copy of Volume 1 of the Weekly Journaling Prompts in a digital format. Print it out and take it with you for some inspiration and writing on the go! Available at the Potentials Realized Store.
For those looking for tips, tools and ideas about remote work and support for your remote teams, be sure to check out these tags and resources.

#TEAMS365 #2070 – Weekly Journaling Prompt 65

8/31/2019

This week’s Weekly Journaling Prompt gets you to consider the question, “If I won the lottery tomorrow I would…”

As we go to wrap up the month of August, it’s likely that you may have had some time away this summer. Perhaps it provided a bit of space from the daily grind, enabling you to think about “What could you do differently” or “If you were able to… you would….”.

Several years ago, I was lucky to take a course called Coaching for Compassion from Richard Boyatzis. His research has found that asking people to explore the question of what they would do if they won the lottery, can have an impact on “opening up” parts of the brain which they have called the PEA – Positive Emotional Attractor Network.

I am excited to see that he has released a new book entitled “Helping People Change” which explores this topic. Be sure to check it out.

And for now….enjoy your weekly journaling prompt.

After you complete this week’s prompt, what do you notice about what you have written?

Enjoy your reflections!
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton – Potentials Realized
Leadership | Teamwork | Business Success
Author of multiple books including Effective Virtual Conversations (2017), PlanDoTrack (2019) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013)
Follow along with the #90DaysPlanDoTrack series over at Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder
Join the conversation at the Conversation Sparker Zone - our online community where you can explore virtual and team issues, coaching, productivity and business development.
Pick up a copy of Volume 1 of the Weekly Journaling Prompts in a digital format. Print it out and take it with you for some inspiration and writing on the go! Available at the Potentials Realized Store.

#TEAMS365 #2001: Weekly Journaling Prompt #55

6/23/2019

From audio devices in our kitchens and cars, to streaming video replacing many TV programs, this week’s journaling prompt gets you to think about what your favorite book, show and /or song is right now. Why you ask?

When did you last stop and pause and think about what you are consuming? Books, podcasts, screen time?

It can be interesting for us to take a deeper look at what we are exploring in our reading and listening.

Enjoy the writing and if you haven’t had a chance to capture your summer goals yet, now might be a great time.

If you want some inspiration, check out the Quarterly Planning Prompt video I recorded a few months ago. You can apply the questions to any quarter. Grab a pen and view the Quarterly Planning Prompt video here. It runs for 30 minutes. If you want a shorter video – check out this 2.5 minute one I did last year.

Enjoy!
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton – Potentials Realized
Leadership | Teamwork | Business Success
Author of multiple books including Effective Virtual Conversations (2017), PlanDoTrack (2019) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013)
Follow along with the #90DaysPlanDoTrack series over at Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder
Join the conversation at the Conversation Sparker Zone - our online community where you can explore virtual and team issues, coaching, productivity and business development.
Pick up a copy of Volume 1 of the Weekly Journaling Prompts in a digital format. Print it out and take it with you for some inspiration and writing on the go! Available at the Potentials Realized Store.

#TEAMS365 #1968 – Teamwork in Uncertainty – Pivot

5/21/2019

As a writer, one of my favorite past times is heading to the library for some focused writing. I often try to fit it in on Tuesdays. When I am there, I usually check out the business book selection. Two titles, both named Pivot, recently caught my attention. Jenny Blake’s Pivot explores the shifts and turns we can make in our career. The 2nd Pivot book is by Adam Markel. Pivot: The Art and Science of Reinventing Your Career and Life.

Both are great reads for those looking at ongoing performance and change. Whether we work for others or ourselves, we can all benefit from the tools and tips in both books.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines pivot as:

a fixed point supporting something that turns or balances;
the central or most important person or thing in a situation.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/pivot

As you consider your biggest opportunity or challenge right now, consider:

What is creating balance in the situation right now?
What is the fulcrum around what things are turning?
What is the important person/issue in this situation?
What is the most central item?
With this information in mind, what’ s possible? What are the options for next steps?

Best wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton – Potentials Realized
Leadership | Teamwork | Business Success
Author of multiple books including Effective Virtual Conversations (2017), PlanDoTrack (2019) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013)
Follow along with the #90DaysPlanDoTrack series over at Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder
Join the conversation at the Conversation Sparker Zone - our online community where you can explore virtual and team issues, coaching, productivity and business development).
Pick up a copy of Volume 1 of the Weekly Journaling Prompts in an digital format. Print it out and take it with you for some inspiration and writing on the go! Available at the Potentials Realized Store.

#TEAMS365 #1938 – Interesting Resources – Organizing and Minimizing

4/21/2019

One of the themes this month has been about getting organized and minimizing. With this in mind, here are three resources you might find useful:

1. Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin – Having been a podcast listener of Gretchen’s Happier podcast for a couple of years now, I was so excited to hear about her recent release of Outer Order, Inner Calm. It’s a quick read, chock full of practical tips and strategies you can implement right away. True to her work and philosophy that there’s not a one size fits all, consider how your own tendency might impact the way you organize. If you haven’t explored the work and writing of Gretchen Rubin, check her out, including the Four Tendencies.

2. Cal Newport – Digital Minimalism. As someone heavily enmeshed in the digital ecosystem in my work as a virtual educator, coach and solopreneur, I appreciated this new book. It speaks to the challenge of the digital world we live within. While the ability to switch on and off has been part of my own work over the last 3 decades, the book offers practical approaches to minimizing what you have and what you are connected to in order to create more space for what’s important. Like many other books on the topic of minimalism, what it means and looks like for each of us might be different.

Personally, I am looking forward to taking some quieter time this July and August when I work out of the cottage to further cull my digital landscape. Letting go of TV and streaming almost 2 years ago has made a big difference in my time available for things I love, creative pursuits and time spent with loved ones. I can feel the pressure of emails creeping up however and will be focusing on that first this summer when I have earmarked my annual “return to basics” six weeks.

3. I also have appreciated the resources of Organizing365’s Lisa Woodrow in the last few weeks. This year she hosted a Decluttering Blitz. Her podcast series is also a great tone to follow if organizing is important for you on a personal or professional level. You can follow it up here.

What resources are you finding useful in your work and world right now around this topic?

Warm regards,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton – Potentials Realized
Leadership | Teamwork | Business Success
Author of multiple books including Effective Virtual Conversations (2017), PlanDoTrack (2018) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013)
Follow along with the #90DaysPlanDoTrack series over at Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder
Now available – PlanDoTrack Workbook and Planner - Order a copy today on Amazon
Join the conversation at the Conversation Sparker Zone - our online community where you can explore virtual and team issues, coaching, productivity and business development).
Check out the new 19 Tips for Productivity On-Demand Course. If this is your year to get things moving, check it out now. Join Jenn for bi-weekly live group calls until July. $129 US. Learn more and enroll here.

#TEAMS365 #1923 Weekly Journaling Prompt 44

4/6/2019

Welcome back to our forty-fourth Weekly Journaling Prompt. I hope that you have been enjoying these quick prompts as part of your regular journaling practice.

Today’s prompt is “Things I Am Happy About….”

In my late teens and early twenties, I was fortunate enough to spend the bulk of my summers working in the beauty of Algonquin Park, about 3 hours north of Toronto, at a summer camp. When I wasn’t on the swim dock where I spent several summers leading a team, or with campers, I was hanging out with an amazing group of young women. In those days we had no access to TV, internet or a phone (yes, it was the late 80s and early 90s!). Evening entertainment came in the form of journaling, music and hanging out.

One book which was very popular in those days was a good book called “14,000 things to be happy about.” I remember how one summer it inspired a majority of the staff to start their own happy journals. This was something I carried around the world with me for years and still have on my bookshelf…..Take a look closely at today’s graphic -that’s my happy book! Once in a while (i.e. once or twice a year) I take a look back at it and am amazed how short sentences can bring forward an amazing flood of memories.

What would you add to your happy book?

Enjoy!
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton – Potentials Realized
Leadership | Teamwork | Business Success
Author of multiple books including Effective Virtual Conversations (2017), PlanDoTrack (2018) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013)
Follow along with the #90DaysPlanDoTrack series over at Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder
Join the conversation at the Conversation Sparker Zone - our online community where you can explore virtual and team issues, coaching, productivity and business development).

#TEAMS365 #1805 – Announcing the PlanDoTrack Workbook and Planner for Virtual And Remote Professionals

12/9/2018

I’m really pleased to announce my latest publication, geared specifically for virtual and remote team members. On December 14th the PlanDoTrack Workbook and Planner for Remote and Virtual Professionals will be available for sale on Amazon.

Part workbook, part planner, it’s geared for virtual and remote team members, leaders and virtual businesses. Based on the success of the release of the Coaching Business Builder Workbook and Planner in July, I’ve adjusted the workbook for the virtual and remote team space.

It’s an analog, desk sized calendar, to reflect the importance of having one “Go to” resource to place your “To Dos”, project ideas, content plans and monthly reflections.

Divided into four sections, the workbook covers:

Virtual and Remote Business Foundations – for teams and also businesses. This includes a series of skill checks and some of the latest stats on virtual and remote work.
The Primer – Success tips and focus areas which you can integrate into your business, or further refine for a great prime.
Marketing Essentials – Whether we are sharing what our virtual team is doing, positioning our services, or going out to promote on social media, the marketing essentials.
The Ecosystem – At the heart of a successful virtual team, business or leader is ourselves. The Ecosystem section focuses on who YOU are as a leader – your strengths, values and opportunities. This section has evolved out of the Inner Business leader Virtual Retreats I have hosted for years.

The planner section covers Annual, Quarterly and Monthly planning resources, along with a robust content planning section. Including more than 28 resources you’ll find :

Monthly Trackers – to track different elements for your business
Annual project planners
Quarterly Reviews
Monthly In Focus
Monthly

The planner pages are undated so you will benefit from starting the resource at any time.

In addition to the workbook and planner, I also host regular virtual events around planning. Each month end I host a virtual reflection hour, and
The workbook is more than 285 pages and costs $29.95. You can pick up a copy on Amazon.

If this is a topic you are interested in (and most people are at this time of year), do consider joining me for the 14 days of PlanDoTrack series, which includes a mix of live virtual calls (open to everyone), blog posts and some other special events. Check out the daily schedule here and download a copy.

Best wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton – Potentials Realized
Author of multiple books including Effective Virtual Conversations (2017), Coaching Business Builder (2018) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013)
Follow along with the #90DaysPlanDoTrack series over at Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder
Coming December 14, 2018 – PlanDoTrack Workbook and Planner - Pre-order a copy today on Amazon
Join us for a year-end virtual planning retreat!