Leadership Strategies for Women®

Time to Connect

2011-08-08T12:21:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago, I was watching a Dr. Oz re-run and he made the point that to maintain a healthy mental outlook we should have regular social contacts. It may seem obvious, but it can be so easy to get preoccupied with work and home projects that we can go for days without stopping long enough to just pick up the phone to say "Hello" to a friend.

Well, I took Dr. Oz's advice to heart and have been connecting and re-connecting with friends and people I care about this summer.

Yes, life can get busy, but in my experience, the best leaders are the ones who don't lose their human side and connect with others.

This month, I challenge you to reach out to others and make the time to connect.

The Power of a Mastermind

2011-07-11T18:35:00.001-07:00

I'm encouraged and motivated about my goals today because I just got off the phone with my Mastermind group. We had an incredible session. For those of you who don't know what a Mastermind group is, the concept is discussed in the book 'Think and Grow Rich' by Napoleon Hill. Napoleon Hill describes a Mastermind as: "The coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose." So, in other words, in a Mastermind group you set goals, share ideas, and develop strategies for success. But, most importantly, you find the encouragement you need to succeed from people who share your vision.

If you are not part of a mastermind group, I encourage you to find one or better yet, start one.

Are you or have you ever been part of a Mastermind group? How has a Mastermind helped you attain your goals?

Summer is in the air!

2011-06-21T16:58:00.000-07:00

Happy Summer!

I'm just getting back from vacationing in Turks and Caicos. It was a great time of resting and relaxing. It was also a great time to reflect on how 2011 has evolved. I have some exciting projects that I am working on and I'm grateful for the great mentors and coaches that are helping me to get focused around achieving my goals.

Yes, I have a coach. Even coaches need to be coached. I'm on the road a lot with my work and when I am home I am trying to balance work, commuting, family, grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning etc., etc., etc. It is nice to be able to schedule a dedicated hour every two weeks with a coach whose job is strictly to help keep me focused on achieving my goals.

I am also grateful to be kicking off the summer on such a wonderful note. I am looking forward to all the fun this summer will bring.

What are you looking forward to this summer?

Ellie*

Communicating effectively across your organization

2011-03-02T09:22:00.001-08:00

One of the most important skills you can learn as an emerging woman leader is how to communicate across your organization. When I coach emerging leaders, I find that they are fairly comfortable communicating with those on their level or below. But, they find it increasingly more challenging to speak to their boss, their boss' boss or higher. If this is the case for you, you're not alone. But you must understand that if you want to get ahead, learning how to communicate across your organization is essential. Here are three strategies to help you communicate effectively across your organization:

1) Understand the culture: Every organization has its own culture and dynamic. Learn what the culture is in your organization and get familiar with your boss' management style. For example, some organizations value a high level of management oversight. So, your manager may require that you cc: him / her in your substantive e-mail communications. Other organizations promote more independence and your boss may be less concerned about your day to day communication and more concerned about an end result. Whatever the culture is and whatever your boss' management style is, learn it, respect it, and adapt to it. Approaching your company's culture in such a way, is the first step to being an effective communicator within the organization.

2) Speak their language: The higher up someone is in an organization, the more they are concerned with the big picture and the bottom line. While your immediate manager may be concerned with the day to day details of how you perform your job, your boss' boss is more concerned with how the job that you do contributes to your organization's overall goals. Therefore, as you prepare to communicate with an individual in your organization, consider the person's role and position. Learn how to speak to the person's concerns from that person's perspective and provide only the level of detail that person requires.

Note that "speaking their language" may require that you develop a more advanced skill. For instance, if you have to give regular reports to a CFO, you will need to be comfortable with numbers. In such a case, consider attending a continuing education course or getting an advanced degree. Not only will it help with your communication, but it will boost your opportunity for advancement within your organization.

On the other hand, if you're speaking to someone in your organization who may not be familiar with your topic, keep things simple. Break information down to manageable concepts that are easy to digest.

3) Be prepared to answer questions: When you present on a topic that pertains to your organization, be prepared to answer questions with regard to that topic. Look at the subject matter from different angles. What are the pros and cons? What is the other side of the argument?

When you're presenting to senior level managers, also consider the competitive landscape and how external factors influence your organization.

If you put these strategies into practice, you will find yourself communicating more effectively across your organization.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mail ellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2011 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

Ten commandments for women in the workplace: An interview with Dondi Scumaci

2011-02-06T15:45:00.000-08:00

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing the author of the best selling books, Designed for Success and Career Moves, Dondi Scumaci.

Dondi Scumaci is an international speaker, author and expert in professional and personal development. Her best-selling book Designed for Success: The 10 Commandments for Women in the Workplace empowers women to be more effective, successful and satisfied at work. Her signature 10 commandments, designed to mentor women, are a result of a seasoned business career spanning more than 20 years, including tenure as director for two top U.S. financial institutions. In 1995, she founded an advising firm, where she currently serves as president.

During our interview, Dondi provided a number of notable leadership strategies and walked me through her signature “Ten Commandments for Women in the Workplace” as follows:

1) Manage your message from the inside out: What you believe about yourself leads to how you present yourself and how others ultimately perceive you. Do you have empowering or limiting beliefs about yourself?

2) Empower yourself: When it comes to our careers, many of us wait for recognition or we wait for permission rather than take initiative to make things happen in our careers. Are you waiting? Where do you give your power away?

3) Equip yourself with awareness: Become more aware of yourself, of others and of the situations around you. The more aware you are, the more grounded and able you will be to face situations when they arise.

4) Learn to negotiate: Women in particular perceive negotiations as conflict. Reframe what a negotiation really is in your mind and develop effective negotiating skills.

5) Personal leadership: Take the initiative and lead from where you are.

6) Build a bridge to the future: Have a plan for your career future and support it with relevant and impactful action that will get you to where you want to go.

7) Think like a project manager: Learn how to manage time, people, and strategies. Begin to treat your career like a project.

8) Invest in the success of others: Help to equip others and invest yourself in their success.

9) Break through the barriers: Acknowledge that office politics and conflict exist in the workplace. Think about how you can begin to address obstacles that may be getting in the way of you getting ahead in the workplace.

10) Add value to everything that you do: Your contribution to the projects you work on play a role in developing your personal brand. Increase your value so that you can increase the career opportunities available to you.

These ten principles are sound advice for the women looking to get ahead in the workplace. Dondi Scumaci’s book, Designed for Success: The Ten Commandments for Women in the Workplace is available wherever books are sold.

You can listen to the full interview at: www.BlogTalkRadio.com/Ellie-Nieves.

Your vision of success

2011-01-12T10:40:00.001-08:00

As you have probably figured out by now, my approach to leadership is not just about helping you get ahead in the workplace. I approach leadership from a more holistic perspective. For me, leadership is about succeeding in your personal life, your relationships, and your career. It takes leadership to develop your vision of success and to invest the time, energy, and resources to make that vision a reality. So, what is your vision of success? Do you associate success with material items?

The Dalai Lama once said that the principal source of success in life is to care for the happiness of others. He said that since we are not solely material creatures, it is a mistake to place all of our hopes for happiness on external development alone.

Today, I encourage you to think beyond those things that we often associate with success; the material items that we wear as badges of achievement: the house, the nice car, the fancy clothes, and the exotic vacations.

Instead, I challenge you to think about who you want to be. Who is the person that you want to become? What contribution do you want to make? What kind of impact do you want to have on the lives of others?

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mail ellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2010 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

How to get promoted in 2011

2010-12-29T20:39:00.000-08:00

A new year is upon us. This is a time when many of us reflect on the past year and we set goals for the year ahead. As you set your personal goals, consider what action steps you will take to move your career to the next level in the new year. Here are three leadership strategies to help you get promoted in 2011.

1) Align your performance goals with your company's goals. One sure fire way to kick things up a notch in your career is to align your performance goals for the year with your company's goals. Make it a point to become familiar with your company's goals for the coming year. Think beyond the everyday routine of your job and take the time to think about how your role and function within your organization can best support your company's initiatives. Work with your boss to measure your progress against your goals on a quarterly basis. This approach is just one positive step you can take towards attaining a promotion.

2) Invest in your personal development. Take a moment to think about a professional goal that you want to achieve and commit to making an investment to attain it. I always find it interesting how many people are quick to spend hundreds and even thousands of dollars on tickets to sporting events, fashionable clothes or the latest electronic gadgets, but hesitate to spend money on their personal development. Here's a good rule of thumb to test whether you're committed to your personal development: a commitment will show up on your calendar and in your wallet. You can begin by setting a personal development budget. For example, let's say you dedicate $250 towards your personal development for the year. You can invest $125 on a coaching session, $50 on a set of audio CDs, $50 on a seminar and $25 on a book. It's that simple. Remember, it's an investment with an expected return. If the investment helps you develop new insights and skills that lead to a promotion, your investment will more than have paid for itself.

3) Develop your network: Make a list of key people within your organization that you want to connect and reconnect with. As you identify these people, be sure to include people who are influential within your organization. Connect with "movers and shakers." Include someone who can help introduce you to others as well as someone that can create opportunities for you. Your goal is to be strategic and intentional about who you want in your circle. Then, purposefully build those relationships. If you apply these leadership strategies, you will set a strong foundation for a promotion in 2011.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mail ellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2010 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

Networking for business growth

2010-12-29T20:35:00.000-08:00

Networking is vital to business growth. Entrepreneurs serve their own interests well when they invest their time in effective networking practices. Here are five tips to help you network for business growth.

1) Build on your current network. Don't think of networking as solely developing new relationships. Reconnect with people who are already in your network and nurture your current relationships.

2) Be a resource. Approach your network as a giver, not a taker. Share business articles, information, processes and resources that are of interest to your connections.

3) Ask for introductions. Expand your network by asking for introductions from your connections. It is often easier to launch a relationship when you already have a shared connection and an implied endorsement.

4) Maximize social media networks like LinkedIn. Use social media networks like LinkedIn to track your network and to research potential connections.

5) Make connections between your connections. Help others to form alliances and joint ventures. Also, take the time to make regular business referrals.

Networking is all about building authentic relationships. Remember to build your network before you need it. If you take care of your network, your network will take care of you.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mail ellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2010 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

Creating a powerful first impression

2010-12-29T20:31:00.000-08:00

I recently interviewed Sara Canuso on my radio program. Sara is a body language specialist and she is the President of A Suitable Solution, a Philadelphia based image consulting firm.

During the interview, Sara shared some of her personal leadership strategies. Sara also shared strategies to help women create powerful first impressions.

Leadership Strategies

Sara is a very accomplished business leader in her own right. I asked her to share some of her personal leadership strategies.

Her first strategy is to have a clear vision. Clarity of vision allows you to know where you're going. When you have clarity, you communicate confidence and inspire others to trust you and want to follow you. Her second strategy is maintaining her integrity. Sara defines integrity as matching your outward actions with your inner values. Sara's third leadership strategy is keeping a sense of humor. When Sara started her own business, she says that she made many mistakes. It was her sense of humor that allowed her to learn from those mistakes and informed her perspective.

Above all, Sara says that having a focused mind helps her to stand firm and move forward. As an entrepreneur, everyday brings its distractions, but having a clear vision allows her to take the steps she needs to succeed and grow her business.

Personal Development

In developing her own leadership skills, Sara invests heavily in her personal development. She listens to motivational audio CDs, reads books and attends leadership conferences on a regular basis. She believes that it is critical to be surrounded by other positive leaders who will keep you energized and inspired.

Image Tips

During our interview, Sara also shared some image tips for women. Communicating a powerful Image is important for women in leadership roles. Be it fair or not, Sara says, people form an impression about you within 7 seconds of first meeting you. It is that impression that influences whether they will want to do business with you or not. Therefore, walking into a room with a look of power and confidence is an important first step that can influence your future success.

Sara shared about the 3 areas of a woman's personal appearance that should be focused on in order to create that powerful first impression.

1) Posture: You should have good posture. This seems obvious, but it is often overlooked. Good posture communicates confidence. Make sure that you walk with your shoulders back and your head held high.

2) Clothes: Clothing accounts for 95 percent of your image. Make sure that you wear the proper attire for your type of business. Your clothes should also be the right fit and color for you.

3) Shoes: Make sure your shoes are polished and that your heels are not worn out.

To listen to the full interview, go to: www.BlogTalkRadio.com/Ellie-Nieves.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mail ellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2010 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

The mindset of a woman entrepreneur

2010-12-29T20:27:00.000-08:00

Have you considered entrepreneurship? According to the Small Business Administration women-owned small businesses are one of the fastest growing segments of our economy. If you are considering entrepreneurship, there are many factors that will help to get your business off to the right start such as planning, preparation, financing and marketing. But above all else, the most important element of successful entrepreneurship, is the mindset of the woman entrepreneur.

Visionary: One key characteristic of the mindset of a woman entrepreneur is the ability to give life to her vision. From the initial idea to its implementation, it takes a visionary woman to develop a product or service and bring it to market. It is that vision that keeps the woman entrepreneur focused and driven to achieve.

Self-motivation: Women entrepreneurs are self-motivated. It takes a high amount of discipline to consistently keep up with the demands of running a business and managing your personal life. Especially during the early stages of business development when every aspect of the day-to-day operations depend on you. Self-motivation is important when there is no one to hold you accountable, but you.

Perseverance: If there is one factor that distinguishes a successful woman entrepreneur from an unsuccessful one, it's the ability to persevere. Entrepreneurship tests you in ways that a 9-5 job can never do. As a woman entrepreneur, you will be faced with challenges and you will meet failure. There will be many moments of discouragement when you will ask yourself whether you are doing the right thing. Your ability to persevere; to try, fail, re-work your plan and try again will determine your level of success.

Are you ready for entrepreneurship? If you have a vision, are self-motivated, and possess a spirit of perseverance, you are well on your way.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mail ellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2010 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

Open the floodgates and pursue your dreams!

2010-09-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting the state of Washington. While there, I toured the beautiful Snoqualmie Falls. What a beautiful site!

As I watched the Falls, I was reminded of how we often have dreams that are just as beautiful, but our fears, doubts, and what we may perceive as a lack of resources, get in the way of pursuing those dreams.

Today, I want to encourage you to commit to your dreams. Just like the water gathers at the mouth of the Snoqualmie Falls and then rushes with sheer force as it approaches the edge - there's no turning back!

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said: "Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now."

Today - open the flood gates and pursue your dreams!

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mailellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2010 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

The mindset of a woman entrepreneur

2010-09-03T10:50:00.000-07:00

Have you considered entrepreneurship? According to the Small Business Administration women-owned small businesses are one of the fastest growing segments of our economy. If you are considering entrepreneurship, there are many factors that will help to get your business off to the right start such as planning, preparation, financing and marketing. But above all else, the most important element of successful entrepreneurship, is the mindset of the woman entrepreneur.

Visionary: One key characteristic of the mindset of a woman entrepreneur is the ability to give life to her vision. From the initial idea to its implementation, it takes a visionary woman to develop a product or service and bring it to market. It is that vision that keeps the woman entrepreneur focused and driven to achieve.

Self-motivation: Women entrepreneurs are self-motivated. It takes a high amount of discipline to consistently keep up with the demands of running a business and managing your personal life. Especially during the early stages of business development when every aspect of the day-to-day operations depend on you. Self-motivation is key when there is no one to hold you accountable, but you.

Perseverance: If there is one factor that distinguishes a successful woman entrepreneur from an unsuccessful one, it's the ability to persevere. Entrepreneurship tests you in ways that a 9-5 job can never do. As a woman entrepreneur, you will be faced with challenges and you will meet failure. There will be many moments of discouragement when you will ask yourself whether you are doing the right thing. Your ability to persevere; to try, fail, re-work your plan and try again will determine your level of success.

Are you ready for entrepreneurship? If you have a vision, are self-motivated, and possess a spirit of perseverance, you are well on your way.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mail ellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2010 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

Set and achieve high standards

2010-08-07T17:23:00.000-07:00

Ray Kroc once said: The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.

Setting and achieving high standards for yourself can be challenging. Especially if others around you are not setting high standards for themselves. But, there in lies what separates a leader from the rest of the pack -- the willingness and ability to achieve at higher levels, even when others don’t.

As an emerging woman leader, setting high standards requires that you develop a strategic and compelling vision for who you want to be and what you want to achieve. It is that vision that will provide you with the drive and perseverance to attain your leadership goals. In setting high standards for yourself, consider the following:

1) Meet and exceed the standards that you ask others to achieve: Expect to work harder than others who answer to you. Are you setting an example of excellence and for those around you?

2) Surround yourself with only quality people: Surround yourself with individuals who encourage you and share your vision. Do your closest associates bring out the best in you?

3) Develop your personal discipline: Effective leaders have a long-term commitment to their goals. Are you willing to take consistent action towards attaining your goals over time?

As you pave your leadership track, take the time to be introspective about how you will attain your goals and ask yourself the all important question: Do you set high standards for yourself?

To listen to the audio version go to: http://bit.ly/csxZTU.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mailellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2010 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

Achieve your best . . . even while on vacation

2010-08-02T18:23:00.000-07:00

Summer is here and we’re all looking forward to taking some much needed time to rest and get refreshed. Whether you are a business professional or an entrepreneur, keep in mind that how you plan and prepare for your vacation is also a reflection of how you do business. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your vacation planning without negatively impacting your bottom line.

Before Your Vacation:

• Determine your availability: Determine how available you will be during your vacation and communicate it to all relevant parties. Will you be checking in periodically? Will you not be checking in at all? In either case, make sure that you manage the expectations of those who work with you.

• Communicate your plans: Six to four weeks before you go on vacation, communicate your plans to your management and/or clients. Once you’re gone, make sure that you leave a recording on your voicemail and enable your “away” message on your e-mail. Be clear as to when you expect to respond and provide a name and number of someone who will handle matters in your absence.

During Vacation:

• Take notes: Often times, when we try to wind down we start to think about things to do or we come up with new projects that we want to implement. While you’re on vacation, resist the urge to work. Instead, carry a pad and a pen -- when you think of these things, write them down and forget about them until after your vacation.

• Enjoy your time off: Refresh, relax, renew and have a good time. This is an order!

After Your Vacation:

• If possible, keep your calendar clear for the first two or three days after your vacation. Give yourself a few days to ramp back up, catch up with e-mails, return calls, get status reports from colleagues, etc.

• Don’t forget to change your voicemail message and disable your “away” message.

This summer, take the time to enjoy your time away from work and/or business. With proper planning and preparation, not only will it be a pleasure to go on vacation, it will also be a pleasure to get back to work.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mailellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2010 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

Three essential elements for women in leadership

2010-06-20T16:47:00.000-07:00

I recently interviewed Josephine Santos on my BlogTalk Radio Show: Leadership Strategies for Women. Josephine is the head of International Operations at a Fortune 500 company in New York. During our interview, Josephine shared about her experiences climbing the corporate ladder.

Josephine began her career with a degree in Finance. Throughout her career, Josephine took a few risks that ultimately led to successful career opportunities and she found herself working in operations in the international arena.

Josephine later attained an MBA while working full-time and attending classes in the evening. She believes that her MBA gave her the exposure and experience that she needed to get ahead in the business world. Today, she says, an MBA is a “price for entry” into many business positions and it opens many doors.

I asked Josephine to share three (3) essential elements of leadership for women. Here is what she shared:

1) Be enthusiastic: Enthusiasm and passion for the work that you do is contagious and motivates others.

2) Communicate well and often: When you are in a leadership position, people expect you to guide them through work situations. Your ability to communicate is important if you want to effectively lead your team. It is also important to be able to communicate with colleagues at all different levels from team members to senior leadership.

3) Surround yourself with really good people: Hire the best team members that you can. A top-notch team will allow you to more effectively reach business goals and to ultimately be more successful.

To listen to my interview with Josephine go to http://tobtr.com/s/1114155.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mailellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2010 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

Spending time, money on self-development a worthy investment

2010-04-12T06:47:00.000-07:00

Many of us neglect our personal development because it requires an investment of two things that we hold dear and often mismanage: time and money.

During this time of economic uncertainty, the most common thing that I hear from many who have been laid off from their jobs is that they had become too comfortable. They admit that they did not take time to improve and further develop their personal and professional skills. As a result, not only had they not become "indispensable" to their employers, but they have found it difficult to bounce back into the job market.

The bottom line is that if you want to advance in your career, personal and professional development are not only important, they are necessary. Here are three tools that can help you jumpstart your personal development plan:

1) Mentoring: A mentoring relationship can take your career to the next level. Aligning yourself with someone who has already achieved success and is willing to share insights can accelerate your professional growth. Mentors come in all shapes and sizes. A mentor can be someone who guides you through a one-time event, a transition or through-out your career. Here are some questions you should ask yourself when looking for a mentor:

• Does the person have a record of career success?
• Is the person well regarded by his / her peers?
• Does the person have a track record of nurturing emerging leaders?
• Is the person willing to invest his / her time sharing personal experiences with you?
• Is the person willing to share connections and other resources with you?

2) Coaching: A coaching relationship can also take your career to the next level. Coaching will require that you invest both your time and your money. Coaching offers you a personalized approach that helps you align your goals with your values and keeps you focused on achieving your best. A coach can provide the encouragement, focus, honest feedback, structure and accountability you need to develop both personally and professionally. A coach can help you to:

• Identify obstacles that interfere with achieving your best
• Help you to develop a mission statement and a strategic plan for your life and career
• Help you to set and achieve goals

When looking for a coach, make sure that the coach is certified by a reputable institution. Also, take the time to interview the coach to make sure you have a good rapport.

3) Seminars, webinars, books: If you have a limited budget and limited time, you may want to consider seminars, webinars and books. Although not tailored to your specific needs like mentoring and coaching are, these tools provide you with on-the-go resources that can suit your schedule and allow you to stretch your mind in new ways.

Don't wait any longer. You'll be much more successful in your career and personal life if you make it a priority to invest on your personal and professional development.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mailellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2010 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

Technology can help you achieve work life balance

2010-03-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

As a woman in leadership, balancing your career, finances, family life and extracurricular activities can be challenging. Your responsibilities can pose various demands on your life that can make you feel overwhelmed and out of balance. In this age of mobile communications, technology can play an important role in helping you achieve a more balanced life. Here are 3 areas of your life where technology can help you achieve balance:

Your time: Most PDAs come with really great features to help you manage your time. Take the time to read the manual that comes with your PDA and maximize its functionality. For example, in addition to the basic calendar functions the Palm Treo has a programmable voice that will speak to you and alert you of your appointments. The iPhone allows you to download some great applications to help you manage different aspects of your life. You can manage everything from your to do lists to travel management programs that keep track of your frequent traveler programs to goal setting programs that help you develop new habits.

Your finances: Programs like Quicken or Quickbooks provide great tools to help you manage your finances. These programs allow you to link to your online banking accounts and provide you with a comprehensive and up-to-date view of your finances. These programs also provide great features like bill pay as well as spreadsheets, charts and graphs. The programs are user friendly and you have the option to link them to your PDA if you want to monitor your accounts when you’re on the go.

Your social life: Social media have become powerful and effect tools to strengthen already existing relationships and to form new ones. Programs such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn have revolutionized the way we connect with each other and how we share information. You can share photos, videos, audio files and news articles. If you haven’t already, consider joining a social media network to stay in touch with family and friends. Short and regular updates throughout the week will give you a glimpse into the lives of those in your network and help you feel connected even when you’re on the go.

Your career: Technology can help you to streamline your work day so that you work more efficiently. For example, there are various Google applications such as Google docs that can help you to promote collaboration and to share information with colleagues. You can save time and cut back on travel expenses by hosting video calls via Skype rather than face-to-face meetings. Skype is free and all you need is a computer with a webcam. Technology can also help you to expand your professional network through social networks like LinkedIn. Finally, you can expand your knowledge and learn new things through webinars and online courses from the comfort of your office or home.

Technology should never replace personal connections, but when approached in a thoughtful way, it can be useful in helping you maintain the right balance in your personal and professional life.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mailellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2010 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

Keeping yourself positive

2010-01-31T18:03:00.000-08:00

Keeping yourself positive in a down economy can prove to be a daunting task. Especially if you’re facing personal challenges or are surrounded by others who are. As a young professional, developing a plan of action that will help to keep you positive will not only help you personally, it will also help to boost your career. A positive attitude and perspective are contagious and can set the tone for enhanced relationships and career growth. Here are four (4) steps to help keep you positive.

Change your perspective
Train yourself to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. When you find your thoughts going in a negative direction, challenge yourself to focus on the positive side of things. Ask yourself questions like: What can I do to improve this situation? What lessons have I learned that will help me be successful in the future? How can this situation help me to help others? In addition to asking yourself these types of questions, take the time each day to write down the things you are thankful for. For example, you may be thankful for the sunset, the change in seasons, your talents, abilities, friends, etc. These exercises will help you to develop an attitude of gratitude and will lay the foundation for an uplifted spirit and positive perspective.

Surround yourself with positive people
Negative people are emotionally draining and not fun to be around. On the other hand, positive people breed positive energy. Therefore, go out of your way to surround yourself with positive people who are optimistic and encouraging. People who possess these qualities are hopeful and upbeat. Not only can they be fun to be around, but they can also give you a sense of strength during uncertain times.

Expose yourself to inspirational and motivational messages
Motivational speaker Les Brown says that where we are in life is often a result of the stories we tell ourselves. In other words, we become what we think about. Therefore, work on programming yourself and your mind for success. Listen to motivational messages everyday to reprogram your mind and interrupt the negative thoughts that may be holding you down.

Make healthy choices
Making healthy choices will have a positive impact on your attitude and energy level. Start by making small changes in your day to day routine. For example, instead of eating food that is high in sugar or fat, turn to fruits and vegetables. Drink water with your meals rather than soft drinks. Increase the physical activity in your day by taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk for thirty (30) minutes a day and get at least eight (8) hours of sleep a night. Eating right, exercising, and getting enough rest will improve your mood and your attitude.

We may be facing challenging times, but we are in control of how we view our situations. Take the steps above to keep yourself positive and focused on your future success.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mailellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2010 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

Writing, accountability are two keys to achieving goals

2010-01-24T15:07:00.000-08:00

A new year usually comes with new hope, renewed focus and a desire to start with a clean slate. That's why the beginning of the year is a great time to set goals.
Have you set new goals for 2010? If you haven't, it's not too late. Here are 5 steps to get you started:

1- Consider what you want to achieve: Goal setting requires thoughtful planning and consideration. Carve out some time to consider what you want to achieve. Perhaps you want to take your career to a new level. Maybe you want to improve your attitude or build new relationships. Whatever your goals are, take the time to flesh them out.

2- Count the cost of achieving your goals: Know how much achieving your goals will cost you. For example, if your goal is to write a book while you're working a full-time job, you will likely have to give up your free nights and weekends to get it done. Is that a price you're willing to pay? There is nothing more discouraging than failing to achieve a personal goal because you weren't willing to pay the price of committing to achieve it.

3- Write your goals: It has been said that goals that are not written down are just wishes. Written goals will give you clarity of vision and a sense of purpose. Be specific when you write your goals. Prioritize your goals and include dates and sub-goals to measure achievement over time.

4- Review and revise your goals: Make it a habit to review your goals on a regular basis. Regular exposure to your written goals will give you a long-term perspective and the motivation to achieve. Additionally, it will afford you the opportunity to revise your goals should your circumstances change.

5- Stay on course: It will be easy to lose sight of your goals when the luster of the new year wears off. One good way to not lose sight of your goals is to recruit an accountability partner who is invested in your well-being. Share your goals with your partner and commit to meeting quarterly to review your goals. At each quarterly review, honestly assess how you're doing. What worked? Where did you fall short? Do you need to reassess your priorities? An accountability partner will encourage you to keep your eye on the prize.

When you achieve a goal, remember to celebrate and enjoy the satisfaction of your accomplishment. Achieving goals will motivate you and give you the confidence to acheive your best.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mailellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2010 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

The keys to successful entrepreneurship are preparation and planning

2010-01-08T09:44:00.000-08:00

Entrepreneurship is very appealing to women in leadership. You get to be your own boss and the challenges of building your own business can be exciting. Is entrepreneurship something that you have considered? Perhaps the idea of working for yourself sounds appealing, but you don’t know where to begin. Maybe you’ve worked a full-time job all of your life and are afraid of what working on your own might mean. Here are some things to consider as you think about entrepreneurship.

1) Get your spouse’s support: Starting your own business will take a lot of mental and physical stamina. You will work long hours and will likely spend many days and nights away from home networking, marketing and building your business from the ground up. Be sure to discuss what entrepreneurship will mean with your spouse and get his/her buy-in. Having your spouse’s support and partnership as you take on a new endeavor will provide you with the extra fuel that you need when the going gets tough.

2) Get your financial house in order: Entrepreneurship is rewarding, but also very risky. In fact, many small businesses spend more than they make the first year of business. Before you take the plunge, work to clear your consumer debt and create a nest-egg that you will be able to rely on. Perhaps you want to cut back on your hours at work to ensure that you still have some steady income and health benefits while you develop your small business.

3) Plan and prepare: According to the Small Business Administration, 50% of small businesses fail within the first year. One of the primary reasons they fail is lack of planning and preparation. Take the time to get advice from the Small Business Administration or local economic development corporation. You may even decide to invest in a business coach who can help you develop a solid business plan and marketing strategy.

4) Stay focused: Entrepreneurship requires self-motivation, stamina, persistence and focus. You will need to program your mind for success. In order to do so, surround yourself with other like minded individuals. Join your local Chamber of Commerce or join a mastermind group. Both will offer you the opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs who can share in your experience, provide helpful advice and even offer strategic partnership opportunities.

There is a lot to consider before becoming an entrepreneur, but if you plan and prepare it can be extremely rewarding and fulfilling.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mailellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2010 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

Communication Is Key to Splitting Chores

2009-10-10T11:57:00.000-07:00

I recently attended a conference hosted by the local Chamber of Commerce. One of the topics discussed was how to de-clutter. During one of the sessions an attendee asked: “How do I get my spouse to share in the workload?” Everyone in the room chuckled and nodded in acknowledgement of the million dollar question.

As you seek to balance the demands of your career and family life, you may be asking yourself the same question.

Here are some tips that will help you win your spouse’s cooperation in sharing the workload at home:

1) Develop a plan together: Notice that the operative word here is ‘together.’ You may have a clear picture of what you believe the household priorities are, but if your spouse is not on the same page you won’t make much progress. Schedule 30 to 45 minutes of uninterrupted time with your spouse to identify your joint priorities and to divide tasks. Be sure that you each agree to take on tasks that you are comfortable with. For example, at my house my husband is most comfortable doing the landscaping and vacuuming while I’m more comfortable doing the laundry and cleaning the bathrooms. Since we both agreed to take on tasks that we’re comfortable with, the tasks are more enjoyable and easier to complete. Once you agree on the tasks you will each take on, develop a schedule and keep it in a visible place that you can both refer to.

2) Don’t Nag: Nagging is never pleasant; especially for the person on the receiving end.Instead of motivating your spouse into action, nagging will cause your spouse to become resentful and feel disrespected. In a marriage, words can cut or heal. Use your words to sow seeds of love. Remember that you’ll catch more bees with honey than vinegar.

3) Say “Pretty Please” and “Thank You”: Always show respect for your spouse’s time and show appreciation for your spouse’s efforts. Say “please” when you ask your spouse to take on a task and always say “thank you” after he/she completes it. You should do this even if the task isn’t completed exactly the way you would have completed it. In addition, find something positive and encouraging to say about your spouse’s contribution. Your encouragement and appreciation will fuel your spouse to want to continue to share in the workload and go the extra mile.

Your ultimate goal is to develop a working partnership with your spouse. If you put these 3 steps into action, you will be well on your way.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mailellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2009 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

How to Get Promoted

2009-06-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

I recently interviewed Life Success Consultant Miguel DeJesus on my weekly radio show. The topic was How to Get Promoted. Miguel has over 38 years of experience leading organizations to high levels of productivity and achievement, while creating a culture of personal growth, development, and achievement. Here are some of the highlights of that interview:

Ellie: Miguel, to get started, can you tell me a little bit about your background and 38 years of experience?

Miguel: Absolutely. I grew up in New York City on the Lower East Side and spent a great deal of my childhood in the public school systems in New York. I attended the High School of Music and Art in the Harlem area. I majored in Music and from there I moved on to Long Island University at the Brooklyn campus where I majored in Political Science and a minor in Accounting.

I then went on to Columbia University Graduate School of Business for one year and withdrew from the program, because I had the bug to go out and do something and make some money.

From there I moved into my initial phase with one of the two Fortune 500 companies that I’ve worked with, which was happened Xerox Corporation at the time. I spent about 18 ½ years there and another 18 ½ years with a company called Paychex.

Ellie: Along your career path, what would you say are the top two lessons you've learned on becoming a leader?

Miguel: That’s a great question, Ellie.

First, I would say is to ask in whatever environment that you're in. If you happen to be an employee, ask your bosses for assistance toward guidance and the opportunity to perform at a greater level, so you've got to ask. The second part of that first response is, also, you have to put yourself out into a position of wanting greater responsibility.

Nobody in either Corporate America or in the marketplace is going to tap you on the shoulder and say you are the greatest thing since slice bread was invented. You have got to be good at self-promotion and taking greater responsibility, which means stabding out from the crowd. Raise your hand and take a position, however unpopular it may be, because that helps to demonstrate some leadership and then you’ve got to pursue that.

The second lesson, I would say, is equally as important and that is to connect and attach yourself to a rising star in the organization or a rising entrepreneur, somebody who is working in your space that knows more than you do.

That’s important, knows more than you do or has greater responsibility than you do and then through a great personality, which you have to bring to the table, you request mentorship from that individual.

That goes two ways. You can make the request and they can deny, but if you don’t ask you’ll never get attached to the people that can help you rise to the next level of responsibility that you’re seeking.

Ellie: As you’ve mentored emerging leaders in the organizations that you’ve led, what would you say are the top leadership skills that someone needs to develop so they can become promotable?

Miguel: Great question. I would say there are probably a couple of areas that people need to really excel at. I have 12 critical success skills and won’t review them all here because of time, but I’ll review a couple of them.

· The first is communication skills.

To the degree that you have great communication skills, not just good, you have to distinguish yourself in the marketplace and one of the ways you do that is by having outstanding communication skills and that includes both verbal and written.

When you communicate there is no doubt that the receiver got your message. And that message has to be devoid of innuendos, sarcasms, etc. I’ll recall the old commercial. I think it was E. F. Hutton that said when Miguel speaks people listen. When Ellie speaks people listen. You know you’ve arrived when a room goes silent and they listen to your every word.

· The second skill I would say that is essential and important is leadership.

I would define leadership this way– when there is a void or absence of progress or of results in a specific area of endeavor. Whether it’s in education, business or in government, the person who raises their hand, stands up and has a proposal that makes sense to the bulk of the people is demonstrating leadership.

You do not need to have authority, in any sense of the word, given to you by anyone for you to exhibit leadership. You are not granted leadership you take leadership. Leadership is something that is done very professionally.

Again, let me go back to my earlier statement from that E. F. Hutton commercial I think it was: when Miguel speaks or Ellie speaks people listen. That places you squarely in a position of influence and leadership, because you cannot have leadership without followers. And, followers will not want to follow people they consider to be either weak in thinking or weak in their professional experiences.

To listen to the full audio version of this interview, you can listen at http://tobtr.com/s/480739.

Note: This article has been edited from its original version to fit a printed format.

For more info: Visit Ellie's website at http://www.ellienieves.com/ or send her an e-mail at ellie@ellienieves.com. You can also tune in to her internet radio program on Tuesdays at 6:30pm Eastern at www.BlogTalkRadio.com/Ellie-Nieves.

Mentoring for Career Growth

2009-05-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

A mentoring relationship can take your career to the next level. Aligning yourself with someone who has already achieved success and is willing to share insights can accelerate your professional growth. Mentors come in all shapes and sizes. A mentor can be someone who guides you through a one-time event, a transition or through-out your career. Here are some questions you should ask yourself when looking for a mentor:

Does the person have a record of career success?
Is the person well regarded by his / her peers?
Does the person have a track record of nurturing emerging leaders?
Is the person willing to invest his / her time sharing personal experiences with you?
Is the person willing to share connections and other resources with you?

What are some of the qualities you look for in a mentor? I would love to hear from you.

Networking on LinkedIn

2009-04-04T08:30:00.000-07:00

LinkedIn has revolutionized how we make professional connections with others. While networking on LinkedIn does not replace the genuine connection that can be made in a face-to-face interaction, it can be more efficient. It also provides more targeted opportunities to connect with other professionals than the randomness of networking events. Nonetheless, just like with face-to-face networking, first impressions are important on LinkedIn. Your profile is the first impression a potential contact will have of you. Since you only get one opportunity to make a first impression, here are three (3) tips to help you boost your profile on LinkedIn.

1) Your Professional Background: The descriptions you provide in your professional background will help to establish your credibility. Therefore, you should be extra mindful about the information you provide. Be sure to include more than your job descriptions; include your professional accomplishments. Did you increase your company's market share by 25%? Did you improve employee retention by 15%? Did you develop and implement a new system that increased efficiency? Here is your opportunity to showcase what you have achieved. This information will help others determine whether they will want to add you to their network or not.

2) Your Photo: Display a quality photo on your profile. Your photo will add a personable touch to your profile. Make sure your photo is clear and a good professional representation of you. If you don't have a good quality photo of yourself, leave that area on your profile blank until you get one. The cropped photo of you at your family picnic last summer won't cut it. The photo you select will speak volumes about the care you put into your professional presentation. Therefore, put your best foot forward and display a quality professional looking photo.

3) Your Recommendations: Aim to get at least one reference for each of your professional positions. But don't just aim for references from your colleagues; get references from your supervisors and high level clients who can attest to the quality of your work. This type of reference will speak volumes on your behalf and increase your stock as a professional contact.

These three (3) improvements will strengthen your credibility and enhance the first impression you make on a potential contact. Not only will you see an increase in the number of individuals who will want to connect with you, but you will see a marked improvement in quality of the person who will want to add you to his/her network.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mailellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2009 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

Networking for Career Success

2009-04-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

Networking and career advancement go hand-in-hand in your development as a leader. Where and how you spend your time networking will be largely determined by where you are in your life and in your career as well as where you want to go. Where you are in your career is just one of the factors that you should consider in planning your networking strategy.

Early career networking: Invest in professional associations. Don't just be a member who pays membership dues and attends the occasional membership meeting. Become a valuable member who gets involved in committee work and assumes a leadership role within the association. This kind of participation will help you to build meaningful relationships and will establish the foundation for a substantive professional network that you can rely on for years to come.

Mid-career networking: If you're in the mid-level of your career, it is important that you spend an increasing amount of your time building relationships within your organization; especially if you have determined that you want to grow into a leadership role where you currently work. Become intimately familiar with who the key influencers are within your organization and create opportunities to align yourself with them. This is also a good time to identify mentors within your company who will invest in your personal and professional development.

Executive level networking: Assuming you are not new to your organization, as an Executive, you have ideally built key relationships in your company that have helped you to get ahead. At this point in your career, consider returning to the professional association circuit; not as a member, but as an expert. Look to increase your value to your company by contributing to the discourse in your industry. Not only will this enhance your personal brand, but it will help to strengthen your company's position and presence in the marketplace. Considering where you are before launching your networking strategy will help you to become a more efficient networker. It will also help you to make the most of the networking opportunities that are available to you.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mailellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2009 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

Show Up, Speak Up and Step Up: 3 Leadership Strategies for Emerging Women Leaders

2009-03-10T19:23:00.000-07:00

The thought of stepping into a leadership role often intimidates women. But in today’s economy shying away from the limelight is no longer an option. In fact, stepping into a leadership role is necessary to ensure success and longevity in your career. You can begin to carve out your leadership niche in 3 steps if you Show Up, Speak Up and Step Up. Here’s how:

1) Show Up: If you want to get ahead in your career, you have to be seen. People need to know who you are and what you bring to the table. Especially if you’re new to your organization, it’s important that you make it a priority to show up on time for meetings, attend the company picnic, set up lunch dates with key members of your organization, etc. Showing up will allow you to become better known by your peers and superiors.

2) Speak Up: In the workplace, being seen is only half the battle. The other half is being heard. When you participate in a meeting, read the agenda before the meeting and show up prepared to make insightful and valuable recommendations that will move projects forward. Having a voice in your organization is important if you want to make a positive impression on key stakeholders.

3) Step Up: Many women in the workplace think that if they work “hard enough” at their current jobs that they will be noticed and eventually promoted. The reality is that working hard on your current assignments is not enough. Assess your competencies and volunteer for more challenging assignments that will highlight your skills and capabilities. Not only will your work be commended if you do a good job, but your ability to step up when needed will be rewarded.

If you follow these 3 Leadership Strategies, it is likely that you will not only make valuable contributions to your work team, but that you will also begin to carve out a larger leadership role for yourself within your organization.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mailellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2009 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

Face Your Fears

2009-01-19T18:07:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been plagued with fear? Has your insecurity prevented you from pursuing your dreams? Well, you’re not alone. Many women struggle with paralyzing fears that prevent them from living a life of purpose and passion. Instead of going after what they want, they hear a nagging voice inside their heads that often says: "I don’t have what it takes to pursue my dreams.” Or "I can't do it, it's too hard."

Fear is a difficult barrier to overcome, but when you take steps to tackle your fears, you begin to disown the limiting beliefs that prevent you from living a purposeful life. Eleanor Roosevelt once said: “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” Here are 3 steps to help you to look fear in the face.

1) Decide to face your fear: The most important step you can take in overcoming your fear is deciding to take it head on. It may seem obvious, but don’t underestimate the power of decision. When you make a decision, you make a commitment. Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe once wrote: "Until one is committed, there is hesitance, the chance to draw back. Always ineffectiveness.” Don’t be ineffective! Decide to face your fear.

2) Take a step: When you finally decide to face your fear, you should take incremental steps towards your goal. The key word here is “incremental.” For example, if you are afraid of water, I don’t recommend that you jump into a pool from the deep end. An incremental step would be to sign up for swimming lessons at the local YWCA. Once you attain a level of proficiency, you can take another step like swimming in 5 feet of water. Taking incremental steps will help you to build your confidence and courage.

3) Celebrate your victories: Every step you take towards facing your fear will empower you and make you stronger. Relish those moments and celebrate your victories. Each victory will provide the fuel for the next challenge you may encounter.

Let me encourage you; decide today to look fear in the face. Take incremental steps towards overcoming your fear and start moving toward living your life with purpose and passion. To find out how I can help you face your fears, send me an e-mail at ellie@ellienieves.com.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mailellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2009 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

Take a Step . . . Plan for Success in 2009

2009-01-05T01:16:00.000-08:00

Every January, so many of us set lofty goals for the year ahead on everything from healthier living to wiser spending; from character changes to personal makeovers; but by the time we get to February or March we slip back into old habits and our new year goals are all, but forgotten. Does this sound familiar? Well, here are a few steps from a scripture from my favorite book: the Bible. The scripture is 1 Peter 1:13 and if applied as follows, it will help you set your 2009 goals and stick to them . . .

So roll up your sleeves . . . 1 Pet 1:13 (MSG)

When you "roll up your sleeves," so to speak, you do so because you know that there is a big task ahead of you; you're getting ready to "dig deep" and "get into the weeds." Your perspective towards setting our 2009 goals should be the same. Therefore, be prayerful about the goals you set and be ready to "roll up your sleeves" and do the work it will take to achieve them.

Put your mind in gear . . . 1 Pet 1:13 (MSG)

Attaining your goals will require you to develop a thoughtful plan and that you commit to following through on that plan. For a long time, one of my goals was to eat healthier, but I couldn't seem to stay away from fast food. After all, my days get really busy and fast food is quick, easy, and cheap. My habits didn't change until I assessed my situation, considered my alternatives and I put my mind in gear.

I developed a plan that worked with my lifestyle, so that it wouldn't create a lot of work or extra will power on my part. I now do things like buy healthy snacks (yogurt, cheese, and fruit) over the weekend that I pack for my work week. I drink fruit juices or Vitamin Water instead of soft-drinks. I also reworked my budget because eating healthier can often cost more than fast food.
I shared my plan with you as an example and to encourage you to approach your planning thoughtfully. Remember: set yourself up to win, get your mind in gear.

Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves . . . 1 Pet 1:14 (MSG)

It's easy to lose sight of your goals and "lazily slip back into old grooves" if you're not held accountable. One good way to not "slip back" is to recruit an accountability and prayer partner who is invested in your well-being. Share your goals with your partner, ask her to pray for your goals regularly and commit to meeting with her quarterly to review your goals. At each quarterly review, honestly assess how you're doing. What worked? Where did you fall short? Do you need to reassess your priorities? An accountability partner will encourage you to keep your eye on the prize.

Be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming . . . 1 Pet 1:13 (MSG)

Approach your plan with a hopeful expectation that God will bless your goals and provide you with the resources that you need to be successful. Simply put, when you commit to the LORD whatever you do, your plans succeed (Proverbs 16:3). Remember, when you step out in faith, God will build a path where you walk. To find out how I can help you with your 2009 goal setting, send me an e-mail at ellie@ellienieves.com.

Ellie Nieves is a women's leadership speaker. Through her keynote presentations, breakouts, retreats and workshops she helps women to develop leadership skills, set strategic goals, bolster effectiveness and create a personal brand. For more information visit www.EllieNieves.com or e-mailellie@ellienieves.com.

© 2009 by Ellie Nieves. All rights reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.