The past three years have been quite the rollercoaster ride. They tested our patience, relationships, and resiliency as individuals and organizations.
Many of us were thrown off course, forced to rethink the way that we work and the way that we achieve our goals.
Some of the changes that we made in our organizations were for the better. And some were temporary measures just to get by.
Although we cannot control all aspects of the future, we can anticipate and do more to prepare for what may get thrown our way.
As we move forward into a new year (and hopefully one that is a bit more predictable), I encourage you to pause, reflect, and refocus before continuing full steam ahead with your day to day activities.
This month, block some time in the calendar for yourself and your team to review and regroup.
Here are three questions to think about and discuss as you look back on 2022 and prepare for 2023:
What went well for our organization, team, and for me as the leader?
Where did we struggle as an organization, team, and as a leader?
What do our priorities need to be for 2023?
Perhaps these may be difficult conversations to facilitate or think through on your own. If so, I would love to guide you and your organization through your review. Connect with me if you’d like to chat about options for support.
Our home backs onto an open field on the edge of the city. Without a fence to block out creatures in the neighbourhood, we have an abundance of wildlife that likes to meander through our yard, especially rabbits.
The rabbits have become predictable in their activities, so much so that even the occasional fox will follow their trails through our yard (and have stopped to peek in our patio windows this winter).
It’s interesting that the rabbits choose to take the same paths during the winter, with wide open spaces and much easier routes to choose from.
Humans and organizations are creatures of habit too. We tend to stick with what’s familiar, zoning in on where we want to go based on what we’ve done before. We tend to stay focused on the path directly in front of us instead of zooming out to look at the bigger picture and new possibilities.
But what would happen if your path suddenly vanished?
Would you be stuck, frozen on the spot with nowhere to go?
Or would you easily adjust and take a new route to where you want to go?
We have all experienced this over the past 3 years. When the pandemic hit, many organizations froze in their path, unable to move forward while a few quickly pivoted and kept finding new ways to reach their goals.
As we move forward into 2023, what does your path look like?
Are you sticking to or reverting back to familiar ways?
Or are you ready for new paths and approaches?
If you’re seeking new horizons, it might be time to step away from the familiar path and try something new.
As you consider your goals and plans for the year, here are some questions to ponder:
Where do you want to be a year from now?
What do you need to focus on in 2023?
What happens if you stay the course, operating as usual?
What could happen if you veered off course? Stepped off of the beaten path and tried a new route/approach/direction?
Is it time to double down and stay true to what’s working? Or is it time to switch things up and step outside of your comfort zone?
If you’re looking for support in carving out a new path in 2023, let’s chat.
5 things that I’ve learned about leading a growing team in my role as Program Manager at the Manitoba Entrepreneurial Hubs over the past three years:
How you show up matters (for your team, your clients, and yourself) – be mindful of your presence in the workplace.
Create an environment for your team to flourish – you’ve hired a team of capable people. Give them space and support to do their jobs.
Understand the unique strengths of your team members (including yours) – lean into these strengths as individuals and collectively in order to achieve your goals as an organization.
Sometimes you need to ask and sometimes you need to tell – learn to dance between the roles of manager, mentor and coach.
Take time off – leave for lunch, book holidays, and stop working in the evenings. Carve out time for life outside of work (refer back to number 1 above).
Earlier this week, we wrapped up our Annual Planning Workshop series with 30+ small business owners who are now ready to tackle this year with intention.
We dug into 5 key areas:
Vision for your business
Priorities for 2022
Quarterly goals
Systems for consistent action
Support to keep you moving forward
A key tip: You might have a rock solid plan but if the last two ares mentioned above are lacking, that’s when you may find your plans sliding to the side.
Make a plan. Keep it visible. Commit to consistent action.
I was cleaning up my computer files today and came across this draft blog post content that I created a year ago this week. So much has changed yet so much is still the same as the pandemic continues, we’re still in the midst of various Public Health restrictions, and business isn’t back to normal.
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“Dear 2020, none of this sh*t was on my vision board”
Well, Q1 of 2020 didn’t turn out totally as planned. Back in January, when we were all planning for a new year, a new decade, who would ever have imagined we would be going into a worldwide pandemic and confined to our homes? Not us.
We had big goals and plans of rolling out a ton of in-person events and training sessions starting in April, we’ve been ordering furniture and equipment for our coworking spaces in anticipation of our opening our doors to more women on a daily basis for connecting, training and working side by side.
On a personal level, had visions of travelling more this year, sharing experiences with our daughter and other family members and friends. Getting out and doing more group activities like bowling, swimming lessons and soccer.
For now, all of these group ventures seem so far away and unknown. Does that mean all that planning and visioning was a waste of time? Nope. Someday we will be back to gathering in person. Sharing a cup of coffee side by side, hugging friends after a play date, and learning from each other face to face.
What does it mean in this time of uncertainty and social distancing? It’s time to revisit our purpose and pivot our activities.
Our purpose is to connect women across rural and northern Manitoba to high-quality services, other entrepreneurs to inspire/encourage them, and spaces where they can gather and do business. Although our gathering in person is halted for now, thankfully with technology we can still continue to connect and share at a distance.
Going into Q2 of 2020 this week, our team is regrouping and refocusing. We’re going back to the whiteboard to look at how do we continue to fulfill our purpose within the constraints that we’re all facing. What information and supports do our community of women need right now and how can we get that to them? How do we keep advocating for women entrepreneurs in rural and northern Manitoba so that they’re voices are heard and considered in important policy or program development? How do we keep showing up for each other on a day by basis to acknowledge this weird time that we’re going through and to navigate the ups and downs?
Although we’re now sitting behind our computers from the comforts of our own homes instead of in-person sitting next to you with a cup of tea or coffee, we are still here for you and cheering you on.
Let us know how you’re being affected and how we can help. For some, this has thrown your businesses completely off track and for others, it’s a time of new opportunity and ideas. Whatever your path is right now, keep going and reach out for support.
Need some help piloting or taking a look at things, adjusting your activities to ride the unknown wave that these next months will bring? Book a phone or video chat with us and we’d be happy to help. Our services are still complimentary.
P.S. 2020, we still have 9 months to get things back on track.
I love planning, especially planning for a new year with my team at work.
Pre-pandemic, our annual planning day took place with all of us in one room together for a full day of dreaming and scheming over shared snacks… A day focused on exciting conversations about work and our personal dreams for the years ahead… Filling the walls with Post-it notes full of ideas and plans… Heading home at the end of the day feeling energized and excited about all the magic we can make happen in the coming months…
This year with public health restrictions still in place, an in-person planning day isn’t possible and honestly, I was feeling really bummed about it. Our greatest ideas and breakthroughs come from those in-person brainstorming sessions. I struggled for a bit with thinking we need to change it all up using virtual tools but in the end, I decided to go with our usual routine and our first session was magic!
What we’re doing differently: – connecting our team using video on Microsoft Teams – Breaking up our agenda over a couple of smaller sessions – Writing our own notes with our own markers
What stayed the same? – The planning agenda and steps – Post-its and whiteboard notes everywhere! (Just not all in the same room) – Inspiring conversations and high five moments – Connecting with my people and being reminded about everyone’s passion for the work that we do
Trust the process and go with your gut. It’s ok to plan during a pandemic and it might even be the energy boost you need.
2020 was a big year so before you break out the Post-it notes and start planning for 2021, take some time to reflect.
The pandemic impacted every aspect of our lives and will continue to do so for time to come. As you reflect on 2020, here are some thoughts to consider: – Express deep gratitude for the good that happened in your life – Pause and acknowledge the pain and suffering faced by others – Celebrate the moments and milestones that you are proud of – Note the struggles you faced – Think about what you want to leave behind in 2020 – Pay attention to what you want to carry forward into the new year
For many, 2020 was full of pain and suffering. And for many, it was a year of opportunity and renewal. Whatever your experience was, every year in our lives is important so don’t sweep it under the rug too quickly.
Grab a notebook, pen and your favourite beverage. Curl up in a cozy spot and spend a few moments releasing the year that was.
The ecosystem for entrepreneurship in Manitoba is changing and I’m honoured to be part of the process. As the Program Manager for the Manitoba Entrepreneurial Hubs, I have the amazing opportunity to lead a talented team that is working with women across rural and Northern Manitoba to start or grow their business.
We have an exciting vision and big goals to achieve but the day to day work is rewarding.
Flourish Leadership Development 