Debra Kasowski, Author at Debra Kasowski

EPISODE 116 – Putting Passion Back into Your Profession

July 25, 2017 by Debra Kasowski Leave a Comment

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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDuakh_9VjA[/embedyt]

“There is no passion to be found playing small–in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” -Nelson Mandela

Do you remember the feeling when you fell in love with your profession? Do you remember thinking how lucky you were to be in the career you want? Do you remember how much meaning and purpose your profession gave you? Maybe you still feel like that now or maybe you don’t. You may think, “I do not hate it; but I do not love it as I once did”.

Our passions can change over time. I know some people who have dreamed about their profession since their childhood and what they have become is exactly who they wanted to be. Their eyes light up as they share the story with you and they have a smile from ear to ear. I love listening to their enthusiastic stories. I have also spoken with people who have fallen out of love with their profession. If you are like these individuals, you may feel that your voice was not heard and you were shutdown when you offered suggestions. You have decided to settle or play small. You may have had to listened to “we have done it before lecture” only to be rejected once again. Your light started to diminish within you. You may not have felt appreciated or that your contribution was valued. You may feel that everyday feel like the movie Groundhog Day where Bill Murray’s character wakes up to the same events day after day. The same old routine day after day is sucking the life from you. You do not feel challenged and you avoid contributing to meeting as your contributions will fall on deaf ears.

You might be thinking to yourself, “I don’t mind the work but it does not make me come alive as it once did.” When you hit this fork in the road, you need to decide to make a change. Change how you view the role or position or your change your course and do something else. Changing your course is not a cop-out; it means that you are now more passionate about something else that provides more meaning to you or you feel that you can contribute to and make an impact. There is no win-lose situation here. A lose is when someone stays in a profession they no longer enjoy. They are hanging onto someone’s dream job. Go after the dream job and leave space for the person who wants your job that you no longer are passionate about.

Your change may mean that you need to go back to school or cut back on your expenses so you can adjust to a new lifestyle. The questions are: Will you be happy? Will you be doing what you love? Will doing this work bring meaning and fulfillment? Will you feel like you are living your purpose? You need to get clear on what it is you want in your life. When you can develop a clear vision, you will be able to make decisions that align with that vision. You are the leader of your life. Lead the way!

The flame that was burning inside motivating you for is now a fire of burning embers with the last glimpse of light. Now, you have decided to stoke the flames that remain to change your perspective of viewpoint of how you see your role and your profession, there are several things you can do to bring more excitement into your life and role with the acronym – SELF!

Self Awareness

Self-Awareness is knowing that you need to make a change. It comes from taking time to reflect on what you enjoy and what you do not and enjoy. It also makes you stop and notice the things that you stopped doing that once bring you great joy. Why did you stop? Did it stop because someone else stopped organizing it? Why didn’t you pick up the torch? Did you stop being grateful for everything you had around you even the lessons you learned along the way? Did you stop taking time for your own self-care and burn yourself out? Self-awareness is a game changer! Remember your WHY for going into the profession in the first place.

Engagement

Engaging in Activities. People often lose passion in their profession because they are no longer engaged in what they are doing. You can get re-engaged by spending time with people who are actively involved in their profession. Join your local professional organization and get involved where you can. Volunteer in some capacity. It is a great way to meet other people and gain new skills.

Learning

Learning new things. When you are on a learning curve, you brain is stimulated and you are excited to learn new things. Even though you may be nervous, you anticipate catching onto the new skills. You will work at it and work at it until you get it right. Take courses, attend conferences, and read industry magazines. You will be amazed at what it going on in the world that you were not aware of.

Focus

Focus on Your Successes and Strengths. Start taking stock of your successes and listing off your strengths. We often take our successes and many of the strengths we have because we are either moving onto the next great thing or our strengths come so naturally that we do not see them as strengths.

Follow the S.E.L.F. philosophy to get excited about your profession. Don’t forget to share with others what great things are going on in your profession! When you can share your excitement with others, it will continue to fuel you. You can find the spark again!

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world”

Harriet Tubman

We would love to have you subscribe to the Success Secrets newsletter on my website at www.debrakasowski.com where you’re going to get us free MP3 download 10 Surefire Strategies to Power Up Your Productivity and Performance. Book your complimentary Discovery Session by going to the Coach with Debra page on my website and send me your interest and we will set up a time and date to learn about how coaching can benefit you. Thank you for listening to The Millionaire Woman Show where we talk about leadership, business, and human potential to help you live rich from the inside out. Subscribe to The Millionaire Woman Show. Share it with Your Friends. Give us a 5-star rating!

DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. Her writing has been published in a variety of print and online magazines. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. Sign up the Success Secrets Newsletter and get your free mp3 download today! www.debrakasowski.com

How to Handle the Pressure of Being an Immediate Success

July 24, 2017 by Debra Kasowski Leave a Comment

“Nobody works better under pressure. They just work faster.”
― Brian Tracy

It does not matter if you are a new leader or if you are entrepreneur launching a new business, there is an underlying pressure to be an immediate success. This is one of the top challenges that leaders face today. Some of the pressure is from the teams you lead or the senior leadership you may be answering to. The other pressure may come from family, friends, or investors with the expectation that failure is not an option. There is this expectation to deliver results and the pressure is on from all directions.

As with anything new, it takes time to develop competencies. Some knowledge, skills, and abilities are expected, however, any leader with a few years of experience under their belt will tell you that even though you reached one level that there are new challenges at every level along the way. Dr. Marshall Goldsmith’s book, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, discusses how leaders often think that the same skills that got them their current level of success will be the same ones that get them to the next levels of success. However, new challenges are faced and new knowledge, skills, and abilities get refine. You do not know your capacity to handle new situations until you are in them.

“Pressure is a word that is misused in our vocabulary. When you start thinking of pressure, it’s because you’ve started to think of failure.”
― Tommy Lasorda

Be Prepared to Commit to Being the Leader or Entrepreneur You See Yourself to Be. You can choose to be interested in your role or you can choose to commit and passionately pursue the vision you have. Ensuring that you are ready and prepared to face the challenges you face with a positive attitude means that you are over 50% of the way there.

Don’t Put Too Much Pressure on Yourself. Be kind to yourself. We are often our own worst enemy with putting unrealistic expectations on ourselves to perform. Mistakes are inevitable. You will fail. Learn to fail forward by being open and willing to learn and improve.

If You Do Not Know Something, Admit It. Don’t pretend to know something you do not. You could be putting yourself at risk. Why risk it? You can learn what you do not know, ask for advice from a professional or someone who does know what you don’t, or ask questions to help find out the answer. People would rather do business or work for someone who admits when the do not know rater than pretending that they do. Chances are you are not expected to have every answer. You are expected to know how to find it. Ask questions!!

Expose Yourself to New Situations. The more situations you work through, the greater the experience you will have. You will learn, adjust your course, and grow from the experience. Take time to reflect on how the situation unfolded and how it may be handled differently if a similar circumstance occurred again. A person is only as good as the experiences they have been exposed to.

Learn as much about the Industry as possible. By learning as much as you can about the industry, you are setting yourself up for success. You will be able to understand the trends and how to position yourself best in the market place. You will able to be more strategic with your decision making.

Stay Solution Focused. The more you look for solutions the more likely you will be to find them. When people focus on the roadblocks and challenges, they often find more of the same.

Discover What the Expectations of Your Team or Senior Leadership Are. How do you know if you met expectations if you do not even know what those expectations are? You could be putting needless pressure on yourself to have immediate success and you do not need to!

Take Time Out to Recharge and Rejuvenate. Excelling in a new role can be challenging. You want to ensure you are taking time to look after you. Eat right. Get some exercise. Sleep Well.

Remember that there are very few overnight successes. The people who we think are overnight successes were the people you spent many late nights refining and honing their crafts. There were sleepless night and many sacrifices made. A little bit of pressure can improve performance and motivate you to work at improving. Too little pressure you may procrastinate or become complacent. Too much pressure and you will become overwhelmed. You may even stop taking the actions need to get results.

Release the pressure! Step into the leader you know you CAN BE! Above all, BELIEVE in yourself!

Episode 115 – Talking with Giants with Scott Schilling

July 20, 2017 by Debra Kasowski Leave a Comment

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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nHUTK4SSWo[/embedyt]

Meet Our Guest:

Scott Schilling is The Significance Expert committed to providing Inspired Answers to Today’s Challenges through his TV Show, Podcasts, speaking, training, consulting and coaching. Scott helps individuals and organizations systematically grow personally, professionally, financially and spiritually. No matter where you are in your path from Survival to Success to Significance, Scott gives the guidance, direction and actions steps necessary to get from where you are to where you want to be!

Scott brings a unique combination of 35+ years of life experience in sales, marketing and training to corporations, business owners, entrepreneurs and individuals. He has presented at nearly 2,000 live events sharing the stage with General Colin Powell, Rudy Giuliani, former first lady Laura Bush and many more.

As an Internationally accomplished and entertaining presenter, Scott has spoken to hundreds of thousands of attendees across a range of industries. Scott brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the airwaves, board room, podium and print. Scott has written 10 books to date including the recently released “Without Customers…Ya Got Nothin’!”

Scott is a highly sought after Significance Expert because of the results he produces. His training propelled one client’s business to grow from approximately $8 million annually to almost $80 million in just under 6 six years.

Schilling earned his B.B.A in Marketing and Insurance from the University of Iowa.

Scott’s Life Purpose is: To Inspire and Empower others to serve humanity through living their life’s purpose in Spirit, Love and Joy!

To contact Scott, he can be reached by calling at (972) 659-8941, via email at Scott@ScottSchilling.com

EPISODE 114 – Desperately Searching for Solutions

July 18, 2017 by Debra Kasowski Leave a Comment

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“Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution. If you don’t have any problems, you don’t get any seeds.” Norman Vincent Peale

Do you stop pursuing your goals because you think you do not have the resources to make it a reality? This belief may be your excuse for not doing what it takes to get what you want.

Here are some questions to test your theory:

Do you know anyone who has done what you want to do?

Do you know someone who knows someone who knows someone who has done what you want to do?

Have you asked someone if the knew what to do or knew of someone who does?

Are there books, articles, or courses on the subject you are working on?

Have you “Googled It”? Type in your questions…see how many others have been asking the same question. (Side Note: please look for best practices that are evidence based)

Have you asked yourself what you need to know or do to find the solution?

You are probably thinking if I knew the answer why would I ask the question. Questions stimulate the brain to scan for answers from previous knowledge and experiences. The secret to finding solutions is getting clear on what it is you want. It is like putting a puzzle together. When you are clear in knowing what you want, you know the questions you need to ask. Even if you are not 100% sure, once you start asking you can refine your questions.

The BIG QUESTION is: What do you really need?

People? There are many people who have gone before you. There are mentors and coaches to support you in asking powerful questions for you to uncover the answers you need. There are contractors and freelancers who have the skillsets you may not have to help you. Ask questions!

Knowledge? There are libraries full of books, YouTube videos on almost every subject imaginable, and podcasts filling the airwaves with golden nuggets of information. Have you tried “Googling” your question. Try it! Word of caution…when seeking advice make sure it is credible, evidence-based, and best practices. Otherwise, you could be getting yourself into trouble.

Skills? Can figure things out? Have you given it some effort? You never know what you can do until you do it? Think about trying out a new recipe. You make it the first time. Taste good but next time you add some spices to jazz things up or add an ingredient or two. You learn as you go.

Trust Yourself. Answers can be external or they can be internal. Many of the answers you seek are within. Trouble is you may be so busy you miss the signs and signals pointing you I the right direction. Take time to ask yourself what you need to become the person who has achieve the goal. Trust your intuition about what your next steps should be. Test them out – ask questions!

What is required from you?

What do you need from others?

What resources do you need and when do you need them?

What’s missing from the big picture?

I personally find it frustrating when I suggest watching a YouTube video or testing a solution that was brainstormed and the other person is not willing to take action and discover the answer. One time I was working with someone, they were struggling with an issue, I suggested going online and checking out YouTube for a potential solution. They said they should not have to go to the internet for the answer so they didn’t bother looking. I did. I found an answer. The answer came in the form of a video they understood. They tested it out – and found the solution. If you have resources right at your finger tips or an earshot away, it is your own doing if you do not find the solution. The answer you seek could be right in front of you and you may be too stubborn to ask or search for the solution. The answer must not be that important.

I can hear you saying BUT Debra…

Get off your BUTS!!!

Do the research. Test the theories!

Take the action necessary.

Hire the coach or contractor.

Do the work!

You learn by doing and by taking action. Adjust as you go – you will figure things out. No action – nothing happens!

So, ask yourself…what do I really need?

The most successful person is not successful because the HAVE all the resources. They are successful because the know where to find them and leverage them – they are resourceful.

What resources are readily available for you to start accessing today?

EPISODE 113 – Just Ask for What You Want

July 13, 2017 by Debra Kasowski Leave a Comment

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“Always ask yourself: “What will happen if I say nothing?”
― Kamand Kojouri

There are many times I have wanted to ask for something and I had held myself back. Why you ask? The reasons ranged from thinking that someone was too busy or that they would not be interested, they might laugh at me, think I was asking for too much, or thinking I had to have been long term friendship or relationship to make an ask. I learned that if I was curious and simply asked and took a genuine interest in someone they would be more than happy to help me. Sometimes the ask leads to the building of a relationship.

One of my greatest lessons of asking backfired when I asked a presenter at a real estate seminar if I could “pick his brain”. I do not recommend using this technique. Here’s what happened. He told me to hold my thought until after the break then he brought me up in front of 200 people and asked me what I did wrong. I was embarrassed and he used me as a lesson for many – I learned very quickly never to use the phrases “Can I pick your brain?” again. My ASK was – “How can I become a motivation speaker?” I was inspired watching him capture the attention of everyone in the room. They listened on the edge of their seats…I wanted to be able to deliver great value and do the same. What did I do wrong according to him? I was asking for something for nothing. He explained that I could learn through volunteer opportunities. He then asked the audience if there was anyone who knew anything about become a speaker and the path that it entailed as he did not see himself as a motivational speaker. Several people raised their hands. He told them to connect with me at the end of the session and proceeded with his talk.
It is not my approach to teaching someone a lesson but it was effective. I learned many of the steps I needed to learn and now today I speak on stages sharing my message – of empowerment for women, leadership, business, emotional intelligence, and personal development.

Another “ASK” I asked was rejected. I was in middle of planning a surprise Disney vacation and asked my boss at the time for some time off – she refused. I was disappointed and frustrated. Later that week, I went to a one-day training with my mentor, Jack Canfield. He asked us to do an exercise with a partner discussing something we were recently frustrated about the outcome. Of course, my trip was it. We were to think about how we could ask, what we needed to consider when asking, and the timing of the ask. Determined I was going on this trip, I dressed up very professionally and went in on my day off and asked again with conviction explaining how important the trip was to my family and what I was willing to do to make it happen. I still remember her sitting back in her chair saying, “What a negotiator!” Imagine if I never asked again. The answer is always no unless you ask and sometimes you need to do it again and again.

They have been other times I have talked myself out of asking saying, “What’s the point?” The point is it is important to you. Do you feel you deserve it? Do you feel you make others feel bad because you are getting what you want? Do you assume you already know the answer before asking? You could be wrong – I was!

Shortly after the manuscript was submitted for my co-authored book, GPS Your Best Life, I wanted to submit a proposal outline for my own book. I had drafted a concept – it was rudimentary. I himmed and hawed about pressing the send button to make the ask. I kept telling myself I needed a deeper relationship or at least have gone out for dinner with the publisher before I could have a book published – even though I was already getting a booked published with her. Finally, I hot the send button at two-thirty in the morning and by nine in the morning I had received an email to flush the idea out with the editor and I would have a contract. I was so excited – then the work began. You never know until you make the ask! We do not ask enough – at least not as much as we should be to get what we want. What is it going to hurt by just making the ask?
Worried about feeling foolish? Have you ever felt foolish before? Chances are you have and you are still here. The world did not end. Pay attention to how your asking, when your asking – is it the right time, know what you are asking for, and who you should be asking that will make the decision. Make sure you are in front of the decision maker! Another lesson of mine learned – another story for another day.
If you get flustered about asking, write down a basic script of what you want to say. You may not read from it word for word but you can have it at your side to ensure you do not miss important points. Looking at the points can jog your memory of the important points you wanted to stress or share.
Throw in a smile when you make your ASK. Ensure it is genuine, otherwise, the first impression may be – “Run, they want something from us!” A positive attitude and an genuine interest in others is a great way to build rapport and trust so people with want t connect or do business with you.
What ASK do you want to make? What are you waiting for? Go ahead and make the ASK! If you do not, someone else will!

“What if you find out at the end of life that you could have had all you ever wanted had you only asked for it??”
― Kate McGahan

We would love to have you subscribe to the Success Secrets newsletter on my website at www.debrakasowski.com where you’re going to get us free MP3 download 10 Surefire Strategies to Power Up Your Productivity and Performance. I would love to hear about this podcast has impacted your life. E-mail me at Debra@DebraKasowski.com. Thank you for listening to The Millionaire Woman Show where we talk about leadership, business, and human potential to help you live rich from the inside out. Subscribe to The Millionaire Woman Show. Share it with Your Friends. Give us a 5-star rating!
DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. Her writing has been published in a variety of print and online magazines. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. Sign up the Success Secrets Newsletter and get your free mp3 download today! www.debrakasowski.com