Chapter 1: What is intentional design and why is it important?
Welcome back to the Leading Yourself Podcast. Can you believe that we are already at the end of January? Like it's crazy how quickly this year is going by. And as we reach the last week of the month, it's time to bring it all together. We have spent the last three weeks of this month getting clear on what intentional design actually means.
We talk about why new year resolutions fail and what works instead. We got deep into strategic career planning on week two. Last week we talked about the power of identity and today well this episode is about integration. We're talking everything you've learned this month and turning it into action. So here's what we're doing. Because this is new, it's a new format that I'm experimenting with.
And by the way, I would love to hear your thoughts. The first half of today's episode is going to be a guided session to map out your next 30 days based on the clarity that you've gained this month. And the second half, I'm going to be answering your questions about...
Chapter 2: How can I map out my next 30 days effectively?
actually implementing the work that we've been talking about this far on the podcast. So grab your journal, turn off your distractions, give yourself this time. This is how you close out January strong and set up February for success. Ready? Let's go. Welcome to the Leading Yourself Podcast. This is your host, Carolina de Arriba.
I'm an HR professional, coach, wife, mom, and above all things, a goal getter. In this podcast, we're going to be digging into all things leadership, professional and career development, habits, and relationships. This is a podcast for those who want to become the best version of themselves. Those who have big dreams and are willing to embrace the journey and put in the work to achieve them.
My goal is to share with you the tools, tips, and tricks to help you in your journey. So let's dig in into today's episode. All right, you've done the work of getting clear this month. Now let's build on it.
Chapter 3: What is the significance of identifying one focus for February?
Based on your discovery this month, what is one focus for February? Not 10 things, one. Maybe it's protecting your energy with better boundaries, or maybe it's having one career conversation. Or actually resting instead of pushing through? What's the one thing that would move you forward? Write it down. Now, let me ask you another question.
And if you haven't noticed, this is the theme of this part of the podcast. I'm going to throw out reflection questions. I'm going to put a few seconds of music so it's enough for you to hit pause and work on that question on your journal. We'll move to the next one. We're going to do just a few of these.
And then we're going to jump to part two where, as I said, I'm going to be answering your questions, the ones that you submitted earlier. And I know that if you submitted that question, probably many others listening to the podcast have the same question. So even if you didn't submit a question, I bet that you can relate to the questions that other listeners sent.
Chapter 4: How do I determine the smallest version of my focus?
So that is how this is going to work. I know it's very different from anything we've done in the podcast before. That's why I'm so curious on your thoughts. And I would love to get your feedback. So once again, your first question is, based on what you discover this month of January, what is one focus that you're gonna have in February? Just one. Let's move on to the second question.
What's the smallest version of that focus? Let's say your focus is boundaries. The smallest version for you might be say no to one thing this week without apologizing. Or for example, if you said that your focus this month is going to be to have a career conversation, the smallest version might be to schedule 15 minutes to outline what you want to say.
If your focus this month is to rest, the smallest version of it might be go to bed 30 minutes earlier three times this week. So again, what is the smallest, most doable version of your focus? Write it down. Let's move on to the next reflection question.
Chapter 5: What obstacles should I anticipate in my journey?
What obstacles will definitely show up to stop you? Be honest. You know yourself. What always gets in your way? Is it you'll say yes to everyone else's priorities first? Or maybe for you is that you'll tell yourself you don't have time? Or you'll get scared and talk yourself out of it? Again, what is the obstacle that will definitely show up to stop you?
We know it's not a matter if, it's a matter of when. So name the obstacle now so it doesn't surprise you later. The obstacle that will show up for me is, fill the blanks. Okay, the next one. When that obstacle shows up, what will you do? Not if, remember, but when. What's your plan?
Chapter 6: How can I create a plan to overcome obstacles?
Maybe it's to text an accountability partner or to come back to your why, or you'll do it anyways, even if it's scary. Write your plan down. I think a lot of us, when we start dreaming about our goals and our aspirations, we dream of a perfect world, a world where there's no obstacles. We only see the dream. We only see the aspiration. We don't see the obstacles that will come on our way.
That's why I think this question is so powerful. Because you now have proof, like I do, that every time that you pursue a goal or a dream, there is always obstacles along the way. And it's those obstacles that have stopped you from reaching your goal or your dream before. And it's not because you're not capable of overcoming those obstacles. It's because you didn't plan for them.
So that's exactly what we're doing with this two questions, the last one and this one. What are the obstacles that will show up? It's not a matter of if they will, they will. The question is when.
Chapter 7: Who should I involve to hold me accountable?
And when they do... What is your plan? This can be the difference maker in this year, actually achieving those goals and those dreams that you have tried to achieve before and you didn't. Now, my next question for you, who needs to know about your February focus? Not the whole world, just one person. Who can hold you accountable? Who will check in with you? Who will remind you why this matters?
I want you to write their name and not only write their name, but actually I want to invite you to text them today and let them know or ask them to be your accountability partner this month of February. Okay, one last question that I have for you. How will you know if February was successful? Not perfect. I'm not saying perfect, just successful.
What will be true at the end of the month if you follow through? What will you feel?
Chapter 8: How will I measure success at the end of February?
What will be different? I want you to really get a specific on this one. This is another thing that we tend to underestimate. We think about the dream, but we don't get as specific as to what success looks like. And I'm very specific on the questions that I'm asking you. I am saying, how will you know at the end of the month that you follow through? How would it feel? And what will be different?
Write it down. Get specific. Okay, you just created your February plan. One focus, the smallest version of your focus, the expected obstacle and your response, your accountability partner and your success criteria. That is not vague. That is your roadmap. Now let's tackle some of your questions that you submitted through the podcast.
And let me tell you that I'm loving this part where you actually get to submit questions. If you haven't or you missed it, I'm gonna put the link again on the show notes of today's podcast episode. But now through a simple form survey, you can submit questions every month. And in the last episode of the month, I'm gonna be answering your questions.
Because at the end of the day, I want to make sure that I'm adding value to you, that what I'm sharing here on the podcast is something that is helping you. As you're listening to me about any of the topics that we cover here, you have questions or you find yourself trying to apply something that I share with you and your struggle and you need more clarity, like send me the questions.
I promise if you have the questions, someone else is asking themselves the same question. So you're not only getting answers for yourself, but you're helping others to get answers too. Okay, the first question. I identified what matters to me, but my schedule is completely packed. How do I make space for my priorities when there's literally no time?
Okay, this is probably the most common question that I get and I was expecting it would come through and it did. And I'm going to be very direct with you today. You don't have a time problem. You have a priority problem. I know this is harsh, but hear me out. Your calendar is full because you said yes to things that don't align with what you said it matters. And I get it.
Some of those yeses felt necessary. But were they really? Here's what I want you to do this week. Look at your calendar for the next seven days. For each thing on there, ask yourself, does this align with what I said I value? what I said I wanted to be working on, what I said impact looks like for me. If the answer is no, you have a few options.
You can cancel it, you can delegate it to someone else, or you can shorten it or accept that you're choosing it over your stated priority. But stop pretending that you have no choice because you do. Again, your choice is you can cancel it, you can delegate it, you can short it, or you can accept it and be okay with the fact that that is taking priority over what you set your priority was.
The space doesn't magically appear. You create it by saying no to what doesn't matter. And yes, it's uncomfortable. People might be disappointed. But you staying burnt out and resentful isn't serving anyone, starting with you. So start with one thing, one meeting, one commitment, one obligation that you can release this week. That's your space.
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