Have you ever added something to your to-do list with the sole purpose of checking it off because you already completed it? Something about crossing off items on a list is satisfying and makes us feel productive. We have agendas, checklists, calendar invites, and tools everywhere to remind us of our tasks and make us…
Have you ever been in an argument with someone over an offensive comment or insult? Hopefully, you had the courage to confront that person about what they said, and hopefully, they were able to offer a genuine apology. But occasionally, you get a response that sounds something like this: “I didn’t say you are annoying.…
Remember Tamagotchis? If you never experienced playing with these pocket-sized digital toys when you were a kid, you might remember your child or younger sibling playing with them. In a nutshell, they were small, handheld devices with screens that showed the users’ personal virtual pet. If you fed, cleaned up after, and cared for your…
Control can be a tricky and even polarizing concept. While some subscribe to the idea that we are capable of willing our wants and needs into existence, others believe in complete and utter chaos – events happen to us and we have no control over our own lives no matter how much we wish we…
Imagine a close (but oftentimes negative) friend or colleague following you around for a day and voicing every unfiltered criticism that comes to mind. As you sit in a meeting and try to share your opinion, this colleague shoots down your ideas. As you work on a project or try something new, this person reminds…
Fun Productions, like many small businesses during the 2020 pandemic, made the difficult decision to lay off workers. In fact, they laid off the entire team while they waited 15 long and uncertain months for events, and therefore business, to start up again. Like many other companies, Fun Productions encountered an unprecedented dilemma in the…
The first day of the EOS implementation is The Focus Day. It is my favorite day of the process for new clients. They walk away exhausted, feeling like they drank from a fire hose, but have gotten so much accomplished. We are super productive and make huge headway in terms of positive change in just…
Whether we are willing to admit it or not, we can’t do everything when it comes to our business. While many ventures may start off as single-person projects, they typically don’t stay that way for long. If we try to manage every aspect of a growing business, then eventually it will outgrow our personal bandwidth.…
The heart of Abbott Coaching is to help other business owners, leaders, and eventually, all employees live their ideal lives, both personally and professionally. While there are some benefits to keeping strong boundaries, it is inevitable that these two parts of our lives often operate hand-in-hand. Therefore, finding the right balance and blend can be…
I recently completed a 36-hour course to improve my facilitation skills because when I work with my clients I want to give them the very best of me. I aim to stir the pot, get everyone’s strongest ideas, and make sure everyone weighs and buys in. I genuinely learned so much from this course (it…
It’s no secret that owning a business is a serious job. As a business owner, you are constantly wearing multiple hats, as you juggle project management, bookkeeping, and keeping your clients and employees happy. These factors, combined with the fact that our society glamorizes the “hustle” mentality are a recipe for burnout amongst business owners.…
Up-Front Information is a Game-Changer How many times have you experienced the anxiety of a change in the workplace? This could come from a promotion, a department or location transfer, beginning an entirely new job, or even from getting a new boss. Change is an uncomfortable, but generally unavoidable part of taking on new career…
Teamwork doesn’t have to mean frustration and contention. You never want any members of your team dreading to work together. Instead, you want them to get excited and know that the job at hand is going to be a fun and fluid experience. As the leaders in your specific industry, you set the tone for…
Every CEO wants their employees to commit to the overall vision and success of the company. Oftentimes, we forget in our leadership that it’s our responsibility to first, pick the right people for the job and second, make sure they are aligned, supported, and ultimately, engaged. As we get ready to take on a new…
You’ve built this dream of yours into a profitable business. You must be passionate about what you do? But here’s something that is important to remember: not everyone else has the same dream or passion as you do. When you start to build a team, it’s important that you find people that 1) enjoy what…
We all are well aware of the magic that can happen during the fourth quarter, (thanks to the great game of American football). But, have you ever thought about the fourth quarter, in that same way, for your business? Sure, you have the annual quarterly meeting on the calendar, but do you make it different…
We’ve all seen and heard them before. Three to five little words or phrases that are displayed on a company’s website and along the walls of their headquarters — widely known as the core values. Here’s the thing — core values are more than words on a wall or webpage, yet many organizations continue to…
Can you believe we are already approaching Q4 of 2021? Earlier this year, we touched on the power that comes from working in a 90-day world, but as we wrap up this year, let’s take it a step further and really consider and see how this can apply in quarterly planning. Working in 90-day increments…
Did you know “a bad hire can cost an organization up to 30% of the employee’s first-year salary?” At least, that’s what the Department of Labor estimates. It’s no news that hiring is a very serious operation within an organization. Not only for the purposes of saving money, but also for the sake of employee…
Have you ever been so involved with something or someone that you’ve become blind to red flags that everyone else can obviously see? Or, have you ever known so much about a certain topic or subject that when you talk to someone that doesn’t know anything about it, they just look at you like you’re…
Well, it’s been over a year now since the way we do business (and life) drastically changed. There are many of us who tried to cling onto what was and prevent as many changes as possible… but when it comes down to it, the companies and workforces that learn to adapt are the ones that…
Why do you think the standard calendar quarters are made up of 90-day periods? Q1 consists of January, February, and March. April kicks off Q2 and three months later, Q3 starts and so forth. Every three months is roughly about 90 days. Why do you think that companies give new employees a 90-day performance review…
Based on your decision to read this article likely confirms that you’re searching for some sort of silver lining in growing your business. You know you’re capable of doing more and getting more out of your business, but you are hitting a ceiling. The things that once worked are no longer getting traction. Lucky for…
The world is a different place than it was six months ago. The emergence of COVID-19 caused many organizations worldwide to pivot (almost overnight) to an entirely virtual workforce, leaving leaders to pick up the pieces and quickly figure out how to manage their teams in this new way. And while no one could have…
It’s a safe assumption that all of us have experienced our work lives being turned upside down over the past couple months. As organizations adapt to the mandates and changes brought on by COVID-19, a record-breaking number of people now find themselves working from home—including many who have never worked remotely until now. There are…
“I’m an excellent leader. I always communicate effectively. I’m a visionary and dedicated to results. And my employees know just how much I appreciate their contributions to the organization.” Really though? Regardless of whether this sounds like your internal voice, stop and consider this: If you have an opinion about yourself as a leader, how…