Potential

Mid-Year ReBoot

July 12, 2013

learn more about maxwell leadership

explore our strength leader services

You'll also love

tell me more

I'm Deb- CEO, worldwide executive coach, mentor, consultant and speaker. I'm here to help you take your leadership and impact to the next level!

Meet Deb

reboot

 

Last week, we had a great call with folks who responded to my invitation for a mid-year reboot session.

 

One thing is for sure, and that is we all need a mid-year reboot. When you reboot your computer, you are in essence forcing it to stop processing just for a time. This helps reduce the clutter that builds when the computer is in constant process mode, causing it to slow down considerably.

 

We sometimes think that if we just work harder and faster and more and more and more, we will somehow catch up and get everything done. In actuality, it works the opposite – the processor gets cluttered and slows to a point of less productivity.

 

And so we need a mid-year reboot – a time when we revisit those New Years Resolutions and goals (you DO remember those, right?) and see how we’re doing on reaching them. It is NOT a time to beat ourselves up for not reaching perfection and accomplishing every goal. It’s a time to be realistic about what was done and what wasn’t…and why.

 

Some goals may have been replaced with better and more meaningful opportunities. It’s okay to let them go or postpone them if that is the case. Some goals were not accomplished because little things overwhelmed them. THAT is not okay. This is where a reboot kicks in to turn those goals back on while you still have time.

 

Here’s a quick REBOOT checklist.

 

Review your goal list (and that means it has to be in writing).

 

Engage help. If you have not reached your goals because you have too much to do, you need an assistant. If you have not reached your goals because you are not motivated enough, you need a coach.

 

Be realistic. If your goal was to lose 20 pounds a week, start a profitable business in a month, move to a new house in 6 weeks, learn to play the piano before summer, and get your masters degree in one semester – well, that’s not quite realistic. Set goals high – high enough to make you stretch way beyond your comfort zone – but not to impossible levels.

 

Only choose three main things at a time. Ten things may sound good, but it’s likely you won’t hit any if you spread yourself that thin. Choose three at a time. It creates focus.

 

Organize. Declutter. If time commitments are standing in your way, it may be time to pare down some of the things that you don’t need to be doing. In this day and age, over-commitment is one of THE biggest obstacles to real success. Busy does not equal progress.

 

Take time to recharge your battery. It’s summer. Go outside, take a vacation – or even a mini-vacation. Enjoy the tastes and sounds and smells of summer. When we just “stop” and take time to clear our heads, it makes room for clarity and creativity.

 

I am taking a dose of my own advice here, in fact, and will be tailoring my schedule in August to allow for rebooting, renewing focus, and planning for next year. I encourage you to do the same.

  1. Steve B says:

    Hi Deb,

    I read your email this morning on the mid term reboot, and could not agree with you more. As I sit here preparing for my first week off this summer, It reminded me that I need to once again review my goals and see where I have fallen short.

    After reading some of you website about leadership, it dawned on me that I should share RYLA with you and that you may know some high school students who are interested in developing their leadership skills. We still have some room left for the upcoming summer sessions. http://www.ryladistrict7255.com/index.html

    Thank you, Steve

    • Steve, have seen interest and particiation of teen leadership catapult with Rotary’s RYLA program. It also helps to “reboot” the Rotarian to understand the importance of modeling leadership and reaching out to our youth with proven programs of engagement that develop their abilities. Good reminder.

    • admindeb says:

      Steve thanks so much for your kind words and yes I will indeed pass on the Rotary Youth Leadership link, this is a great way to sow into the lives of our tomorrow’s Leaders!

      Deb Ingino

  2. Mike Harbour says:

    Deb, love the reboot analogy. I know I need one and this is a simple formula to use to get me back on track for the 2nd half of 2013. Thanks for all you are doing to be a world changer. Mike Harbour

    • admindeb says:

      Mike funny thing is that we all need a reboot from time to time and this article and last week’s webcast was born out of a need I and others had. Thank you for your comments!

  3. Deb, this is timely and practical. I’ve been choosing only 3 priorities and that has been a big boon to my to do list. My tendency is to want to do it all, so I have been doing this daily and oly move on to others once the most important 3 items are complete.
    My grandchildren give me the recharge time I need. They take me on adventures to fight dangerous dragons and new hair styles for a princess party. Thanks for such a great reminder to reboot.

    • admindeb says:

      David you have the best ever recharge station in your grandchildren! What a beautiful way to refocus my friend. It’s funny like you I tend to want to accomplish a ton and the magic of 3 ensured I at least accomplished the 3 highest priorities. Simple and effective. Thanks so much for your kind words!