Tips for Self-Improvement Before Seeking Help

This week Jane Pettit and I wrapped up our latest Centred Excellence Academy cohort. We always finish with a session on mindset, and how to be successful at anything, we have to be the change. It's a common human tendency to look around and blame others when things aren't going as we'd like. Whether in business, personal life, or our careers, it's easy to point fingers at colleagues, bosses, family members, or circumstances beyond our control. This mindset, however, keeps us stuck and prevents growth. I've been reflecting on some of the outcomes of not only this session, but also my conversations this week in both my 1:1 coaching, consulting and networking. Shifting our perspective is one of the most powerful tools we have. Instead of waiting for others to change or for situations to improve on their own, we can choose to be the catalyst for the change we want to see. Here's my thoughts on how: 1. Take ownership: Recognise that you have control over your actions and reactions. While you can't always change external circumstances, you can change how you respond to them. 2. Identify what you can influence: Focus on areas where you can make a difference, no matter how small. This could be improving your skills, adjusting your attitude, or finding new ways to approach problems. 3. Ask for what you need: Many of us hesitate to ask for help or resources, fearing rejection or appearing incompetent. However, clear communication about your needs can lead to better support and outcomes. 4. Seek information proactively: Don't wait for others to provide answers. Take initiative to research, learn, and find solutions independently. This not only solves immediate problems but also develops your skills and knowledge. 5. Set an example: Be the change you want to see in your environment. If you want more positivity, be more positive. If you want better communication, communicate more effectively yourself. 6. Embrace continuous learning: View challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. Cultivate a growth mindset that sees setbacks as chances to learn and improve. 7. Take action: Don't wait for the perfect moment or for someone else to take the lead. Start with small steps and build momentum. 8. Reflect and adjust: Regularly assess your progress and be willing to adjust your approach as needed. Being adaptable is key to sustained change. By shifting our mindset from blame to ownership, from passivity to action, we empower ourselves to create positive change. This approach not only improves our own circumstances but can inspire others around us, creating a ripple effect of positive transformation in our workplaces, relationships, and communities. Remember, change starts with you. Be the change you wish to see, and watch how it transforms not just your own life, but the world around you. Have a great weekend everyone 🙂

What Has to Happen Before You Consider Asking for Help in Email Marketing? In the world of email marketing, there's a fine line between persistence and knowing when to seek assistance. For many, asking for help can feel like a last resort, but it’s often a crucial step towards personal and professional growth. Here's what I suggest should happen before considering reaching out: ✅ Self-Reflection and Awareness: Understand your own limitations and strengths. It's important to take a step back and evaluate your current strategies and outcomes. Are you meeting your goals? If not, why? Are they focused on customer retention, acquisition, or simply revenue? If you're the CXO, remember to measure "good." Is it good for my customers, is it good for my company, and is it good for my employees and vendors? ✅ Identifying Specific Challenges: Pinpoint the exact areas where you're struggling. Is it the content, the design, the analytics, or perhaps the deliverability? Knowing your weak spots helps in seeking targeted assistance. Any fool can identify their strengths, but a wise person will know their weaknesses. ✅ Exploring Resources: Before asking for help, make sure you've tapped into available resources like webinars, articles, groups, Slack channels, or forums. This self-initiated learning can often provide solutions and deepen your understanding. Have you joined #emailgeeks? Have you been to an email conference? ✅ Mindset Shift: Embrace a growth mindset. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness but a proactive step towards improvement. It’s about being open to learning and growing. Remain teachable, forever the student. No one was born knowing how to perform email marketing; we all learned from others. ✅ Critical Questions to Consider: ✔ Who to Ask?: Seek: a company or individuals with proven vertical or ESP expertise and a track record in the specific area you're struggling with. ✔ What to Ask?: Be clear: This not only shows respect for the other person’s time but also ensures you get the most relevant advice. Identifying the problem is usually the first step to solving it. ✔ When to Ask?: Timing: Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed. Reach out when you first notice persistent issues that you can’t resolve on your own. You might be surprised that many in the email community are willing to help each other. For example, I once had issues with Gmail sending soccer practice schedules to the spam folder. When I asked for help, someone offered their SMTP relay services. Remember, even the best in our field had mentors and coaches. Your willingness to ask for help reflects your commitment to excellence and continuous learning. I ask you, what steps do you take before seeking help in your professional journey? Share your thoughts! 💬 #EmailMarketing #PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #MarketingHelp #ContinuousLearning

Be nice to yourself. Your internal dialogue speaks before you do, shaping confidence, performance, and resilience. Ignore it and it will amplify stress. Train it and it becomes your personal coach. Why it matters: - Distanced self-talk (using your own name or “you”) quiets the emotional centers of the brain and boosts self-control. - Self-affirmations light up the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, making your brain more receptive to change and healthier. - Self-compassion correlates with lower anxiety, greater resilience, and steadier motivation than high self-esteem alone. - A recent meta-analysis shows performance gains across 30+ sports studies when athletes practiced structured self-talk. Make your self-talk kinder (and more useful) 1. Name-swap: When stress spikes, switch “I can’t handle this deadline” to “Shira, you’ve met tighter ones.” Third-person language creates distance and calms reactivity. 2. Values check: Write a 2-minute note on a core value before hard tasks. This simple affirmation primes the brain for openness and action. 3. Self-compassion break: Pause, note the struggle, remind yourself that imperfection is human, then ask “What would I say to a friend?” Answer it—out loud if possible. 3. Replace should with could: “I should post on LinkedIn daily” carries judgment. “I could post” invites choice and curiosity, easing resistance. 4. Cue cards: Draft two or three empowering phrases and place them where you work. Repetition wires the language in before pressure hits. Speak to yourself as you would to a promising colleague. Your inner voice will start working for you, not against you.

Discovering your strengths doesn’t require a career coach or a personality test. Sometimes, all it takes is paying closer attention to your everyday life. Here are five practical ways to spot where you're already equipped to serve and grow: 1. Notice What People Ask You For Help With People are always giving clues. What do your friends, coworkers, or kids come to you for? Encouragement? Discernment? Clarity? Keep a list. You might not see the pattern right away. But over time, themes will emerge. God often reveals your gifts through community. 2. Pay Attention to What Energizes You You can be good at something and still feel drained by it. But the tasks that energize you? They’re worth noticing. Ask yourself: • What makes me lose track of time? • What do I look forward to? • What gives me life—even when it’s hard? Energy is a compass. Pay attention to where it points. 3. Reflect on Past Wins Think back to moments when things just clicked. Not just what you accomplished—but how it felt. • When did you feel most useful? • What made you feel a healthy kind of pride? • What projects lit you up? Tools like CliftonStrengths, Myers-Briggs, or journaling prompts can help too. They’re not magic—but they can give language to what’s already true. 4. Ask Someone You Trust Self-awareness is a team sport. Ask a friend, mentor, or manager: “When have you seen me at my best?” You don’t need a panel of experts. Just one or two people who know you and care about you. As Proverbs 27:6 reminds us: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” 5. Try Something and Reflect Clarity doesn’t come from thinking alone. You have to do. Try a new role. Volunteer. Pick up a new hobby. Then ask: • Did this feel life-giving or draining? • Was I helpful? • Did it stretch me? Even small steps create momentum. These practices won’t give you all the answers overnight. But they will give you direction. Over time, they’ll help you grow in both self-awareness and stewardship. Start small. Trust God to guide the process.

Everyone talks about getting 1% better every day. Few people actually explain how to do it. Here's the real science of self-improvement and how you can use it to reach your full potential: The ideas behind getting 1% better are: - Consistency - Discipline - Process-focus And each of those are part of one larger skill - Self-regulated learning. Self-regulated learning breaks down into: - Setting clear goals with plans - Monitoring your progress during practice - Reflecting afterward to direct future goals and learning. It's simple, but remarkably hard to do. This is the skill underlying deliberate practice. 1. Goals with plans “A goal without a plan is just a wish” is exactly right. You need to know where you want to go and a path to get there. That means: • outcome goals: destination • performance goals: progress indicators • process goals: daily actions A plan with these 3 ingredients will help you much more than a simple goal itself. Your plan should also include other resources you need (coaches, support) and what you want to target each day along the way. 2. Monitor progress As you work toward your goal, you need to assess what’s going on. This allows you to make adjustments in the moment to find what works. If you’re trying to become a better basketball shooter, for example, try to track your improvement shot by shot, rather than practice by practice. Checking with how you’re performing during practice so you can refine and iterate while you’re still active. 3. Reflect and iterate When practice ends, you’ve got to ask yourself 3 things: • what did I do today that I want to keep doing? • what did I do today that I want to do differently? • what did I learn? Reflection will deepen your learning. Then, take what you want to do differently and turn it into a process goal to iterate on tomorrow. Now you know exactly what to work on and how to get 1% better tomorrow. Just improve that skill. With this framework, you can make 1% better every day a reality.

𝑪𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆: 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒑𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑺𝒆𝒍𝒇-𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 Enhancing your self-esteem is essential for cultivating a positive self-image and a fulfilling life. Here are some tips to help you on this journey: ✅ Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness, understanding, and patience you would offer a friend. Be gentle with yourself, especially during challenging times. ✅ Focus on Strengths: Regularly acknowledge and celebrate your positive qualities and achievements. Recognizing your strengths boosts confidence and reinforces a positive self-view. ✅ Challenge Negative Self-Talk: When critical inner voices arise, replace them with supportive and encouraging thoughts. Shift your focus from self-criticism to self-support. ✅ Set Realistic Goals: Break your goals into manageable steps, and recognize your progress along the way. Achieving small milestones can build confidence and a sense of accomplishment. ✅ Surround Yourself with Positivity: Spend time with people who uplift and support you. Limit exposure to negative influences that can drain your energy and self-worth. ✅ Prioritize Self-Care: Take care of your physical and emotional well-being through regular self-care activities. A healthy body and mind contribute to a strong sense of self. ✅ Learn from Mistakes: Instead of dwelling on failures, view them as opportunities for growth and learning. Embrace mistakes as part of your journey. ✅ Practice Assertiveness: Clearly and respectfully express your needs and boundaries. Assertiveness empowers you to take control of your life and boosts self-respect. ✅ Embrace Uniqueness: Celebrate what makes you unique and avoid comparing yourself to others. Your individuality is your strength. ✅ Seek Supportive Relationships: Nurture relationships that encourage your growth and self-esteem. Healthy connections are crucial to maintaining a positive self-image. Last but not the least, building self-esteem is a gradual process that requires time, effort, and patience. Be gentle with yourself as you work through these tips. Additionally, consider keeping a #gratitude journal, practicing #mindfulness and #meditation, engaging in activities that bring you joy, and seeking #professional help if needed.

Confronting Your Weaknesses Is Essential for Growth. Pretending you don't have weaknesses won't make them go away, and ignoring them won't make you stronger. In fact, avoiding your weaknesses can leave you vulnerable. To truly grow and advance in your career, take time to identify and address your areas for improvement: 𝟭. 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: - What skills are you lacking for that next-level job? - What communication barriers are preventing your promotion? - What fears are keeping you stuck in an unfulfilling job? 𝟮. 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗮 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻: - 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆: Know your weaknesses and write them down. - 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: Who can you talk to for advice or mentorship? - 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: What training programs or courses can you enroll in? - 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: What books or resources can help you improve? - 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Who can you partner with to learn and grow? By recognizing your weaknesses and actively working on them, you can turn them into strengths. Find experts in areas where you need improvement and learn from them. #ProfessionalDevelopment #GrowthMindset #CareerAdvancement #LearningAndDevelopment #Mentorship

𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘁𝗼 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture – your personal and professional growth. Amidst the daily grind, take a step back and ask yourself: Are you fully invested in your development, or just going through the motions? 𝗧𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸, 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀: 1.⁠ ⁠𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲: Set clear, achievable goals for the short and long term. Break them down into actionable steps to ensure progress. 2. 𝗕𝗲 𝗮 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿: Seek continuous learning through courses, books, and workshops. Stay curious and hungry for new skills and insights. 3. 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻: Regularly evaluate your progress, adjusting your goals as needed. Learn from successes and setbacks to fuel growth. 4. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿: Identify a mentor or coach who can offer valuable guidance, support, and motivation. 5. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: Engage with peers, industry leaders, and professionals. Collaborate, exchange ideas, and expand your horizons. 6. 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴: Don't neglect your mental and physical health. Invest in self-care to maintain productivity, enthusiasm, and overall well-being. 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗼𝗳 𝗷𝗼𝘆. 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆, 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵.

I decided to start the week with this. I’ve discovered that for experienced professionals, some things seem like platitudes. But for folks who are still feeling their way through their career, and “adulting" the right type of guidance helps. You feel overwhelmed at work & are not doing tasks you like. Unmotivated & frustrated, you're uncertain if you should quit, pursue a master’s program, or start your own business. But even that is confusing! Sounds familiar? Here is how I recommend you get out of that rut. 1) 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: It's okay not knowing everything. The key is to embrace learning & keep growing each day. Accept that it's fine to make mistakes, provided you learn from them. It's part of the learning curve. 2) 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬: SMART= specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. Instead of saying, "I want to get better at my job," say, "I want to improve my sales numbers by X% in Q3." This gives you a clear target and a way to measure your progress. 3) 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 Y𝐨𝐮𝐫 G𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬: Have clear, tangible goals and visualize them daily. They serve as your signal in times of uncertainty and remind you what your targets are. 4) 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: While motivation is a can aid action, it fluctuates. Discipline, on the other hand, keeps you going even when motivation wanes. Discipline is committing to your goals and working towards them, 5) 𝐀𝐜𝐭!: Instead of waiting for the perfect plan, take action based on the information you have. Be willing to adjust your approach as you gain new insights, moving closer to your goals with each step forward. 6) 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤: Seek constructive feedback from colleagues, mentors, or supervisors. This can give you insight into areas where you can improve. Remember, feedback is not a criticism of you as a person but a tool to help you improve. 7) 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬: Maintain a sense of curiosity about your work and field. This can lead to a deeper understanding and open new avenues for growth. Ask questions, do research, & always strive to know more. 8) 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤: Building relationships can be beneficial. You can learn from experiences, get advice, & discover opportunities you would not have otherwise found. Don't be afraid to connect with others. 9) 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: Everyone has days they feel inadequate. It's part of being human. Instead of feeling bad about yourself, approach these situations objectively. 10) 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞: Work is important, but so is the rest of your life. Ensure you have work-life balance. This prevents burnout & keeps you from getting overwhelmed. Relax. Spend time with loved ones. Remember, personal & professional development is a continuous journey of growth and self-discovery. Embrace the process, stay resilient, & enjoy the fulfillment that comes from progress and achievement. Have a great week. Davidson 

To "restart yourself" focus on four key areas: Career, Relationships, Health, and Self-Esteem. The guide, created by Victoria Repa, offers actionable advice for personal improvement... 1. Career This section focuses on professional growth and purpose. • Purpose and Goals: It advises reflecting on what truly excites you and brings purpose, then setting specific goals on a yearly, monthly, and weekly basis. • Skill Development: The guide suggests identifying three skills to improve or learn and making dedicated time for them. • Networking and Boundaries: It recommends reconnecting with inspiring mentors or colleagues and setting clear boundaries around work hours to prevent burnout. • Accomplishments and Motivation: It also suggests updating your LinkedIn profile with recent accomplishments and listing the "why" behind your work goals to stay motivated. 2. Relationships - This part of the guide is about nurturing and improving your connections with others. • Appreciation and Connection: The guide emphasizes the importance of expressing appreciation, such as a simple "thank you," to strengthen bonds. It also advises reaching out to friends you haven't spoken to in a while. • Boundaries and Energy: It recommends distancing yourself from toxic people and setting clear boundaries to protect your energy. • Quality Time and Support: The guide suggests setting aside "tech-free" time with loved ones and spending more time with people who inspire and uplift you. It also highlights the importance of practicing active listening. 3. Health - This section provides guidance on physical and mental well-being. • Sleep and Exercise: It recommends setting a regular sleep schedule of 8+ hours per night and aiming for at least 10,000 steps each day. • Diet and Hydration: The guide suggests cutting back on snacks and fast food to prioritize nourishing meals, and consistently hydrating throughout the day. • Mindfulness and Breaks: It advises adding a 5-minute daily meditation for mental calm and taking short breaks with stretches or quick exercises. The overall theme is to treat health as a priority, not an afterthought. 4. Self-Esteem - This final section focuses on building confidence and positive self-perception. • Mental Health and Self-Care: It prioritizes mental health and suggests trying different forms of rest. It also advises cleaning out subscriptions, photo galleries, and contacts to declutter your life. • Growth and Expectations: The guide encourages experimenting with one new thing every month and setting realistic expectations for yourself while avoiding comparison with others. • Gratitude and Self-Kindness: It recommends practicing gratitude daily to focus on the positive, being kind to yourself, and recognizing even small progress.