Here in the Northeastern part of the United States, we are busy enjoying our lovely but short summers. In the midst of enjoying ourselves, some of us are also making “Back to School” plans. Business owners are strategizing their fall marketing campaigns, parents are preparing their children for the school year, corporate folks are preparing budgets etc. It’s a true life skill to juggle being in the present in the moment, so we enjoy what we have created, while also planning our next steps. I find most of the successful people I know have mastered this planning skill through coaching, discipline, training and working with others who embody this strength.

A relatively small number of us are born with an inherent strategic planning strength. This gives us the ability to clearly visualize our end goal or vision, and carefully plan the sequential steps to secure it. As with many other natural capabilities, we often don’t understand when others “can’t see” or think the way we do. One powerful step is to begin to own and understand our strengths so we can embody them and help others learn to travel the same road we do. Owning and appreciating our strengths gives us more confidence, and helps us avoid listening to our negative and insatiable inner critics!

If you are curious about your innate strengths, I recommend one of my favorite books: Now Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton. I suggest using the code on the inside of the (new, not used) book jacket to take the on-line assessment, and then reading the parts of the book explain your top five strengths. Since I took this assessment and discovered I have the Strategic Planning Strength, it’s helped me utilize it more in my own life, create strategic plans with my clients and to also teach others to think differently about how to achieve their visions.

If you want to see a brilliant example of strategic planning in action, check out the upcoming Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk in the upcoming events section of this newsletter! Over its 17-year history the Jimmy Fund Walk has contributed more than $40 million to support cancer research and care at Dana-Farber.

If strategic planning isn’t an inherent strength, there are many ways to incorporate it into your life. Natural born strategists instinctively use the strength. However, one can practice this skill so it becomes part of your repertoire. Instead of reacting to situations and putting out fires, you can respond vs. react, and avoid many of the fires before they blaze.

You can create a weekly planning checklist that will assist you in being more proactive and thoughtful about achieving your goals. By taking 10 or 15 minutes each week to schedule in essential activities, you will use your time more wisely and anticipate problems. Use the questions below to aid you in thinking and acting more strategically!

1. What is the SINGLE most important thing I need to do this week? When do I commit to doing it?

2. What primary action do I need to take to move my professional agenda forward?

3. What primary action do I need to take to move my personal life agenda forward?

4. What action can I take this week to increase my work life balance or address long-term goals such as financial security or buying a first or second home?

5. What action am I most avoiding doing this week? How can I handle this right now so it does not become a pain point?

6. Last but not least: How will I reward myself for completing these actions?

These people decided to take action in their lives, and leave their comfort zone enough to make some powerful changes. Some used coaching and/or therapy to assist them with their challenges. Each one had to face their fears, try on new behaviors, and trust their strengths. As you can see below, their efforts were rewarded. I also love to hear from former clients or others about their good news too! I only mention ages because many of my clients feel they are sometimes "too old" to have things happen for them.

INDIVIDUAL COACHING: Explore what coaching can do for you! For people new to coaching, I always offer a complimentary session designed to help clarify and move forward to the career, relationships, and lifestyle you truly desire! Coaching can help you gain clarity about your goals, provide accountantability and structure, and help you move through your obstacles and fear toward success. Coaching will help make the changes you want so you live a life that reflects your values and priorities! Click on the link under my picture to access my website, with a coaching video from a television spot I did for WCVB Boston Channel 5 Chronicle Magazine and detailed New York Times and Boston Globe articles profiling my work, and testimonials from satisfied clients.

HE'S JUST SO INTO YOU CLASS! : For women only! **Brookline Adult and Community Education Center. After this fun and interactive workshop, you will feel great about your most attractive qualities and more energized in your relationships! This workshop takes place Tuesday, October 17th 7-9:30 PM at Brookline Adult Education. Call 617 730-2700, or visit http://www.brooklineadulted.org, or email the office: bacep@brookline.mec.edu to register.

THE BOSTON MARATHON® JIMMY FUND WALK, Sunday, September 17th, gives participants the opportunity to follow the course of the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon in honor or memory of friends, family, co- workers, and patients facing all forms of cancer. It is the only event other than the Boston Marathon itself that is sanctioned by the Boston Athletic Association to use the historic route. Walkers choose from one of three route options designed for everyone from the marathon enthusiast to the youngest walker. For more info go to Jimmy Fund Walk

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