The Keys to Unlocking Your Full Potential

Today's blog post comes from a YWiB fav, Amber Rae, @heyamberrae.  Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan, Priorities and Plans: the keys to unlocking your full potential. Check out the full post below!! --

I used to hate planning. It felt unnatural and forced. Life felt like less of a grand adventure. I enjoyed the thrill of spontaneity, improvisation, and watching things naturally fall into place.

For a while, this approach worked. I did things that interested me and opportunities fell into my lap. I felt in touch with the flow of life.

But then a point came when life stopped moving as smoothly. I found myself spread too thin, spending my time and energy on things that didn’t matter. I knew the work and purpose I was meant to birth into this world. But I wasn’t focusing on it. This felt devastating.

Going with the flow had led me to say “yes” to everything except my own interests and needs. A few months ago, I decided to focus all of my energy on changing this. I began refining the foundation of who I am and what I bring into the world.

If you’re in a transition, ready for change, or just want to tap into your highest creative potential, here’s the process that brought me to feeling like the very best version of myself:

1. Evaluate priorities.

One evening, I made myself a cup of herbal tea, put away my computer, and pulled out my moleskine. I asked myself three very important questions:

1) What is most important to you?

2) What makes you happy?

3) What would you do for free?

My immediate visceral responses were writing, helping others make positive personal changes, and inspiring people to do the things that inspire them. Aha! This is what I was meant to be working on.

What’s most important to you? What makes you happy? What would you do for free?

2. Let go of the things that don’t serve you.

Our best self feels energized, alive, and like contribution and progress are being made. With this in mind, I took a close look at my life and all of the things that I was doing. For each activity, I asked myself, does X… energize me? Help me move my priorities forward? Provide opportunities for learning and growth? Play a positive role in my life?

These questions shed light on what I needed to change. I ended side projects that weren’t aligned with my purpose, left New York, cut out alcohol, and let go of acquaintances who sucked my energy.

I moved to Boulder, drank more water and herbal tea, started working with a personal trainer, and surrounded myself with a tight-knit group of people who challenge me, share values, and make me feel like the best me.

What (or who) is no longer serving you? How can you let go?

3. Commit to three priorities.

Jim Colins says that if you have more than three priorities than you don’t have any at all. Taking his advice, I picked three areas of focus: 1) Hey Amber Rae (writing), 2) Passion Experiment (helping people make positive personal changes), 3) revolution.is (stories that inspire meaningful action).

The thought of working on only these things deeply excited me. That’s when I knew I was on the right path.

What are your three priorities?

4. Create a schedule structure that works best for you.

Inspired by Paul Graham’s “Makers schedule,” I structured my life so that I could be as creative and productive as possible. Being creative is about giving my brain the space to make more connections. When I have appointments all day, I lose that space.

I use Tuesday and Thursday for clients and appointments. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are “Amber Days.” This means zero appointments and my entire day is open for what I want to work on and do.

How can you restucture your schedule to give you space for creation? What isn’t working about your current schedule? How can you create blocks of time to make it work for you?

5. Plan for inspiration.

Based on my priorities and promises, every Sunday, I map out a week that gets me excited. I feel the most inspired when I do good work, am active, and include play. That’s why I created a work / fit / play framework.

Here’s how it works:

> Work. I have no more than 3 priorities each day. I map the priorities based on T/Th for clients and M/W/F for Amber.

> Fit. I make sure to do some form of exercise every day (and working with a trainer has totally changed my life). This gives me a surge of energy each day and helps my brain make creative connections.

> Play. Every day, I make time for play. (The play calendar wasn’t complete when I took this picture.) Play typically involves spending time with someone I care about and doing something creative or new. (For example, on Monday, I painted and cooked with a friend.) I also work in weekly “heartstorming” play dates with friends who make my heart and brain feel on fire.

> Schedule spontaneity. I love adventure, randomness, and the unknown. That’s why I leave Saturday open to whatever comes my way. It definitely keeps things interesting.

All in all, if you want to do work that matters, if you want to prioritize your purpose and continually build momentum toward it, you’ll need to plan your life accordingly. Life doesn’t happen to us. Life works with us when we learn how to work it.

xoxo Amber Rae

p.s. - Heart this post? Tweet it!

p.p.s - if you implement any of the above and it works for you, please tell me your story! I’d love to hear about your positive changes. They’ll make my day.

-- Thanks to James and Michael for inspiring this post and Nathaniel and Antonio for reading the draft.

my {YWiB} story – member highlight: Carolina Horna

name| Carolina Hornasocial| twitter: @CarolinaHorna email| carolina@ywib.ca

Introducing a new bio-blog series called “my {YWiB} story: member highlights”. YWiB has expanded and we want you to get to know our newest executive members - Meet a member from our Marketing Team!

why YWiB |I became a part of YWIB’s marketing team back in December 2011. I first encountered YWIB at  UBC’s club week during my undergrad. I signed up for their newsletter but never for membership. While finishing my degree in Psychology, it was easy to find excuses not to attend any events or programs due to papers or exams. However, I regretted not getting more involved. After graduation, I worked with a girl who had joined YWIB while at UBC. She had such great things to say about the organization that when YWIB volunteer positions became available, I didn’t hesitate to apply. Despite taking Psychology in school, my dream has been to pursue a career in a creative field such as marketing. I believe the YWIB marketing team is the perfect opportunity to gain experience, expand my network and to work towards a worthy cause. I also wanted to serve as an example that “it’s never too late to get involved and take charge of your personal/professional life.”

childhood ambition| Singer or Doctor

my home| Surrey, BC (Born in Peru but I’ve lived here all my life, this is home)

wildest dream| To dance contemporary on “So You Think You Can Dance”

proudest moment|  Walking across the stage as I accepted my degree!

biggest challenge| To not over analyze, “sometimes a cigar is just a cigar”

favorite quote| “Keep Calm and Carry On” ~ British Poster 1939

inspiration| My mom - She moved to Canada with my dad and started her life from scratch; all while raising a new family and starting her career. She is my image of success :)

Introducing: my {YWiB} idea

my idea | we know you have them, great ones… what | if you have an idea for an event or a program, YWiB wants to help you put them into action

how | YWiB wants to collaborate with you – combine our experiences and resources with your vision. for information on how to apply to turn your idea into an event visit www.ywib.ca/myidea

why | outside of feeling confident & empowered after creating your own event and becoming the leader you’ve always dreamed about being, you get to:

·   work with the incredible team behind YWiB

·   work with some of Vancouver’s best and find your own mentor

·   feature your event in one of our snazzy partner locations

·   cross off “indulge in 15 minutes of fame” off your to-do list

·   dream up and create the next YWiB acclaimed event

when | apply online before February 29, 2012

so… do you have one?

my {YWiB} story - mentor highlight: Judy Brooks

YWiB would not exist if it wasn't for some amazing mentors we've had guide us along the way. We wanted to take some time to share some of their stories with you so that their experiences could help you as they've helped us. Introducing a new bio-blog series called “my {YWiB} story - mentor highlight”.  Enjoy!!

name| judy brooks social| twitter: @judybrooks

name three people you'd like to have a dinner party with

Why stop at 3?  The more the merrier!  Those who know me best will tell you that my greatest pleasure is a evening with lots of friends, cooking dinner for them, a drink or 2, lots of conversation and laughs (and maybe a game of scrabble).

But 3 people?   Dinner with my daughter Devon, my husband Denis and Val (one of the Co-Founders in Blo and a YWiB supporter) is a evening to feed my heart and soul.

you co-founded Blo Blow Dry Bar – tell us what is the one thing you need to have a great hair day every day?

I know nothing  about hair (but something about creating and growing a business).  When we visioned Blo - we knew the end goal was confidence, women feeling great about themselves.  So we were selling confidence.

Having said that, the trick for great hair everyday is a getting someone else to do it!  Get your hair blo-ed!

a lot of people fear taking the chance to start a small business. Did you experience that in the midst of the plans for Blo?  How did you overcome that fear/apprehension?

Blo was my 3rd business,  so I have had more than a bit of experience in the feelings that come with founding a business -the good and the overwhelming!  In starting a business there are always those moments when you think " What am I doing here?  Is this going to work?  Can I make payroll?".  You have to have the stomach for it.  And just like everything that takes commitment, tenacity is key.  Lots of people would say choose something your passionate about - Blo Co-Founders Val Litwin, Devon Brooks and I would say figure out your core values, and make sure they align with what you are doing.  Then when the going gets tough, and it will, you will know why you are doing what your are doing and you can bring the energy it takes to achieve success.  Check our our Passion Conspiracy Blog for more on that!  http://www.bravolimaoscar.com/

what is your favourite part of your new role as chief of staff at nurse next door?

Always, always my favourite thing about a business (whether it is mine or not!) is the people - seeing the team learn, grow and execute.  It is the most awesome of experiences.  At Nurse Next Door I have had the opportunity to watch this gem of a company and these incredible people take off; from Co-Founders, to VP Team to Care Services Centre Specialists and Franchise Partners, everyone is focused on the same vision of care.  Being trusted to help the team to organized and ready for their next stage of growth is interesting, fun and a privilege.  Besides, who can resist a business whose purpose is Making Lives Better?

why do you think YWiB and the YWiB philosophy is important for females in Vancouver (and beyond)?

Any organization that supports personal growth, that allows you to gain confidence, helps you connect and build relationships and gives you access to mentors, serves a valuable purpose.  YWiB does that.  I have had the honour of being on the Board for YWiB, speaking at their events, moderating panels, and getting to know past and current YWiB'ers - I love the transition, as someone starts in the YWiB, to when they really start to understand the power and influence they have in a room when their voice  gets heard.  Magic.  When companies ask me if I have anyone to refer for positions in their organizations, YWiB is one of the first places I reach out to.

I wish I had the kind of connection, mentorship and access YWiB gives when I was starting out.

chatting with...val litwin

val litwin is a ywib kinda guy!  he doesn't shy away from anything different, which has led him on varying career paths - from non-profits to co-founding blo blow dry bar to operations guru at nurse next door.  we had the chance to chat with val about surfing, ice cream and everything in between.

name three people you'd like to have a dinner party with. First would be Dane Reynolds, my favourite surfer.  Then I suppose we’ll need a good chef for a good dinner party, so naturally I think Gordon Ramsey would have to join us, for the food and spicy conversation.  My third guest would be British philosopher Alain de Botton.  I know there are a lot of dudes at this table, but all three of these guys are really opinionated, hedonists and enjoy good drinks, so I’m sure we’re have some pretty interesting discussion.  Afterward...well, I’ll leave it at that.

so, english lit major - what's the last classic you read? Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.  It’s a brilliant story, a classic for a reason.  I'm into gothic thrillers as a genre, and I think everyone's human nature has that kind of dichotomy that we see in Jekyll and Hyde.  I like books that kind of make us see ourselves in the story.

fill in the blank: i wish i could stop eating ice cream but i just can't!  I just discovered toasted coconut at whole foods, and i’ll tell you...it’s delicious.  Because it’s not just coconut.  It’s toasted coconut.

what kind of advice you would give to someone wanting to make a major career switch, like you did (ie. from brand to operations)? Be fearless!  Even if you’re not, act like you are.  And if you’re hesitant about it...just do it!  Of course, that said, you need to be as prepared you can.  You would be foolish not to plan for it.  Perfect your craft and stay supple and flexible in your learning.  Your mind needs to stay stimulated to grow.  Keep stretching yourself.  Always keep stretching yourself.

favourite vancouver moment? That's an easy one! There is a little yellow boat anchored off Jericho Beach, and in the summertime, I swim to it and back, every day.  That’s my little daily ritual, and that would be my favourite Vancouver moment.  Actually, last summer, there was a mother and baby seal that would follow me out whenever I swam out there.

what's the hardest decision you've ever had to make? how did it turn out? Well...I grew up on the island, and only moved to Vancouver 5 years ago – that may not have been the hardest decision I ever made, but definitely the most significant one.  And obviously it’s turned out well, because if I didn't, I wouldn’t have been able to have the career I have now.

what do you wish for your future self? Happiness and lots of physical adventure (tons of surfing, lots of time in the water).  I’d like to be able to look back and say that I've taken care of the people that are close to me, as well as had a stimulating career in which I’ve grown something and made a difference.

want more on val?  check out this year's Business in Vancouver's Top 40 Under 40 list: he made it!

Must-haves for 2012: black dress, heels you can walk in, and a mission statement

I graduated university with what I thought was an unbeatable, winning combination that would set me up for success as soon as I peeled off my cap and gown: a bachelor’s degree, four co-op placements, extensive retail and volunteer experience and a passion for doing good.  But the contract I was on at my first full-time job could not be renewed, and I couldn’t seem to find something to replace it.  My boyfriend and I had also just broken up, and it was one of those splits that grabs your heart, grinds it into hamburger and hands it back to you, expecting you to just keep on going like nothing happened.  All my friends were already working, and I was feeling lonely and sorry for myself.  Before I knew it I was sitting at home on a weekday afternoon with a bachelor’s degree, four co-op placements, extensive retail and volunteer experience and a passion that was slowly dwindling by the minute.  Needless to say, this was NOT going well.  I had big dreams about "making it" after I graduated, and these road blocks were getting in the way of that.  It would have been easy to get discouraged, and I was for while.  That got boring pretty quick, though, so I gave my head a shake and I started telling myself every morning that I determine my future.  I am made for something/somewhere/someone special, and I will do everything I can to get there.  I didn’t know it right then, but this was, in fact, my mission statement.  And it seemed that as soon as I put that kind of spirited energy out into the world, my train started to get moving again.  Of course, it hasn’t been without bumps and stalls and at times, two steps backward.  But it’s been in those moments that my mission statement proved even more valuable, and helped me realize that things often don’t happen to you, but rather for you (shout-out to the way inspirational Amber Rae, for her poignant Ambergrams and whose blog us YWiB-ers turn to when days get rough!). So in addition to stellar high heels, a power black dress and a pen in your purse at all times, add “personal mission statement” to your list of must-haves for 2012.  It will give definition to everything you do (and we know you’re all doing a lot!) and help you find meaning when you're sure it isn't there.  Writing a 3,000 word paper on the history of agriculture in southern California?  Wrestling with the photocopier at work to print double-sided?  Struggling through training sessions for the Sun Run?  It’s all part of the journey, friends.  Your personal mission statement is the destination.

checks and balances

Not sure about you guys, but I’m already feeling a tad run off my feet and it’s only the second week of January.  Seems that returning to work or school after what many call the “silly season” (read: December) can be about as exhausting as the so-called holiday break itself.  Go figure. Last week we talked goals.  Which is awesome.  We gotta have ‘em, and we need to work toward achieving them, or else what are we here for, right?  “I will put $500 a month toward saving for a new car.”  “I will go to two aerobics classes a week for six weeks, then switch up my workouts.”  “I will not put my phone on the table during mealtimes with my family or significant other.”  And so on and so forth.

But just as it’s important to aim high, it’s also important to take a breath.  Ladies like us, who are always looking to think more, do more, be more – sometimes we forget what it’s like to just be.  So in this month of potential overextension in the name of those New Year’s resolutions you just set, do something different: forgive yourself every so often, and remember to check and balance yourself while you’re at it.

What does it mean to check and balance?  Well, for one thing, it’s a clever play on words (we at YWiB are quick and witty, after all).  In all seriousness though, what we mean is to check yourself for astronomically high stress levels, feelings of being overwhelmed or a mind going miles a minute when you really need it to slooooow down.  Then you have to balance yourself.  It can be as easy as inhaling and exhaling.  Or maybe you walk away and go bake cookies.  Whatever it is, whatever you want to do – bring yourself back from teetering off the edge of that really high cliff we tend to climb, just because we can.

Another thing, girls – checking and balancing is a year-round activity!  Working hard means we can and should be rewarded with playing hard.  Life is a balancing act, and we all need a reminder that keeping everything in the air Every. Single. Day. is an unfair expectation to put on ourselves.  Whether you want to lead the department at work, score a 4.0 GPA or learn how to code your own website, remember that it’s okay to take small steps forward and backward.  And it’s also okay to stay in one spot for a little while.  It’s all part of the balance.

Tell us how you check and balance yourself!  Do you go for walks?  Practice yoga?  Have a coffee?  Read a magazine?  Take a Youtube break (sometimes a sneezing panda is all you need!)?  Let us know on Facebook or Twitter (click @ywib to follow us!)!

And if you need another reminder...check out The Sabbath Manifesto: a YWiB favourite, slowing people down since 2010.  Ahhhh...