by cstrauss | Dec 30, 2024 | Uncategorized
Happy final day of 2024 ☯️
One of my favorite quotes: “The space for what you want in your life is already being filled with what you’re willing to settle for.”
As we savor the last 24 hours and prepare to close the chapter on 2024, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to create room for the irresistible—those opportunities, connections, and experiences that are so perfectly aligned, and magnetically yours, they transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
But here’s the truth: the #irresistible can’t find you if there’s no room for it to land. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been letting go—clearing books that no longer resonate, parting with clothes that no longer represent who I am or who I’m becoming, and even swapping my old toaster oven for a shiny new one with an air fryer. (Wish me luck— the kitchen isn’t my room!)
This clearing out practice has me thinking about the stuff we carry that may not be physical. Perhaps it’s time to release a relationship that’s no longer aligned, a project that hasn’t unfolded as hoped, or an outdated version of what we thought life should look like at this point.
Releasing isn’t loss—it’s an invitation. By letting go of what no longer serves us, we create the freedom to welcome what does. The irresistible doesn’t compete for space. It waits patiently for you to make room.
So, as we stand on the threshold of 2025, I invite and challenge you to release at least one thing before the clock strikes midnight on January 1. Open the space to what’s waiting, what’s calling, what’s undeniably meant for you.
Wishing you a graceful completion to 2024 and an irresistible beginning to 2025. – Carolyn
by cstrauss | Jul 1, 2024 | Uncategorized
Teaching is not a solo act, it is a dynamic team sport. Like Olympic athletes, being a teacher takes endurance, perseverance, mental toughness, preparation, and the ability to adjust to constantly shifting circumstances.
Is your school and teacher team ready to face the 2024-2025 school year? Do you want to set your school/ district up for success in a simple yet powerful way, with a cost effective, non time-consuming solution, where you will learn about each teacher’s genius and how it contributes to the well-being of students, parents and the teachers themselves?
I’d like to offer your school a revolutionary assessment and debrief that will help each teacher, and each group of teachers appreciate their genius’ and the genius’ of each other to be able to bring joy, energy and skills to the classroom as well as to the teacher’s lounge.
The Working Genius assessment, created by Patrick Lencioni, is perfect for your back to school teacher professional development days. If you are in Colorado, and would like a Working Genius session for your Middle School or High School, I have several openings in my calendar for August and September 2024. * If you are outside Colorado and would like a program for your back to school planning days, please reach out as well.
By understanding their own working genius and that of their colleagues, school leaders can leverage their collective strengths to lead their schools to greater success, more engagement, easy collaboration, and higher ROI for everyone involved.
by cstrauss | Mar 7, 2023 | Uncategorized
Tomorrow is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate and empower women all around the world. It’s a day to reflect on how we can take care of ourselves, the people who depend on us, and other women in our communities.
Here’s a shocking stat… it’s 2023 and still only 10% of CEOs in the United States are women. Really? This to me highlights the continued need for gender equality in the workplace. So, on this International Women’s Day, let’s focus on how we can move up and bring other women with us. Here are some suggestions:
First, don’t let self-doubt hold you back. Remember that people will believe in you if you show them that you are capable, competent, and brilliant.
Next, set specific goals and ask for what you want. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others for support and guidance. Find organizations in your industry and network with women who are where you want to be.
Taking risks is also essential. As I always say, “if you don’t ask, you don’t get, but if you don’t get, don’t pout because you didn’t have it in the first place.”
Finally, keep learning and developing. Continuously improve and demonstrate what you can contribute and what value you provide in every situation is key to achieving success.
As the great Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” Let’s work together to break down barriers and create a more equitable future for all of us.
by cstrauss | Feb 8, 2023 | Uncategorized
With the big game on Sunday, fans and observers are focused on what the Quarterbacks will do, what the Kelce brothers dynamic may be (this to me is so exciting), how the teams will play, and who wins.
With that in mind, how is your team faring this season?
In football, a coach would never ask the Quarterback to play Fullback, or ask the Kicker to play Tight end. But sometimes in our companies, our team members have to step in and play roles that they may not be best suited for.
In business, that’s ok, and often necessary as physical injury is not generally a risk in business. Also, which is currently the case with many businesses, our team may not be fully staffed. That said, are you asking your team members to spend a majority of their time in positions that are best suited to their skills and natural abilities? And can you know when you are asking your team members to play outside of the zone of genius?
If you have not yet experienced the Working Genius assessment (from Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group), it is the simplest, cleanest and most applicable tool I’ve found to let you and your team members know which positions are most suited to their natural gifts and abilities, and where they can best help your team to win as you move through 2023.
I hope you enjoy the game this Sunday, (if football is your interest), and I invite you to watch the game through the lens of, what is our business goal? What does it look like for us as a company to win? Is my team set up to be optimized? And does every player on our team know what their role is in our success?
Also, I’d love to hear what snacks you’ll be having most of this Sunday…. sweet or salty?? Me… sweet all the way! Enjoy your Super weekend!
by cstrauss | Jan 26, 2023 | Uncategorized
by cstrauss | Apr 1, 2022 | Current Events, Uncategorized
It’s Q2 2022…April 1! How fast did that happen? As we enter Q2 let’s take a quick look back at Q1. In talking with some clients, I have heard that it may feel like it’s “too late” to get a started on some projects that “should” be almost done by now.
Well it’s never too late. As Spring begins… now is the time to plant the seeds that will bloom into your reality soon. Plants and projects take the time they take. And for some… rushing does nothing to help.
Here are a few “seeds” you can plant now to see your garden grow soon.
1. Revisit, either by yourself or with your team, your intention and plans for 2022.
2. Assess, how are you and your brand are showing up in the world? Is it congruent with what you set out to be for this year?
3. Explore, look at what’s happening in the realm of your business communications, both internal and external, and make some changes. It’s not too late to change direction.
4. Express Gratitude, before any communication, thank people for what they provide, and then set your agenda for the communication.
5. Learn, Spring is a wonderful time to get some training or coaching for something specific that will take you and your business to the next level.
Spring is definitely here and you have a few months to make sure that what you’re planting now will sustain you and grow into the results you are intending for the rest of the year.
