August 2010
www.coachdarcy.com
Your Magic Wand at Work
Exclusive for the Coach Darcy Community

Greetings!
Coach Darcy Eikenberg
in the middle of a steamy summer, many of you took time out and answered the You and Your Workplace survey I shared last month. Thank you!
 
My printout of the survey results is already dog-eared! Your insights and ideas amaze me, and have inspired this month's article. I hope you have fun reading what people want to--and can--make happen with when they imagine they have a magic wand.  (If you didn't get to take the survey and want to tell me what you'd do at work with a magic wand, please click here.)
 
Congrats to Kathy Van Neck of Winnetka, IL; Carol Kaminski of Austin, TX, and Susan Hayworth of Charlotte, NC, who won the random drawing from all who completed the survey. As my thanks, each received a copy of Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh's book, Delivering Happiness!
 
Until next time, thanks for being part of the Coach Darcy Community!
Your Magic Wand at Work
What's Your Magic Wand?If you had a magic wand, what would you do to make your challenges at work go poof!?

I recently asked members of my Community that question, and was surprised to see that their answers fell into three distinct categories: the personal, the powerful, and the possible.  
The Personal
For many, the challenges they'd eliminate with their magic wands hit close to home:
  • "I'd have my health; getting sick is not an option for me."
  • "I would make it easier to have both a family and a career."
  • "I'd create a close friend with the same schedule and interests as me who would always be able to do something fun. . ."
These responses were great reminders that health,
family, and friends are the cornerstones of our success at work. But in our crazy and attention-requiring worklives, they often get short shrift.

The Powerful
Some folks grabbed the magic wand and did some serious waving, conjuring up powerful ideas like:
 
  • "The elastic day, so when the client says 'I want it by the close of today,' there's enough time to do it."
  • "My boss would keep a true tally of accomplishments for my peers and I. Each day, a large brick would drop on his head to remind him to recognize those who deliver exceptional results. .  ."
  • "Transporter technology a la Star Trek-I spend five hours a day in the car. . "
 
These creative solutions may be a ways off, but what's right around the corner is . . .

The Possible

Other interesting answers fit into what I call "The Possible," since magic wand or no magic wand, what these answers seek might be available right now.

One theme was connection to others.  In my work as a coach and speaker, I'm witnessing the need for connection more than ever before.  (Read more in my article Click Less and Connect More.)

In the survey, one person hungered for connection and used the wand to create "
regular forums for colleagues to collaborate face-to-face." Hoping for a magic wand is great, but what's stopping us from doing this now? We can't wait for our bosses or organizations to make things happen--we need to generate the experiences we want for ourselves.

Next time, try asking, "Would you be open to making one of our phone meetings an in-person meeting instead? It would be really valuable for me to connect with you in person."  While some of our colleagues are scattered across the globe, I hear people every day saying they missing talking to people across the hall. If you'd like to connect more, choose to be there in person more often. It makes a difference.

If you truly can't be face-to-face with your colleagues, then how about a Skype video call? Video calling has hit the big time--broadcast networks are using it for interviews, and it's no longer just for babies and grandmothers.

Another theme in the survey answers was confidence, a topic increasingly in demand in my coaching and speaking. 
  • My confidence factor has been shot down--I'd get it back.
  • I'd be asked to contribute to more high profile matters.
  • I would speak out more.
  • Goodbye, anxiety!
Here's a secret about confidence: you get to choose it. No one can give it to you. You get to choose to listen to the voice that says you have ideas to contribute, that knows you can help on the high profile matters--or you can choose to hear the voice that says "I'm not smart enough . . I'll screw up . . . it doesn't matter.  . ."

If you're longing for confidence, it all matters. Creating confidence is one of the best investments you'll ever make in yourself. Try just choosing to feel more confident, even just for a day. Think you can't do it? Of course you can. After all, you're the one with the magic wand.

What's New with Darcy?

It's been a fun and busy summer, and I can't believe Labor Day is around the corner. As I look at my fall schedule, I'd be honored to add an opportunity to speak to your professional organization to this list! Just email me here.
 
Here's what's been happening lately:
 
It was an honor to share my thoughts on leadership with Atlanta Entrepreneur Advisorsbusiness leader Cliff Oxford and other talented business owners at Entrepreneur Advisors.

Payscale.com quoted me in its article "How to Get on Your Boss' Radar"--a topic on many folks' minds! 
 
Host Anna Banks and I had a great time on her "Living Fully After 40" radio show, where we shared ideas on Creating Confidence. You can listen here.
 
Atlanta DaybookAs a featured NewsCertified expert, my article  "When Back to School Means Back to Business" was featured in Atlanta Daybook.

Finally, on Sept. 29th,  I'll be discussing Six Simple Ways to Market Yourself (Even if You're Not a Marketer) on the IVA Radio Network.  
Are You Ready for a Transition Tune-Up?
Major changes are brewing at work . . . and you're asking the tough questions. . .
  • Will my job still be here next year? If so, will I still want it?
  • If my job changes or (gulp!) goes away, what would I do next? What should I do next?
  • What can I do now to make sure I'm in control of my career--no matter what happens in the organization?
Sound familiar? If so, it's time for a Transition Tune-Up!
 
 Find out more here and sign up for yours today!
Missed Previous Issues?
If you're new to our Community, catch up with our recent issues:
Want more? Visit my Articles & Resources page to find Community Favorites, my newsletter archives, plus other articles, links and photos!
 
If you've received this newsletter from a friend, it's time to get your own complimentary subscription! Join the Coach Darcy Community here.
 
What would you do with your magic wand at work? Even if you didn't participate in last month's survey, you can still share your ideas here. Have fun with it!
 
Also, if you're one of those who'd create more confidence with your magic wand, you'll want to listen to my recent radio interview on the topic. Or, request a transcript by emailing my team here.
 
Enjoy, and thanks for being part of the Coach Darcy Community!

Always,
 
Darcy Eikenberg, ACC
Coach Darcy LLC
 
P.S. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with friends or colleagues and encourage them to join my Community. It's easy to do--just use the button here--
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