Rethink, Refine, and Reinvent with Stop, Start, Continue

What Works; What Doesn’t

Edward S. Lewis, a successful entrepreneur who died at 92, said, “It’s not about choosing a life free from problems; it’s about choosing the problems you’re willing to face.” These words remind us that we have the power to choose our battles. What affects us at work can also affect our personal lives.

In life and work, it’s easy to feel frustrated and overwhelmed by routines, habits, or situations that seem impossible to change. But, as I tell my clients,  there are always other solutions. We just have to look at our situation differently. A simple yet powerful “Stop, Start, Continue” tool can help you break free from unproductive patterns and create a more satisfying, balanced, and productive life.

When working with leadership clients, I introduce this model to develop rapport and trust and enhance the team’s performance. It can also apply to individual lives. Here’s how you can use it to reshape your daily routines, habits, and mindset.

STOP: Letting Go of What Holds You Back

The first step is to identify what’s not working: unproductive habits, negative thoughts, or anything else that drains your energy without adding value to your life.

  • At Work: Are you spending too much time on tasks that don’t contribute to your goals? It’s time to stop constantly checking emails or saying yes to every request without considering its impact on your workload. Stopping these behaviors frees up time and mental space for more critical tasks.
  • In Life: Think about the habits that might be hindering your well-being. Maybe it’s excessive screen time (going down the rabbit hole on the Internet is addictive), procrastination, or staying up too late. Stopping these habits can lead to better health, more energy, and a clearer mind.

Stopping what’s not serving you allows new, positive actions to take root.

START: Building Positive Routines

Next, think about what you can start doing to improve your life. These actions will lead to growth, satisfaction, and a greater sense of fulfillment.

  • At Work, Set boundaries to protect your time and energy. Consider scheduling focused work periods (meeting with yourself is as essential to completing your commitments as meeting with others), taking regular breaks, or learning a new skill that aligns with your career goals. These practices can boost your productivity and job satisfaction.
  • In Life: What positive habits can you introduce into your daily routine? It could be as simple as starting your day with exercise, drinking more water, or dedicating time to a hobby that brings you joy. Starting these habits can enhance your overall well-being and happiness.

Starting something new can be energizing, offering fresh perspectives and opportunities. It’s a chance to invigorate your life and embrace change.

Continue: Strengthening What’s Working

Finally, take stock of what’s already going well. You should continue these practices, habits, and behaviors because they positively affect your life.

  • At Work: Continue building relationships with colleagues, offering support, and engaging in team activities. These actions foster a positive work environment, leading to greater collaboration and success. What other habits work well for you?
  • In Life: Continue nurturing your relationships by spending quality time with friends and loved ones and actively listening to their needs. Maintaining these connections is crucial for your emotional health and a fulfilling life.

Continuing what’s working well ensures you maintain a solid foundation while exploring new ways to grow.

Applying Stop, Start, Continue in Your Life

The beauty of the Stop, Start, Continue model lies in its simplicity. It encourages self-reflection, helping you make conscious choices about living and working. Here’s how you can apply it:

  1. Reflect Regularly: Set aside time each week or month to reflect on what you need to stop, start, and continue to help you stay aligned with your goals and values. Review what went well and what could be improved, tweaked, or changed.
  2. Be Honest with Yourself: Being truthful about what’s not working in your life is essential. This honesty will lead to meaningful change.
  3. Remember to acknowledge the positive changes you’ve made, no matter how small. Celebrating your progress is motivating and encourages continued growth. Small victories can lead to significant changes.

By regularly stopping what drains you, starting what empowers you, and continuing what sustains you, you’ll find that there’s always another way to live a more fulfilling and productive life.

So, what will you stop, start, and continue today? You have the power to reshape your life. Apply the Stop, Start, Continue model to take the first step towards a more fulfilling and balanced life.

 

 

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About Chris Sier

Over the course of her career, Chris Sier has been a leader, business development manager, process consultant, and corporate coach. Having been an executive/leadership/career coach with a Fortune 200 company; and since 2009, as a business owner, Chris has worked with VPs, directors, team leaders, and high potentials globally, working with clients to maintain their competitive edge, manage complexity, drive growth and operational efficiency, and inspire and engage multi-generational teams. She also works with clients on their brand and career management. She has authored numerous booklets and articles, and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Community Development with a minor in Psychology from Central Michigan University.

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Chris skillfully coached me to recognize my strengths and leverage them

It is likely that you are considering a course of action to improve your leadership skills. It is also likely that this is something that you have been thinking about for some time; perhaps you read some books and took some company sponsored training or workshops. You are probably doing OK, but wondering if there isn’t something that you could be doing better.

The foregoing fairly describes my own situation when I had the benefit of a series of conversations with Chris Sier. For me that dialog was about going from good to great as a leader. Since each person’s needs and expectations are different, and since you and I have never met, I will not delve into the specifics of my journey. I will however say that I found myself in a very safe and supportive environment that was at the same time challenging. In retrospect, Chris skillfully coached me to recognize my strengths and leverage them. She also helped me confront the thing that was holding me back from being really comfortable as a leader. With her help, we devised a series of strategies and actions that have enabled me far more that I would have anticipated. This has resulted in increased confidence with my leadership, my team, and clients.

You are reading this because you are considering investing in your future as a leader. If you are ready to be challenged (in a very nice way), and willing to take some personal risk I can think of no more productive activity than to engage in a series of coaching sessions with Chris. If after reading this you would like to have a conversation with me, Chris knows how to reach me. If she gives you my number, I would be delighted to have that conversation.

Brent Temple
Account Executive, Washington, D.C.
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