We are on the eve of a new year, and at this time of year I love to ask my clients “What is your intention for the new year”.
As you think about the new year ahead, what are your goals? Gretchen Rubin, and her sister Elizabeth Craft, challenged listeners of their podcast Happier to create an "18 in 2018 list" last year, and for the coming year "19 for 2019". What are the top 19 goals you want to achieve this upcoming year? Have you written them down? Is it time to grab a new notebook or journal so that it’s all in one place?
As you consider any goals you have set for yourself, what do you notice about them? Is there a theme linking them? One year I had a theme of a WATERFALL. At that stage in my business it was important to trust that the successes I had would continue, as long as I was continuing to invest in action. Spending time worrying that things would only work once was costing me a lot of time and energy. Re-framing this to a waterfall which flows consistently helped me start developing new habits and mindsets around my business, trusting that things would continue to flow.
Another great exercise to undertake at this time is to also set your intention for the year. Perhaps you have a deck of cards or another tool you like to pull from. Last year I combined Rory’s Story Cubes, and two photo decks to crate an initial story line for my year. It was really interesting how it played out!
What’s your theme for the new year?
I am grateful for the support and interest so many of you have had in the Coaching Business Builder Workbook and Planner. It was the momentum I needed to bring forward the PlanDoTrack edition for Remote and Virtual Professionals a few weeks ago on December 14th which is also finding its own audience with Virtual and Remote Professionals.
I look forward to continuing the conversation into 2019!

Best,
​Jennifer

It’s almost the end of the year and time to do a systems check and review of your 2018. What have you been tracking this year?
If you have a copy of the Coaching Business Builder, pull it out and take a look back at the Content Trackers, and Monthly Trackers you have completed. For each month, or each one, highlight key themes on a separate post it (big ones work well – see photo). Make a cumulative list of all the things you notice about your data as it relates to marketing, clients, revenue, visibility or other items you are tracking.

“Systems help us to move forward, to go as far as we possibly can. They enable us to work faster, smarter, and more strategically. A good system eliminates waste, while it also anticipates and removes obstacles. To get the most out of systems, you have to make them a lifestyle not a one-off deal. They must become ingrained in your routine" (John Maxwell on Leadership).

It’s also time to do a systems check to see what is working well in your business. Here are the five areas I write about in some depth in the Coaching Business Builder Workbook:

1. Sales and marketing
2. Product and program services
3. Registration and client onboarding supports
4. Financial systems
5. Communication

 
As you think about each one, take note of:

1. What changes did you make during 2018 around this area? What impact did it have?
2. What changes are needed for 2019?
3. When are you gong to schedule a focus on these?
4. Is there an opportunity to focus on a different one each month? If so, note them down in the Annual Planner and give each system focus a dedicated month.
5. Add this to any monthly To-Do lists you have made for yourself

 
I hope that you may set a timer and get wrapping up your year end tasks. Enjoy!
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Best,
​Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Author of Coaching Business Builder (2018), Effective Virtual Conversations (2017), 
Potentials Realized - Supporting Coaches, Businesses, Leaders and Teams 
Is 2019 your year to take it ahead? Join me for one of our two annual groups - The Learning Lab and Design Studio (focusing on program design) or the Coaching Biz Growth Lab (focusing on coaching business development)
Phone: 416-996-8326
​

Last week here at the blog, I included a post on systems. Systems help us with scaling our business, automating certain functions and doing things faster.
Pages 73-75 of the Coaching Business Builder covers these five systems coaching businesses will want to have in place:

1. Sales and marketing
2. Product and program services
3. Registration and client onboarding supports
4. Financial systems
5. Communication

 
There’s always more we can be doing and putting into place in our business, especially in the area of systems. Questions to consider as you think about your systems right now -

• What systems gave you the most leverage?
• What generated the most business?
• Where did you get compliments or comments?
• What systems are working as they should?
• Which systems need attention?
• What are people asking for that you DO NOT have in place

Last week, I had you note what you wanted to look at for next year in terms of systems (link to that post). Is there anything you want to focus on this year before you close off?

One area that can be useful for coaches to develop is an FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions sheet. Think about the regular questions you get about your work. This might include things like:
What is coaching?
How can I participate? Is this an in-person or online program?
Where is the program held? Provide participants with details around course location (online or in person)
What do I need to participate? What materials and technology do people need to participate? Do they need access to the internet? Is there any software required?
What time will be required to participate? What are the expectations from you in terms of amount of time required for assignments, readings, preparation before the next session, etc.?
How do I connect/access the calls and/or information? Include any details and testing required prior to the start of the program. Indicate what people need to have done, and WHEN, before the start of the program.
As a participant, what supports will I have? Include information on materials provided, access to you and other participants
What components are included in their registration? Provide details in your FAQ— the program itself— length, start and end times; any follow-up coaching, follow-up calls.

FAQs can be uploaded to  your website.

What's the one thing you'd like to further develop as a system in your business to support you with automation, service and scaling your business?

Best, 
​Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Author of Coaching Business Builder (2018), Effective Virtual Conversations (2017), 
Potentials Realized - Supporting Coaches, Businesses, Leaders and Teams 
Is 2019 your year to take it ahead? Join me for one of our two annual groups - The Learning Lab and Design Studio (focusing on program design) or the Coaching Biz Growth Lab (focusing on coaching business development)
Phone: 416-996-8326
​

Keeping Neuroscience at the Forefront of Good Design - © Jennifer Britton
Photo Credit - Britton, 2017 (Excerpt, Effective Virtual Conversations)
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In Effective Virtual Conversations I share the journeys of two professionals who work in the virtual space – Jane and Jo. In chapter 5, Jane reflects on what it takes to incorporate science into her work with groups in the virtual space. I highlight eight different areas of focus.

We want to design with the learner’s entire self in mind, brain included. This month at the Learning Lab Design Studio. I explored eight different neuroscience elements you will want to keep in mind as you go to design your own programming.

As you read through today's blog post, consider what elements you want to be focusing on in your work:

 These include:

1. Fight or Flight – the Amygdala Highjack
2. Mirror Neurons
3. PEA/NEA
4. Micro-moments
5. Positive Interactions
6. The Social Brain
7. Oxytocin
8. Latency and Recency Effects

Fight or Flight:
Under times of stress our brains may revert to their more reptilian past, and we may go into “Fight” or “flight” mode – looking to fight or wanting to run away respectively. What can you do to create more certainty and safety for your learners and in your design.
Mirror Neurons – Just like a mirror, we are influenced by those around us. The notion of mirror neurons indicates that our brain will “fire” in ways that is similar to those we are in dialogue around. With this in  mind, what is the environment you want to create for your groups?
PEA/NEA – Explored by Richard Boyatzis and his team, the Positive Emotional Attractor Network (PEA) is a series of components of the brain, which support in “opening up” the brain. When we ask questions like “What’s possible?” or “What would you do if you won 50M dollars?” all active this network, and create an open space. Consider what you can be doing to incorporate these questions and/or work around vision in your programming.
Micro-moments: Barbara Frederickson writes that change and connection occurs through what she calls “micro-moments”. Consider how you can be building this into your design, or getting your group to become more aware of their significant micro-moments.
Positive Interactions – The highly disputed Losada Ratio found that in order to “thrive” we need three positive interactions to one. While the ratio is disputed mathematically, it is valuable to think about the ratio of positive to negative conversational elements. John Gottman found that this ratio is closer to 7 to 1 for teams that thrive. What can you do in your design to boost the habit of providing positive interactions with your group/team members?
The Social Brain – The notion of the social brain is multi-fold and includes the notion that we learn through and in connection with others. What are you doing to boost peer connection?
Oxytocin – also known as the bonding hormone, this hormone is important for teamwork and group cohesion. Be aware that this is activated through touch and togetherness. What can you do in your design to leverage this “feel good” neurochemical?
Latency and Recency Effects – We remember the start and end of things but everything in the middle can get muddied, unless it is memorable. What can you do to create something novel mid way to loc k in learning? Consider visual anchors, polls etc.”
End of Excerpt. Copyright 2017-2018, Jennifer Britton. All Rights Reserved

To read more about program design the virtual space pick up a copy of Effective Virtual Conversations.

Resources to explore
Chapter 5 – Effective Virtual Conversations, for more on these 8 elements
Barbara Frederickson – PositivityRatio.com
Richard Boyatzis NEA/PEA: The role of the positive emotional attractor in vision and shared vision: toward effective leadership, relationships, and engagement
Richard E. Boyatzis,1,* Kylie Rochford,1 and Scott N. Taylor. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4439543/
Mirror Neurons: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-athletes-way/201402/do-mirror-neurons-help-create-social-understanding  AND https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/brain-myths/201212/mirror-neurons-the-most-hyped-concept-in-neuroscience
 
What are your specific steps to incorporate neuroscience into your work?
Enjoy the start to your week,
Jennifer

.Jennifer Britton
Author of Coaching Business Builder (2018), Effective Virtual Conversations (2017), 
Potentials Realized - Supporting Coaches, Businesses, Leaders and Teams 
Is 2019 your year to take it ahead? Join me for one of our two annual groups - The Learning Lab and Design Studio (focusing on program design) or the Coaching Biz Growth Lab (focusing on coaching business development)
Phone: 416-996-8326
​