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Are you ready to harness the power of SMART goals? Join me, Heather Balcerek, as I take you on a refreshing journey, dispelling the complexities of goal setting and transforming it into an exciting, rewarding endeavor. I guarantee that by the end of this episode, you'll master the art of setting SMART goals. Trust me, the rewards of such strategic planning are monumental. From adding value to your work, balancing your workload, defining your success, to providing clarity, SMART goals enable you to work smarter and not harder. Plus, I'll share a personal revelation that underscores the efficiency and effectiveness of SMART goals.

As we venture deeper, we'll tackle the critical task of measuring and understanding the attainability of sales goals. It's a fascinating exploration of how setting and measuring goals can propel your progress, and why it's absolutely indispensable, regardless of your field. Drawing from my own experiences, we'll trace back to the basics, to the origins of SMART goals, and the invaluable lessons I've learned. So, gear up and prepare to have your perspectives on goal setting and achievement completely transformed!

Laughter, Love, and Blessings,
Heather

Resources:

History of SMART Goals: https://cce.bard.edu/files/Setting-Goals.pdf

How We Lead Article: https://howwelead.org/2014/12/10/a-new-twist-on-smart-goals/

How Motivation helps in achieving goals: https://www.betterup.com/blog/how-motivation-helps-in-achieving-goals

A Fresh Look at SMART Goals: https://www.kenblanchardbooks.com/a-fresh-look-at-smart-goals/

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Ever wondered how you can bring more gratitude into your workplace? As we wrap up our enlightening mini-series on words for the workplace, we shed light on the importance and methods of expressing appreciation to colleagues. From casual verbal acknowledgments to more formal accolades, we discuss how these actions can make people feel valued and included. This isn't simply about saying thank you - it's about fostering an environment of respect and understanding.

Drawing upon insights from Brené Brown and Erica Dhawan's book "Digital Body Language", we delve into the vital role respect plays in the digital workspace. We discuss how attention to detail in emails and honoring people's time and schedules can contribute to this respect. Trust us, it's the small acts of kindness that can make a big difference. So, join us as we conclude our mini-series, and continue our journey towards a more empathetic and understanding professional environment.

Laughter, Love, and Blessings,

Heather

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• Digital Body Language - Erica Dhawan
• Atlas of the Heart - Brene Brown Ph.D.

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Get ready to revolutionize the way you navigate the digital communication landscape in your workplace. We promise you an insightful conversation about the power of clear language, the underestimated value of punctuation, and yes, even the strategic use of emojis in our digital interactions. We also address the common pitfalls of relying solely on text-based communication, providing you with four actionable tips for fostering better digital connection.

Ever wondered about the silent language of digital communication? We've got you covered, as we discuss the intriguing concept of digital body language, drawing from Erica Dhawan's thought-provoking book 'Digital Body Language'. We dive into the wisdom shared by Brené Brown in 'Atlas of the Heart', emphasizing the need for intentionality in online interactions. The energy exchanged when people feel seen and valued, the dangers of digital disconnect - we address it all. And as we draw this enriching conversation to a close, we leave you with a powerful reminder to always trust and believe in the Lord. Trust us, you won't want to miss this!

Laughter, Love, and Blessings,

Heather

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• Continue the conversation on Substack
• Digital Body Language - Erica Dhawan
• Atlas of the Heart - Brene Brown Ph.D.

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Ever felt that choking burnout at work? That desolate feeling of exhaustion that seems to suck away all your energy, making the simplest tasks feel like a mountain? This is the episode you need. We've taken a deep dive into understanding burnout, investigating the roots of these emotions and how they manifest in our workplaces. With insights from Brene' Brown's book, "Atlas of the Heart", we'll guide you to recognize the signs of burnout and the importance of naming our emotions to provide the necessary support for ourselves and others.

Are you having a hard time managing expectations in your workplace? Not to worry. We've got tips on how to tackle this. We dive into the concept of situational leadership and its role in setting workplace expectations. With our in-depth analysis, you'll understand the varying development levels of employees and how different levels of support and direction from managers can make a significant difference. We also emphasize the power of connection in preventing burnout and the courage it takes to be vulnerable when setting expectations.

Lastly, we untangle the complex web of emotions that can lead to burnout when your efforts don't quite meet your expectations. We address the feelings of discouragement, resignation, perfectionism, as well as the impact of connection and disconnection. We candidly discuss how these emotions, if not carefully managed, can lead down a path to burnout. Learn how to express and manage these emotions, understand the role of shame in perfectionism, and how discussing connection and disconnection can foster a safer, burnout-free workplace. Trust us when we say, this is an episode you can't afford to miss - it's packed with wisdom and practical advice to save you from spiraling into burnout.

Laughter, Love, and Blessings,

Heather

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• Psychology Today article
• Atlas of the Heart - Brene Brown Ph.D.
• Join the conversation on Substack

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Want to supercharge your creativity at work? This episode promises to take you on an enlightening journey packed with fresh insights. We delve into the world of emotions, exploring how they ignite and fuel creativity in our professional lives. Discover how emotions like curiosity, awe, wonder, and even confusion can be key drivers in the creative process. We believe each of us brings a unique flavor of creativity to our work, and being able to understand and express this is crucial for a vibrant, innovative work environment.

Have you ever thought of using awe and wonder to ignite innovative solutions? Well, we're here to guide you through this captivating concept. We discuss the importance of understanding and naming our emotions, and how these can inspire creativity and innovation. Plus, we also share a treasure trove of resources for those keen on further exploring the rich and complex relationship between creativity and emotions. Be sure to join the conversation and share what fuels your creativity. And remember, don’t miss out on our book references to gain even deeper insights!

Laughter, Love, and Blessings,

Heather

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• Permission to Feel - Marc Brackett, Ph.D.
• Atlas of the Heart - Brene Brown Ph.D.
• Join the conversation on Substack: thepolkadotdesk.substack.com!

Social Links:

• Connect with me on Instagram here: @msheatherbdot @connectthedots_podcast
• Check out the Youtube channel!
• Connect the Dots website!
• The Polka Dot Desk
• https://www.buymeacoffee.com/msheatherbdot

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What if there was a more profound way of expressing your emotions at work beyond just being "happy"? Let's get into a stimulating chat about harnessing and articulating emotions more accurately within the workplace. Drawing valuable insights from Mark Brackett's book, 'Permission to Feel,' we ponder upon the multi-layered emotions we experience in our professional lives, and how the term "happy," though commonly used, might not be doing full justice in describing those emotions.

We explore alternative words and phrases that go beyond happy - 'excited', 'joyful', 'appreciated', 'valued' and how they paint a more comprehensive picture of our emotional landscape at work. Also, we discuss the power of 'gratitude' as a tool for making others feel appreciated and valued. Plus, we share real-world strategies to incorporate and express these emotions during daily workplace interactions. This is a must-listen episode for anyone looking to enrich emotional communication at work. Join us to continue this riveting discussion on our substack, and make sure to check out our recommended reads in the description.

Laughter, Love, and Blessings,

Heather

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• Permission to Feel - Marc Brackett, Ph.D.
• Atlas of the Heart - Brene Brown Ph.D.
• Join the conversation on Substack: thepolkadotdesk.substack.com!

Social Links:

• Connect with me on Instagram here: @msheatherbdot @connectthedots_podcast
• Check out the Youtube channel!
• Connect the Dots website!
• The Polka Dot Desk
• https://www.buymeacoffee.com/msheatherbdot

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In this episode, we continued exploring the world of learning and development in the business realm. Here are some key takeaways from the discussion:

1. Understanding how change impacts where our focus lands.
2. Importance of telling a data story.
3. Setting your intentions, then stretching them.
4. How to have more inclusive conversations.

The episode ended with some exciting updates regarding the podcast. We have a challenge ahead of us—our goal is to reach 200 episodes by the end of 2023. We currently stand at around episode 165 and will continue with our biweekly episodes. Additionally, we will be releasing five short episodes Monday through Friday on a specific topic each month, starting next week! We encourage you to sign up for our newsletter or subscribe to the podcast to ensure you don't miss any valuable content.

In other news, we are thrilled to announce that our podcast will be undergoing a name change to "Connect the Dots, Lead the Way." This new name aligns perfectly with our mission of helping you lead confidently and make meaningful connections. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting change!

Don't forget to visit The Polka Dot Desk website to access our podcast library and sign up for our newsletter. We appreciate your support and encourage you to like, share, follow, subscribe, and ring the bell to stay connected with us on Instagram and YouTube.

As we wrap up, remember that you are loved and worthy, and there are incredible things ahead for you if you trust and believe in the Lord.

Thank you for being part of our Connect the Dots community. Wishing you a fantastic week ahead!

Laughter, Love, and Blessings,

Heather

Social Links:

• Connect with me on Instagram here: @msheatherbdot@connectthedots_podcast
• Check out the Youtube channel!
• Connect the Dots website!
• https://www.buymeacoffee.com/msheatherbdot

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Hello Connect the Dots community!

Welcome back to our 3 Part series, titled "Unlocking the Value of Learning and Development in Business," previously we dove deep into the importance of individual and collective efforts in impacting learning and development within organizations. Heather shared her top 6 takeaways from the keynote panel discussion. Today we are diving into Part 2, where Heather highlights 5 more key takeaways from various sessions she attended while at TICE.

We are so glad you are back so let’s dive right in to today’s episode and don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter so you can be notified when Part 3 is released which will cover her last 4 takeaways.

In this episode, you will learn:

* In this episode, we recap five more takeaways from the Training Industry Conference and Expo 2023, including the important question of “Are we focused on the right people?”

* Takeaway #1 - It doesn’t matter if it’s fun. It matters if it’s relevant. This takeaway comes from the Learning as a Catalyst for Business growth session, put on by Litmos. Kyile Stair and Ryan Morris were the presenters and they walked us through an example of how learning can help business growth. [10:28]

* Heather dives into what this statement means and as a leader what your primary focus truly needs to be. She asks us, Are you looking to make it fun first or are you truly looking at whether it is relevant or not? [11:49]

* Takeaway #2 - Are we focused on the right people? This takeaway comes from a session called, How Learning Fitness Lifts People and Employees Up and Sets A Course To Success, presented by Justin Dile from SkillCycle [7:26]

* We dive into what an ever learning mindset is and how this can help a larger number of employees opposed to the common path of just focusing on the high potential employees in our organizations. [5:02]

* Takeaway #3 - Tell them it’s OK if it’s not perfect. This takeaway again comes from the session called, How Learning Fitness Lifts People and Employees Up and Sets A Course To Success, presented by Justin Dile from SkillCycle [7:41]

* Heather dives into what Justin said about the need to continually assess, adjust, and change implementation strategies. When we need to adjust and change it means something wasn’t right or ‘perfect’, so the need to tell other’s it is OK if it’s not perfect needs to be communicated more. [7:26]

* Join in on a bonus takeaway from Justin Dile’s session and participate in an activity lead by Heather. [8:28]

* Takeaway #4 - Design learning pathways in future state. This takeaway comes from a deep conversation with Brian from ACTIO Learning. He gave a presentation on Eight Proven Practices You Can Use To Create Personalized Learning Pathways. [15:01]

* Here we dive into the importance of designing from a future state opposed to a reactive state. What is your learner going to need in the future? What goals need to be set and accomplished in order to successfully predict what your client might need in the future. [16:16]

* Heather dives deep into what this looks like, how you can make simple changes when working in a predictive and future state and how changing your mindset will help. [17:35]

* Takeaway #5 - LEARNS: Links, Emotions, Attention, Reception, Novelty, Stories. This one comes from a session called Brain Friendly Learning: Ho

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