90 Seconds to Be Inspired

I’m most inspired when I work in two places:

1) Airplanes

2) Hotel lobbies

I know many agree that their productivity is at its peak at 30,000 feet.

But why hotel lobbies? Two reasons for me. Coffee and early birds.

I’m a morning person (don’t hate me, night owls!) and nothing gets me going more than a beautiful, quiet hotel lobby with delicious (free) coffee and the entire day stretching ahead of me. I also like to sip my coffee and tap on my Macbook amongst others who are doing the same. It’s, well, inspiring. I don’t feel like a lonely freak in these moments. And I get so much done.

So, I prioritize airplane travel and free mornings in hotels. This isn’t excessive or indulgent. It’s strategic. For me, inspiration is maximized in these environments.

So, the next time you’re feeling your inspiration tank dip into the negatives, ask yourself, would changing how or where I work amp up my energy?

And what if (gasp!) you proactively make this part of the way you work and prioritize it. You can do it. I know you can. So do it.

90 Seconds to Learn a Little

A CEO asked me to lead her team through a “time management” workshop at an upcoming offsite. When we dug deeper into the need, I doodled this diagram:

It wasn’t just “time” they needed to better manage. Impact requires a unique combo of energy, focus, and time management to maximize it. I get my best work done before 8am, I’m energized by other people, and I work best in short-focused sprints. So there we have it, my custom impact formula:

1. Prioritize the hardest thing to be done

2. Work on it uninterrupted before 8am

3. In a location energized by other early birds

What’s your IMPACT FORMULA? Does your calendar reflect that?

Need a little help on this topic? You can use this worksheet for yourself or with your team and see how impact skyrockets!

For a little learning AND some inspiration about following your energy, watch Graham Weaver’s Stanford GSB Last Lecture of 2024.

90 Seconds to Connect

Energizer Bunnies. They are the people who infuse enthusiasm, optimism, and belief in us. The people you call when you need a pep talk. Or a good laugh. Keep a list of these gems and next time you’re feeling energy draining from your veins, hit them up. Chances are they get energy from giving it to you. Oh, and then figure out a way to thank them and pay it forward!

Pssssttt….Energizer bunnies can also be people you don’t actually know, but you follow and actively engage with their content. Here are three of mine: Sahil Bloom, James Clear (amazing new 3-2-1 newsletter) and Molly Graham (this is probably my most-forwarded article to startup leaders of all time). Engaging with them and their content gives me energy!!!

[Speaking of Energizer Bunnies]… Connect with me in person:

I’m spending my birthday in NYC with my Wendy Road cohort for our first dinner at this sick place. Private space, Michelin-chef, custom menu…do I need to say more? Check out Resident for your next gathering in NYC!

I’m attending and speaking at CPOHQ’s (Knoetic’s community) inaugural event Elevate in LA at the end of September. There are a few spots left for amazing CPOs, drop me an email if you want to learn more!

Help expand my inner circle!

My company, ScaleJOY, has grown solely through word of mouth and by delivering quality experiences to the hundreds of clients we have supported. Spread the word by sharing this newsletter or connecting them directly to me for leadership development, coaching or offsite facilitation. Thank you for your continued support!