CEO Archives - Sharon M Weinstein

March 1, 2019 By Sharon Weinstein

It’s time to get SMART and detox!

You have a plethora of SMART devices and apps that facilitate your life’s work, keep you on track and on time, turn on the lights and TV, and shut them down. Wouldn’t it be great if you had an app or device that allowed you to master self-care the smart way?

As a business owner, you work long hours and probably take little time for yourself. The time is now to get SMART, and start by forming a digital detox (yes from those amazing devices and apps that you cannot live without). Try these five easy steps to regaining your time and energy, while getting SMART about self-care:

Think about the communication tools you use and select one! Then, request your clients to use that one to communicate with you.
Set parameters for time online; you do it for your kids, and you should do it for yourself.
Schedule breaks for yourself- even 15 minutes per day will make a huge difference in how you feel and your performance.
Add mindfulness to your walking and eating routines.
Make a gratitude list- think about people, places, and things that bring you joy.

SMART devices and apps do not ensure smart use of your time. It’s time to get smart by identifying those things that must be done and those that can wait. Identify the groups to which you must belong, and those for which you must volunteer your time and efforts. Complete your work and take a break! Even though there is so much to do and so little time, take time for yourself and make being SMART and in balance a part of your daily routine! You will thank yourself, and those around you will thank you too.

January 4, 2019 By Sharon Weinstein

What’s Your Business Theme for 2019?

It’s a New Year, and perhaps you have already set your resolutions. Perhaps you’ll be successful at accomplishing each of them; on the other hand, perhaps you’ll disband them by the end of January.

I prefer a theme, and I examine that theme from every aspect of my business and my life. Deciding on a theme depends on the type of business, the stage of your business, and your purpose in life. Start by reviewing 2018, and ask yourself:

What worked well?
What did you love?
What went wrong?

Use those questions to position yourself, and your theme for 2019. Write out the answers to the three questions, and use those answers as your GPS as you forge ahead. Your theme is a quick reminder of what you want to manifest this year. It will keep you focused and on track for success.

Examples include:

Lean-in
I am deserving
Moving up
Establishing roots
Being the best me
Actionable steps
Attitude of gratitude
Elevate
Innovate
Engagement
Be bold, be brave, be YOU

These are examples, but you get the point. Think of something that resonates with you and your business goals. Think of something that can be measured, appreciated, and celebrated at quarterly milestones, and at the close of the calendar year.

June 2, 2018 By Sharon Weinstein

What do you bring to the table?

A potluck? Not at all- just a simple question. What’s your value-add? What skills, attributes, talents, energy, and insight do you bring to the table?

Whether it is at work, at home, or within the community, you add an element of value? Have you thought about your own value-add, and how that benefits those with whom you work, live, and play?

I bring my nursing platform to the table; it has served me well and provided the basis for a journey that has taken me around the country and across the globe. Throughout my career, I have used the lessons learned from my initial educational program to grow personally and professionally. And, I have taken it to the next level- by being of service to others, by mentoring the next generation of leaders, and by giving back.

I have worked with unique populations and have created a model that can be used as a prototype for every educational program that has international as a part of its mission. I believe that we have much to offer and a lot to learn. The model that I have created can be used to foster additional professional partnerships among growth-minded leaders from multiple industries. I am committed to enhancing the business outcomes of my colleagues and helping these high-integrity leaders make great decisions that benefit their companies, organizations, families, and communities. What about you- what do you bring to the table? What value do you add?

April 1, 2018 By Sharon Weinstein

Culture drives performance…engagement

Employees are unhappy at work, and companies are paying for it! Results matter and to survive and thrive in today’s economy, companies need an engaged workforce. The bottom line, in companies large and small, is a concern that can be managed through culture and hiring practices.

If you were to rewrite the future of your organization, what might that look like? What changes could you make in your company’s culture that would drive performance, enhance the bottom line, and generate an engaged workforce that ensures your success and theirs?

As a master of work/life balance, I’ve spoken and written about the impact of the environment on behavior, productivity, relationships, and yes- health! What I know is that CULTURE DRIVES PERFORMANCE…and a culture of success is the first step in communicating your goals, your vision, and your mission. Employees can and should be ambassadors for your organization; they will do so if you set expectations with them, communicate those expectations, and hold them accountable.

Reward your superstars by recognizing and cloning them. Author Seth Godin has often referenced past culture (follow instruction, be on time, work hard, suck it up), with current culture (be remarkable, be generous, be creative and connect people and ideas). What I know is that CULTURE DRIVES PERFORMANCE, and a culture of recognition and replication will lead to success.

You are familiar with the Good to Great philosophy of “having the right people in the right seats on your bus.” Take it a step further with the right fit credo. Hire for values! What I know is that CULTURE DRIVES PERFORMANCE, and a value-driven culture will attract and retain the right people.

In the words of John Ruskin, “In order that people may be happy in their work, these three things are needed: They must be fit for it. They must not do too much of it. And they must have a sense of success in it.”

Ruskin says in a simple quote what I know to be true: CULTURE DRIVES PERFORMANCE, and a culture of success, recognition and fit will drive your future!

January 1, 2018 By Sharon Weinstein

How do you spell success?

Success matters- let’s face it. As a child, I was told that I would never amount to a thing, and I believed those who offered this advice; they were my parents. I never planned for success! It seemed so beyond my reach. When I think about the word, and what it now means to me, I have a different perspective.

I consider the word and how it is spelled: S U C C E S S.

I assign a word or characteristic to each of those letters, as in:

S for strive, to be all that I can be
U for understand, that just because they are my parents does not mean that they are right
C for courage, to move up and out
C for commit, to do what it takes
E for education, knowing how essential a good education is
S for strength, to overcome obstacles
S for share, and the philosophy that sharing is caring

So, what does it mean to you? How do you measure success in your career and life? What matters most, and why? How do you define it in a resume or during an interview? https://www.theresumecenter.com/careers-advice/interview-preparation-help/what-exactly-does-the-word-success-mean-to-you

We all want success; we chase it, but what is it? Success is both a goal and a journey.

To me, success means that I broke the template that my parents had set; I have a loving, caring, brilliant family and they like to be with me as much as I like to be with them. I have a great public speaking career, and I’ve created a nursing legacy that has allowed me to affect lives across the globe. I have good health, a growing sense of humor, and an appreciation for the gifts that I have been given. I have an amazing life partner who means the world to me and who I appreciate more with each passing day. I have good friends, lifelong relationships, and a passion for life.

I broke the template, and I have achieved measures of success. But for me, like you-this is a goal and a journey. I can spell the word, and I can create the future. I can spell the word, and I am on the journey.

To start the process: