Ever Better Podcast | Inspiring Stories | Motivating | Transition With Grace | Fulfillment | Wisdom

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in! Notes from this episode are below. Do you have a tendency to self-sabotage? Here are some signs to be aware of. When does sabotage occur? When you get overwhelmed by life’s changes and challenges. When you start to feel imposter syndrome after a promotion or when taking on a new responsibility. When you indulge in escaping reality and dwell on unproductive activities that might include drugs, alcohol, or escaping into video games, movies, and other dramas. What can you do to avoid sabotaging yourself? Be aware of it. Are you feeling anxious about changes happening in your life even when you know those changes will lead you to success? Use your guardrails. Ask for help from someone you can rely on. This could be a coach, a therapist, or a wise, trusted friend

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in! Notes from this episode are below. Are you aware of the four stages of competence and how they relate to leadership skills? What stage are you in? Do you practice active telling or are you highly skilled at active listening?   Here are the four stages of competence:   Unconscious Incompetence In this first stage of competence, you are set to do something new, however you are not aware of what is happening or you don’t know where to start. That is called unconscious incompetence.   Conscious Incompetence In this second level of competence, you are aware of what you are supposed to be doing but you also acknowledge that you are not skillful or knowledgeable enough to do that activity or task. So, this is called Conscious Incompetence.   Conscious Competence In th

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!   Notes from this episode are below. In this episode I share what it means to work with me as an Executive Coach!   I am Lisa Conners Vogt, a results-oriented Executive Coach who helps senior executives and entrepreneurs achieve greater results in their business and personal lives. In other words, my specialty is helping you reach your goals. As we work together, I keep an eye on where you are now, what is working well for you, and how to make you overall life even better! Listen to the podcast to learn more!   To learn more about working with Ever Better,  send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!   Notes from this episode are below.   When you have time to think without interruption, you can create more strategic solutions and creative ideas. When you have enough quiet space, you’re able to boost your overall productivity.   FIVE WAYS TO CREATE MORE QUIET IN YOUR LIFE   1 Coworking Spaces Boost your productivity with Coworking Spaces without your usual distractions at home.   2 Another space in the office Look for the no interruption, somehow 'hiding' spots in your office ~ unassigned cubicle or an open meeting room maybe?   3 Your local library Reserve those free & spacious collaboration spaces and meeting rooms just perfect for your client meetings.   4 A Hotel Lobby Check out that big hotel you frequently check out, that might just be your next m

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!   Notes from this episode are below.   Ask yourself: if you could only accomplish one thing today, what would it be? What one thing is most important to you? Set your one daily priority, and then fill gaps in your plans with the tasks that aren’t as important.  If your daily priorities are set realistically and intentionally, they will add up to an impressive lifetime of accomplishments!   How do you set your daily priority?   A simple analogy of setting your daily priority and time management. Start with the Big Rock Then Add the Pebbles And Fill in the Sand After That, Let Go...And Enjoy Life Bonus Tip - Make it a Lifelong Habit   The big rock represents your daily priority which happens to be in alignment with your lifelong priorities.   The mason jar repr

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!   Notes from this episode are below.   You create your legacy when you make decisions throughout the day about how to prioritize your time and focus your energy. What are your priorities?   To identify them, ask yourself: In the past year, what decisions would I go back and change? Considering the cumulative effect of every decision in my life, what would I go back and change? Ten years from now, what might I regret not spending more time doing?   Right now, my top five priorities are:   Physical and mental health Family relationships Developing my business Friendships Reimagining my home   Physical and Mental Health   When I work out, it elevates my mental health. I can really feel the difference mentally.   I also spend a good amount of time listening to

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!   Notes from this episode are below.   My clients achieve their goals through: Articulating their long-term vision, goals and milestones Identifying what might be holding them back Approach their work as a leader of leaders Addressing mental and physical health, relationships, communication, and more!    How I Started the Ever Better Podcast   Seven years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went into research mode. I spoke to many doctors, survivors, and others affected by breast cancer diagnoses. As I weighed my treatment options I listened to lots of podcasts about the topic. Podcasts helped me learn about breast cancer and its treatments.   The stories and experiences of others inspired me.   They were really a lifeline at times. Over and over again

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!   Notes from this episode are below.   If you're not mindfully focusing your brain - every alert, email, person, or thought could become a distraction. If you can decrease these distractions, your productivity will go through the roof! Yesterday I discussed how to find a quiet space with fewer interruptions. Once you’ve found that space, here are seven ways to focus your brain.   Ways to Focus your Brain   1) Control Your Phone Take a look at the alerts that are set up on your phone. Are you getting alerts that relate to work? Your personal life? Are you getting them for social media? Breaking news?  Do you really need this information immediately?! If not, turn them off!   2) Block Time for Strategic Thinking Build strategic thinking time blocks into your cale

My guest today owns a business that I refer to as “My Happy Place.”  Her name is Janine Narayadu and her business is The Bethesda Salt Cave. In addition to housing a relaxing and healing salt cave, customers can benefit from massages, yoga classes, and sound bowl concerts. And…as an extra bonus…they have a unique store filled with salt lamps, jewelry, and natural products that Janine creates. In this podcast Janine shares her story of discovering salt caves and their healing properties, and how she turned a solo massage practice into a rapidly expanding business. Janine has led a unique international life. Born in South Africa, Janine became a police officer. From there she moved to Vienna, Austria and was married to a professional French horn player. It’s there that Max, her son and now business partner, was born. Janine eventually divorced and moved to the U.S. and now lives in Maryland with her husband who works for the World Bank. You might be wondering – What’s a salt cave?! Well…it’s a room that’s liter

Margaret Ruff is an educator at heart and lifelong learner who coaches executives and school administrators using the Immunity to Change model. During this podcast we talk about Margaret's career transitions, drawing on multiple intelligences, and how children and adults are similar. Margaret says: "I believe success is the ability to change when change is needed; to be flexible and adaptable through change; to be yourself when your ideas are questioned; to not create excuses that keep you in the same rut day after day; and to keep it fresh and fun by being in focus through the process on your way to your desired result." Show Notes: Margaret followed her passion for music before becoming a teacher (3:01) Deciding to be a teacher (4:13) Realizing finance wasn't the right career choice and making a change  (6:50) The conflict and interactions between parents and teachers (9:00) Becoming assistant principal and the challenges of transitioning from teaching (11:15) Motherhood and the benefits of PTSA leadersh

Dr. Sheela Reddy is a psychologist, executive coach, and mother of two girls, who is passionate about helping women who are suffering through domestic abuse. Growing up in India, Sheela suffered domestic abuse throughout her childhood. Her way of coping was finding people whom she could count on, people who she referred to as her other mothers. She asked for help – and received it. At an early age she recognized that she had the power to assist others who were suffering and has been using her innate gifts ever since. In this podcast she talks about her journey from India, shares her thoughts about the importance of speaking out, especially for Asian women, about resilience, and she offers resources.  Sheela came to the United States at age 19 because she was fascinated by the businesswomen that she saw while watching American television, and she was seeking a future with more possibilities. She attended Loyola University where she earned her Masters degree in counseling. She then went on to help patients man

Dan Warburton is a transformational coach who lives in Brighton, England and spends a great deal of time in London. Dan specializes in coaching entrepreneurs and business owners to identify and break through whatever is limiting them, so that they can create a new and fulfilling lifestyle. After being bullied as a teenager, Dan experienced a breakdown in his early 20's and that led to a breakthrough in which he dedicated himself to deep inquiry and the study of ontology, the nature of being. During this process Dan became a Tai Chi master, studied personal development, spent time with Buddhist monks, and read ancient scriptures. Dan's careers have included being a record-setting D.J., an interior designer for Tesco, and owner of a property maintenance and building renovation company. Dan believes that it's important to surround yourself with people who empower, acknowledge, and support you to live at your best capacity. Her recommends being aware of negative thoughts such as, “I’m not good enough, nobody want

Will Wise is a professional question-asker!  As Chief Weologist at We!, Will and his business partner Chad Littlefield help connect people to people and people to ideas. His newly released book, Ask Powerful Questions, is for any leader who is ready for change. At the heart of it all is the importance of establishing trust and cultivating authentic connection. In his role at World In Conversation, in the Center for Public Diplomacy at Penn State University, he trains people—from undergrad students to NATO soldiers—to have meaningful conversations that transform how they see the world. After college, Will joined the Peace Corps and he credits his international experiences with helping him let go of how he sees the world and learning to embrace the other. The themes of exploration, connection and trust permeate both his personal and professional life. These days Will lives in Central Pennsylvania with his wife and 3 young children and he strives to model curiosity and assumption-questioning. In this episode he

Welcome to Ever Better Podcast 077! I'm back from a Podcast hiatus and ready to create and share more shows that inspire career and life transitions!  In episode 076, published a few months ago, I said that I was taking a break to spend more time on important things that were happening in my life and in the lives of my family members and friends. Lots has happened and I’m back and ready to produce another season of Ever Better! Here are some highlights of what I've been up to: We made several trips to Morgantown, WV where my son, Conner, is now a freshman at West Virginia University (WVU)! He loves it! We just came back from Family Weekend where we went zip lining and walked uphill lots of places because Morgantown is a city built on a hill. You can see pics on my website here: http://www.everbetteru.com/podcast/ We took family vacations to the Outer Banks and to the Finger Lakes. I spoke at the Power Conference about Podcast Power: How to Reach Your Audience and Build Your Brand Through Podcasts. It was a

I asked five highly productive people the following question: "Do you have a trick for getting started on a project that you would really like to put off?" Here's a summary of the answers that I got from Deb Williams, Tim Berthold, Meg Daly, Maggie Huffman, and Dan Horowitz. Listen to the podcast for more insights! And in other Ever Better news...I'm taking a Podcast Summer Vacation! Stay subscribed and you'll be the first to get the new podcasts released in the fall. Have a great summer!    My very first podcast guest, Deb Williams from the Financial Karma Coach Podcast says she starts her day with a 30-minute walk to clear her head. When faced with a difficult task, she consciously plans something she likes to do after she finishes the tough task. And, she uses the neuroscience based music service, Focus at Will. You can listen to my Ever Better Podcast EP. 01 Financial Clarity to learn more about Deb. Host of the Miami Hustle Podcast, Tim Berthold, says a morning meditation on the beach is how he clears

"Faith it 'til you make it" sums up Shawn Perry's infectious, positive attitude. Shawn is the executive producer and host of The Senior Zone, a radio show that he started at the age of 49. Without any broadcasting or public speaking background, Shawn felt called to create a radio show and then, like most inspirational people, found a way to make his dream a reality. He’s been on the radio for five years, and thousands of listeners tune in each Monday morning to hear resources and ideas that enrich their lives. The Senior Zone has evolved in a multi-faceted business for Shawn. He puts on live events that sell out, moderates panels and conferences, and he’s a motivational speaker. After high school, Shawn joined the Air Force where he had a full career. After retiring he held several jobs after that before landing in radio. He shares the ups and downs of his life journey and says that he doesn’t mind failing as long as he’s “failing forward.” If you are considering a life or job transition but feel like you are

My guest today, Phillippe Diederich is an award-winning novelist, and the author of three books, Sofrito, Playing with the Devil’s Fire, and his forthcoming mystery, The Last Girl (written under the pseudonym, Danny Lopez). Before he became a novelist, much of his photojournalism work centered around the Latin American culture, mainly in Cuba and Mexico. Phillippe was a nomad who enjoyed the early days of his career when he could walk the streets getting a pulse of the people. Phillippe is a devoted husband and father who believes our time here is short. He has an abundance of personal cultural influences from which to draw to build his stories. He is a man of the world, who allows us into his, with every book he writes. During this episode, Phillippe shares the inspiration behind his stories, how the book industry made him a young adult author and where he took some of his favorite photos. If you are considering a life or job transition but are having a hard time getting started I invite you to check out m

Christy Tehven left her full-time marketing gig before she knew how she would spend her time, or make a living. An early affinity for nature attracted her to a floral business. When her attempt to purchase an existing floral shop business didn’t pan out, Christy took some time for herself and went to a secluded cabin in the woods to figure it all out. She worked through Danielle Laporte’s book, The Fire Starter Sessions. This break gave Christy the clarity she needed to decide her next steps. And, with the encouragement of her husband, Greg, the two attended Action Camp. This program provided a safe and open space for Christy to voice her goals out loud, and accountability partners to support her when she felt like giving up.   During this episode, Christy describes the ups and downs of her journey which resulted in the creation of her one-of-a-kind business, Love Always Floral. If you are considering a life or job transition but are having a hard time getting started I invite you to check out my Discover Wha

Paulette Boudreaux shared her inspiring life story during a panel discussion at the Association of Writers & Writing Program (AWP) Conference, in February 2017. The panel, Second Blooming: Women Authors Debuting After Fifty, attracted a standing-room only crowd, and I was fortunate to be in the audience. As Paulette and other writers told their stories, it seemed that a sisterhood was being formed and the audience became an extended part of the panel. We bonded through cheers, laughter, and gasps of exasperated recognition when an author described how she persevered through yet another indignity or insult.   Paulette joined me on the podcast to share just some of the fascinating experiences that she taps into when writing her southern-based fiction. She says that despite living on the West Coast most of her life, her inner monologue has a Southern drawl.   During out discussion, Paulette describes moving from Mississippi to San Francisco in 1970 in the midst of a school desegregation movement and how that

Today’s episode is about opportunity seeking. This is the phase in which all of your previous work starts to pay off. There are seven steps to opportunity seeking, and I detail them for you during this podcast.   Follow the steps to increase your chances of being seen by the right hiring manager, and being properly prepared for your meeting. And most importantly, to increase the likelihood of landing your perfect job.  Mentally prepare yourself! This process may take some time. Finding a job is a numbers game and the name of the game is patience.   If you’d like personal coaching to work through these stages send me an email at lisa@everbetteru.com and we’ll schedule some time to chat about where you are in your life and what you’d like to achieve.   Key Takeaways:   [1:38] Step 1 — Review Your Bio and Resume — Make sure that key positions and recurring responsibilities that you've enjoyed are properly represented. Update your LinkedIn profile. [3:51] Step 2 — Create An Outreach List — Who do you know workin