Category: Motivation

2020, Communication, Entrepreneurship, Growth, Leadership, Leadership Development, Motivation, New Year's Resolution, Personal Development, Self-Improvement, Small Business Development, Social, Uncategorized, Vision, Women & Leadership

Don’t Bury Your Talents in 2020

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Well, today is the final day of this year.  As part of my own goal planning process, I conducted my 2019 year in review.  I checked off my accomplishments and reprioritized my goals for 2020.

Like many people, I worked through some challenges in 2019.  But through it all, I will enter 2020 renewed and ready to use my gifts and talents in this year.  As you evaluate your 2019, reflect, evaluate, and celebrate your story.  Remember that your failures or setbacks do not define you, because you still have a chance to rewrite your own story.

I want to remind everyone of an important biblical story.  In a biblical passage, a Master gives his servants several talents, according to their ability.  He then plans to take a journey but vows to return.  The Master gave one servant five talents, which the servant doubled.  The next servant was given two talents.  He did the same.  The last servant was given one talent and he buried it in the dirt.  This servant, in his mind, played it safe.  He was afraid of the unknown, or possibly lazy, so he buried his talent.  The servant expected his Master to be thankful for protecting the talent.  When the Master returned, he congratulated the first two servants for their diligence.  But with the third servant, he was infuriated and dealt with him harshly.  The key point in this story, is that we have all been given a portion of talent or ability.  However, it is what we do with it that counts.  Do we multiply it, or do we bury it?

As you enter 2020, know that it is okay to step outside your comfort zone.  In order to change the world and leave a lasting impact, it requires that you take a risk on yourself. Do not be like the servant in the passage and bury your talents.  When we bury our talents, we hold back solutions, knowledge, skills, innovation, and creativity.  We literally rob the world from utilizing and benefiting from our giftedness.

As a professor, author, speaker, coach, and leadership expert, my goal for 2020 is to convince you not to bury your gifts.  Tomorrow is the beginning of a new year, start the year off in grand fashion by utilizing your God given gifts and talents.

Join “Dr. Regina’s World” by following me on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr, and YouTube and let’s start using our gifts together.

From my family to yours, I wish you a healthy, successful, and prosperous New Year.

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall

2020, Growth, Leadership Development, Motivation, New Year's Resolution, Small Business Development, Vision, Women & Leadership

2020 New Year’s Resolutions for Small Businesses

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Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

For many small businesses, 2019 was a pretty good year.  As I spent time evaluating my  community, I saw several help wanted signs.  I noticed local coffee shops and restaurants full with customers, and I saw the opening of several new businesses.   As a small business coach, I know that many business owners sometimes just want to enjoy their success.   However, we must always take time at the end of the year to reflect, evaluate, and strategize.   As you get ready to end the year, I wanted to share five areas to review,  to ensure a successful 2020.

  1. As an Economics Professor and Small Business Coach, I share with students the principle, that every business must understand the market or industry in which it operates.   Therefore, it is important to understand your particular industry.   What is happening in the coffee, t-shirt, restaurant, or retail industry.  Is your industry thriving?  Is your industry maturing?   Where are opportunities for growth?
  2.  When you create goals for your business, remember that these goals may require a full year commitment.  Therefore, the first quarter of next year should be used to evaluate your year-long strategy.   You may also find that the goals you created require a longer implementation plan.  Therefore, decide what’s first, second, or third on your list.
  3.  Review your cyber security measures.  Think about how you can back up your company’s data and create a firewall that prevents hackers from accessing your corporate newtork.   Determine if you are using the latest security software for your computers.  Is there more efficient way to handle moble transactions.   Finally, encourage employees to change their passwords on a regular basis.
  4. Reduce Debt –  As a small business owner, it is important to review and understand  your financial outlook.  Therefore, look for ways to eliminate debt.  For example, can you take out a business line of credit, and take advantage of lower interest rates.  Can you consolidate credit cards, or can you pay off a loan with a year-end bonus and free up your credit cards.
  5. Review your growth plans.  Look at your product and services.   The beginning of the year, may be a great time to add a new product or expand your services.   Researching growth opportunities in your particular industry, can also help you identify opportunities in this area.

As you end the year, review your 2019.  Reflect, evaluate and determine your goals for 2020.  You may not eliminate all your business debt, but your strategy to expand your product and services may increase your profitability.   You may find through your reflection and evaluation that 2019 provided a solid blueprint for 2020.  Remember business goals are designed to provide improvements to your business. Therefore, think about your goals carefully and strategize for a profitably 2020.

Best wishes,

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall

For more information, on how we can help you create your 2020 vision, please complete the contact form below.

 

2019, Growth, Leadership, Leadership Development, Motivation, Personal Development, Self-Improvement, Uncategorized, Vision

Embrace Life

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Photo by Nina Uhlíková on Pexels.com

Hello everyone,

I know it has been a while since I shared a post.  I took some time, spending the last few months, conducting small business workshops, finishing up two books for a fall release,  and getting ready for my fall teaching season.  As I began to reflect on the first half of this year, I was reminded that no matter how strategic your plans,  life will provide you some unexpected twists that can impact your future.

As an Leadership Expert, Assistant Professor of Business, and Small Business Coach, I am always reminding everyone within my reach that life is a risk.   Today, I was looking at the board game called, The Game of Life.  It is a game I use often, while teaching my economics class.   In this game, a person travels through his or her life, from early age to retirement.  During this journey around the game board, it covers jobs, marriage, career opportunities, pitfalls, and the possibility of children that can be added along the way.  It is a reminder that in real life, these things can happen, and we can also experience a twist or turn, along the way.

As I was looking at this game, and reflecting on the year, I was reminded that we cannot control the events that come our way.  Some of the events I am referring to are, the loss of a job, a bad relationship, or a death in the family.  We certainly can’t control these events, however, we can control how we respond.  We must always keep in mind that pitfalls can also be stepping stones.  For instance, the loss of a job may open the door to a future opportunity that you never noticed.  Getting out of a bad relationship may open the door to you meeting the right person. A death in the family, though painful, can give someone a renewed sense of how important life really is, or how important it is to spend time with those you love.

When you view life as a journey, you open yourself up to embrace the unexpected.    The journey into the unexpected is where you discover who you really are.   It is where your character is tested, yet you make the choice to maintain your integrity.   It is during the journey of the unexpected that you send a message to your critics that you are still standing, in spite of their attempts to bring you down.   It is during the journey of the unexpected that you find yourself on top of the world one day, and down in the valley the next.   The key to success here is to remind yourself that these small setbacks do not define who you are.  When you know who you are, you know you can recover, and you are always looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.

History reminds us that some of our most successful people did not succeed because they knew they would.  They succeeded because they would not allow doubt, and the fear of the unknown, to derail their progress.  They understood that the unexpected opened the door to opportunities.

I believe that the thing that hurts people the most is banking on the status quo.  Successful people understand that they can lose it all.  However, they know by pushing through the challenges and setbacks, they will achieve a winning outcome.   The game of life is a reminder of what could happen.   Yet, real life is not a game at all, and should be embraced in a meaningful way.   Success is often determined by the choices you make, and your ability to embrace the unexpected.  These two variables will help you navigate towards a winning outcome.   As we move through the rest of the year,  choose to implement these measures, embrace the unexpected, and prepare to win.

Dr. Banks-Hall

 

2019, Communication, Growth, Leadership, Leadership Development, Motivation, Personal Development, Self-Improvement, Social, Uncategorized, Vision

Celebrating Women on International Women’s Day

Today, we celebrate International Women’s Day.   International Women’s Day is a day dedicated to celebrating the cultural, economic, political, and social achievements of women.   As a female business owner, professor, author, business coach, public speaker, daughter, and wife, today I reflected on my own journey.

As I reflected on my life,  I thought about all my experiences good and bad.    I acknowledge the journey has not been easy.   I have overcome adversity, negative people, and others trying to hold me back.   I realized that my focus, commitment, and determination to my dreams has allowed me to press forward.   Therefore, my message to my sisters, is to never give up on yourself.   Recognize your value and continue to push forward towards your purpose.

Today, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, give thanks to those who have created a pathway for us to follow.  However, take a moment to celebrate and honor yourself.   Use this moment in time and determine what trail you will create for others to  follow.  Please enjoy this video in your honor.

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall

2019, Leadership, Leadership Development, Motivation, Personal Development, Self-Improvement, Social, Vision

Servant Leadership

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Photo by Christina Morillo on Pexels.com

Leadership is a fascinating subject that influences every aspect of the human experience. We all can identify good leaders, bad leaders, and people in between. Over the next few months, I will be focusing on the impact of leadership, leadership styles, and why leadership is so important in our homes, organizations, schools, churches, and the community. In a previous blog post, I asked if you were a ruler, teacher, or hero when identifying your influence as a leader. Today, I begin this conversation talking about Servant Leadership. Robert Greenleaf, coined the phrase, Servant Leadership based on a philosophy that a leader is called to serve first. Servant leaders place the needs of their followers first, over their own self-interests. They are also concerned with the development of their followers.

For the servant leader, the leader is a servant first, and that attitude of service becomes the secret to their greatness. Servant leadership can be used effectively in so many diverse areas because the leader empowers their followers to develop to their full capacities. I think Winston Churchill successfully, introduced the spirt of servant leadership when he said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”.

Here are 10 characteristics in Robert Greenleaf’s writings that are central to servant leadership

1. Listening – Communicate by listening and acknowledge the point of view of followers
2. Empathy – Understand what followers are thinking and feeling
3. Healing – Care about and help to heal your followers
4. Awareness – Be attentive and responsive to their surroundings
5. Persuasion – Be able to convince others to change, by using kind nonjudgmental  arguments
6. Conceptualization – See the big picture in your organization, church, home or school. This will allow you to visualize and provide direction solving complex issues
7. Foresight – Anticipate the future and the consequences of your behavior
8. Stewardship – Take responsibility for your role when managing people considering the greater good of society
9. Commitment – Commit yourself to helping followers grow personally and professionally
10. The building of a community – Build communities in organizations, churches, schools, and homes, by making people feel safe and connected, while still being able to express their own unique individuality.

As you can see servant leadership is a philosophy associated to a particular style of leadership. Every leader has to determine their style of leadership. As you evaluate your servant leadership potential, know that servant leadership works best when leaders are interested in helping others. The impact of these efforts cannot be viewed as a short-term fix. The results of true servant leadership is recognized over the long haul, but produces a lifetime and meaningful impact for the leader and those that follow.

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall

Breakthrough and Build Your Dreams 4-week Virtual Workshop, February 24th – March 17th

Join Dr. Regina Banks-Hall, for a 4-week virtual workshop where she provides solutions so you can breakthrough issues, challenges, negativity, and fear and build your dreams. You will gain clarity and insight as it relates to your vision. This virtual workshop begins on February 24th, and will meet for 4 weeks. The cost includes the book and workbook. It’s time to move forward. To learn more about the workshop, click on the link below.

$89.00

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breakthrough-and-build-your-dreams-4-week-virtual-workshop-registration-55869398876

 

 

2019, Growth, Leadership, Leadership Development, Motivation, New Year's Resolution, Personal Development, Self-Improvement

Make It Count

 

We have all heard the phrase “make it count” but do we really know what it means.  When you hear the words make it count, you might be thinking that you should make your life count for something, focus on the positive and live each day to the fullest.   All of those phrases are true.  However, I want to offer a different perspective on making it count.

When I hear the words “make it count” I focus on three key areas, which are, resources, time and opportunity.   When  I think about resources, I want you to focus on the people that exist within your inner circle, and the talent and skills that you possess that support your goals.  Also, I want you to focus on the excitement and passion that you receive from helping others and the motivation that comes from making your life count.

When you think about time,  I want you to make sure you are not wasting time, but maximizing every moment.   When you maximize your time, you can focus on your goals, time with family, time for business, work or school, and time for serious self reflection.   You recognize the importance of time management, and you prioritize your tasks wisely.  Also, you recognize the need to volunteer your time to meaningful and purposeful pursuits and not wasteful meanderings.  The reason why I am hammering this point home is becuase, time is a precious commodity.  Understanding this fact, we should all examine how we spend our time as it relates to achieving our goals, and maximizing our living.   My mind goes to a famous quote, which states, “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of.”- Benjamin Franklin.

Finally, I think about opportunity, and its relationship to preparation.   Opportunity allows you to do something.   The key to taking advantage of opportunity, is the preparation that takes place beforehand.  Therefore, as you think about the goals you want to achieve, ask yourself this question.  How am I preparing for my opportunities?  For example, if you own your own business, what is the elevator pitch that you will give when you run into a perspective client?  If you are looking for a new job, how can you define your skills, when asked by an interviewer.  If you are a minister, waiting to preach your next sermon, are you ready?

My mind goes to the workshops and courses I teach on leadership, human resources management, small business administration and leadership.   Without preparation, I would not be able to deliver training at the highest level, or at any given moment.   I had to prepare myself to take advantage of these opportunities.

As you navigate this year, I want you to focus on “making it count” by examining your resources, your time, and your opportunities.  When you maximize these three areas, you are opening the door to maximizing your living and “making it count.”

Best wishes for success,

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall

2019, Growth, Leadership, Leadership Development, Motivation, New Year's Resolution, Personal Development, Self-Improvement, Uncategorized

A Strong Finish

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As we say goodbye to 2018 and look forward to the coming year, I believe it is important to get off to a good start and then finish strong.   My strong finish to this year is the launch of my new podcast:  Maximizing Your Life with Dr. Regina Banks-Hall.  This is truly a dream come true.

Please enjoy my first interview with Author, and thriving Entrepreneur, Mr. Michael Hall, as we talk about his new book “The Hamster Wheel.”

Please click on the links below to hear this interview.   https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-9ij8e-a310e6

https://anchor.fm/drreginabanks-hall/episodes/Are-You-on-the-Hamster-Wheel-e2rlsf/a-a89dsm

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall

2018, 2019, Growth, Motivation, New Year's Resolution, Personal Development, Self-Improvement

2018 Reflection, 2019 Focus

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Hello everyone,

We are fastly approaching the end of the year, and it is important for all of us to conduct a year in review and celebrate our 2018 accomplishments and strategize for 2019.      Therefore, I want you to find a journal or notebook and list all the things you have accomplished this year, and the items you know you will accomplish by December 31st.   As you make this list and begin your review, ask yourself a couple questions?

  1.  What stands out as it relates to your accomplishment.
  2. What seemed impossible at the beginning of the year, but now is now on your list of successes.
  3. What were some of your biggest lessons.

As you begin to focus on the year ahead, think about December 31, 2019, and identify the goals you want completed.   When you identify the goals you want completed by the end of the year, you know what you must focus on throughout the year.

Finally, as we complete the year, I want you to take your lists of accomplishments and celebrate youself.   When you celebrate your accomplishments, you connect to your success, reflect on your mistakes,  remind yourself of your gifts and strengths, and most importantly, remind yourself that you are able to achieve what you desire.

If you would like to receive a blueprint for 2019 success, plan now to attend my local Achieving Success Workshop held on January 5, 2019 or our virtual Achieving Success Workshop which will be held on January 12, 2019.   Click on the following link and you will be directed to register for the upcoming workshop.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/achieving-success-vision-building-for-2019-tickets-53800227930

It’s time to execute your vision.

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall

2019, Growth, Leadership, Motivation, Self-Improvement, Uncategorized

Create Something You Love!!

Get Ready for 2019

Hello everyone,

Can you believe it, we are almost at the end of another year.  I took the time this weekend to identify all the goals I accomplished, and those still on my list.   I found that through faith and perseverance, along with my passion for speaking, coaching and teaching, I could not be stopped.   Today, if you are an experienced professional or new to the field, I want you to realize the impact of doing something you love.   I want to encourage you to fall in love with your dreams, hold fast to what you love and create something with meaning and purpose.  When you work a job you hate, your Sunday nights take on a whole new meaning, because you know what is coming in the morning.   However, when you are engaged in something you love, you find that when it is time for you to rest,  you are still energized and motivated.   

Make a promise to yourself, to follow your dreams

Therefore, as we head towards the end of this year, make a decision to start where you are with your dreams.   Sometimes we can  become attached to our comfort zone and that keeps us from moving forward.  Therefore, as a strategy, I want you to start where you are, and begin to identify the reasons why you should write your book, start a business or nonprofit, go back to school, start a ministry, learn a language or take piano lessons.    

When you identify the reasons why you should start where you are, you will see they outweigh the reasons for staying in your comfort zone.  Therefore, make a promise to yourself to identify something that you love and are passionate about, start where you are and step out of your comfort zone.  If you do, 2019 can be your breakout year of success and fulfillment. 

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall

    2018, Growth, Leadership, Motivation, New Year's Resolution, Personal Development, Uncategorized

    Live Life to the Fullest

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    Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

    Hello everyone,

    Can you believe it, we are quickly approaching the end of the year.   Today, I had time to think about my 2018 goals and determined, that I had a pretty good year.   I began to think about all the goals I accomplished, and the few goals that are still on my list.   I realized that one of my strategies was living life to the fullest.

    As I sit here thinking about what living life to the fullest truly means, I want to share my Version of this today.

    1. Do not allow others to control you.  It is important that you make the rules.
    2. Follow your own path.  Sometimes we allow other people’s opinions to derail our  progress.  We allow them to determine our steps.   When they determine your steps they control your destiny.
    3. Take chances on yourself.  One of my goals this year was to create an online course.  It required a lot of commitment but I finished, and now the course is available on Udemy.   Now I am working on my second course.   I took a chance on myself and it paid off.
    4. Identify something that scares you, and make a conscious effort to overcome it.   When you face that fear, you free yourself to move forward.   This may require a change in jobs, relationships or business opportunities.
    5. Let go of past hurts and mistakes, so you can grow.   At the beginning of the year, I put some experiences and some people behind me.   I knew that the only way for me to move forward with my business goals, was to let go of some pain and press toward my purpose.   It was the best decision I ever made.

    As we wrap up the year, think about some of the things that you can still do to move forward with your life.   Make an effort to accomplish one goal and use that achievement as a jump start to your successful 2019.

    Dr. Regina Banks-Hall