Lydia Shanks Consulting

11/09/2021

Feeling stuck and overwhelmed with an idea or project?

Good news! I’m offering STRATEGY MINI SESSIONS where I will help you start the process of organizing your brain and creating a plan to implement your ideas.

Each one hour session includes:
• Kind, but honest, feedback
• Brainstorming and problem-solving
• Practical suggestions for next steps
• Coffee drink of your choice

The first round of STRATEGY MINI SESSIONS will be at a cozy coffee shop in Richmond, VA:
• November 23
• November 24
• November 29

Message me ASAP to reserve your slot before they are gone!

The world needs you to show up. Let’s get started!

PC: .b.kuhn

09/23/2021

Want to know one of the best pieces of advice I can give for running a successful project?

For the love of all things efficient and practical, just acknowledge and embrace your honest, authentic self.

Your values.
Your preferences.
Your working style.
Your questions.
Your strengths.
Your quirks.
Your needs.
Your passions.
Your boundaries.

We all feel insecure and unqualified more often than we generally admit — especially when big changes are afoot. But this is a terrible framework for making decisions.

You “should” be more carefree, so you don’t give your team clear deadlines.

You “should” be able to manage your calendar, so you don’t hire someone to help you.

You “should” be able to sit still during meetings, so you don’t allow yourself to pace while you process.

Listen, I know this is real life and you probably won’t achieve the dream work environment.

But if you are allowing plans and patterns to be built around “shoulds” and peer pressure, you’re working against yourself.

Systems and structures exist to serve YOU. If a rhythm or tool or “should” doesn’t help you accomplish your vision and mission, get rid of it. Your project is too important to waste time on what does not work.

So give yourself permission to be honest and authentic. And, where possible, build an environment which works for you.

Adapt the meeting structure.
Rearrange the furniture.
Order that software.
Pace the room.
Eat the snacks.
Hire the assistant.
Paint that wall.
Get rid of that ugly couch.
Order a new printer.

You’ve got this. I’m cheering for you!

08/12/2021

Is your brain overwhelmed with tasks and to-do’s? Here’s how I get myself organized and prepped for productivity…

1️⃣ Find a place with a good vibe, preferably somewhere I can get a yummy drink or snack for support.

2️⃣ Journal my thoughts and feelings so that they are not swirling in my head. Get them named, communicated and prayed over. Cry, swear, confess, breathe. Acknowledge the feels and then keep moving.

3️⃣ Combine all to-do lists into one place — but keep separate categories like work, personal, home, etc. Don’t be afraid to chase a stream of consciousness as various projects come to mind. Capture each thing and give it a place where you won’t lose it.

4️⃣ Write down literally every task that’s in my brain — leave no mental sticky notes!

5️⃣ All my big lists are written by hand in a particular notebook just for lists. This helps me feel more mindful as I physically connect to the tasks. Sometimes I even get a gut sense of urgency or clarity as I write them!

6️⃣ Pick something and check it off the list. Even if it’s easy, get that dopamine hit and create some momentum.

Everyone has a different system and needs different tools, so don’t feel any shame if my method sounds ridiculous to you.

If you have tips from your own experience, please share below!

07/08/2021

Most people who are in build-and-launch mode are experiencing some combination of the following:

• Fear of failure
• Anxious about finances
• Overwhelmed with decisions
• Insecure about abilities
• Nervous to be vulnerable

The honest truth? I get it. As an entrepreneur and business owner myself, these feelings resonate deeply.

But that’s the thing. No one is immune to feeling inadequate or unsure. It’s the nature of risk, of building, of growing.

So let’s walk together. Let’s bring our questions into the light and find solutions in the safety of community.

Want to grab coffee and start the conversation? Send me a message!

I’m cheering for you!

06/10/2021

Want a formula to guarantee success? Well, I don’t have one. 😆

But I do have a sequence of principles which have proved time and time again to help people gain clarity:

1. Define your VALUES
2. Determine your VISION
3. Set your MISSION
4. Choose your GOALS
5. Solidify the ROLES
6. Select your PEOPLE

Whether you are starting a business, planning an event or writing a book — these principles will help you organize your brain and implement your ideas.

Need a guide? That’s why I’m here. Message me to schedule a coaching session!

06/01/2021

Registration is still open for tomorrow's Masterclass + Live Coaching!

Are you starting a project or business and feel overwhelmed with all the ideas, details and action items? You're in the right place!

05/27/2021

Are you starting a project or business and feel overwhelmed with all the ideas, details and action items? You're in the right place!

Does strategic planning sound ominous and overwhelming? You're not alone. A lot of people have great ideas but lack the validation, tools or encouragement to actually bring them to life.

Join me as I break down strategic planning into bite-sized, doable, non-threatening pieces. We'll start with getting clarity around your values, vision and mission before we talk about setting goals, defining roles and hiring the right people to help you. I'll teach through each item and allow for questions, discussion and live coaching for your project.

This Masterclass is meant to introduce the strategic planning framework in a way which validates your idea, clarifies your direction and encourages you to take the next step.

Register today!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-organize-your-brain-masterclass-live-coaching-tickets-156748959357

05/21/2021

Coach Kim Avery coming in hot, clear and hopeful. Grateful for voices like these which are helping to shape my faith and business simultaneously.

Are you ready to take a bold, faithful action? Are you needing a guide to help navigate all the options and possibilities? Could you use someone to organize your brain full of ideas and questions?

I can help. Message me for a free 30 minute consultation and I’ll help you take the next step!

As always, I’m cheering for you!

04/30/2021

You’ve got vision and ideas for days, but implementing all the details can be downright overwhelming. 🥴

Are you a business owner? Ministry leader? Mompreneur? Solopreneur? Head of the party planning committee? A visionary with a dream?

I can help you! Together we’ll clarify your goals, organize your ideas and make a plan for your tasks.

If you’re feeling big on ideas but low on capacity, let’s get coffee and make a plan.

You’ve got this; I’m cheering for you!

04/28/2021

“The grass is greener where you water it.”

That means we have a choice. An opportunity. We have the freedom to cultivate (or not!) the little patch of life we’ve been given.

Contentment or jealousy?
Kindness or carelessness?
Forgiveness or bitterness?
Curiosity or judgement?
Patience or ultimatums?
Diligence or laziness?

We’re in this together; I’m cheering for you!

04/15/2021

You’re doing great.
You’re showing up.
You’re doing the work.
You’re leaning in to listen.
You’re risking so much.

Being a person is hard.
Being a person with a dream is extra hard.

Waiting takes a lot of energy.
Positivity takes a lot of trust.
Building takes a lot of work.
Believing takes everything you’ve got.

But you’re not alone. You’ve got people in your corner who see your worth, your effort, your potential and will walk with you to into the unknown.

The world needs you.
Keep showing up.
I’m cheering for you!

04/12/2021

I bet that I’m not the only one who needs this Monday motivation, encouragement and reminder...

“Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.

It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;
who conducts his affairs with justice.

For the righteous will never be moved;
he will be remembered forever.

He is not afraid of bad news;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.

His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,
until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.”

—Psalm 112:6-8