Growth Steps Newsletter

Most people don’t struggle with saying "no" they struggle with how others will react to it. The truth? Fear is costing you more than you realize. Without boundaries, you train others to overstep. Here are 5 boundaries every professional needs: ✅ 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱. Don’t let others assume you’re always available. ✅ "𝗡𝗼" 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. You don’t need to justify protecting your time. ✅ 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸-𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁. Burnout helps no one—not you, not your work. ✅ 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺. Consistently working late isn’t a badge of honor. ✅ 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂. People will respect the standards you set. Setting boundaries isn’t selfish—it’s necessary for success. Which one do you need to work on most? Drop it in the comments.👇 This week’s Growth Steps is all about setting boundaries— without hurting your career. 📩 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 https://lnkd.in/g26YDeJM

Your Calendar is Lying to You You don’t have a time management problem. You have an energy management problem. Ever feel exhausted even when your calendar looks “productive”? That’s because you’re managing time, not energy. 1. You block time for meetings. 2. You schedule deep work hours. 3. You try to "manage time better." But time isn’t the issue...your energy levels are. Your calendar shows where your time goes. But it doesn’t show where your energy goes. What if you designed your schedule around when you perform best? (Not just when meetings are available.) ---- Why Managing Time Fails Your brain isn’t designed to run at full speed all day. Science-backed truths about energy and productivity: 1. Peak focus lasts ~90 minutes before fatigue sets in. 2. Task switching kills 40% of productivity (APA study). 3. Your natural energy rhythm (chronotype) matters more than time management. ---- What High Performers Do Differently The best don’t just track time; they track energy. - Elon Musk → Uses 5-minute time blocks to match tasks with focus levels. - Jeff Bezos → Makes major decisions before noon, when his energy is highest. - Rob Dyrdek → Tracks every hour of his day to measure energy efficiency, not just time spent. They aren’t just fitting in work, but they’re aligning work with their peak performance windows. ---- How to Run an Energy Audit (The 3-Color System) Step 1: Track Your Week Log every task, meeting, and break. Step 2: Label Each Activity Based on Energy Impact • 🟢 Green → Energizing (deep work, strategy, creative flow). • 🟡 Red → Draining (endless meetings, repetitive admin, distractions). • 🔴 Yellow → Neutral (necessary but not exhausting). Step 3: Optimize Your Schedule • Reduce or delegate Red activities. • Schedule Green tasks during peak energy times. • Batch Yellow activities when energy is neutral. ---- Small Tweaks = Big Gains - Aligning your schedule to your energy boosts productivity, without burnout. - Leaders who master energy management get more done in less time. --- Use AI to Protect Your Green Zone AI won’t replace your strategic thinking, but it will remove the cognitive waste that keeps you from high-performance work. Smart leaders already automate: - Meeting recaps - Inbox sorting - Data tasks Are you using AI to protect your Green Zone? --- 🔥 Your Turn What’s one task that drains your energy the most? Drop it below, let’s troubleshoot together. Want to try an energy audit? Comment “ENERGY”, and I’ll send you the tracking template. ---- 🔖 Save this post so you can reference the cheatsheet later. 🔄 Share it with your team if they struggle with energy management. 👉 Follow me Jay Mount for more frameworks on leadership, productivity, and strategy.

AI won’t replace leaders. But leaders who harness AI will outthink, outpace, and outperform those who don’t. Right now, professionals are drowning in: 1. Decision fatigue—too much noise, not enough clarity 2. Low-value work—wasting hours on tasks AI can handle 3. Inefficient processes—stuck in outdated ways of working Meanwhile, top leaders are already using AI to gain an edge. They’re moving faster, thinking clearer, and executing smarter. Here’s how you can start today, zero tech skills needed. 📖 Swipe through the carousel to learn: ✔ How AI enhances strategic thinking and problem-solving ✔ How to automate low-value work and reclaim hours every week ✔ How to predict and prevent problems before they derail your goals ✔ How AI helps you eliminate overthinking and make better decisions These aren’t just ideas. Tthey’re practical, high-impact strategies. 💡 Which one will you try first? Drop a comment below. 🔖 Save this post so you can reference the prompts later. 🔄 Share it with your team—help them work smarter, not harder. 👉 Follow me, Jay Mount, for real-world AI strategies that amplify impact.

Your words shape your career. Are you using the right ones? 👇 Most people undermine their credibility without realizing it. They use soft, hesitant language instead of powerful, intentional words that inspire confidence. If you want to stand out, you don’t need to speak more, you need to speak better. Here’s how:  --- 9 Small Language Shifts That Make a Big Impact at Work 1️⃣ Instead of: “I think we should try this.” ➟ Say: “I’m confident this approach will work.” Certainty builds trust. People follow those who sound sure of their ideas. 2️⃣ Instead of: “I just followed the process.” ➟ Say: “I took initiative to improve the process.” Leaders don’t just execute, they refine and improve along the way. 3️⃣ Instead of: “I might be able to help.” ➟ Say: “Here’s how I can help solve this.” Say what you can do, not what you might do. 4️⃣ Instead of: “I’m not sure, but…” ➟ Say: “Here’s my perspective on this.” Confidence isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about presenting your ideas with clarity. 5️⃣ Instead of: “I don’t have much experience.” ➟ Say: “I bring a fresh perspective and I’m eager to learn.” Curiosity and adaptability are strengths. Own them. 6️⃣ Instead of: “It’s just an idea.” ➟ Say: “Here’s an idea worth exploring.” If you don’t believe in your ideas, why should anyone else? 7️⃣ Instead of: “I’m sorry to bother you.” ➟ Say: “I’d like to discuss something important.” Stop apologizing for taking up space. Your voice matters. 8️⃣ Instead of: “Does this make sense?” ➟ Say: “Let me know if you’d like me to clarify further.” This shifts responsibility from you to them—making you sound more authoritative. 9️⃣ Instead of: “I need this role for stability.” ➟ Say: “This role is a great fit for my skills and goals.” Hiring managers want to know what you bring, not what you need. --- Why This Matters The way you frame your words frames how others perceive you. Small tweaks → Big impact on credibility, influence, and career growth. ✔ Speak with confidence ✔ Own your contributions ✔ Position yourself as a leader --- Your Turn   What’s one phrase you’re replacing today? Let’s discuss in the comments.  Found this useful? Share it with someone who needs to hear it. Follow Jay Mount for more insights on leadership and career growth. --- Want a PDFs of my cheatsheets? Go Here: https://lnkd.in/gbynuG9X

Have you ever worked for someone who couldn’t let go?   Every email triple-checked.   Every decision second-guessed.   Every task micromanaged to death.  It’s exhausting, isn’t it?  Here’s the thing: Micromanagement doesn’t make teams better—it makes them bitter.  When leaders micromanage, this is what their team hears:   - “I don’t believe in your abilities.”   - “You’re not capable of making good decisions.”   - “I can do it better without you.”  --- But here’s the truth: Trust is the foundation of every great team.  Micromanaging doesn’t just hurt morale—it destroys creativity, motivation, and initiative.  If you’re a leader, ask yourself:   Are you empowering your team—or controlling them? --- Here’s how to break free from micromanagement:  1️⃣ Set Clear Expectations      ➟ Define what success looks like, then step back.      ➟ Let them own their process—it’s the only way they’ll grow.   2️⃣ Measure Outcomes, Not Inputs      ➟ Stop obsessing over every detail.      ➟ Instead, focus on the results and give them the space to deliver.   3️⃣ Build a Culture of Trust      ➟ Ask questions like: “How can I support you?” rather than, “Why haven’t you done this yet?”      ➟ Trust grows when leaders guide, not hover.   4️⃣ Celebrate Progress      ➟ Don’t wait for the finish line to acknowledge wins.      ➟ Recognizing small victories builds confidence and loyalty.   --- 💡 My Take:   I’ve seen the difference trust makes firsthand.   When leaders trust their team, magic happens:   - Ideas flow.   - Ownership thrives.   - Results skyrocket.  Micromanagement? It’s not leadership—it’s fear in disguise.  --- The Takeaway   True leadership isn’t about controlling every step. It’s about empowering your people to step up and own their success.  💬 Have you ever been micromanaged? How did it affect you? Let’s share stories below!   ♻️ Tag a leader who needs to hear this today.   ➡️ Follow me Jay Mount for actionable leadership insights that inspire growth.  

The Leadership Skill No One Teaches: How to Say “No”  Every “yes” you give costs you something.   Your time.   Your focus.   Your energy.  And here’s the truth:   Saying “yes” to the wrong things keeps you from your best opportunities.  Great leaders know this:   Saying “no” isn’t rejection—it’s strategy.   It’s how you protect your time and focus on what matters most.  But how do you decide?   Here are 6 frameworks to help you prioritize like a pro:  --- 1️⃣ Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule)   - Focus: 20% of your effort drives 80% of the results.   - Say Yes: To tasks that create the most impact.   - Say No: To distractions and low-impact work.  ➡ Example: Focus on activities that grow your team or revenue, and minimize tasks you can delegate or automate.  --- 2️⃣ Eisenhower Matrix (Urgent vs. Important)   - Urgent & Important? ➟ Act now.   - Important but Not Urgent? ➟ Plan for later.   - Urgent but Not Important? ➟ Delegate.   - Not Urgent & Not Important? ➟ Say no.  ➡ Example: Skip the unnecessary meetings. Invest your time in long-term strategies.  --- 3️⃣ OKRs (Objectives and Key Results)   - Align tasks with measurable goals.   - Say Yes: If it directly supports your objectives.   - Say No: If it’s unrelated, even if it sounds interesting.  ➡ Example: If your objective is to improve customer retention, say no to distractions like irrelevant side projects.  --- 4️⃣ The MoSCoW Method   - Must-Have ➟ Say yes.   - Should-Have ➟ Consider it later.   - Could-Have ➟ Say no for now.   - Won’t-Have ➟ Eliminate entirely.  ➡ Example: Prioritize must-have features for your product launch and delay “nice-to-haves.”  --- 5️⃣ RICE Scoring Model   Use data to prioritize based on:   - Reach ➟ Who will it impact?   - Impact ➟ How much value will it create?   - Confidence ➟ How certain are the results?   - Effort ➟ Is it worth the investment?  ➡ Example: Say yes to initiatives with high impact and reach but low effort.  --- 6️⃣ The Kano Model   - Must-Be: Essential for basic success.   - Performance: Drives real results.   - Attractive: Nice-to-haves.  ➡ Example: Focus on core deliverables that wow your customers and build trust.  --- 💡 What I’ve Learned:   Early in my career, I thought saying yes to everything showed commitment.   Instead, it made me overworked, unfocused, and far from my goals.  These frameworks changed the game for me.   Now, I focus on what truly matters—and you can too.  --- The Takeaway   Saying “no” isn’t selfish—it’s strategic.   It’s how you free yourself to say “yes” to the things that move the needle.  💬 Which framework resonates with you most? Let’s discuss in the comments!   ♻️ If this helped you, share it with someone who needs to prioritize smarter.   ➡️ Follow for more strategies on focus, leadership, and growth.

Last chance to unlock confidence at work. Are you unintentionally holding yourself back? Phrases like “I think we should” or “I’m not sure” might be stopping you from standing out. This week’s Growth Steps will help you: ∙ Replace hesitant phrases with bold language, ∙ Build trust and influence in every conversation, ∙ Communicate with clarity and purpose. 🕒 Don’t miss it - this issue drops tomorrow! 📩 Subscribe now to get your free cheat sheet and start transforming how you speak at work. https://lnkd.in/g26YDeJM

Here’s the truth:   A dream without a plan is just a wish.  Big achievements don’t happen by accident—they happen because you set the right goals, and you commit to them.  But not all goals are created equal.   Without clarity, purpose, and a plan, goals can feel overwhelming.  That’s where the right frameworks can transform your process.  --- Here are 6 frameworks to help you achieve any goal you set:  1️⃣ S.M.A.R.T. Goals   Make your goals:   - Specific   - Measurable   - Achievable   - Relevant   - Time-Bound  ➡ Example: “I want to increase sales by 20% in Q1 through better lead conversion strategies.”   Why it works: You know exactly what success looks like and when to celebrate it.  --- 2️⃣ The Golden Circle (Start With Why)   Simon Sinek’s framework is simple but profound:   - Why: What’s the deeper purpose behind your goal?   - How: What steps will make it happen?   - What: What action will you take today?  ➡ Example: “Why do you want to grow your team? To create opportunities for others to lead.”  --- 3️⃣ The Goals Pyramid   Break down goals into manageable levels:   - Ultimate Goal (The big picture)   - Strategy (How you’ll get there)   - Execution (Daily and weekly tasks)   - Resources (Tools and support)  ➡ Example: “Goal: Launch a new product. Strategy: Build a 3-month timeline. Execution: Weekly milestones. Resources: Team and tools.”  --- 4️⃣ BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals)   These goals push you to dream bigger than ever:   - Competitive BHAGs: Outperform your rivals.   - Transformative BHAGs: Inspire significant change.   - Internal BHAGs: Challenge your team to grow together.  ➡ Example: “Double our market share in 3 years by becoming the industry’s sustainability leader.”  --- 5️⃣ H.A.R.D. Goals   Set goals that are:   - Heartfelt: What inspires you?   - Animated: Visualize success clearly.   - Required: Make them non-negotiable.   - Difficult: Stretch your limits.  ➡ Example: “Launch a program that impacts 10,000 lives this year.”  --- 6️⃣ W.O.O.P. (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan)   - Wish: Define a meaningful goal.   - Outcome: Visualize the best result.   - Obstacle: Identify the barriers in your way.   - Plan: Map out your next steps.  ➡ Example: “Wish: Start a new career. Obstacle: Balancing work and learning. Plan: Dedicate evenings to online courses.”  --- 💡 What I’ve Learned:   Goals are your compass. They give you direction, focus, and the power to measure progress.  But frameworks like these are the bridge between setting goals and actually achieving them.  --- The Takeaway:   Dream big—but plan smarter.   Your goals don’t have to feel overwhelming when you break them down into clear, achievable steps.  💬 Which framework resonates with you most?   Let’s share ideas in the comments! 👇  ♻️ Found this helpful? Share it with someone who’s working on their next big goal.   ➡️ Follow for more strategies on leadership, growth, and goal-setting.  

We all dream about the destination—the promotion, the milestone, the big win. But here’s the truth: The 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲𝘀, 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀 along the way are what truly shape us. I’ve learned this the hard way: - It’s not the goal that builds you. - It’s the late nights, the resilience, and the determination to try again after every setback. --- Here’s why your journey matters more than the destination: 1️⃣ 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲.    ➟ Every obstacle teaches you something new—about your skills, your mindset, and your strength. 2️⃣ 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆𝘀.    ➟ Success is never a straight line. What you learn along the way is what sets you apart. 3️⃣ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆.    ➟ When you look back, it’s the challenges and lessons that make the destination meaningful. --- 💡 𝗠𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲: The “perfect destination” doesn’t exist. But the effort, persistence, and lessons you pick up along the way? That’s the real reward. --- 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆? ✅ 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀: Each step forward matters. ✅ 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲: Mistakes aren’t the end—they’re the beginning of growth. ✅ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲: Goals may change, but the effort is always worth it. --- 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆: Don’t rush the process. The journey might be messy, but it’s where greatness is built. 💬 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆? 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄! ♻️ 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗳𝘂𝗹? 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼’𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆. ➡️ 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.

Did you know 70% of people feel unheard at work? 💡 What if the way you speak could change that? Confidence isn’t about being the loudest person. It’s about showing up authentically, without comparison. This week’s Growth Steps dives into: ∙ Small shifts in language that transform perceptions, ∙ How confident communication builds trust, ∙ And ways to handle criticism with grace. Ready to unlock your full potential? 📩 Subscribe now for tips to make every word count. https://lnkd.in/g26YDeJM