Liz Trocchio Smith
Certified Executive Business Coach
and Trusted Advisor
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It can feel like stress is unavoidable these days. Changes to how we live and work, social isolation, and anxiety about health and finances are triggering us and exacerbating our emotions. If you feel like you’re cracking under the weight of the past year, try introducing some of these simple, proven habits into your day: Move, move, move. Any exercise is a fantastic stress reliever. Breathe. Practice meditation and mindfulness…
The holiday season gets crazy with shopping and parties nearly every night of the week. Then we have our regular responsibilities and every day tasks. One of the things that will suffer the most is sleep. Sometimes we have so much going on, the late nights mean only 4 to 5 hours of sleep. I couldn’t do that on a regular basis without looking like a tired mess, so I…
It can be hard to muster the positive outlook that fuels motivation and creativity. When we lose that positivity, burnout and fatigue can quickly follow. How can you inject some optimism into your day? This two-minute exercise can help. Each morning, finish the following three sentences (either on paper, out loud, or even in your head) before you turn on your computer or start your commute: Today, I will focus…
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” Ralph Waldo Emerson Thanksgiving Day shouldn’t be the only day to give thanks. I challenge everyone to continue to give thanks throughout your day and days, and I share the following with you. Being…
Chances are, most leaders are too focused on having all the answers — and not focused enough on asking the right questions. It’s time to recalibrate. Despite what you might think, expressing vulnerability and asking for help, clarification, or input can be a sign of strength and confidence, not weakness. The right questions are signals of trust — and they can inspire people to trust you in return. For example,…
Happy Veteran’s Day. Here is some information you may not know! World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into…
Tomorrow is Election Day……….if you are asking yourself, “should I vote?”, read on. Voting is one of the most fundamental rights in a democracy, and the presidential election is a key moment when citizens can make their voices heard. The importance of voting extends far beyond choosing the next leader; it is a way to influence the direction of a nation. When you vote, you participate in shaping policies that…
When faced with a high-stress situation, our bodies instinctively go into “fight-or-flight” mode. But recent research has shown that if you can effectively regulate your emotions in these moments, you can actually move into a higher state of openness that invites collaboration, creativity, and thriving. Start by reminding yourself that a biological reaction to stress is totally normal, and direct your attention to any physical or emotional responses you’re feeling….
Mental heavy lifting can affect your health as much as physical labor. As your brain tires, it becomes less efficient, and the longer you work without rest, the harder tasks feel and the more difficult it becomes to stay focused. Here are three ways to delay or reduce mental fatigue during the day so you’re more productive. Take frequent breaks. Stretch, walk around the block, or even take a brief…
When your life is disrupted by a big life event — a job change, a baby, a relative’s illness — how do you maintain your focus and well-being? Add some stability to an unstable time by making sure you have habits that align with your long-term goals. Think about the five to 10 things you need to do every week to keep your life on track, and write a list…
Are you your own worst critic? Welcome to the club. When we feel anxious or frustrated, so many of us talk to ourselves more harshly than we’d ever talk to our friends or colleagues. I blew that presentation. Everyone on my team has such strong technical skills, and I can’t follow the conversation. My kids are going to be so mad at me for working late again. When you beat…
It’s frustrating when you try to delegate a project and it doesn’t get done correctly or on time. But it’s not necessarily the other person’s fault — the problem is often in your approach to delegation. You might be either too involved, or not involved enough. If you jump in too early after the handoff, your colleague never has the opportunity to take ownership. On the flip side, you need…