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FFP 003: Accountability Tools That will Change Your Life

Powerful Life-Changing Accountability Tools

This third episode of The Future Focused Podcast examines how we can be better accountable to fulfilling our goals and building the daily habits needed to design a dynamic life.

I share several systems that you can employ immediately to start making progress on your goals and resolutions, including: The Tom Hanks Method, Accountability Partners, The Utility Bill Method, Event Deadlines, The Kaizen Way, and more.

I also share some amazing resources, tools, and apps you can use to level-up and get an edge on making significant progress.

I emphasis the concepts: that we must master our devices, or they will master us, where we find success, we also find consistency, and discipline can be strengthened with clarity and repetition.

You are going to enjoy this podcast and immediately begin to take action and get results with all you learn.

Mentioned in this podcast: 

Moleskine Journal: This is the journal Kelly uses to brainstorm, plan, set goals, and stay on track.

Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss, is one of the books Kelly is reading right now.

The Millionaire Mind by Thomas J. Stanely

Apps I use for accountability and habits: Things 3, Coach.me, Commit to 3, Time, Forest, Evernote, Day One, Scrivener, Udemy, Hootsuite, Pocket,

Thanks for taking time out of your busy week to get FOCUSED on your FUTURE.

~Kelly

Kelly Croy

Inspirational Speaker & Performance Artist

www.KellyCroy.com

Click Here to email Kelly. 

1-800-831-4825 

Should I hire a coach? Yes, but only if you can afford it. You can accomplish much with the right resources. (If you are interested in working with me as your coach this year, please send me an email.)

 

 

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My One Word for 2018

How Choosing a One Word Theme for the Year Improves Life

For the past few years, I have watched with fascination on social media as people proclaim there “one-word” theme for the upcoming year. The concept is to choose a word that represents the theme you want to focus on, in this year of your life.

The idea clearly works upon the knowledge that as we improve in one area, that improvement bleeds into other areas of our life.

There are blog posts, videos, books, and even jewelry that embrace this concept of a one-word, annual theme.

The concept I used this year was to find one word that covers three important areas of my life.

This is my first year embracing this concept.

My one word for 2018 is “FIT”.

I believe the word fit sums up much of what I wish to accomplish in 2018,

In 2018, I want:

  • to be physically fit.
  • to be financially fit.
  • to fit time each day for my projects and family.

So, what are you waiting for? Choose your one word for 2018 and use it to help measure the next decision you make. We are each trying to make the next, best decision in our life. If mine doesn’t align with “fit” I hope to summon the strength to pass.

Remember, choosing your one-word is a great start, but you have to live it each day.

Here are some books that go much deeper into this one-word for the year concept:

Kelly Croy

Inspirational Speaker & Performance Artist

www.KellyCroy.com

Click Here to email Kelly. 

1-800-831-4825 

 

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FFP 002: Goal Setting Workshop: How to Set Goals to Change Your Life

The Future Focused Podcasts Episode 2: A 20 Minute Goal Setting Workshop

In this episode of the Future Focused Podcast Kelly will guide you through a powerful goal setting workshop. He will show you how to get your goals down on paper and prioritize them into a workable plan. This workshop will help put you on the path to a life you will be excited about living and offer you the ability to make a meaningful impact in the people you love.

Goal setting is an art the Kelly has been practicing for decades.

Whether this is your first time setting goals, or whether you are a veteran goal setter, this podcast will provide some great take-aways and value to help plan your year.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Moleskine Journal: This is the journal Kelly uses to brainstorm, plan, set goals, and stay on track.

The Daily Stoic: This is Kelly’s Favorite Book from 2017.

Special Index Cards To-do List: This is what I use to use with a special lined surface on front & back.

Things 3: A To-Do App for Mobile Devices

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. 

Should I hire a coach? Yes, but only if you can afford it. You can accomplish much with the right resources. (If you are interested in working with me as your coach this year, please send me an email.)

Kelly Croy

Inspirational Speaker & Performance Artist

www.KellyCroy.com

Click Here to email Kelly. 

1-800-831-4825 

 

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FFP 001: Three Absolute Musts for Setting Goals

The Future Focused Podcast Episode 1

Welcome to the Future Focused Podcast, Episode Number 1.

In this episode: speaker, author and artist, Kelly Croy shares with you three absolute musts for setting your goals. This episode will help you set some great goals for the new year, design a dynamic life, provide you with three tools to help keep you on track and accountable, and an inspirational edge that may just push you to accomplishing something that has escaped you time and time again.

Kelly shares his vision for the Future Focused Podcast and outlines what he aims to accomplish in this new endeavor.

Visit Kelly’s website at www.KellyCroy.com to learn more.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Moleskine Journal: This is the journal Kelly uses to brainstorm, plan, set goals, and stay on track.

Special Index Cards To-do List: This is what I use to use with a special lined surface on front & back.

Things 3: A To-Do App for Mobile Devices

The Wired Educator Podcast

Kelly Croy

Inspirational Speaker & Performance Artist

www.KellyCroy.com

Click Here to email Kelly. 

1-800-831-4825 

Invite Kelly to speak at your event.

 

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Introducing The Future Focused Podcast

I've Started a New Podcast Focused on Leadership, Productivity, & Designing a Dynamic Life

I am excited to announce a new project that I have been working on for quite awhile. I have started a podcast titled The Future Focused Podcast. 

(I have been podcasting for three years now as the host of The Wired Educator Podcast. It has been a joy to interview amazing educators around the world and share their stories and successes with other educational leaders.  It has been featured on iTune’s “What’s Hot!” list of podcasts and has received numerous recognition from educational institutions and leaders as one of the top influential educational podcasts, including a rave review and recommendation from ISTE. What I am most proud of though is that The Wired Educator Podcast has really made an impact in education. That was my goal. So, I fully plan to continue hosting the podcast and interviewing amazing educators. It is also a lot of fun to host the show.)

The Future Focused Podcast is brand new and officially starts this January, however, you can sneak an early listen here. The Future Focused Podcast is aimed at people who want to level-up their leadership both professionally and personally. The podcast will be under 20 minutes and focus on an actionable message that inspires, challenges, and provides valuable content to help you make the most of your life.

Since publishing my book, Along Came a Leader: A Guide to Personal & Professional Leadership, I have recognized an even greater need to help people become a stronger leaders in new forms of media. Many people who need this message do not read books or simply would benefit from micro-doses of audio inspiration and tools. So, the idea for the Future Focused podcast was formed.

I kicked around a lot of ideas for the title of the podcast, but finally settled on Future Focused because that is what leaders are about; they want to become their best-self and help others along this same path.

The Future Focused Podcast will help you: level-up your leadership, design a dynamic life, become your best-self, secure a set of unshakeable skills, inspire you to become a life-long-learner, and make incremental, but consistent growth each and every day.

I hope you will: take a listen to the podcast, subscribe, leave a review and share it with others. 

I don’t just want to wish you a happy new year, I want to help you make it happen.

~Kelly

 

 

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Seven Ways to Address Teen Mobile Device Addiction

I just read an article in USA Today citing a report from Common Sense Media that 50% of teens say they are addicted to their mobile devices.

I am sure if you think about it, you would most likely agree with those finding as well. It seems everyone has their head in their device.

So, what do we do about it?

Here’s my advice:

  1. Model the use of mobile devices that you wish to see. They are watching us.
  2. Limit their alone time with their devices.
  3. Encourage “creating with their device” over consuming with their device. Work with them to create movies and other creations.
  4. Enforce bedtimes for devices. That’s right, the device is put away at a certain hour for the night and it does not go with them to their bedrooms.
  5. Establish device-free zones and device-free times. (e.g. No device in the bathroom or during dinner.)
  6. Have them show you what they do on the device. Sit with them. Remember that time you spent with them when they were little? Get that back.
  7. Create alternatives for your children and play with them. (Board games, walks, workouts, any type of social interaction will trump device consumption. They grow up so fast!)

These seven methods to help address teen mobile device addiction may be a little challenging to set-up at first. I recommend not trying to implement all seven at once. Start with one, but be firm.

Ultimately, begin this conversation with your child using a mobile device regardless of their age.

Technology is awesome when it is used well, and it can be destructive to families and lives when it is used poorly. Teach your children and students to use their devices properly.

This same advice can also be helpful to you.

Kelly Croy

Inspirational Speaker & Performance Artist

www.KellyCroy.com

Click Here to email Kelly. 

1-800-831-4825 

Invite Kelly to speak at your event.

 

 

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A Very Special Christmas Presentation

Art Brought to Life with Computer Animation

Is your organization looking for a dynamic Christmas themed presentation?

My name is Kelly Croy and I am a speaker and speed artist. I would like to share a wonderful Christmas Chalk Art Presentation with you.

My presentation is powerful and fun. It combines the raw energy of a live performance, the astonishment of speed art, the beauty of an artistic masterpiece, a powerful musical score, the inspiration of a masterful storyteller and the magic of literally bringing the art to life with computer animation. Yes, the art will come to life right in front of your eyes.

Chances are you have never seen a performance quite like mine. I encourage you to visit my website www.kellycroy.com and watch one of the demo videos available and read some of my posts. Every member in the audience will leave inspired, motivated, renewed, challenged, and with a smile on their face. This is one of my absolute favorite presentations and I cannot wait to share it with you. There is a surprise every other minute during the presentation. You will hear audible “ooohs and ahhhs” during the performance. You will laugh, cry, feel loved, challenged, motivated, and forever changed. I am the speaker you are looking for.

I am extremely proud of this presentation that I have created to help celebrate the true meaning of Christmas in a unique, fun, and memorable way. My Christmas presentation includes a large six foot by eight foot chalk drawing choreographed to some amazing Christmas themed music. The art is then brought to life with the use of computer animation. It will surprise and delight everyone. Each member of the audience can even go home with a small signed print of the artwork I created on stage at your event, complete with your organizationʼs logo and message. Experience the Nativity scene and the Christmas story like never before. It fun for the entire family.

My only concern is that there is a very limited number of dates possible to book between now and Christmas. I anticipate every performance night available being booked by Thanksgiving. so contact me at your earliest convenience to reserve the date. I look forward to working with you to plan an amazing evening for your group.

This presentation has been customized and shared with every organization imaginable including: civic organizations, schools, churches, business Christmas dinners, youth programs, community leaders, and more. Contact me and reserve your evening before it’s booked.

This year I have a special package available that allows the organization to keep the original eight foot by six foot art and every participant to go home with a signed art print, and a signed copy of my book, Along Came a Leader.

Organize a night to remember.

Kelly Croy

Inspirational Speaker & Performance Artist

www.KellyCroy.com

kelly@kellycroy.com

1-800-831-4825 

 

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What Do You Need to Start?

We tell ourselves lots of things that aren’t helpful.

One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is that we need a new tool or piece of equipment to reach a goal.

“I’ll write that novel after I get my new MacBook Pro,” said the unpublished novelist.

“I will get into shape once I order that new fitness DVD,” said the unfit house husband.

“I’ll start eating at home more often once Amazon ships me that new food processor,” said the fast food fanatic.

The truth is we don’t need new equipment to get started. In fact, we don’t need new equipment or tools to finish. We just need good daily habits.

I believe it is actually more productive to flip this kind of thinking upside down. By this I mean we need to tell ourselves that we will order item X after we meet a certain goal, not before.

Sell yourself on the idea that you’ll reward yourself with that DVD fitness tape after you walk for 30 minutes seven days in a row.

Tell yourself you will pull the trigger on the new MacBook after you draft 60,000 words.

Maybe, just maybe these will motivate you to work. And maybe you will find you don’t need after all, and decide to save yourself some money.

Quite often our desires for new equipment and tools are actually procrastination in disguise; these new tools may even distract us further. In some rare cases you may actually need a tool to perform the job, but I still think you will complete more if you force yourself to get it done without “the new” and build that much needed discipline of habit.

My new Macbook was suppose to arrive two published books ago, but I keep plugging away on this workhorse. I think I will order after I finish my next manuscript, or this blog, or something. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to reward yourself for every accomplishment either. Keep it special, infrequent, and worthwhile.

Examine closely the tools the professionals use. I think you will find they prefer the used over the new. I could cite many examples, but I love the story of Sci-Fi writer Ray Bradbury going to the library and paying ten cents an hour to type his short stories on the library’s typewriter. If you really want it, you will find a way.

Quit telling yourself you need that new thing to accomplish a goal. Find a way to get started right night, old school, Rocky-style.

You have all the tools you need, and the most important tool is habit.

Go!

Kelly Croy

Inspirational Speaker & Performance Artist

www.KellyCroy.com

kelly@kellycroy.com

1-800-831-4825