Ep 43: Annual Planning - How to Create Your New Year's Business Plan

In this episode of the "Building Bigger Lives" podcast, Michael and Kathryn discuss Catherine's past experiences with mediation, which she learned about in high school through a leadership program. Kathryn became a fully trained mediator and worked with the city of Boulder's Community Mediation and Resolution Center, handling cases involving teens. She reflects on how this experience gave her a different perspective on conflict resolution and alternative solutions to problems. The conversation aims to explore how these early experiences shaped Kathryn's professional life and how they continue to influence her today. The episode focused on the importance of active listening and maintaining neutrality. Kathryn and Michael also explored strategies for managing emotional reactions in challenging conversations, the value of slowing down and considering options, and the importance of emotional intelligence in conflict resolution. The conversation concluded with a discussion on the potential for applying these skills on a larger scale and the importance of reflection on past experiences. Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

Michael and Kathryn discussed the benefits of visual planning, a tool they use to manage multiple objectives and strategies. They emphasized that visual planning is particularly useful for those with entrepreneurial or household management roles, as it allows for the organization of multiple objectives, strategies, and tactics into a single framework. The process involves identifying goals and objectives, discussing the complexity of each strategy, and mapping out every step necessary to reach the goals. The Building Champions tool, a spreadsheet tool, was highlighted as a helpful tool for keeping track of all the steps and ensuring accountability. The tool consists of two pages, with the first page designed to flow through to the second, allowing for a clear visual representation of the planning process. If you’d like to learn more about the Visual Planning tool, Michael and Kathryn are happy to help! You can reach them via the links below.   Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

Michael and Kathryn discussed the importance of effective database management in their respective businesses, emphasizing its role in maintaining personal and professional networks, and its potential for business growth. They identified five categories for these networks: personal, professional, social, community, and family. Kathryn shared her approach to managing these networks, using a database to keep track of contacts and notes. Michael emphasized the potential of these networks for business growth and encouraged the use of a more liberal approach to expanding the social network. He also stressed the importance of maintaining good relationships with personal networks and being available to help them. Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

Kathryn and Michael, co-hosts of the 'Building Bigger Lives' podcast, welcomed Amy Oehler from Cornerstone Mortgage to discuss her journey in the mortgage industry and her vision for the future. Amy shared her journey in the mortgage industry, starting as a young person in a file room and progressing through various roles, eventually finding fulfillment as an originator. She discussed her transition to a high-volume team, where she found the concept of team coverage and "turning off" work exciting. They also emphasized the importance of thinking big, collaboration, and perseverance in the industry, with Amy sharing her personal transformation story and the impact of her actions on others.  Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage  

In this episode of the “Building Bigger Lives” podcast, Michael and Kathryn discuss the importance of gratitude in their lives, and how it can positively impact their daily routines and interactions. They emphasize the significance of the words and tone when expressing gratitude, and how it can influence the mindset and productivity of those around them. They also discuss the benefits of practicing gratitude, such as improving mental health, happiness, productivity, and reduced materialism. Additionally they explore the concept of influencing gratitude in both personal and professional contexts, suggesting practices like sharing gratitude in team meetings, and gifting gratitude journals.    Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage  

Download planning tools here! https://www.buildingchampions.com/free-tools In this episode of the Building Bigger Lives podcast, Michael and Kathryn discuss the importance of annual planning, distinguishing it from quarterly or monthly planning. They emphasize that annual planning is a strategic process that involves aligning goals with resources, and it's a time to evaluate strategy before delving into tactics and execution. They discuss the three parts of an annual plan: reflect, connect, and plan. The reflect stage involves reviewing the past year, considering both positive and negative events, and learning from experiences. The connect stage involves reconciling reflections with data points, ensuring that the words and pictures match up. The plan stage is where the actual planning takes place, based on the insights gained from the previous stages.  It's mportant to have a plan, be flexible, and dedicate time for planning to reduce anxiety and improve decision-making.   Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage  

In this episode, Kathryn and Michael discussed the book "Atomic Habits" by James Clear. They both agreed that it's a valuable resource for understanding behavior change and creating positive habits. Michael described it as one of his "greatest hits" books, meaning it's a book he frequently returns to and recommends to others. Kathryn, who is a self-proclaimed "habit nerd," appreciated the book's insights into how habits form and how they can be changed. They explored the concept of an atomic habit, the importance of creating small, incremental changes to develop better habits, and the role of systems in achieving goals. They both encouraged their audience to read the book and apply its concepts to their own lives. Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage  

In this episode, Kathryn chats with a friend: Olympic skier turned Olympic coach and real estate professional, Bobby Aldighieri. They compare coaching athletes to coaching in business. Mindset. Avoiding negative people on the team. The best kind of people to coach. Success and progress are not a straight line, but a trajectory. How values and goals transcend the details of your business. And Bobby’s take on his future and the future of the real estate industry. There are lots of great takeaways in today’s episode!   Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

In this episode, Michael and Kathryn discussed the methodologies and personalities associated with farming and hunting, drawing parallels between these activities and business strategies. They explored how these strategies could be applied in a rural setting and in business, emphasizing the importance of balancing long-term planning with targeted approaches. The discussion concluded with the advice to learn from both sides of the coin and not be polarized in business operations. This farming/hunting analogy will help the audience see things differently and approach their businesses with a fresh perspective as they head into the winter season.   Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynpedersen

Courtney Wilson, an expert in organization and efficiency, shared her background and passion for streamlining systems, which led her to start her business in 2016. She emphasized the importance of understanding clients' needs and deadlines, empathy, and humility in her work as a professional organizer, and the need to identify and focus on the most problematic areas in business planning. The discussion also touched on the psychological aspect of her role in helping clients manage their stress and emotions, the importance of scheduling and accountability in maintaining organization, and the benefits of momentum in completing tasks. San Diego Home Organizer (@simplisort) • Instagram photos and videos Courtney Wilson- San Diego Home Organizer (@simplisort) Instagram photos and videos: instagram.com   Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynpedersen