The PMA Blog

"The best investment you can make is in yourself." – Warren Buffett

As a productivity expert, I spend my days helping people cut through the noise of daily tasks to create space for what truly matters. At the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on where you’ve spent your time, energy, and resources—and to plan for what’s next. Here are the top five things you’ll never regret investing in.  And just so you know you're not alone in this; I'll be right there with you working on each of these things as we go through the year.  Watch for some upcoming video updates from me and I'd love to hear back from you, so comment below or just email me directly at dcullerton@pmaphil.com.

As we stand on the cusp of 2025, it's incredible to reflect on how far we've come—and to anticipate the exciting developments just around the corner. Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn't just a buzzword anymore; it's becoming an integral part of our daily work lives, reshaping how we manage tasks, communicate, and stay organized.

It was 1984 when Kolb developed this model, and 1994 when I learned about it.  Like many humans, I use tools or practices for a while and even when I'm getting great value from them, I simply stop doing what works at some point.  What IS that??  No idea what causes this, but it's insidious in its ability to undo all the good stuff we develop as habits.  The only thing I have found to combat this effect is going back to journals I have written for over 30 years. 

In my latest perusing, I found the several-year practice of using this learning cycle to speed up my learning during the early days of starting a business.  It was an overwhelming time and I needed a process to assimilate all the new experiences I was having. 

Many people hesitate to speak up in team meetings because they worry about being judged, lack confidence, or feel unsure of how their contributions will be received. Sometimes, it's a fear of disagreement, or maybe they feel overshadowed by more dominant voices or find the group dynamic unwelcoming. Cultural factors, like different communication styles or even language barriers, can add to the challenge. Other times, people stay quiet simply because they don’t feel connected to the topic or aren’t clear on their role in the discussion. Whatever the reason, these factors can all contribute to an environment where only a few voices are heard. In today’s post, we’ll explore some practical tips to help you build confidence and find your voice in meetings, so you can start sharing your ideas with ease.

If you’ve ever heard the phrase, "I just don’t have time for training" you are not alone. It’s a common objection from busy professionals who are juggling countless responsibilities along with an endless stream of shifting priorities. But here’s the thing—when training is done right, people will not only find the time for it, they will actually look forward to it.

Let’s explore why this objection comes up and how you can help your colleagues overcome it.

Over the years, I have heard the same story from leaders I’m coaching or training. They have a person on their team who is a “high achiever”,  but who just gets into trouble when they're communicating with others or dealing with sticky emotional situations. They spend their time as leaders patching things up and apologizing for them, often finding themselves at a loss for taking their high performers to the next level. “That’s just Chris being Chris.” Sound familiar?

So, you’ve been tasked with the not-so-simple job of proving the ROI of your training programs to the C-suite. You've seen the eye rolls when you mention "soft skills" and felt the pressure to justify every dollar spent on development. But fear not! With a structured approach and some savvy data collection, you can make a compelling case for the value of your training initiatives. Let’s dive into the steps you need to showcase your program’s success.

Hello, training leaders! Recently, I bumped into a nursing leader who remembered me from programs I conducted for her client many years ago. It was heartwarming to hear that she insisted her front-line managers experience the program because she's a "super fan"! Knowing that she still uses the tools and techniques we taught her as a new manager made my day. It's moments like these that remind me why we're so passionate about this career—making a real impact in people’s lives.

We all know that delivering effective training is just half the battle. The real challenge lies in making sure that the knowledge sticks with your learners long after the training session ends. If you worry that your programs don't have that stickability factor, don't worry—we've got you covered!

It's no secret that leadership is like walking a tightrope. It requires balance, focus, resilience — and let’s be real here — a whole lot of courage. You’re leaders are constantly caught between mapping out strategies and managing the emotions that come with them.  

Allow me to introduce a coaching client whose name has been changed to protect the . . .ok maybe not innocent, exactly.  Alex is a leader who could give a computer a run for its money with his analytical thinking. His decision-making process? Always rational, always precise. Emotional considerations? Not so much. Over time, his team started to feel as though they were just cogs in a machine, not valued contributors with ideas, feelings, and ambitions of their own. As a result, his "think-first, feel-later" approach led to mounting frustration and disengaged employees, so his director asked him to get some help from a coach.

It's easy to get caught up in a constant cycle of reactivity and back-to-back meetings, leaving little room for personal growth and reflection. But it doesn't have to be this way. By taking intentional steps to carve out dedicated time for ourselves, we can break free from the chaos and make space for what's truly important. In this blog post, we will delve into various strategies to reclaim your time, including deep dives, sprints, creating a "not to do" list, and setting meaningful goals for the future. So, let's embark on this journey together and discover how to prioritize our time and create a life that aligns with our deepest values and aspirations. Now, let's dive in and explore these transformative strategies for reclaiming your time and living a more intentional life.