Being a great leader

I recently received an email from someone who recently finished reading the book “Wisdom for a young CEO” it is a great little read that is letters from CEO’s from major corporations to a young man looking to be a CEO as part of his school project. The email flagged 7 reoccurring things that kept coming up in each letter. Themes are highlighted below about on how to be a great leader.

Worth a monthly read to check in and ensure you are on the right path in your leadership/personal development.

Passion

·        Love what you do and do what you love

·        Working not for a paycheck but for a purpose

Respect

·        Make people priority

·        Recognize the support you receive

·        Delegate authority and nurtures talent

·        Connect with all levels of the organization

Vision

·        Clearly communicate the future

·        Has a plan for the future

·        Takes risks and learns from them

Humanity

·        It isn’t just about the paycheck

·        Embraces differences

·        Listens as others experience it, see it as others see it

·        Gives back to the community

Curiosity

·        Look, listen, learn

·        Willing to learn and not afraid of change

·        Never stop learning

·        Are genuinely curious

Integrity

·        Honesty above all , to all

·        There is no sliding scale with integrity, you have it or you don’t.

·        Make integrity a top priority

Pragmatism

·        Know what you don’t know

·        Never above anyone else

·        Roll up the sleeves and do the dirty work

·        Always knows there is room for improvement

·        Never takes themselves too seriously

Remember...

I sent my buddy Pricey this email today:

Sent: November-28-12 3:04 PM
To: Chris
Subject: Remember...

When we used to be cool & did cool shit that wasn’t the same every week??

http://drechselk.blogspot.ca/2009/10/poker-run-400.html

http://drechselk.blogspot.ca/2009/10/i-am-consistently-looking-for-new.html

http://drechselk.blogspot.ca/2009/10/rubble-creek.html

http://drechselk.blogspot.ca/2009/11/yasso-800s-and-lululemon-style-crossfit.html

His reply:

Sent: November 28, 2012 03:17 PM

To: Katie
Subject: RE: Remember...

Let’s do a challenge in 2013 …
1 BCMC every week
1 off the cuff workout every week
1 race every month

400m burpees?? WTF were we thinking :P

And just like that the first goal of 2013 is set! Game on:)

Sugoi Warehouse Sale 2012

Sugoi Warehouse Sale 2012 Details:

Dates:
November 23 - 25

Hours of operation:
Friday November 23 12pm - 8pm
Saturday November 24 10am - 4pm
Sunday November 25 11am - 3pm

Location:
4084 McConnell Court
Burnaby, BC
V5A 3N7

The Scoop:
From triathlon to winter training, there's an abundance of cool gear for men & women of all shapes, sizes & athletic abilities.

What to bring?
Bring your patience (yes there will be lines), an umbrella (yes, there may be rain) and don't forget your wallet!

PLEASE SHOW A LITTLE LOVE FOR THE FOOD BANK BY BRINGING CANNED OR PACKAGED FOODS.

just do it.

Goal Crushing in 2012

January 2012. I found a beat up and abandon old frame. Even though I'm not crafting (not to mention I don't enjoy crafting) I was inspiring to inject new life into it.

With the help from the dudes at Home Depot and a little chalk board paint my goal board was born. Since February 2012 this has been first thing I see when I enter my apartment and the last thing I see when I leave.

The goals:

1. Financial:

20% on the purchase of my first apartment - for those who live/own in downtown Vancouver you realize the scope of this one.

2. Health & Fitness:

BMO Half Marathon, Beacon Rock 50km and complete my first triathlon. I was in a bad car accident in January 2011 which had me off work for 3 months and still has me in rehab but I strongly believe that an active body that receives excellent nutrition + lots of sleep will recover with the right holistic medicine. These athletic goals are huge for my mental and physical well being. Training for these goals is the single most enjoyable part of my life. I love to move my body outdoors and explore our beautiful world. 

3. Career Development:

Attend South by Southwest Interactive/Social Media Conference in Austin, Texas. I manage a Social Media for TELUS (a large communications company in Vancouver.) This is the most impactful conference about my specialization and it allowed me to connect with so may thought leaders in the space it was a truly incredible experience. I fell madly in love with Austin while I was there. I definitely recommend everyone take time to head there for outdoor fun and music beyond words.

4. Family:

Attend one of my mums favourite sporting events with her, Wimbledon in London. We stuck around for a week and checked out a ton of amazing sights in London. This was particularly special for my mum because she never travels. 

5. Travel for me:

Be selfish and travel to a place I have longed to visit for years, South American - in particular the end of the earth...Patagonia. I have officially booked my trip and as of December 2nd I'll be in Chile and Argentina. The trip will begin with wine tours near Santiago. Then we fly to Punta Arenas where we go on a trek to see these little guys:

 The next day we head out on an 8 day trekking tour of Patagonia. This is a little taste of whats in store:

EcoCamp Patagonia Torres del Paine W Trek [full version] from CascadaExpediciones on Vimeo.

We end our trip in the cutest little boutique hotel in Buenos Aires and will get home just in time for Christmas. I'm going to try to blog along the way because I think this is a trip of a lifetime and I never want to forget it!

The key lesson I learnt from this whole process is the power of having your goals not only written but posted somewhere you will see them EVERYDAY. It was a force I could not handle and it pushed me to uncomfortable places to ensure I achieved what I set out for. Stay tuned for whats coming in 2013...I'm brewing some pretty epic goals.

recent quotes i love.

Let the beauty we love be what we do.
 

Empty your mind, be formless. shapeless like water.

The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are stronger at the broken places.

If you are not on the edge, you are taking up too much room.

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes form an indomitable will.

Always do what you are afraid to do.

The best way out is always through. 

love this.

Angus Stone inhabits a Hipstamatic world in the self-directed video for his new solo tune 'Broken Brights'. It's a totally lo-fi affair, filmed in California's Redwood Forest with his partner, actress Isabel Lucas - and we've got your exclusive first look at the clip!

"We planned the trip when we first met and it was here we traveled together for the first time," explains Angus. "I thought I would bring along an old camera and capture some love along the way. With this old camera we didn't know whether it worked or not as it was film. We knew it clicked over but that was all we knew... so it was a great feeling to get the rolls back some months after and see the footage had marked our time in the woods as a love."

'Broken Brights' is the first song lifted from Angus' forthcoming solo record which will be out in July. In the meantime, get cosy with this brand new film clip.

smart thief caught on cam

This is brilliant. If you don't agree you missed the point.

IKEA - It's Under Warranty

This spot is awesome.

Live your dream. Share your passion.

Love this.

The Denali Experiment

love. can you imagine doing this. amazing. enjoy.

Sugoi Sample Sale 2011

Whistler 50 Relay

You may remember my blog post from last year Haney to Harrison 100km Relay w/28 Chicks ...we clearly had a blast and its time to do it all over again.

Only the race has a new venue. EPIC Whistler. 

Whistler BC - photo credit monograms travel website

And we are letting a few dudes join us...

This photo actually comes up when you Google "dudes" - I'll take no photo credits on this one

So bring on the inaugural Whistler 50 Relay and Ultra

- We now interrupt this blog post for some music break time. I love this song and it seemed to fit right here cause we'll be on the run this weekend trying to smash last years finish result -

Time to get back at it. Blogging by the numbers:

3 teams

• We run like girls
• We run like gentleman
• We run like ladies & lads

24 runners

3 volunteers (shout out to my lovely friends Nicole, Christie and Marella for helping out)

Legs are 8km or 12km

Its been 11 months since I last ran a race

Its bee 11 months since I posted this bucket list blog post: Miwok 100km Ultramarathon 

Its been 10 months since someone drove their car head on into my car on Capilano Road

Over 120 visits to Moveo Sport and Rehab for Physio and Acupuncture to deal with consistent nagging nerve pain down my leg stemming from lower back injuries - thanks for the fantastic therapy and support ladies! You are worth the commute to North Van.

Countless hugs and never ending support from friends and family

And so I am a ready to take a small step towards returning to my love of trail running. I'll be running one of the short 8km legs. And hopefully I'll be able to enjoy it. I know I'm lucky to even be able to attempt this so I'll be running with a smile on my face, carrying high hopes for more racing days just like this one - hopefully on trails ;)

I'll leave you with the tunes that will fill my ears while I run and while I cheer on my team mates. Hope you enjoy my playlist. Below the playlist I've included a couple killer music videos from the playlist ~ 

Music Tuesday

I don't have cable at home for various reasons, mainly I don't think there are many good quality shows and I don't have time to sit and watch TV. I never even used to watch music videos but over the past few months I've noticed some of my favourite bands releasing edge, artistic videos. Thought I'd share the music video of a song I'm loving right now "Fragile Bird" by Canada's City and Colour



Do you have big plans for the long weekend? I'm heading to Penticton with some girlfriends for relaxation, and winery hopping. If you have recommendations for favourite things to do or places to check out in the area let me know.

I'm back!

Since my car accident I've been uninspired to blog, I've probably started 20 different posts and haven't published any - aside from the odd sample sale post... I had to keep the Canadian sports economy going...Bad Katie. 


So what I have been up to? RECOVERY! Physiotherapy. Acupuncture. Message Therapy. Active Rehab. Repeat. I  moved into a new apartment sans room mate for the first time in my life and I'm absolutely loving it. I started a new job working for TELUS on their Corporate Communications team leading a team that focuses on external communications via the interweb and social media. The job, team and corporate culture are amazing! Stay tuned for great things coming down the pipe from our little team that could.


Music is a big part of my healing I went to Coachella Music Festival (tick that one off my bucket list), Sasquatch Music Festival and many other fantastic local live shows. #MusicMatters

I also took a relaxing trip down to Calistoga Ranch in Napa Valley for some fantastic vino, amazing pool time and caught up on some good books.


So back to me and inspiration. Today my lovely friend Nicole (who has been bugging me to blog again) emailed me a cuteness overload email.
September's is going to be busy month for all of us. So I challenge you to complete the following list and perhaps remind ourselves to breathe and enjoy.

1. Give something broken a new life (a skirt, a squeaky wheel, scuffed shoes).
2. Wear something you love that you think "just isn't you."
3. Send a thank you note, for anything.
4. Spend an afternoon reading.
5. Have luncheon: a slow midday meal with cloth napkins and wine.
6. Go out of your way to do something kind for a stranger (offer a seat, hold the door, leave your copy of Us Weekly on the elliptical).
7. Donate five items from your closet that don't make you feel unstoppably gorgeous.
8. Take care of a nagging life admin item (a trip to the post office, filing an insurance claim, making a doctor's appointment).
9. Buy an utterly frivolous piece of lingerie.
10. Invite friends over for cocktails, dinner, or brunch.
11. Wake up an hour early to have a leisurely morning.
12. Try something that looks like pure fun (accordion, crochet, burlesque).
13. Dance. In public, in the living room, with a partner, with yourself.
14. Flirt with a stranger. (Smiling counts.)
15. Get rid of five things in your home that don't bring you pleasure. - declutter people. it feels so good
16. Buy flowers for your home or office.
17. Make a recipe from a fruit, vegetable, meat or fish you've never cooked before.
18. Walk barefoot in the grass or on the sand.
19. Have a media-free day. - eek! this will be tough!
20. Write down everything you feel grateful for.
21. Hold a baby.22. Pet a puppy.
23. Go to a farmers market and buy everything local
24. Ask someone to tell you their life story.
25. Read a biography of your favorite glamorous screen star, or the bravest, most badass real life heroine.
26. Eat fresh local berries.
27. Create an occasion to wear your most impractical pair of shoes.
28. Write down your wildest dreams.
29. Take one itsy-bitsy, teensy-weensy step to make one real. - admit it this one is going to be fun
30. Have a proper weekday coffee break: ceramic cup, idle gossip, and staring out a window.
31. Visit a playground and swing.
32. Make lemonade. (Literally or figuratively.)
33. Jump in a body of water. Float.
34. Give someone a hug; let them let go first.
35. Look at the stars.
36. Replace one utilitarian item you use every day--a measuring spoon, a file folder, a key chain--with something really, really beautiful.
37. Pamper your body with a massage, an overdue haircut, a trip to the sauna, or a soak in the tub.
38. Research something that sparks your curiosity (Arthurian legend, photosynthesis, investing). If you're still curious after a 15-minute google session, dive deeper.
39. Make a collage of beautiful images that resonate with you.
40. Read aloud to someone you love. - this is one of my favourite things!
41. Forgive yourself.
42. Forgive someone else.
43. Spend an hour in silent reflection.
44. Dine by candlelight on a weeknight.
45. Take a walk after dinner.
46. Have a glass of champagne, just because.
47. Spend one day taking pictures of everything you find beautiful.
48. Describe your perfect day in writing.
49. Select one drawer or surface and organize it.50. Do something you loved as a child.

Hope you join my challenge! And as a reward for reading this whole post. Check out my favourite song of the moment. Playing it on repeat. repeat. repeat.



Gotye- Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra)- official film clip from Gotye on Vimeo.

Louis Garneau Sample Sale

Just in time for Summer - huge Sample Sale!

Saturday, June 25

10:00am to 4:00pm

Granville Island Hotel

Lots of gear and great deals for all of your fitness needs.

What: Everything from Running to Biking, Outdoor, Lifestyle
Saucony running, fitness, & yoga apparel & accessories
Louis Garneau bike apparel, hard goods & accessories

CASH ONLY

SUGOI Spring Factory Sale

Sample Sale - May 7th

Samples Sale
May 7, 2011
9am - 6pm
Granville Island
Vancouver, BC
CASH ONLY
Outdoor apparel, sleeping bags, packs and accessories
Get stocked up for the summer!

not your fault (Good Will Hunting)

The other day I was at Winners (emotionally shopping) and I stumbled across the "Good Will Hunting" DVD which was on sale for $5.99. I realized that this is one of my favorite movies and I didn't own it.

Its a fantastic film, I recommend you watch it sometime soon.

While I was watching it tonight I became very emotional (which doesn't usually happen to me in movies) but this scene truly touch me. I think its because of my car accident - without going into too much details I guess I've been feeling a heavy weight on my shoulders; that people expect that I should be healed by now (it take time), that my time off work was a "holiday" (hells no work is 1000 times better than what I've been going through), that in some how the accident was my fault (which it 100% was not), financially I've been feeling stressed due to all the extra incurred costs of treatment, I could keep going but thats not the point - just wanted to share something that inspired me/and lifted my spirit a little bit in the hope that it might help someone else. I realize its a completely different situation but it is completely relatable for me.