Ready, Set, Goal!

Where the heck have I been the last 6 months? Not doing the podcast. I decided to update you all on what I have been doing, challenged by, and how I plan to move forward. No promises to end of continue the podcast. This one is unscripted and unedited, something I wanted to experiment with today

I do have some book recommendations at the end. :) 

Love you all! Happy holidays and looking forward to connecting with you (outside of this podcast) in the new year!

There are SO many great books available for new parents that it can be overwhelming. As I prepare for my first big work trip since 2019, I’m reminded of the hot mess I was (still am) trying to pull off parenting and professional appearance. In this episode, I share the top books that helped me navigate the uncharted territory of being a parent, from conception to the dreaded toddler stage. Shout out to all the wonderful authors and podcasters out there that have taken the time to help parents everywhere be more successful and less isolated!

Resources

• Oster, Emily - Expecting Better and Cribsheet - https://emilyoster.net/ 
• Karp, Dr. Harvey - The Happiest Baby on the Block and also reference to the beloved Snoo - https://www.happiestbaby.com/ 
• Brody, Lauren - The Fifth Trimester - http://www.thefifthtrimester.com/ 
• Bruce, Leslie - You’re a F*cking Awesome Mom - https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-cking-Awesome-Mom/dp/1580058906 
• Shoretall, Jessica - Work. Pump. Repeat. -  https://www.jessicashortall.com/work-pump-repeat
• Lansbury, Janet - Elevating Child Care and also No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline without Shame - https://www.janetlansbury.com/ 

How are you doing? In Life? With your goals? In this episode, we'll explore a useful ritual for resetting your life and goals based on deliberate reflection...the retrospective. We all get stuck sometimes, but we rarely create time and space to examine what is working well, not working well, and determine our next steps. Join me for this short episode where I outline  a 15 minute format with tools and resources to create your own mini-retrospective.

References
New podcast you might like - Context Matters with Amanda Bell - https://contextmatters.work/podcast

Fun Retrospectives - https://www.funretrospectives.com/ 

Happy Spring? It's been SEVEN months and this is episode 7! It's been a journey of awareness, acceptance and action since my first episode. In this episode I recap the mind blowing Do Less framework by Kate Northrup and how I have applied this to my thoughts and actions over the last seven months. It's a brief episode but full of a few experiments for you to consider. Please reach out to share with me your realizations and results.

References:
Do Less by Kate Northup - https://www.amazon.com/Do-Less-Revolutionary-Approach-Management/dp/1401954987

Yes! Spreadsheets are fun! In this episode I unpack my current research and experimentation with fun, highlighting a book I am loving called The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again by Catherine Price. I also share not one but TWO spreadsheets of fun. The first spreadsheet has been a life changing way for me to plan and reflect on the fun experiences I am creating with my family, friends, and self. The second spreadsheet is all about planning and scheduling Summer Camps and activities. And guess what? Both spreadsheets are posted on monicajoykrol.com for your own use and linked in the show notes below. Enjoy!

Little shoutouts and references to:
Catherine Price - The Power of Fun - http://catherineprice.com/

Spreadsheet of Fun: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lUWjpLtzT8ZCsIP6NqLoPgu7-RVe9rRWJjnF1uYDvfw/edit#gid=1561680836

Camp Spreadsheet Template: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1odEEpuQ1FS7Ww06JD5Ot-fNZUDYlk4lwA9Hd0FHBC6U/edit#gid=0

Monica here to let you know I have Sh*tty Parent Syndrome, and you probably do too. In this episode I share with you five takeaways from the greatest book ever, "You Are Not a Sh*tty Parent" by Carla Naumburg. Even if you are not a parent, these takeaways are worth a listen, as they can provide you with some inspiration to be more gentle with yourselves. Listen up as I explore my insights, and even how I managed to tie it back to the "sh*tty" self-awareness training we give our kids during potty training. Lastly, I may have thrown in some tips I learned from a free Tony Robbins seminar I recently attended. Let's get in the STATE,  STORY as well employ STRATEGIES for growing as creative and loving parents and people.  Enjoy!

Shoutouts and References:

• Carla Naumburg - https://www.carlanaumburg.com/
• Amazon Link to purchase You Are Not a Sh*tty Parent - https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Not-Parent-Self-Compassion/dp/1523517115
• Francesca Amber - learn about her FANTASTIC podcast here and view her shop for parenting affirmation recordings - https://francescaamber.com/
• What Fresh Hell podcast - if you aren't subscribed to this, what are you doing with your life? - https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/
• Oh Crap! by Jamie Glowacki (who I think I called Jackie in my episode...oops) - https://www.jamieglowacki.com/homepage 
• And while we have all heard of Tony Robbins (I think), I really loved his free Unshakeable seminar in January 2022. Thank you! https://www.unshakeable.com/  

In the last episode we "Unwrapped Our Intentions." Join me for the second part of a two part series on goal setting! In this episode, I share how you can create SMARTer Goals (thank you, George T. Doran), as well as strategies for creating an achievable roadmap for accomplishing them.  I further share how tiny, atomic habits (thank you, James Clear!) support your intentions and goals daily, and how getting clear on THE ONE THING (thank you, Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan) can keep you focused on what matters most. 

It's almost a new year and naturally a time to set new goals. Join me for part one of a two part series on goal setting! In this episode, I share a three step process to experiment with before setting your goals. It begins with assessing your wheel of life, prioritizing a few key areas, and asking yourself WHY improving a given area is really important. WHY do this? Goals are better with meaningful intention. Intention anchors you on why something matters, and helps you more easily think about what you truly want to achieve. Let's do this!

Welcome to the "sheet"show of parenting emotions! In this episode, I openly share the struggles and emotions I have a parent. I have been feeling defeated as a parent lately. There has been A LOT of screaming and crying over here. Something tells me that you might relate to this sometimes too?  

As I explore my "failure" as a parent, I reflect on my success in other areas of my life. I create that success through intention and strategic action. And so I  wonder... what if I applied some of these same strategies with the intention to be a creative, loving and  "more" peaceful parent? Will that work or am I doomed? Indulge yourself in learning five strategies I am using, and learn about how I am tracking my progress in a spreadsheet!

I am so excited to kick off this podcast with you, and share what I am learning through the book Do Less by Kate Northrup. Listeners will get a glimpse into how I'll manage to get this podcast done alongside my careers (plural) as a full-time product manager, mom, and artist. Leveraging Northrup's Upward Cycle of Success, I'll unpack how you can begin thinking about your own success, that includes time for planning, execution and REST!