Stories from Kristina + Breanne

  Shared by Breanne Smedley “The perfect coach…” That’s definitely not a title I fill. Really I’m not sure that it exists. However, when I started coaching, that’s what I thought I had to be. I would never admit that’s what I was trying to do, though. Looking back to my first years of coaching (gotta love that hindsight 20/20 thing), it’s clear to me that I believed that I needed to be perfect in order to gain my athlete’s trust. If I wanted them to believe in what I was asking them to do, I needed to make sure to inundate them with all my amazing volleyball knowledge (ha!), have all the right answers to their questions, and make no mistakes. God forbid I did make a mistake, I had to work hard to make it seem like it was intentional, or someone else’s fault. Like the time I called the third timeout in a heated match (you’re only allowed two), and cost our team a point. It was the ref’s fault for not reminding me that I had used two already! Or when I put the lineup in wrong and my ...

  Shared by Breanne “True Story Friday…” This year, I started a new weekly tradition with my classes. Inspired by a CharacterStrong blog post, I decided to dedicate the last five minutes of each of my classes to share a story about my life. Students were allowed to pick one topic, and I would share a true story from my life about that topic. I implemented the (soon to be) tradition after the second week of the school year. My students and I were still in the awkward stage of our relationship at that point. They didn’t really know me, I didn’t really know them, and they didn’t really know each other. Perfect time to be vulnerable…ha! My heart was beating so fast at the end of my 1st-period class in anticipation to introduce this idea. Do they even care about a story from my life? What if no one picks a topic? What if I can’t come up with a story? I did it anyway. “Okay first period, come over and take a seat.” They sat at my feet like it was elementary carpet time. “Every Friday fro...

  Shared by Breanne Smedley “21-15-9…”   The workout was simple.   Thrusters, Burpees, Push-Ups.   3 rounds, starting with 21 reps and decreasing by 6 each round.   I wrote it on the whiteboard for my 4th period PE/Weights class and was met with a chorus of “ughhh,” “seriously,” and one “are you trying to kill us?”   If you’ve been around high schoolers for any length of time, you’ll know that it’s not cool to act excited about anything. And definitely not a workout. Despite this, all thirty students set up their weights, found a space, and waited as I set the timer.   “3, 2, 1, …Go!”   Immediately (most) of them began busting out their thrusters, and I watched as they transitioned quickly from one movement to the next.   I shouted a few reminders as they worked. “Squat to 90 degrees!” “Touch your chest to the ground on your burpees!” “Go the full range of motion on your push-ups!”   But, for the most part, I was impressed with how quick...

  Shared by Kristina Smedley I had an info interview today with a gal who is interested in joining my team. First, she asked a seemingly simple question: “What is it like to be on this team?” I answered with the longest, most confusing response. I’m sure she was trying to figure out the point! Maybe she still is! “Everyone interacts with different groups of people and does totally different projects based on the product they support… some facilitate workshops, some run culture initiatives… we are located in three different locations, are in two states…” and on an on. I should have just said, “We’re experimenters” and then provided a couple of examples. I’m sure you’re thinking – “Experimenters? I know you don’t work in a lab.” No. But see, my teammates are pros at trying out new ideas, testing new concepts, and switching things up when the first try doesn’t succeed until they find a result that satisfies the problem. My teammates are humble and curious. They piece together disparat...

  Shared by Breanne Smedley “I’m okay, you’re okay…” Another volleyball season is in the books. Like every season, the past four months have been jam-packed with practices, meetings, planning, film, matches, and tournaments…and little time (more like energy) for anything else. Now that the dust has settled a bit, I get to focus on another one of my passions- building the Mindfluent Leadership movement with Kristina! It’s usually after the season ends that I like to focus on what I call “Post-Season Self Care.” I schedule a few fun appointments and get out of town for the weekend with Brett. Typically the more stressful the season, the more appointments needed. This year, it was a body scrub, massage, facial, and haircut…if that gives you any indication. Then, we went off the grid and headed to the beach. It was glorious! However, when I got back to work Monday, it wasn’t like all my worries had been scrubbed and massaged away. I still had students to teach, emails to reply to, meet...

  Shared by Kristina Smedley I received an email from a colleague the other day that first made me proud and then really made me think. He said: “I was thinking about Managerial traits and how I hope to be if I am ever in a Management position. The vested interest you show for everyone (not just your employees) in both career and personal development is something I really do aspire to. It is a rare quality in leadership and coming from someone who has directly benefited from this trait of yours, I can’t tell you how appreciative I am; as I’m sure others are as well. Just wanted to say thank you and Happy Friday!”   To be honest, I think I’m actually a fairly poor “manager” by corporate America’s standards. I despise keeping tabs on my teammates, don’t like reviewing weekly files, providing weekly updates, or attending weekly meetings. I should probably put all of this on my own development plan.  Leadership, however, is a different story. Having a vested interest in those...

  Shared by Kristina Smedley This post might seem a little different (maybe too long) from the ones I’ve posted in the past. I want to share more about my passions (which line up nicely with Breanne’s, who you’ll hopefully get to know better soon!) and some of the possibilities I see for our Mind fluent ®  Leadership movement and business. My intent is to live curious and optimistic, to be authentic, to be compassionate and in service to others, and to be fully present I value universal humanness and equality, self-direction, family, and nature. And I love people – my family, friends, acquaintances, and those I’ve never met. I am forever fascinated with our relationships, how our minds work, the power of our hearts and bodies, the source of happiness, how we live our best lives, and how do we do it together, inclusive of all. This might all sound like a bunch of fluff. Stick with me… I believe completely that business organizations have the unmatched opportunity to positively ...

  Shared by Kristina Smedley I’ve heard this from numerous people who are just starting to create a mindfulness practice… “I don’t know how to meditate or practice mindfulness… I always do it wrong” “I just can’t stop thinking.” “I tried for a while, but couldn’t control my brain.” “So I quit.” Just quit. So easily. Imagine another situation, where the bene fits are well researched and the practice is relatively easy to get started… getting 30mins of movement in each day. We’re not talking about doing Crossfit 30mins per day or running sprints 30mins per day. We’re just talking about starting with 30 mins of movement (no matter how tough) every day – walking from the farthest parking spots, climbing the stairs at work, walking the dog, wrestling with your kids (or spouse!). We might think, “my shoes are uncomfortable.” So, we buy new shoes and keep walking. Or, “that walk is going to take 15 extra mins.” So, we leave for work 15mins earlier and by the time we get back to our car at...

  Shared by Kristina Smedley I literally just made a list. 4 times I’ve tried to be successful in owning my own business. To create the freedom of time, and resources needed in order to enjoy that time. I’m actually in awe right now. How quickly I forget my past failures. 4 past attempts and 4 attempts that didn’t work. 4 failures. Mary Kay Savvy Home Furnishings, LLC (with my business partner) Advocare Stella & Dot Of course, I always choose to think on the positive side: “Well, I learned so much (and I did!)” “I met some great people” “At least I tried” And yes, these are true and I am proud of myself for at least trying. But trying wasn’t what I was going for! TRY wasn’t my WHY! My WHY #1 – “I want to be in control of my time and life.” HA… do you know how much TIME I spent on these endeavors but not always in the right way!? My WHY #2 – “I want unlimited earning potential that I can’t get in corporate America.” And I wanted it to happen immediately. (This is almost embarras...

  Shared by Kristina Smedley Today, we had a great discussion in our Team Tag-Up. What is it to be a Champion? Not just an individual Champion, excelling in individual pursuits, but a Champion of others. Some thoughts included: “Investing in others” “Inspiring others” “Lifting them up when they’re down” “Being caring and compassionate towards others” This evening, I’m reflecting on this further and connecting this with the idea of being proud of another and communicating this pride. “I am proud of you” It’s such a simple thing to say, yet likely not said enough. I know I don’t say it enough. “I am proud of you” It says that I am aware of you, I understand your goals and priorities, and I see you as good and worthy. It says that I am honored to be connected to you and support your endeavors. When I am proud of you, I often want to be your Champion. I want to invest in your development, growth, and excellence. I am inspired by you and hope to be an inspirational and supportive advoca...

  Shared by Kristina Smedley It was a beautiful, clear night in Clearwater Oaks, CA. (Don’t know where that is, neither did I… check Google Maps). 92 of us just completed a week-long personal development seminar (more like an amazing adult camp) that we could never have predicted and I really don’t know how to explain, except to say that it was amazing and life-changing And, it’s graduation night. We’re all dressed up. We enjoy a nice dinner together. And it’s time to official be pinned as graduates of the program. I’ve never really liked graduation type ceremonies… I really don’t like my name being called and then walking across a stage with all eyes on me. (After this week-long course, I now better understand why, but that’s not the point right now.) Here, we did it a little differently. Rather than walking by row across a stage, as you might expect from a graduation ceremony, we were in 3 random rows on each side facing towards each other… creating a catwalk down the middle with...