Early Accountability

EAP 136: Slow Progress Vs. No Progress

On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi talks about recognizing the difference between slow progress and no progress when it comes to long-term goals. It is easy to get discouraged when you are working towards a goal that is a long way off, especially when it may have been derailed by COVID-19, so Kimi offers these self-evaluation questions as a way of checking in with yourself on those goals: 1. Do you still have actionable steps that you’re taking? – Are those steps written down? Are they measurable? Do you have milestones set up? Even making slow progress should mean that you are consistently taking steps and checking in with yourself. 2. Are you still immersed or in touch with resources? – This could be your network, a mentor, or the community that is supporting you in this goal through motivation, enrichment, and/or accountability. It is important to know your achievement style as well as your procrastination style so you don’t get sidetracked. 3. Are you still revising your plan? – Chances are, if you are consistently working towards a goal, you will need to make adjustments. If you aren’t, you might be procrastination or your goal could be on pause, which is ok. Be intentional with your time and energy and be honest with yourself. Are you pivoting, pausing, or procrastinating? Topics Covered in this Episode: • COVID-19 • Long-term goals • Slow progress • Self-awareness Connect with Kimi: http://www.kimiwalker.com/ https://web.facebook.com/kimiwalker https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimiwalker https://www.youtube.com/user/KimiFitWell

EAP 135: How to Beat Brain Fog

With everything going on in the world, many workforces still being remote, and most school systems being virtual, it is easy to just be in survival mode, getting everything done but not really being “there.” On this episode of the Early Accountability podcast, Kimi discusses this mental fog that many of us are feeling that could be affecting our productivity, physical health, mental health, and our interactions with those around us. Here are Kimi’s tips for having mental clarity: 1. Watch what you consume – It is tempting to just eat what is easiest or most comforting when everything else seems to be out of control, but it is important that you try to eat and drink more healthy foods during this time. 2. Watch the energy you expend – Do your best to integrate exercise into your day, or at the very least get outside for some fresh air and a change of scenery. 3. Take time to rest – Set aside at least 10 minutes a day where you are able to relax without any screens or expectations. Your brain needs down time to process everything that is going on, and a good way to accomplish this could be through meditation or guided relaxation using an app. 4. Know your stress triggers – These triggers consistently escalate your emotions and you likely can think of a couple off the top of your head. Do what you can to decrease or eliminate those triggers, perhaps trading them for moments of pause as mentioned above. You have the power to control how you react to these triggers; they do not have the power over you. Topics Covered in this Episode: • COVID-19 • New normal • Mental fog • Mental clarity Connect with Kimi: http://www.kimiwalker.com/ https://web.facebook.com/kimiwalker https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimiwalker https://www.youtube.com/user/KimiFitWell

EAP 134: Lifelong Learning & Intellectual Wellness

EAP 134: Lifelong Learning & Intellectual Wellness by Kimi Walker

EAP 133: Dominate Digitally and Enhance Your Virtual Visibility

On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi is joined by Danielle Tucker, founder and owner of Professional Speaker Websites. Several years ago, Danielle and her husband sold everything they had and moved to South Africa to be digital nomads. She soon learned that it was difficult for her to gain credibility without being able to speak on stages and network in person, so she needed to develop a very professional website that would establish her as a thought leader. Before long, Danielle realized that there were others just like her who wanted to be thought leaders but were falling short because of their subpar websites, so she started a web design service with these potential clients in mind. Danielle points out that many people are thought leaders without realizing it because everyone who has a smart phone and social media has a stage and the ability to get their message out to people. Often, you are your biggest obstacle – either by doubting that people will want to hear what you have to say or by being too afraid to let your voice be heard. Danielle encourages you to feel the fear and do it anyway because you have something to say that others need to hear, and a luxury website is a key aspect of people being able to find you. Topics Covered in this Episode: • COVID-19 • New normal • Digital nomads • Leveraging your website • Sharing your unique message Connect with Danielle: https://professionalspeakerwebsites.com/ https://www.instagram.com/professionalspeakerwebsites/ About Danielle: Danielle Tucker is the founder of Professional Speaker Websites, a company that specializes in luxury websites for professional speakers and coaches who are READY to attract unlimited speaking opportunities. Through strategy, design, and messaging, Danielle empowers speakers with a website that not only looks good but also functions as a marketing machine to get you in-person and virtual speaking engagements. After you experience Danielle you will know why a luxury website is necessary if you want to be taken seriously as a speaker and leading expert in your industry! www.professionalspeakerwebsites.com

EAP 132: Pandemic-Proof Your Finances

Our guest on this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast is Jonathan Bolton, a financial and investment advisor with Wilson Wealth. It is safe to say that the events of 2020 have come as a shock to everyone, and many people have found themselves falling on hard times due to the pandemic itself, job losses, unexpected expenses, and emotional stress. Jonathan is here to share with us some good ideas for reviewing, analyzing, and adjusting our finances to ensure that we are in a better spot financially if and when another pandemic-like event takes place. 1. Save and invest more – While many people say that an emergency fund of 3-6 months is sufficient, COVID-19 has proven that it is probably better to have a 12-month emergency fund. Jonathan recommends having 2 months of cash accessible in savings and 10 months in a brokerage account as an investment that is still pretty liquid. 2. Reevaluate your needs and wants – Take a hard look at your expenses and ask yourself if they are necessary or frivolous. If you are like the rest of America, your discretionary spending has likely gone down and your savings have likely gone up since COVID-19. 3. Being rich vs. being wealthy – To be rich is to have a significant income. To be wealthy is to have significant assets. It is fine to be rich, but it is better to be wealthy, to accumulate assets through real estate investing, owning a business, and investing in stock. 4. Labor is expensive – Businesses these days are especially conscious of their labor expenses. Use this knowledge to your advantage and negotiate equity in the company into your contract in order to protect yourself in the future. Topics Covered in this Episode: • COVID-19 • New normal • Creating habits • Finances • Pandemic-proof finances Connect with Jonathan: https://www.wilsonwealth.com/ https://www.instagram.com/jon_bolston/

EAP 131: Creating a New Normal

EAP 131: Creating a New Normal by Kimi Walker

EAP 130: Maintaining Mental Flexibility During COVID-19

On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi discusses the importance of mental and cognitive flexibility as more and more of our plans for 2020 are sidelined due to COVID-19. Things are still changing so quickly, and plans that were set in stone last week have already disintegrated. So how do we maintain our sanity when we can’t make solid plans? 1. Give yourself extra time for thought and decisions – Practice mindfulness when you can but especially just allow yourself some quiet alone time during the day to process. 2. Be ok with not knowing or understanding – One of the most tangible examples of changing plans right now is the fall 2020 school calendar. While it is difficult for parents to not be able to make plans for their kids, there is only so much they can do. Expect the unexpected and be flexible as the authorities in your area make decisions. 3. Accept that you may have to change your mind – It is likely that your opinion on wearing masks or going out in public or sending kids back to school has changed over the past several months as more information has become available. That is alright, and it will likely continue to occur. Choose what is the best fit at the time and don’t feel judgment from those around you along the way. We are all in this together and we will all emerge from it together as well. Just do your best and be flexible. Topics Covered in this Episode: • COVID-19 • Mental flexibility • Expect the unexpected • Being prepared

EAP 129: Preparing for "Back to School" During COVID-19

During this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi is putting on her school psychologist hat and helping listeners understand how to navigate this upcoming school year with all of the adjustments that will have to be made due to COVID-19. We all got a dose of these changes during the last half of the spring 2020 semester, which could either be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how that trial run went for you. Perhaps you or your child struggled to connect to the online platform or perhaps it was a great season for you. Either way, there are a few things you can do right now to work towards your academic best this fall, whether your school will be in-person, all online, or a blend of both: 1. Keep the brain turning – While no one is expected to remember everything from the last school year under normal circumstances, it is expected that retention will be even lower this year. Do your best to work with your children consistently through the summer to maintain exposure to their subjects and refresh the material from last year. 2. Be prepared for multiple modalities – No one knows what this school year will look like, even though school districts are solidifying plans now. Understand that your teaching format could change throughout the year. 3. Look for resources for areas of deficit – There are lots of free or low-cost tutoring resources available if you find that you or your child needs extra help to understand the material being covered. Do your best to be comfortable with learning differently than normal, and supplement wherever you need to. 4. Plan for the upcoming year – Do your research now on the support that is available from your school and any additional support you may need, and stay updated on the plans of your school regarding teaching format. This school year will not be easy, but we are all doing the best we can and you can prepare now for success in the fall. Topics Covered in this Episode: • COVID-19 • Back to school • Changes to the school year • Being prepared Connect with Kimi: http://www.kimiwalker.com/ https://web.facebook.com/kimiwalker https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimiwalker https://www.youtube.com/user/KimiFitWell

EAP 128: Reaching Your Summer Goals During COVID-19

EAP 128: Reaching Your Summer Goals During COVID-19 by Kimi Walker

EAP 127: Planning a Social Distancing Staycation

On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi talks about how the continuing COVID-19 quarantine as well as the recent public outcry about racial injustice in the U.S. and many people being without work has created a perfect storm necessitating a time of pausing to reflect, refresh, and restart. While most people are not able to travel to take traditional vacations, Kimi outlines a few specific things you can do to set yourself up for a “staycation” to accomplish just that. 1. Make time for it – Schedule a day or more for your staycation and stick to your commitment. If things come up, treat them as you would if you were truly out of town on vacation. 2. Find a format that works for you – If you are going to camp in your backyard, make sure you have all of your materials ahead of time. Arrange childcare if necessary to give you some focused time to recharge. If you had to cancel a trip this summer, create a theme night or event for yourself featuring the cuisine or activities you would have had on that trip. 3. Unplug – Know your boundaries. If you are not able to unplug 100%, do the best that you can to stay away from social media and the news during your staycation. 4. Come up with games and activities – There are so many things you can do with others and still be socially distant. Check out the links below for some ideas. 5. Stay the course – Stick to your plan and don’t come “back to reality” early. You need dedicated time to reflect, refresh, and then restart. Topics Covered in this Episode: • COVID-19 • Racial injustice • Staycation • Taking a break Some resources for social distancing games: http://realestate.boston.com/news/2020/04/14/neighborhood-games-social-distancing https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/money/quarantine-staycation/ https://www.today.com/shop/15-yard-games-enjoy-outside-while-social-distancing-t178918 Some activities for kids that promote social distancing: https://www.asphaltgreen.org/blog/rep-it-out-games-for-social-distancing https://www.strong4life.com/en/news/keep-kids-active-while-practicing-social-distancing Connect with Kimi: http://www.kimiwalker.com/