Swift Leadership: Leadership Lessons from Taylor Swift

Some love her (hi, Swifties). 

Some like her music. 

Some do not like her. 

But all know her. 

Taylor Swift. 

Photo from Taylor Swift, Instagram, December 6, 2023

Taylor Swift is a household name these days. She started making country music at 13 years old and has been through tremendous ups and downs in her career. She’s making headlines for her new relationship, touring the globe on her record-breaking Era’s tour, AND was named Time Magazine’s person of the Year… all at the same time.  The Federal Reserve even credited Taylor with boosting the country's economy on her tour this year

Now listen, I am a self-proclaimed Swiftie, but I know some of you may not be. And that’s cool. I am not here to sell you on the merits of Taylor Swift herself. I am also a leadership coach who specializes in helping leaders get the best out of themselves and their people for improved business outcomes. When I look at Taylor Swift I don’t just see a music industry titan, but a business woman who has built herself an empire based on loyal and dedicated fans.  I see someone who has taken the time to get to know herself — who has done the work to grow and evolve over time — who is open and authentic about who she is and what she wants out of this life. What I see in Taylor Swift are lessons so similar to what I coach with leaders, managers, and individual contributors every day. That is exactly what I am going to share with you now. What lessons can we learn from Taylor Swift the business woman?

Lesson 1: Recognition and Appreciation for Employee Engagement

Photo from Taylor Swift, Instagram, November 13, 2023

Swift famously gave all of her truck drivers for the Eras Tour large financial bonuses (we’re talking like $100,000) and hand-written thank you letters expressing her gratitude for their excellent work. 

While most of our businesses are not raking in billions of dollars that allow us to throw around $100,000 bonuses, we do have the ability to recognize and appreciate our employees in other ways. In fact, employees who receive great recognition are 20 times as likely to be engaged as employees who receive poor recognition.

Many people think recognition and appreciation are only deserved when someone goes above and beyond. In reality, good enough should be good enough.  In a study conducted by Gallup and Workhuman, 72% of employees who have great recognition experiences say that performance on "little things" is commonly recognized at their organization. This does not mean you need to praise someone for mediocre work or celebrate someone for simply showing up, but that we should be noticing and communicating what we do see right with people. How do you do this? One way is to notice who a person is (not just what they do) and find a way to share that with them. 

It could look like this: 

“Kelli, I love how you always show up to the meetings with a smile on your face, it really helps set the tone for our conversations.” 

“Brad, I appreciate how committed you are to our team.” 

“Gina, you simply radiate kindness and are always the first to check in on our team when someone is sick.” 

The other thing about recognition and appreciation is knowing how people like to receive their positive feedback. I often recommend leaders simply ask people how they like to receive this information. According to Gallup and Workhuman only 10% of employees are even asked how they like to be recognized and appreciated. Email, in person, text are all great ways to deliver the news. It can also help to send your people a quick survey and let them pick. Something like this in a google form can be easy enough:

What rewards or recognition matter most to you in your work? (Please check all that apply)*

• Money (salary increases)

• Money (bonuses)

• Gifts (gift cards, small gifts)

• Food (lunches, snacks, dinners)

• Time off

• Verbal recognition in front of colleagues

• Verbal recognition one-on-one

• Written recognition sent to all colleagues

• Written recognition sent one-on-one

• Winning awards

• Experiences (trips)

• Investment in professional development (courses, trainings, conferences, networking groups...)

• Other:

Remember, most people will probably say they like to receive money as recognition (who doesn’t), but statistics show that money is not necessarily a “fix”. Many people crave small things like a hand-written note (Taylor knows), a cup of their favorite coffee, or a quick verbal acknowledgement. 

Lesson 2: Be Authentic - Treat Your People Like People

Photo from Taylor Swift, Instagram, October 12, 2023

Merriam-Webster’s word of the year in 2023 is “authentic” and we know our girl Taylor has been serving us authenticity since she started writing lyrics. That’s the thing that has hooked so many Swifties over the years, Taylor is completely relatable because she has the ability to show us exactly what she has experienced through her storytelling lyrics. This is why Swifties and fans around the world pour into her new albums and vault tracks as soon as they drop: they are seeking out the truth to what happened in her life.  If you’re like me, it feels good to know a famous pop star has also struggled with love, work, balance, time, and emotions.  

Swifties will never forget the day the Red Taylor’s Version album dropped.  We were blessed with the 10 minute version of All Too Well, a song that thoroughly documents the brief, albeit incredibly important/painful relationship between Taylor and Jake Gyllenhaal. One cannot listen to this song without feeling the authentic agony that Swift experienced as she navigated that relationship. 

With artificial intelligence on the rise, leaders also need to demonstrate authenticity in their work. I am constantly reminding teams that people are humans first and colleagues second. This means leaders need to connect with their people on a human level. In fact, Gallup data shows that managers should have one meaningful conversation with their employees once a week. This doesn’t need to be an hour long discussion about their work priorities (although that is helpful too), but simply a 15-30 minute touch base on something that is truly important to the employee. 

This could look like this:

“Hey Matt, how did you feel after yesterday’s board meeting?”

 “John, you seem super excited about the upcoming sales pitch, I’d love to hear more about it.” 

Or even something more personal like, “Greg, how is your basement remodel going?” 

80% of employees who received meaningful feedback in the past week are fully engaged in their jobs. 

Lesson 3: The Power of Hybrid Engagement in the Digital Age

Photo from Taylor Swift, Instagram, August 28, 2023

Most of us interact with Taylor Swift in a digital way. She streams her music online, she pumps out music videos and she even recently released her Eras Tour film in theaters, but Taylor has also opened up her life to us in-person, especially lately. The Eras Tour is a stadium tour which means any given stop hosts an average of 72,000 fans in the stands. Plus, with her budding relationship with Travis Kelce she’s been attending NFL games cheering for her guy at Chiefs games. If you’ve been lucky enough to snag a ticket to the Eras Tour, then you know there is something powerful and electric about the in-person experience of not only seeing Taylor perform live, but the vibe of being in a stadium full of other Swifties singing and dancing for 3.5 hours. For myself and many other fans the live experience is almost hard to put into words because it feels like a magical, communal experience where we all journey through Taylor’s musical career and, in many cases, monumental moments of our own lives. Even the Eras Tour Movie, while digital, brought fans to theaters across the world together creating infectious energy and building a sense of unity and emotional connections both to the music and the others in the theaters. 

I think this combination of the digital and in-person engagement with fans this past year is one of the contributing factors to Taylor’s recent title of Time Magazine’s Person of the Year award. 

The data for leaders and organizations alike are showing us that hybrid work is also the key for employee engagement in the work arena. Prior to the pandemic, most professionals worked in the office. During the pandemic many office professionals started working remotely. This year we have been debating which is better: work from the office or work from home?

Currently, the Gallup data is showing us that hybrid work (for those who can work remotely) is the optimal situation for employees. We are seeing stats that show hybrid work improves work-life balance, helps employees be more efficient and productive with their time, and leads to less burn out. Ideally, your people should be working from home 2-3 days a week (most people favor Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for their in office days). 

How do you make it work the best for your team? It’s important to let each team dictate their hybrid schedule (within limits). Each team will function differently and have different requirements, so empowering them to create their hybrid schedule has been shown to be most effective. 

Everything I said above is something most of you have probably heard or already figured out. However, here is a gap I see employers and leaders have in regards to hybrid: the time spent in the office MUST be intentional for it to benefit anyone. 

What does this mean? 

It means each team probably needs a team reset where they can decide not only their hybrid schedule, but they can decide how to collaborate when they are in person because going to an empty office is not going to increase collaboration or productivity, just like going to an empty stadium tour wouldn’t create a magical feeling of unity. When people can go to the office on the same days and plan intentional time to work together and collaborate (like going to a stadium tour with 72,000 other fans) then the magic happens. Work from home is great for independent work that needs to be accomplished, but work from the office is great for brainstorming, connecting, collaborating, and culture building for an organization. If you want loyal employees, then you need them to come to the office and be connected to other employees. It’s hard to truly connect with a colleague when you only see eachother for Zoom meetings, it’s much easier when you have the actual water cooler to stand around. 

Lesson 4: Taking Action on Feedback for Growth

Photo from Taylor Swift, Instagram, July 10, 2023

Part of Taylor’s undeniable popularity is that she is actually listening to her fans and taking action on what she hears. Taylor has been re-recording all of her albums (click here to learn why).  In an interview with Seth Meyers, she said, “This time around, I get to do things that I know [the fans] wish I would’ve done the first time. I’m always listening to their opinions and their theories. They will let me know which songs should’ve been singles; they let me know which songs didn’t get videos that should’ve gotten videos.” ‘

In 2019, Taylor released the album Lover which included the song Cruel Summer, which was never released as a single. When Taylor was on tour this year, Cruel Summer started growing in popularity and it became a single because of the fans – four years after its original release.

I am sure as a leader you are well-versed in giving feedback and, if you’re a more advanced leader, you might even be good at asking for feedback (who doesn't love a good 360 evaluation?).  Are you actually acting on the feedback you receive? I talk to my clients about having a growth mindset. In fact, I have this story I share with them…

When my twin daughters were three, they came home from preschool one day and both grabbed a kiwi and just started eating them —  like they ate the skin and all. I immediately put a stop to this by grabbing the kiwis and peeling them. See, I know a bit about kiwis because I always ate them with my Grandma Thelma. My grandma had one of those little peri-knives with the white handle (why can we all envision this so well?) and she would delicately peel the skin off of a kiwi before slicing it up and serving it to me. I would emulate her, except I was pretty terrible at the peeling and would be left with a pretty small portion of kiwi meat in the end. As I got older I realized if the kiwi was ripe enough you could actually cut it in half and scoop out the kiwi meat (kind of like an avocado). So anyway, I’ve thought a lot about eating kiwis. 

The next day, my daughters come home again and insist that their teacher, Miss Tiffany, told them they could eat the kiwi skin. In an effort to prove them wrong, I perform a simple Google search. To my surprise, these three year olds are right. According to Google, kiwi skin is totally edible and actually contains high antioxidants like vitamin C that can boost heart health and combat inflammation.

To me this kiwi story perfectly exemplifies why having a growth mindset is so important. According to Carol Dweck, author of the book Mindset,  “In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.” 

Most of the leaders I work with will tell me they do have a growth mindset, but once I share my kiwi story they tend to open up that maybe they too have had moments where they thought they already knew the answer, what was best, or the way something should be. 

So how do we embrace a growth mindset and actually act on the feedback we receive? 

Ask the right questions.

Taylor Swift is a celebrity so she doesn’t have to ask fans for feedback because the culture of the internet allows everyone to feel entitled to express their opinions, but Corporate America isn’t this way. In order to get good feedback, leaders need to ask for it. 

Asking, “What feedback do you have for me?” will probably turn up zero helpful results because it’s uncomfortable for everyone. While there is no one perfect question, you want to find a question that works for you and the person you are asking. Kim Scott, the author of Radical Candor, asks her employees, “What could I do or stop doing that would make it easier to work with me?” This question works for most people, but her co-founder Jason actually told her he hates that question and needs something more specific. 

Acknowledge the discomfort.

Acting like giving and receiving feedback is a walk in the park is simply foolish because it really makes everyone feel a little uneasy. Verbally acknowledge to your employees that it might be a little uncomfortable, but you are really seeking to grow and so they are really giving you a gift when they offer you feedback. 

Take a beat then make a plan and share it.

Right after hearing the feedback, take a minute (or an hour, a day, or a week) to let it sink in. Your natural reaction might be to defend yourself or your actions, this is normal, but not helpful (and will not encourage folks to give you honest feedback in the future). Express your gratitude for the feedback and sit with it. 

When you’re ready, you need to actually make a plan and communicate it. It should be specific and small this way you can actually accomplish it. If the feedback was that you don’t communicate enough with the team, you might say, “I will plan on sending an email to everyone on Monday morning outlining the priorities of the week.” Then you need to actually follow through. 

If it’s feedback regarding something you really can’t change, communicate this too. It’s better to say you heard someone, but just can’t make it happen right now then to say nothing and let them think you ignored their suggestion. 

Lesson 5: Support Over Competition - Collaborative Leadership

Photo from Taylor Swift, Instagram, December 1, 2023

Beyonce and Taylor Swift are two of the biggest celebrities of our time and they are currently both on record-breaking world tours. Back in 2009 they even were pitted against each other at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) when Kayne West interrupted Taylor’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video to say it should have been Beyonce’s. 

While these two women have a lot of reasons to compete against each other, they actually are huge supporters of one another. This year they both released movies in theaters of their tours and attended each other’s premieres. 

Really since 2009, these two major music moguls have been supporting each other. In 2021, Beyonce sent Taylor flowers and a kind, hand-written note after the Grammys (which Taylor posted online in support of Beyonce). 

For leaders, it’s easy to get that competitive edge when thinking about your competition, but I encourage you to consider the benefits of developing allies over rivals. I currently lead mastermind groups for local business owners. These leaders meet twice a month and go beyond simply networking. The group starts each meeting with a round robin discussion outlining what major priorities and to-dos they’ve accomplished since our last meeting. We also end the group by setting priorities. The best part of the meeting happens in the middle where each leader has the opportunity to participate in a hot seat. During hot seats the leader gets to bring an idea, challenge, opportunity or question to the group. The group then puts all ideas on the table (masterminding) that might help the leader in the hot seat. Utilizing this process leaders are able to learn, grow, establish trust, and even collaborate with other local business owners. As the saying goes, rising tides raise all ships. By supporting others in our field we can bring out the best in each of us. 

Taylor Swift's journey from a teenage country sensation to a global pop icon offers invaluable leadership lessons that extend beyond the realms of the music industry. As a leadership coach and self-proclaimed Swiftie, I think the parallels between Taylor's approach to her career and effective leadership strategies are unmistakable. Plus, it’s simply just fun to think about our own professional development in terms of Taylor Swift. 

If you are curious about exploring more of these leadership concepts, I encourage you to connect with me via LinkedIn or Instagram. You can also check out my website here. I offer a variety of coaching and leadership/team development options for professionals who are interested in exploring how to be their best selves and how to get the best out of their people. My most popular program is my High Performing Team program which utilizes Gallup CliftonStrengths and other proven habits to improve performance and collaboration, reduce unproductive conflict, boost engagement and support personal and professional growth for each of your team members. I also often build custom leadership development programs for organizations and teams who are looking for a unique and fun approach to their continued professional growth. Plus, I can provide interesting, educational, and fun content if you are looking for someone to facilitate a workshop or keynote for an annual meeting or upcoming conference. 

Reflecting on your Quarter One of 2023

Can you believe we are already passing by the first quarter of the year? It seems like just yesterday we were ringing in the new year and talking about resolutions and 2023 goals.

I facilitate a couple of mastermind groups for local business owners. These groups are great because they give business owners a community of support, accountability, idea generation, a venting space, and a regular “meeting of the minds” that allows for rapid growth. Click here if you’d like to learn more about my mastermind groups.

While it makes sense that business owners would stop and pause to consider their business progress after the first part of the year, it’s a good practice for individuals as well. We often get so busy. Work, kids, activities, dogs…it’s easy to get caught up in the go-go-go that we don’t stop to say, “What am I doing with myself and is it what I want to be doing? Is it what I need to be doing?”

I want to offer you a moment of free space to slow down and think about your year so far. Below are some of the questions I ask (or will be asking—be prepared, people!) the business owners in my mastermind. Maybe you can take 15 minutes to consider them for your business or your life. Even better, find a friend to grab lunch with and discuss both of your answers. If you’re married or in partnership it’s also a nice date-night conversation to help open up lines of communication and expectation setting as we move into a new season.

1) What was a big WIN in Q1? What made it a win?

I love starting this conversation or thought-practice on a positive note. What is something that went extremely well so far in 2023? What was a goal you accomplished or have made great progress toward? Have you started a new habit?

Even small accomplishments or a positive habit change can count as big wins. A fellow coach I know asked me to write down everything I had accomplished in my business since the beginning of the year. It was fantastic! Sometimes it’s easy to dwell on what we are working toward, our failures or even small missteps, but to sit down and think about a win or an accomplishment sets your mind right for the rest of this activity and for moving forward in 2023.

2) What was a missed opportunity or loss in Q1? What happened that caused this to occur? Is there anything you can do to prevent it from happening again?

We’ve got to take stock and recognize what hasn’t gone well. Did you lose a big client? Not reach your sales goal? Give up on your new year’s resolution? This question isn’t about dwelling on the negative, rather, it’s about analyzing what went wrong to ensure we can course correct.

Some things are in our control. Maybe you need to do a better job of controlling your own calendar because you didn’t spend enough time reconciling your budget. You can easily block (and honor) time off each week to ensure this gets done.

Somethings are out of our control. Maybe your kid got three back-to-back sicknesses and you spent more time at home and it negatively impacted your sales numbers. This is a natural part of life, things happen that are out of control. Sometimes you have to recognize it was a tough Q1 and going forward you are going to get back on track (and load your kid up with some vitamin C).

3) What do you need to change moving into Q2?

Look at your goals for 2023, think about how you’re spending your days, and sit with yourself for a minute. I want you to check in with your head, your heart, and your gut here. How has the first part of the year been for you? Are you accomplishing what you set out to? Do you feel happy with the way your year is going? Are you motivated to charge into Q2? Where you find a disconnect, think about what you need to change moving forward.

Maybe you need to reprioritize your sales calls.

Maybe you need to connect with your employees more and honor your scheduled one-on-ones.

Maybe you need to turn your phone off at 6 PM and focus on your family.

Maybe you need to schedule a vacation.

Figure out what you need to change and course correct now.

4) Finally, are there additional resources, contacts or services you need to engage with to help you as you move forward?

You are not meant to do this alone, friend. Whether you are a business owner, a mother, or a single, cat lady—you can ask for help, hire help, or trade help. Can AI help you write your blog posts? (AI did not help me write this, but maybe it should have!) Do you need to connect with someone in real estate to help you source a new business location? Should you finally hire that cleaning service so you never have to touch a toilet brush again? Could you trade baby-sitting nights with your neighbors so you can both get a night out?

You can streamline your business, career, and life by leaning on others. Don’t have so much pride that you suffer through another quarter.

What do you think? I know if you take the time to take stock of your Q1, you’ll move more intentionally into Q2. If you like this sort of thing and want to surround yourself with likeminded people who can help hold you accountable, consider joining a mastermind. Email me at sarah@collinscareercoaching.com with the subject line “A Mastermind For ME?” and we’ll see what we can work out.

Take care of you, my friend.

Clifton Strength of the Month: Adaptability

Exploring the Clifton Strength: Adaptability

The genius of people with Adaptability lies in the way they respond to chaos: They quickly change and react to circumstance that would frighten or intimidate others. 

Mature Adaptability:
Intense, real-time awareness helps respond with immediacy
Early adapter
Energized by the now
Supporting the initiative

Raw Adaptability:
Attention span may be short
Apathetic
Blinded by the now
Lacking initiative

What I See as a Coach

One of the most common statements I hear people say who have high Adaptability is, “I love having to put out fires”.

Obviously, most of my clients are not actual firefighters, so these are metaphorical fires, but the sentiment remains the same. They like coming to work and not knowing what the day will hold for them. They like responding, adapting, and being flexible to what the day brings.

People with high Adaptability can still make plans (and depending on their other themes, they may thrive when making plans), but their Adaptability talent enables them to respond willingly to the demands of the moment.

High Adaptability is often an incredibly valuable addition to any team. When balls are dropped (which happens to even the most organized teams), this person will adjust and make the most out of the situation.

If you have high Adaptability, be sure to find a job that allows for responding to changing circumstances because being stuck in a job that is too structured or predictable might feel soul crushing.

If you manage someone with high Adaptability, don’t let their spontaneity frustrate you. Instead, start to realize the power in seizing the moment and lean into this person when decisions need to be made quickly or plans need adjusted in the moment. Remember, folks with high Adaptability might get bored or be uninspired with traditional goal-setting, they are people who think in the moment and typically are more excited with small, daily initiatives.

Do you have high Adaptability? What did I say above that really resonated with you and what made you feel, like, “meh”? Comment below!

The Activator Theme

Clifton Strength of the Month: Activator
“When can we start?" Activators are always ready to take action. Activator is in the influencing domain because it comes with energy that is often contagious.

A Mature Activator:
Pushes intentionally, urgently & relevantly
Feels when there is opportunity to take action
Helps people begin
Anticipants

A Raw Activator might:
Push impulsively, impatiently & indiscriminately
Act impulsively
Fail to finish
React

What I see as a coach

As a coach I deeply understand my clients who have Activator because I also have Activator in my top five. People with Activator can make things happen because they turn thoughts into actions. They are great at getting things started and often thrive on the front end of any project.

Sometimes Activators can struggle with finishing projects which is why it can be advantageous to partner with someone with strong Focus. It can also be helpful to work with folks who have strong Strategic or Analytical so they can help you anticipant obstacles. Just be sure to have open, kind conversations with each other so you aren’t building resentment (“that’s not the way I would do it”…).

My own Activator has helped me in my career often. I am quick to raise my hand and can easily bring energy to new projects. As a business owner who is constantly working with new clients this is a great asset. However, I haven’t always worked for myself. I’d like to share a personal story about how my Activator has gotten me into complicated workplace situations.

My Raw Activator Story

Early in my career I worked in higher education. I LOVED this work, it was so fulfilling and I was truly passionate about helping students be their best. Before I was a director of a career center, I was a career coach. While I’d like to believe I was a dream employee, in hindsight, I know this wasn’t the case. If you asked my former supervisor I am sure she’d have plenty to say about me and most of it would probably be true! Here’s my self-evaluation: my Activator (in partnership with my Woo and Communication-all in the influencing domain) made me an idea menace. We’d be sitting in a meeting, either myself or someone else would have an idea that I thought was amazing, and before anyone knew what had happened I convinced everyone that this was the best idea ever and here’s how’d we do it and LET’S GET STARTED NOW! My influencing themes would go to work and everyone would start running to implement this new idea, well, everyone except my supervisor who was much more thoughtful and considerate when making decisions. At the time, I was so confused, “This is a good idea!” I’d say totally convinced that my boss had more of an issue with me than the idea. Which maybe she did because I was constantly highjacking meetings with my high energy and, unknowingly, convincing everyone else to follow me. I am sure sometimes the ideas were good. I am also sure sometimes the ideas were NOT good. My Activator was very raw back then. I was impulsive and impatient. I wanted to run into the fire without ever considering if I’d get burned.

It’s been eight years since I worked in that office. Since then I’ve lead a career center as the director, started my own business, gotten married, and had three children. I’ve also spent the past eight years digging deeper into Clifton Strengths and learning how they show up for people. Being a coach often leads to self-reflection and, hopefully, personal growth too. I still have to be careful to not let my Activator run me into fire, but I’ve learned how to say, “let’s think on it for a day” and “I’ll get back to you”. By making it a habit to use these key phrases, I control my Activator allowing my other strengths to also weigh in on the decision making process. Can you remember a time when your raw Activator led you down an undesirable path? What did you do to correct course on future decisions? Comment on this post!

Back To Busy

In 2018 I wrote a blog post called “Ditching Busy…for now” where I discussed my decision to drop my obsession to fill my calendar to instead take a step back to focus on my family. Reading that post today fills me with immense pride and admiration for my past self. At the time, I was the director of a career center at a small liberal arts college. I knew, given time, I would be able to work my way up to bigger, more prestigious roles. Yet, I also had a yearning to turn it all off, or at least down. With the birth of my first child I was eager to be present at home while also trying my hand at entrepreneurship. 

Now it’s 2022, four years later. Since writing that post I’ve had two more children (twins!) and have been navigating a global pandemic with the rest of you. I’ve continued to work on my coaching business part-time and spend most of my energy at home with my family. My decision to stay home ended up being very, very, very good. I got pregnant with twins when my son was only nine months old. Having the flexibility during a twin pregnancy to take necessary down time was invaluable. When the twins were eight months old the world got smacked with COVID 19. Navigating closures, fear, and childcare was much easier on our family since I had the ability to be home. In fact, sometimes I think my family navigated the beginning stages of the pandemic more easily than others because we had three babies and were going to be trapped at home most of the time anyway. And these last four years have been incredibly fulfilling. From watching first steps, to hearing first words I’ve been able to be truly present for my babies as they’ve grown into little children. 

When I started my business, Collins Career Coaching, I knew a lot about being a career coach and next to nothing about running a business. At first, I mostly met one-on-one with young adults helping them transition to the workforce. In the last four years my experience and skill set in both coaching and entrepreneurship has exploded. As a Certified Gallup CliftonStrengths coach I’ve led strengths-based coaching groups for business owners, given keynotes at conferences, and developed workshops for corporations and universities. I even started a coaching group called Strong as a Mother where I combine my expertise in strengths and my crash course into motherhood to help other moms learn how to best use their talents at home with their children. Strong as a Mother has been so popular that Zillow actually hired me to host it for their employees in a Parenting and Caregiver Community.  My business doesn’t just have traction right now, it has momentum. 

Today my son is four, my twins are two and half, and the world is (sorta, hopefully) getting back to normal a bit. The diaper days are over at our house and everyone is feeling the need for a shift.  My husband and I decided to send the children to preschool/daycare five days a week starting this summer. While this seems like an opportunity to keep growing my coaching business, it’s not what I truly want to do. I have an itch. Yes, my business does have momentum. Yes, each year my business has done better than the year before. I keep learning more about myself and how to serve my clients better. The demand for my services has outpaced my availability and for that I am ever so grateful. 

And yet. This itch. 

See, while I know I could keep growing my coaching business (and being an entrepreneur is all the rage right now), I don’t think it’s what I’m meant to do. I’m craving to do something more. I’m itching for collaboration, team work, and wider impact. I know, I know, I may live to regret these words! But my life thus far has taught me one thing, TRY IT. Nothing has to be forever. If you have a desire, a curiosity, or an itch–it’s okay to explore that. Learn about it, talk about it, and–maybe– go for it. Accumulating experiences and finding opportunities for growth will never hurt you–it hasn’t hurt me yet. 

What I’m trying to tell you is I’m looking to leap back into the workforce.  I’m looking to join a team of people dedicated to a cause, a mission, a passion. I am very in tune with the skills and talents I can offer an organization. I am ready to jump in, collaborate and create energy around growth, learning, and development. I am ready to learn. I am ready to coach. I am ready to join a team. 

I know I’ll be busier than ever with a full-time gig, a full family, a side-hustle (I will continue to serve some dedicated clients), plus time to give-back and be social, but I’m ready. I am confident the skills I’ve enhanced as a business owner, coach, and stay-at-home mom will make me an asset to any team brave enough to have me. 

 I guess the only question I have for you is: Would you like to see my resume? 

Resume Words to Get You Hired Faster

I am on Pinterest a lot. I’m very obsessed with it actually. I love using it to find new recipes,  look up cute decor ideas, and discover the latest workout trend that is surely going to help me get that six-pack (ha, we'll save that for another post, but I like nachos too much for six packs). And because I’m a career coach I pin a lot of career advice (username sarahbargcollins if you want to follow me and see all of that advice).

However, sometimes I find myself feeling frustrated because not all of the advice on Pinterest is GOOD advice.

The photo above is an example of a pin I pulled directly from my Pinterest page. This pin claims by adding these words to your resume you will get hired faster. It's a great pin because it's colorful, to the point, and promises easy wins, but will adding any of those words to your resume actually land you a job faster?

Maybe. But essentially that pin is encouraging you to mindlessly throw buzzy words onto your documents. Personally I would never recommend that to a client.

It comes as no surprise to me that this pin is advertising quick fixes. By following this pin to it's attached website you will find an etsy page selling resume templates. Now I am not hating on this person's business. You go, girl because being an entrepreneur is HARD. 

But when it comes to actually building a resume, I'm not a big fan of quick fixes, which means I am not a fan of templates. Nothing about a resume should be that difficult. And if anything is going to be difficult it is going to be coming up with the right content, not the design. As much as I love a fancy, sleek looking resume, what I KNOW is that recruiters are not looking at the aesthetics of your resume. There just isn't enough time to consider the looks usually. I mean it should look clean and organized, but pretty? You can't cover weak content with cool fonts. You, however, can take a plain-Jane looking resume and write compelling, descriptive, tailored content and find that the interviews start rolling in. 

Anyway, I have digressed from the main point...buzz words.

What’s better than throwing some buzzy words onto your resume? What’s proven to work? What should you be doing if you are looking for a new gig?

Be intentional about the words you use on your resume and cover letter. Tailor your resume and cover letter to the job description. Use the words directly from the job description.

The job description is your map to the treasure and the treasure is the new job you want.

Follow the map! 

Sometimes when clients want to apply for a certain job the job description is very small and does not contain a lot of words. They then ask me how do they decide which words to include in their resumes and cover letters. I encourage them to find similar positions and look at those job descriptions, use those words. You can also put on your critical thinking cap and think about what you’ll be doing in the job and use those words. That might mean you look on Pinterest for lists like the above pin to gather ideas. I’m okay if you are using your resources and being strategic. What I’m not okay with is mindlessly throwing words on your resume just because you think they’ll magically get you the job.

Magic isn’t a great way to do a job search. Being intentional and strategic is typically much more effective. And this targeted, intentional, key-word rich way of shaping your resume and cover letter is all because of the applicant tracking system. However, I will save the details of the ATS for another post because it needs it's own article to shine.

If you’re struggling with you resume or cover letter... I get it! They are HARD (especially that pesky cover letter, right?!), but that is exactly why I have my business. I coach people on strategies and techniques to make job search documents to actually get you hired faster. Together we can work as a team to figure out which jobs you should be applying to, how to tailor your documents to get you an interview and then we will practice interview techniques to land you the role. And once you’ve accomplished all that I can even help you negotiate a higher salary.

If you like the way that sounds, go visit my coaching services page to see what plan works for you.

Baby Sleep Tips

Ah baby sleep. If you’re a new parent you’re probably wondering if baby sleep actually exists or if it’s the biggest lie in the world. I mean, people commonly say, “sleep like a baby” when referring to good sleep, but I know most moms would rather sleep like their husbands than their babies.

Who am I and what do I know about baby sleep? Well, I’m just another mom. Professionally I’m a career coach. Personally I’m an enneagram 3 who is a mom of three. Not just three, but three under two years old. As I write this my son is not even two yet and our twin girls are almost 5 months old. I was dying of exhaustion when my son was a baby and I started reading everything on baby sleep and sleep training. I started testing out methods and determining how much crying I could handle vs. how much sleep I needed to get. I was able to successfully sleep train my son and our family and friends were impressed. I told everyone not to be too impressed, maybe we got lucky with a good sleeper. Once we found out we were having twins, I told my friends and family they were allowed to be impressed if and only if I could manage to get two more babies sleeping through the night and napping during the day.

I am happy to report that everyone is now allowed to be impressed with my baby sleep accomplishments. The twins are almost five months old and are sleeping 13 hours through the night (with no wake ups) and are taking 3 naps lasting 1.5-2 hours each. That’s 17.5-19 hours of baby sleep in a 24 hour period.

My Baby Sleep Strategies

All of my babies spent time in the NICU because my body doesn’t understand that a baby is supposed to bake for 40 weeks. In the NICU you are set on a strict 3 hour schedule. Which means every 3 hours the babies get fed. Both times this set a nice foundation for us in terms of baby sleep. However,I know lots of people who have been in the NICU, leave, and do not stay on the schedule. There is no guarantee.

After reading a lot of baby sleep advice and testing things out with our first born, I did a few things from the time we brought the twins home that I think set us up for sleep success. Here’s what I recommend:

1. At nighttime, make the room SUPER dark. Like, can’t see you hand in front of your face, dark.

2. Use a sound machine. We use the thunderstorm noise, but any white noise sound will do. Do not play music, music stimulates the brain, that’s not what we are looking to do at night.

3. Use a tight swaddle. We like using the Halo brand swaddles. I recommend getting one you can velcro. Unless you are amazing at swaddling your baby will probably break out of the blanket swaddle. I know it might seem like they hate being swaddled, but just do it. It helps that startle reflex that will wake your baby up if they aren’t swaddled.

4. Feed on demand or on a schedule, but whatever you do, keep the room as dark as possible when feeding. A lamp will be too bright. I’m talking light of your phone, light of your breast pump, or light from the bathroom barely streaming in. Just enough so you can see what you are doing.

5. Do not change their diaper at night unless it’s a poopy (did I ever use the word “poopy” before becoming a mom?)

6. Keep your interactions with the baby to a minimum. This means no talking, no making eye contact (I know, it’s hard!). Babies are very easily stimulated so even looking into your eyes will get them excited.

7. During the daytime, keep them in the regular living area. Don’t be afraid of making noise. Have the TV on, siblings running around, curtains open (you want that natural light). They will fall asleep on their own in this environment, but it gets their brain wired to know this is not the long sleep.

8. You wake the baby to eat during the day. I know people say, “never wake a sleeping baby”, but yeah, we do. During the day you want them eating at least every three hours (more if you are feeding on demand).

Around 8-10 weeks I moved our babies into their own rooms. For the twins I moved them into the same room, separate cribs. Since our babies were preemies, I was very serious about feeding them every 3 hours for the first two months. At our two month appointment our pediatrician told me I could let them wake me up at night. Phew, that was a blessing to hear. My advice on some of these details is to do what your doctor says. I’m not a doctor and your baby is your baby. Just like you are your own person. Please do what you and your doctor decide is best. I’m just sharing what worked for us!

Once the babies were in their own room I did all the same things as above, but then I got to travel to their room instead of staying in my own (yay?). I slowly started adding these components:

1. Set a desired wake time. Babies, just like adult humans, will accumulate to waking up at the same time everyday. Decide what time you want your babies to wake up and then stick to that time. Which means, they stay in their cribs until that time and they get woken up at that time if they are still sleeping. This is important to regulate their internal clock and to start your baby‘s sleep schedule. Babies don’t really sleep in, so this time is usually between 6:00 and 7:30 AM. Ours is 6:30, but I moved it around a few times before I settled on a time that worked.

2. Create a bedtime routine. Bedtime routines are a GAME CHANGER. They signal to the baby that bedtime (aka the long sleep) is approaching. It doesn’t have to be long or complicated.

   Bedtime Routine Example

   • Bath time (we don’t give the twins a bath every night because TWO BABIES, but we do a wipe down to clean them up).

   • Lotion

   • New diaper

   • Fresh jammies

   • Swaddle

   • Rock while singing a song or reading a story

   • Feed

   • Sleep

3. Add a dream feed. A dream feed is just like it sounds, you feed the baby while they sleep. I started feeding the twins their dream feed between 9:00-10:00 PM. The idea is to do it before you go to sleep (truthfully, I was falling asleep around 7:30 during these days, so I still had to set an alarm). This is to help the baby get their long stretch of sleep in while you are also sleeping. My girls would go to bed around 6 or 7 PM, I’d dream feed between 9 and 10 PM and then they’d usually sleep until 2 AM and then 5 AM. Eventually we got it down to just two night wakings (including dream feed). I finally moved the dream feed back until midnight and then we just woke up once! Finally I stopped waking them up and they slept through the night!

4. Create an early bedtime. I know it seems crazy, but keeping your baby up later will not result in them sleeping later. Babies will get overtired and then they have an even harder time going to sleep. I think the ideal bedtime for a baby is in the 6 o’clock hour. But heck, our twins go to sleep in the 5 o’clock hour. I know, it seems so early, but it’s what works for us.

5. Eliminate sleep crutches. Sleep crutches include: pacifiers, rocking, eating, car rides, stroller rides...basically anything that helps a baby go back to sleep. You want baby to learn how to self soothe, if you are always rocking them back to sleep then they will cry until you rock them back to sleep. Which is okay when they are two months old, but by month 10 you’ll really wish you were not a part of their sleep routine. Our twins liked pacifiers. And they worked well to soothe them for a while, but then we got into this routine of the paci falling out of their mouth and they’d cry, I’d go replace it. Only to have it fall out two minutes later. This gets old real fast. Eventually I just said, nope. I’ll go replace it once and after that you’re not getting it back. Did they cry? Yes, yes they did. I learned I was okay with some crying.

6. Follow eat, play, sleep. If you feed your baby and then put them down to sleep, you are giving them a huge sleep crutch. You want to feed the baby when they wake up to eliminate the sleep crutch. They wake up, you feed them, you play with them (remember for newborns this can be holding them and talking to them) and then you put them down to sleep again.

7. Slowly start doing naps in their crib. I started with just one nap a day and slowly worked my way to all naps. It can be very freeing to have your baby sleep in their own room. It’s a little scary at first, but whoa, go take a shower, mama.

8. During the day, follow wake window times. You can find charts on wake windows online and most are similar enough that it doesn’t matter which one you follow. But for every month your baby is, there is a certain amount of time they should be awake before going back to sleep. In the sleep training world, wake windows are very important. Right now my babies are 4 months old, their wake window is 1-1.75 hours. It’s short, ya’ll. I watch for tired cues (yawning, rubbing eyes) and then I go put them down for a nap. We do a mini bedtime routine before naps to signal sleep. Remember, the wake window includes the time it takes to feed the baby and the time for them to go to sleep before the next nap.

9. Practice crib hour. Around 3 months I start taking sleep more seriously. I give the baby one hour to fall asleep on their own before I step in. Yes, that means they cry. As long as I know they’ve been fed, they’ve recently been changed, and they are generally comfortable, I will let them cry. None of my babies have ever lasted the entire hour. A couple times it’s been about 45 minutes of torture (because of course I’m just sitting and looking at the monitor while biting my nails). But then they fall asleep. Usually they fall asleep in 5-15 minutes.

10. Once they are asleep, keep them in their crib for 75 minutes. A baby’s sleep cycle is 30-45 minutes. They will likely wake up at that time and cry. This is when you usually rush in to give the paci back, or rock, or sing, or whatever. Once I’m full on sleep training, I stop doing that. Yes, they will cry again. But I let them. I want them to learn to self soothe.

Our 4 Month Schedule

• 6:30 am desired wake time

• 1st feeding, play

• 7:30 am-9:30 am 1st nap

• 9:30 am 2nd feeding, play

• 10:30 am-12:30 pm 2nd nap

• 12:30 pm 3rd feeding, play

• 1:30-3/3:30 pm 3rd nap

• 3:30 pm 4th feeding, play

• 5:00 pm bedtime routine + final feeding of the day

• 5:30 pm sleep for night

We will constantly be adjusting this schedule as the babies grow and change. If you have twins too, then know I do everything for my twins at the exact same time. I want them on the same schedule, so if one wakes up, I wake the other up. If one is ready for sleep, I put the other to sleep too. I’m not sure how long I can do this for, but for now it’s working pretty well.

Resources I Recommend:

I followed the 3 Day Sleep Solution for many of my tips. I also love following Taking Cara Babies on Instagram. I haven’t taken any of her classes, but she has so much great *free* advice. On Facebook you can find the group Respectful Sleep Training/Learning. This group was my lifesaver! They have files which answer about any question you have (including the 3 day sleep solution workbook). Also everyone asks questions and lots of people answer in helpful ways. I usually don’t even need to post my question, I just search for the topic and read what other people have posted and the answers. I also read the book On Becoming Baby Wise.

Final Thoughts

Baby sleep can be hard! I am no expert. I am simply another mom who was desperate and wanted our lives to not suck. I did a lot of reading and asked a lot of questions. I just want to share what I’ve learned and what I’ve done in case anyone out there can benefit. At the end of the day, it’s your baby and you gotta do what you want! I’m not here to judge you or make you feel guilty. There’s too much of that crap out there already. I’m just here to say, “I see you, maybe I can help.”

Sleep tight,

Sarah

Preparing for Twins /// Hospital Bag Additions

Affiliate links used below

When my son, Henry, arrived 6 weeks early we were not very prepared. I had just purchased a pair of black pajamas and my husband, Corey, asked me if black was a good idea. I considered what we’d be doing in the hospital during the birth and thought he was probably right. I decided I’d take the pajamas back to Target and exchange them for something that would hide stains better. Once I got the new pajamas, I would pack my hospital bag.

Unfortunately, my plans never made it to fruition. The very next morning, Friday, January 19th, my water broke and we threw a bunch of junk in a bag as we rushed to the hospital. While I was in labor, I ended up sending Corey home to pick up more items we had forgotten. We then ended up being in the hospital for 3 weeks as Henry grew in the NICU. During that time we had to make a few Target runs as I was frantically trying to figure out what I needed. I needed new clothes because my maternity clothes were too big and my regular clothes were too small. I needed nursing bras and tank tops. I needed a pumping bra (we ended up buying a sports bra and Corey cut holes in it to allow my pump to go through…it actually worked so well I never got an actual pumping bra). Needless to say, beyond the early delivery and the unexpected hospital stay, I felt frazzled as I was trying to cram my life into a bag.

This time around we are having twins. We are hopeful they will not come as early as Henry, but the reality is they could. No one knows why Henry was early, but he was and twins often arrive early anyway. While I cannot predict their delivery date, I CAN be more prepared. This isn’t my first time and I know more about what to expect and what I actually need. And luckily, I have many of the items we purchased the first time and can still use this time around (Henry is only 16 months old after all).

As I pack my hospital bag I wanted to share the items I am purchasing that I know I need (or I know I WANT). I hope if you are a new mom or a seasoned mom you find this list helpful!

Cozy, Soft Pajamas

Find here: https://amzn.to/2K3O8wo

I bought these pajamas for a few reasons.

First, they are super soft and there’s nothing better when sitting in a hospital bed after delivering a baby (or babies in this case) than feeling cozy and comfortable.

Secondly, they are not black. The black pajamas I bought before and ended up wearing for the hospital stay after Henry was born weren’t terrible, but as you can imagine, a lot of milk, spit up and other unmentionable things do show up on black. This striped pattern is not only cute (and slimming?!), but hopefully offers some nice camouflage of all of the random liquids that might be covering me.

And finally, I simply love pajama sets! I don’t have enough to rock them every single night, but whenever we have guests or go on a trip I feel very adult when I get ready for bed and slip on some super cute PJs. Seriously, everyone comments on them. I guess most millennials are still wearing t-shirts and shorts to bed. Even though I bought these in XL to comfortably fit my post pregnant body, I know I’ll still love wearing them once I’m back to (hopefully) pre-twin-pregnancy weight.

Slippers

Find here: https://amzn.to/2EUT0zW

When Henry was born I wore my beloved Toms to the hospital. However, no one told me that once your water breaks it continues to leak until you deliver the baby. So imagine me, water broken, walking into the hospital in soaking wet pants and this fluid running into my shoes. Yeah. I know, it’s a gross image, but THAT’S REALITY. I hate to say it, but since we stayed in the hospital for 3 weeks (in the NICU with Henry), I wore mostly just socks and those Toms. Yeah, gross. But I honestly just didn’t care.

However, hindsight is 20-20 and I definitely care now. Hence, these slippers. Who knows the circumstances of my labor and delivery this time around, but whether we are in the hospital for 2 days or 2 months, I will be walking around in these soft, rubber-bottomed slippers. They will keep my feet warm and will allow me to walk into the public restrooms in peace.

Also I will not wear these to the hospital if my water decided to break again. No, now I have a pair of washable flip flops that will be on call for that situation.

Robe

Find here: https://amzn.to/2EUT0zW

I recently was gifted a robe and now I am obsessed with robes. I love waking up, slipping it on and roaming my home or out to the mailbox in peace. However, the robe I own is long, large and very soft (really, as a robe should be). It just doesn’t feel like the type of robe you’d wear at a hospital. It also is so large it would take up all of the room in my hospital bag, forcing me to bring another bag and inevitably making my husband frustrated by how many bags I’ve packed.

As I was scanning Amazon for my cute pajamas, I rolled across this robe. Not only do I love the look of it (okay, navy maybe is the same as black in terms of stains, but I’ll deal), but it is specifically designed for labor and delivery. And yet, it appears so “normal” I know I will continue to wear it past my breastfeeding days.

First off, it’s summer and so I love how it’s short with mid-length sleeves. The material is thin, but does not feel cheap or stretchy.

There are breastfeeding openings to allow for discrete feedings (so you don’t have to open your robe up), but they are also nicely hidden by the belt holding the robe closed.

Then in the back there are small snaps which allow easy access for an epidural (something I will be opting for). I don’t know that I will be wearing this as I am actually in labor, but I love knowing that I CAN if I choose to.

The snaps in the back are also discrete, if you didn’t know they were there, you’d probably not notice them at all.

Finally, this robe has the one essential all women love: pockets. Thank you, yes.

I do have the other standard stuff in my hospital bag, but I really do think less is more. I like to think of myself as a mid-maintenance kind of woman. Not high-maintenance where I’d be full-faced make-up, curling my hair, in my floral robe with matching personalized swaddles for the babies, but also not low maintenance running around in sweatpants and amniotic fluid in my shoes (well, not this time). No, I am now mid-maintenance, I’ll put a little effort in to feel comfortable and approachable. I’ll swipe on mascara in the mornings and I’ll keep my hair down (which hopefully I will have conveniently washed before I deliver). I’ll go to the effort of posting on Instagram, but I will look very average and normal.

It's Not That Deep

“It’s not that deep.”

This is a quote I hear in my ear all throughout my days now. Someone is worried the gift they got their secret Santa isn’t clever enough? It’s not that deep. Giving my husband the option between muffins or cinnamon rolls for breakfast and having him sit and think about it for an entire 5 minutes…it’s seriously not that deep, boo.

This phrase did not come from everyday life happenings, however, it came from my Peloton cycling bike and the one and only Cody Rigsby. The Peloton has not only revolutionized my fitness, it’s changed my daily mindset.

What is the Peloton you ask?

The Peloton is a stupid expensive, in-home cycling bike that comes with a giant screen, amazing fitness motivation, and the power to change your life.

Say what?

Yeah. So here’s what you need to know about me. I am not a fitness person. I never played sports. I never cared about being strong. My biggest fitness drivers have always been to look good and not be fat. I know that is not a glamorous thing to say or admit. I know it is not what we are supposed to want (we’re supposed to want to be healthy and strong). But for years, this was my gym motivation. I started going to fitness classes in college where I would go to our campus rec center. After some tortuous treadmill sessions, I finally got a group fitness class pass. I was busy in college so I started going to the 6 AM classes where I was joining a group of mature (yes, this is my kind way of saying older) faculty, staff and the occasional student. I loved this, but even then only could commit to about 2-3 days a week. It was a great way to start my fitness journey because I was able to learn about muscles and different types of workouts. Plus, the mature women always complimented my form. It made me feel like I belonged to a secret club my other young 20 something friends knew nothing about.

After graduating college I got really into fitness DVDs. Slim in 6, P90X, Insanity...you name it and I probably bought it. I should have become a Beachbody coach with all the dollars I was throwing them. I really liked the convenience of working out at home combined with the motivation of someone telling me what to do.

By the time I entered into my 30s I had a gym membership and rotated between attending group fitness classes and lifting weights on my own. It was fine, but I was itching for a change. When I became pregnant last year I knew I needed to figure out a fitness plan. Not only did I want to make sure I could lose the baby weight eventually, but I had finally realized that a regular workout actually made me feel good on the inside (who knew?).

I had a few folks on Instagram who I followed who had gotten a Peloton and raved about it. Once I Googled it, I saw it everywhere (thank you, algorithms). I took my husband to one spin class and then convinced him we needed a Peloton at home.

The investment is no joke. It’s over $2,000 for the bike alone. Plus, Peloton tries to sell you shoes, weights, and other gear. We bought our shoes on Amazon and the weights at a local store. Did that save us money? I’m honestly not even sure. Also we did finance the bike. They have no interest financing for a year, so we went that route and thought of it like a really expensive gym membership we got to keep at the end of our contract. You also have to pay a monthly subscription fee of $39 to access the streaming of live classes, on-demand content, and your performance metrics. That part I’m still cringing over, but I am cheap. I mean, you’re about to hear why I am obsessed with this bike and how it changed my life, yet I’m still so cheap I can’t admit that $39 a month is okay to spend.

When you order a Peloton it comes with in-home delivery. Two men show up and take it where ever you want in your house and set it up (for us it was in the basement). They make sure everything is put together and is functioning. We are frequent Ikea shoppers so this was a new (and delightful) experience for us. After it was set up we immediately created our individual profiles. With the monthly subscription you can have unlimited profiles set up on your bike. Yes, I’ve considered “renting” my bike out to my friends and family for a small fee to cover the monthly cost (I’m kidding...mostly).

Okay, so the good stuff...why has this bike changed my life?

1. I hate cardio. In high school when they make you run the mile in P.E. I was the person who finished, but claimed I’d never run again. And I have never wanted to run again, but I did because see goal above about not wanting to get fat. The Peloton has literally shifted my entire perception of cardio. Even sitting here typing this I’m thinking, “should I Google ‘is cycling cardo?’” BUT I KNOW IT IS. I’m just in denial because I LIKE IT. Nope, I LOVE IT. Those are strong words, but when my heart gets pumping, the sweat starts dripping, and I start panting I feel so damn powerful. This has never happened to me while participating in cardio before.

2. The instructors are celebrities who are also my best friends. Okay, one of those things is for sure not true and the other is probably only slightly true. But Peloton instructors feel like celebrities. You see them on your screen, you follow them on Instagram, and they seem untouchable. Except they don’t. When you’re on a ride it feels like they are legit talking to you. They ride in the New York City studio where they are teaching live classes, but it’s videoed in such a way that I feel like I’m right there with them and they are telling me to turn my resistance back up because they saw me turn it down. They’re right, I DID TURN IT DOWN, ROBIN. Even though the Peloton instructors have no idea a 30 something mom in Nebraska is taking their rides, it feels like they know and they care. And if you’re on a live streaming ride and hitting a milestone (say your 100th, 200th or 1,000th ride) they often call out your name and give you kudos. This has happened to my friend, Allison, twice. I feel famous via proxy.

   And truthfully, some of them actually are celebrities. Robin Arzon (robinnyc) has 175,000 instagram followers, a best selling book and is always working with brands. She’s also my favorite instructor (more on that later). Many of the other instructors have massive, cult-like followings both on instagram and facebook and boast 30,000-100,000 followers (for comparison I have less than 900 followers and I feel pretty successful about that).

3. The Peloton lives in your house so you can use it at ANY time. I mentioned I got my Peloton when I was pregnant, right? I used that baby until they day I gave birth to an actual baby. Actually, I was finishing a floor workout when my water broke (this was six weeks before my due date and my doctor assured me it had nothing to do with my workout). After I had the real baby I was able to hop on and do low impact rides when the baby napped. My little boy is almost a year old and the only workouts I do are Peloton workouts. I can honestly say I am in better shape than before I got pregnant. I’m actually in better shape than when I had my wedding in Punta Cana three years ago (which is quite annoying, but good, I suppose). As a new mom, getting to the gym would be challenging since I’m on baby duty about all of the time. Since my schedule is sporadic I don’t make it on many live rides, but all of the rides are streamed on-demand which means I get to access whatever I want, whenever I want.

4. Peloton keeps growing their offerings. When I purchased the bike they had “beyond the ride” workouts (now called “floor” workouts) available. This is a collection of strength, yoga, stretching, and toning workouts. These are awesome to mix it up. Admittedly, when I first got the bike about a year ago, I thought the beyond the ride content was a little weak. Like, actually, weak...they seemed too easy. Since then they have really increased the intensity. Plus, they now offer the digital app (which you get access to when you pay the monthly subscription) which has guided running workouts and bootcamps. Recently they released Tread, which is the same concept but with a treadmill instead of a bike (no, thank you). Something for everyone!

5. The app tracks how many and which workouts you’ve completed, your output, distance, calories burned and your leaderboard rank. Yeah, that leaderboard. I don’t even pay attention to it, but if you are driven by any type of competition, then you’ll probably love it. You can see everyone who has taken a class and how they ranked (or how they are ranking if you are taking it live). You can also see all of this information in graph form (something you’ll pay attention to if you do Power Zone rides). Your recent achievements are tracked so the bike notifies you when you’ve worked out for so many consistent days/weeks, when you work out with a friend (because you can follow people), and how many total rides or workouts you’ve completed. This type of positive reinforcement is my love language.

6. The classes are simply amazing. I love a good motivational speech and everyday I ride it feels like I get one. I am a professional coach and I have often referred to some bit of motivational advice I heard from a Peloton instructor when coaching clients. The instructors make me feel powerful (I now workout in my bra, something I’d never do before) and strong. I want to live a healthy life where I take time for myself. Peloton not only gives me permission to do this, it encourages me ensuring me I’ll be a better me if I give myself a little time and grace (on the Peloton, of course). I’m no fool, I know the marketing strategy here is guiding this and I’m falling hook, line, and sinker for it, but I’m okay with that.

Now to the good stuff…

My Favorite Classes/Instructors

• Robin Arzon. When I first started riding with Peloton I did not take rides from Robin because they were too hard. Seriously, I was not a fan. Now that I’m a little more skilled (don’t get it twisted I still always rank in the bottom half of riders) I am obsessed with Robin’s rides. She slays. And by that I mean she slays me like a gruesome murder where all of the sweat leaves my body in a pool under my bike. Her rides are explicit, she always says to “put the babies away” which as someone with an actual baby, I appreciate. She reminds you what you do on that bike in 20, 30, or 45 minutes is more than most people do in a week or a year. She constantly says what she has you do is hard, but you can do hard things. This has become my new life mantra. I can do hard things.

  • Take Robin’s rides when:

    • You want a killer workout

    • You need your confidence restored

    • You want to jam to some sick beats

    • You want to feel like a badass who can take on the world

• Cody Rigsby. Cody has been and will continue to be one of my favorite instructors. He is beautiful, fit, and so damn happy. He is the king of groove rides where you ride to the beat of the music. He used to be a backup dancer for some pop artists who I think include Katy Perry and Britney. He sports a Mickey Mouse tattoo. He loves boy bands, girl groups, and any song with a good beat. He keeps you in check with his “one-two” counts and makes you feel like you are at a sing-a-long dance party while also getting in a good workout.

  • Take Cody’s rides when:

    • You want to ride to the beat of the music

    • You want to jam to pop music

    • You need some positivity infused into your life

• Alex Toussaint. Alex is another beautiful and happy Peloton instructor. He offers great hip hop rides where he likes to put a little movement into the ride. Alex always does a little upper body stretching at the beginning of his rides which I truly appreciate. He has great energy.

  • Take Alex’s rides when:

    • You want to groove to some hip hop

    • You want to add a little movement to your rides

• Matt Wilpers. I feel like Matt is underappreciated in the Peloton instructor group. Matt is an athlete. He runs, he cycles on the open road, and he knows a lot about how your body reacts to the bike. I didn’t like taking his classes at first because I thought he was a little boring. He doesn’t have the energy like the others. However, I started doing a Power Zone challenge and he was one of the instructors. I am so glad he was too! Power Zone rides help you focus on form, performance and endurance. Matt is the king of this. He has so much knowledge about the bike and about you as the rider. These classes always go by so quickly to me because you are focusing on how to be a better rider, not just riding as hard or as fast as you can. Personally, I wish Matt would get into better music, but I’ll put up with it to experience his expertise.

  • Take Matt’s rides when:

    • You want to focus on improving yourself as a rider (I’d recommend at least once a week)

    • You want to increase your performance or endurance

    • You want to learn something

• Denis Morton. Denis is the surfer dude of the Peloton instructors. He’s laid back, yet intense. He’s the type of person who probably woos everyone’s parents. He has that genuine charm with a bad boy edge. He also does Power Zone rides with Matt, but I like taking his other rides too. Plus, he always tells good stories.

  • Take Denis’ rides when:

    • You want to hear a good story as you do your ride

    • You want to feel like you are riding with a friend

• Ally Love. Ally is so positive and sweet. I honestly don’t take very many of the female instructor’s rides. I don’t know why, but they haven’t “done” it for me. Ally was no different, until recently. Some of the Peloton rides offer arm workouts during the rides. I like to do these a couple times a week to mix it up (and to remind myself I have an upper body). I recently tried Ally’s Interval and Arms Ride and totally fell in love with it. She does super intense intervals followed by challenging arms...usually at least three sets of arms. This is great because sometimes you only get one set of arms in a ride and it can make the ride feel very long. Ally really burns my arms out too. I never feel like the male instructors burn my arms out. My theory is because they use three pound weights and even though you are doing high reps, those dudes are jacked and I’m sure they aren’t actually feeling any burn so they don’t know how to push it. They are literally just going through the motions. The ladies, though, can feel it more and therefore know how to burn it out. I have no idea if this is true, just speculation.

  • Take Ally’s ride when:

    • You want a great interval and arms ride

    • You want a genuinely nice person guiding you

There are many more Peloton instructors, but these are the main ones I work out with and enjoy on a regular basis. That does not mean the others are bad or not worth your time. I have friends who really enjoyed many of the other instructors. It’s like all things, once you try someone and really like them, you keep going back for more. I am sure I will cycle around (see what I did there) to the other instructors in time.

Ultimately I realize being in the Peloton community is a total privilege because this bike and content is hella expensive. However, if you are considering it and you have the financial ability to commit to it (also by committing that many doll hairs it makes me more committed to the actual bike itself) then I would totally recommend it. I am in the best shape of my life both physically AND mentally. I enjoy the best fitness instructors and the best fitness cult right in my basement and I’m proud to be a part of it. If you join, follow me at TheRealSarah

Oh, I should mention, this is not a paid or sponsored post. I get nothing for raving about this bike. The only potential kick-back to me is if you purchase one and say I referred you (use code CPE33S), then they’d let me buy some super cool swag from the Peloton Boutique. Which I totally do love, so I wouldn’t be mad if you did it.

Follow my Peloton fitness journey on Instagram at sarahcoachcollins.

Ditching busy...for now

During grad school I started getting so irritated when people bragged about how busy they were. One look at any of my social sites and you’ll see the evidence as I was always posting articles and insta photos about it. It felt like every person I ran into felt compelled to tell me just how hectic and chaotic their schedules were. They wore busy like a badge of honor. But even as I was posting and sharing the, “stop glorifying busy” pieces, I was falling into the exact same trap. I was working during the days, taking classes at night, volunteering for local organizations, and maintaining a full social calendar.

After grad school I continued to live my life in this busy way. I took secret joy in being the first one in the office even though I would complain about always being the one to turn on the lights and make the coffee. I would deliberately stay at work longer than everyone else. I was the first to show up to meetings and usually the most prepared. I kept a full schedule during the work day, sometimes barely leaving enough space between appointments to use the restroom. Not only was I trying to prove my work ethic was strong and something to be admired, but I was relishing in the fact that I, in my own mind, was the “hardest” worker in the place.

Professionally this served me well. I graduated with my master’s degree 2013 and by 2015 I was leading an office as the director. Being busy really seemed to pay dividends for me.

The truth is being busy made me feel empowered and purposeful. Having a lot on my plate brought a lot meaning to my life.

Today, however, my calendar is empty. About two months ago I quit that stable job to start down a new path. You see, in January my first child was born and growing up I had a dream that one day I would be a stay-at-home mom. So with the birth of my son I took a good, hard look at my life. Did I want to continue to be a busy bee trying to climb a professional ladder while now also juggling my growing family? It’s not as if this isn’t possible, many people balance their careers and parenthood exceptionally well. For me, however, the thought alone was overwhelming because I knew the same tenacity that pushed me to be busy at work would be in overdrive pushing me to be twice as busy at home. After many conversations with my husband, friends, and professional colleagues I decided to jump out of the professional rat race and focus more on my family and other professional goals.

Let me backup. I am very privileged. I have a husband who can financially support our family and who believes in me and my dreams. I have dreams that include not only being a very hands-on mother, but also starting my own coaching business. In my mind, I know I’ve been given an incredible opportunity. But in my soul? The current state of nothingness on my calendar at times makes me feel weak, unworthy, kinda empty, and a little pointless.

Of course my son and husband bring me great joy and make me feel needed and worthy everyday. But at this point in my new motherhood/new business journey our days are very fluid. No longer are the days jam-packed with appointments, meetings and conference calls. Now we wake up when we wake up, check email in between feedings and read books that consist of five whole pages.And in this new silence I am learning a very valuable lesson.

I have the opportunity to look inside myself and ask, “Hey, when all of the labels and responsibilities are removed, who are you? What do you really want to do?”.

People change. Our lives evolve. Who we are and what we do and how we go about our days morphs as we grow. And while this can be scary, it is also necessary.

Even though my calendar is empty today, I still have worth and value, it just looks and feels a little different than I am used to.

Maybe you are in-between jobs. Maybe you are stuck in a job you hate. Maybe you want to take a risk and start a new business. Maybe, like me, you want to focus on your family more. Don’t be afraid of failure and don’t feel like your worth relies on how how full your calendar is. Change is hard. But what if you could make the change, push through the silence and find more meaning in life? Wouldn’t it be worth it? Wouldn’t you want to at least say you tried?

You know my answer.

I’m taking this moment of silence and trying to listen to hear what it has to say. I’ll take lazy mornings and long good-nights and try to cherish them. I know my to-do list will not always be so sparse. As my son grows and my business expands, my calendar will also fill. I’m likely to hit a wall someday where I feel even busier than I did in my 8-5 gig. But, in the meantime, I will try to grasp that my worth and meaning don’t need to come from clocking-in, conference calls and bragging about long hours. Yes, it’s okay to be busy, but it’s also okay to ditch busy, if even for a moment, to think about who you are and what you truly want out of this life.