“Baby Steps..."

October 2nd, 2024

"Baby steps

get on the bus,

baby steps down the aisle,

baby steps".

-Bob Wiley 'What About Bob'

Last week at the WCCE Conference held in Sheboygan, WI I listened to Todd Kuckkahn speak about 'Creating Intentional Habits'. Todd had us work through an exercise called the 'Wheel of Life'. Surrounding the wheel were nine areas for us to rate, rank and then prioritize. That list included: Friends • World Around Me • Self-Awareness & Care • Quality of Life • Family • Healthy Lifestyles • Personal Growth & Development • Workplace Culture • Legacy Finances.

Todd first asked us to rate these nine categories [1-10] in regards to how we feel we're doing, one being 'terrible' and ten being 'awesome'. Let's call five 'no complaints'. Next Todd asked us to rank the nine categories in regards to how important they are to us and we assigned each area a number [1-9] based on their priority. One being our top priority and nine being the least important. Lastly, we looked at what our top three segments were and how we rated them. Do we feel great about our family? Are we concerned with the world around us? Are we leading a healthy lifestyle?

What we gained from this ten minute exercise was a snapshot of our life. And my thinking immediately flashed to Thanksgiving dinner. If you've ever been responsible for the planning and preparation for something as important as Thanksgiving, you can appreciate that there are at least nine things being cooked, mashed and glazed at different times and temperatures with the expectation that it all hits the table at the same time, followed by a mouthwatering dessert. Our lives are like Thanksgiving dinner.

We cannot possible focus on one thing until it's perfectly cooked and then pick up the next recipe. It all happens simultaneously. It takes planning. It requires us to know what our own kitchen can handle, and if need be we must ask for help or delegate responsibilities.

I highly encourage you to map out your wheel. Evaluate the nine categories. Rank them. And then consider what area might need attention to get back on track. The goal can never be perfection, but with wisdom like, 'Baby Steps', every day has the opportunity to be a little bit better. And never be afraid to fail-forward.

The life you want won't happen by accident. It takes intentional planning and prepping and it will require action. Maybe it's buying a book. Maybe it's going outside for a walk. Maybe it's having a hard conversation with a co-worker or loved one. Your baby steps will be different than the person sitting next to you at work or across the dinner table from you at home. And that's okay.

Take a look at your wheel. Rate it. Rank it. Prioritize it. Because it's your life and you're the head chef in the kitchen.

#GetCookin'

Kate Abbe

The Elkhorn Chamber

OPTIONAL BABY STEPS:

Conference Speaker, Tony Rubleski, shared his book Positive Disruption which I fully intend to purchase and use as a dinner time activity with my family. #DangItTony

Sarah Sobocinski, an Elkhorn business owner, mother and doer-of-many-things, has published a 100-day journal to uplift and encourage those pursuing their dreams while raising a family. I admire this so much! Snag a copy for yourself or stock up on gifts for Christmas right here: The Art of Balance!

CHAMBER EVENTS

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SATURDAYS ON THE SQUARE • MAY 25TH - AUG 31ST

ELKHORN OKTOBERFEST • OCTOBER 19TH

LET IT GLOW • DEC 6TH-8TH

ELKHORN CHRISTMAS PARADE • DEC 7TH

ELKHORN COMMUNITY MEAL • DECEMBER 25TH

NETWORKING

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PARTNER EVENTS

OPTIONAL BABY STEPS:

Conference Speaker, Tony Rubleski, shared his book Positive Disruption which I fully intend to purchase and use as a dinner time activity with my family. #DangItTony

Join us for our Annual Sled-Toberfest Fall Open House 2-Day Event!!

Kick Off this Upcoming Sled Season with us! This is our biggest event of the year - our fan favorite!

Friday, October 18th: 10am - 5pm

Saturday, October 19th: 10am - 3pm

REMINDER:

The Elkhorn Chamber and it's staff continue to provide weekly

e-blasts for all of our newsletter subscribers and chamber partners. If you have business updates or events to share please send to Kate Abbe at kate@elkhornchamber.com. Let us help you continue to grow and engage with the Elkhorn community and surrounding areas!

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PROMOTIONS

Salute Our Local Heroes!!!

To show our appreciation for Elkhorn’s Legion Post 45 and VFW 6375 we are donating 25% of all sales of our

“Salute Our Local Heroes” sweatshirt!!

ORDER HERE

JOB POSTINGS

COME JOIN OUR TEAM!

Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC (publisher of the Burlington Standard Press) and affiliated companies is looking for a skilled Office Manager to lead and supervise all aspects of the business department located in Delavan, Wis. This is a full-time position, minimum 35 hours, no nights or weekends. You will be in charge of managing all day-to-day operations in the business department and directly supervising 3-4 employees.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable

• Manage banking accounts

• Quarterly and annual duties for tax filings and census reporting

• 401K and HR administration duties

• Oversee payroll for 3 companies

• Recruiting and training new employees

• Miscellaneous department management duties

Requirements:

• Proficient in QuickBooks

• At least 3 years' experience in a management position

• Outstanding leadership abilities