If you've hung around Cultivate for any amount of time, you probably recognize this gorgeous lady! Team Cultivate met Lashawn a few years ago, and it was love at first sight (seriously - have you see her beaming smile?!). We've since gotten to know the heart behind the face and the hope behind the smile, which has only made us love her more. It's been our delight to have had Lashawn as part of several PowerSheets photo shoots over the last few years, as she represents everything these goal planners are about so beautifully (and brings some amazing energy to the set!). I'm excited for you to get to know Lashawn a bit better today!
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Lashawn Gee. I’m a middle school teacher full time, and I am also an author and discipline and mindset coach who teaches women how to increase their focus and activate their discipline muscle so they can finally launch their dream project.
Why do PowerSheets continue to be a helpful tool for you? What have PowerSheets helped you accomplish over the last few years?
My PowerSheets allow me to track my progress so I can see how far I’ve come and where I want to go next, and to see that type of growth and progress is hugely motivating for me! I’ve been able to maintain focus on what matters in my life because of my PowerSheets, and to cut the fluff where I need to.
What’s one of your favorite pages in the Prep Work?
I actually have two favorites! (I just couldn’t choose!) One is the “Who I Really Am” page (page 15 in 2020 PowerSheets). It's motivating for me to look back on who I used to be, and then to look at the progress I've made to get to where I am now.
I also love the “Brainstorm Your Year Ahead” page (page 28 in 2020 PowerSheets). I use this page to simplify my year and get laser-focused on what matters so I can take action with joy and excitement. I also use this page to create a mini vision board.
Tell us about one or two of your goals this year. How have you or do you plan to break them down on the way to completion?
One of my goals this year was to write my book and get it published. I started off by enrolling in a program to write my book in eight weeks or less, and I did!! Next, I chose to use that same coach to publish my book. I’ve been in the publishing process throughout this year. It can be both tedious and filled with fear (for example, I sat on my book for two months before I actually moved into the publishing phase!). Weekly and monthly, I would work with my publishing company to review and edit different aspects of my book's interior and cover, and I tracked that progress on my PowerSheets. I’m so happy and excited to say that as of November 15th, my book, The Jump That Counts, is hot off the press!!!
Do you use your PowerSheets for personal goals or business goals, or both?
I use PowerSheets for both my personal and business goals. For me, my personal brand and my life intertwine. When I get to the point where I’m speaking and coaching full time, it will definitely be a mix of work and life, and I’m so excited for it!
Where do you want to be when you’re 80?
When I’m 80, I want to be with the love of my life, celebrating each other and celebrating our family. I want to have Sunday dinner and BBQs with our kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. I want to be telling jokes, laughing, and still dancing. I want to be in good health. I want to know that I have impacted millions of women through my speaking and my books.
As a busy, on-the-go lady, how do you incorporate your Tending List into your life?
I check-in with my Tending List weekly. I either go over it in my bed on a Saturday or Sunday, or I’ll go to my sunroom and sit in my favorite spot to review what’s worked for the week, what didn’t work, and what I get to change so I can have more of what I want in my life!
Do you have any “PowerSheets hacks” you’d like to share with our community?
This may be a well-known hack, but I always use a planner alongside my PowerSheets. Any important dates or events I put in my PowerSheets that I’m excited about and need to remember, I also put them in my planner. If I don’t write it down, it doesn’t happen. Now that the 2020 PowerSheets include a calendar (YAY!!), I'm excited to see if this makes my load a little lighter! That and the inside pocket are my two new favorite additions for 2020.
How do you spend your mornings?
First, I wake up and say, “thank you, God!” I have to give thanks for the simple gift of waking up and for another day to work on my goals.
Second, I get to spend time in prayer and my devotional. Spending time with God reminds me that He has created me for a very special reason that only I can accomplish in my unique way. People get to be impacted by my gifts, and waking up to spend time with Him is a constant reminder that no matter what is going on around me, there is always something to be grateful for and someone to serve well.
Third, I get to workout! My days are so full that by the time the evening comes, I don’t want to think about a workout. Morning is my time to get active and get strong mentally and physically.
After I’ve showered and gotten myself ready for the day, I’ve got to eat! If I don’t eat, I move and work slower. I want to be fueled and ready to go for the students I get to impact each day.
Finally, I make sure I say at least one affirmation before I leave my house. It could be as simple as, “You’ve got this, girl!” or one that I recently created and love: “I am capable of greatness everyday. I am making strides each day towards becoming a world-renowned speaker and author.”
We can’t do it all and do it all well. What are some things you say “no” to in pursuit of your goals?
I say “no” to conceding to peer pressure. Many times, we feel guilty for not spending time with our friends and family while we’re on a mission and in a season of doing things well. I’ve given in before, and it ended with me not attending to my own goals well. This is a big no-no for me. I'm in charge of maintaining my discipline as I work toward my goals, AND I get to create time to spend with family and friends, but I cannot say yes all the time when I’m in certain seasons of pushing. I also say “no” to the idea that I can’t have my goals happen. If I can conceive it, I can create it, because I’m that powerful. (And you are, too!)
Thank you so much, Lashawn! We can't wait to see where 2020 takes you!
Love this post? You'll love reading about Sarah McCombie, whose PowerSheets helped her make the leap to life as a full-time musician, and our action step ideas for fitness goals!
Emily Thomas
