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Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistShowing Up for Myself AND Others at AJ&Smart's Full Stack FacilitatorOver the last six months, I’ve kept my substack content pretty focused. Usually there’s an outline, a theme, often tied to a book I’m reading. But this week? I’m going off-script.I wanted to share some reflections from my recent week at Full Stack Facilitator with AJ&Smart in Palo Alto. Many of you have asked about it, and I promised I’d give you the behind-the-scenes — not just what I learned, but why I went in the first place.Why I Went (Even Though I’m Not a Beginner)If you’ve be...2025-08-1031 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistAI As Our FutureHello, all! I admit this post is brought to you by a less than organized self, but I am determined to get this episode/entry across the finish line. If you’ve been following along with my book club journey through Ethan Mollick’s Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI, welcome to our final chapter: Chapter 9: AI as Our Future.I have to admit, tenacity is not my working genius. If you’ve been around for my “Six Types of Working Genius” series, you know this about me! So it’s a minor miracle (and a testament to progress...2025-08-0317 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistCo-Intelligence - Part 8: Can AI Really Be a Coach and Mentor?Hey everyone! We’re almost done with our journey through Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick! This week, I’m excited to explore Chapter 8, “AI As A Coach!” Let’s go!First, the idea of AI as my personal coach or mentor is equal parts thrilling and terrifying. Thrilling because the thought of immediate support and feedback is deliciously tempting for anyone (like me!) obsessively chasing growth. But it’s terrifying because, well, can AI ever really replace the magic of lived human wisdom?The Expertise Equation: Human Edge in an AI World...2025-07-2721 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistCo-Intelligence - Part 7: Rethinking Learning: Intention, Action, and AI SurprisesHello! Can you believe that summer is half over? My kids start school in about a month, and the other day, my 9-year-old told me how he’s been using ChatGPT to help him with some JSON. (He’s really into coding!) If my 9-year-old is already dabbling in AI, it really makes you stop and wonder: What does this mean for education?This week, I’m continuing my journey through Ethan Mollick’s Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI, zeroing in on Chapter 7: AI as a Tutor. As I read and reflected, I found new clarity (and hone...2025-07-2016 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistCo-Intelligence Part 6: Rethinking AI as a CoworkerHello again wherever you are today, mentally, physically or emotionally! I am really excited about this post. If you’re curious about how AI is truly transforming the workplace, not just in theory, but in the day-to-day reality of our jobs, you’ll be excited about this post too! Today, I’m diving into Ethan Mollick’s Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI, focusing on the insights from Chapter 5: “AI as a Coworker.” This chapter is absolutely packed, and after several read-throughs (and a lot of reflection), I’m excited to distill the key points and anecdotes for you. Let’s...2025-07-1325 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistCo-Intelligence Part 5: AI as a Creative Partner: The Secret Ingredient Only Humans HaveI’m back from vacation and have renewed enthusiasm to share new stories and reflections from my journey with AI, creativity, and facilitation. This week, I’m exploring the evolving relationship between humans and AI as creative partners, inspired by Chapter 5 of Ethan Mollick’s “Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI.”Why Talk About AI and Creativity?As both a facilitator and a product manager, I’m fascinated by how AI is reshaping the creative process, not just for artists and writers, but for anyone who solves problems or builds products. AI is no longer just a tool...2025-07-0622 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistCo-Intelligence Part 4: I cloned my voice! Listen (or read about it)!This is a different type of post this week. I’m not writing a traditional blog that compliments the podcast. Instead, I’m just including the raw transcript I fed ElevenLabs to create a podcast episode using my voice clone. This is partly because I want to get back to my vacation, but also because I want to share with you what I did to create this. If you have time, you can listen to the podcast version to hear my voice clone! I can’t promise it’s good. Really, parts of it are really bad but that was like...2025-06-2904 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistCo-Intelligence Part 3: AI AT YOUR TABLE: 4 GAME-CHANGING PRINCIPLES FOR WORKING (AND LIVING) SMARTER 🤖✨Hello! If you’ve been following along with my Confessions of a Facilitation Artist series, you know we’ve been diving deep into the world of AI with a little help from Ethan Mollick’s thought-provoking book, Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI. Today’s post is a continuation of that journey, zooming in on Chapter 3, where Mollick lays out four essential principles for thriving alongside AI, whether you’re a seasoned facilitator, a product leader, or just AI-curious.So, what’s in store if you read (or listen) to this episode? You’ll pick up practical strategies for...2025-06-2217 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistCo-Intelligence Part 2: 🚀 Unlocking the Alien Mind: Your AI Sabbatical Begins Now! 🧠Welcome back to another adventure in facilitation and learning. I'm diving deep into Ethan Mollick's fascinating book "Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI" this summer, and I'm so excited to share what I'm discovering with you. Think of this as our shared AI sabbatical, a journey of experimentation and discovery together!The "Alien Mind" Isn't Science Fiction AnymoreWhen Mollick describes AI as having an “alien mind,” it might sound like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. In reality, we’re already living with these curious intelligences every day. The journey of AI, fr...2025-06-1520 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistCo-Intelligence Part 1: From Burger Chains to Breakthroughs 🍔🚀Welcome! Today, I’m launching our Co-Intelligence book club series, inspired by Ethan Mollick’s “Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI.” This first post is all about grounding ourselves in the basics, because before you can experiment, you need to know the landscape.AI Fundamentals: Decoding the JargonLet’s start with some key terms that often get tossed around:* GPT (General Purpose Technology): This isn’t just about ChatGPT! GPT refers to innovations that impact every industry and aspect of life, think computers or the internet. These technologies have slow adoption curves because they...2025-06-0820 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistFrom Working Genius to AI Co-Intelligence: A Solo-Entrepreneur's JourneyHello! This post marks a new series that explores a question becoming increasingly critical: How might we co-intelligently work with AI to leverage our strengths while managing our limitations? This isn't just theoretical exploration. It's born from my own reality as a full-time working mom building a business on the side, recently facing burnout from trying to handle everything alone.The timing of this series creates a perfect bridge between my recent exploration (see my last three posts 1, 2, 3) of "The Six Types of Working Genius" and my upcoming deep dive into Ethan Mollick's "...2025-06-0114 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistSix Types of Working Genius - Part 3: Why You Want to Barf in Some Meetings!Welcome back! This is part three in my ongoing series exploring the Six Types of Working Genius, inspired by Pat Lencioni’s transformative framework. If you’re new here, I highly recommend checking out the earlier posts and podcasts in this series for a foundation on the model and how it’s already reshaping team collaboration and joy at work.Today, I’m diving into one of the most powerful and practical insights I’ve gained from using the Working Genius framework: how understanding the “elevation” of each Genius can transform the way we design and experience meetings.2025-05-2520 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistSix Types of Working Genius - Part 2: The Most Genius 2-Hour Team Retreat!Welcome back to Confessions of a Facilitation Artist! If you caught my last post, you know we kicked off a new series diving into Patrick Lencioni’s Six Types of Working Genius, a framework that helps teams and individuals discover the work that brings them joy and the work that drains them. Today, I’m excited to share a behind-the-scenes look at a recent team retreat I designed and facilitated using this powerful model, along with some fresh lessons and practical tips you can use with your own teams.Designing a Virtual Working Genius Retreat2025-05-1820 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistSix Types of Working Genius - Part 1: Why "The Six Types of Working Genius" Is a Game Changer for TeamsWelcome back to Confessions of a Facilitation Artist! I’m Monica Joy Krol, and I’m thrilled to kick off a new series exploring Patrick Lencioni’s The Six Types of Working Genius. After our deep dive into The Coaching Habit, I wanted to continue this book club-style journey with a framework that’s been a true game changer for me and my team.What does genius mean to you? Is it creativity, intuition, motivation, support, or the drive to finish strong? I’d love to hear which “genius” you thrive in or where you want to grow...2025-05-1116 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistCoaching Habit - Part 8 (Final): The Learning Question: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Use ItAs we wrap up our journey through Michael Bungay Stanier’s The Coaching Habit, today’s focus is on the seventh and final question: the Learning Question. This question-“What was most useful for you?”-is deceptively simple but incredibly powerful for both coaches and coachees.What Is the Learning Question?The Learning Question, “What was most useful for you?”, is designed to conclude a coaching conversation by prompting reflection and consolidation of learning. It’s not just a polite way to end a session; it’s a strategic tool that helps the other person ide...2025-05-0412 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistCoaching Habit - Part 7: What Are You Saying No To?Welcome to my ongoing book club-style exploration of The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay-Stanier! We're currently diving into the sixth of seven powerful questions that can transform your approach to coaching and leadership. Today, I’m excited to explore the Strategic Question: "If you're saying YES to this, what are you saying NO to?" This question has been a game-changer for me, especially as a recovering people pleaser who's learned the importance of saying no to things that don't serve me.As I reflect on my journey, I recall how challenging it is to say no...2025-04-2713 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistSpecial Episode: Why Jake Knapp’s Click! and the Foundation Sprint Are Changing the GameToday’s post is a special, off-the-cuff reflection on a truly energizing experience: facilitating a community meetup centered around Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky’s new book, Click: How to Make What People Want, and its centerpiece-the Foundation Sprint. If you’re passionate about facilitation, product innovation, or just want to learn how to start big projects the right way, this book and its associated methods are must-knows.Who Is Jake Knapp?Jake Knapp is best known as the creator of the Design Sprint at Google, a process that compresses months of product and service develo...2025-04-2518 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistCoaching Habit - Part 6: The Most Lazy Question You Can Ask!In our ongoing series based on "The Coaching Habit" by Michael Bungay Stanier, we're diving into the fifth of seven questions: The Lazy Question. This question, "How can I help?", is a simple yet powerful tool that helps managers focus their efforts and avoid unnecessary work. Today, we'll explore its importance, how to use it effectively, and some personal anecdotes that highlight its impact.The Importance of the Lazy QuestionThe Lazy Question is crucial for several reasons:* Clarifies Expectations: It helps identify what kind of support or intervention is actually...2025-04-2017 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistCoaching Habit - Part 5: The Secret to Getting What You WantWelcome to another installment of "Confessions of a Facilitation Artist," where we delve into the art of facilitation and explore how it can transform our work and life. This week, we're continuing our series on "The Coaching Habit" by Michael Bungay Stanier, focusing on the profound Foundation Question: "What do you want?"Introduction to the Foundation QuestionThe Foundation Question is a powerful tool in coaching and leadership, designed to establish a clear understanding of the coachee's goals and desires. However, to truly grasp the context, it's often necessary to supplement this question with others...2025-04-1320 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistCoaching Habit - Part 4: Cut Through the Noise: The Power of Focusing on What Truly MattersWelcome to this insightful journey into the world of coaching and leadership, where we explore how to enhance our problem-solving skills and promote self-reflection. Today, we're diving into the focus question, a powerful tool from Michael Bungay Stanier's "The Coaching Habit." This question is designed to help us identify the core issue at hand by asking, "What's the real challenge for you?"The Importance of the Focus QuestionWhen faced with multiple problems, it's easy to get sidetracked by issues that are outside our control. We often default to discussing systemic problems or those caused...2025-04-0614 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistCoaching Habit - Part 3: The Surprising Impact of Asking "And What Else?"Welcome to Confessions of a Facilitation Artist, where we delve into the art of effective communication and coaching. Today, we're continuing our exploration of The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier, focusing on the second question in his coaching framework: the AWE question, which stands for And What Else?The Importance of the AWE QuestionThe AWE question is deceptively simple yet incredibly effective. It serves as a powerful tool in our coaching arsenal, helping us open up possibilities and encourage deeper thinking. By asking "and what else?" we empower the person we're coaching to...2025-03-3012 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistCoaching Habit - Part 2: Unleashing the Power of "What's On Your Mind?"Hey there, Facilitation Artists! Welcome back to to this week’s blog (or podcast if you prefer that) where we're diving deep into "The Coaching Habit" by Michael Bungay Stanier.In case you're new here, I'm Monica Joy Krol, and this is the second episode/blog post in a series that's structured like a book club. I'm not going to edit the podcast version, so if you hear "um," "so," or any filler words, that's just me practicing progress over perfection!Today, we're going to dive into the first question, the Kickstart Question: "What's on yo...2025-03-2317 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistCoaching Habit - Part 1: Launching into "The Coaching Habit": A Book Club for Leaders and FacilitatorsHello everyone! Welcome to a new series here on the blog (or podcast version if you prefer that), inspired by one of my new favorite books: "The Coaching Habit" by Michael Bungay Stanier. I'm so excited about this journey that I'm practically bursting with enthusiasm (as you'll soon discover!). Over the next several weeks, consider this space a virtual book club where we'll explore and apply the coaching techniques from this transformative book together.I invite you to read along with me and engage on this journey. If you're hesitant to buy yet another book, check out...2025-03-1622 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistThe "Tiny Habits" Meeting Hack: Unlocking Progress, One Step at a TimeHey everyone, Monica here, and welcome to another deep dive into the world of meeting effectiveness! In this blog post, we're wrapping up our series on effective meeting strategies by exploring a crucial element: action items and takeaways. While it might seem simple, mastering this aspect can significantly impact your team's productivity and progress.The Power of Ending StrongI recently had the privilege of working with attendees at the Voltage Control’s Facilitation Lab Summit, helping them conclude their experience on a high note. One of my favorite things to do as a workshop fa...2025-03-0909 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistFrom Scribbles to SuccessHey there, meeting maestros and facilitation fanatics! Welcome back to our ongoing series on mastering the art of effective meetings. If you've been following along, you know we've been unpacking the CONFAB framework, a powerful tool for transforming your gatherings from mundane to magnificent.Let's quickly refresh our memories on the CONFAB method:* Clarify your goals, purpose well stated.* Open engagement, keep all captivated.* Navigate the agenda, well prepared and clear.* Frame time wisely, keep efficiency near.* Annotate with visuals, ideas that last.* Bring key...2025-03-0213 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistF**** Time! Reclaim Your Joy, One Meeting at a "Time"I know, you thought I was saying the F dash dash dash word. But if you look closely, there are 4 asterisks! It’s because this week I’m helping you understand how to “FRAME TIME!” As I like to say, it's “about time” we talked about this!In case you listened or read my last post, yes this is one of those pre-written posts and pre-recorded podcasts. It’s the last one I batched before heading out to the Voltage Control Facilitation Lab Summit. Setting the Stage: The CONFAB FrameworkIn this series on meeting eff...2025-02-2317 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistLiving Like Jon: What I Learned About Life and Facilitation from a Beloved NeighborConfession: I experimented last month with batch recording and scheduling posts. The positive is that I was consistent in posting, and when life got busy or scary, I wasn't scrambling to meet my goal of completing a blog post. Productivity for the win.But productivity isn't everything. It's useful, and I'm not saying I won't continue. However, the downside is that it wasn't authentic. Last week, my scheduled post about agendas went out. I was upbeat and perky, which was truthfully not how I was feeling.I was grieving in real life. My neighbor, Jon...2025-02-2118 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistMy Biggest Agenda Creation Hack Revealed!Hey there, fellow meeting enthusiasts! Monica Joy Krol here, your unedited Facilitation Artist, and welcome back to "Confessions of a Facilitation Artist"! This week, we're diving deep into a topic that can make or break a meeting, agendas!Setting the Stage: The CONFAB FrameworkIf you're new here, I've been working through my CONFAB framework for effective meetings:* Clarify your goals, purpose well stated.* Open engagement, keep all captivated.* Navigate the agenda, well prepared and clear.* Frame time wisely, keep efficiency near.* Annotate with visuals...2025-02-1614 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistCracking the Code of Captivating MeetingsHey, meeting enthusiasts! Monica Joy Krol here, your friendly neighborhood Facilitation Artist, diving deep into what makes meetings truly effective.If you're new to my podcast, "Confessions of a Facilitation Artist," welcome! I'm a product leader and facilitator passionate about solving problems in higher education. Setting the Stage: The CONFAB FrameworkIn this series on meeting effectiveness, I'm using a simple framework called CONFAB:* Clarify your goals, purpose well stated.* Open engagement, keep all captivated.* Navigate the agenda well-prepared and clear.* Frame time wisely, keep...2025-02-0913 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistWhy Your 'Why' Matters More Than You ThinkHey there, meeting warriors! 👋As a facilitation artist and product leader, I've experienced countless meetings - some transformative, others painfully forgettable. Today, I want to share a game-changing insight: the secret to remarkable meetings is crystal-clear PURPOSE.Why Purpose MattersMost meetings suffer from a critical disease: purposelessness. Sound familiar? You're not alone. A majority of meetings lack a clear, articulated purpose - and that's killing your team's productivity and engagement.As Priya Parker wisely notes in "The Art of Gathering":"Reverse engineer an outcome: Think of what you...2025-02-0216 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistThe Unspoken Truth: How Emotions Make or Break Your MeetingsHey there! Today, I'm sharing some raw thoughts on the delicate balance between productivity and human connection in meetings and workshops.The Power of Emotions in MeetingsEver wondered why some meetings leave you feeling drained, while others energize you? It all comes down to emotions. In my effective meetings workshop, I use the Feelings Wheel to illustrate this point.When participants recall meetings without clear agendas, their emotions often cluster around "sad," "mad," or "scared." They feel skeptical, confused, and anxious. Conversely, when thinking about well-structured meetings, emotions shift towards "joyful" and "...2025-01-2615 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistThe Secret to Cross-Cultural CollaborationWhen I first stepped into the world of remote team management in 2013, I was a fresh-faced Customer Solutions Advocate working with Scrum teams in India. The challenges were immense: an 11.5-hour time difference, just ONE HOUR of weekly interaction, and significant language and cultural barriers. As a newcomer to product management and Scrum methodologies, I felt like I was drowning in a sea of obstacles.The Initial StruggleThe time gap was ridiculous. When I started my workday, my team in India was heading home. Our ONE HOUR weekly meeting became a frantic attempt to...2025-01-1917 min
The Action Mappers Podcast🎙️Ep: #12- The Untold Secrets of Leading Global Product Teams🎙️Ep: #12- The Untold Secrets of Leading Global Product Teams With Monica Joy Krol Welcome to the UPP Podcast—the go-to place for Business and Product leaders ready to turn vision into execution and misalignment into momentum. I’m Tamar Stolz, and I’m passionate about empowering leaders to create clarity, streamline execution, and drive meaningful, measurable business results. In this episode, I sit down with Monica Joy Krol, an inspiring role model in organizational leadership and product strategy. Monica shares her journey of perseverance, innovation, and her unwavering spirit to transform challenges into opportunities. Whether you...2025-01-1950 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistFacilitation Magic: How True Fun Transforms Team StrategyHey facilitation fans! Today, I'm pulling back the curtain on my fall facilitation cohort and sharing the juicy details you've been asking for. But before we dive in, I want to share something personal that made this experience truly special.At the beginning of last year, I set a major intention to create more "true fun" in my life. Little did I know that designing and facilitating this program would become the embodiment of that intention. As Catherine Price, author of "The Power of Fun," so aptly puts it, true fun is "True Fun is...2025-01-1219 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistPrioritizing Your Life: The Art of Juggling Glass and Rubber BallsPrioritizing Your Life: The Art of Juggling Glass and Rubber BallsAs we kick off 2025, it's essential to reflect on how we manage our responsibilities and priorities. In this week's post, I want to delve into a powerful metaphor that has guided my understanding of life management: the juggling act of glass and rubber balls, inspired by Bryan Dyson's insightful commencement speech.Understanding the Juggling ActBryan Dyson, a former Coca-Cola executive, famously said:"Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air: work, family...2025-01-0510 min
Confessions of a Facilitation ArtistEmbracing the Magic: Setting Intentions for a Creative 2025As we enter 2025, it's time to reflect on our goals and set intentions for the year ahead. Instead of focusing solely on typical resolutions like weight loss or spending less, let's explore a more profound approach to personal growth and creativity.Elizabeth Gilbert's book "Big Magic" offers inspiring insights into living a creative life and embracing curiosity. One of the key ideas from the book is that creative ideas are floating around, waiting for someone to grab and run with them. This concept can be applied to how we approach our goals and intentions for the new...2024-12-3012 min
Spreadsheets from MotherhoodTransforming 2023 Experiences into 2024 ConnectionWhere the heck have I been the last 6 months? Not doing the podcast. I decided to update you all on what I have been doing, challenged by, and how I plan to move forward. No promises to end of continue the podcast. This one is unscripted and unedited, something I wanted to experiment with todayI do have some book recommendations at the end. :) Love you all! Happy holidays and looking forward to connecting with you (outside of this podcast) in the new year!2023-12-2225 minSpreadsheets from MotherhoodMy Favorite Books for Early ParentingThere are SO many great books available for new parents that it can be overwhelming. As I prepare for my first big work trip since 2019, I’m reminded of the hot mess I was (still am) trying to pull off parenting and professional appearance. In this episode, I share the top books that helped me navigate the uncharted territory of being a parent, from conception to the dreaded toddler stage. Shout out to all the wonderful authors and podcasters out there that have taken the time to help parents everywhere be more successful and less isolated!Re...2023-06-0618 minSpreadsheets from MotherhoodThe Art of the Personal RetrospectiveHow are you doing? In Life? With your goals? In this episode, we'll explore a useful ritual for resetting your life and goals based on deliberate reflection...the retrospective. We all get stuck sometimes, but we rarely create time and space to examine what is working well, not working well, and determine our next steps. Join me for this short episode where I outline a 15 minute format with tools and resources to create your own mini-retrospective. ReferencesNew podcast you might like - Context Matters with Amanda Bell - https://contextmatters.work/p...2023-05-0925 min
Spreadsheets from MotherhoodSeven Months of Doing LessHappy Spring? It's been SEVEN months and this is episode 7! It's been a journey of awareness, acceptance and action since my first episode. In this episode I recap the mind blowing Do Less framework by Kate Northrup and how I have applied this to my thoughts and actions over the last seven months. It's a brief episode but full of a few experiments for you to consider. Please reach out to share with me your realizations and results.References:Do Less by Kate Northup - https://www.amazon.com/Do-Less-Revolutionary-Approach-Management/dp/14019549872023-04-1114 minSpreadsheets from MotherhoodSpreadsheets of Fun!Yes! Spreadsheets are fun! In this episode I unpack my current research and experimentation with fun, highlighting a book I am loving called The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again by Catherine Price. I also share not one but TWO spreadsheets of fun. The first spreadsheet has been a life changing way for me to plan and reflect on the fun experiences I am creating with my family, friends, and self. The second spreadsheet is all about planning and scheduling Summer Camps and activities. And guess what? Both spreadsheets are posted on monicajoykrol.com for your own...2023-03-1426 min
Spreadsheets from MotherhoodSelf-Compassion: Five Takeaways from You Are Not a Sh*tty ParentMonica here to let you know I have Sh*tty Parent Syndrome, and you probably do too. In this episode I share with you five takeaways from the greatest book ever, "You Are Not a Sh*tty Parent" by Carla Naumburg. Even if you are not a parent, these takeaways are worth a listen, as they can provide you with some inspiration to be more gentle with yourselves. Listen up as I explore my insights, and even how I managed to tie it back to the "sh*tty" self-awareness training we give our kids during potty training. Lastly, I...2023-02-1430 minSpreadsheets from MotherhoodReady, Set, Goal!In the last episode we "Unwrapped Our Intentions." Join me for the second part of a two part series on goal setting! In this episode, I share how you can create SMARTer Goals (thank you, George T. Doran), as well as strategies for creating an achievable roadmap for accomplishing them. I further share how tiny, atomic habits (thank you, James Clear!) support your intentions and goals daily, and how getting clear on THE ONE THING (thank you, Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan) can keep you focused on what matters most. 2023-01-1122 minSpreadsheets from MotherhoodUnwrap Your IntentionsIt's almost a new year and naturally a time to set new goals. Join me for part one of a two part series on goal setting! In this episode, I share a three step process to experiment with before setting your goals. It begins with assessing your wheel of life, prioritizing a few key areas, and asking yourself WHY improving a given area is really important. WHY do this? Goals are better with meaningful intention. Intention anchors you on why something matters, and helps you more easily think about what you truly want to achieve. Let's do this!2022-12-2820 minSpreadsheets from MotherhoodNo Bad Moms: Learning to Parent without ShameWelcome to the "sheet"show of parenting emotions! In this episode, I openly share the struggles and emotions I have a parent. I have been feeling defeated as a parent lately. There has been A LOT of screaming and crying over here. Something tells me that you might relate to this sometimes too? As I explore my "failure" as a parent, I reflect on my success in other areas of my life. I create that success through intention and strategic action. And so I wonder... what if I applied some of these same strategies with the intention to...2022-12-1415 minSpreadsheets from MotherhoodFirst Episode! Do LessI am so excited to kick off this podcast with you, and share what I am learning through the book Do Less by Kate Northrup. Listeners will get a glimpse into how I'll manage to get this podcast done alongside my careers (plural) as a full-time product manager, mom, and artist. Leveraging Northrup's Upward Cycle of Success, I'll unpack how you can begin thinking about your own success, that includes time for planning, execution and REST! 2022-11-1616 minSpreadsheets from MotherhoodSpreadsheets from Motherhood TrailerHello and Welcome to Spreadsheets from Motherhood, a podcast for current and expectant parents looking to create joy amidst the chaos of parenthood. I am your host, Monica Joy Krol. As a full-time working mom, learner, artist and author, I am always trying to find more time and sanity to experience everyday with joy and some sense of calm. In each episode I will share strategies and the occasional spreadsheet to help you streamline the expected and unexpected, so you can fully engage with your purpose as a parent, professional, an...2022-11-1301 min