Category Archives: Leadership

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April 22, 2025

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Leadership

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The Power of + – &: A Simple Weekly Practice to Improve Your Life or Business

If you’re like me, your planner isn’t just a to-do list—it’s a journal of what really happened. Over time, I developed a shorthand system to help track progress and determine my next steps. It’s simple. I use three symbols:

+ What’s working
– What’s not
& What’s worth expanding or adjusting

This + – & system is my go-to for reflection. It’s like a weekly feedback loop—quick, practical, and surprisingly powerful.

Here’s how it works.

+ Plus: What’s Working

The plus sign helps capture the wins. These are the moments, strategies, habits, or tools that made a difference in your week. It’s about more than just feeling good—identifying what works lets you repeat it and even scale it.

Example:
A few weeks ago, I blocked 90 minutes of deep work in my planner every morning. After the time passed, I marked the block with a “+” in my planner to highlight the positive results: fewer distractions and more progress. It became the high point of my week, and I’ve kept it going ever since. That little plus led to a significant increase in productivity.

During your end-of-week reflection time, when you see a “+” in your week, ask:

How can I do more of this?

Could it become a regular part of my routine?

– Minus: What’s Not Working

The minus sign is an early warning system. It flags what’s draining your time, energy, or results. It might be something you’re doing—or something you’re avoiding.

Example:
I noticed that I was putting off sending follow-up emails to high-risk clients, even though they were scheduled in my calendar. After the time passed, I wrote a “-” in my planner. During my end-of-week reflection time, I was able to review what had transpired by asking: Why was I avoiding it?

Thinking through the issue, I realized that I needed to reduce the friction the event causes in my workflow. I needed a well-worded template to start the process. That tiny barrier was enough to delay the task and potentially lose opportunities from certain types of clients.

The minus column is about honesty, not judgment. When you spot a minus, ask:

Is this something I can fix?

Is it even worth fixing

& Ampersand: What to Expand, Adjust, or Let Go

The “&” is where this system really shines. Inspired by the improvisational phrase “Yes, and…,” it’s where reflection turns into action. The “&” symbol lets you build on a plus or rethink a minus. It’s the opportunity to tweak or drop the effort. It’s like a strategic filter—what’s worth keeping and expanding, and what’s not worth your time?

Example:
I launched a new offer that generated a few sales, but it didn’t perform as well as I had hoped. I wrote an “&” in my planner after all was said and done. This wasn’t a failure, but not a home run either. Instead, I explored its value and what might require tweaks for improvement. The message was reworked and tested on a new audience. The revised version outperformed my expectations.

Think of the “&” as your weekly growth engine. It answers:

What’s the next version of this?

Is this below the value threshold and worth dropping altogether?

It’s a bit like an XY graph. Imagine effort on one axis and value on the other. Anything above the intersection of the lines is worth pursuing. Anything below needs to be cut from your operations or offerings.

Why + – & Works

This tiny framework turns your week into a lab, where you’re not just working, but learning. It’s easy to remember, simple to apply, and endlessly adaptable. You can use it in your planner, digital journal, or team meeting agenda.

I spend only 10–15 minutes reviewing my sheet each week. That small habit has led to tremendous clarity on the value of continuing or dropping any offer or operation.

Try It This Week

Here’s your invitation. Set a 15-minute appointment with yourself. Review your calendar or journal. Then ask:

  • What’s a + this week?
  • What deserves a –?
  • What will I & into next week?

Success isn’t just about hustle—it’s about reflection and wise decisions. The + – & system helps you stay focused and move forward with clarity and purpose.

Here is the sheet I use. Feel free to click on the download button below.

Weekly Reflection Template v1Download

Let me know how you like it.

© 2025 by CJ Powers

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January 2, 2025

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From Obsolete to Thriving: The Surprising Power of Staying Relevant

Over the past two months, I’ve heard various reasons businesses, churches, and families are shrinking. Yet studies reveal that relevant entities are thriving. So, which is true? Can both be true?

One Guy pointed out that the new robots will replace millions of jobs. This statement is true, but leaving that information hanging without giving perspective is hurtful. People don’t need his concocted drama designed for him to be seen.

I remember when I was first introduced to the study by MIT economist David Autor conducted. He found that about 60% of the jobs in 2018 did not exist in 1940. This news wasn’t to startle people based on coming trends but to reveal the importance of adaptability in professional and personal contexts.

To exist in the future, we must be relevant today.

I’m not speaking about relevance for survival but for purpose—the place where we thrive. When we genuinely want to help others, we adjust what we say and do based on our audience. The only ones we can help are those who can relate to us. Since we’re responsible for our shared message, we must ensure it is relatable.

I watched how three different types of people addressed the same opportunity to thrive or become obsolete.

The Scientist

Last spring, I met a brilliant scientist with multiple degrees who struggled to lead their team effectively. The issue wasn’t incompetence among the team but a lack of clarity about the relevance of their tasks. Once the scientist bridged the gap by sharing the ‘why,’ team performance improved exponentially.

If the team manager assumes the problem is their people’s lack of training, the gap will never be bridged. The only way to ensure understanding is for the manager to take responsibility. This is done by coming alongside their people and learning about their knowledge, then transitioning to clarify incorrect information or processes.

The Pastor

I recently attended a small church where the vast majority of the people had the exact same basic need for connection. After talking with several people, I learned that the church would be three times bigger if it met these simple needs, which would probably stop members from seeking solutions elsewhere.

When I raised the issue with the pastor, he wasn’t interested in facilitating these needs. Instead, he proudly stated how great several church members were for staying during the spiritual falling away mentioned in the Bible.

I might have believed his scenario had I not read the church trends from Lifeway Research’s 2024 report. Christianity is rapidly growing worldwide and on pace to reach 3 billion members by 2050. This incredible growth is not due to churches doing things the way they always have but demonstrating their relevance weekly. [2]

This pastor’s resistance to change reflects a broader challenge: staying relevant to meet the needs of modern communities.

The Relatives

During a family discussion about AI, concerns arose about job security. Like the internet years ago, mastering AI tools has become essential for staying relevant in the workplace.

I shared how Boston Consulting Group with Harvard conducted a study to evaluate what impact AI might have on its consulting team. The study showed that those who used AI had a 40% increase in the quality of their work, and they completed tasks 25.1% faster. This equated to the AI users getting 12.2 times more tasks completed than employees who didn’t use AI. [1]

Humans Determine Relevancy

AI will soon use robotic forms to manage our redundant workflows. Anything repetitive will likely be handled by machines soon. For instance, I recently helped a medical device company reduce a 14-hour reporting process to just 6 minutes using AI. While AI couldn’t create the program, it served as an invaluable assistant, checking syntax and suggesting non-conflicting workflows.

This project saved the company millions and demonstrated how mastering AI tools can drive extraordinary results, which is always relevant.

Choose to be Relevant

Staying relevant isn’t just a choice—it’s an opportunity to thrive. Embrace new tools, adapt your strategies, and discover the power of working smarter. The future belongs to those willing to learn and grow.

The next time you face a challenge, ask yourself: “How can AI help me do my job 25X faster with 40X improvements in quality?”

Copyright © 2025 by CJ Powers

Footnotes:

  1. Harvard Business School and Boston Consulting Group, “Navigating the Jagged Technological Frontier: Field Experimental Evidence of the Effects of AI on Knowledge Worker Productivity and Quality,” 2024.
  2. Lifeway Research, “8 Encouraging Trends in Global Christianity for 2024,” 2024.
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September 8, 2024

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The 3 C’s of Success: Communication, Connection, and Collaboration

At the end of last week, I witnessed a peculiar moment. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you’ve been wronged, and those who are supposed to help seem indifferent?

A woman walked into a local bank, her voice tinged with frustration. It quickly became clear that she was dealing with a fraud case, as she spoke openly about it. Having experienced bank account hacking myself, I empathized with her as her story unfolded.

The man helping her was in a difficult position. She needed an immediate solution, but he couldn’t provide it directly. However, he could guide her to the right person if she answered a few questions. Unfortunately, she had no patience to go through a list of inquiries while her money was vanishing.

I had been reflecting on the 3 C’s of success throughout the week and realized that I was watching an opportunity to see them in action—if the banking officer knew how to proceed. I paid close attention, curious to see if he could help her shift from a state of fear-driven anger to someone who could regain control of the situation.

Careful Communication

The banker expressed empathy, reassuring the woman that she had come to the right place to resolve her issue and protect her funds. His words, carefully chosen, helped soothe her. He managed to ask a few critical questions seamlessly without her even noticing the formal nature of the inquiry.

Effective communication during a crisis is difficult for most people. They need a calming presence—someone who listens empathetically and uses a soft yet steady voice to guide them out of the emotional storm. The goal is to help them move from feeling like a victim to understanding that they can overcome the situation.

When done right, communication can shift anyone’s perspective. The key is to meet them where they are emotionally and gently guide them to see the benefits of adjusting their mindset.

A Personal Connection

As the woman began to calm down, the banker continued to build rapport. He shared his experience of being a fraud victim, assuring her that she, too, would soon get through her ordeal. He explained how following a specific process helped him resolve his issue successfully.

Her demeanor shifted from aggressive to cooperative. Now, she wanted to be part of the solution. The connection they built—through shared experiences—gave her hope for a positive outcome.

Connections are always personal at their core, whether in business or personal life. The secret is finding common ground, often through stories or experiences. In this case, the banker’s personal story helped her feel understood and connected.

An Opportunity for Collaboration

With the foundation laid, the banker explained the next steps she needed to take. He emphasized the importance of her role in the process and how her cooperation would empower the fraud specialist to succeed in recovering her funds. He reminded her of the stakes involved, clarifying that her collaboration was vital.

She was now composed and ready to act. No longer a passive victim, she saw herself as an active partner in the solution. At that moment, it was clear to both the banker and me that she would see success.

The 3 C’s of Success in Action

Witnessing this interaction unfold felt like a divine moment—a real-life example of the 3 C’s at work. The power of communication, connection, and collaboration to help people overcome challenges was undeniable. It may seem too good to be true, but combining these three principles really does lead to success.

When we communicate, which includes focused listening, and when we are genuine in sharing our experiences, we create opportunities for powerful collaboration. I’ve often been told that we can only accomplish so much as individuals. But with the help of others, we can exceed our limitations. The 3 C’s make that possible.

I look forward to hearing your success stories as you apply these principles and share life with others.

Copyright © 2024 by CJ Powers