Who are you, and what do you do?
Hi, my name is Cynthia Kyriazis. I’m a productivity strategist, a professional organizer (commercial arena) and Time Management SME (Subject Matter Expert). I work with professionals to help them learn to navigate the 24/7 demands on their time and life.
What has been one insight or lesson that has been most helpful in your career?
Being an entrepreneur involves grit, perseverance, and keeping your eye on the ball.
What has been your favorite mistake? A mistake that in retrospect led to a great lesson and progress.
I began my business in 1992 and landed a client who used my services consistently. This was great for cash flow, but working with her left me drained. Then one day she announced she was moving away and I was devastated. But what I learned was a new and better prospect usually showed up who energized me, and actually helped me improve my services and grow my business.
Project forward ten years. How will your industry or field be fundamentally different then? What opportunities do you see?
We’re in the very beginning stages of seeing how Artificial Intelligence and Chatbots are impacting our lives and this will consistently continue and grow. Although this type of technology helps us with ‘tasking’, it doesn’t do too much for changing behaviors. So I think the needs for coaching, training and consulting will continue to grow with a future population. The technology may change, but the behaviors are still bound to learning, embracing and practicing solid principles.
What are some bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?
“Just do what you love and the money will come.”
I hear a lot about ‘passion’ these days and yes, motivation is critical. But the other half of the equation is executing on what you need to be doing to run and grow the business. i.e. sales, marketing, accounting, etc. This isn’t always fun, but it’s always important to remember that you’ll need to be doing this for a while…until you can hire someone to do it for you.
“This Time Management guru has all the answers.”
Time Management principles have been the same since Socrates. What’s new is the way the interpretation and the way the information is delivered. No one has ‘all the answers’ and the way in which you may want to hear the answers differs for everyone.
In the last two years, what have you become better at saying no to?
If I believe the prospect doesn’t see value in the type of service I offer, I pass on the opportunity. If they see coaching, training and consulting as an expense, rather than an investment for themselves or their employees, I decline the work.
What is the one book you recommend most often and why?
“The One Thing” by Gary Keller. Great advice on many levels.
What advice would you give a smart and ambitious recent college graduate? What advice should they ignore?
Entrepreneurial interest – Just remember it takes a lot of patience, grit, perseverance and some calculated risk. Set or reset your expectations for the long haul!
Corporate position – Watch your social/public persona. Larger organizations want to know you won’t embarrass them, so be mindful of your public presence because there are no ‘do-overs’. And always, always act towards helping solve problems and not just delivering them.
What is your favorite quote, one you aim to live by?
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
Neale Donald Walsch, writer