Red Cars and Goals

Cathie Leimbach • December 12, 2023

In their ebook, What Do Red Cars and Goals Have in Common?, the PREPARE2RISE organization explains why setting clear goals sharpens our focus and greatly increases our success in any aspect of life.


After buying a new car, many people are amazed at the popularity of the same make, or even the same model and color. Before they chose that car, they didn’t realize there were so many on the road. Why do our choices impact our perception of the world around us? This ebook explains how this phenomenon can help us achieve our goals.


Human beings are wired with a Reticular Activating System (RAS) which is a network of neurons in our brainstem. This system filters the information we are exposed to, bringing our attention to pictures, conversations, articles, etc., that are relevant to something we have been focusing on lately and lowering our awareness of topics that aren’t currently top-of-mind.


When we buy a red car, our awareness of other red cars on the road increases. Similarly, if we focus on setting a goal that will make a difference in our lives, our awareness of resources and strategies for achieving that goal increases greatly. When we are intentional about our priorities for the near future, we will notice online posts, magazine articles, and conversations that increase our ability to achieve our goal.


If we just let life happen to us without being intentional about setting priorities, our RAS doesn’t know what matters to us so we don’t benefit from its filtering capacity. Setting a clear, specific goal sends a message to our brain that we care about this area of our life. Then our RAS filter starts to work, heightening our awareness of related resources and opportunities, increasing our progress towards our goal.


2023 is winding down. 2024 is on the horizon. In what area of your life would you like to be more successful next year? What specific goal will you set for 2024 so your brain’s filtering mechanism can support your success?



To dig deeper, read next week’s blog or click here to access the What Do Red Cars and Goals Have in Common ebook.

The Empty Chair Is Trying to Tell You Something

By Cathie Leimbach • August 18, 2026
An empty workstation gets your attention. What caused it should keep your attention. When attendance becomes a problem, the first response is often to review the policy, document the absence, or find someone to cover the shift. Those things may be necessary. But they don't tell you why the problem is happening. A conversation might. Instead of starting with “Why do you keep calling off?” try “I've noticed you've missed several days recently. What’s going on?” Then listen. You may hear about something outside of work. But you may also discover frustration with a supervisor, conflict with a coworker, unclear expectations, scheduling difficulties, or an employee who no longer feels valued. Understanding the reason doesn't mean ignoring attendance expectations. It means you know what you're actually dealing with. Also, look for patterns. Is absenteeism higher on one shift? In one department? Under one supervisor? Did it increase after a schedule or leadership change? Those patterns may tell you where another conversation needs to happen. Most importantly, don't wait until attendance becomes a disciplinary issue to start talking. Check in with employees. Ask what's making their work harder. Ask what they need from their supervisor. And when someone raises a concern or makes a suggestion, be sure to tell them what action you are taking or why their idea won’t be implemented. The goal isn't to eliminate accountability. It's to address problems before accountability is the only conversation left. Conversation is Where Leadership Happens™ You Don't Need to Go It Alone. Bring your workplace people challenges to the FREE Workplace Conversations Clinic on September 21. Gain insights from Cathie Leimbach and other attendees. Register here for the FREE Workplace Conversations Clinic 

Is Absenteeism a Pain in Your Pocket?

By Cathie Leimbach • August 10, 2026
Absenteeism is expensive. Every unexpected absence costs more than a day's wages. Someone else may need to work overtime. Priorities get reshuffled, service slows, projects fall behind, and customers notice. Before long, absenteeism starts taking money right out of your pocket. That's why many organizations turn to attendance policies, incentives, disciplinary action, or tighter oversight. But what if those approaches are addressing the symptom rather than what's really going on? Most people don't wake up one morning and suddenly decide they don't care about their work. Disengagement usually happens gradually. People stop sharing ideas. They stop feeling heard. They begin doing only what's required. Eventually, some stop showing up. By the time absenteeism is brought to your attention, the real issue may have been growing for weeks—or even months. If absenteeism has become a recurring challenge, don't just ask, "How do we reduce call-offs?" Instead, ask "What happened before people stopped wanting to show up?" That question may lead you somewhere an attendance report never will—and may ultimately save far more than overtime costs. Attendance problems. Accountability. Difficult conversations. Team conflict. Every leader faces workplace people challenges, and few have been taught exactly what to do when they arise.  Talking through your challenges with others can be helpful. Ask questions of your network. Get some ideas online. Sometimes another perspective is exactly what you need to see the situation differently. You Don't Need to Go It Alone. Bring your workplace people challenges to the FREE Workplace Conversations Clinic on August 17. Gain insights from Cathie Leimbach and other attendees as you explore practical ways to handle the situations you're facing. Register here for the FREE Workplace Conversations Clinic