Member News

Santa Clarita Non-Profits Invited to Apply for 2026-2027 Funding Cycle

The City of Santa Clarita (City) is pleased to announce the release of the 2026-2027 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and has scheduled informational meetings for organizations interested in applying for 2026-2027 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The City invites non-profit organizations that serve low and moderate-income residents to attend an informational meeting to learn more about the program and to receive a funding application for the 2026-2027 program year.

Each year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides the City with CDBG funding, which is primarily intended to benefit low and moderate-income residents. The City awards a portion of this allocation through grants to eligible non-profit organizations to provide services and resources for some of the City’s most vulnerable residents. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply.

The City requires interested applicants to attend one of two scheduled Zoom informational meetings to learn more about applying for and receiving funding. Following the meeting, the City will provide interested applicants with a funding application. Meetings are scheduled as follows:

• Monday, November 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 12 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

For more information, including the Zoom meeting link, passcode and where to RSVP, please visit SantaClarita.gov/Community-Preservation/Affordable-Housing.  

Every five years, the City develops a CDBG strategic planning document called the Consolidated Plan (Con Plan). The Con Plan sets priorities for how CDBG funds will be used. In addition, each year the City conducts a community needs assessment and develops a CDBG Annual Action Plan (AAP). The AAP outlines how the annual allocation of CDBG funds are spent and establishes goals for the number of individuals served.

This NOFA allows community-based organizations the opportunity to apply for funds to serve low and moderate-income residents as part of the AAP during the Program Year of July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027. All proposals must address a Con Plan Priority and meet a variety of other cross-cutting federal regulations, including compliance with reporting and record-keeping requirements. Only residents of the City of Santa Clarita may be served by any CDBG funding awarded.

For more information about the City of Santa Clarita’s CDBG program or the funding application process, please contact Administrative Analyst, Julia Rodriguez by email at  ejrodriguez@santaclarita.gov or by phone at (661) 286-4174.

Recovering from burnout is a challenging process that many leaders and CEOs have to work through at some point in their careers.

If you are currently feeling overworked, overwhelmed, and on the brink of burnout, this post is full of helpful strategies and simple tips for avoiding exhaustion. 

Why does recovering from burnout matter?

True burnout is a huge challenge for CEOs, business owners, and solopreneurs. The way burnout affects you depends on your business structure and setup. 

When you're a solopreneur who suffers from burnout… your business STOPS. 

You're the one bringing in the leads, sending invoices, networking, and doing all the work, so when you can't do it anymore, your business pays the price. 

Burnout for solopreneurs can lead to serious dips in revenue, losing clients, missing deadlines, and ultimately shutting down or losing your business. 

When you're a leader experiencing burnout… it impacts everyone else. 

If you can't read one more email, answer one more question, or solve one more problem, the rest of your team is unable to do their work. Your burnout affects your entire team and can lead to missed deadlines, unhappy clients, employee turnover, loss of trust, and a negative team culture. 

The goal for all CEOs, leaders, and business owners is to avoid burnout and take proactive measures to truly rest and recover before it gets too serious. 

This post will help you differentiate between actual burnout and feeling really tired so you can choose the right way to rest, recharge, and rebound. 

What’s the difference between being tired and burned out? 

The word “burnout” gets tossed around a lot, but it’s important to realize that burnout is a serious condition that goes beyond being tired or needing a break.

Burnout is considered to be an “occupational phenomenon” by the World Health Organization. That means it’s not a medical condition like the flu or a headache. 

The International Classification of Diseases describes burnout this way: 

“Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:

• Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;

• Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and

• Reduced professional efficacy.

Burn-out refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.”

To put it in less official words… burnout is a workplace experience that has a negative impact on your physical and mental health. 

Being tired looks like:

• Needing a break, but being able to jump back in once you rest

• Being ready to show up once you've had a strong coffee, a good night's sleep, or a workout 

• Feeling stressed but hopeful

• Not always wanting to work, but feeling creative and productive at times

• Unplugging for the weekend and coming back ready to go

• Feeling overwhelmed but still connected to your mission and purpose

Being burned out looks like: 

• Trying to be the best at wearing ALL of the hats, ALL of the time, and feeling like you're constantly failing

• No motivation, no matter what you try

• Feeling detached from your purpose 

• Struggling to make simple decisions

• Lack of productivity that stretches over weeks 

• Feeling like it's all just “too much” and withdrawing

Should you be getting some rest or recovering from burnout? 

Understanding the difference between being tired and being burned out is the key to choosing the right recovery strategies.

If you read through those lists and realize you’re just really tired, not burned out, you can choose a more effective kind of rest than what you need if you’re in the middle of burnout. 

Being tired can often be resolved or improved by taking a vacation day, prioritizing sleep, spending time with people you enjoy, and getting some exercise. 

Burnout, on the other hand, requires a more complex approach. 

If you’re feeling detached, unable to show up, and incapable of finding motivation, you need to:

1. Start with physical rest. Sleep, take a break from screens, and push pause without guilt or fear. 

2. Find the root cause of your burnout. This phenomenon is typically a result of chronic stress. Look at your current business structure and responsibilities to identify where changes need to be made.

3. Make key changes. Simplify. Set boundaries (and hold them). Create systems that fill your day with small joys and regular rest. 

4. Protect yourself from future burnout. Start a reflection or journaling habit so you can see when you’re starting to get overwhelmed or stressed. Create rhythms and systems that support you and don’t stress you out. Shift your mindset so you no longer equate productivity with your self-worth. 

Don’t let burnout wreck the business you’ve built and the team that depends on you. Remember that asking for help doesn’t make you weak. It makes you a smart, capable leader who can enjoy long-term success and stability. 

Reclaiming your role 

One of the main reasons we get overwhelmed and exhausted is because we're taking on work that simply isn't ours. 

This happens to CEOs, team leaders, and business owners alike.

When you’re ready to stop spending your valuable time and energy on things you don't need to be doing, we’re here to help. 

3 steps to reclaiming your role 

1. Delegate.
   Anything that doesn't specifically need or have to be done by you (or fall under your role or job title) needs to be handed off. This can be done by assigning it to a team member, automating it, or outsourcing. 

If you need help figuring out what to delegate, we have a workshop for that! 

1. Recommit to your zone of genius.
   If you're a CEO, you should be focusing on the vision for your business, growth strategies, and networking. If you're a solopreneur, you should be putting most of your time and energy into the revenue-generating tasks that only you can do.

2. Hire us!
   Our team of operational specialists are here to do what we do best so you can grow your business without the overwhelm or burnout. We can help with one-time Get It Done Projects or 1:1 Operations Calls.

What should a CEO focus on?

When you’re leading a team, your job is mostly big picture: 

• Vision

• Mission

• Strategy

• Team Culture

• Business Operations

• Finances

• Networking

• Managing Resources

• Decision Making 

If you’re a solopreneur, you’re in the unique position of balancing leadership tasks like vision and strategy while also being in the day-to-day weeds of client work, marketing, and scheduling. 

It’s easy to see how either role can quickly escalate to full-on burnout. 

Focusing on your role requires some reflection and a comprehensive time audit. This will help you see where you are spending your time so you can highlight tasks and responsibilities to hand off to someone else. 

Zero in on what you have to do and create a plan for everything else that has to get done. This will protect your energy and help you avoid future burnout. You’ll also see an increase in productivity and creativity when you limit where and how you spend your time. 

Realistic rest 

Recovering from burnout and staying healthy + productive is all about working smarter, not harder. 

The problem is that as CEOs, leaders, or business owners, we often think that to be successful, things have to be hard. 

Recovering from burnout (or avoiding burnout in the first place) doesn't have to hurt! In fact,  you'll see much better results if you allow yourself to embrace the power of simplicity.

Quick wins for business owners and CEOs

Our team at Elevate created four short and sweet challenges you can complete to score a quick win. 

Choose one of the challenges that meets a need you have right now and pay attention to how good it feels to complete it. (You may even be inspired to tackle another challenge once you see how easy and effective they are!) 

Each challenge focuses on one key area:

• Setting Goals

• Streamlining SOPs

• Time Management

• Organizing Emails

Each challenge takes between 5 and 30 minutes to complete, and there are even helpful visuals attached in each post to guide you through the process and help you track your progress. 

If you don’t have capacity to take on one of these small win challenges now, put it on your calendar for the next week or two.

How to relax without taking a vacation

At Elevate, our team is serious about productivity and success. That means we're equally serious about taking real rest, actually recharging, and managing our energy so we can continue to show up and work at a high level. 

These are some of our favorite ways to restore our energy:

• Schedule a lunch block on your calendar. Step away from your computer, silence work notifications, and eat lunch. You can go outside, go for a quick walk, or simply give yourself a break for a minimum of 30 minutes. Enjoy your lunch break!

• Take a “don't” day. Once a month or so, give yourself permission to say, “No, I don't want to do that!” to anything that you don't want to do. That may mean no calls, no meetings, no client work, no social media… whatever it is that drains you, give yourself a full day away from those things. Schedule it and then honor it to benefit from the energy boost!

• Get grounded. Take off your shoes and stand in the grass for a few minutes. Give yourself up to 15 minutes of morning sunshine on your face. Connecting with nature this way increases your natural endorphins, establishes stronger circadian rhythms, and helps keep your cortisol levels low. Go outside!

• Don't be afraid to disconnect. You don't need your phone everywhere you go. Try leaving it behind! Practice stepping away from work emails and communication when you're at your kids' soccer game or enjoying dinner with your family. Giving yourself regular breaks from your work apps and platforms is a game changer!

• Respect the boundaries you've set. Too often we set the boundaries, block off the calendar, and have all the good intentions… only to do what we said we weren't going to do anyway. Boundaries only work when you hold them. If you're feeling overworked… start with any boundaries you're not respecting.

Spa days and beach vacations are amazing, but you can realistically rest and recharge without leaving the house or office. 

The key to avoiding or recovering from burnout

Clear goals, a defined role, and a step-by-step action plan will help you avoid burnout or give you a roadmap for moving forward if you’re recovering from burnout. 

Strategic Mapping includes:

• Two 90-minute strategy calls

• Clearly defined mission, vision, and value statements

• Explicit goals and a plan to reach them

• Guidance through the 7 Pillars of your business

• A goal-oriented action plan for the next four quarters

• Personalized Trello board to keep track of next steps and monitor progress to your goals

Strategic Mapping is helpful at any time in the year. But it can be helpful to get an idea of what to focus on depending on the quarter.

Q1 Strategic Mapping can include:

• Q4 results + budgeting for the new year

• New hires or role shifts 

• Big-picture vision 

• Launches + seasonal promotions 

Q2 + Q3 Strategic Mapping can include:

• Mid-year review + key adjustments

• Team performance (planning performance reviews or analyzing the results of those reviews) 

• Culture + retention strategies

• Streamlined workflows 

Q4 Strategic Mapping can include:

• Holiday gifting

• Establishing KPIs

• Budgeting

• Calendar planning 

If you need help recovering from burnout or you’re ready to proactively avoid it, you can click here to learn more about Strategic Mapping. 

You can do anything, but not everything! We’re here to help you manage your resources and streamline your operations to protect your energy + productivity. 

Social media has become a flashpoint for workplace disputes—and California law is clear:
employees have broad rights when it comes to lawful off-duty speech.

In this article by Partner Lucas E. Rowe, Koegle Law Group outlines what employers need to know about employee social-media protections under California Labor Code § 96 and the state constitution. While you can regulate use during work hours or protect your company’s brand, disciplining employees for personal posts made off the clock can open the door to serious legal exposure.

Key Takeaways:

• The constitutional right to free speech (with limits in private employment)

• What California law protects when it comes to employee expression online

• Where employers can draw the line—on branding, harassment, and work-hour use

• Why clear, updated policies are essential for risk management

Smart employers plan ahead. Learn how to stay compliant and protect your business.
👉 Read the full article here

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

California Institute of the Arts has announced the launch of its Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Creative Computing, which will enroll its first students in the fall of 2026.

This interdisciplinary program, among the first in the United States, further exemplifies the institution’s commitment to integrating artistic expression with leading-edge technological innovation.

The Creative Computing BFA is designed to provide students with a robust foundation in computer science, electrical engineering, signal processing and emerging technologies such as virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR), robotics and AI/machine learning. The program also allows undergraduates to develop a strong, personal artistic voice and to use technology as a tool for storytelling, cultural critique, and creative exploration.

Students will have the opportunity to specialize in one of five areas: Game Design, Music Technology, Coding for Design, Spatial Computing, or Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence.

“The Creative Computing program builds on the strengths and resources of several of CalArts’ current academic programs and initiatives. Students will graduate with the skills and experience necessary to lead in the expanding world of creative technologies, preparing them to define the creative industries of the future,” said Interim Provost Michael Bryant.

Ajay Kapur, associate provost of creative technologies that founded the new program, emphasized the curriculum’s transformative potential. “Coding, engineering, and AI are the canvases of the future. By equipping our students with these technological skills, CalArts is preparing the next generation of creatives and storytellers today to shape the arts and culture of tomorrow.”

The program aligns with several other new, future-focused initiatives at the 55-year-old Institute, which is well known for its focus on experimentation across artistic disciplines.

The CHANEL Center for Artists and Technology, announced last spring in partnership with the CHANEL Culture Fund, is a visionary initiative that positions artists at the forefront of shaping the evolving technologies that define the world and establishes CalArts as the hub of a new ecosystem of arts and technology.

Similarly, CalArts’ D.R.E.A.M.S. (Digital Research Entertainment Arts Media Storytelling) initiative, established in 2025 with support from Tom Dolan and the Dolan Family Foundation, aims to prepare students for dynamic careers in the rapidly growing industry of location-based entertainment.

“We see the Creative Computing curriculum as building a bridge from CalArts to industry,” said D.R.E.A.M.S. Director and Producer in Residence Travis Cloyd. “Students in the program will have access to industry experts and participate in real-world projects where they can build immersive environments and interactive spaces, utilizing their technical and artistic skills to advance the creative industries as a whole.”

CalArts is currently accepting applications for the BFA in Creative Computing program. Interested students can learn more at calarts.edu/creativecomputing.

Think your business is secure?  Think again. 

Cybersecurity threats are evolving — and Southern California enterprise businesses are not immune. The 2025 Comcast Business Cybersecurity Threat Report analyzes over 34.6 billion cybersecurity events, uncovering how attackers are getting smarter, stealthier, and more disruptive.

Join Comcast Business for an exclusive webinar designed for business leaders and IT security professionals. Comcast Business will break down the report’s key findings and share actionable insights to help protect your organization in today’s threat landscape.

What You’ll Learn:

• The most common attack tactics and where businesses are most vulnerable
• How AI is reshaping cybersecurity — for both attackers and defenders
• The stealth techniques threat actors use to avoid detection
• Why human behavior continues to be a major security challenge
• How a multi-layered defense strategy can help San Diego businesses stay resilient

Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and strengthen your cybersecurity posture.

Register now to reserve your spot:  https://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/15679/651431

Comcast Business now powers businesses in Southern California with a suite of solutions including connectivity, networking, cybersecurity, and unified communications. Comcast Business’ stance as a part of Comcast – a Fortune 50 leading media, technology, and entertainment company – enables a unique set of capabilities and a broad perspective to customers.

Learn how enterprise managed services from Comcast Business can help you create better customer experiences.  Contact your local Comcast Business Account Executive Alex Alvarez today - Alex_Alvarez2@comcast.com  +1 (661) 648-6653

Do you want to challenge yourself in fitness? We are excited to announce our grand opening on October 18, 2025!

Join us for a high-intensity and low-impact 45-minute workout in a luxurious boutique, led by our certified Lagree instructors.

For additional information, please visit our website at [www.powerlabstudio.com](https://www.powerlabstudio.com).

Non-compete agreements have long been controversial in California—and now, they’ve reached a new level of legal risk.

Recent legislation has made it a direct violation of California labor law for employers to impose non-compete agreements on employees. That’s not just about being unenforceable — now, having non-compete language in your contracts could actively expose your business to legal consequences.

In this article, Koegle Law Group explains what these legal changes mean for your business—and how to stay protected without relying on outdated contract language.

Key Takeaways:

• Why including non-compete clauses—even if unused—can now lead to liability

• Legal strategies you can use to protect your trade secrets

• How to ensure your documentation complies with California’s strict labor code

• How Koegle Law Group helps businesses audit and update their agreements

Non-competes are out. Smart compliance is in.

👉 Read the full article here

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

One vague text message. One forgotten complaint. That’s all it takes to sink your defense.

When an employee raises a concern—whether it’s in a text, in passing, or via Slack—it’s not just an HR issue. It’s a legal risk. And if your business doesn’t respond the right way, that risk can escalate into a lawsuit where your internal missteps are on full display.

In this article, Koegle Law Group Associate Ransom D. Boynton lays out how smart employers turn complaints into opportunities for clarity, compliance, and protection. Because in court, silence and delay speak volumes.

Key Takeaways:

• Why even informal complaints can trigger serious legal obligations

• How to document employee concerns like your case depends on it—because it might

• Common pitfalls when HR and management aren't aligned

• How Koegle Law Group helps employers stay prepared, not just reactive

A single complaint shouldn't derail your business—if you're ready for it.

👉 Read the full article here

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

We’ve worked with a lot of CEOs, leaders, and business owners, and no matter what industry or niche someone is in, they tend to have the same few questions. That means you probably have a few of these questions on your mind right now, too!

At Elevate, we provide operations support and services, but we also believe in educating our clients and helping you expand your own skills and knowledge. 

This post is packed with our professional tips and insights, as well as some powerful perspective shifts that will change the questions you ask and dramatically improve the way you feel about your success! 

Do I need a bookkeeper? And other questions we’re answering

This post shares answers to these questions:

• Why is my inbox a mess even though I have help?
  We’ll dig into the one thing you’re missing that keeps your inbox organized and manageable for good. 

• How do I stay focused without becoming a bottleneck?
  Get clear on how you can delegate more effectively and efficiently to keep things moving without having to be constantly active in every project. 

• Do I really need a bookkeeper? Can’t I just give everything to my CPA at tax time?
  Let’s get serious about what not having accurate books is costing you. Spoiler alert: it’s more than what it costs to outsource your bookkeeping!

• Are we focused on the right things or just doing a lot of things?
  Learn our favorite way to set clear, actionable goals and measure your progress so you can clearly see your success and progress.

• Why does everyone on my team do things differently?
  Turn what feels like a failure into a positive way to improve your systems and SOPs! 

What makes a good business leader?

This isn’t one of our top 5 questions, but it is something that’s worth getting clear on before we get to our Q&A. 

Sometimes leaders are afraid to ask questions because they fear it makes them look weak or incompetent. That couldn’t be more wrong. 

Smart, capable leaders ask questions all the time. 

Is there a better way to do this?

How are the talents on my team being applied to specific roles and responsibilities?

What am I not seeing here?

Asking questions and being reflective in general is one of the best ways to build a successful team and organization. When you openly ask questions and invite feedback, you teach your team to do the same. And that leads to fewer mistakes, more collaboration, and better results! 

At Elevate, we are constantly reflecting on our work and asking questions. We schedule regular check-ins with our clients and our internal team to encourage clear communication. And we’re never afraid to examine a process, system, or belief to see if there are ways to improve it or do it differently. 

As you read through the questions we’re answering below, invite yourself to be reflective. Know that it’s not only okay to have these questions, it makes you a better leader to ask them. 

The top 5 questions business owners and CEOs are asking

Asking the right questions leads to better results. At Elevate, we love helping our clients streamline their operations to improve every area of their business.

The answers to these popular questions will help you identify areas of growth for your own organization. You may also be inspired to do things differently or try a new system! 

Let’s get into these popular business questions. 

Why is my inbox a mess even though I have help?

So many of our clients come to us frustrated by what feels like the impossible task of keeping their inbox organized for more than a few weeks. 

A messy inbox makes everything feel more overwhelming. And it can lead to missed information and deadlines!

Having someone help with your inbox management is excellent. 

But no matter who is in charge of it… what really matters is your system. 

And if you're continually having inbox issues, that's a clear sign that you either don't have a system in place, OR the system you're using just isn't working. 

Without a clear, customized system, it doesn't matter how much help you have… your inbox is always going to default to clutter.  

You need a simple, consistent, repeatable system to manage your inbox!

And here's the best news: Inbox Zero does not have to be the goal! We want inbox clarity. 

Inbox clarity means whoever manages your inbox:

• Knows exactly where each email goes and what to do with it as soon as it comes in

• Can keep your inbox organized with only a few minutes each day

• Can prioritize urgent communication and make it easy to see what needs to be done, in what order, when you scan your inbox

• Does things the same way, every time 

When you give up chasing Inbox Zero (it's unattainable at the beginning for most people!) and embrace Inbox Clarity––things will improve in a hurry.

Need help managing your inbox?
We offer an Inbox Cleanup Get It Done project that will whip your inbox into shape, no matter how cluttered it is. We’ll also lay out a detailed system you and your team can follow to keep things nice and organized for years to come. 

If you’re looking for an effective DIY option, we highly recommend completing our 2025 Organize Emails Challenge! 

How do I stay focused without becoming a bottleneck?

As the leader, business owner, or CEO, you want to stay focused on your role and responsibilities. But every time you try to stay in your lane and zone of genius… You end up creating a bottleneck that slows everyone down and puts projects behind schedule.

This is something a lot of CEOs deal with, so we can promise you’re not alone. The answer to this question is: delegation. This is one of those easier said than done suggestions, so let's break it down.

Leave room for errors when you’re delegating. 

You'll make errors in delegating at first, and the person you're delegating to will make their own mistakes. These are a learning opportunity! Whenever mistakes happen, it's the perfect time to ask questions, get clarity, and refine the process or system. 

Embrace the teachable moments. Offer praise for what was done well and share tips or advice on ways to improve or make things easier. 

Give ownership to whoever is doing the project. 

Set milestones for check-ins so you get the info you need without having to approve each step and be actively involved. When you set milestones at the beginning, you can avoid being constantly involved in the process you're trying to hand off. 

Get everything out of your head.

In the beginning, delegating is going to take a toll on your energy and time. When there are processes or systems that only live in your head or don't exist at all, it will take time to create them, document them, and teach your team or contractor how to complete them. That's okay! It's just part of the process.

Need help with delegating? 

Sign up for one of our monthly Mastering Delegation Workshops or book a 1:1 call to create a customized delegating plan with Ashley, our founder and DOO. 

Do I really need a bookkeeper? Can’t I just give everything to my CPA at tax time?

Technically? Yes. You can hand over everything you have to your CPA at tax time.

But what are you sending your CPA? Is any of it accurate?

If you don't have a bookkeeper managing your business's finances on a daily basis, you are missing out on:

• Accurate forecasting for the next season or quarter

• Understanding your profit

• Using your financial data to make informed decisions

• Knowing where your money is going 

• Planning for client gifts, team bonuses, and holiday gifts 

• Valuable write-offs 

Collecting receipts is not the same as bookkeeping. If you’re simply collecting paper and digital receipts, how do you know what you're missing? 

Not having accurate, updated, organized books is costing you in every area of your business.

At a minimum, you need a bookkeeping software and system you can follow in-house to keep track of your expenses. 

A better option is to outsource your bookkeeping to a professional. This gives you real-time financial data to inform your business decisions and ensures you always know your profit margins, expenses, and other key info. 

Need help with your bookkeeping? 

Choose from our one-time Bookkeeping Clean Up or Bookkeeping Set Up Get It Done projects or invest in a bookkeeping retainer service with our team of pros! 

Are we focused on the right things or just doing a lot of things?

You're probably asking this question if you:

• Regularly work overtime or on the weekends 

• Feel a high level of stress at all times

• Are always working on something, but rarely seeing results 

• Feel burned out, overwhelmed, or just over it all

Too many CEOs and leaders don't feel like they're making any progress because they don't know where they started or where they need to go. 

Constantly working without clearly defined goals will drive you to exhaustion in a hurry. So how do you know if you're focusing on the right things?

It all starts with where you want to go and what you want to achieve. Defining clear, specific goals is the first step in knowing what you're achieving.

After you have your goals, you need KPIs (key performance indicators) to help you see how you're making progress.

And around here, we're big on celebrating progress over perfection or completion! Even if you don't reach every goal, there are wins, lessons, and value to celebrate along the way. 

Setting specific goals, sharing them with your team, and tracking your progress on a daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis will help you know you're doing the right things and feel more accomplished as you do them!

Need help with setting clear goals and accomplishing more?

Schedule a Strategic Mapping session! You’ll work 1:1 with our founder and DOO, Ashley, to create a goal-oriented Action Plan for the next four quarters. Having defined, specific goals is the best way to feel more in control and successful! 

Why does everyone on my team do things differently?

Raise your hand if your team:

• Saves things in different places

• Shares updates across different types of communication

• Titles documents differently 

• Communicates their progress in different ways

• Completes projects on different timelines

• Feels like a jumbled mess of everyone just doing their own thing

We see your raised hand and maybe even a hint of embarrassment. We get it. It feels like a good leader should know how to keep their team in line and all on the same page. 

But here's the paradigm flip I want to offer you today:

 Instead of a failure of leadership, it's a positive that everyone does things differently. 

You're not a bad leader. You just don't have processes and systems documented and shared with your team.

But right now, while everyone is doing their own thing, it is actually the perfect time to dig in and create some SOPs (standard operating procedures).

Everyone has different brains, priorities, and perspectives. And by letting your team do things their own way, you are able to see better ways of doing things than you would have come up with on your own! 

Now you just need to take stock of what's working and where things need to improve so you can create a library of SOPs everyone can follow.

Need help creating SOPs for your team?

Our operations experts love creating custom, streamlined systems. Book an SOP Library Get It Done project and we’ll deliver your defined, documented, and dependable SOPs in just a few weeks! 

Am I failing at business?

This is the final question we want to address because so many talented, successful leaders and business owners are constantly struggling with this one. 

No, you are not failing. 

You're probably just not looking at everything you have accomplished! It's so easy to get caught in the vicious cycle of setting big goals, showing up and doing the work, achieving the goal… and then just moving on to what's next. 

Can we invite you to try something different?

If you feel like you're failing (or not living up to your own high expectations), take 5 minutes right now and celebrate the wins – big or little – you've had recently.  

And moving forward, make celebrating progress a non-negotiable.  

You can do anything, but not everything. (That's where we come in!)

SCV Water is initiating an update to its Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP), a foundational planning document that guides long-term water supply reliability, conservation strategies, and climate resilience for our region. The Agency will be reviewing the 2020 UWMP and considering changes and amendments as applicable.

This update is more than a regulatory requirement—it is a strategic opportunity to shape the future of water in the Santa Clarita Valley. SCV Water is committed to a transparent, inclusive, and community-informed process, and invites members of the public to participate in a series of workshops. The first, “UWMP Overview and Network Kickoff,” will be held online via Zoom on Thursday, September 11, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Registration information is available at yourSCVWater.com/UWMP.

The UWMP helps SCV Water:

• Plan for future water needs in the face of growth and climate change.
• Align with statewide goals like “Making Conservation a California Way of Life.”
• Ensure equitable access to water resources.
• Support infrastructure investments and emergency preparedness.

Through a series of workshops leading up to a public hearing in April 2026, SCV Water customers can join with other residents, businesses, public agencies, environmental groups, and community organizations to provide feedback that will guide the UWMP’s priorities, solutions, and implementation strategies.

Whether you are a resident, business owner, community advocate or simply interested in the future of water in the Santa Clarita Valley, your input matters. To learn more about the public workshops and the Urban Water Management Plan update process, and to access draft documents and provide written comments when applicable, please visit yourSCVWater.com/UWMP. Customers may also email the UWMP project team at uwmp@scvwa.org with any questions.

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About SCV Water:
The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency (SCV Water) is a full-service regional water agency located in the Santa Clarita Valley. SCV Water provides water service to approximately 75,000 business and residential customers. It was formed on January 1, 2018, when local water suppliers combined into one integrated, regional water provider. More information can be found at yourSCVwater.com.