Putting It Together

Bit by Bit

There’s a song I just can’t get out of my head this week: Putting It Together. Going back to my roots studying theater in college, I was so enamored with Stephen Sondheim and the man knew what he was talking about when he wrote this song for the Broadway musical Sunday in the Park with George. As the lyric goes: The art of making art… is putting it together. (If you know the song, I know you’re humming along already, and if you’re intrigued, check out this amazing 1985 Barbara Streisand version here.

Honestly, I haven’t minded having this melody being stuck in my head for days. What I appreciate is how “putting It together” captures the essence of creating something big and meaningful out of small, intentional parts. It’s a masterpiece on where a powerful vision meets the high pressure and painstaking process of building—a process that I deeply connect with as I’ve built Leaders Uplifted into a nationally recognized agency this year.

What I love about this song, and what I see as a parallel to leadership and personal growth, is how small steps, executed well, create something with depth and staying power. The art of building isn’t just about checking tasks off a list; it’s about creating a structure that can last, inspire, and usher in a bright future. And that’s exactly what I’m crafting with Leaders Uplifted. Bit by bit, piece by piece, I’m building a community where leaders can practice, learn, and grow together—not just for today, but for years to come.

A Process That Lasts

Leadership isn’t about a single moment—it’s about building something that carries forward, inspiring others and creating change. That’s why I see Leaders Uplifted as more than just learning and development, we’re building a community; a practice space for personal and professional growth.

Here’s the vision: a space where like-minded professionals gather to practice real-world skills like storytelling, public speaking, and leadership presence. It’s not just about learning new things—it’s about applying them, trying them out, and getting feedback in a safe, supportive environment.

I’m going back to my roots as a boarding school teacher and coach where I worked with inspiring students year after year. I saw how this weekly incremental practice created incredible growth in my classes, so now I’m updating things on a digital scale, creating a space for weekly practice that runs all year.

But it’s more than just a weekly get together. Having a community of like-minded professionals seeking their next level up gives me a chance to add action assignments and personal practice plans too—something new to try each month, a social skill-builder that challenges everyone to grow. These assignments, combined with the collective energy of a group that’s fully invested in their leadership game, create a powerful foundation for growth. And when members take these skills back to their workplaces and communities, they’ll carry with them a shared language and set of principles that can cross generations.

The Power of Seeing the Big Picture

The thing is, planning often feels like a million equal parts competing for your attention. That’s why taking a step back to see the bigger picture is so important. When you zoom out, you can see all the paths more clearly and see each piece of the puzzle on its own. This objectivity helps you identify your zones of focus—the tasks where you need to prioritize—and your zones of genius—the areas where you truly shine.

One of the best tools for this is a mind map. It’s simple: start with a central idea in the middle of the page, like “My Power Up Plan” or “Leading My Way”, and let your thoughts branch out from there. What are the elements of your plan? What areas do you want to focus on? What strengths do you bring to the table? What steps can you take to grow? Add additional though bubbles for each supporting idea then begin to connect the dots for how these parts relate. It’s a simple visual, but the results in gaining clarity and seeing how everything connects are profound.

Mind mapping helps you organize your thoughts, identify priorities, and create a visual representation of your goals. It’s a practical, creative way to put your ideas together and build a plan that feels both inspired and actionable. 10/10 highly recommend

OK, Let’s Play: Create Your Mind Map

Planning isn’t just about making a list—it’s about creating a visual map of your goals and opportunities. Let’s start putting it together!

Ready: Grab a blank sheet of paper or a digital tool, and give yourself permission to dream big.

Set: Start with a central thought, like "My Leadership Goals" or "My Growth Plan", and let your ideas branch out from there.

Go:

• Identify Your Focus Zones: Write down the areas you want to prioritize in your work and life.
• Highlight Your Genius Zones: Add the strengths and talents you can leverage to make progress.
• List Action Steps: Under each zone, write 1–3 actionable steps you can take in the next month.
• Think Creatively: Use colors, symbols, or doodles to make the map uniquely yours.

Bring Your Plan to Life

Every big vision needs small, intentional steps to make it happen. The song goes: “Every moment makes a contribution, every little detail plays a part, having just a vision's no solution, everything depends on execution, putting it together, that’s what counts!” So whether your ideas fit neatly on a napkin or sprawl across a mile-wide whiteboard, the most important thing is to take that first step. Get your big idea out of your head. Put pen to paper. Build the map. See the bigger picture.

Because when you start putting it together—bit by bit, piece by piece—you’ll be amazed at what you can create.
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Hey there! I’m Blair Bloomston, author of UPLIFTED WEEKLY and your friendly consultant, facilitator, and game-based educator on-call, bringing a passion and penchant for all things play (I’m also alliteratively all-in). As the founder of Leaders Uplifted, I help leaders like you tap into creativity, connection, and confidence to make work feel less like a grind and more like a game. Keep reading with me— I’m here to be your business best friend. Let's go!