Living Out Loud

When given the choice to have fun or not, wouldn't it be crazy to let the opportunity for fun slip through your fingers?

Yet “denying myself fun” was something I was prone to do and could justify on many levels.

Reasons (and excuses) to say no to fun:
“That would cost too much money”
“I don't have time for that”
“I would fall behind on my business, and I can't keep up with it already”
“I don't really know those people well enough”
“Taking the time off seems irresponsible, people need me”

I've always envied those people that can throw themselves great big birthday parties.
Too many times my birthday has rolled around with nothing much planned for celebration. With my 50th birthday approaching, my sister suggested I join her in Los Angeles for a long weekend to attend the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl.
She had made it a tradition to attend every year, and raved about the music and ambience.

Faced with this decision, all the excuses mentioned above came weighing down heavily.
But this year I made the decision to celebrate in style and say “yes” to this fun opportunity.

Reasons I’m glad I said yes to fun:
“I made myself important and celebrated my life”
“I experienced something brand-new”
“ I bonded with my sister and brother”
“I laughed more than I have for months”
“I got away from the routine and came back refreshed”
“My clients, business, cat and dog seemed to get along fine without me”
“I budgeted and made it happen without breaking the bank ”

So the next time you're faced with an opportunity for fun, quiet all of the excuses and say “YES” - having fun is good for the body mind and spirit. It refreshes, relaxes and he destresses you …now I’ve got wonderful memories to prove it!

Contributed By Jane Morrison, President of More Insight

As a professional speaker, leadership and success expert, Jane Morrison inspires entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals to achieve their full potential and reach their goals.

For over twenty years, the focus of her work has been in the arena of professional and personal development. Accredited as a Personal Development Trainer, Facilitator and a Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation, she shares her skills to transform leaders to a greater vision using Insight Advantage technologies and strategic planning.

www.moreinsight.com

Posted by Joanne at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Growing up, I thought being strong meant you had to go it alone, especially since the only time I ever heard the word “strength” used was when the media referred to bodybuilders or super-heroes. So I set out to conquer the world by myself….and fell flat on my face. I quickly realized that I could create and do much more with the help of others, and eventually, I discovered that my circle of strength became stronger when I included people who were talented, smarter, or different than me in their own unique ways.

“We don’t accomplish anything in this world alone…", said Sandra Day O’Connor, former U.S. Supreme Court associate justice, and she was right. When I share my life purpose with someone who has agreed to support me along my journey – someone who has the ability to have a tremendous impact on my life – I achieve my goals faster and more easily. Their energy adds momentum to mine, helping me to stay on track and hone my vision as I move toward it.

When I began creating a circle of strength, I tended to include people who were a lot like me. Because they thought much like I did, they told me exactly what I wanted to hear; and although they continue to be wonderful supporters of my vision, I realized that I needed something more—something to stretch me. I began to intentionally connect with people who challenge me as they bring completely new perspectives to my life.
To really grow, I had to make myself vulnerable and then I had to listen. It’s not enough to surround yourself with people who can help you to grow; you have to make the decision to listen and to make choices based on the broader perspectives they offer.
Something that makes this even more challenging in my own life and in my work with leaders is that women have difficulty accepting strength and support from others. Typically, we’re better givers than receivers, giving to our families, jobs, communities, and friends without ever expecting anything in return. Our nature is to nurture and help others; but sometimes, we don’t allow others to do the same for us. In order to create my powerful circle of strength, I had to open myself up to receive blessings and new perspectives from others.
As Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

Contributed by Lisa Marie Platske, President and CEO - Upside Thinking

As the President and Chief Enthusiasm Officer of Upside Thinking, Inc., Ms. Lisa Marie Platske brings passion and excitement to her work every day. Committed to transforming organizations, Ms. Platske teaches professionals how to develop a clear leadership vision, increase their sphere of influence and achieve long-term growth and steady profits. An energetic and inspirational trainer, leadership coach and certified True Colors facilitator, she has influenced the lives of entrepreneurs, small business owners and corporate executives with her “call to commitment”, challenging individuals to create a plan for excellence.

www.upsidethinking.com

Posted by Joanne at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Dear Raising Change,

Are there a lot more non profits than they're used to be when I was a kid? It seems like every time I turn around I'm getting a fundraising letter, a phone call or a friend is asking me to sponsor her in a bike-a-thon. I don't have endless money. How do I choose?"

If, like this caring donor you feel a little non profit overwhelmed by the amount of requests for funding you receive you're not alone.

In the United States there are 1.6 million registered not for profit organizations* working to meet the political, social, economic and cultural needs of our communities. If we were divide that equally among the states it would average 320,000 not for profit organizations per state.

With so many worthwhile organizations in your community and around the world what criteria should you use to help you make a decision in your giving?

Top 3 Tips When Choosing a Non Profit Partner:

1. Start with your heart. May sound a bit pedestrian but it's tried and true. If you give to your friend's bike-a-thon are you sure you care about the issue the gift is supporting to give again? If not here's something to think about: the non profit will likely put you on a master donor list, research you on-line, review you at Development Committee meetings, assign a staff or board member to you. All the while you hadn't planned on making a second gift. Choose those organizations that align with your heart and your values. You'll be more likely to stay for the long-haul- which is needed to enable real change - and the organization will spend its time and resources on those donors who are looking to build a long-lasting donor partnership. One-time gifts can meet an immediate need but won't they won't build is deep systemic change.

2. Ask your top 10 questions. To really make a difference each of us can invest our time, treasure, talent. If you're going to write a check, volunteer, offer your professional services you want to make sure the non profit is the right match. Before I think about writing a check or offering my support I ask 10 questions of an organization that piques my interest. This is not to make them jump through hoops. This helps both me and the organization know if we are a good match for each other and can together meet our shared values and vision. A few I ask:

1. What's your organization's vision for the community/ the country/ the world?;
2. What strategic actions are you hoping to unleash to move you closer to that vision;
3. Tell me the boldest, most unapologetic action you've taken in the last year or two;
4. What is your Board's take on the role of the Board in fundraising?

These questions are based on my values- bold, powerful, visionary leadership and action. What are your values? What characteristics do you need to see in a non profit to know that you have a match and can make great change together? Think about them first, jot them down then....

3. Make an appointment. Don't wait for a non profit to reach out to you. Reach out to the non profit. You may find an organization that is working on direct aid to Darfur, rebuilding in New Orleans, or ensuring rule of law in the United States. Read through their website. If you're interested and serious about considering a gift: call their Development Director, ask for an appointment; share that you want to explore the possibility of becoming a donor partner. You'll feel powerful and thrilled you took action and they'll be grateful that they didn't have to find you and spend valuable resources seeking you out.

The number of non profits needn't be daunting. A little research, reading and thinking on your part will not only help you navigate the waters but will deepen your capacity to impact the issue you care most about.

*National Center for Charitable Statistics

Contributed by:
Kathy LeMay, President & CEO
Raising Change, LLC
136 West Street, Suite 202
Northampton, MA 01060
P: 413.586.3366
F: 413.586.3376www.raisingchange.com

Posted by Joanne at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Have you had the opportunity in the last decade or so to be quiet and just be?

Or has life gotten in your way?

We make excuses and say we’ll make time for ourselves later, and then ten or twenty years have gone by, and that day of self-discovery hasn’t come. Sometimes, self-discovery is forced upon us by a life circumstance such as a birth, a death, or a job change. We women make more excuses than men because we are so busy taking care of everyone else that the thought of just being with our own thoughts rarely enters our minds.

For me, self-discovery came after the death of my mom and husband two years ago. When they passed, I no longer could make excuses as to why I couldn’t find the time to be alone with myself. I decided that I had to learn how to just be.

At first, I wondered what that would look like for me, and I discovered it meant slowing my life and thoughts down enough to hear what I was thinking and feel what I was feeling.

That is much more difficult than it sounds. Just imagine what would happen if you jumped off your merry-go-round of life and said no to all of the outside influences long enough to sit and be still for days at a time. What would it be like to not have any obligations for your time and attention? People who meditate on a daily basis can relate, but most people do not see how stillness is even possible for them.

It takes practice (Go ahead and laugh!), but it does take practice to sit and do nothing. We need to give ourselves permission to be and contemplate what’s around us. I think we have a fear of facing our own thoughts because we are worried that our thoughts will take us places we don’t want to go. For me, I knew I wanted to just be, but I didn’t really know how. So, I started with pleasant walks in the morning. I found that to be quite relaxing, contemplative time spent in nature.

Then I turned off the radio, the television, and every other outside noise, and vowed to spend a certain period of time each day with myself. Sometimes, that included writing in my journal. I contemplated where I had been with no focus on where I was going. I found that very empowering because I have been so focused on family and work for the past thirty-five years. I was like one of those people who go on vacation and can’t sit still and enjoy the moment—you know, the ones who take their cell phones and computers with them on the beach! Everyone else can get in touch with them, except them!

I’ve learned there are benefits to being still. First, it’s very relaxing. Not only has it been good for me physically, but it’s been good for my soul. I also found that as I quiet my mind, my intuition comes in full-blast because I am now listening. I see and hear things I never did before. I also have more clarity of purpose, not that there are always clear answers, but I see the questions more clearly. I move more quickly now down a path of decisive thought because I have taken the time to be and see. Through being, I see more clearly with joy and expect more joy to fill my life everyday. I’m still working on my journey of being, but it is now a daily priority, and I feel better than I ever have before.

When was the last time you took time to be with yourself, to listen to what’s going on inside of you? Take some time for yourself. You’ll be amazed at the results!

JoAnne Funch
Circle of Strength

Posted by Joanne at 12:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)