Conference Craziness

I have recently had the opportunity to view a variety of conferences while staying at a hotel, while my spouse attended an industry conference. While each conference is unique, it is interesting to see the range of differences between them. There are the serious ones, the "gigglers", the big "ah hah" and the "drained and strained ones".

Two recent movies that present conferences or conventions come to mind; Cedar Rapids (2011) and Up In The Air (2009). The first movie depict an insurance association and it's various events over a few days. Up In The Air shows more of a motivational reward "party" session.

Conferences are a great time to catch up with familiar colleagues, as well as make introductions to newcomers and network all around. Regardless of the type of conference you are attending, a smile helps convey energy and interest. Help yourself and others by spreading smiles.  

Look at the Un's in Your Life

Let’s take  a moment to think about the “Un’s” in our lives? Here is a list of some “Un’s”:

Unfinished

Unused

Unresolved

Undecided

Misunderstood


How would it be if we had a day each week to look at the “Un’s” and work on them? What day would you choose?

To balance this exercise out you may also want to look at the "Done's" in your life. This can help bring you some extra encouragement.  


This is a modified post from my Terry's Thinking Blog

Challenge Yourself

September is all about learning. It is the traditional back to school season. This is a great time to think about self improvement. Be brave and think about what areas you are in need of improvement. Make a list and then plan to work on making some improvements, by consciously contemplating what might help you gain forward motion. This could involve taking some classes in the near future, reading or researching the subject. It can also mean using a coach to help hold you accountable to making this happen.  

Change Your Attitude

Change and transition's are generally difficult. If you have been involuntarily made to change, a change of attitude may make a big difference.

Three ways to change or transition your attitude:

1. Try looking at things with a perspective outside of yourself.
    
2. Visualize a good outcome and rethink strategically how to get to that place.
    
3. Be grateful you have to experience this discomfort and appreciate the insightful lesson's you will learn.

Growth comes from change. Start with changing your attitude. You will enjoy the journey much more.

This is a best of post.

Winds of Change - Fall is Around The Corner

Does the upcoming change of season get you excited or anxious? Seasonal change can be viewed as a happy event or one of dread. Seasonal change means preparation for new weather, events and activities. For me Autumn is my time of learning and creativity. Summer to me is my time of rest and rejuvenation.  Winter is my celebration and reflection time. Spring brings me energy and excitement. 

How do you view the seasonal changes?

Maybe it is time to work with a life coach. Contact Terry when you are ready to make a transition in your life.  

Get Your Creativity Cooking!

Creativity is not always at hand when we need it most. This is especially true when we are cooking up a transition in our lives. Sometimes we need to try to be extra creative, so we can get some new ideas that set us on our way.

The secret to being creative is trying to simply "be". Being isn't easy. It takes time. This time includes practice, persistence and above all, patience.

Here are six "be" concepts which can be done or not done. These ideas are in no particular order.

1. Be still
2. Be moving around
3. Be aware of your senses
4. Be willing to temporarily close out some of our senses
5. Be in a different environment
6. Be in our normal environment by just hanging in there with a different frame of mind

Let's think of creativity as a salad for those in the Northern hemisphere, and a soup, for those in the Southern hemisphere. It takes a few good ingredients to make a soup or salad special. Try a mixture of the ideas from numbers 1 - 6.

Let me know if you cook up any new ideas. You will be well on your way to preparing something good before long.

This is a best of post from 2009

Strategies to Get Unstuck

Guest Post By Fred Beiderbecke

When you are about to hit the wall, or feel trapped, the odds of proceeding usually seem insurmountable. Here are some suggestions and strategies:

1) Begin by reframing the situation. Make the whole situation less threatening, friendlier and in terms that make more sense to you. 2) Assume the worst so that you no longer worry, and then proceed as if the worst had already happened. 3) Get back to the basic principles you're operating under for guidance. 4) Trust in a higher power because it is beyond your ability to cope.  5) Enjoy yourself through some diversion, thus taking better care of yourself, and then return to the problem. 6) Use the Serenity Prayer so that the past does not unduly bog you down.  Each moment is a new beginning. 7) Persevere. Remember that good things happen to those who wait.

In these ways, you can go around, over, or create an opened door (as was described in the earlier post Hitting the Wall.)