On May 4th, I took off on a road trip to Santa Fe. I was doing a mad dash to beat the rain I saw west of me near the mountains. Fortunately, I arrived, checked into my room around 5 p.m. and no less than 10 minutes later the thunderstorm unloaded and continued long into the night. Whew!
My trip to Santa Fe was to participate in an “intensive” workshop for executive coaches. It was definitely intense! (Last week I was in emotional detox.) Taking the time to really engage in my patterns, my stories, and discovering that the big bolt of lightening I thought I needed, turned out to be a much smaller, and less dramatic step forward.
Oh, how often you forget that you don’t need “fixing” because you aren’t broken! What freedom there is in realizing that you have the ability to take a small step forward and embrace your hopes, goals and dreams to make it a reality. That’s too easy! Which is why you tend to make it more difficult than it needs to be.
It must be a struggle to be worth it…Right?
Not really. It’s just what we’re taught growing up.
It’s the stories your well-intending parents tell you, your teachers and other authority figures you meet along the way offer repeatedly. These get instilled – or installed in your brain. And, because of how your brain is wired, it works!
Then you spend years trying to understand why you can’t operate differently.
It’s a pattern that is shaped when you are young. Shifting a pattern (habit) requires awareness. It’s how it starts, being aware. And that my friend requires slowing down.
Last Friday I actually sat and listened to the Beatles, Abbey Road. No multi-tasking, I just listened and sang every word to every song. I felt like a teenager again (in a good way). It was refreshing, I get caught up in multi-tasking more than I’d like to admit. This was relaxing and felt incredibly comfortable.
It’s Springtime, what a great opportunity to look for and enjoy new experiences.
While in Santa Fe I had an unexpected new experience.
On Monday, the electricity went out in the hotel, because of more storms. I had to find a place to watch the Nuggets game, so I went to another hotel and ate at the bar which I haven’t done for a long time.
Two women (Caroline and Jolene) came and sat by me and we struck up a conversation. They were in town from Vancouver to put on an indigenous fashion show on Friday (SWAIA). Since I was leaving Friday, they invited me to come to the donor reception on Wednesday, at my hotel. (Caroline is on the left by the table.)
What a wonderful event it was. The energy in that room was incredible. Caroline introduced me to Yolonda Skelton, one of the designers. I spoke with her for ~20 minutes. She was a high school teacher for 22 years, then went into design to create authentic, indigenous fashion. I loved hearing her stories and the symbology of how and why she creates the designs she does. I have a strong love of wolves as you know, with that connection, we could have talked for hours. She is in the middle in the photo below.
Check out Yolonda on instagram @yolondaskelton.
I’ll share a few photos as this was so special to me. I hope you enjoy them too.
New Executive Women’s Program
I am excited to announce that we are in the process of launching a new women’s program.
Senior Women’s Executive Alliance (SWEA).
This program is limited to nine members and will be by application only. If you know a senior executive leader who is looking for “more,” watch for details on this exclusive program and share them. This is a one of a kind experience that includes a community of powerful women who are ready to expand beyond the workplace and are open to growth (professionally/personally).
The program includes two luxury (deep dive) retreats each year as this is so essential for the high-powered female leader in you.
…More to follow!
The Success Whisperer with Denver Chamber at the Zoo
Last week we sponsored a Denver Chamber networking event at the Zoo. It was fun to share The Success Whisperer with attendees and the work we’re doing. I joined the Chamber in January, it’s a great group of people and nearly 1200 members.
My beautiful sister, Keri came out to help me at the event. Loved having her there. (That’s my sister and me.)
We held a drawing and two people won our zoo-themed programs that I’ll deliver for their organizations:
1 – The Elephant Matriarch Leadership Program
2 – The Shewolf Leader Program
Did I tell you?
I’m on a mission to improve the quality of life in the workplace!
Filled with love and gratitude,
The Success Whisperer
