Sunday, July 30, 2006

Kathy's Connection

EXECUTIVE COACH AND CAREER FACILITATOR CELEBRATES A NEW LIFE

I was in California going to Disneyland (first time since 1977) and doing two days of training so I was trusting that my new grandchild would wait until I got back home.

Arrived home at 9:00 p.m. and then the phone call came from my son-in-law. So the next morning I was on the road to Olympia (100 miles away) to meet Taylor Noah Neilson.

Okay, I will admit it --- I'm already sounding like all the other Grandmas. Yet, there truly are no words when you have your grandchild in your arms. I looked at my daughter and then Taylor and the tears of joy flowed---a very special moment.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

Keep the back of your contact card (formerly called business card) blank. You need to have space for notes to be written.

If you are not receiving Weekly Wisdom, be sure to sign up on my website and encourage your friends to sign up for their own copy.

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Kathy's Connection

EXECUTIVE COACH AND CAREER FACILITATOR DAY OFF, AGAIN, BRINGS GREAT REWARDS

I got a bit off track taking the full day off -- no emails or telephone and doing something totally different --- and I am pleased that I got back on track.

Friday, a friend, Gayle Beacock, and I went on a tour of the Columbia Gorge with the Columbia Land Trust. The organization that is working to conserve thousands of acres in the Columbia Gorge, under the leadership of Glenn Lamb, Executive Director.

Two hours from Vancouver/Portland area we were viewing miles of land that had no sign of human beings--just the Klickitat River, the valley and canyon.

We chose the hottest day of the year--heat rose to 110 degrees --- I guess that is why the Native Americans weren't standing on their fishing platforms perched on the edge of the river. Thank goodness for air conditioned SUVs.

My mind was cleared of business chattered and replaced with possibilities. So many new ideas and viewpoints that are impossbile to describe. Once again, I am reminded how much more there is to see in this great Northwest.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

From the book "The Other 90% by Robert Cooper.

"Talents are instinctive, naturally recurring patterns of thought, feeling or behavior that can be enhanced by new knowledge, skills and experience."

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Kathy's Connection

EXECUTIVE COACH AND CAREER FACILITATOR KEEPS LEARNING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLES' LIVES

I am enjoying reading about the life of Katharine Graham, owner and publisher of the Washington Post. She openly talks about how she was born into wealth, yet, talks about how her parents were absent from the early years of her life.

Now I am reading about one of her first real jobs for a tabloid-like newspaper in San Francisco. You could feel the tension in her writing as she explained how she felt when she started--fearing she wouldn't be worth the $21 a week she was getting paid.

At the Portland Art Museum I heard a lecture about Georgia O'Keefe, the first woman artist in the United States to gain national acclaim.

Ms. O'Keefe, life was far from smooth. She, obviously, had to draw on resources hidden deep
within her to keep going. She took a chance and moved to Taos, Arizona. It was there her work
flourished.

There is not a person in existence that has not had a challenge. These two women are reminding me, again, of the importance of not giving up. Learn when you are given the opportunity.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

You just solved a problem for a customer. A great thing to say to them is:
"I enjoyed helping solve the problem. Made my day." Watch the customer's face--
they will be back!

Monday, July 10, 2006

Kathy's Connection

EXECUTIVE COACH AND CAREER FACILITATOR RECOMMENDS MOVIE

It is rare that I watch a movie twice at the movie theatre. Yet, this past week I saw "Peace Warrior," a movie based on the life of Dan Millman, a gymnast, twice.

There were so many great one-liners that I knew I had to see it again to catch even more of the great wisdom that came from this movie. Nick Nolte is outstanding as the wise man.

Through a visual image of a ladybug on a piece of grass in the park, I finally got it --- Life never stays the same. I have heard that over and over again, yet did not have it intellectually in my mind. As I watched the lady bug, I realized--everything is changing around me all the time.

It made me understand the importance of being present -- for example, I noticed the outstanding flowers around the park where I was attending a concert. I took time to really look at them. They truly were beautiful.

I can honestly say that is one of the best movies I have ever seen about the human spirt and the will to grow and be the best you can be.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

Jack Canfield said on a recent teleseminar:

Read 20 minutes a day.
Exercise 20 minutes a day.
Quiet your mind 20 minutes a day.

If you do this, watch your life soar to new heights.



Monday, July 03, 2006

Kathy's Connection

EXECUTIVE COACH AND CAREER FACILITATOR TAKES CARE OF HERSELF

Yes, I am on this bandwagon again. One of my talents is observation of patterns in people. I have realized that I needed to pay more attention to my own patterns.

A while ago, I mention how I bought a large calendar and gave myself stickers when I did the things each day that are important to me and my overall outlook on life. My friend Scott Ginsberg, rates himself on a scale of 1-10 each day.

Two months out, I have already noted the patterns. The most important is that I figure out a way to work in what I know either brings me joy or helps me feel better no matter what--I don't want that space bare on my calendar.....It is a "Little Thing" yet, it does remind me every day what I have determined is good for me.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

Exercise hard to get into your schedule? Write it on your daytimer or put it in your PDA as a scheduled event. Would you miss or ignore any other appointment that is written down? I'm betting not. Thus, put the times you are going to exercise at the beginning of the week.

Don't forget to download my eBook -- 55 Networking Tips....we have streamlined the process.