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Well, it's about time I bookmarked my own blog! Check out this amazing list of personal development blogs/sites/communities! Feel free to post this on your blog...and, the encouragement out there is to add a site or two that you know of! I'm going to go through this list, and see if I know of any to add!
Continue reading ""The" list of and for personal development" »
Who knew, when I started consulting in 2000, and then started my own Executive Coaching program in 2007 that I would spend that much time in the air?
In a cab, in New York City
American Airlines: Program to Date Miles: 597,392
Lifetime United flight miles: 539,149
I love the travel aspect of my life...and, if anyone out there is every looking for a TRAVEL TIP, just e-mail me, and I'll add a quick post here to this blog!
Waiting for the 2012 Olympics to start!
One thing people ask me often is: How do you do it? How do you stay engaged, focused, and productive when your so dependent on someone else for transportation?
In front of the Washington Monument
Later this weekend, I'm going to write about last week's adventure. (Long story short: I drove 624 miles overnight to get to a client site to present a Workplace Performance seminar!)
I read Brian Dowd's e-mail newsletter every couple of weeks (thank you Brian!). In the last issue, I found a couple of nice "reminders" as summer comes to a close. I remember as a kid each year about the middle of August I started "looking forward to school." Of course, I was one of those kids...felt much more comfortable in the hustle and bustle of eduction, friends, and adventure.
Now that summer is coming to a close, I realize I have a few things to look forward to for the fall and winter months! My summer was full - work, play, fun, down time and up time... After reading Brian's newsletter, I spent some time reflecting on the place of recreation in my own life.
Now, I realize that recreation has a bit of another meaning to me, and Brian helped me think about that.
Take the words in parts:
- RE
- CREATE
- TION
re: again, over, one more time
create: to make, to do, to produce
tion: the action of, to act
So, how do I get ready to get back into it, and stay engaged? It's one of the things I've been writing and speaking about. (Don't worry, you've not seen much of it here on my blog because I'm saving a few things for the book we're writing!)
Here is an idea from Brian (and for more, consider checking out his website and joining his newsletter).
Most of the leaders I coach run at high speeds and their vacations are no exception. Like a high performance vehicle, the ability to drive fast and far is accompanied by a need for maintenance and time
off the road.Your high performance leadership requires maintenance and tune ups that can only be done off the highway.
Here are some ways to re-create.
1. Solitude
Get away from all inputs and let your mind and spirit wander. This will allow for digestion of the information overload and it will give space for new thoughts to surface.
I've talked about this before, but here is a short recording. (Just under 4 minutes...)
Click on this picture to open it, and then click below to listen to a description of this technique
I met Elliott Masie 7 years ago, as an attendee at the 2000 TechLearn conference in Orlando, FL. Since then, I've stayed in his network. Every now and then, I get news, ideas, and information that adds tremendous value to my work, my life and my career.
Here is a note I received recently...
Dear Learning Colleagues:
We have just recorded an interview with Dan Pink, the author of "A Whole
New Mind". Dan has articulated six key appitudes that learners will need
in our changing world:* Design!
* Story!
* Symphony!
* Empathy!
* Play!
* Meaning!
I had the honor of sitting with Dianne Gubin early in 2007 to discuss some of my approaches to "engagement and time management."
To see a link to the episode, just scroll to the bottom of this page.
I really enjoyed this quote attributed to Albert Einstein. (my iGoogle page opens up each day with a new quote by him...this one was especially inspirational to me...)
Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means.
Well, I thought I'd share an update on how things are going, what we're up to, and how the rest of the year is looking...
+ On the business side of things, Jodi and I have ramped up quickly and effectively. For anyone out there who's ever gone into business for themselves, you know how many things need to be handled - and, it usually seems like we're managing them all at once!
+ We did get to fly in a private plane this month...very cool way to travel!
+ We've gained some new clients both in and out of state. The great news is that I'm doing a lot more of the longer-term executive coaching that I found so valuable over the past few years. When I get to work with and meet with someone on a monthly (or even weekly) basis, it all seems to get better...faster.
+ We're in "post-production" on an audio product we'll make available later this fall. The money-back guarentee is already ready to go: This audio product will save or gain you 5-30 minutes a day!
+ On the writing side of things, we're writing regularly for print and on-line magazines, as well as feature articles in leadership journals. The feedback is positive (we even had one person ask if she could forward our latest newsletter to over 1,200 people at her work).
+ We're writing the chapter titles, and getting the content together to publish a book ourselves. The focus: Making Things Possible: How, in a world of limitless opportunities, you can focus on the most important things.
+ On the athletic side of things, I've got my last triathlon of the season scheduled for 30 September. It's one of my favorite races - to be held in Carpinteria, CA.
+ I raced "with" Hunter Kemper this year in NYC. (Ok, he started 2 hours before me, and was second place overall in the race!) He "should be" representing the USA in the Olympics next year. A real nice guy...
+ I'm already in the planning stages to spend 6-10 days riding through France next July (yes, probably just after or during the Tour). So, if anyone out there is interested, let me know and I'll keep you in the loop! (If you're up for something shorter, in the near-term, consider joining us on 22 December for the Womack Annual Century ride in Northern California.)
Oh, and this September I'll visit:
Lincoln, Nebraska
London, England
Seal Beach, California
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Novato, California
New York, New York
If you have a Mac, and you are interested in learning about a piece of "productivity software" that I've used for years, consider sitting in on this recording of a presentation I attended some time ago. I also got to speak mid-way through, demonstrating a few of the ways that I personally use mindmapping at work and in life.
Here's a link to a pdf I submitted for people to see during my presentation:
Download Overview of Jason's Presentation
Presenter: Mindjet’s Senior Software Engineers, Scott Thompson and Jeff Lynch, along with customer speaker guests.
Description: Get an up close and personal look at MindManager 7 Mac’s most talked about new product features and capabilities. Hosted by Mindjet’s top Mac platform developers, you’ll invited to an up close and personal demonstration of MindManager 7 Mac’s most talked about new product features/capabilities. Hosted by Mindjet’s top Mac platform developers, experience MindManager 7 Mac’s new Outline View, Select by Rule, Map Printing Improvements and more. You’ll also hear from MindManager Mac customer speakers about how they use the product and view the lively Q&A session where Mindjet answers all your burning questions.
I received a note from Jens today letting me know about A Small World. I'd like to join that Social Network, but it seems I need to be invited from a current member! If anyone is willing, please send an invite my way...thanks!
