I always like to spend some time reflecting back on the current month and do so on the last day of the month. I ask myself - what was I grateful for that happened during the month (this one is easy for me as I write in a gratitude journal every day (thank you Oprah). I also think about what lessons I learned whether they were good or bad. So for May, this is what showed up for me.
I am grateful for the beautiful weather we experienced this month. South Florida may be getting a bit warm and humid but the sun was out and living across the street from the ocean, we get wonderful breezes. Given the horrific storms that affected Alabama, Missouri and Oklahoma in May, we are lucky down here. I am also grateful for visits from dear friends from Tennessee, the good health of our children and ourselves. My Women of Tomorrow seniors got to celebrate at their senior luncheon in Miami; Daphney won a $2,000 scholarship. I get to work with wonderful clients who embrace change, including some new ones. I took up golf after 15-years and am now starting to play every week. I attended the annual ASTD conference in Orlando and met some very interesting people, became aware of new innovative training programs; and spent quality time with old friends in Orlando.
The lessons I learned - literally Golf lessons which I need as I am a bit rusty. I continually learn to listen, slow down and embrace the present moment. I have had conversations that after rewinding, know it would have served me to have taken a step back and thought or breathed before I spoke. I am learning not to label people or pass judgment which is important for me as a coach. Everyone has their life challenges, experiences and agendas and I only have control over me.
I am looking forward to what June has in store and what shows up or disappears. I just have to let it happen.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Lessons on Effective Booth Duty
I attended the annual ASTD conference held in Orlando, this week. I have spent many a time manning booths for companies I have worked for in a past life. I really enjoyed the experience some of the time and always engaged people who stopped by or walked by. Since I now coach, I don't have the opportunity or responsibility anymore but I enjoy attending conferences and now love to walk through, engage people at the booths, observe who is effective and who is not (without judgment). So here are some of my observations:
What works - People who introduce themselves and ask questions including who you are and what you do before they tell you everything about their service or product. They don't get on their phones or laptops or sit in a chair. They don't have conversations with their co-workers, ignoring the people walking by. They look sharp, presentable, have energy and are mindful on how to pull people into discussions. The booth has something fun or food as give-aways or enticing marketing material. Their company branding is fresh and up to date.
What doesn't work - People who immediately have to share everything about why you need to buy their services or products without knowing if you are the ideal possible prospect. People who are there because they have been told they have to work at the booth and they would rather be somewhere else and it shows; they are disinterested in engaging people in conversation so they get on their phones, text messaging, are on their laptops or talking to their buddies or co-workers. They sit down if there are chairs or stay in the back. The message here - "I don't like being here", "I have to be here" or "I don't know what I am suppose to do" (no one has told me how to be effective). High pressure selling is also a no no and a turn off.
The most active booths at this particular convention were the ones with hands-on learning, opportunities for people to interact, there were speakers, gadgets, games, food and the booths were just full of positive energy. Yes, there are large companies with big budgets who go all out to get people to the booths but you can also be small but effective by who you have there representing you; being clear on what your message is and have something that draws people to want to stop by.
I think there is an opportunity showing up for me to possibly create workshops around this that would be of value to companies/organizations and their staff. Hmmm, I need to noodle on this for a while.
What works - People who introduce themselves and ask questions including who you are and what you do before they tell you everything about their service or product. They don't get on their phones or laptops or sit in a chair. They don't have conversations with their co-workers, ignoring the people walking by. They look sharp, presentable, have energy and are mindful on how to pull people into discussions. The booth has something fun or food as give-aways or enticing marketing material. Their company branding is fresh and up to date.
What doesn't work - People who immediately have to share everything about why you need to buy their services or products without knowing if you are the ideal possible prospect. People who are there because they have been told they have to work at the booth and they would rather be somewhere else and it shows; they are disinterested in engaging people in conversation so they get on their phones, text messaging, are on their laptops or talking to their buddies or co-workers. They sit down if there are chairs or stay in the back. The message here - "I don't like being here", "I have to be here" or "I don't know what I am suppose to do" (no one has told me how to be effective). High pressure selling is also a no no and a turn off.
The most active booths at this particular convention were the ones with hands-on learning, opportunities for people to interact, there were speakers, gadgets, games, food and the booths were just full of positive energy. Yes, there are large companies with big budgets who go all out to get people to the booths but you can also be small but effective by who you have there representing you; being clear on what your message is and have something that draws people to want to stop by.
I think there is an opportunity showing up for me to possibly create workshops around this that would be of value to companies/organizations and their staff. Hmmm, I need to noodle on this for a while.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Lessons of Life
Our journey on this earth is filled with lessons as we move through various phases of our lives. When you are aware of this and take some time to reflect on what these lessons are, your life will be less stressful and easier to manage. Looking into the mirror and asking yourself, "what did I learn from this experience?" is a practice that would be helpful to put in place. Simply taking a few breaths and rewinding what just happened....."how could I have reacted differently?" "What did I learn about myself or the other person in this situation?" "Next time I would. (fill in the blanks)" are some examples of reflection. Once you start practicing this, you will find you will quit beating yourself up, reduce your frustration with yourself or the other person and start being OK that what happened has passed and you can move on. Easier said than done? No, but it will become easier the more you are aware of your reactions/actions; what you have learned about yourself in the process and what you could do differently.
Everything is a lesson - many good ones and a few challenges in there to help make us better partners, parents, friends, spouses, employees,employers, etc. Relish the experience and move on. We only have control of the present moment. We learn from our past, we anticipate our future but to get there, we must be in the present moment. There are clues around us all the time to help guide us to new discoveries and better choices. Practice where you are and what you are learning in your life experiences. You will find that Joy, Bliss, Happiness and Fulfillment will be a lot easier to access.
Everything is a lesson - many good ones and a few challenges in there to help make us better partners, parents, friends, spouses, employees,employers, etc. Relish the experience and move on. We only have control of the present moment. We learn from our past, we anticipate our future but to get there, we must be in the present moment. There are clues around us all the time to help guide us to new discoveries and better choices. Practice where you are and what you are learning in your life experiences. You will find that Joy, Bliss, Happiness and Fulfillment will be a lot easier to access.
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