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Hello! The leaves have been falling here in Connecticut, signaling
for me a new chapter -- of hunkering
down for a period of "stepping back"
-- re-evaluating and re-prioritizing
what's important to me in life and
work. In this process, I've had a
few realizations I'd like to share.
Your Mission
I've formulated a new mission for my work and business
going forward, which is to help
thousands of women (dare I say a
million!) overcome the 12 hidden
crises working women face today.
That's a top priority for me.
Having this mission clear in my mind
and heart helps me focus my time and
energy on what really matters to me.
Do you know what your mission is, for the short-and
long-term? It's a great time to
formulate it.
The Power of "No"
After a bout of laryngitis, I realized too that I need to
speak up and say "No" much more
these days. I'm working on many
endeavors that are meaningful and
exciting to me. But the fact
remains that I must move away from
activities that are less vital to
me, and learn to say "yes" in a more
selective way, if I wish to remain
healthy and balanced.
As the holidays approach, what can you say "no" to, to keep
you from overstraining and
overdoing?
Women in Numbers
Along the lines of saying "yes," in the past week, I met
with two terrific groups - the
Society of Women Engineers -
at their national conference in
Baltimore, and the Passion Project
gathering, at their monthly meeting
in Bridgeport, CT. Both of these
gatherings reminded me of just
how enlivening women's groups can
be, to foster connection and
inspiration, and to bring about
positive change in the world.
Is there a group you've been wanting to join, that shares
your visions and interests? Find a
group to connect with today, and
lend your voice.
Helping The World
In speaking about my book these days, I continue to be awed
by one of my amazing interviewees,
Theresa Wilson (featured in Chapter
13 - Falling Together after Falling
Apart).
Theresa is the Founder of
The Blessing Basket Project
(www.blessingbasket.org)
and is a powerful role model for how
to utilize all that you've
experienced in your life (the
traumas and triumphs and everything
in between), to act on your deepest
longings to help the world.
Theresa inspires me through her continual commitment to
help others by reducing world
poverty, one blessing basket at a
time. I plan to buy her blessing
baskets for my holiday gifts to
friends and family this year, not
only because they're beautiful, but
also because they support Theresa's
powerful mission of blessing both
the makers of these baskets and
their communities, as well as the
recipients.
Here's a brief TV clip about Theresa's work. Enjoy!
Theresa
Wilson on "Great Day St. Louis"
Are you longing to help others and the world? Now's the
time to take action.
Coaching: Help
in Turbulent Times
I'd like to share with you too a segment of a highly
informative "Community Forum" cable
TV show (Channel 23) serving
Danbury, Ridgefield, and Bethel,
CT. I participated in a show that
aired on November 5 and 6, hosted by
Susan Shaner of Sage Leadership
Strategies LLC.
This show explored the "Power of Coaching" as a tool to
guide us in turbulent times. I
participated in a mini-panel with a
wonderful life coach and speaker,
Betsy Thomas (see
www.betsythomas.com). We had a
great time, sharing our different
views on the power of coaching.
Here's the YouTube link - I hope you enjoy it:
Community Forum TV
Bottom Line:
My message today is that if you have longings to help
others and the world, then
you are meant to help others and the
world. Please don't
doubt it. Find a role model who's
doing what you envision for
yourself, as well as a friend or
coach who can keep you accountable.
Listen when they say, "What's
stopping you! I dare you to do
this!" And then take action.
Wishing you a joyful Thanksgiving, full of cherished
moments of appreciation,
connection, and fulfillment.
Many happy breakthroughs,
Kathy
P.S. My book's new website and blog have arrived, at
www.breakdownbreakthrough.com!
Please feel free to share your
thoughts and experiences of your
breakthroughs there. |
Ellia Communications, Inc. is a
coaching and consulting company
specializing in helping professional
women break through the 12
hidden crises they face today. Ellia
provides executive, life and career
coaching books, resources, and
seminars that help individuals
achieve passion, power, and purpose
in life and work. Kathy Caprino, MA
-- Ellia's Founder & President -- is
a work-life expert and author of
Breakdown, Breakthrough: The
Professional Woman's Guide to
Claiming a Life of Passion, Power,
and Purpose (Berrett-Koehler, 2008).
A national champion for professional
women in crisis, Caprino is a
trained psychotherapist, specialized
career and life coach, writer and
speaker on women's issues. 