2016: Chicago Stir the Soul Olympic Bid

Chicago is a city of inspired pragmatists; we dream big, and we deliver.

Our city rose from the ashes of a devastating 1871 fire, rebuilt by a mix of architects, business people and entrepreneurs from Chicago and around the world. We hosted two of the greatest World's Fairs in history, the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and 1933 Century of Progress, attracting over 75 million domestic and international visitors. In 1958, Chicago was the first United States city to host the Pan-Am Games.

This is exciting! It's great to see Chicago in the running for this great event!

Choosing Significance.

I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of LeadAmerica. On the eve of my final day I am incredibly thankful for the chance to enact my dream of choosing a life of significance rather then one of just success.

As quoted in tonight's closing ceremony speech, "Never underestimate the power of one life sacrificed on the alter of significance."

My bags are packed and I'm headed home. This is CGGI signing off, over and out.

I've spent a good part of the morning responding to emails, and sending off my remaining PC reports for this summer. Basically, a taking out the trash kind of morning.

This summer has been good.

With 5 different nametags scattered across my desk, ticket stubs, and a LeadAmerica portfolio, we look ahead. Between writing and reading reports, and designing PowerPoint's, we have real conversations about the future and how we can improve ourselves. I sit with a younger protege and talk about the callous that has a way of developing over a tender heart, and how my most meaningful coaching moments came from the person that was hardest on me. Sitting outside the dance with books and evaluations, someone chases a skunk. At lunch we play geography games and dance around philosophical topics and political debate.

It's August 3rd.
Dear Em,
I am so proud of you.
Little girl with the bouncy energy
now Woman with grace; commanding presence .

We wonder sometimes if we would be able to recognize you from 4 years ago?

Rewarding Strengths

I read an interesting article the other day that got me thinking. Could it really be true that the most creative way we've come up with to reward people for excellence in a role is to still move them out of it?

Sure this is okay for some people, but not for all. Part of what we need to do in leadership positions is to come up with ways to help others pursue more prestige and growth, but that this does not have to be done only by moving out of their role and gaining more respect.

First of all, if someone is good at what they do in one area, it doesn't mean you can move them into another position, except them to grow, and do a) enjoy it or b) have the skill set for it. I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that where someone is weakest, that signals their biggest area for growth and place where they can truly develop and be successful. That sounds like baloney to me. The myth here is that a well rounded person is a better asset, when in fact experts and specialists really bring unique skills sets.

Bottom line we need to get rid of old ideas and assumptions. It's time to realize that

1. Each person's talents are enduring and unique.

2. Each person's greatest room for growth is in his or her areas of greatest strength. (This is the potential threshold).

These are two excellent points to think about. Leads me to believe that yes, in fact, I am going into the right graduate program. (Thought: I don't have to be amazing with numbers!)

Gotta Go Fishin'

Last night somewhere before the staff meeting, we found ourselves entangled in a rousing game of Go Fish. Rousing, you ask yourself and brush your hand against your chin, wondering how that can be, resembling Sherlock Holmes on a case. Well you see this is not just any game of Go Fish, but in fact it's called Value Go Fish. Just imagine asking someone the question - Can I have your integrity? Or can I steal your passion? Yes, we are innovative, we just haven't quite figured out if that's a good or bad thing. But if my smile gives anything away - it's good. Once in awhile we have to remember how to play.

Snapshots'

Testing, 1, 2

Video conferencing, and I helped.

Running or Not.

I've been bad about keeping to my running schedule this past week - literally I think the last time I ran was last Tuesday. It's true. I've determined, along with those close to me, that I need to make sure to get my 30 minutes of high intensity workout in at least 3 -4x times a week. It's either that or read Harry Potter...which according to a close source of mine is "so you!" (but it's long and they wave wands around and use toads as pets). But without the run it seems like my brain goes for mental runs and yeah it likes to do like 20 milers

But honestly these past few days I've felt particularly tired and just drained, and just out of my groove. It's not fun for me or anyone else, so bon voyage groove monster. I could feel it coming on, and was able to spot the signs and managed it by getting some extra sleep and getting a more intense walk in. But I need to do more - I haven't had a whole lot of energy to do my run, but by golly I'm going to get it in tomorrow even if it is 100 degrees outside or call me a rappscallion. In addition, I haven't been able to attend church cause of work, but try to render this by journaling and of course daily communes with God.

But life is really good, and I cannot complain. I have health and good teeth :), exciting things in the works, great relationships (mmm hmm), and my faith (amen sister). And I know I'm blessed. This being said I'm back on the boat and steering the wheel due north.

So it's time to refocus.
Goals for the rest of the week include:
- sticking to running / workout schedule (sweat sweat in the humidity woot!)
- making time for at least 30 minutes to read / journal during day
- eating healthy = less caffeine (tea ok)
- fun, fun, fun enjoying last week of LA

You can hold me to them or call me ....old. Which cannot happen b/c let's face it, I have way too cute of a face to ever be called...old.

Sarah Bareilles

This is a new artist I'm listening to - Sara Bareilles. She's just starting to pop up. Her newest album, "Little Voice" is the #1 album on iTunes. Check out her song "Love Song" below. I like her b/c she's an alto (aka I can sing her voice part) and she plays the piano, and has some soul in her voice. Check out some of her other music at http://www.sarabmusic.com/.

Live Feed at LeadAmerica

Today at the Global Business & Entreprenuership conference that I coordinate for LeadAmerica, we tested out some new waters and brought in a guest speaker via Live Feed. I was super impressed by the MacBook technology and pretty much sold on purchasing one myself.

Below you'll find a quick recap of our speaker's presentation. Check out Acumen's Wanderings for more and a YouTube clip. Pretty neat stuff!

Business Mythbusters (aka 5 Misconceptions of Professional Life)
1. Entrepreneurs don't have bosses.
2. I've got a full social calendar, so I'm out the door at 5pm everyday.
3. Right out of college I'll make 100k, drive a new car, purchase a house and vacation in Europe.
4. If I only had an iPhone/Blackberry/laptop/venture capital/etc I'd be happy and succesful!
5. Life is fair.

Man v. Market (aka How to Separate Yourself from the Pack)
1. Learn to lead
through following.
2. There are more important things than salary.
3. Your reputation is your most valuable asset.
4. Think differently.
5. Always put the team first.

It's always engaging and fun to test out new channels for communication. I think this was the first time a conference has ever gone Live Feed! Very cool!

The 5 "I's" of Change

PricewaterhouseCoopers partner, Toni Addison, points out the 5 "I's" that can create or hinder the possibility for and the momentum of large-scale change.

Ignite - It's necessary to have someone to jump-start the process. There has to be an individual spark to create a larger flame. (This is the who - who will make the waves)

Involvement - If you don't have involvement from the senior leadership team and at the grassroots level, you are not going to see change gain momentum. (Get support, get buy in)

Inertia - If you don't reveal and change the context for the existing organization's assumptions around the way things aer done, you're not going to get anyplace. People are unlikely to challenge the status quo and will revert to past assumptions as a way to deal w/ the future. (Explain and provide logic for change. The why)

Integrate - Organizational systems must complement the change you are making. If you make large-scale change around diversity, for instance, you need to align the change with and include it in training, compensation, performance, management systems, coaching, and business objectives. (Get everything on the same page. Build consistency!)

Incentive - Individuals must understand what's in it for them. They need to feel they will benefit from the change. (How does it specifically relate to them)

Note from CGGI * I think this is a good model for approaching change on a large scale. It identifies necessary steps and things that need to happen in order for the change to take root.

In leadership, it's no longer doctrine that creates a following; it is dialogue.

And it's more valuable to engage, than to influence.

This is how meaning is created for each member of the team.

Authenticity

Authenticity: undisputed credibility.

Real leadership, powerful leadership, leadership in 30 days. Leadership can be packaged in many different ways, but when it comes down to it leadership needs to be authentic. The word authenticity hails from an existential philosophy of knowing and understanding thyself. Today, authenticity for leaders is the first step towards effective leadership.

When broken down, the concept of authenticity has two parts according to Dr. Naddaff, president of the Management Research Group.
Authenticity is
1) know thyself
and
2) express thyself.

Knowing thyself is the seeking to understand who you are - your beliefs, values, needs, wants, emotions, character. It's learning what makes you tick, what makes you work, and what makes your heart sing. It's basically a lifelong walk. (Spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically)

The second part, expressing thyself is the set of behaviors that we use to fully express who we are, to show our true selves to the people around us. (Expressing all of the above)

So the question that beckons today's leaders are - do you know yourself? And if so, do your behaviors genuinely reflect what you value, believe, and love?

Everyday I try to cultivate and know myself better. Sometimes it resembles digging in the garden, pulling out the weeds and making sure there's room for growth. Other times it simply means practicing and making time in my life for the things that make me feel healthy, and enjoy.

The act of actually writing in my journal, or running a few miles are the ways in which I can express myself, and who I am. That's why learning and educating myself are two of the things at the top of my priority list, because they foster a) knowing myself and b) providing me with different approaches and ways for me to express myself.

The bottom line is that when those we lead see that our knowing and expressing align, then and only then are we truly practicing authentic leadership. It's when we truly come alive. The whole energy that we are made of is channeled. And when this energy is channeled, that's when we engage others, and spark the fire.

Again, this is a lifelong journey. But to begin we have to do the work. And it starts with lighting the match, adding another log, and moving the embers. Only then can we watch the flames grow.

Enlightened Power

In the book I'm currently reading, Enlightened Power: How Women are Transforming the Practice of Leadership, there's a chapter specifically called "Influencing for Impact." It looks at the term power and what it means - but more so how influence is directly synonymous with the term power.

The author points out that one important step in developing your influence skills is to identify where your own power resides. She points out that acknowledging and analyzing the bases of power that we possess does not always come easily to women. Women can tend to downplay their strengths and have a hard time with the word power.

Power comes from many sources - knowledge and expertise, financial resources, position/title, and certainly relationships you have. The different types of power are outlined below:

The 5 Bases of Power

* Resource Power - having control or access to needed resources or rewards. Resources could be funding, materials, critical information, or assistance. Tricky part with this power is that it can easily shift or change, resources can be taken away (ex: budget cut).

* Position Power - this is your title or rank within the organization. This represents where you are on the totem poll. While people may have to comply with you, it doesn't mean they are committed to you.

* Coercive Power - based on threats and manipulation. This power rests on positional power. Threats may get you what you want, but you will most likely also inspire resistance and hostility at the same time.

* Expert Power - information, knowledge, and subject matter expertise. This can sometimes be where women sell themselves short. Research shows they may downplay their expertise to avoid looking like they are egotistical. Often attributing their success to "luck" rather than hard work. (Important point. Recognize the power of decisions you've made, and the hard work you've put in. Don't pass it off as luck).

* Relational Power - basis in who you know and the quality of those relationships both internal and external to the organization. This base of power is built upon trust and length of history with the relationship. This tends to be the key to most leaders' success. (Key: if you can't build trust w/ folks, you cannot have much influence over them).

Of course communicating our ideas, expertise, or needs is the next biggest determinant of whether or not we have the ability to influence others. But that's a subject we'll save for next time.

Until then, learn and lead.

Google Maps Goes MappyHour

Happy hour food and drinks on Google Maps MappyHour shows you a Google Map with bars that offer happy hour food and drink specials. It's easy to rate bars and add new ones to the database. Roger says:
MappyHour lets you scope out and plan your pub crawl before you leave the house or office. It includes happy hours (if available), drink specials, and even food to pour your beer on top of. It has many American cities and a couple of international ones (Sydney, Melbourne).
The biggest cities are the best developed, but users can add pubs, as well as ratings and reviews for any location. If there are no reviews for a bar, the site links to Yelp reviews. It also looks like the bars themselves can buy space on the site to list their drink special and hours.
Limitations: The review system’s a little wonky. I lost a review I wrote by trying to pinpoint the bars location better. Also, it only shows the nearest 50 bars to your location. If an excellent bar is the 51st closest, it won’t show up.
There are some competitors (Unthirsty, Stumbling Donkey), but MappyHour rules the roost. Link
(care of Boing Boing Blog)

Everything Little Thing is Gonna Be Alright...

I've turned on some Bob Marley. He's playing in the background as I put a little lipgloss on (cherry flavor) and get ready to head out of the house. Everything little thing is going to be alright. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves of that, or at least have good buds around to do that...and by buds I mean best friends from London and funny or a funny/smart boy from Knoxville. Moreso someone with experience is even better, and I have that, keep that secret weapon close on hand for times like these.

Fiscally conservative. It's the devil of me sometimes. Managing to sneak free from debt thus far into my life that the thing known as a loan is like meeting a new friend to me. I don't quite trust the person yet, and am still figuring out how they will effect me and what they a) can help me learn and b) affect my quality of life.

But I make pros and cons lists, and charts and scratch doodles when things start to get crowded in my brain. And now that I've done that and a fair amount of talking I know that no matter what I decide, it'll be good. My track record supports this prediction, and the hard part is over. I already know where I'm going to school and where I'm going to live - and I like that. It's just a matter of setting it into motion now. And I've been training up for this marathon for about 2 years now. It's time to tie up my shoes, throw my hair in a ponytail and enter the race.

Setting my mark...

PS. I'm the fast girl your mother warned you about. Running style'

Sink or Swim Organization?

Harvard Business Online just published an article that points out some very useful and typical characteristics that organizations use to find out how employees will transition into leadership roles if promoted, and how they foster these tranisitions.

Sink or Swim?

• While the company may do a reasonable job of deciding who to recruit and promote, little or nothing is done to help leaders make successful transitions. Regardless of the magnitude of the challenges transitioning leaders face, they are left to figure out their new roles by themselves.

This really is not the best way to help your organization remain successful or foster a nourishing learning environment for the personel. In addition, if the roles aren't defined, how can they begin to do the right job?

• Senior leadership believes that it’s best to test leaders by fire in order to separate the good from the bad. Respected executives perceive efforts to support leaders making transitions as “coddling” or worry that it will blunt the company’s edge in some way.

Testing by fire is a way to burn someone out. I've been there. If the organization wants to establish any culture of leadership, testing by fire is not the route to go.

• The organization makes little effort to help leaders hired from the outside understand the culture of the company or to make the right connections with key stakeholders. Most of the emphasis in the recruiting process is placed on evaluating people for raw capability, and relatively little attention is given to cultural fit or adaptability.

Hire for attitude. For example, person A seems to have the picture perfect resume, 4.0 and a last name of a former politician. They get hired. But then on the job, they don't fit in at all, aren't open to learning, etc. Case in point. Hire people who are sponges.

• External hires often are placed in situations where they are set up to fail. Newly hired executives are told, for example, that they are being brought in for their ability to bring new ideas to the company, encouraged to try to make change happen, but not adequately supported or protected.

We like your new ideas and your flair. You're hired. But once you start we don't have the time to listen to them, or resources to make them work. This is sometimes what happens - definite sinking factor.

• Executive coaching is viewed as remedial rather than developmental. The only people who get coaching, if anyone gets it, are the ones already in serious trouble.

Think about the last time you received footlocker or executive coaching. Was it for a positive or negative behavior? Imagine if you got caught doing something right.

Let's just call this the "Good Points" post.

Good Points:

* It's always made sense to me for people who work hard to be given the opportunity to play hard. I've read different case studies now, and looked at different profiles of companies to see the differences in environments and cultures. While I admit I've only really held one official/real job so far in my life (I'm still young) you can see gianormous differences in the way companies value creativity based on their policies.

- If you want employees to be creative, they need to be rested and alive. So time off should be given as an incentive for folks who can bring creativity to the table. Guy Kawasaki makes a Good Point in saying that people are also much less prone to make mistakes if they are rested. It's better to avoid making mistakes, then fixing them.

* Sitting at the local pub last night with two of my girlfriends, I heard an interesting opinion. Both of they thought that our CEO should sit down with them at the conclusion of our yearly cycle and be given the opportunity to give their top 3 pluses and deltas for the year. They didn't understand why he couldn't give a half an hour to each of the folks in this position and why he wouldn't want to.

- CEO's should be the visionaries not the details hounds. While it would be great to get to sit down with the CEO and give him the down and dirty, it's not necessary and really not a good idea. If CEO's are given a chance to get into the details, I just know his head would get wrapped around the axle and suddenly we'd have a huge mess on our hands. Instead, employees need to make sure they are being listened to. This is huge. I tried to help my friends understand this, and see how to go about making sure their knowledge was noted and valued through a different channel other then the CEO.

Discovery: Soapstone Valley Park

So I finally got up to gumption and energy to go for a run. Initially I was just going to hop on the treadmill, but that came to a haulting screetch b/c some dude who pretended to be a runner was using it. Those are the type of people that need to use treadmills I suppose.

So I grabbed my ipod and hit the pavement. Before I knew it though I had wandered onto a dirt path in the middle of the woods. I came to discover that there's a park called Soapstone Valley Park that actually has trails that connect all the way to Rock Creek that's just around the corner from where I live.

It honestly is like a little piece of heaven out there. The landscaping is just like back home, lots of green, dirt, and great trees. I like when things can appeal to my sensual side, it's so often during the day that we get swept away into tapping into our intellectual appeal and logical sense that being able to revel in the green of a tree or the smell of fresh air is taken in with open arms. There are also homes hidden deep into the woods that are pretty neat. I think I'm going to be able to handle living out here for the next year and a half to two years. It's these little things like a park in the middle of my urban neighborhood and the crickets I hear at night that make this a little less like a city, and a little more like a home.

It's all good until you get to the sauerkraut track.

Funny.

Startup: No Place for Passive Aggressive Behavior

A great point has come out of a Musing's from Scott blog post. Corporate vs. Startup behaviors talks about the unique behaviors that must be used when approaching startup concepts. Scott does a nice job of pointing out how passive aggressive behavior may have its place in a large established corporate setting, but that in a startup setting you need to be up front and direct when communicating the bottom line. I've never really thought about communication in this environment sense, but it is true. In a corporate setting you do have to be passive aggressive in order to advance your agenda, but within a startup you better be real and clear about what you think is the best move for growing and expanding your business. If you aren't clear with your board of director's and you just nod and smile, but don't think it's the best move you may end up with your hands tied behind your back.

NYC: Avenue Q, MoMa, and Central Park

Greetings ya'll. It's been awhile, but for good reasons. I've been up in NYC for the past week taking care of business and doing a bit of sightseeing with my boy.

The boy was invited up to be a guest speaker for my business program, and let's just say that kicked off the weekend to a fantastic start. The students and staff alike loved him! (This is a plug to get him to come up to our Boston conference at the end of the month).

After the conference wrapped up and I did a little bit of firing, (yes) we started out the weekend with a visit to Broadway to see Avenue Q. Funny, off beat musical, detailing the truth of life in a comedic fashion - using puppets and lively songs to sing abou tthe facts of life. We were able to get cheap tickets from tkts that landed us in the orchestra section. Talk about a fun evening!

Following that we got up and enjoyed our Saturday morning and afternoon with a visit to the Museum of Modern Art. I got to see Van Gogh's Starry Night - which has been a dream of mine and also laughed at the delightful drawings by Dan Perjovschi. Also among the artistis displayed there were Picasso and Monet. Picteresque way to spend some time with the boy.

After that we headed to Central Park where I was given a 5 star tour of Strawberry Fields and the famous fountain. The boy had lived just across the street from the park for a bit, so he knew where he was going - good thing too. We made it back just in time to catch our flight back home and of course I fell fast asleep on the plane back.

What a fantastic weekend and wonderful memory!

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!

Woot.

I cried tonight. For different reasons, but in the end it all comes back to one thing. I need to put the bags down and leave them, place them at God's feet, put them outside so dog's can live in them. Drive over them, maybe. Whatever that needs to be done so that no one has to carry around those bags anymore.

He didn't mean to give me those 2 bags so early or even at all, but I got them and held onto them tight. My arms got bigger and my heart was enlarged, but I still carried the bags even when it was cold. It's funny how they can become part of your existence. They don't feel like weight anymore and at one point they were comfortable. But they aren't comfortable and I bear a hefty price for keeping them in tow. They've been to Florida. But they aren't going to travel anymore. They've put on enough mileage, it's been decided, they are ready to retire.

So here you go God. Take these bags. I have no use for them anymore. Take them out of my arms. I don't want to hurt anymore, and I don't want anyone else to either. You're the only one that can lift them up now. So - here they are.

Metro Ride Home

It's the end of another LeadAmerica day. Somewhere between Union Station and Cleveland Park, I fell into a moment of sentiment. (girly yeah). I was reading over some notes I had taken that evening after chatting with my English accented compatriate. I wrote the day at the top of my paper before jotting down some ideas. Tomorrow marks the first of July, and that means I have just a little over a month left before I truly transition into my next chapter of life: graduate school, DC, and one step closer towards long term goals...and making millions of course' while pursuing happiness.

While I won't miss pretending that I liked making phone calls for pizza at 7:30pm at night or being able to format an excel schedule in my sleep, they watched me grow up. I was with LeadAmerica since I was just twenty years old. It's evenings like this, when my company is being kept by Dr. Morris that the why I'll miss this place become apparent. There's something inspiring here, and a purpose that's embedded in who I am, so being passionate about what I did was easy -

That's a lesson we can all take away -

I guess what I'm really getting at is that I'm at the crossroads right now. While facing the future, I'm excited but also know that I want to talk and remember right now all the good and the bad, and what they gave me and even a little of what I gave back. Recognition for what I contributed...is there a place or even time for that? Just to sit down over a cup of coffee with someone that's walked this place with me, to digest and really start to wrap my head around all the take aways.

Of course it's only natural that I'm preparing the debrief I'll do on myself. But I want someone else to do it. How ironic. *They should have exit interviews (some places do).

For now, I'll revel and give it what I've got. And inside I'll keep jotting ideas and notes down, and taking snapshots with my mind. There's a joy and a sadness at the same time. And being able to experience both of these at once, well I suppose that's beauty.

Film Review: Paris je t'aime

My first official weekend in my new city abode and I scouted out the local independent film theater. Delicious` Paris je t'aime could easily be one of the best films of the year in my mind.

Before I review watch the trailer below:



No before you give the excuses:
1) I'm not into love stories
2) French. The french, I'm not a fan.
or
3) Subtitles suck.

Note this: It was done by 18 international directors. Hosts a star studded cast including Natalie Portman, Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Elijah Wood, Maggie Glyenhaal, etc.etc.

There are a total of 18 mini stories, one just as compelling as the next. They'd show one story, and I'd ask myself how it could possibly can any better, funnier, or morebeautiful...and it would. The beauty of this film is how it portrays love in so many different ways. Love for your children, romantic love, friendship love, sacrificing love, finding love, and humorous love!

Hint: There's a vingnette about two mimes that cracks me up. Or the one where a deaf guy falls in love and it races through his memories and it's all about how he listened to her music, and her screams (for different reasons) and her rehearse her lines.
Once you see it I can go into more details, but until then find a theater near you that's showing Paris je t'aime.

Graph Guy

This guy is funny. Check out some of his graphs. This one is about productivity since Twitter has been introduced.

The Brilliant Failure

Harvard Business Review has some of the best real life applications and ideas come out of its' articles. In lieu in my recent post about, Failing Fast, they've posted a follow-up article called "In Praise of Brilliant Failure".

They point out the crucial oxymoron that we confront in the work place; we are told that we will make mistakes, that it's okay, and that we should learn from these - but then fingers are pointed, time is "wasted", and we have done nothing to increase our value.

Paul Iske points out, "There is no innovation without failure, and no failure without innovation,” says Iske. “And there is a huge difference between people failing through stupidity and failing because they had a brilliant idea whose timing or circumstances were wrong.” Instead, our failures can help highlight problems in processess, expand thinking, and become more creative.

Criteria for Brilliant Failure:
• There must be an intention to create value (in an organization or society)
• The failure must not be due to a stupid mistake
• There must be some learning
• There must be an inspiring story

Iske went on to set up an institute for Brilliant Failure because he repeatedly saw entreprenuers coming to him, and being turned away for no fault of their own. In order to help them become more successful, he proposed that failure be viewed differently.

**I love this article, and have always felt that every challenge or failure we encounter can in turn help lead us to our greatest successes.

Why I Can't Stop Starting Over

Wow! Great article and probably an even better book!

This entpreneur offers some real life insight in his Confessions of a Serial Entreprenuer. In Businessweek's short interview with Skorman, he comments on the real life and human experience that an entreprenuer needs to recognize. Key points include:

- Get beyond emotion. You have to make decisions from a logical standpoint, not just an emotional one. (He admits he went into the business wanting to help others, but found he had to let go of the emotion to really help others). If he was successful, he was better able at helping.

- He found out he was better at helping others start business rather then starting one on his own.

- Taps into naive vs. arrogant. There's a reason so many super start CEO's are young - and it's because they can take risks, and not from an arrogant place, but rather a naive place. Naive is better then arrogant.

- Mentors! Some of his richest resources were the people in his life who supported him and shared their wisdom. Have mentors!

Black and White Apples

Why does Apple charge $150 more for black laptops than for equally-configured white ones?

Apple’s pricing decision was no doubt influenced by its experience after
introducing a black version of its popular iPod in the fall of 2005.
Although it was priced the same as the company’s traditional white iPod and technically identical to it, demand for black units quickly depleted the company’s inventories, even as white ones remained in stock. Because the black version was new, it stood out, causing many more buyers to order it … By the time it introduced its new MacBook models in the spring of 2006…it charged more for the black machines simply because it could.

From Freak Economics Blog

I Can Hear Them All

Foolish, evil, and stupid. Those weren't just words thrown out after a few glasses of wine, but rather choice words used to describe the very atrocity of the concept that there is no absolute right or wrong in this day in age. Is this what society is evolving into?

My chicken scratch on the church bulletin from Sunday reminds me of what those three words really stand for - moral relativism. It represents the idea that there is no universal standard for which to assess an ethical proposition's truth. That instead each society's morality is relative to it's own cultural and historical influences.

The preacher was the one who helped string all of these different thoughts together. It made more sense when I heard the phrase core values. That today instead of asking, what's the right thing to do, people are asking - is there a right thing to do.

We've turned to politics to help answer this question, which is the wrong place to look. Instead we have to go back and look more closely at and examine our beliefs. We can't just let everything fly anymore, we have to know who we are and stand up for it.

Fab. in DC

Back in DC post the NYC craze. Why it's good to be back:

- sleeping in own bed
- running
- catching the senators in the afternoon voting (including Obama, Clinton, and my rep. friends).

and oh, being able to drive to Knoxville for the weekend. I'd say I'm doing swimmingly well.

Besides my foot having a blister at the end of the day, and yes I still ran, I think the march up the hill was worth it.

- ETM in the City

Leaders Do the Math

John Maxwell recently published an article in BusinessWeek on the mathematical principles of leadership and how leaders can be adders, subtractors, dividers, or multipliers. I recommend checking it out. I reflected on the management and leadership styles I've experienced in varied work environments and was able to pinpoint some of the subtractors and multipliers I've run across in my day. It's amazing to see how one can be classified into one of the 4 categories and the real impact it has on the big picture, vision, and atmosphere of an organization.

The contrast between the adder and multiplier is most interesting. Sure, the adder is a valued form of leadership, and adds to the lives of those they coach, but the multiplier is the higher form of leadership that really enables and motivates those around them to do and be better. Adders lift people up, multipliers add to those whose lives they touch.

Any time you want to measure the contribution of a leader—living or dead—use leader's math to do it. More important, if you are a leader, use it to measure your own contribution. Here's the good news: Anyone who wants to can become an adder. It takes only a desire to lift people up, basic leadership skills, and the intentionality to follow through.
But I encourage you to take your leadership to a higher level—to become a multiplier. To do that, one must be strategic, skilled, and highly intentional. It doesn't happen accidentally. But if you do add value to others, you won't have to worry about how others will characterize your life when it's over.

Love It!

Online Ecosystems

The internet has not only created a new way for people to interact, learn, and work from, but also provided a new ecosystem for business to be born.

In today's Drudge Report, Google Agrees Changes on Privacy, Google is attacked for keeping users personal information on file for longer then 2 years. The European Union data collection agency filed a report and cited Google for breaking the law. Of course Google spoke out against this, and made radical moves to shift their current policy regarding privacy, and the systematic way they hold onto searchers personal information.

Shortly after I read this article, I flipped to the Wall Street Journal to find an instant rebuddal to this very attack. What has sprung out of privacy, google, and personal information has been a highway for reputation management companies. Cited in Bad Online Reputations, companies by the name of ReputationDefender and DefendMyName have made a killing helping to protect their clients from looking like monsters when their names are searched. Depending on where their name shows up, and how many hits they get, a negative display of information may show up first thing when the individual is searched on Google. These companies have learned to generate an income based off of other online companies very purpose.

What's most interesting is how one cause leads to another effect, and another business is born. Reputation management companies have found yet another place in this new online ecosystem.

Failing Forward

The Harvard Business journal online has recently posted an interesting article about how failing can actually significantly lead to further success. Specifically, if you are making the same mistake, it means you aren't learning things, but if you are making mistakes, it means that you are trying and doing new things.

Interestingly enough, they definitely recommend the debrief technique to help failing push you forward. By taking the time to approach the problem from a non emotional standpoint and to review, it provides adequate time to recognize where change needs to happen and what can be done better.
Check it out at: http://discussionleader.hbsp.com/sutton/2007/06/learning_from_success_and_fail.html

DVD vs. VCR People

Today's management principles identify key elements that help us to better understand how different generations approach the professional environment and what they seek.

- Digital Thinking VCR vs. DVD people

• VCR people see a logical order to approach things. There is only one way to go from A to Z


• DVD people can skip around - this represents today's generation.

- Self Expression

• Today's generation needs to feel like they can bring creativity to the table. They don't like to be put in a box or to be told what to do or how to think.

- Star Emergence Power (Impacting the Game)

• The young workforce needs to feel like they are impacting the outcome and play a significant role in creating success.

- Free Agent Mentality

• Statistics show that today people will have roughly 7 - 9 different jobs in their lifetime, unlike the previous generation that usually had 1 - 3.

Engagement and self investment will not occur from today's workforce if the task is perceived as mundance or boring, and if the staff perceives no possibility of affecting the outcome.

Key Principles II

Research demonstrates the the single greatest factor of service that staff provide is determined by the manner in which they are treated by their manager.

Things consider to make a good manager to today's generation:

• Be Likeable - passion, integrity, and honesty


• Actively build in fun - connect and communicate


• Reverse coaching - catch them doing something right

I'm not sure if I neccessarily agree with the mindset that today's generation has towards the professional environment or career path, but these are good things to keep in mind as the summer progresses.

Creating a Culture

95 % of all our concerns and challenges can be prevented by generating and creating a culture.

1. Problems are self-created - problems are not reality. Problems are things that we define as such.

2. Challenges are self-fulfilling - we can overcome these, and decide exactly how we want to do so.

3. Set the agenda, win the debate - if we establish the environment, we can control 90% of what's happening and the 10% that we cannot we are prepared for. If we set the agenda, we set ourselves up for success.

4. You cannot sell what you don't already own - in order to teach or get buy in from others around us we need to take ownership over what we are preaching. Ownership means we believe in it.

5. 212 degrees water boils, at 211 degrees it does not - one degree makes a huge difference between steam and water.

6. People wear nametags, nametags do not wear people - do not forget the reason why. We are serving the person, not the nametag.

The Path Becoming Clear

An email from one of my professional collegues:

"An unrelated but important FYI - I met a colleague, via my network, who has a training business and is looking for soft skill trainers. The catch is that he doesn't pay my daily rates - more like xxxxx day depending on the contract. I mentioned your background in leadership training, and your potential availability in the fall when you start graduate school. If you're interested, I'd like to connect the two of you later this summer. It could give you some paid experience, and give him a very good source for use in his training programs. He's trying to expand his leadership training business but lacks the trainers to expand...We can talk this summer - I'll have some things going in the fall as well but they don't materialize until later in the summer."

This is the beginning.

DC

DC Update:

DC is a fantastic city to live in. Public transporation friendly, intellectually vibrant community, and geometrically challenging (note, i've gotten lost only twice). Oh, and 5 dollar tickets to hot summer evening baseball games - Washington Nationals style.

It is rather fun to ride the metro to and from work, and the people watching could not get any better. But my favorite part was running home in the rain and watching as passerbys under umbrellas smiled. But in close second comes the Pier 1 associate who let me borrow the dolly from the store to wheel my newly purchased bedframe up the street. This is city living, and it makes me come alive in new ways all over again.

I am so blessed to have found such a sense of contentment in my new home.

- DC ETM

FL to TN to DC

I loaded up the car Thursday night, went to work on Friday and made it to Knoxville, TN by Saturday morning. 3 suitcases, a packed car, and 2 diet cokes later...

I made it! After a 14 hour trip, a relaxing vacation by a pool, quality time with the boy, and a few freckles later, I made it to my destination: DC. Today I will officially begin my residence in Washington.

Ha'

Road Trip Prep: No Looking Back

Things are shapping up. I've managed to pack a bit each day, and even move some items to the car, so I'm not caught moving everything at once. Smart you say, yes, I know. I've worked in conference planning for a bit. After recovering my music from itunes, I'm back on track with my road trip preparation. Of course no road trip is complete without its own soundtrack. So far the following artists have made the cut:
Sheryl Crow

Tom Petty
Bob Marley
Johnny Nash (I can see clearly now the rain is gone)...this seemed fitting
Sugarland
U2
OAR
Eve 6

Some hard rock.


I'm looking forward to hitting the open road and digesting this Florida experience before I hit my next destination. It's been good and it's been real. I am so excited about what the future holds. There's no looking back now.

Spiritual Cowgirl

I overwhelmed myself for a brief moment today, when I looked around my room and saw suitcases, boxes, and random items set against the wall opposite of my bed. I asked myself how this would all fit into my car, how I could possibly drive 15+ hours and move into a place I've never set foot into yet. How could I move this stuff all by myself....

But then reality kicked me in the butt. I've done so much already to prepare for this move, between lining up the moving people on my own, getting the storage unit, researching and looking for the right apt/neighborhood, and of course finding the program that fit me perfectly. Although being buff will help with the picking up and placing items in the trunk thing.

It's just funny sometimes how I can go from looking at myself in the mirror, and saying, "Wow you are one independent woman...making the drive and move to DC all by yourself! Go girl..." to the same voice saying...yeah how are you going to do that. Then I kick myself in the butt again, and, suddenly come back to reality fast, mostly cause I don't want to have to kick myself again.

I've realized part of change and moving and growth is the little pre-jitterbugs. It's the energy you need to get yourself to that next level. So instead of thinking of it as anxiety, it's really just my brain kicking in and letting me know I have the energy, stamina, and momentum to take the horse by the reigns. The difference between who I am now and who I was before is that the horses used to be galloping all at once all over the place, but now I have my trusty steed, and I'm pointing him in the direction where we need to go.

PS - I do admit I'll be smiling as I pull away. And I just may give my horse some whiskey at the end of the ride;)

Last Friday in Florida

President of....

Good news! Looks like I might have the opportunity to work on a prototype that is being pitched to VCs, Hewelett Packard, Apple, and Microsoft. I'm so excited.

Each of the doors that are opening continue to confirm that this is what I want to do.

Key Largo

Living in South Florida has provided me with quite the number of opportunities, but I have to say I was a very blessed girl to be able to take advantage of Key Largo this weekend.

The boy and I headed down there on Thursday night and enjoyed the landscapes and treasures that the tropics had to offer. Highlights included snorkleing off the coast via John Pennekamp State Park, seeing 3 Baracuda (!), and learning how to dive underneath the surface of the water. Yes, the boy happens to be a really great teacher - and his skills even extend beyond giving me directions and teaching me to dive. The reef was really cool, and the feeling of swimming among the fishes and coral was undescribable. Loved it, and I even have a snorkel to prove it. If you have a chance to go - you should.

Beyond a beautiful hotel, a bed so big you could get lost, and drinks on the balcony, the company was the best part. The political debate was rich and the laughter was plentiful. It was truly a great last goodbye and hoorah to Florida, and a great start to the next part of the journey.

Daily Trivia

Something for you brainiacs'

George W. Bush is the 43rd president of the United States. George W. Bush is the 42nd man to be president. How?

Kolb Learning Style - The Doer in Me

I'm introducing a new learning inventory to the leadership program I work on for my organization. I was excited today to have received the background supplement from my Director that I could start creating the presentation and weave it into my curriculum. I also took the inventory myself, and once again proved only what I've known all along.

The Kolb Learning Style Inventory is designed to help one understand how you learn best in educational settings and everyday life, as well as identify how to improve personal and professional relationships within different team settings.

My results yielded:

I take in information via Concrete Experience (CE) - learning by experiencing

• Learning by experience and specific experiences
• Relating to people
• Being sensitve to feelings and people

I deal with information via Active Experimentation (AE) - learning by doing

• Gets things done
• Risk taker who influences people and situations through actions

My learning style is:

Accommodating

which involves the primary learning modes of active experimentation and concrete experience. Individuals who embody this style put ideas into actions. They find multiple uses for whatever has been learned and accommodate/adapt to change. People with this style learn by "doing." They enjoy hands-on experiences that invovle new challenges (Very true. I do new thigns so I can keep learning). They make decisions based on information gathered by others and thrive in action-oriented careers like marketing, sales, and business. (interesting). These people work well with others, like field work, and test different approaches to completing a task.

Overall Result: I seek out and exploit opportunity, take risks (DC here I come), and lead & influence others through my actions. I am best put to use on a team by choosing and creating goals, or executing solutions.

The above clearly explains why I never read directions before putting a bike together. I like to learn best by doing. So it isn't just me being stubborn, it's me trying to learn my best. ;)

Bikini Bliss.

During my lunch today I had to make a Target run, and the Target near my work happens to be a Super Target. When you go in there's an escalator and everything; it's almost intimidating.

I had to pick up some basic items like Draino (since I live by the beach, I manage to clog the drain with sand now and then, it's the price I pay for being a beach babe), a toothbrush as I conveniently left it in CL, and some car coolant. In my hot pursuit for these items, I wandered into the bathing suit section. "Caution," I told myself. Bathing suit sections have never been a play zone for me, but rather a massive nightmare made of lycra bikini halters, triangles, and sports tops. Somehow God made me not so proportionate. I seemed to have inherited a chest that doesn't equal my waist size, and therefore unless I can buy both parts separately the usual 32Cs just don't cut it. The only bathing suit that's ever really done it for me is from France, a purchase made on the island of St. Martin. Great....

Some women would sing their own praises at this discovery, but for me it can be uber frustrating and lead me to feeling like I want to either go pretend to be a 5'4 midget model for some Victoria's Secret catalog and put this "gift" to use, or donate some of the girls to some poor chic who needs a bit.

However, today we had a breakthrough. Thank you to SuperTarget. I picked up not just one, but two bathing suits that together totaled the same price I paid for my French bathing suit. Score! Additionally, it was fun to purchase a size 2 bottom with a large top. I showed that lycra monster who was boss. No less...it's a type of top I've never been able to wear before! It's black top (sexy) in banedeu style. (see pic. of model above.) I'm totally all over this workout/healthy thing for life! So here's to being two different sizes, and having to deal with a little extra on top when I run...or getting starred at by 8th grade boys...because... I'm feeling beautiful!

Me and Sleep

Sleep is essential. We already know this. Studies show...we all know 7-8 hours a night.

I flew back from Chicago the other night, and landed at midnight. Final hitting the below around 1am. Over the past year I've really come to notice how important sleep is for my functioning. As a high energy person, I give a lot all the time, whether that's emotionally, physically, or intellectually. But it's super important for me to make sure I'm consistent in my sleep patterns. It's easy to notice if I don't get enough sleep - I get a bit grumpy, and a bit irritable. Roomies, parents, boyfriends, they can all attest that I'm a very chirpy girl to be around, but if I haven't gotten enough sleep - don't push my buttons! Probably because the place where I function normally, runs high rpms, and when I don't get enough sleep my mind and body still want to rev that high, but don't have enough fuel to. So the engine poops out.

So next time I'm irritable, just say, go to bed and call me in the morning! Wrap me up in blankets, turn off the lights, and run :) Guarenteed I'll be back to my magical self by the time I rise the next day!

PS. I can even be pretty comical when I sleep. Sometimes I tell stories.

Paintress

On the job' in Illinois

Mom and I totally are all over the home project thing. So that little lie about females and manual labor, yep it doesn't apply to us.

Charles Taylor "Sources of Self"

Charles Taylor, a Philosophy professor at Northwestern University was recently awarded a monetary sum that exceeds the amount given to Nobel Prize winners (1.5 million). The John Templeton Foundation, which awards cutting-edge research in science and spirituality and progress in the marriage of the two honored him with this award this month.

The foundation's mission:
In the Charter establishing his philanthropy, Sir John Templeton expresses that his Foundation should serve as a philanthropic catalyst for research on concepts and realities such as love, gratitude, forgiveness and creativity. Twenty years later, the Foundation continues to fund rigorous scientific research and related cutting-edge scholarship on a wide spectrum of "Core Themes."
note: the foundation does tend to favor conservatives, and has supported financially individuals like Milton Friedman.

Taylor goes onto state in his interview that, "We don't understand what's going on unless we understand that as human beings we are spiritual beings" and that our preoccupatins are not simply social, economic, power or pride. That we are also concerned with finding meaning to life, dignity, and being recognized also in the sense of being fundamentally good. Our quote "spiritual hungers."

I am intrigued by his latest book produced "Sources of Self" as it analyzes and looks at the big questions, and how the modern identity is formed and its many facets. He examines the differences and origins of moral values and spiritual values, their institutions, and backgrounds. Should make for an interesting read.

Letter of Recomendation from my Father to my future Husband

(prelude: this is a bit of a comedic poem that was inspired through some of my reading)

I don't know who you are yet, but
I want to explain a few things.

In 1983, our first house had birds nests
in our chimney and porch.
They made sounds like she did when she was first born.
This is why we call her hummingbird.

Our family is almost 100% German.
All 10 grandchildren have blue eyes and blonde hair,
she is the only
one
with brown eyes.
She has the deepest eyes you've ever seen
and the deepest heart you'll ever know.
Be gentle, kind, and pray with her.

I moved to Boston when she was 11, for a new job.
She stayed in IL with her mother and sister.
My eldest daughter was older then most her age.
She watched her sister
and her mother.
And locked the doors every night.
She never once complained when
I couldn't make it to her concert, instead she just
said that she had an old soul and understood.

Small attentions
are all she requires.
Tell her you never saw anyone
so adept
at making pancakes.

Still, your life will not be easy.
Just look at how much energy she has.
She'll keep you moving.
And what's this about taking a hike in the rain, or painting the bathroom, or the researching the best type of dog to get?

You must understand --she doesn't see the world clearly.
Once she screamed, "The woods are on fire!"
when it was only a blue cloud of insects lifting from the trees.

But she's a good girl.
She likes to kiss
and be kissed.
I remember mornings
she would wake me, stroking my whiskers,
and kissing my hand.

She'll tell you -- and it's true --
she prefers the blue of your eyes
to all the blue seas of heaven and earth.

An Attitude of Gratitude

Being grateful for what you have zeros in on what is working, which in turn magnetizes more of the same. Where you put your focus is where you direct your creative intention; so if you want abundance, be grateful for the vitality you have now. If you want a soulful relationship, be grateful for the soulful moments. Gratitude is like a seed you plant; it grows more as it is watered and nourished. Show those around you what you appreciate in them and let them know that they have a positive effect in your life. The acknowledgement of good will call forth more of the same. This is something that we can all work on.

DNA.

Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA is a nucleic molecule that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all living organisms. The main role of DNA is the long-term storage of information and it is often compared to a set of blueprints, since DNA contains the instructions needed to construct other components of cells, such as proteins and RNA molecules. However, there is one rare and peculiar case that was noted in 1983.

Instead of carrying just the necessary DNA information to develop and function, as I grew I also replicated a rare strand known as happiness and joy. There are few and far between that carry this unique genetic code. Symptoms usually include optimistic outlook, smiles since birth, and urge to create and maintain a joyful environment. Again, it was proven today that I did in fact possess this makeup. Someone smiled just because I'm me. Happiness just might be in my DNA.

My New Fav - Will Ferrell

This has to be my new favorite Will Ferrell movie moment from Stranger than Fiction. It's the song, Maggie Gyllenhall and the fact that she tells him "I want you too" Plus, how can you possiby not love Will while he sings "I'd go the whole wide world just to find her." oh, so cute!

Tragedy or Comedy? You Choose.

The thing to determine conclusively is whether you are in a comedy or a tragedy. Life has to be one or the other.
Have you met anyone who simply might loathe the very core of you?
If you answer: I'm an IRS agent. Everyone hates me.
Well, that sounds like a comedy!

or you might just make someone meatloaf and chocolate pudding, and know you are comedy.

But really - there are measurable differences in the tragedy hero and the comedic protagonist. The way each major character views, reacts, and thinks about life places you in one category or the other.

Each of us in the end boil down to either a "Tragedy" person or a "Comedy" person. It goes beyond taste in movies, but more in the way in which we approach life. In my comedic protagonist ways, I like to keep the plot moving along. I may suffer occasionally from lack of patience. Like right now and my need to move my butt up to DC.

But I also recognize being a comedic protagonist means believing that we can move beyond our human conditional flaws, that each person does want to do good (some aren't sure how), and that we can choose - choose our lives ultimately.

So the next time you feel down, ask yourself, is your life a tragedy or comedy? You can choose, and you can choose right now your next movement in plot.

True.

As Harold took a bite of Bavarian sugar cookie, he finally felt as if everything was going to be ok. Sometimes, when we lose ourselves in fear and despair, in routine and constancy, in hopelessness and tragedy, we can thank God for Bavarian sugar cookies. And, fortunately, when there aren't any cookies, we can still find reassurance in a familiar hand on our skin, or a kind and loving gesture, or subtle encouragement, or a loving embrace, or an offer of comfort, not to mention a good run with no socks on, soft-spoken secrets, and Fender Stratocasters, and maybe the occasional piece of fiction. And we must remember that all these things, the nuances, the anomalies, the subtleties, which we assume only accessorize our days, are effective for a much larger and nobler cause. They are here to save our lives. I know the idea seems strange, but I also know that it just so happens to be true.

The Squid and the Whale

A social commentary on the family unit, I engaged in a thought provoking Friday night with a independent film, The Squid and the Whale. At base level the title appears childish, and vague, but the movie provides room for greater dissection through it's consistent metaphors to Kaufka's "Metamorphisis" and the frequent references to Pink Floyd's "Hang On."

The characters, the plot, and the quick liners are funny, gut wrenching, and hit you on a visceral level reminding one of times when we perhaps experienced our greatest strength during our greatest pain.

When the two sons are forced to reconcile their relationship with their parents post divorce, they react out in order to assert themselves and their identity. In the final moment, the eldest son meets with the school therapist and is asked to recall one of his favorite memories. Having retailitiated against his mother, he ends up revealing to the therapist that his most authentic moments of happiness were actually with her.

In the end the movie truly shows how impactful language can be, and it's effects on our relationships. Beautiful.

Brains are Sexy.

What I've been up to:

Interviews with-

Achieve Inc.
ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development)
IHEP (Institute of Higher Education Policy)
NCCEP (National Council for Community and Education Partnerships)
AU Advisory for FWS students

Packing my most precious things into flimsy cardboard boxes that I'm sure movers will treat with the utmost of care.

Registered for masters classes! Feel smarter already

Details, details, details. Countdown has begun till my summer programs are launched. I'm past the part where you hammer the nail into the wall, now I'm hanging up the picture, and making sure it's in balance.

Cheers to work and all that je ne sais quois!

It's About to Get Cheesy.

It's about to get cheesy, bear with me. I'm going to gush and be a girl right now. Considering that I have Alicia Keys "If I Ain't Got You" playing in the background and I'm entering into the ultimate girl time of the month, (yes men you know it's your fav), the time when I'm feminine and my curves feel extra curvy, I'm going to allow myself to take a moment, or two or three.

Maybe you've experienced it, maybe you haven't, but I have. The point where you're in a relationship, and the person becomes more and more attractive to you everyday as time goes on. It's that everytime we talk, or are together, I constantly get reminded of why I'm attracted to him - like when he makes me laugh when I'm feeling a lil feisty or takes my hand when we pray.

It's the inside jokes about "boob presses" and wheely chairs in the kitchen, and the fact that we both know a few Phil Collins songs. Go ahead and laugh, we do too. And the fact that I find the way he eats popcorn so cute, or how I really enjoy power cleaning his apartment - and like doing "home projects" together (okay so maybe just hanging up the shower curtain while drinking vodka tonic). But still, it's that we accomplish things together.

It's knowing that someone supports and believes in you just as much as you believe in them. And that if you are having a bad day, or need to vent - that persons there, and can bring it all back into perspective, and remind you how cute of a butt you might have, and that your brain is just as sexy. Gosh, how can you not love that. It's that he helps me to be the best version of myself, and inspires me everyday to be a better woman. And that I help him to be a better man.

I'm really a blessed girl. A blessed girl whose extra big heart has found someone extraordinary to love. It's good, about as good as cheesy can get.

Crocodile Hunters.

Look mate, I see a big one... I bet if we snap a pic, well scare the croc away! Hurry smile and shoot! (australian accent)

212 Degrees

At 211° water is hot. At 212°, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And steam can power a locomotive. The one extra degree makes the difference.

Turn up the heat.

And with that it's off to the gym this Saturday morning.

Risk Taking

Vision is not enough, it must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps, we must step up the stairs.

Vaclav Havel

If you believe that you deserve the opportunity, put yourself out there. Then put your plan into action.

You know it's a good day when...you get a card with a piece of dark chocolate in it. My staff is really trying to butter me up. I like it!

I just had a most wonderful weekend. Picture your favorite dessert, filled with lapislazuli, the best homemade chicken noodle soup, raindrops, handsome boy, and dogwood flowers. Still doesn't give it justice....

Mi amor crece cada día.

Wonderful. Buenos noches'

If you're boss is in a bad mood do you (for many days):

a. Smile and say hey how are you?

b. Submit approval for a vacation request day

c. Say, lead by example?

d. Think about the fact you are leaving early tomorrow, at 11am, from the office on a Friday.

Yep, and then I offered him tea called "positivitea"

on the list:

renovate a house and build a large walk around porch on the front.

Interesting.

Women may be scarce in senior management, but here’s an intriguing finding: Those who do make it into the executive ranks get there faster than men. So conclude researchers from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business and Loyola University who analyzed data on nearly 10,000 Fortune 1,000 executives to create one of the most granular pictures we have of companies’ executive makeup. Though nearly half of Fortune 1,000 firms still have no female executive officers, those that do seem to be aggressively hiring and promoting them into the top ranks.

Harvard Business School

she likes it rough

When I tend to not have time to workout I pretend to do funny stretches and yoga in my hotel room or bedroom to keep me flexible. The kind where you lift your leg over your head and then bend it backwards. So yeah. But the thing I really hate is when you get knots in your neck and back. It keeps a girl up at night.

So when this happens, I'm not one who runs down the street to get a massage, first and foremost the thought of having some person I don't know run their hands over my body while I'm not clothed...it just kinda freaks me out. Especially if the massuse were a male. (yeah im conservative, even been called prissy, but don't get any ideas). its my midwest upbringing.

This being said, someone in my office, another female volunteered one morning in DC to just give me a little back massage as I was working at the desk. It felt good, and as my shoulders were getting a rub down I thought to myself, ow this hurts a bit. Blamed it on the knots. But the other morning when I had just gotten out of the shower, I squinted a bit to notice a small blue smudge mark in the reflection of the mirror, between my shoulder blades. Ow! I said as I pressed it to see what was up. I turned back and forth, taking stock of the beating I’d received for the sake of a small massage. Then I smiled the smile of a very satisfied customer and got dressed for work.

I always did like it a little rough.

A wise person recently shared with me the 80 % 20% rule.

You have to make the decision and go there which is the 80% knowing what's going to happen

The 20% is having faith, and until you are committed to the decision and you're there you won't be able to fully uncover or know the 100%.

This is the 20% miracle factor.

I like it.

Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

proverbs 3:5-6

Very early on Sunday morning, the women came to the tomb, taking the spice they had prepared.

They found that the stone that had been covering the entrance had been rolled aside.

Luke 24:1,2

Jesus is risen. Rejoice and be blessed.

I usually don't do this...

I usually would'nt do this, but I apologize, I am shocked.

I went to the gym for the first time since I've been back today and got on the scale. I stood there, and had to keep moving the little weight down, I was thinking any minute it would even out. But it didn't, I had to keep pushing it down. Until it was under 120, and just above 118.

I haven't weighed 119 since I was in high school, maybe a semester during college. But really I can't remember the last time I was in the teens. But it makes sense now. No wonder everytime I put on my pants it feels like they need to be washed or shrunk again. I just want to look and be healthy, and not like some stick girl with a boys bod. Thankfully, even if my curves around my hips are getting smaller, there's one portion of me that manages to stay curvy (see top).

So after my scene at the gym, I decided to go out and buy a new pair of jeans. A pair that would fit. I'm standing in the dressing room, with an armful of jeans - sizes 2,4, and 6. I put on the 6, too big, put on the 4 too big. (what*!?) I put on the 2 and they fit, even with some room.

This is a day in history. Size 2 me. But don't worry my personality is still plenty big:)

The Tiny Monster, and the Confident Woman

I am happy and back in Florida. Sun's shinning through my blinds right now as I wake up.

I was so blessed these 3 weeks. I learned a very important lesson, one that I would not have learned if it hadn't been for my job and it taking me to DC.

Going to DC I thought I had already made my decision about grad. school, but after spending some time up there, looking at apartments, and then receiving some news on DePaul my mind was a bit frazzled and well - overwhelmed.

Talking to some good friends (blessing #2 of the day) and talking with myself I realized that I was letting some little monster called fear get into me.

Eventually with all the talking I was doing about school I realized a few things:
There was a reason I left Chicago after I graduated, a reason that I moved to Florida. And it was because I did not feel like Chicago was the place where I wanted to settle down, that I was not ready to settle down and that I wanted more. More experiences, more networks, more learning. For me, that meant I had to take myself out of my usual element. (hence chi-town to fl move).
Well I'm in the same boat again, and so I came to the question - why would I go back to Chicago if I knew I wanted more, and that it wasn't the place for me to rest my bones. Exactly.

I mean, I would be very frusturated with myself if I ended up going back to DePaul only to find that out again. So I visited a class, met with my advisor, and have been seriously pursuing the DC apartment search. *i think i've found one* (should know this afternoon). Keep you posted, also send a few prayers up that I get this job I'm interviewing for at AU on Friday.

I'm ready to venture somewhere knew. I'm excited and refreshed about the idea. And I look forward to taking all of you there with me.

So thanks friends and thanks life for helping me to realize that I need to keep going, and to let that confident woman (see picture below, note big smile) emerge even more, and tell that tiny monster fear to take the backseat.

Spring!

What a great time in DC!

Staircase through the Clouds

It's not one decision that will make me significant, or even successful for that matter.

It's tiny decisions each day. Picture it like a staircase that goes up, up, and up through the clouds. You may have an idea of what your goals are, what it looks like, you may want a family, or think of the ideal job. But perhaps its fuzzy right now. That's okay. You have to keep climbing up the stairs, each day getting one step closer. You might not be able to make out right now exactly what it looks like, but it's there, just keep climbing.

ETM Notes:

It's better to make an investment, then to just have an impact. Investing is adding to something, adding to someone else.

It's better to be significant, then just successful. Significant it making a difference in someone else's life.

Excel Spreadsheet and Alll

It's funny how things work out sometimes. Just as I was about to firm up my decision to DC by signing a lease, DePaul rushed in the door and grabbed my attention. It's hard to not pay attention to something that says "we'll offer to pay your tuition"

Here I thought I was going to be that person that made a decision early on, but it ends up that I still have many factors that are coming into play and will have to weigh into my decision-making.

I've crafted a spreadsheet (excel and all) that compares the two schools, costs, programs, expenses (w/ position and w/o) and how it lines up with my long-term goals. It's given me more perspective, but I still need some more answers. I pray that God will continue to make my path straight as I seek out wisdom to best utilize my time and energy.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do,and he will show you which path to take.

Love it.

my daily smile.

It's really nice to receive an email from someone who sees you the way you'd hope the world would. I especially like the part where she put "big juicy heart that hugs the world all the time..."

Emily.. meet Rae.Rae ... meet Emily.

I know it is important that you connectwith one another. Emily.. Rae is well...let me just say... she's one of the brightest Ray's on the planet...integrated, a natural leader, andmaster presenter. Of all of the peopleI know, she is the person I recommendthe MOST to speak at your leadershipconference in DC. She is incredible.If it doesn't work out for this conferenceI think you still need to meet. Somehow.There's just a bunch of stuff. Youwill see.......

And Rae, Emily will give you hopefor our future. True hope. Radiant energy, clarity, quickened mind and big juicy heart that hugs the world all the time.

Rae is traveling a bit but I didn't wantto not connect you.... NOW.

There are Hippies and There are Republicans.

Hippie filled weekend, only to find a hippie filled Monday morning at work - hug circle and all. Now that my feet are clean and I've grounded myself back into reality, it's off to DC tomorrow morning. It's that time of year again. Time for the cherry blossoms, the PVI, and my favorite of all - the students (okay the look in jefferon's eyes, reflecting on the tidal basin, resonating the republican spirit, is a close third).

I'll be up in DC for about a month, taking care of business on all ends. Hopefully finding and securing my future residence beginning at the end of May, registering for my first semester of grad. school classes, and interviewing for a GA position.

Other then that I'm blessed to have spent my last weekend in Florida with my boy. We not only enjoyed the sun, drinks, and each other but also lots of great music. The time we spend together is relaxing, but also engaging on many *different* levels (* the type thats very healthy for mind, body, soul, and heart). It's seems like everytime we are together it's the best time ever, but only ends up becoming even better the next time. Who does that?!?! We do'

Bon voyage` be blessed and be loved.

We're our own dragons as well as our own heroes, and we have to rescue ourselves from ourselves

*locate where your deepest ambition coincides with the greatest gift you have to give*.

This basically explains to me why I do need to go onto graduate school. It might appear to be a conundrum, it might seem selfish that I'm just going to be focusing on "myself" for a few years. But it's recognizing that by improving upon my strengths I have a better chance of improving the lot of everyone whose life I touch. It's me seeking fullfillment of my fondest desires in such a way that I can become a fount of blessings to others.

Cookie, I told myself, I have to give you credit. You are one funny gal.

Think about the time you...

- were hungry late at night, put a pizza in the oven, woke up to the sound of the smoke alarm, and thought it was your buzzer;
- found a piece of birthday cake wrapped in a napkin, inside your purse and had to spend *what felt like* a whole afternoon killing ants in your apartment;
- have nicknames like bird and bug, yet somehow still make them resemble some form of cute;
- and last but not least, use corners to help you park instead of lines. that's original~

*added bonus point, are able to be giggly without any added preservatives*

*We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospection.*

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

For Lent, instead of doing what most people do, which is giving something up, I decided to take a different approach. What if instead of giving something up - like coffee, or chocolate, or the coca cola addicition you might have, what if I added something to my life, something that would actually advance my knowledge and faith towards the kingdom of Heaven. I'm not by any means saying that by giving up something you aren't doing that, but I am saying, think about WHY you are doing it.

For myself, I decided adding a daily devotional reading to my morning routine would be something I could do to get further into the bible and my study of it. I choose to concentrate my studies for this Lenten season around Proverbs. It's been great, instead of watching the news in the morning, I'm settled in on the couch with my oatmeal (it is a meal) and my Proverbs. It's like a vitamin, and possibly better and certainly not as nasty tastin. The first few chapters are written from the perspective of a father to a son. The verses are full of down to earth advice, but the common message is this "Get wisdom at all costs"

Second, I like the Proverbs 31 woman. She's a noble character, a female, who works and provides for her family and friends by using her unique talents effectively. She is a noble women, who is worth far more than rubies. She brings all those around her good, and works with eager hands. She sets about vigorously - meaning seeking out opportunity and her light is always shining. She is gracious and generous, extending her hands to the poor. She cares for her children, and raises them in faith. She supports her husband, and encourages him in his faith and good work. And she doesn't fear, for her faith is stronger then earthly mishaps. She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

In studying this, I am provided with a great example of a woman that is both faithful and vigourous, possibly even outspoken. She knows the way of God and therefore can live out loud. Amen! Loud I am!

ID

Where is my LICENSE?!!? It's seriously starting to get to me. Normally when I *lose* things it's usually only me misplacing things. But now, when I actually need my license, I can't find it. Of course. And I need to travel out of town next week. Hopefully one of my wonderful parents will mail me my passport - I just have to have them figure out what house it's at. Ah. Life. I guess this is what happens when you don't have a permanent home, you seem to have belongings all over the place. Can't wait to finally make my next place more like my home, or at least a little more permanent:) Only a couple more months now...