January 18th, 2012 by admin
My 5 year old started playing hockey this year. Driving to his hockey game today, I was smiling (both on the outside & the inside) thinking about his last game – he scored two goals. That’s 3 total for his hockey experience to date. I am acutely aware though, that although I am proud of him & excited for him about the goals, I am more enamoured with his tenacity. Nate’s on the ice as early as 7am for some games and practises. He hadn’t held a stick before September and was just grasping “the walk skate”. He’s falling how many times and without skipping a beat bounces back up and ‘chases’ the puck & his team mates.
I am in awe of his curiosity and ability to learn the sport as quickly as he is. I am wowed by his attitude regardless of how many times he has fallen or missed the puck. And I am thrilled that he is learning the importance of what team means. That’s where my pride comes from. That’s why I am proud of him.
I think Nate feels his own pride for everything I just shared with you. I see it in his eye sparkle and hear it when he replays the experience for me. This got me to thinking about us adults… How often do you really, truly feel pride or proud of yourself? And what do you do to celebrate?
Imagine what allowing yourself to sit & steep in that pride for 30 seconds would give you for the rest of the day. Now imagine a minute (I know, now I’m “talking crazy talk”). We all, individually deserve this skill to do this for ourselves, and the time to enjoy what it gives us. Wonder if you’ll give it a try?
Tags: Adults, Amp, Attitude, Awe, Chases, Crazy Talk, Curiosity, Games, Hadn, Hockey Experience, Hockey Game, Last Game, Nate, Pride, Puck, Replays, Rest Of The Day, Sparkle, Team Mates, Tenacity
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January 6th, 2012 by admin
I ask you this question as openly as I ask it to myself. And I’m exploring it because I believe that although many times in life we think we have the best intentions, we sometimes (often?) lose focus on our own values and life priorities – the stuff that we love, that energizes us, that makes us tick and inspires us to live this life as we (individually) want.
Here’s the list I’ve come up with for myself so far:
- I listen without judgement and can be counted on (from commitments to birthday cards) by family and friends alike.
- It scares me how much I love ice cream. It makes my day. I love the texture, its coolness and its ability to make me smile at first taste.
- The outdoors makes me tick. Fresh air is like fresh perspective for me. It clears my head, it de-stresses me, it reminds me of what’s important to me. Jogging in the morning reminds me of my life priorities, walking at night allows me release what I need in order to have a good sleep.
- I am a closet (and car) singer. I’m terrible, but I love it, and have vowed to sign up for singing lessons by September 2012. I want to learn to sing one of my favourite songs in key. Who knows…maybe it will become my life’s theme song!
- I am committed to living my life without regret and am one of the most honest people you will ever meet. I share what I am feeling and lead with my heart often.
- Reading is something to which I treat myself. Nothing better than a good book to immerse myself in.
- After a 20-year hiatus I am back on the tennis court. Although I am consciously incompetent, it’s been a thrill to start the game again and I’m keen to get better at it!
- Parenting is the hardest thing I’ve ever done…and considering I’ve bungee jumped, sky dived and ran marathons, that says something.
- Being vulnerable. Vulnerability to me is the courage to lose. If I am open to and living that life value every day, then I am at my best.
- And as my sweet friend Julie simply reminded me, “Be Nancy”.
That’s a start on me. Now – who are you? What are you really about? What’s one of your life’s favourite moments and what are you prepared to do to get more of them? What makes you laugh like a kid? What do you dream about? What’s your ultimate dream?
Explore, enjoy and give it back to yourself. You deserve it
Tags: Best Intentions, Birthday Cards, Commitments, Coolness, Favourite Songs, First Taste, Fresh Air, Friend Julie, Good Sleep, Hardest Thing, Hiatus, Judgement, Life Priorities, Living My Life, Marathons, Nan, Singing Lessons, Sweet Friend, Tennis Court, Walking At Night
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January 6th, 2012 by admin
I was recently facilitating a training session with a group of twenty-five employees all from the same company, and part of a large organization. Knowing we’d be working with each other for the full day I started with introductions to’ break the ice’ for the initial connection. Simply – everyone was asked to introduce themselves in 30 seconds or less. Thirty seconds, depending on the situation, is not a lot of time. Here’s a sample of what people shared:
“Hi my name is _________. I’ve been working at _____ for six years in the role of _______. I live in _____ and am the parent of two teenage boys, Sam and Pete.
Hello. My name is _____. I’m a National Account Manager and have been in this role for 5 months. I transferred from the Vancouver office and so far so good.”
Is this similar to what you would say if you asked to introduce yourself to a group of people? Take 30 seconds and think about what your introduction would be.
What struck me from my session that day was what wasn’t said. The examples shared above are roles we play in life, important roles. But what we often skip is who we really are. Think about it…who are you really?
Tags: 5 Months, Initial Connection, Introductions, Large Organization, National Account Manager, Six Years, Teenage Boys, Thirty Seconds, Training Session, Vancouver Office
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