Greetings! April 2003 Finally, Spring has arrived! And, so has ThinkPeople’s April newsletter, just in the nick of time! I let this one “marinate” more than usual as I have been busy tying up loose ends before an extended trip overseas. The delay in getting this out had me start noticing how “busy” life can get and how challenging it is to keep our priorities in line! It’s quite apropos, then, that FOCUS is the theme for this month’s workout. I hope you enjoy the "Monthly Workout"! If, at any time, you would like to unsubscribe, simply go to the end of the newsletter. Have a wonderful May! Jean M. DiGiovanna, President, ThinkPeople Monthly Theme Monthly Workout Monthly Poem Upcoming Workshops/ Events FOCUS is not a 4-letter word! How often do you begin a project or tackle a “to-do” only to find yourself distracted or drawn to something more interesting? It’s so easy to get off-track, especially with those items we have already committed to or feel we “have” to do. What is all too often missing is FOCUS! So...what does focus mean to you? I have to admit, focus is not one of my favorite pastimes! I enjoy so many things that focusing can be torturous! Even the word itself sounds sharp! “I don’t want to, I don’t have to and nobody can make me!” Sound familiar? Having to focus in on one thing feels stifling to me, like my freedom of choice is taken away. When, in reality, by focusing on my priorities, it will free me up to do other things. We all know this at some level. And, we also know that, when we do it, it works! So… how do YOU stay focused? The secret to focus is not in the “doing”, but in the “being”. Focus is a frame of mind. The real question to look at is, “How do you relate to focus?” Do you treat it like a 4-letter word? Or, do you embrace it as something that supports you in achieving your goals? A huge shift occurred for me recently when I decided to play a bigger game in my life that would force me to step out of my comfort zone. I knew it would take greater focus and I also knew my current view of “focus” was limiting me. Something had to shift. In that moment, I realized focus doesn’t have to mean losing my freedom or choice. Instead, I began thinking… “What if focus actually GAVE me freedom, the freedom to pursue what is most important to me so that I can have what I truly want? What if focus actually GAVE me choices, instead of eliminated them?” If focusing has been a challenge for you, I invite you to look at how you currently relate to it and whether it fully supports you in your life. What kind of game do YOU want to play for the rest of this year? Do your beliefs about focus limit you? Or, empower you to achieve what you truly want? This is not about managing your “to-do’s”. This is about radically shifting how you relate to focus so that you produce the results you want. And, doing it in a way that works for you. Amazing things happen when we focus our energy on that which we truly want – it’s like focusing your camera for a beautiful photograph of your life! Cheers, Jean M. DiGiovanna Monthly Workout: Staying in Focus This month is about exploring your perspective on focus. Take some time out to begin to answer these questions below. What does focus mean to you? And, how will focusing help you reach your goals this year? How do you currently relate to focus? Does your current view limit you? Or, empower you to achieve your goals? How so? How do you want this year to be different? If your current view of focus feels limiting, what would need to shift in you to create a new view of focus? How might you relate to focus differently? What’s your new view? From this new view of focus, what is possible for you? For your life? Next Step: Practice trying this new perspective on and notice what opens up and shifts for you and others around you. I look forward to hearing what transpires for you! (please let me know at jdigi@thinkpeople.com) Poem of the Month: Focus Forever unending, Options to choose, Coming from a new perspective, Uncovering the truth. Set your eye on the target and do what works for YOU.                &n bsp;         ~ by Jean M. DiGiovanna Upcoming Workshops, Events, Announcements Soon to be released Stand in Your Power Cards - stay tuned! For all you coaches - Check out Coaching with Clarity Cards, a new product under “The Coaches Toolbox” at http://www.thinkpeople.com/szw Speaking in Europe with Ed Shulkin! May 9, 2003 - at the ICF European Conference in Lake Maggiore, Italy - Click on Adventure Based Learning under "Just Updated" http://www.coachfederation.or g/conference/europe/italy/ Curious about what coaching is like? Call for a 30 minute complementary coaching session. Bring a topic, get a resolution! Call 617-566-8775. I hope you've enjoyed ThinkPeople's Monthly Workout and found value out of it! Feel free to forward to your friends, family and colleagues. To read past editions of ThinkPeople's Newsletters and to learn more about our services and products, visit us at http://www.thinkpeople.com/resources.html If you wish to unsubscribe, please e-mail unsubscribe@thinkpeople.com Copyright Info: ThinkPeople's Monthly Workout for the mind, heart and soul is ©2003 Jean M. DiGiovanna. All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this publication may be reproduced without express written permission from the publisher. Jean M. DiGiovanna, Publisher Amy Rewakowski, Editor ThinkPeople ~ Playground for Shifting Reality jdigi@thinkpeople.com http://www.thinkpeople.com/ 617.566.8775