Greetings! April 2006 Ahh...the warmer days are finally upon us! Spring is often a time of clearing out the old and bringing in the new. This month's workout is about simplifying and takes a look at how much is "enough"? Spring is also a great time to get back into balance. I invite you to check out the upcoming workshop on Work/Life Balance called Balanced or UnBalanced? Your Life. Your Choice held Tuesday evening, May 16th from 6:30-9pm in Arlington, MA. In addition, an Introduction to Workshop Design is back again for those looking to design, develop and deliver workshops. It will be held on Tuesday, June 6th. Details for all workshops are below or at http://www.thinkpeople.com/workshops.html. Happy Spring!! If, at any time, you would like to unsubscribe, simply go to the end of the newsletter. Cheers, Jean M. DiGiovanna, President, ThinkPeople Monthly Theme Monthly Workout Monthly Poem Upcoming Workshops/ Events How Much is "Enough"? Today, more than ever, we are so connected technically, yet less connected physically. We are attached to our cell phones and emails, yet so distant from truly connecting with each other. We take on more "to-do's", but spend less time "being" in the moment. We can access information on just about anything in less than 10 minutes, but may never know in our lifetime the deepest desires of our loved ones. We have so much available outside of us, but spend so little time understanding what’s inside. This hit home for me this past week when traveling to New York City on business. At the airport, I saw vast numbers of people who were constantly on their cell phones, blackberries and laptops or watching CNN on the TV screen above. Very few were reading a book, talking to each other or simply just "relaxing" in their chair. Even when I saw families together, the kids were on their ipods and the parents were reading their respective papers. It got me thinking, what was life REALLY like 30 or 40 years ago when we didn't have any of this technology available. Don't get me wrong. Technology absolutely serves a great purpose. The question is, how much is enough? I refuse to purchase a blackberry only because I know if I had access to my email anytime of the day or night, what would I do? I would read it! So, how do we balance all these external stimuli while keeping our mind uncluttered and clear and our bodies rejuvenated and energized? It all starts with getting clear on what you really want. How "busy" do you want your life to be? What do you want to be surrounded by and how much technology is enough for you? If you start to feel stressed or overwhelmed by the thought of being on your cell phone as often as you do, take that as a sign. Your emotions never lie! If you are enslaved by your email or addicted to your blackberry, it’s time for a check-in. As we approach springtime, take inventory of how much you allow technology and outside stimuli to "rule" your life, your energy and your schedule. Begin to lighten your use, ease your load and let go of having to "check" or follow-up constantly. Instead of getting on your cell phone over lunch, take a short walk first and breathe in some real air! Instead of watching TV for one evening, pick up a book and dive into the storyline. I guarantee you will be more energized, rejuvenated and alert when you keep technology at arms length and reconnect with what was given to you at birth...your natural voice, your ears to listen and your heart to truly connect with others. Cheers, Jean M. DiGiovanna Monthly Workout: What is "Enough"? Explore the following process and questions below for this month's workout: What percentage of time do you spend on technology? (How often are you on your cell phone/email/blackberry/laptop?) What percentage of time do you want to allow yourself to spend with technology? What is the gap between the amount of time you currently spend and your ideal? If the gap is greater than 10%, I invite you to take on this workout. What is the one technology you spend the most time using that you would like to minimize in the future? By saying YES to minimizing the amount of time, what would you need to say NO to? Think of what meaningful thing you could replace it with. This is all about tradeoffs and making choices. What is the one action you are willing to take on to minimize the use of this technology in your life? What will you do or be instead? Who or what might you now connect with? Take on this new action and see what transpires! I look forward to hearing what you experience! (please e-mail me at jdigi@thinkpeople.com) Poem of the Month: Enough is Enough Life is not simple anymore. Our inboxes are overloaded, our voice mails are full. The cell phone has become our third ear, And the blackberry, a bull. This is the time to take a step back. Hone in on what’s happening, step away from the pack. Gain clarity and freedom of time and of space. Take control of technology, and connect face-to-face.                          ~ by Jean M. DiGiovanna Upcoming Workshops, Events, Announcements THINKPEOPLE's WORKSHOPS Balanced or UnBalanced. Your Life. Your Choice. - A highly interactive workshop that helps you identify your priorities and leaves you feeling more energized and motivated to lead the life you want! Tuesday, May 16, 2006 6:30pm - 9:00pm Arlington, MA Cost $55. To register or for more info, see http://www.thinkpeople.com/workshops.html Introduction to Workshop Design Tuesday, June 6, 2006 6pm - 9pm   Arlington, MA A highly interactive session for Entreprenuers interested in delivering workshops, but don't know where to begin or those in Corporate who are tasked with designing workshops. You will leave with practical tools and a reusable process to design and develop high-impact workshops. Cost $75 Early-Bird fee before May 31st $95 after. To register or for more info, see http://www.thinkpeople.com/workshops.html EVENTS & OTHER WORKSHOPS Stylefixx - Girl's Night Out - Over 40 Fashion and Accessory Designers from NY & Boston Thursday, May 11, 2006 from 5pm - 9pm   The Cyclorama, Boston, MA Jean will be selling a unique line of handcrafted jewelry for the spring and summer. New designs will be available on May 8th to view at http://www.flamesofgrace.com. To register or for more details, see http://www.stylefixx.com The Ultimate Spring Cleanse: Fast, Easy Ways to Detox Your Body and Spirit Boston Women's Network - Tuesday, May 23, 2006 6pm - 8:30pm   Brookline Holiday Inn Come hear Christi Lehner-Collins, a Certified Holistic Health Counselor, discuss realistic and inspiring ways to detox your body and revitalize your spirit. Leave with your personalized wellness routine for spring! To register or for more details, see http://www.bostonwomensnetwork.org Integrated Awareness® Open Workshop - Self Healing Through Self Discovery Saturday, June 3rd 1 PM – 5 PM. $65  Arlington, MA Bring any issue you would like to work on to this day of exploration and growth! "If you have ever wondered what it would be like to explore your wildest dreams – a life without limits or persistent pain, a world in which anything is possible – you will open the door to that world in an Integrated Awareness workshop with Mark Fourman and Rachel Gakenheimer." – Conna   To register or for more details, see http://www.mfourman.com/GroupWorkshops/OpenWorkshop.htm Curious about ThinkPeople's other services beyond Coaching? Check out Facilitation/Training/ Consulting" I hope you've enjoyed ThinkPeople's Monthly Workout and found it valuable! 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 ©2005 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 ~ Bringing Individuals and Organizations Alive! jdigi@thinkpeople.com http://www.thinkpeople.com/ 617.489.7494