Greetings! August 2006 Hope your summer has been going great! We still have three more weeks to go, so ENJOY!!! This month's workout is about the Sound of Silence and explores what is possible in the silence of not doing. I am rolling out some new teleseminars on How to Price and Market Your Workshops for those who are looking to or already run workshops in their business or corporation and the Introduction to Workshop Design is back by popular demand. Details below or at www.thinkpeople.com/workshops.html 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 The Sound of Silence We live in such a fast-paced world with easy access to every possible piece of electronics that it’s hard to imagine how we could have lived without it a decade ago. We are constantly talking on our cell phones, but it doesn’t necessarily mean we are more connected as individuals. We email lots of people throughout the day, but it doesn’t necessarily mean our relationships are stronger. We may have every imaginable channel available to us on our wide-screen televisions and every kind of music in our ipods, but it doesn’t mean we know any more than we knew ten years ago. I call all of these gadgets the “noise” in our life and when we rely on them too much, it can feel overwhelming. They actually take us away from being human and feeling fully ALIVE and turn us into walking and talking machines focusing on achieving goals and acquiring things. When was the last time you heard the sound of a bird chirping? Or the rustle of the leaves at your feet, or the crashing waves of the ocean? Or, even just the sound of your own breath? There are so many sounds we can choose to listen to and surround ourselves with, but in the end, it is truly the sound of silence that brings us back to our center, our soul and who we really are. It can often be the scariest place to be because, in the sound of silence, there are no other distractions. It forces us to look within, here the sounds of ourselves, our thoughts, our feelings, our inner voice (if you’re wondering, “what inner voice?” it’s that one!). When we can first shut off all the external “noise” around us (the radio/tv/cell phone/blackberries/ipods) and then quiet our mind and turn our inner chatter down, it can be amazing what insight, direction and focus we can find. As you enjoy the rest of your summer, I ask you to experiment with this. When you get home, instead of turning the tv on, read a book, or sit outside and hear the sounds of nature. Instead of getting on the phone right away, spend some quality time with those in your own home (even with your pet!). Instead of reading your email or surfing the web, sit quietly and ponder some deeper questions like, “What do I really want? What lights me up? What difference do I want to make? What do I most enjoy?” And, begin to get to know yourself better. It is in the silence that you come to know your truth. Cheers, Jean M. DiGiovanna Monthly Workout: The Sound of Silence Take on the following questions and process: As an experiment, pick a day and track how much “noise” exists in it. In other words, how often are you on the phone, computer, watching tv, listening to your Ipod? What % of your day does this take up? What would be possible for you if you cut that % in half? What might you replace that time with? Create a “silence” list and jot down on this list several activities that bring you more inward or ways to appreciate the outdoors. Add to the list the following questions to ponder: What brings me joy? What do I really want? How can I make a difference? What is possible for me? Who do I want to be? Pick a new day and practice cutting down your “noise” level by 50%. Replace the “noisy” time with an item on your “silent” list, be it an activity, or a question. As you are taking on this activity or pondering a question, begin to notice what you experience. As your mind begins to wander (which it often does), notice it, take a deep breath and come back to the “silent” list and the activity or question you were looking at. Remember, practice makes progress. Take small steps to shift how you spend your time and what you surround yourself with and notice what shifts in you. I look forward to hearing what you experience! (please e-mail me at jdigi@thinkpeople.com) Poem of the Month: The Sound of Silence I have had this quote in my home for many years and felt the need to include it here this month instead of creating my own. Enjoy!! “Listening to your heart, finding out who you are, is not simple. It takes time for the chatter to quiet down. In the silence of “not doing” we begin to know what we feel. If we listen and hear what is being offered, then anything in life can be our guide. Listen.” ~ Anonymous Upcoming Workshops, Events, Announcements THINKPEOPLE's WORKSHOPS How to Price Your Workshop - Teleseminar (Over the phone) Wednesday, Sept 20, 2006 4pm - 5:15pm EST There are many factors to keep in mind when considering pricing your workshop or seminar. This teleseminar will take the mystery out of pricing and outline the critical success factors, a reusable process and common pitfalls to avoid. Cost $35 plus cost of phone call.Includes workbook. To register or for more info, see http://www.thinkpeople.com/workshops.html How to Market Your Workshop - Teleseminar (Over the phone) Wednesday, Sept 27, 2006 4pm - 5:15pm EST There are many ways to market your workshop or seminar, but which will give you the biggest bang for the buck? This teleseminar will review the critical components to include in your marketing copy that will draw attention, ideal marketing sources to target and tips and common pitfalls to avoid. Cost $35 plus cost of phone call. Includes workbook. To register or for more info, see http://www.thinkpeople.com/workshops.html Introduction to Workshop Design Thursday, Sept 28, 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 $95 Early-Bird fee before Sept 17 $115 after. To register or for more info, see http://www.thinkpeople.com/workshops.html PUBLIC APPEARANCES Network of South Asian Professionals of Boston - Jean presents Speak with Confidence - Move Ahead in Your Career Thursday, Sept 21, 2006 6:45pm - 9:30pm Brookline Holiday Inn. NetSAP Members $10, Non-members $15. Whether you are on the phone, in a 1-on-1 meeting with your manager, leading a meeting or participating in a meeting, your delivery and communication make a lasting impact. This presentation will uncover your greatest challenges, identify qualities of effective communication and introduce a model for speaking with confidence that will increase your effectiveness and help you move ahead in your career. Details, see http://www.netsapboston.org/events/prof_careerspeech06.html EVENTS & OTHER WORKSHOPS Making a Difference Through Your Work - Learn from Zipcar's Success - Boston Women's Network Tuesday, Sept 12, 2006 6:30pm - 8:30pm   Brookline Holiday Inn Join us, as Robin Chase, co-founder of Zipcar, shares her experience and lessons learned with creating a company founded on the core value of improving the quality of people’s lives. She will discuss how you can make a difference and find meaning in the work that you do. To register or for more details, see http://www.bostonwomensnetwork.org Curious about ThinkPeople's other services beyond Coaching? Check out Corporate 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 ©2006 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