Greetings! December 2006 As we close the chapter on this year and look ahead, I invite you to Take Inventory this month and reflect on what you have accomplished and where you have come. My heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every one of you for your support, encouragement and continued readership! Wishing you a most wonderful Holiday and a Very Prosperous and Happy New Year! 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 Taking Inventory The end of year can be very stressful as we get ready for the holidays and tie up loose ends before the New Year. So, it’s not always the best of times to take inventory of the year you have just had. But, when we can find some down time between the holiday and New Year’s, and reflect on our successes, areas we fell short in and lessons learned to take forward, we set ourselves up for rapid growth and development. How often do you stop and reflect on your successes, whether large or small? How often do you share them with others, and how often do you celebrate them? When things don’t go as expected or you fall short, do you take the time to reflect on those situations and uncover the lessons learned? It is so important for our own growth and development to take inventory, take the time out to reflect on what worked, what didn’t and how we can improve. It is only through awareness that change occurs. And, how we increase our awareness is to consciously take the time out to reflect on what we have done (or not done!). So often, we go from one thing to the next, without acknowledging the accomplishment. And then, we find ourselves weeks, months or years later, thoroughly exhausted and out of steam. Think of your body like a vessel that transports your precious being everywhere you go. If you neglect it, you will soon feel the pressures physically, mentally and emotionally. Before you move into this new and exciting year ahead, take some time out. Even, if just one hour, and reflect on what you accomplished this past year, who you have become, what you have improved in and how you have shifted. And, commit to celebrating your successes! Think of celebrating as a way to re-energize your battery and rejuvenate your soul. Then, reflect on the areas you fell short in. These could be regrets, unmet expectations, disappointments, or unfulfilled dreams. Instead of harping on the failure, explore what the lesson learned is and commit to taking on that new lesson next year. It is in the act of reflecting that we create awareness. Awareness creates choice and choice always brings freedom. Take inventory of where you have come and make a commitment to your growth and development, for when you do that, you create the freedom to live your life by design, not by default. I wish you the very best this new year! May you celebrate your successes, learn from your shortcomings and savor every moment in between!! Cheers, Jean M. DiGiovanna Monthly Workout: Taking Inventory Take on the following questions and process below for this month’s workout: Looking back this past year, what were your successes and accomplishments? Those things you are proud of from the very big things to the very small. Do not worry about the size of the success. It could be around something you did (e.g. Wrote my first article) or a way of being you took on (Was more patient). Looking back at this past year, what were your biggest short fallings, when you did not achieve what you set out to? Areas which led to disappointment, or a feeling of failure. What expectations or dreams did you set that were not met? What regrets do you have? List all of those. Reflecting back over the year, what insights did you gain? When you look back at your successes, what did you most glean out of reaching them? What had you succeed? As you review your list of areas you fell short in, what lessons could you draw from those? Insights you wish you had seen or followed, but didn’t. Just write what comes to mind. Do not judge or edit! Think of a lesson as a piece of advice that you might tell a friend or say to yourself. (e.g. “Set clear and specific goals” or “Follow my intuition even if others tell me otherwise”). How will you celebrate your successes and lessons learned? Take some time to think about how you will acknowledge what you have accomplished in the last year and take the time out to celebrate. Celebration could look like a nice dinner out with your significant other, a massage or pedicure or setting up coffee with an old friend to share where you have come. This is totally personal. The most important thing is you take the time to celebrate!! What are some specific intentions you have for the upcoming year? What would you like to have, be or do? Write whatever comes to mind without judging. Place that list up where you can see it everyday and remind yourself of what you most desire. I look forward to hearing what you experience! (please e-mail me at jdigi@thinkpeople.com) Poem of the Month: Taking Inventory Life has so many twists and turns, ups and downs, But in the realm of things, what truly matters is what you have learned along the way. Acknowledge where you have come, big or small, and celebrate that today! Reflect on the year, as easy or difficult as it may seem. For, when you look back, there are so many insights and wisdom to gleam. Uncover the lessons learned beneath your successes and shortcomings. Pick a few to take into this new year, to keep you on focus and clear. Set your intentions for what you truly desire and recite them to keep you inspired. Have a fabulous year, full of love and laughter, may you experience abundance and joy and live happily ever after!                          ~ by Jean M. DiGiovanna Upcoming Workshops, Events, Announcements EVENTS & OTHER WORKSHOPS WHOLE NEW LIFE PERSPECTIVES ON STRESS© 4-Session Teleclass Series on Thursdays, January 18, 25, February 1, 8, 2007 with two class times available at 9am or 4pm EST. Free Introductory sessions: Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, 4pm EST and Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, 9am EST In this 4 week teleclass you will learn new ways of living healthier, explore choosing a new perspective, and discover the many different options to help you control and manage stress.To register or for more details, email CoachDQ@CareerLifeBalance.net Claim Your Awakened Life New York - Jan 12-14th, San Diego Feb 16-18th, San Francisco March 16-18th, London April 20-22nd This interactive workshop will take you on a journey through the eight key elements of living an awakened life. It uniquely combines the teachings of Buddha and traditional indigenous spirituality with 21st century experience. You will walk away with your own experiences around the key elements for a renewed vision for the life you want. To register or for more details, go to http://www.awakenedwisdom.com 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