Greetings! Feb 2009/Mar 2009 Happy Spring! As we experience these interesting and challenging times, this month's workout explores what is beneath it all and helps us answer the question, Where's the gift in all this? I am excited to announce the completion of my first book, Success is a State of Mind. I am proud to be a contributing author alongside Les Brown, Mark Victor Hansen and Deepak Chopra. These authors, along with 11 others provide unique insight, widsom, stories and advice on how to achieve success. To order or for more details, see below or go to http://www.thinkpeople.com/products.html If, at any time, you would like to unsubscribe, simply go to the end of the newsletter. Warmly, Jean M. DiGiovanna, President, ThinkPeople Monthly Theme Monthly Workout Monthly Poem Upcoming Workshops/ Events What's the Gift in All This? We are living in very interesting times. Everything that is happening impacts each and every one of us. It’s challenging times like this that truly test our resilience, patience and motivation. It challenges us to ask for help, give unconditionally, and receive fully, the things we may not always find easy to do. Although the state of our economy may be tough on our psyche, our hearts and our wallets, I believe there is a gift beneath it all. The gift may not always be wrapped in pretty paper. Sometimes the gift is learning how to be more patient in the midst of instability, or having to ask for help when it’s the last thing you want to do or staying more focused when you can find a million other things to do. It’s that trait or skill that needs improvement, and this is the time that forces us to confront it. The gift could also show up as more time to spend with your kids, time to finally tend to the house, time to reconnect with what you love to do or time to start that business you’ve always dreamed of. In our fast paced world, time is often one of those gifts we don’t cherish enough. What separates those who simply survive during these times from those who thrive is discovering that shiny gift and using it to fuel your way through this. What’s the gift in all this for you? And, how are you putting it into action? So often, when we are presented with challenging times, we dwell in the tragedy of it, we fear what’s ahead and our thoughts and feelings drain us. Don’t get me wrong, it is critical to acknowledge and express those feelings and thoughts, but to stay in that spiral for weeks or months on end does not serve us. We need to find ways to use that energy to help propel us forward in the face of our fears and the unknown. Take time this month to uncover the gift in this for you and put that gift into action. By choosing to see the gift, you are choosing life. Open up your gift and notice how it brings you alive. Cheers, Jean M. DiGiovanna Monthly Workout: Finding the Gift Take on the following questions and process below for this month’s workout: Take some time to reflect on the last month and how it’s been for you. What has this time compelled you to look at? What is it challenging you to finally do, be or have? What has this time afforded you to be able to do? Based on the answers above, what do you believe the gift is in this for you? How can you now put that gift into action? What specific steps could you take to honor this gift? Make a commitment to take on each step one at a time. Seek support from a friend, co-worker, family member or coach. Be sure you are surrounded by people who support and encourage you, not those who will bring you down. For each action you accomplish, CELEBRATE! In could be in a small or big way, but be sure to take the time out to acknowledge how far you have come. Be gentle with yourself as you move through this time and know that this too shall pass. I look forward to hearing what you experience! (please e-mail me at jdigi@thinkpeople.com) Finding the Gift Behind every storm is the sun waiting to break through. Behind every cloud is the sky shining blue. It may be difficult right now to see beyond the fear, Until we appreciate the gift that is truly here. Unwrap your gift and give it a try. It may feel awkward at first, but don’t be shy. For soon you will see that it was all meant to be, You are placed here to thrive not simply survive.                          ~ by Jean M. DiGiovanna PUBLIC APPEARANCES Package Your Expertise for High Impact a breakout session at the Religion Communicators Council Convention "Identify Amid Diversity" Thursday, March 26, 2009 3:30pm - 5pm Royal Sonesta Hotel, Cambridge, MA As religious communicators, you are constantly packaging your message into high impact learning experiences - conferences, seminars, talks and informal gatherings. What if you had a reusable process for designing your talks, workshops and conferences that created high-impact every time? In this breakout session, Jean DiGiovanna will teach you a reusable process that will shorten your prep time, increase your value and position your organization for high growth. Details or to register: http://www.religioncommunicators.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=71889&orgId=recc Package Your Expertise and Increase Your Revenue a Learning Connection for New England Women Business Owners (NEWBO) April 15, 2009 7:30am - 9:30am Doubletree Guest Suites, Waltham, MA As entrepreneurs, much of our work is one-on-one, and provides extreme value to our clients. But think of the possibilities if you were able to reach a larger audience! There are ways to package your talent and expertise to impact more individuals, gain exposure for your business and position yourself as an expert in your field. In this highly interactive presentation, you will learn the benefits, common pitfalls and process to package your expertise and discover how to get your unique message out into the world. Details or to register: http://www.newbo.org/Programs.aspx#april15 EVENTS & OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS Success is a State of Mind - ThinkPeople's Newly Released Book Find out what some of the most successful people believe about success in this remarkable book. You will learn elements that are critical to your success journey such as good communication, how to conquer fear, how to break out of "business as usual", and how to become unstoppable. You will discover how to uncover your true gifts, which involves changing your limiting beliefs and creating new empowering ones that will enable you to honor your values and live the life you truly want.To purchase or for more info, go to http://www.thinkpeople.com/products.html 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 ©2008 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