Greetings! January 2007 As a follow-on to last month's newsletter on Taking Inventory, this month is about Taking the Leap in 2007 and acting on what you truly want this year. Stay tuned for ThinkPeople's Learning & Connection (TLC) Series, educational events every 4-6 weeks that puts many of the concepts from the newsletters into action. They will also be taped and available for those who cannot attend. To find out more, email me at jdigi@thinkpeople.com Wishing you a most joyful and courageous 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 Take the Leap in 2007 How many times have you said, “I wish I did this earlier” or “started this sooner”? So often, we have a thought about doing something, trying something or exploring something and then, the thought quickly leaves and we are on to the next thing. Until the thought creeps back in, and this time, we rationalize that “it’s not the right time”, or “I’m not sure how to do it” or “who am I to do that?” Who are you NOT to!! This winter, I took up recreational ski racing (YES, there really is enough snow in Massachusetts!) and I absolutely LOVE it! Do you know how many years I have wanted to try it? Over 5 years! As quickly as the thought came in, an excuse not to do it would follow immediately. The honest truth was I was scared. Fear took a hold of me every time I thought of doing it, even though I knew deep in my heart I would really enjoy it. And, after the first week I tried it, what came out of my mouth? “I wish I had done this years ago!” What is the thing you’ve wanted to do that you've held off on trying? What is the thing you’ve been avoiding, making excuses for and rationalizing because, “It’s just not the right time” or “I’m not sure if I’ll like it” or “Will I succeed?” Life is one big surprise and if you think you can control every single moment, outcome and result, you are fooling yourself. Fear is the #1 barrier that stops us from doing, being and having what we truly want. I remember hearing this acronym many years ago: Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. It is not real, yet it stops us in our tracks like a cement wall. As you consider those very things you really want to do, be or have this year, and then that voice comes in to rationalize why you can’t, stop, and consider what is really in the way. What are you most afraid of? And, I can tell you, fear is very good at disguising itself, so even when you think, “I’m not really afraid”, deep down inside you could probably pinpoint a fear of rejection, not doing it perfect or right, not being good enough. And, the list goes on. This is not about avoiding, conquering or fighting fear. The true test of courage is "feeling the fear and doing it anyways". Take this year to leap into the unknown. Take this year to step forward without always knowing what the next step will look like. Let this year be the year of change and take the leap, in the face of fear! The landing may be much softer than you think. :-) Cheers, Jean M. DiGiovanna Monthly Workout: Take the Leap in 2007 Take on the following questions and process below for this month’s workout: Think of one thing you have wanted to do, try or explore. Or that one thing you have been avoiding. As you begin to think about that one thing, what are you most afraid will happen if you do it, try it or be it? What do you most fear? Imagine that the fear you have is false. So, it is a story you have made up about it that is not real. (Although, it may feel VERY real!). If the story is false, what is a different story you could make up about it that is more empowering? Now, imagine that new story is true. What is possible if you were to believe that? How do you feel now about trying, doing or being what you want? I challenge you to take the leap and JUST DO IT!! Stop thinking about it and start doing it. As soon as you hear the voices in your head, start acting. By taking action, you are moving one step closer to what you want (or don’t want), but you are creating movement and that is critical. Know and trust that you are supported as you take the leap and the landing is often much softer than you think! I look forward to hearing what you experience! (please e-mail me at jdigi@thinkpeople.com) Poem of the Month: Take the Leap in 2007 It’s not always easy to conquer our fears, But if we see it as fighting, we lose many years. Fear is a part of human being, it is always there. It’s how we respond that dictates how we dare. Take the leap this year and try something new. Do the thing you’ve been avoiding, get unstuck from the glue, of our minds and our voices that get in the way. Make this year different, please don’t delay!                          ~ by Jean M. DiGiovanna Upcoming Workshops, Events, Announcements THINKPEOPLE's WORKSHOPS Workshop Design Coaching If you currently delivering or looking to deliver workshops, seminars or presentations within your organization or to reach out to more people outside your organization, ThinkPeople offers 1-on-1 Workshop Design Coaching to assist you in designing, developing and delivering high-impact workshops and seminars. Bring your issue or goal, and leave with a clear format, delivery and tools to achieve the results you desire. For more details, see http://www.thinkpeople.com/WU_Home.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 ©2007 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