Greetings! January 2004 About a year ago, I sent out my first newsletter titled "Choosing Your Journey in 2003", about setting your own course for the year. As you begin this new year, I invite you to not only set your course, but to notice your own power and ability within yourself to achieve what you truly want. This month's workout is about "Standing in Your Power" and staying true to what is important to you. The "Reinvent Yourself in 2004" worskhop was such a huge success, i'm running it again in February. If you're looking to make 2004 your breakthrough year, see details below. If, at any time, you would like to unsubscribe, simply go to the end of the newsletter. Wishing you all the best in 2004! Jean M. DiGiovanna, President, ThinkPeople Monthly Theme Monthly Workout Monthly Poem Upcoming Workshops/ Events Standing in Your Power When we hear the word "Power", we often associate it with control, money, status, force. And, why not? After all, it's how Webster explains it too. But, there is another definition Webster states, "The ability or capacity to act or perform effectively". When we stand in our power, we perform at our very peak. When we stand in our power, we move forward in the face of whatever shows up. When we stand in our power, we honor what is truly important to us. The "power" I am referring to is the unending source of energy within each of us that, when accessed, nothing and no one can rock our boat. How often, though, do you give your power away? How often do you say "Sure, I can take that on", when knowingly, your plate is overfilled. Or, "Yes, you are right. I shouldn't have thought that", and you invalidate your own thoughts and feelings. Or, worse yet, you allow circumstances, people and things to rule your life, emotions and energy. Think about the Stock Market and how many times it has ruled our emotions for the day. We allow the Stock Market, for example, to determine whether we have a good day or a bad day. We even allow our to-do lists, the ones we created ourselves, to control our life. What has power over you? What or who are you allowing to rule your life? It's so easy to give our power away instead of tapping into our own unending source of power to determine our moods, thoughts and actions. Each time we give a piece of our power away, we deplete our own source and in no time at all, we are drained, "spent" and physically tired. So, how do we stop giving our power away? Next time you feel yourself moving away from what is important to you, what you truly believe in or know, stop and pause for a moment. Ask yourself what you REALLY want. Then, honor that. Keep your power in that moment and respond with what is true for you. Notice how you feel when you stand in your power and stay true to yourself. When you do this, you have plenty of energy for yourself and plenty for others. Honor what you need in every moment, no matter what others may think or say about you. Your power is your energy source. It's what brings you alive! Stand in your truth. Stand in your power and truly LIVE! May you have a Powerful and Prosperous New Year! Jean M. DiGiovanna Monthly Workout: Standing in Your Power Where are you giving your power away? Use the following questions to jog your memory… Think about the circumstances in your life. How much do you allow them to take over you? Think about the people you are trying to please in your life? How much of your power are you giving away? Giving over to them? Think about the demands others are making of you? Are you firmly standing your ground, or giving over to appease them? Note: there is a distinction between choosing to compromise and being ok with that, and compromising for the sake of giving in. What do you give yourself over to? Your to-do list? Your house when it's time to clean? The Stock market?... How many times have you said yes, when you wanted to say no. How many times have you said, "No, that's ok", when it really wasn't. How often do you stand up for your beliefs, opinions...YOUR truth?! What is this costing you? How much of your energy is drained during the day? How much is really left for you and the people and things you want and enjoy? Practice Standing in Your Power What is it to stand in your power? Next time you feel yourself moving away from what is important to you, what you truly believe in or know, stop and pause for a moment. Ask yourself what you REALLY want. Ask yourself also, 'If I take this on, will I be giving my power away?" Then, honor your choice. Keep your power in that moment and respond with what is true for you. Notice how you feel when you stand in your own power and stay true to yourself. Do you feel more empowered? Peaceful? Connected? I look forward to hearing what transpires for you! (please e-mail me at jdigi@thinkpeople.com) Poem of the Month: STANDING IN YOUR POWER There is no one who can walk your path. Only you can walk your path. There is no one who can drain your energy. Only you allow it to be drained. There is no one who can take your power. Only you give it away. Be true to yourself. Stand up for what you believe in. Stand in your power and watch your life unfold perfectly.                          ~ by Jean M. DiGiovanna Upcoming Workshops, Events, Announcements WORKSHOPS Do you want a breakthrough year in 2004? "Reinvent Yourself in 2004 is back for a second time! - A workshop that aligns who you are with where you are going and your goals in 2004". A holistic approach to goal-setting including a look at core values and perspective shifts. Saturday, February 28, 2004 from 10am - 3pm in Somerville, MA To register or for more info, see http://www.thinkpeople.com/workshops.html EVENTS Networking Opportunity not to miss! Boston Women's Network (BWN) presents "The Best Kept Secret" - How to take Your Communication & Negotiating Skills to the Next Level! Presented by Nancy Chisholm, Sales & Business Coach Tuesday, February 24, 2004 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Lexington Sheraton Inn To register or for more info, see http://www.bostonwomensnetwork.org/news/022404_meeting.html PRODUCTS - created by some dear friends of mine! Receiving Love Video Mark Fourman, Certified Integrated Awareness® Teacher, guides you through four explorations to dissolve old rules that hold you back from love and expand your day-to-day experience of love. Details as Receiving Love Video The Soul's Intent(c) Guided Meditations By Monique Flaherty, Principal, SoulWorks Coaching. Two guided meditations that bring you to deep relaxation and peace and connect you to your inner wisdom. Details at http://www.soulworkscoaching.com Curious about what coaching is like? Call for a 30 minute complementary coaching session. Bring a topic, get a resolution! Call 617-489-7494. I hope you've enjoyed ThinkPeople's Monthly Workout and found value out of it! 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 ©2003 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 ~ Playground for Shifting Reality jdigi@thinkpeople.com http://www.thinkpeople.com/ 617.489.7494