Greetings! October 2005 This month's workout is about Discipline, a different way to approach it and how it can impact positive change in your life. It's not always an easy topic, but one i'm learning more about! I invite you to take on the workout and let me know how it goes! There are just a few spots left for the Introduction to Workshop Design Seminar I will be delivering next Thursday, November 10th from 6-9pm in Arlington. If you are interested in utilizing workshops to help enhance and market your business or you are working in a Corporation tasked with desiging and developing workshops, I invite you to check out http://www.thinkpeople.com/workshops.html. Wishing you a Happy Halloween! Thank you in advance! 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 With Discipline Comes Change I don't know about you, but for me, discipline has always been a challenge. Sticking with something long enough to create lasting change is not easy. I remember hearing that to truly change a behavior, action or pattern, you have to stick with it for at least 21 days. I always thought, "Yeah, yeah, yeah...well I can change faster than that!" So, I would go gangbusters the first week, then I would begin to lose steam and then I would just go back to my old ways. It's no wonder why change was not long-lasting for me in several areas of my life. The most obvious area is exercise and nutrition, but think of the other areas of life you would like to change - the way you run your business, work in your job, spend time with your kids (or not enough time), treat your significant other, take care of your home. The list goes on! There are some areas of our life where discipline is necessary for change, yet we are not willing to commit to the actions that are required to "just do it"! I love variety. I love learning new things, exploring, immersing myself in new experiences. Discpline is following the same action on a consistent basis. Discipline and I do not get along well at all! So, when I want to make a lasting change and it requires consistent action, I fight tooth and nail and it may look seamless from the outside world, but it is not feel pleasant inside. So, what is the secret? What I have come to recognize is that being disciplined REALLY DOES impact change. I was just never willing to try it long enough to believe that it works! Change will not occur unless you truly believe it is possible AND you take appropriate action in a consistent manner. Belief and action are key! Believing is placing trust in. So, discipline requires a level of trust in yourself, in the result and in the process itself. I ask you, this upcoming month, to pick an area you would like to change and take a hard look at your beliefs about that area and what needs to shift. Then, take the consistent actions necessary to make the shift. As Nike so powerfully states, "JUST DO IT". Whether you are moving forward or going deeper into something, remember, you are still changing. It's discipline that makes the difference. Cheers, Jean M. DiGiovanna Monthly Workout: Being Disciplined Explore the following process and questions below for this month's workout: Pick an area of your life you would like to change. With this area in mind, follow the questions and process below: What do you currently believe about change in this area? What do you tell yourself or others about this area of your life? Do you believe change is possible and that you can achieve the results you want? If not, what would it take for you to believe? What would you need to give up or let go of? What would you need to take on? If you are not willing to give up or take on those things on, dwell in the inquiry "What is it to give up or let go of these things?". If you are willing to move forward with the change, continue with the remaining questions. What or whom would you need to place trust in to make the appropriate shifts in this area? (often, it requires trusting yourself) What consistent actions are required to make this shift? By saying "yes" to those actions, what existing actions will you need to say "no" to or stop doing? What kind of structure will support your consistent actions? Set up that structure for yourself. Take on the consistent actions necessary for change and notice what shifts take place. I look forward to hearing what you experience! (please e-mail me at jdigi@thinkpeople.com) Poem of the Month: Discipline & Change Doing what you've always done, you Invariably get what you've always gotten. Staying in one place, Change is forgotten. Insist on making a shift. Place importance and do not drift. List the actions you must take, Inside the commitment you must make. Never sway in your belief. Trust you will succeed, for Everyday you practice discipline, it becomes easier in deed.                          ~ by Jean M. DiGiovanna Upcoming Workshops, Events, Announcements THINKPEOPLE's WORKSHOPS Introduction to Workshop Design Thursday, November 3, 2005 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. To register or for more info, see http://www.thinkpeople.com/workshops.html PUBLIC APPEARANCES Effortless Networking Boston Women's Network-Holiday Mixer & Silent Auction - Thursday, December 8, 2005 6pm - 9pm   Brookline Holiday Inn Many of us relate to networking as hard work, a struggle, pushing our services or products and that dreaded word..."selling"! In this networking event and workshop, you will practice techniques in a safe environment and will leave with increased confidence, renewed energy and concrete connections to pursue future business opportunities. Come bid on Silent Auction items to help raise money for Big Sister of Greater Boston. To register or for more details, see http://www.bostonwomensnetwork.org EVENTS Boston Women's Network (BWN) SOCIAL EVENT Make your own Bracelet or Chunky Ring at Spark Craft Studios, Davis Square's hip new venue for creative inspiration. Thursday, November 10, 2005 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm at Davis Square, Somerville To register or for more info, see http://www.bostonwomensnetwork.org/news/spark111005.html Curious about ThinkPeople's other services beyond Coaching? Check out 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 ©2005 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