Power Leaks = Lost Potential, Revenue and Opportunity by: Rene Johnson The PowerZone Coach

If ever there has been a time in history when entrepreneurs and small business leaders can make an impact on the world around them, now is that time!

There are unlimited possibilities, despite the seemingly endless challenges we hear about. Because real opportunities come to those who “accept the calling” to leave their comfort zone and take the risk to step into their most powerful self where they lead their passions and vision forward. And from doing so, they become empowered leaders in all areas of their life, creating a ripple effect to all they influence. Leadership is not solely for those in the boardroom, it is a must develop and master quality for all of those who want to fulfill their dreams.

Depak Chopra shares in his book, The Soul of Leadership, “Becoming a leader is the most crucial choice one can make–it is the decision to step out of the darkness into the light.”

It’s not a mysterious or illusive place!

For over 20 years, I have been inspired by, and been a partner to, individuals who choose the path of leading their dreams forward. It is a privilege to witness their transformation and acceleration to their higher, greater self, their Power Zone. Or as Depak Chopra refers to, “the light.” This is not a mysterious or illusive place. It is not a woo-woo thing either. It is a real and tangible part of us. We need only to give our permission to step into our Power Zone and partake of the benefits and influence of our personal and business success.

In fact, I imagine you’ve had many chances in your life to live or perform from your Power Zone. When you are in it, you want more of it and to stay there. You might call it being in your ZONE. I share in my book it’s where transformation happens, courage is found, inspiration is fired up, passion and confidence combine and taking risks to grow and fulfill your dreams looks different. But one of the biggest shifts that happens is you’ll be more deliberate. It is this deliberateness that will make the biggest impact on being the leader you can be – even if you are an independent solo-entrepreneur, you need to be a leader too!

Why you may not be able to create the desired success you want!

When you are not leading your life or business from your Power Zone, it’s a result of one or more of what I call “Power Leaks”. Power Leaks cause you to stay in your comfort zone, where you’ll play small, not use your leadership abilities, or make the best use of your time. Power leaks don’t allow you to feel very confident that you can create desired success in your business, nor experience much peace and joy in your life. Because you’ll be less deliberate, your decisions, thinking, actions and behaviors can end up causing you to waste money, waste time and not be able to fully utilize your strengths, gifts and talents. This could stall—even create a downward spiral and devastation, of your business dreams.

In order to fully express your passions in your business, and to be the leader it will require, you must be willing to do a self evaluation of where your power leaks are.

You can tell you need to plug these when:

You feel overwhelmed, tired, lacking in enthusiasm, a constant stress that there is never enough time or need to take control of your time, a lack of confidence that you can fulfill your vision, an inability to communicate your goals well to others and a sense that you are more often on the starting line rather than reaching the finishing line of your goals…and more!

When you plug your power leaks you’ll experience:

An increased clarity and passion, with newfound confidence to play bigger. You’ll show up and inspire differently, you’ll see solutions rather than obstacles, you’ll empower others to help fulfill your dreams, you’ll honor your time and stop doing things that take you away from your fulfilling vision and celebrate many successes….and more!

How to join the entrepreneurs and small business leaders – enjoying success and more joy!

Today’s successful entrepreneurs and small business leaders will be the ones that realize in order to achieve their dreams while having the balance, joy and freedom their pursuit of this should bring, they’ll need to focus on their own development as much as getting the next client. Think of it this way, just as important as sound business processes are to your long-term success are personal and professional development to support the person behind the business – YOU!

To learn more about Rene visit: www.powerzonecoach.com

University of Utah and the YWCA announce new initiative — “Real Women Run – Find Your Voice.”

“Real Women Run – Find Your Voice”

The Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah and the YWCA Salt Lake City have announced a new initiative — “Real Women Run – Find Your Voice.”  The nonpartisan initiative is intended to empower women to participate fully in public life and leadership through elected political office at all levels, political appointments, working on campaigns, or simply learning more about our political system.

Real Women Run Training in Women’s Public Leadership will be held on Saturday, January 14th, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Miller Campus of Salt Lake Community College.  The training will feature keynote speakers, current and past female politicians, public appointees, media experts, campaign managers, and others.  The training is free and open to the public.  Topics include: making the decision; research; campaign plan and structure; budget, finance, and fundraising; media; message, image and presentation; staff structure; public boards and commissions; and caucuses, delegates and conventions.   For more information, contact Robin Pratt at rpratt@ywca.com or 801.537.8606.

Real Women Run – Find Your Voice is a collaborative nonpartisan effort.  In addition to The Hinckley Institute and the YWCA Salt Lake City, the partnership includes Vision 2020, representatives from all political parties in Utah, League of Women Voters, AAUW, current and former elected female officials, Salt Lake Community College, Westminster College, and other community organizations that support women.

Give Your True Self -March 2011 Feature Article

By: Marla Dee

In this moment close your eyes, breathe deeply into your center and ask “What is it that only I can give? What is it that only I can create?”  Ask, listen and trust what comes.  It might be a simple thing or it might be loaded. I want to know what is the piece inside you that is ready to be seen – to speak – to shine – to receive light from the Universe and nurturing from the earth?  What is it that you are aching and yearning to express?  If you are ready to give it, then the world is ready to receive it.

I just spent the weekend with one of my favorite people on this planet – Mark LeBlanc, author of Growing Your Business and owner of Small Business Success.  He inspired me, deepened me, and changed me.  He got me back in touch with my main purpose – sharing the Clear & SIMPLE Way to create, organize and live.  The weekend event is called the Achievers Circle and was filled with 14 other strong creators and entrepreneurs.  Everyone in our circle was engaged fully in giving their biggest and brightest self to the world.  Mark kept repeating the phrase “doing the work you are called to do and compelled to do.”  Remember, the work or creation does not have to be big in any sense except what it draws out from you. Isn’t it time you paid attention to the NEW part of you that is ready to emerge.

SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT.©

SEE IT– What have you been hiding inside that you are ready to let loose? Start with the simple practice of beginning and ending each day in conscious contact with yourself.  Claim 15-30 minutes of uninterrupted time.  Use music, nature, a walk, sitting still, writing, reading – anything and everything that works for you.

MAP IT– “Make a Plan” now for how you are going to create this new aspect, how you are going to manifest it in the world. Remember to keep it simple.  Just ask for the next right action or step and make a plan for that.  I commit to blogging and speaking monthly.

DO IT– Make the commitment to let someone help and support you in this new aspect of being seen.  It takes courage and isn’t meant to be done alone.  Choose someone who knows and loves your true self.  I choose my weekly accountability partner, my wise guides, along with the networks of the NSA, Toastmasters and Conscious Business Circle.
Haven’t you waited long enough to express who you are in this world?

Marla Dee is President of Clear & SIMPLE, Inc., creator of the Clear & SIMPLE Systems, and author of Get Organized, the Clear & SIMPLE Way.  She has been a professional organizer, speaker and trainer for over 12 years.  She is passionate about supporting people around the world in clearing the clutter of their past to make room for something new.

Conflictology 101

By Deborah Stallings, HR Anew

The Problem
Why are we so different and yet so similar at the same time? Such questions often come to mind when we find ourselves in conflict with others over facts, goals, interests, values, actions, beliefs, assets, methods, or values. Recognizing these differences, and establishing boundaries, helps us refocus and realize that to solve any problem, we first need understanding.

Human beings are the most intelligent species on earth. We’re unique and wonderfully made. Look around and you will see diversity in age, race, color, gender, education, skills, communication style, nationality, ability and disability, income, religion, and personality. Because we are multi-dimensional, it’s not likely we’ll be successful in life without having a few conflicts with others.

We experience conflicts in business—with employees, clients, and colleagues—and in personal relationships. According to Wikipedia, conflict resolution, or “conflictology,” is the process of attempting to resolve a dispute or a conflict. Successful conflict resolution requires listening to, and providing opportunities to meet, each side’s needs, then adequately addressing each side’s interests so everyone is satisfied with the outcome.

Conflicts can arise from any number of sources, including:

* Interpersonal, emotional, group dynamics, or economic challenges
* Goal differences
* Values and ethics
* Communication barriers
* Cultural differences
* Personalities
* Parties being unwilling to negotiate
* Individuals being mean-spirited and/or unkind
* Lack of knowledge and understanding about a matter
* Disparity in skills and abilities
* Power imbalances
* Perceived or legitimate concerns that a party may not be adequately skilled to address

Conflict resolution aims to end conflicts before they start or before they lead to verbal, physical, or legal fighting. This is different from conflict management, in which conflict is used as a deliberate personal, social, or organizational tool. Though conflict management is the more common road, it is not popular with practitioners of conflict resolution; it is better to avoid the conflict at the start. As pioneering self-help author Napoleon Hill said: “The most important job is that of learning how to negotiate with others without friction.”

Reaching a Solution
Duke Ellington had it right when he said, “A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” To deal with conflict successfully, be concerned about your own outcomes and also the outcomes for the other party.

Consider using a process like the one below. This process can be useful in dealing with conflict in relationships, workplaces, or other situations where there is an interest in seeking a negotiated solution. These steps won’t guarantee an agreement, but they greatly improve the likelihood that problems can be understood, solutions explored, and the advantages of a negotiated agreement considered within a relatively constructive environment. This process also provides useful strategies that reduce the impacts of stress, fears, and “surprise” factors involved in dealing with conflict.

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