Point to Ponder
May was a
momentous month in many ways...
- Oprah had her last show
completing a successful 25 year run.
- My cousin and her
husband escaped the Slave Lake fire with what they could throw
into their 5th wheel and had their home burn to the ground.
- My sister and her
husband sold their house in St. Albert.
- My 98 yr old neighbor
Steve had his house demolished.
Life can be funny at times as
we grow through 'passing' points and see things we have
loved left in the dust of history.
Steve is now living in a Veterans home
and has his good days. His home has been empty since last September
when he had his heart attack. He hasn't been back since and it was
becoming a liability. It was the place where he and his wife brought
up their two sons after the war and visited with friends (including
me) and family over the years. His grandson Kelly lives across the
alley with his wife Christine and Steve's great granddaughter Alexa.
Steve's family home had a good run. Perhaps, in the future, one of
the boys will build something there and the cycle will
continue.
Trudie and Doug were fortunate to get
out with their 5th wheel and what they could pack. Their house was
burned to the ground, while their daughter's house was spared. My
cousin and her husband will likely rebuild and move back to Slave
Lake... it has been their home for many years and they love the
area. I'm sure they will make design changes in their new home to
reflect their status as grandparents vs. parents when they
originally moved in.
Patti and Jerry sold their place in St.
Albert and are moving into a Sherwood Park condo for a year while
both of them wait for surgeries. Then they will decide where they
will retire. They are downsizing and lots of 'stuff' is being given
away or sold so the remainder will fit in their new home. Irene and
I will have to do this in a couple of years when we combine our two
houses.
I watched a part of the last Oprah
celebration show and was inspired. Not so much about all the
guests or stars she helped to launch; not that she has become an
amazing success and now has her own TV network; and not that she was
on for 25 years. Each of these are worthy
accomplishments. Her greatest accomplishment was
the education she paid for and helped provide for 64,688 young
people around the world. Now that is truly
amazing.
In our life we have points at which we have a
choice to let go and continue to grow. Letting go comes in various
means; sometimes we chose it and sometimes it choses us.
But, in each case, we can make the choice on how we handle
it and whether we stop or whether we move on.
Keep moving...
The
Power of Asking for What YOU Want
By Debra
Kasowski
"If you follow your bliss, doors
will open for you that wouldn't have opened for anyone else." - Joseph Campbell.
Many people become paralyzed at the thought of
asking for something that they want.
They fear the answer may be no!
If you do not ask for what you
want, the answer will always be no! The power of asking the
right question helps us gain knowledge, clarify information, and get what we want.
Here are some simple steps that should be
followed to getting what you want.
Know that You Can Ask for What
You Want. You have the ability and the opportunity
to ask for anything. You may have to ask more than once to get
what you are asking for but never give up! There may be times
that you get redirected and have to ask another person to help
you get what you want. You may even have to rephrase your question.
Persistence is the key!
Discover Why You Are Afraid to
Ask. There are times when we must dig deep within ourselves
to uncover our fears and learn to let them go. What is holding you
back from asking for something that you want? Are you afraid to get
what you want? Is it the fear of rejection? What is your payoff for
not asking for what you want? What is the worse thing that can
happen if they say no? If they did say no, remember the answer was
no before you asked so you have not
lost anything. Ask anyway!
Know What You Want.
Clarity is the key. You must have a clear idea of what you are
asking for and why. What does your end result look like? You are the
one in control when you ask the
question you wish to ask. How will the person you are asking benefit
from your "ask"? Think about it. If you created an "ask" based on a
win-win relationship, why would the answer be no?
Believe, it is possible and you
deserve it. If you do not ask with confidence
and conviction, the person you are asking may wonder how
important a "yes" would be to your question. How bad do you want
it? You may want to role-play with a colleague or practice in the mirror before you ask. You are meant to
be, do, and have great things in your life. You need to BELIEVE
IT!
Do your research. Before
asking for what you want, think about the benefits and
the consequences both for you and the person or group you are
asking. Do they have the same values or mission as you? When your
mission and values align, it is good
business.
Focus on others. Ask for
what you want by focusing on what you can do for the
other person.
Visualize the "YES". Take
time to visualize yourself asking for what you want and how it would
feel when the answer is yes. Think of how empowered you will
feel. Make a Habit of Asking. Make a list of all the things you
would like to ask for. Get in the
habit of asking by asking for at least one thing on your list
everyday for the next 21 days. It is said that it takes 21 days to
change or develop a habit. Write down one "Ask" in your day planner
everyday.
No matter what you ask for the answer
will be either a yes or a no. Graciously accept the no. Find out
why the answer was no. You may just have to ask another question to
clarify information or ask a different person. There is always more
than one route to getting what you
want. Empower yourself and be grateful for a yes. Asking for what
you want gets easier every time you ask. Just do it! ASK! and ASK
AGAIN!
© 2010 Debra Kasowski ‐ All rights
reserved. Included with permission of the author. Debra
Kasowski is the Founder/CEO of The Millionaire Woman. She
is a motivational speaker and personal and professional life
consultant. Debra has become a cherished friend and I have been
privileged to act as a mentor for her over the past couple of
years.
Don't say
'NO!' - Take one for the CAPS Foundation
As you may know, last
month I had the privilege of being the luncheon keynote for the CSSE
NOASH conference and trade show in Calgary. I didn't get paid a
nickel, and I was glad to do it. This story is worth
repeating.
Often, as speakers, we
get calls from groups looking for someone to present who
unfortunately don't have a budget. I say yes to a few every
year depending on who they are and what they do.
I was contacted by a very
nice lady with CSSE who mentioned a fellow speaker had recommended
me. She told me they didn't have a speaker budget but could
make a donation on my behalf to a charity of my choice. I am
in my third year serving as a trustee for the CAPS Foundation so
gave that some thought. I agreed to drive down and present and they
agreed to donate $1500 to the CAPS Foundation. I think this is a big
win. It was a lovely drive down and their enthusiastic response to
my words was all the payment I needed.
As I was driving down I
though, what if even 10% of my fellow CAPS members said yes to an
engagement on similar terms? Even at $500 each that would
bring in well over $25,000 for the Foundation, each year...and
perhaps more.
I plan to challenge my
friends and colleagues to
Take one for the
CAPS Foundation.
Last Minute News
Two events that might be
of interest to you if you are within driving distance of
Edmonton.
June will be a time to work on our place in the
country so we can actually enjoy it this summer. We've agreed no
major projects: finish up repainting the exterior and the decks.
Going to do the back deck next year after we come back from
Australia. Picture on the left is where the berry trees and
strawberry plants are planted. We will be digging in a pond/fountain
in this area as well.
To the right of the last
tree is where Irene has planted her veg garden. Should be
fun.
Have some ongoing writing
projects and summer is a time to update and revamp our various
websites.
My sister is moving into a place that doesn't allow pets.
She is looking for a home for Nikko, a 6 year old Maltese cross....
active, lovable little guy. They are moving on Friday and the
new owners take possession of their old place in St. Albert on the
24th of June. So, Nikko needs a home fast.
If you can help or know some one
call my sister at: 780-458-5296
Toastmasters
International is doing the first re-branding in its history.
They recently appointed 300 Brand Ambassadors from around the globe; BAs
include past international presidents, past international directors,
2010-2013 region advisors, 'active' accredited speakers and world
champions of public speaking, 2010-2011 district governors
(following completion of their terms) and other influencers in
Toastmasters International.
I am privileged to be one
of them. I owe this organization a debt that will never be repaid. I
got my start in speaking here.
This new initiative will be
launched on August 17th, 2011 at its international convention in Las
Vegas.
Thanks for reading
Bob 'Idea Man'
Hooey would be pleased to be a part of your success team
and to work with you to help make your conference, meeting, or
training event a larger success. For more information about
customized keynotes, professional and personal leadership training
and coaching, or seminars/retreats, please visit http://www.ideaman.net or call our Creative Office
at: (780) 736-0009 for availability.
Ask about a customized
conference, coaching or training package to suit your specific
career, company, or organizational needs.
Ask about our innovative
leadership and/or sales leaders' motivational training
programs.
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