Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Enthusiasm! @ Work
Enthusiasm! @ Worksm
…at The Music Cafe
Last night I had the opportunity to witness and experience Enthusiasm! @ Work in many different ways. It was at The Music Café, which is an open venue for musicians. For eight years now, the fourth Tuesday of every month is a time for musicians of all types to gather and perform in front of a highly appreciative audience. Five different acts perform a 25-minute set in a comfortable, café type setting at the Fitton Center in Hamilton, Ohio. Enthusiasm was at work with…
The Performers
Each of the acts for this evening had previously played at The Music Café and couldn’t wait to return. This particular evening, each act performed original music. It was a privilege for me to once again witness people doing and being their passion. At times it was electrifying.
Their enthusiasm for music, singing and songwriting caused them to connect more fully to what they were doing. Naturally, this paved the way for them to deliver a terrific performance. It also promoted a strong connection with the audience. Then there was the support and encouragement they offered the other acts.
One of the acts was a four-person band. The lead singer and founder of the band made it a point to acknowledge each of the band members several times during their set. This was refreshing especially at a time when more people than not appear to be out for their own interests.
The Volunteers
The Music Café is an all-volunteer effort and has been since its inception. Now if you have ever been involved in a volunteer anything, you know that turnover can be high. Well that is not the case here. There has been very little turnover through the past eight years. The volunteers play to their strengths and work together to co-create a smooth, welcoming event month after month while having fun in the process.
Performers are treated like royalty, as are the patrons. People who have toured nationally always comment that they have received the best treatment at The Music Café and would love to play again when they are in the area.
Hats off to the volunteers who keep The Music Café going and going and going.
The Patrons
A loyal following has developed over the years. The audience genuinely listens to the performers. They also appreciate the eclectic nature that awaits them every fourth Tuesday of the month. The line-up could be anything from singers/ songwriters of all musical styles, Native American Indian flute music, to a high school jazz band, classically trained Chinese musicians or belly dancers accompanied by live drumming.
People gather at round tables with family, friends and strangers alike. Everyone has a good time whether for a few minutes or the entire evening. And they keep coming back.
The Sponsors
The Music Café has been such a positive, welcomed venue the sponsors — The Fitton Center, Lebanon Citizens National Bank and the Journal News — are happy to offer their on-going support.
Good music, pleasant atmosphere, and so much more filled the room last night. Writing about it gives you a hint, yet doesn’t fully capture all of the magic and nuances of Enthusiasm! @ Work on the fourth Tuesday of November 2006 at the Fitton Center in Hamilton, Ohio. So I extend the following invitations to you so you may discover for yourself.
· Check out www.musiccafe.ws to view the line-up for this month, see pictures from the evening, discover who has performed in past shows, along with what’s coming up in the future.
· If you are a musician, sign up to perform. Currently they are booked 3-4 months out. You don’t get paid cash but you can sell your CDs and be treated like royalty. Also you’ll have a link on www.musiccafe.ws.
· Let me know when you’ll be traveling to southwestern Ohio near the fourth Tuesday of any month. I’d love to treat you to a cup of coffee, provide a little tour of the area and end the day at The Music Café.
Antoinette Webster M.E!, MBA, is the author of Enthusiasm! How To Draw It To Yourself and Keep It, Igniting the Spark of Enthusiasm! and the forthcoming Enthusiasm! @ Worksm series. She is a Master Enthusiast who has been facilitating programs, researching and writing about enthusiasm since 1990.
As an Author, Speaker, Facilitator and Life/Balance/Spirit Coach+, Antoinette guides people and organizations to move through barriers so they can harness the power of enthusiasm. Also, she is the President of A System that Workssm, which focuses on professional and personal transformational growth and development. Contact Antoinette today at 513.887.0600, Antoinette@ASystemthatWorks.com. Visit www.ASystemthatWorks.com to find out more about our programs, personal profiles, products and services.
© 2006 Antoinette S. Webster, A System that Workssm. All Rights Reserved www.ASystemthatWorks.com
Monday, November 27, 2006
Magnificent Monday Motivators
Magnificent Monday Motivatorssm ~
Tapping Into Your Childlike Sense of Wonder
The comments come up frequently in my programs and coaching sessions that relate to children and their natural comfort with who they are, along with their imagination, exuberance and resiliency. Reflections upon this serve as a source of inspiration for some and sadness for others. Feelings of sadness arise because those particular people feel they have lost that connection due to certain events and situations in their lives, often at a young age.
Personally I feel greatly blessed because I have always been in touch with my sense of wonder from childhood, even with the difficulties and hardships. I came across a quote the other day that reminded me of magical moments.
The great man is he who does not lose his child’s heart.
~ Mencius
Chinese philosopher (371 B.C – 289 B.C.)
It does not matter what age you are or your stage of life. There are many ways you too can reconnect with your childlike sense of wonder.
For starters, give yourself permission. Yes, let that younger boy or girl tucked inside you know that it is okay to share what they know with you about fun and imagination.
Spend time outside in nature, at a playground or park, anyplace where you can have a sense of being free.
Allow yourself to play. Play is one of the ways children learn about themselves, each other, work and the (their) world. Swing on some swings, find a sand pile, climb a tree (safely, of course), color outside the line, ride a bike, make paper airplanes, do the things you enjoyed doing as a child.
When possible, watch children at play. I’m not talking about video games here. You may find it amazing how fascinated young children can be with boxes, pots and pans, laundry baskets. They create many wonderful worlds with the simplest of resources and the breadth of their imagination.
At work and in your personal life, look at things from different perspectives. This can be literally by getting up and moving around. And it can be figuratively by looking at things from someone else’s viewpoint, i.e., customers, other departments, the boss, Thomas Jefferson, Einstein, a hawk, a mouse, etc. Or the perspective can be from different stages, points in time, aspects, and so on.
Engage in mind dumps, brainstorming sessions and dialog. The key is to allow an open free flow of ideas, initially without judgment. Related to this is to keep an idea book where you can write down ideas, draw and include pictures from magazines.
Sing, listen to music, engage in movement either by simply stretching, walking around, jumping up and down or even dancing. These can be done separately or in combination with each other. These things benefit our physical, mental, spiritual and emotional bodies.
Our society is so funny. One of my favorite activities is to look at things literally. These things can be in books, the newspaper or magazines, what people say (actually what they mean to say), fast food signs or what you personally think, say and do. This can be a real adventure.
Create a list of things that work for you. Yes, you are the wisest person about your life, you interests, the things that cause you to ignite the spark of enthusiasm, imagination, joy, creativity, resiliency…Start with what you know about yourself. Add to it as you discover and uncover additional insights from this moment onward.
And finally, I leave you with the quote from an Abbey Press wall hanging that has a little elf leaning on a tree looking out onto a field:
For starters, give yourself permission. Yes, let that younger boy or girl tucked inside you know that it is okay to share what they know with you about fun and imagination.
Spend time outside in nature, at a playground or park, anyplace where you can have a sense of being free.
Allow yourself to play. Play is one of the ways children learn about themselves, each other, work and the (their) world. Swing on some swings, find a sand pile, climb a tree (safely, of course), color outside the line, ride a bike, make paper airplanes, do the things you enjoyed doing as a child.
When possible, watch children at play. I’m not talking about video games here. You may find it amazing how fascinated young children can be with boxes, pots and pans, laundry baskets. They create many wonderful worlds with the simplest of resources and the breadth of their imagination.
At work and in your personal life, look at things from different perspectives. This can be literally by getting up and moving around. And it can be figuratively by looking at things from someone else’s viewpoint, i.e., customers, other departments, the boss, Thomas Jefferson, Einstein, a hawk, a mouse, etc. Or the perspective can be from different stages, points in time, aspects, and so on.
Engage in mind dumps, brainstorming sessions and dialog. The key is to allow an open free flow of ideas, initially without judgment. Related to this is to keep an idea book where you can write down ideas, draw and include pictures from magazines.
Sing, listen to music, engage in movement either by simply stretching, walking around, jumping up and down or even dancing. These can be done separately or in combination with each other. These things benefit our physical, mental, spiritual and emotional bodies.
Our society is so funny. One of my favorite activities is to look at things literally. These things can be in books, the newspaper or magazines, what people say (actually what they mean to say), fast food signs or what you personally think, say and do. This can be a real adventure.
Create a list of things that work for you. Yes, you are the wisest person about your life, you interests, the things that cause you to ignite the spark of enthusiasm, imagination, joy, creativity, resiliency…Start with what you know about yourself. Add to it as you discover and uncover additional insights from this moment onward.
And finally, I leave you with the quote from an Abbey Press wall hanging that has a little elf leaning on a tree looking out onto a field:
Take time to wonder. Without wonder, life is merely existence.
In the Flow of Childlike Wonder,
Antoinette
Antoinette
(c) 2006 Antoinette S. Webster. All rights reserved. www.ASystemthatWorks.com
To find out more about how to ignite the spark of enthusiasm, imagination,
joy, creativity, resiliency and/or wonder in your personal and professional life,
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Enthusiasm @ Work
Enthusiasm! @ Worksm
Gratitude
…is another key to generating Enthusiasm! @ Work for yourself, co-workers, clients and vendors. The effects of gratitude are far-reaching and long lasting.
Expressing gratitude causes one to step out of the day-to-day routine and acknowledge someone for a kindness extended, help when needed or above and beyond ‘the call of duty’, timely words of encouragement, fresh ideas, a smile, etc.
Just about everybody appreciates hearing thank you. These two words are powerful because the people hearing/receiving the message come to know:
· what they do is important,
· what they do matters,
· what they do makes a difference.
Here are some tips to keep in mind.
For Yourself
· Take time to reflect, on a regular basis (daily, perhaps), on what you are thankful for related to your work. Be clear and specific. Really focus your thoughts and feelings toward gratitude and appreciation.
· Identify ways in which you have grown, honed your talents and abilities, learned new skills, met and worked with various people, achieved goals, and anything else that has made an impact. Focus on what made a difference for you, large or small. Often it is the little things that can have the biggest impact.
For Others
· Make it a habit to extend gratitude to others. This includes people at all levels and positions.
· Be sincere. A genuine expression of appreciation goes further than rote words that sound and feel empty.
· Be specific. Clearly stating why you are expressing gratitude lets people know you are being authentic. And you provide meaningful information to the recipient.
· Extend gratitude and appreciation at a time and in a way that it can be received fully. Telling someone as they are going out the door or are in the middle of meeting a deadline won’t have as much affect because they won’t be able to focus appropriately or take in fully what you are saying.
· Tune-in to various ways to express your gratitude, including: words, notes (handwritten), a small gift, etc. Also some people prefer privacy, while others are fine with public acknowledgement.
The more often you notice and express gratitude, the more such opportunities present themselves. Something else to keep in mind is that gratitude is a thought, a feeling and an expression. It is also a vibration that affects us, and those around us, on many levels and in powerful ways.
Antoinette Webster M.E!, MBA, is the author of Enthusiasm! How To Draw It To Yourself and Keep It, Igniting the Spark of Enthusiasm! and the forthcoming Enthusiasm! @ Worksm series. She is a Master Enthusiast who has been facilitating programs, researching and writing about enthusiasm since 1990. As an Author, Speaker, Facilitator and Life/Balance/Spirit Coach+, Antoinette guides people and organizations to move through barriers so they can harness the power of enthusiasm.
Also, she is the President of A System that Workssm, which focuses on professional and personal transformational growth and development. Visit www.ASystemthatWorks.com to find out more about our programs, personal profiles, products and services. Or contact Antoinette at 513.887.0600, Antoinette@ASystemthatWorks.com.
© 2006 Antoinette S. Webster, A System that Workssm. All Rights Reserved www.ASystemthatWorks.com
Monday, November 20, 2006
Magnificent Monday Motivators
Magnificent Monday Motivatorssm ~
Honoring Gratitude and Appreciation
Honoring Gratitude and Appreciation
Honoring gratitude and appreciation is a powerful gift we give ourselves and others. Some of you reading this may be thinking that to extend gratitude and appreciation to someone or something is a form of honoring. And you are correct. Just as with anything else, mindfulness is the key.
It is quite easy to thank someone at the moment of a kindness or appreciate a beautiful sunset. Think about it, though, aren’t most of the things you say thanks for related to an outer experience? Of course, we want to ensure that those two powerful words, “Thank You”, don’t become a cliché, similar to “have a nice day”.
Two quotes from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho come to mind as I write this.
“…when each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize
the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises…”
“He was learning a lot of new things. Some of them were things he had already experienced, and weren’t really new but he had never perceived before. And he hadn’t perceived them because he had become accustomed to them…”
As I reflect on the meaning of these words, I easily see how honoring gratitude and appreciation become so much more important in our lives. Two specific reasons come to mind.
- You get what you focus on in life. So it makes sense that focusing on honoring gratitude and appreciation will bring forth more things to be thankful for and appreciate. Your antenna will be tuning your frequency to see and receive your intended focus, similar to a radio.
- You are focusing on higher-level vibrations, which can carry over to other areas of your life, relationships and work. If you have seen the movies, What the Bleep Do We Know and The Secret, you have an idea of how focusing on higher-level feelings and vibrations work. David Hawkins also discusses this in his book, Power vs. Force.
Here are several ways to enrich and empower your life by:
Honoring gratitude and appreciation with others, in general:
- Be specific.
- Share your comments as close to the time/event as possible.
- Look at the person when you are face-to-face.
- Remember many people are not used to, or comfortable, with receiving positive praise. Extend your gratitude and appreciation anyway.
- Stop talking after stating what you have to say. No need to explain, be clear and to the point.
- Follow the above suggestions.
- Avoid mixing positive and negative messages.
- Make it a habit to offer many more positive messages, remember you get what you focus on.
- Treat yourself and your efforts with the same level of respect, gratitude and appreciation as you would anyone else.
- Take time, on a regular basis, to notice and acknowledge what is good (interactions with people), true (what is showing up at the present time) and beautiful (what are you doing for yourself/expressions of self-care) in you life. Note: this has become a powerful part of my evening ritual.
- Pause to reflect on your life — experiences, events, relationships, intentions, accomplishments, etc. — with special attention and emphasis on where you are now, where you have been, how far you have come, what you discovered along the way, along with how you have grown. Birthdays, the New Year, with the change of seasons or during the new moon are all good times to engage in this process. By the way, this is a no judgment, non-critical zone.
Antoinette
P.S. One of the more powerful and enlightening moments in my life was when I genuinely felt grateful for everything in my life and my history. This included experiences that some would call negative, painful, harsh, difficult, even insurmountable. One piece of insight shared with me several years ago was, “events in life are neutral, we give them meaning.” Gratitude and appreciation helped me to change the meaning I had given my life.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Enthusiasm! @ Work
Focus on Your Work Environment
There are many ways to spark enthusiasm, just as there are many ways to keep it flowing on a regular basis. Yes it is one thing to ignite the spark and another to keep the fires burning and the fountain flowing. One key way that is often overlooked relates to the work environment.
This article focuses on the physical environment. Your office, cubicle, workstation, your car—where you physically work—plays an important on your efficiency, effectiveness and your attitude. Consider the following:
What does you workspace look like? Is it neat and tidy? Or is it messy and disorganized?
Do you have everything you need, where you need it?
Can you access the information/resources you need quickly and easily?
How do you feel when you enter your workspace? Is your workspace inviting and energizing? Is your workspace distressing and depressing?
Do you have color, plants (where permitted), photos, picture calendars or anything else that connects you with something of personal interest?
Some of you reading this may take pride in your piles and stacks of stuff. You’ll justify that you can find what you need. Or you’ll say you like to have your work where you can see it. This isn’t a problem so long as you are being completely honest and operating out of a prosperity mindset versus a lack mentality. Hmm that’s worth looking into more closely.
It makes sense to foster an engaging, comfortable work environment that supports you in optimizing your gifts, talents, abilities and potential. This is especially true for two reasons. First consider how much of your time is spent at work. Then consider how your work life affects all other areas of your life.
Antoinette Webster M.E!, MBA, is the author of Enthusiasm! How To Draw It To Yourself and Keep It, Igniting the Spark of Enthusiasm! and the forthcoming Enthusiasm! @ Worksm series. She is a Master Enthusiast who has been facilitating programs, researching and writing about enthusiasm since 1990.
© 2006 Antoinette S. Webster, A System that Works. All Rights Reserved www.ASystemthatWorks.com
Monday, November 13, 2006
Magnificent Monday Motivators
Magnificent Monday MotivatorsSM ~ Time to Unplug
Have you ever felt as if you were standing at the base of Mt. Overwhelm? Are you now?
Are you feeling stressed at work? In your personal life?
It isn’t surprising for many of us to feel this way in light of our faster paced, higher tech, need it now or sooner, reaching across many miles and borders world.
What to do? One of the easiest things to do is to get unplugged. If getting unplugged is good enough for famous musicians, it is definitely is good enough for you.
Here are several options for getting unplugged.
- Take a break from everything. A yearlong sabbatical would be ideal. Not an option…then a two-week vacation, without laptops, cell phones, etc. Hmm, can’t swing two weeks, then how about one day or a half a day or even one hour of quiet, uninterrupted time for you.
- Schedule 30-60 minute blocks of time, twice a day, where you work on e-mail and make/return phone calls. Discipline is the key here.
- Stop being a slave to what ‘they’ say and honor your needs and preferred way of doing things.
- Unplug yourself from everything. Begin by imagining a large powerstrip with myriad cords connected to it. This powerstrip represents you and all the roles, responsibilities, organizations you are a part of in any way, tasks you have and anything else that is a part of your life. One by one imagine unplugging and disconnecting each cord and letting it return to its source. Allow yourself to be in this unplugged mode ~ simply Be. Engage in deep breathing, focusing on the long, slow in breath and exhale. Leave yourself unplugged as long as possible.
- Use wise discernment in choosing what you plug back in to your ‘powerstrip’.
- Engage in this uplugging imagery at the end of each day. In the morning discern what you plug in, doing so with mindfulness, compassion and respect.
- Play. Yes, that’s right good old-fashioned play, preferably outside. Run, skip, jump, walk the dog, explore the many gifts of nature, rollerblade, ride a bike, play hopscotch. Reconnect with that child-like sense of wonder and adventure.
- Laugh often, whether it’s by telling jokes or humorous stories, watching your favorite old movies/sitcoms, looking at life literally or anything else that allows you to laugh and have fun.
These things may feel awkward at first. Anything new and different is bound to feel awkward. Go with it anyway. The more you 'unplug', the more quickly it becomes a natural part of your experiences and your life. Oh, and remember that guilt is not a part of reclaiming your energy and vitality. So begin now to get unplugged.
(c) 2006 Antoinette S. Webster. All rights reserved.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Magnificent Monday Motivators
Tuning In, Clearing Out
We often receive insights or inner nudges to do or not do something. Sometimes we listen. Other times we blow it off or wait until a later time. Personally, I have found it valuable to pay attention, tune in for clarity and take appropriate action according to that inner guidance.
Such is the case now.
About a week ago I received the insight to take almost everything out of my office for a cleaning and clearing. This has turned out to be an interesting process accommodating my physical body’s need for movement and exercise, along with sprucing up the space where I spend quite a bit of time.
Today was the day for a thorough cleaning.
The next step is to use wise discernment as to what comes back in my office, where it is placed, what is to be passed along to others and what is to be discarded.
As I cleared things out of my office space, I began to sense that there might be something more going on than just the physical act of cleaning an office.
Energetically I am removing and releasing old stagnant energy; clearing out what no longer serves me or my business; creating space for new things, whatever they might be; becoming aware of another aspect of the myriad manifestations of abundance in my life, in this case with regard to books; and creating a beautiful, nurturing place to work. I can already sense positive shifts and a lightness coming forth.
As you go through your days I invite you to tune in and listen to those insights, intuitions and inner guidance. This can be done in your quite time, with meditation, contemplation or journaling. Then take right and appropriate action. The sooner and more often you do this, the more frequently the guidance comes.
Also, make it a point to clear the clutter and clean on a regular basis, especially areas where you spend a lot of time. You will be amazed at the difference in your energy, your attitude and myriad other gifts and blessings you will receive.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Enthusiasm! @ Work
Added Perspectives
The 2006 Enthusiasm! celebration and awareness creation throughout the month of October has come to a close. And it was a successful, insightful and inspiring event for me and all who participated.
There are many facets to my work, of which enthusiasm is only a part. Yet it is an important part, especially in light of our world today. My work with enthusiasm formally began in 1990. To this day I am intrigued with the new insights and added perspectives that come to me, personally, and shared by people I meet. This is why I keep stating that there is so much more to enthusiasm than what most people think.
Two specific things came forth during the 2006 Month of Enthusiasm! celebration that I’d like to share with you now. The first came during a radio interview when I was talking with the co-hosts about enthusiasm being a present moment experience. That is, when we open to and connect with the power, energy, force…of enthusiasm we are fully present in the moment where all is possible. Michael, one of the co-hosts, reflected for a moment. He then pointed out enthusiasm is a present moment experience that causes and allows us to be fully present to the moment—we are in the moment, present to what is taking place and responding appropriately. Hence you are in a flow state that opens to creativity, critical thinking, clarity, focus and a variety of other skills that support your responsiveness and response-ability.
Think about how this perspective can assist you throughout your everyday work flow. Think about how this perspective can assist your team or work group.
Another perspective came during a program I facilitated. Participants had the opportunity to share an insight or personal experience with regard to enthusiasm. One person talked about how true it is when people say “enthusiasm is contagious”. Now most often the contagious aspects of enthusiasm are discussed and implied as in relation to other people. However, this person goes on to say that when he is working on a project that is interesting and exciting to him, his enthusiasm carries over to other projects and things he has to do. They get done quicker and more easily than when he is not tapped into enthusiasm.
So there is a personal and an interpersonal aspect to enthusiasm being contagious.
Both of these added perspectives relate to another fact about enthusiasm. This is the fact that enthusiasm is also a vibration we open to. This vibration can be expanded and/or focused. It affects us personally, the things we do for ourselves, our work, our relationships, etc. The more we align with this the stronger our vibration becomes. Harnessing the power of your enthusiasm, personally and professionally, can be like strengthening a muscle. The more you exercise your muscle, the better you tune your frequency, the stonger it—your muscle/your vibration—becomes. And the benefits are limitless.
Antoinette Webster, M.E!, MBA, is the author of Enthusiasm! How To Draw It To Yourself and Keep It, Igniting the Spark of Enthusiasm! and the forthcoming Enthusiasm! @ Worksm series. She is a Master Enthusiast who has been facilitating programs, researching and writing about enthusiasm since 1990.
As an Author, Speaker, Facilitator and Life/Balance/Spirit Coach+, Antoinette guides people and organizations to move through barriers so they can harness the power of enthusiasm. Also, she is the President of A System that Workssm , which focuses on professional and personal transformational growth and development. Visit www.ASystemthatWorks.com to find out more about our programs, personal profiles, products and services. Or contact Antoinette at 513.887.0600, Antoinette@ASystemthatWorks.com.
© 2006 Antoinette S. Webster, A System that Workssm . All Rights Reserved www.ASystemthatWorks.com.
