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Dear Dr. Connie: How do I deal with all of this change?

Many of the experienced coaches I know are getting this question from their clients. I have been asked this question in several sessions over the past few weeks. Most of my coaching clients are high-achieving individuals who are finding themselves in situations where they are now working from home while also helping their kids learn and taking care of their parents at a distance.

Yes, we are in changing (and challenging) times. Balancing all the new with the uncertainty of what is happening is difficult for most of us; however, there are things we can do to improve our mindset while also enjoying what this strange present has to offer.

I created a new coaching tool, My WINs for Today, for clients who have needed a little help finding their new grooves. One of the daily challenges I set for them is to have some fun every single day. Yes, this may sound strange to many. However, we know that fun helps strengthen us physically, mentally and spiritually.

Fun: Doing anything that creates joy in your life.

-Dr. Connie

The WINs for Today coaching tool is designed to provide a simple, yet useful, roadmap to help people create and celebrate 3 intentional WINs (Wildly, Inspired, Natural Actions) each day that support their lives now and into the future. For overachievers, times like this can be very difficult. Why? They are never quite satisfied about how much they accomplish. Times like these can be super-stressful because productivity is challenged by all of the other items they have added to their plates. I know from my own experience that working with kids who are learning at home is something that takes a few new braincells and mindfulness techniques to balance.

Intentions are whatever we truly want to make happen. What we intend will happen. Actions support honest intentions; therefore, all true intent is realized. Intentions become the outcome.

Dr. Connie in SMARTER Intentions & Authentic Goals (2014)

There is only so much we can do in a day, so keep it simple until you feel like you are in a good place to do more. Create some momentum, and learn from each day. Try not to judge yourself too harshly, and get some help if you need it!

You can download the My WINs for Today Coaching tool for FREE by clicking on the following link:

My-WINs-for-Coaching-Clients-by-Dr.-ConnieDownload

You can also preview the My WINs for Today coaching tool below. Let me know how the tool works for you. I would love to hear how you are all navigating the present to create a new future!

Have fun creating your WINs!

-Dr. Connie

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				Mondays are for Fresh Starts
			

		


		

			






It may be time for a fresh start.  Clients have been reaching out to me because they are stressed and wondering what to do next. The uncertainty created by the COVID-19 situation is a challenge for businesses and leaders.  How can you possibly create a bright future right now?





In face-to-face workshops, I really enjoy watching my clients jump over fresh start lines after they have decided to pivot and move in a different direction.  Now is the time to jump over that line if what you are doing is not working.





We have made a lot of changes in our house too.  Growing a business while helping kids with their new normal of remote learning at home is a total mind bender.  One of our dogs died, and we closed on a house that we were in the process of buying before this all happened.  We also received very difficult news about two loved ones that are struggling with health issues. It has been hard and more than a little depressing. 





Through all of the challenge and stress, there is hope and opportunity.





For example, I had to give myself permission to hold off on launching the online version of F*school while also expanding my client base to serve those who are in need.  The challenge was putting my almost completed F*School on hold so I could move into the opportunity of helping more clients.  My personal philosophy is to serve the immediate needs of existing or new clients first while developing products requested by future clients.





If you need to create a fresh start for yourself, or your business, then do it.  Today, or any day, is the perfect time to do something different, experiment with ideas and reconnect with yourself and the clients.





If you are having a hard time dealing with the need for constant change and need a mindset shift, then let me know.  The experienced coaches I know and admire are all adding clients in an effort to help individuals and organizations navigate this rollercoaster of a ride we seem to be on right now.





Give yourself permission to create a fresh start!  If you need help, please let me know.  I am here for you.  If I am not the right fit, I will help you find someone who is.





We will get through this, and there are opportunities out there – for people at every age and stage of life.  Let’s create joy and hope in the world again.  It’s time.





Go Wild with Your Fresh Start!





-Dr. Connie






		

	



					


	
	
	

		

			

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				Happy Easter!
			

		


		

			






I recently read this quote and wanted to share:





To trust God in the light in nothing, but to trust him in the dark…
That is faith.
C.H. Spurgeon





There is hope and light at the end of the tunnel my friends. Let’s focus on getting to the light together!





Here’s to having hope and love for one another in challenging times.





-Dr. Connie






		

	



					


	
	
	

		

			

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				Happy International Women’s Day!
			

		


		

			

Women’s prosperity is a focus area for Wild Innovation.  





Why?





Research continues to demonstrate that gender equity strengthens economic prosperity.  When women make money, they invest it into their families, businesses and communities.  





It is time to support #EqualforEqual and ensure economic equity and prosperity for all. 










This is something that I am personally passionate about because of my own experiences with inequality in the workplace.  Instead of simply talking about my story, I am taking action to help other women (as well as workplaces) create futures that are more inclusive and more prosperous for women, their families and their communities.





I am absolutely thrilled to partner with Talbot County Economic Development and Tourism to offer a strategic foresight workshop for female leaders committed to playing big in both work and life while having fun! 





This new workshop coincides with their declaration of 2020 as the Year of the Woman because it marks the 100th year of women’s right vote in the United States.  In addition to the workshop, I am giving the keynote for their annual Business Appreciation Breakfast focused on “How to Lead Like a Futurist in Talbot County.”





Leading Like a Futurist in Talbot County, Maryland!





What is Leadership & Life 2025?





Leadership & Life 2025 is a strategic foresight workshop designed for women who want to take charge of their futures.  Women are forging new paths in leadership, business and entrepreneurship. They are creating new models of work, life and income generation in an era of full-time careers, gig-economy side hustles, dual-working couples, the #metoo movement and an aging workforce that prizes youth.   





Join us for this workshop if:





You are a high-achieving, female leader and/or entrepreneur who is ready to get to the next level





You are challenged by work-life balance and want to get your life back on track





You are in a time of transition and lack sense of direction but want something “more” that you can’t quite grasp or understand





You feel hopeless, lost or unsure about where you are going and why you are currently doing what you are doing – even if you just keep doing it





You are bored, disengaged and uninterested in your current career, business endeavor, romantic relationship or even life in general





You have a sense of unease because you “aren’t getting any younger” and feel that you are running out of time to do, be and accomplish all you desire out of this lifetime





You are ready to take some time to work on your dreams while having fun with other women making great things happen!





Come to Leadership & Life 2025 and leave with:





Your new vision for the future as well as the focus, confidence and excitement you need to make your future vision a reality





A personal innovation plan that sets you up to WIN by taking Wildly, Inspired, Natural Actions





Connections with other female leaders and businesswomen who are ready to make their new visions a reality





Women who Lead in Talbot County….Join Us April 23, 2020 and Go Wild with Your Dream Futures!





-Dr. Connie





PS: Need some ideas to support International Women’s Day 2020?  Go to InternationalWomensDay.com and Take Action!

		

	



					


	
	
	

		

			

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				The Value of a Purposeful Future
			

		


		

			

I am currently working on a day-long, customized strategic foresight and leadership curriculum for the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (MHDD) National Training Center’s National Leadership Institute.  MHDD’s National Training Center is a collaboration between the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the University of Kentucky, University of Alaska Anchorage, and Utah State University. 










One of the topics we will focus on is creating and leading what I call a Purposeful Future.  This is a pivot from the preferred future I have learned about and talked about for years.  Why?  Years of my research, and that of many others, continues to reveal the importance of purpose.  





Too many people keep their desires inside of them.  They unwittingly pursue the Purposeless Future. This is the future that “just happens” because people opt to stay on the hamster wheel of life rather than taking the time to develop and pursue a purposeful future that they truly desire.





A clear sense of purpose this is especially important for women, as well as businesses, looking to reinvent themselves, innovate or create a different future than the one they think the present will support.  Purpose is associated with longevity, health, vitality and the ability to innovate.





Which future are you choosing to pursue right now?  Have you been purposeful in the pursuit of your future?  Or, are you running default mode??  There is no judgment here!  I have, and still do, struggle to get out of default mode – especially when life gets overly busy!










I would really enjoy learning from those who are pursuing their Purposeful Futures with wild abandon!  Why did you decide to approach your life and/or business with purpose? How do you approach the intentional creation of a Purposeful Future? 





I look forward to hearing from you!





Go Wild with Your Purposeful Future!





-Dr. Connie





PS:  Enjoy the article (below) by Singularity University’s Chipp Norcross.  I completed a professional development certification with Singularity a couple of years ago and like to study their strategic foresight research and ideas for the future. 










Is Purpose A Company’s Best Protection Against Disruption? – Singularity University






Are you optimizing for the industry you think you’re in, or for the actual service you’re providing to your customers? Your answer could indicate how likely it is that your company might be disrupted, notes SU’s Chipp Norcross.




Source: Is Purpose A Company’s Best Protection Against Disruption? – Singularity University




After all, an organization’s purpose is fundamentally an inspirational communication from leadership about what is essential to focus on and prioritize. 
-Chipp Norcross, Vice President of Enrollment program at Singularity University

		

	



					


	
	
	

		

			

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				How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?
			

		


		

			

I am really curious about how other people celebrate Valentine’s Day.  My husband and I have now been married for 20.5 years, and we are always looking for new ideas.  We usually have a fun celebration at home with the kids because they love celebrating holidays with us.





We make some heart-shaped foods and enjoy a nice meal together.  Then, we exchange a few small gifts – even the dogs get some extra treats! However, it is time to mix it up a bit!  So, I am looking for ideas!!





How you spend Valentine’s Day?  










Looking forward to reading some great ideas!





Here’s to having more fun today and everyday!





-Dr. Connie











		

	



					


	
	
	

		

			

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				The 30 Day Bucket List Challenge
			

		


		

			

Are you ready?





It is mid-January, and time is already flying by in 2020!  Have you made progress on your New Year’s resolutions and goals?  I know it is easier for me to DREAM BIG and be accountable when other people are taking the trip with me.  If you need some motivation, accountability and bold thinking, join our 30 Day Bucket List Challenge!  





How will you fill your bucket?





Sign up by clicking on the “Join the 30 Day Bucket Challenge List” button below.  We are kicking off on February 1, 2020.  Sign up now to receive the 30 Day Bucket Challenge workbook.  Then, start filling your bucket with whatever you want to accomplish, experience and achieve in 30 days!





Get ready to Go Wild and Have Fun!





-Dr. Connie




	

		

			

				

					
				

												
				

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				Australia’s One Billion Animals Lost is Only the Beginning
			

		


		

			

Sadly, Mass Extinctions will Continue





Trends don’t look good for creatures, big and small, around the world.  Predictions estimate that Australia’s mass wildfires have now killed one billion animals…and counting.





The knowledge of mass extinctions is not new.  The planet’s flora, fauna, animals and natural resources have been under duress for quite sometime.   As the number of humans increase-the amount and quality of wildlife habitat decreases.





Dr. Larkin Powell and I discuss this very issue in Episode 27 of the Rural Futures podcast, which can be accessed by going to: https://ruralfutures.nebraska.edu/episode-27-researcher-larkin-powell-intersects-humanity-wildlife-ecotourism/





There is nothing that happens in rural landscapes that does not effect wildlife.  The tie between human community and the biotic community is tighter than ever before.
Dr. Larkin Powell
Professor of Conversation Biology, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln










The truth is that we are all connected.  Larkin provides an example of seeing flowers being produced in Columbia that are ultimately purchased in places like Nebraska.  We also talk about chocolate and coffee.  Much of what we consume travels a long way to find our plates!





What does this mean?  None of us are removed from the tragic fires in Australia.





Larkin notes that there are long-term concerns about extinctions.  I talk about a strategic foresight tool, Future Users, and propose that generations living on the planet today (including that of my children) will see mass extinctions in their lifetimes.  Australia is only the beginning.   Go ahead and add polar bears, bees, cheetahs, elephants and many, many more to the list.    





As we see the continued psychographic (wants, needs and desires) shifts in the human population… 





We definitely have to put sustainability at the forefront.
Dr. Connie





We all need to do better, including me and my family.  A more prosperous future for all, including women, depends on humanity having -and taking care of- this wonderful planet.   The time for future-focused leadership and innovation, with a focus on sustainability, is NOW!





Dr. Jim Cavaye, Professor of Regional Community Development at the University of Southern Queensland, was one of our Faculty Fellows at the Rural Futures Institute.  I wish Jim and everyone in Australia all the best as they move forward in this very challenging situation.   Jim:  We are here for you friend!













I tried to find what legitimate information on to donate to relief efforts in Australia.  I found this  news site in Australia that may be useful.  If you know of legitimate places people can help, please share!





Prayers and Love to You Australia!





–Dr. Connie










Check out the interview with Dr. Larkin Powell by clicking on the link below:





https://ruralfutures.nebraska.edu/episode-27-researcher-larkin-powell-intersects-humanity-wildlife-ecotourism/





Larkin Powell, Professor of Conservation Biology at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, talks with Dr. Connie about the opportunities within ecotourism, humanity’s affect on wildlife and natural landscapes, the benefits of precision agriculture for animal habitats, the possibility of mass extinctions of wildlife in the coming decades and more.

		

	



					
					


	
	
	

		

			

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				What 100 Things have You Accomplished in the Last 10 Years?
			

		


		

			

We are ushering a new decade, which means it is a great time to reflect on the past while preparing for the future!  It is easy to move on to the next goal, intention or resolution; however, I encourage all of you to take the time to remember, honor and celebrate what you have already achieved – in the last 10 years.  Yes, you read that correctly – the last 10 years!





What 100 Things Have You Accomplished in the Last 10 Years?





Why 10 years?  This decade stretching coaching exercise is designed to tap into your memory banks while providing a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.  Investing time and effort into this process will also strengthen your motivation and confidence.  This can be especially important for high-achieving individuals who feel like they are getting older and are interested in or working towards a life transition or transformation.   Achievers tend to move quickly and overlook what they have accomplished.  This exercise was intentionally designed as a slow, yet insightful, process that helps us see how much we have grown and changed over the course of a decade. 





The first few may or may not come easily to you.  Expect the process to get a little more challenging as you add more accomplishments.  Ten years goes by quickly, and we tend to forget all we have experienced and achieved.  If you get stuck, refer to your planner, calendar and pictures for ideas.  Use your social media accounts, colleagues and friends to trigger your memories.  Think back to fun times and feelings of joy.  And, think broadly!  This is not an exercise focused only on work or career.  Think about the whole of your life as you go through this exercise.  Below are a few thinking prompts:





  • How did you invest in yourself?
  • Where were you, and what were you doing, 10 years ago?
  • Where are you, and what are you doing, now? 
  • What experiences did you enjoy? 
  • Did you have a child(ren) or grandchild(ren)?  
  • Did you try a new hair color?
  • What type of physical exercise did you try or grow?
  • Did you write your first blog post or record a podcast?
  • What romantic encounters did you experience?    
  • What vacations did you experience?
  • What classes did you take?
  • What hobbies did you develop?
  • How did you volunteer or freely contribute your talents?
  • What did you do for exercise or self-care?





Stretch your thinking and have some fun with this exercise.  You may just surprise yourself! Download the 100 Things I Have Accomplished in the Last 10 Years Coaching Tool below by clicking on either the text or the 100 graphic.  Make the time to complete the list, and then let us know all about the 100 accomplishments you have achieved in the comment section below.  We look forward to hearing from you!







Cheers to all of you!





-Dr. Connie







100-Things-I-Accomplished-in-the-Last-10-YearsDownload










What 100 things have you accomplished in the last 10 years?