Keep in Touch While Blog is Inactive

Hello, I am putting this blog on hiatus in order to turn more of my attention to Purple Crayon Factory and MN Women In Networking (WIN). Both organizations have great e-newsletters with articles and updates. Please keep in touch by signing up for these free e-newsletters: PCF's monthly newsletter (Purple Crayon Factory) and Connect (MN Women In Networking).

Refreshing workshops, events and services support you to
create the life you want with resources you have.

Encouraging one another’s professional growth and business success in the Twin Cities.



Thank you for your continued interest and support.

I wish for you only the best,
Teresa Thomas-Carroll

Director, Purple Crayon Factory and MN Women In Networking (WIN)
612-722-6931
teresa@purplecrayonfactory.com
info@mnwin.org

Taking yourself off the hook

I'm taking myself off the hook for keeping up this blog. When I have blogged, I've enjoyed it but haven't made the time and motivation to post regularly. It's been a small weight nagging at me, "you should be blogging". I'd been thinking of giving it up but then I was in a teleclass offered by Deborah Gallant of WebPowerTools and Lynn Grodzki of Private Practice Success. In the class, Deborah stated that if you're not blogging at least every other day and aren't seeing a result of your blogging, then why have a blog? Hearing this was exactly what I needed. Concrete input that it isn't currently a fit for me. It feels like a relief to let this go. I can always re-examine in the future. But for now, I'm already feeling some energy come back to me as I let this go in order to have more time to devote to other areas of business, especially now that I am also coordinating MN Women In Networking in addition to Purple Crayon Factory. I'll create just one more post in order to help us keep in touch.

What could you allow yourself to be off the hook?

WIN rocks!

If you don't already know about WIN (Women In Networking), I can't wait to tell the world about it and am happy to answer any questions and take suggestions. As of December, I'll officially be the director for Women In Networking (WIN).

Yesterday's event featured Kathleen Watson from Client Connections. She presented on the top ten networking oopses and strategies to avoid them. She helped us become more confident and aware about how to approach networking. I love that she shared the personal "oopses" from her own experience. Twice, I stumbled into making an oops that must be number 11 on the list (calling someone the wrong name--so sorry! I'm much better with faces than names--I'll definitely work on that.).

I've been a presenter at WIN in the past and had been struck by the wonderful energy of the group. But now I get to know these women even better, help them make connections (my passion and purpose!) and apply my creative energy toward coordinating awesome networking events. Can you tell I'm excited?!

I'll keep you posted!

Unexpected Reminders of Why

There are so many reasons we choose our paths. Some of them are obvious (making an income, following our interests, making a difference) and some are less obvious but are what keep us motivated and reminded what makes our lives meaningful. Following the September Small Business Marketing Jam, Taiha Wagner (Mom on the Go) and I received warm feedback not only immediately following the event but well after. Notes like this remind us why we do what we do (used with permission):

"It was a pleasant surprise to be so welcomed at an event that I have never before attended. It was an even more pleasant surprise to receive the support and suggestions from other attendees to reach for my potential "just because I can".

I thought I would feel out of my element since I have not yet started any business, but am just reaching out for ideas. The group activities were enlightening and encouraging as to my gifts and direction. Every attendee really is there as a team member and cheerleader.

Your efforts at creating a professional network are truly outstanding. I say this because I do not think of myself as a professional, yet was treated with respect as an equal to the other professional women in attendance. It dawned on me that they are women helping women and that is the motivating factor as well as the feeling of accomplishment." --Bonita

Think about the unexpected reminders that you get about the value of what you offer. It might be a kind note, word or a request for you to do something again (ranging from making a special recipe, to a warm hug, to a referral). Take a moment to let it sink in and accept the recognition that you are unique and valuable for who you are and the qualities you embed in what you offer.

Difficult Relationships

Is someone driving you crazy? How do you deal with it and maintain your integrity? Often times our most difficult relationships pull out the worst in us, making the relationship all the more challenging.

I'm the type of person who wants to know the "why" behind everything. (I can only imagine how tiresome I must have been as a toddler once I learned that word.) Whenever someone belittled, manipulated or bullied me, rather than enforce my boundaries I'd try to figure out the underlying reasons or wonder if I could have somehow brought it upon myself. After fifteen years, something my husband has been trying to help me learn is finally sinking in. He has always told me that often it is just not worth trying to figure out why someone is difficult or doesn't treat you right. He explained that even if I did find out all the reasons, it wouldn't make it okay and that the bottom line is to be treated respectfully.

I am now much better at setting boundaries in difficult relationships but am still learning.

How about you? What are you learning about working through or exiting difficult relationships?

Our November newsletter reflection is about finding strategies to deal with difficult relationships . It includes a link to a really nice article on this subject from our guest columnist, Cari Vollmer, The Life On Track Expert.

Finding hope and joy by "shaping" the world

My StarTrib horoscope yesterday was right on when it said, "You are not one to ask, 'What is this world coming to?' because you're too involved in shaping it. This afternoon you'll be shaping it ito something that brings you joy." I absolutely love helping to create and being around the energy of people connecting in meaningful ways. I was facilitating a Networking Factory© for MN Women In Networking. The room was full of dynamic business women from a wide range of businesses. The networking was unusual, fun and got them to talk to each other in ways that are less intimidating and gets them to talk about who they "are" in connection with their work and not just about what they "do." As women, it's important for us to develop a sense of relationship and care with our colleagues but we don't always get the chance to do that.

When I returned to my office, I had this e-mail waiting for me from one of the participants (used with permission):

"I heard so many positive comments about today's event. You put on a wonderful event, no one complained about anything, or even was blase about it, everyone was really thrilled and happy to have come. I was very proud to have one of my clients come as a guest and hear her say so many wonderful things about this event. We really ought to have a couple of them per year! Thanks again," - Bobbi Jo Woods, B. Woods Design

The way that I help "shape the world" through these events gives me hope. In creating environments for participants to make authentic connections, I'm reminded that human beings really do care about each other. The laughter that comes along with it gives me joy.

In what ways do you find hope and joy in "shaping the world"?

Doing What You Think You Cannot

Today is my last day of summer "break" if you can call around the clock parenting a break. ;). Our youngest begins Kindergarten tomorrow. It's going to be a whole new world for all of us!

The topic of our September newsletter is about "Doing What You Think You Cannot". I hope you'll be inspired to set upon what you've been wanting to do but have put off out of fear or other perceived obstacles. For me, I'll be trying out "improv story telling" this fall. I'm also finishing up a fun little mockumentary about a faux band I used to be in. These are things I've been wanting to do and the milestone of turning 40 seems to be the perfect time to set upon and celebrate with these accomplishments.

Your turn!
Teresa

Summer fun: Be a tourist in your own town

Here's a great way way to savor the last bit of summer (and save gas, too):

Get your calendar and pick a vacation day to be a tourist in your own town. Set your itinerary, pack your camera, sunglasses and wear something that makes you feel like you’re from out of town—maybe a t-shirt emblazoned with your city’s name. On this day, only do things that a tourist would do (e.g. don’t do laundry or cook from home!). Inspire others: post your ideas of what you plan to do for your at-home vacation as comments on this blog.

Here are some of the "tourist dates" our family has gone on:

-Take a "penny walk". You'll need two pennies. Start at home, flip the pennies; if the pennies don't match go straight; two heads go left; two tails go right. Do this everytime you arrive at a corner. You may end up walking in a couple of circles (but hey, doesn't that help you feel like a lot tourist?). It's fun having no idea of where you'll end up. See everything with fresh eyes and stop to enjoy some of the places your pennies bring you (a park, a beach, a little shop, a different neighborhood...). Don't let yourself get too lost to return home!

-Spend the entire day at Como zoo instead of buzzing through in a couple of hours. See every animal. Arrive early to get good seats and catch the Sparky show. Picnic and treat ourselves to ice cream novelties. Watch the giant tortoises long enough to see them move about and have their snack. Wander the conservatory, pick out which flowers are our favorites. Walk through the Japanese garden and ask to see the Tea House. Maybe even go on the old fashioned merry-go-round or some of the new rides at the adjacent amusement park.

-Leisure about at a waterpark on a really hot day. Arrive early and leave late. Go down the big waterslide a million times or so until a stranger points out that you wore through your swimsuit from sliding down so many times (yes, this actually happened--luckily I had a big towel and a spare swimsuit!). Get gigantic freezees that melt before we're even half-way through eating them, making a mess that is easily remedied by hopping into the pool.

-Nature hike to Minnehaha Creek. Look at everything as though we haven't seen it countless times before. Spend hours looking for fish and then trying to catch crayfish in a tiny container. Watch it for a little bit and then let it go.
-Walk over to Minnehaha falls, view it from every angle and take pictures.

For more ideas of touristy things to do, visit your town's tourism website. In Minneapolis, it is: http://www.minneapolis.org/

How will you spend the day as a tourist in your town? Post your ideas as a comment to this blog for others to enjoy!

Universe Changers: Community

Universe Changers: July topic

Community
Where do you find community in your life?
How do you make community? How do you build and sustain it? What does it look like? What does it do for you? How is it a window into your life?
How do we see our community of Universe Changers? How would we like to see it?

Whether or not you can participate in a Universe Changers circle, you can join in the conversation by posting your comment on this blog. We'll look forward to hearing from you. For information on Universe Changers, click: Universe Changers! (sponsored by the Minnesota Women's Press)