What would you never give up?

Last night I presented, Yes, You Can Choose Better Over Really Good for the Stillwater BPW (Business and Professional Women's Association) in celebration of National Business Women's Week. About 20% of the participants shared that they were retired. At first I was surprised and was intrigued by why they were interested in coming to this business and networking event. Upon hearing their stories, it became readily apparent that they'd made powerful, meaningful connections with the other women in the group and found it a continuing source of support in their next phase of life. (I'm sure they, in turn, are mentors sharing their wisdom). Some commented that they had retired several times and been drawn back to work for the passion of it. I found this striking. It made me think about the things in my life that I would not stop doing, even if I had everything I needed. The first thing that comes to mind is that I would continue to find creative outlets. I'd continue to seek out opportunities to meet new and inspiring people. I don't think I'd be able to stop being a "connector" type, bringing people together who would be mutually beneficial to each other or connecting them with opportunities they might not have otherwise.

If you were to have everything you could possibly need, what would you continue doing?

Motivation through connecting

Tonight was the Mom-Camp mixer for workshop presenters, sponsors and volunteers. It was a gas. Most enjoyable was renewing and creating connections with the others. We talked a little about six-degrees of separation and with just a quick overview could easily see how we were connected in various ways to each other. Many of the women I knew from meeting at Mom-Camp but several others I'd met and/or worked with in different settings. One of my core values is creating meaningful connections so I really enjoyed when I could see these wonderful women coming together, sharing about their work, laughing and informally finding ways of supporting each other's businesses. Ideas for collaboration sprung forth with ease. My mind is still reeling from the possibilities we could explore. It's all very exciting and keeps me fueled and excited about what's ahead.

What connections in your life fuel you for what's ahead? What roles do friends, family, colleagues or new acquaintances play in keeping you motivated?

Mini-Reflection on my Visit to the Mayo!

Greetings to Purple Crayon Factory facilitators and friends!

My name is Sonya Clemens, and I am PCF's intern from the College of Saint Catherine. At St. Kate's, I study Psychology primarily, with minors in Philosophy and Latin. I became curious about PCF when I stumbled upon their website, as I was interested in learning more about career opportunities in the health and wellness community as well as meeting people who practice psychology in less-than-traditional ways. The Purple Crayon Factory's mission is very much like my own. As a therapist, I hope to inspire people to look at their problems in new ways and to work with the resources they have to achieve happier, fuller lives.

Recently, I attended Teresa Thomas-Carroll's workshop at the Mayo Clinic. While it was a little bit intimidating for a lowly college student like me to be surrounded by so many intelligent, professional women, as always I was surprised to see how receptive they were to a process that probably differs so much from what they are used to. I mean, how many grown women would, by their own power, choose to sit down with glue and scissors to make a reflective collage? But they seemed to really enjoy the chance to be creative and to embrace the theme of the workshop whole-heartedly.

It's *so interesting* from a psychological standpoint to hear what women value in their own lives, and to witness the visual change that takes place between the moment we enter the room and the moment we leave -- especially during the guided meditation, when the whole room collectively seems to become more relaxed and focused. It's a tool I plan to use in my own practice because it really does seem to help people "tap in" to the wellspring of creativity and power they have to change their own lives. Coming from a strictly academic background where so much emphasis is placed on "tried-and-true" methods that offer quantitative results, I may have never had a chance to see what techniques like guided imagery can offer, but after witnessing its affect first-hand, it seems like a valuable tool. I also like the simplicity of collage because it offers a creative "right-brain" outlet for self-discovery without being as intimidating as drawing or painting; with collage, more emphasis is placed on the process rather than the final product.

I really enjoyed my trip to the Mayo, if only because it was a rare chance to venture inside the walls of one of the most well-respected medical facilities in the country. I enjoyed seeing Teresa's methods in action, and hope to someday put them to use myself!

Online Ideal Business Support

I've had several questions about the Online Ideal Business Support groups. Since the group is online, you can participate even if you don't live in Minnesota. Here's the scoop:

Full Year Program

Want regular motivation and accountability to bring your business to the next level? Join this year-long supportive network for mission-driven small business and healing professionals to pursue and achieve business aspirations. As an online group, you participate when it is most convenient for you. Our discussion and action will be centered on Twelve Months to Your Ideal Private Practice: A Workbook by Lynn Grodzki.

Teresa Thomas-Carroll facilitates, with occasional teleconferences.

As founder and director of Purple Crayon Factory, Teresa creates opportunities for meaningful connections and realizations via workshops and networking groups. Her passion and creative energy is fused into all of her work. She collaborates on The Small Business Marketing Jam Sessions with The Small Business Helper.

For more details and pricing e-mail your name and business to info@purplecrayonfactory.com

As an informal online group, we can go in the direction that best serves the group. We'll use the exercises outlined each month from the "Twelve Months...Workbook". I'll get us started each month, help to direct the conversation and share some closing thoughts at the end of each month's exercise. We'll share our progress, obstacles, advice and useful resources with each other. If it feels like an outside expert would be helpful, I'll invite in someone appropriate to give us suggestions. The intention is for us to learn together while using the workbook as a tool to aid our progress.

My personal motivation for facilitating the online groups comes from 1) Lynn Grodzki's book, "Building Your Ideal Private Practice"--even though I'm not a therapist, this book has been instrumental for me to learn soft ways of marketing (I cringe at hard sales) while developing a supportive collegial network, 2) Because I've implemented so many of the strategies, a therapist friend has been encouraging me for almost three years to start up a group based on the book, 3) Now that there's a workbook, it's the perfect way to work through the exercises together and 4) One of my personal missions is to create meaningful connections between people to learn from and support each other.

I hope you'll join us. If you'd like to register, please e-mail me your name and business. I will then send you an invoice. Shortly after I receive your registration, I'll send confirmation with more details.

Lynn Grodzki sends out occasional e-newsletters with tips especially useful to therapists and coaches. You can subscribe on her website.

Click Twelve Months to Your Ideal Private Practice: A Workbook to purchase the workbook. This is an affiliate link and any percentage that PCF receives will help us to keep our offerings affordable.

On Top of the World: Mayo Clinic, Rider Bennett Law and more!

Because of events in the past week and a half, I'm on top of the world!

It all started with a fantastic session for 60 at the Mayo Clinic. The next day, I co-facilitated The Small Business Marketing Jam which once again sold out with 35 registrations. Then just last Thursday, our facilitator Mia Bolte presented on Addressing the Inner Critic for Rider Bennett Law's "An Autumn Afternoon". When Mia and I recapped our experiences with each other, it was so nice to hear the excitement not only about how it felt for us but from what participants shared with us afterward. Follow up communications from attendees confirmed that the sessions were well received. We were affirmed that by following our passions we cannot help but stumble upon success along the way.

When I need a boost, I review the kudos we receive to confirm the value of our offerings. It works every time.

Think of the kudos you've received. If you haven't already, create a file, box or other way to capture kind notes about the usefulness you bring into the world. When you're feeling less confident, peruse the notes to remember the importance of your uniqueness and the impact you make.