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This Is Your Life Newsletter
A monthly reminder, This Is Your Life.....Make It What You Want!
 
October, 2007

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In This Issue
What's New!
Article: Sharing Your Talents
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Looks like fall has finally arrived in Wisconsin.  I was the chairperson of my church's annual Fall Festival on October 7th and at 85 degrees, it was not very fall-like.  It was a great event though and I'm thankful people were willing to partake in a hot bowl of chili when it felt like the middle of August!!
 
In fact, the event went so well my husband warmed me that I better be careful-the church will  recruit me for a leadership position.  My response was "I just do parties!"  That's what I like-that's what I'm good at.   You've probably heard of the Peter Principle: "In a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his (or her) level of incompetence."  I think I'll stick with party planning! 
 
Which brings me to the topic of this month-sharing your talents (how's that for a transition).  Here's a question.  Why do people minimize their talents and think they ought to stop doing what they do so well, then "move ahead" to take on something they have no interest or talent for?  Read on for some of my thoughts on that. 
 
Happy Autumn!
 
          Mary Kay  
 
What's New?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Dedication: A tribute to my dear friend, Ann Smith, who died of cancer on Thursday, October 11th, just 3 days shy of her 48th birthday.  I had known Ann since graduate school at UW-Milwaukee in the early 80's.  Ann was a dedicated advocate for those with disabilities and other disadvantaged individuals.  She contributed to the American Disabilities Act and witnessed it's signing in Washington DC by President H. Bush in 1990.  More importantly to me, she was a very good friend and a very special person. Ann was one of the most positive people I knew especially in that she had many of her own physical struggles as a person with disabilities. She touched many lives; she certainly touched mine.  She was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
 
Workshop: I Love My Kids.....But What About US?
Saturdays, November 10 & 17 at First Unitarian Society 9AM-Noon
This course is designed for couples with young or school age children who have "lost touch" with each other as a couple.  This workshop will give you an opportunity to get to know each other again and create a vision of what you'd like your family and love relationship to be.  You'll leave the workshop feeling closer and more connected to your spouse which will also make you better parents and partners. Only $30!  Contact me at marykay@lifecoachmkay.com or go to www.fusmadison.org to register.
 
 
A Win-Win Opportunity: A Free Class offered by Capital Hypnosis (a business I'm happy to endorse) "Secret NLP* Relationship Strategies" on Thursday, October 18th at 7:05 PM at the Radisson Hotel, 517 Grand Canyon Drive, Madison.
 
"Here's how you can connect with and understand a man or woman instantly!"
 
PLUS-In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month Capital Hypnosis will donate money to the Susan Komen Race for the Cure based on attendance: $1/person if 10-25 people attend, $2/person if 26-50 people attend and $3/person if 51 or more people attend.
 
Looks very interesting and an easy way to support Race for the Cure.  Definitely a Win-Win!
 
*Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a "model of interpersonal communications" based on the study of language, communication and change.
 
 
 
Article: Share Your Talents
by Mary Kay Aide
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"Our opportunities to do good are our talents."
-Cotton Mather

 
 
I believe we all want to do good.  We all want to serve in some way and
we all want to contribute. So why do so many people hold back?  What stops people from offering their services, stepping out in their organizations or volunteering in the community?
 
One reason might be that we compare ourselves to those around us who are doing such fabulous things.  We may feel intimidated or think to ourselves, "I can't do it as well as them, people expect more than I can offer, so why bother?" 
 
Do any of these self-talk statements sound familiar?  I'm not organized enough, I don't know enough, I'm not experienced enough, I'm not smart enough, I'm not...., I'm not...., I'm not.....
 
What if you switched that talk around?  What if you focused on what you can offer rather than focusing on what you can't offer?  What are you good at? What comes easily? What strength are you dismissing because it comes naturally or feels less than outstanding?  If you asked your best friend what they admire about you, what would they say?  Are you organized? A really good cook? Funny? A good listener? Patient? Creative?
 
I tell clients and participants in my workshops over and over again that to feel more complete, you do not have to become something different than who you are.  The trick is to be more of who you are.  The world needs what you have!  No one else possesses your unique combination of skills, abilities and strengths.  There's a place out there for you to shine.......and I challenge you to find it.
 
When you find yourself spending a lot of time and energy comparing yourself to others, thinking about what you can't do and where you're lacking, turn it around and pay attention to what you can do and where your strengths are.  Honor yourself and those around you by sharing.  As Martha Stewart says, "It's a good thing."
 
If you would like to find out your own personal Signature Strengths, reply to this newsletter and I'll send you the link to find yours.
 
Here's to sharing your talents!
 
 
Mary Kay
 

This Is Your Life.....Make It What You Want!!

 
 
 
Quick Links...
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For more information, go to: www.lifecoachmkay.com
 
Mary Kay provides individual, group and couples coaching in person or by phone.
 
Specialties include:
  • helping busy professionals create more balance and satisfaction in their work and personal life
  • assisting individuals navigate through life transitions
  • helping couples reconnect and grow through life stages
  • teambuilding and leadership coaching
Contact Information
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Contact me TODAY for a FREE Introductory Session.
 
Phone: 608-239-1066 or Email: marykay@lifecoachmkay.com
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