Archive for July, 2008

What is an Obstacle?

The underpinnings and support you build for yourself when you begin to implement change in your life are first challenged and often thwarted by what you perceive as obstacles that get in the way of your transition. If you can become aware of these obstacles, you give yourself the permission to change the meaning of the very obstacle(s) that stand in your way. Begin by redefining the word “obstacle”:

“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. . . the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. . . they’re there to stop the ‘other’ people.”

–Randy Pausch, Carnegie Mellon Professor and author of The Last Lecture

In Susan Hanshaw’s Inner Architect: How To Build The Life You Were Designed To Live, Phase 3 “Breaking Through Fear” contains a very important tool when considering your obstacles: Step 8 “Define What Lies Between You And Change.”

3 Common Types of Obstacles:

1. Fears: Your thoughts about your ability to successfully create change

2. Limited Beliefs: What you think you are capable of acheiveing or becoming

3. Lack of Commitment: Not being completely dedicated to the work involved with the necessary steps

Ultimate Responsibility:

Accountability for your actions and efforts is the ultimate responsibility we all have to ourselves.

“We can commit to becoming accountable and responsible to our jobs-careers, to our family and friends, yet we often don’t make that same commitment to ourselves.”

–Susan Hanshaw, Founder/CEO and author,Inner Architect

The answer to the question: If you could have dinner with anyone in history who would you choose just changed for me. My choice would be Randy Pausch; but unfortunately that will not be possible.The Carnegie Mellon Professor, and Author of the remarkable and inspiring book “Last Lecture”, fought to the end but lost his battle with cancer passing away at the age of 47.

Life Pioneer

Randy Paush was a life pioneer, an inner architect of the truest sense, who valued and coveted his time here like nobody I have ever witnessed. You can not help but be touched or greatly effected by Randy Pausch. If you watch his greatest triumph (video below) the last lecture the youtube video of his final lecture “Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” performed September 18, 2007 before a packed house at Carnegie Mellon University, you begin to understand the message: live life, embrace your obstacles, and triumph through your will

Please watch and embrace this video-it will be the best hour you have ever invested!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo]

One of the most intricate and important parts of creating your new life or career is producing an action plan. In Susan Hanshaw’s Inner Architect: How To Build The Life You Were Designed To Live”, Phase 4 Creating Your Plan contains the tools to begin the process. The best tool to get started is Step 15 “Outline Your Training Process.”

Marketing Through Networking

One of the fastest and most effective methods to begin meeting people in the niche you wish to build your new career or life is via real world networking events and meetings

Webgrrls International

A great example of outlining your training process can be found at the networking group Webgrrls.com. Webgrrls provides meetings and events with the following benefits:

1. Networking: you meet people in your niche
2. Introductions: you give your 1 minute “elevator” pitch a mini marketing message business plan
3. Practice: you hone your public speaking skills by participating
4. Support: members support each other’s goals and help bring ideas forward
5. Synergy: many members have synergy within their action plans and training plans

5 Steps For Identifying Your Training Process

In Susan Hanshaw’s exercise you are given a practical method of evaluating your training process:

1. Get Clarity: Define details of your service or product, develop a profile of your job description, and list your job duties
2. Identify Areas for Development: review your job duties and list specific areas for development
3. Research: find training opportunities, options for training and learning, don’t limit your path to education
4. Buy In: Choose training programs that resonate with you, that excite you, and commit your efforts 100% to that program(s)
5. Complete Training and Credentials: realize your training will require concentration and sacrifice. Focus on the rewards of training rather than your sacrifices

Webgrrl Attendees With Expertise

1. Nelly Yusupova: Founder Digitalwoman.com a successful a website development and Internet consultant practice started in March, 2004. Nelly is also the CTO for Webgrrls.com and Manhattan chapter president. Contact Nelly Yusupova at nelly@cgim.com

2. Naomi Most: Naomi is the talented producer behind LittleMovingPictures.com and a well versed programmer with experience in Python, Perl, PHP, SQL, XML, C/C++. Naomi’s company is so busy and expanding that they are looking for a wide variety of professionals from copywriters to engineers. Contact Naomi at naomi@littlemovingpictures.com

3. Beth Rogozinski: Director, Marketing Communications for devicescape.com the leader in software for secure and seamless WiFi internet access. Beth has 10+ years of experience in Public Relations, media relations, media event marketing and planning. Contact Beth for all of your enterprise or individual WiFi access needs beth@devicescape.com

4. Erin Clark: Account Manager Eastridge InfoTech a technology staffing firm in San Francisco. Erin is a vibrant and well connected human capital facilitator who matches talented technologist with their desired positions. A active member of ebig.com and thinkhdi.com, Erin is a market leader and go-to source of information. Contact Erin at eclark@eastridgeinfotech.com

5. Gayle Uchida: Business Development Manager Gayle is a joy to meet and learn from in her work with Lighthouse-sf.com. Lighthouse For The Blind is a non profit organization focussed on education and awareness effecting the vision impaired community. Gayle has over 20 years experience in Silicon Valley as a business development executive and marketing professional. Contact Gayle at guchida@lighthouse-sf.org

In support of people going through life and career transitions, Susan spoke to 55 members of the employment group, Experience Unlimited, in Lafayette, California on June 24, 2008. Her workshop:

“Transition: An Opportunity To Renew Your Possibilities”

1. Learn how your beliefs play a role in the life you create
2. Create a clear vision of the career you wish to build
3. Identify the beliefs that may be holding you back from building this career
4. Learn the steps for developing a strong belief in yourself
5. Identify things you can do to strengthen your belief and release your obstacles

Value of Susan’s Workshop Style

1. Comfortable Atmosphere: Susan’s presentation style and focus come from her heart. Her desire to help people and her ability to create trust through this genuine communication style, combine to create a uninhibited atmosphere for people to participate and “let their hair down” as one attendee noted.

2. Customized Workshop: Susan adjusts her workshops to what she is able to help attendees get in touch with during the presentation. She encourages input and participation–most important she follows up the ideas that come forth during interaction.

3. Instant Intelligence: by allowing each workshop to follow the attendees challenges, Susan is required to think quickly, think deeply, and provide answers on the spot. Her strength is this ability to adapt without skipping a beat.

Crowd Reaction

During the workshop, Susan was able to entice a number of people to tell their “story”, “fear”, or “challenge” to the group. This open forum style had the attendees sharing, helping, and providing feedback valuable to the entire group.

The most interesting responses:

“I have more control than I thought”
“I didn’t know how to plan for a change until now”
“I guess I get in my own way without realizing it”
“When can I attend another one of your workshops?”