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Oya's Newsletter: "Roots & Wings"
September
2004: Volume 1, Issue 6.
Newsletter
Archive
Written &
Published by Philippa Kennealy, MD, MPH
Contents
Welcome Note
Oya News
Feature
Article: The
Gift of the Low-Energy Day
On Track
Book of the
Month
September
already – that time of year that, at least in
the Northern Hemisphere, marks a new school year
and a burst of energy before the holiday season.
We
are two thirds of the way through the year –
have you accomplished two thirds of what you set
out to do this year? No excuses now. The
Olympics are over (weren’t they inspirational,
for the most part?) and you have at least 90
days before the next onslaught of celebratory
events. What do you want or need to achieve?
I
am gearing up for my first 8-week group coaching
Telecourse entitled “How to make the
transition to your Dream Home-based Career or
Business”, given in conjunction with Moms
Making Money (www.momsmakingmoney.org).
I will be offering a f*ree introductory
teleclass on Wednesday September 8th
at 10:00 AM PDT. If you are interested in
learning more or registering, please contact
me or classes@momsmakingmoney.org.
Please forward this newsletter to friends,
relatives or colleagues who might benefit from
participating! It’s just a phone call from
wherever you, or they, happen to be.
Several
organizations have requested my presentation on “Rising
from the Ashes – How to prevent and deal with
professional burnout”, which
is a practical, provocative and light look at a
serious organizational and personal problem. I
have been most gratified by the enthusiastic
responses to the talk! Contact me
if you believe your organization or
association would find this presentation
valuable.
It
is not uncommon for a client to “show up”
for coaching with a lack of zest for getting
into action. We all have those days from time to
time.
Our
Inner Critic’s natural tendency is to berate
us for not being productive….we might even
find ourselves using the words “lazy”,
“unmotivated” or “I don’t know what is
wrong with me!” The more Type A our
personality or results-oriented we are, the
harsher our self-criticism.
Instead
of retreating into self-castigation or resentful
lethargy, what would it be like to explore the
gift of such a day?
-
When your to-do list has no appeal or
the projects you have been working on
provide no attraction, ask yourself “Just
what DO I feel like doing today?” The
answer is almost never “Nothing”!
-
It
might be that you’d really like to spend
some time alone away from the office, or
seek out the company of a friend or
colleague you haven’t seen in a while, or
take a long, unambitious stroll outdoors. Or
nap, or read a book, or play some music. Or
just tidy your desk and ignore all but the
essential phone calls and meetings.
Of
course, your Work Ethic Critic will yell at you
and tell you this is impossible……but just
how productive are you going to be that day any
way? Isn’t it better to respect your body’s
biorhythm for a day, or two, and return,
refreshed and ready to tackle the tasks at hand?
By acknowledging that all days are not created
equal, that some demand that you stop what you
are doing to make space for some “hanging
out”, you are being the responsible caretaker
of your mental, physical and spiritual needs.
It
almost sounds like blasphemy …..the gift of
the low-energy day is yours for the taking, if
you are willing to discover what it is!
Building
a business is a challenge. Duh….you might say,
who doesn’t know that? Every now and again, as
I strive to build my business, I have a
realization that is as profound as it is simple.
I owe gratitude to others who have traveled this
terrain, and have figured out how to simplify
the route, for providing these insights.
While
familiarizing myself with marketing and selling,
and grappling with the vagaries of offering a
service rather than a product, I am always on
the lookout for clues that make this task
easier.
I
had an “Aha” moment last week when I heard
someone say, “You are not really marketing and
selling a service to others. In essence, the
real product is YOU”. This was startling in
its simplicity and truth.
Most
good marketers and salespeople know that, to
succeed, they need to provide a relationship.
This relationship springs from a well of
credibility, trust and genuine caring. The
customer may be a retail or wholesale purchaser,
a client, a patient or another professional
colleague.
This
realization opens up new vistas. If you remain
true to who you know yourself to be, and allow
the potential client, patient or customer to
experience your authenticity and your interest
in their wellbeing, you are much more likely to
secure the relationship you seek with them.
-
Give away something whenever possible
……. a solid referral, a networking
connection, a great website that provides
relevant information, the name of a useful
book, a copy of an article, a compliment,
useful feedback.
-
Give the gift of close listening that
really pays attention. Catch yourself before
your mind races to the place of what to say
or do next.
-
Be slow to “fix the problem” and
quick to seek deeper understanding.
-
Have the courage to let people see the
real person behind the social mask.
-
Maintain a child's curiosity and lack of assumption
about that person you are talking to.
No
matter whom you have to provide service for or
sell to, the real product is always YOU!
Hardwiring
Excellence: Purpose. Worthwhile Work, Making a
Difference
by
Quint Studer is written by a healthcare
executive-turned consultant, aimed at the
healthcare industry. On reading it, I was struck
by how universal his message is for a business
of any size in any industry.
His
premise begins with a commitment to Purpose,
Worthwhile Work and Making a Difference. With
those established, the organization then creates
a Flywheel to create momentum for change. This
momentum is maintained by engaging the passion
of the employees to apply prescriptive actions
that are guided by his Nine Principles of
service and operational excellence. Examples of
his Principles are “Measure the Important
Things” and “Build a Culture around
Service”. His personal journey to excellence
is the yarn that weaves the chapters together
and lends a credible and achievable tone to the
book. As he likes to put it, this is not a new
“flavor of the month” program, it is called
“Running a great hospital”, or in the case
of other industries, running a great business!
Please
forward this newsletter to any friend, relative
or acquaintance that might enjoy reading it!
Have
a wonderful month!
Philippa Kennealy MD MPH
The Vision Realization Process
President, Oya Consulting
Dr. Philippa Kennealy is an Executive and
Personal Coach, dedicated to your professional
and personal success and fulfillment. To
schedule an initial FR*EE consultation, to learn
more, or to inquire about having her speak to
your group or organization, contact her at:
pkennealy@oyaconsulting.com or
click here.
SHARE THE WEALTH
If you enjoy this newsletter and want others to
benefit, please forward this copy to family,
friends or colleagues. I truly appreciate your
loyalty and interest.
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