Pilot-Your-Life, Vol. 4, No. 1
IN THE MIDDLE? January 2005


Review 2004 - Create 2005

STUCK IN THE MIDDLE

HOW WOMEN TALK

TIPS FOR WOMEN IN 2005


 

Review 2004 - Create 2005

"WHAT DID WE CREATE in 2004 and what did we accomplish? What did we learn from these experiences? We may have learned new skills as well as, some approaches that were not useful. At the end of each year or the beginning of a new year I find it valuable to review what happened in the last year. Usually I find that I have accomplished more than I realized. Also, I consider what I have learned and how I can do things differently in the coming year.

WHAT DO WE WANT to create, maintain, or improve in 2005? If we decide we are on a "middle" list in some area of our lives we can plan how to move on to a "good or excellent" list. Perhaps we have a dream that we have thought was impossible. This year can be a good year to start exploring how we can accomplish that dream.

WHAT GOAL(S) DO WE WANT to attain in 2005? We need to find ways to approach our goals and accomplish the steps needed with an inner conviction that the goal willl be accomplished. When we know we are going to accomplish the goal we do not have to worry about it. We can just follow our plan and carry out the actions that are necessary knowing that the goal will be ours. This fits into some religious and spiritual beliefs that when we clearly state what we want we can know that it will be accomplished. A professional coach can be a useful partner to help us move toward accomplishing our goals, faster while using less energy.

A "TRANSITION FORM 2004 INTO 2005" is available. Send an email to maphurd@mail.smu.edu. On the subject line put "Transition Form."



Greetings!

I COACH SUCCESSFUL WOMEN who want to enjoy life and prosperity. During 2005 I will be focusing on how women can accomplish their goals and dreams faster and easier. First, I am going to share a relevant Christmas Eve story that happened in 2004 when our Granddaughter Lauren, who had just become seven, and her parents came to Dallas for Christmas.

"MOMMY, WILL SANTA BRING ME ANY TOYS?" Lauren, asked while she was going to bed on Christmas Eve. "Yes Honey, I think he will." "Well, Mommy, I know Santa has a list of good boys and girls and a list of naughty children. Do you think he has a list for those in the middle?" This conversation shows how aware, realistic and honest children can be. It can trigger memories in each of us of the child within us that we may lose touch with and forget.

MANY PEOPLE SPEND THEIR LIVES in the "middle." Now is a good time to reflect on what happened in 2004 and think about when we were on the "Good, Middle, or Not Good" lists. Then, we can think about where we want to be in 2005.


  • STUCK IN THE MIDDLE

    • MANY WOMEN FALL SHORT of their full potential. They seem to get stuck in the middle. In our culture girls are socialized differently than boys. Some behaviors that we learned are not useful for us as women working and living in an adult world. During this year I will be discussing some things that women do which limit how successful we are in our lives.

    BUSINESS IS A GAME and we need to play by the rules to be successful. Today both girls and boys are learning and playing soccer. Women who have played team sports have an edge over other women in the business world because they know they need to learn the rules of the game in their organizations. Since every organization has a different culture we need to learn the different rules. We can learn the rules by listening and watching what is happening. A professional coach or a mentor can help us learn how to play the business game in our organization.

    WE NEED WISDOM TO KNOW when to change, or question a rule. Too often women just follow the rules or ask supervisors what to do. The supervisor may think the women do not have leadership potential because they do not use their own judgement. If we feel stuck in the middle we need to show our supervisors that we make good decisions. A coach can help us decide how we can change our actions so we can become more successful.

    SEE "A GIFT FOR YOU" section below to take advantage of a free coaching opportunity.

  • HOW WOMEN TALK

    • SOMETIMES WOMEN DO NOT TALK and act like responsible adults. We need to listen to how we talk when we are in a group of men and women and when we are talking with women only. Some women talk in high pitched voices and/or in a tenative manner when speaking to a group of men or a group of men and women. Listeners may decide the woman does not feel confident about what she is saying. When I was a college senior a man said to me, "When you talk on the phone you sound like a little girl." That was a wake-up call for me. Now, when I talk on the phone I concentrate on lowering the pitch of my voice. Also, I stand up when I make an important phone call so that I will sound highly confident and professional.

    WOMEN NEED TO MAKE STATEMENTS without raising our voices at the end as if we are asking a question or seeking approval. When we know something or have an idea we can just state it clearly, concisely and with confidence. Then others will respect and value what we say.

  • TIPS FOR WOMEN IN 2005

    1. EVALUATE WHERE WE ARE.
    2. SELECT SPECIFIC GOALS FOR 2005.
    3. LEARN THE RULES OF THE GAME(S) WE ARE IN.
    4. LISTEN TO HOW WE TALK.
    5. GET A COACH.

  • A GIFT FOR YOU
    • FREE COACHING SESSION: EXPERIENCE a coaching session with Mary Alice. LEARN how coaching can change your life. SCHEDULE YOUR COACHING SESSION NOW! PHONE 972-690-0442 or SEND an email to maphurd@mail.smu.edu.

    CLICK ON "FORWARD EMAIL" at the end of this newsletter to send a copy to a colleague or friend.

    :: 972-690-0442


     
       

    Hurd Consulting | 1412 Chesterton Dr. | Richardson, | TX | 75080