The Shift that Happens

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Camilla

Reno Rainbow

I’ve been a member of Reno Downtowner’s Toastmaster’s Club for about a year now. I originally joined as I wanted to improve my speaking skills and be in a comfortable environment amongst others who were improving themselves and wanted to help fellow members do the same.

Lately, I find myself so busy that I have this recurring thought that I just don’t have the time to keep going every week. Toastmaster’s clubs meet once a week for an hour. I get myself to the meeting in spite of this thought telling me I don’t have time and EVERY single time I do this, that particular Toastmaster’s meeting is out of this world and I know I was meant to be there and be a part of the speeches, discussions and table topics.

Last Tuesday, May 24, 2011 was no exception. First, I was chosen during table topics. For those that don’t know, table topics are to help you speak off the cuff, spur of the moment without any preparation. The table topics master makes a statement of 5 words or less and chooses another member to speak for at least a minute about the statement they just delivered.

I was chosen to speak about the word “If”. Having just had a speaker the previous Wednesday at our eWomenNetworking Dinner event whose topic was Going with Your Gut, I tied the word “if” with that message. See, this is the thing, that Go with Your Gut message was very timely and hit home with me. I have just recently made a HUGE decision involving my daughter and her education by way of going with MY gut. This was another little reminder for me to nevermind the “What if’s” and pay attention to my gut!

Following that, we had two amazing speeches. One based on Giving Thanks which had as it’s foundation the speakers own story which was very moving and one that I identified with on many levels! Next speech had to do with finding our own point of power. WOW! Again, based on the speakers own story and definitely packed a powerful message. This was a meeting I was just supposed to be in attendance.

Attending and being a member of Reno Downtowner’s Toastmasters Club has shifted to mean more than why I originally joined the club. One never knows what will happen or shift for us when we choose to show up. I certainly felt a shift occurring for several other members when they were privy to some of our very own stories.

Have you joined any organizations or attended events for a certain reason and then find that reason shifting at some point? Would love to hear about it!

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Decisions from the Gut

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Camilla

I had the honor and privilege of being at the eWomenNetwork Dinner event last Wednesday, May 18, 2011 and we had a fabulous speaker, Mary Goulet. Her presentation was about making decisions and using our gut to make those decisions rather than our head or our heart. Ms. Goulet’s presentation was extremely meaningful to me and hit home.

I purchased her book, Go With Your Gut!; which is the perfect size and a quick read. Had it read in two days. I’m sure it could be read in one or two hours if one has the time to sit and read it straight through.

Ms. Goulet’s message is so simple; but many times very difficult for us to get out of our head and make decisions using our gut. That first thought we have that tells us “Do it this way”, “Make the call now”, “Do it now”, “No, don’t do it” and the like. I realized that I make many of my decisions using my gut and THEN come back a few minutes later or days later and get stuck in my head about that decision. “What if”, “But”, “How”, “Why” and “What will they think”.

I recently made a huge and important decision regarding my daughter, Lillian, and her schooling situation. I knew what my gut decision was right from the beginning. “Do it.” “It’s the right thing.” This was at least two months ago and I still find myself, well, arguing with myself about the decision I made. ” What are you going to do about this? How are you going to handle this? But, what about this?” I think I’ll save what led to this decision and our school plans for next year for another post.

I highly recommend Go with Your Gut! (amazon affiliate link) for anyone who is interested in the differences in making decisions with our heart, with our head and with our gut. Ms. Goulet gives excellent descriptions of how to recognize when we are using our heart, head or gut. Plain and simple, I felt empowered after hearing her speak and especially after reading her book.

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Showing Up Can Change Your Life

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Camilla

Awesome Reno eWomenNetwork Members Who Showed Up!!

It’s changing mine! I attended the 10th Anniversary eWomenNetwork International conference July 15th – 18th in Dallas and now I’m taking my life, my passion and my heart to the next level. And, I have accountability partners and mentors to keep me on track and give me a hand if I stumble. This was the 3rd year I have attended the eWomenNetwork conference and the speakers and break out sessions just keep getting better and better. Zig Ziglar and Lisa Nichols all at one conference!! Amazing!

I don’t believe there are any words I could use or any way I could describe the eWomenNetwork conferences. The positive energy and good vibes that fill the air and permeate every little nook and cranny is exhilarating! I believe there were about 30 of us that attended from the Reno eWomenNetwork chapter. We met for a pre conference mastermind lunch to discuss and set forth each of our intentions for attending the conference. This was an amazing experience; reinforced at the conference as many of our intentions were realized. We’re talking goose bumpy stuff here y’all!

2010 eWomenNetwork Lifetime Achievement Award ~ Zig Ziglar

The thing is, how on earth do you expect to take yourself and your business to the next level if you don’t show up? How do you expect to build your business, increase your sales, grow your brand and establish yourself as an expert if you don’t show up? How do you expect for the right people to know you if you don’t show up? How do you expect to build relationships, engage with others, collaborate with others and connect with others if you don’t show up? That’s what this is all about! The way in which we communicate and conduct business has fundamentally changed forever. We must show up on a consistent basis at events, meet people face to face, engage and build trust. We then take that relationship into the online world and continue to nurture and grow it. Then, you flip that upside down. Show up online and meet people, engage and build trust. Then, when and, if, you ever meet in person the relationship is taken to another level. This is the core of Social Networking sites and using Social Media Marketing. We’re not talking fake relationships here. Those of you out there that are just connecting with people so you can increase the number of eyes to which you can broadcast your wares. You know who you are ~ we can spot ya!

So what goose bumpy life changing moments happened for me? My intention was to make connections that will further the mission and goal of my 501(c)3, Turning Views Foundation. This actually began before even getting to the eWomenNetwork conference. I attended The Chromosome 18 Registry and Research Society Conference in Tulsa the beginning of that same week. I wrote about what happened here.

On Saturday, we took a minute to share our dream with someone at our table. The lady in front of me turned around and we decided I’d go first. I began talking of my dreams for Turning Views Foundation and her eyes were absolutely lighting up. She had something exciting to tell me! When it was her turn, she said, “I said a quick prayer before beginning this exercise and asked to be paired with the right person.” She then went on to tell me about her business, Dawn’s Angel Wish Network, and the database she is building of 501(c)3 orginazations so that they can be paired with corporations who are seeking nonprofits to support. This was her first time attending an eWomenNetwork conference and she was touched by this experience as well as many others she had been experiencing!

Julie Norman Ziglar, DeDe Galindo and Zig Ziglar

On Sunday, we were blessed with a presentation by Zig Ziglar and his daughter, Julie Norman Ziglar. Their presentation is a blog post in and of itself. It was beyond extremely moving. When they were done, the Ziglar family stayed for a while to chat and take pictures. I had the most unbelievably touching conversation with Zig Ziglar’s granddaughter, DeDe Galindo, (Julie Norman’s daughter). As a result of our conversation I set a deadline for making the transition to the Turning Views Foundation. Stay tuned for a post announcing and unveiling what it’s all about! I think y’all will absolutely love it!

I know several of my fellow Reno eWomenNetwork members had similar experiences. Any eWomenNetwork members or conference attendees want to share your experience? We would love to hear your experience!!

Show up y’all on a consistent basis and it CAN change your life!