February 2008
DRUM ROLL PLEASE!! 

 
A few months ago, I started surveying you to get feedback on new concepts and images for my Dream Leader re-branding initiatives. 
 
Well, the votes are in and it was kind of close, but the 'winner' and new name for the e-zine is
Dream Leader Direct!
 
Thank you for each of you who voted.  Over the next few months, I'll be incorporating even more your ideas and feedback, so...stay tuned!
Greetings!
Wow!  What a month!  So much has happened, I hardly have room to share it all. 

A couple of weeks ago, I participated in the 2nd Annual Walk-a-thon  raising awareness and money for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center whose mission is to improve quality of life for those diagnosed with Parkinson's.  We doubled participation over last year's walk with twice as many walkers and raising more that twice the amount of funds - over $30K!!  Thank you to those of you who supported me in that effort. 

Here's a photo of Tempe AZ's Mayor Hugh Hallman kicking off the Walk.
 

In This Issue:

  
Last week, I attended the Bill Picket Invitational Rodeo - The Greatest Show on Dirt! Here's one of the cowgirl entrants speeding 'round one of three big cans on an obstacle course.  You should have seen those women!  Inspiring & courageous!

• Message from the President
• Feature Article – Blocking the Shots in Your Life
• PIP™ Tip - Seeing the truth
• Featured Resource – Vision, Insight & Action
• Upcoming Events

SAVE THE DATE:  I'm planning an all-day marketing retreat for business owners and sales professionals. I'm really excited about it. You can't sign up just yet, but keep your eyes open for announcements.  I'll be sending them out soon!
 Message From The President
I've been blessed with the opportunity to have spoken to a number of different organizations this past month.  I work with financial advisors and insurance professionals and shared some of my marketing secrets with the chartered Property casualty Underwriters.

I feel a sense of kinship with trainers and  was able to share concepts from my soon-to-be-published book, Leadership that Transforms People & Delivers Profits with the Phoenix chapter of the American Society of Training & Development. 

 
And late last month, I met with the local chapter of the Alliance of Technology and Women (ATW) and got to reconnect with my inner assembler-language programmer self!  We had a great session on clarifying vision and setting goals for the new year. 

So I'd like to extend a special "Welcome" to all of my new readers from those groups.
 FEATURE ARTICLE – BLOCKING THE SHOTS IN YOUR LIFE
In addition to the Mayor of Tempe, we had several other prominent Arizonans at the Parkinson Walk-a-thon.  One of the honored guests was Ren Udall, granddaughter of Mo Udall former Denver Nugget and Arizona State Representative.

Ren, also a basketball player, spoke warmly about her relationship with her father who passed away from complications from Parkinson's.  She shared about her own health struggles as well.  One of the metaphors she used came from her sports experience.  She spoke about playing good defense by blocking the shots of your opponents.  A good block, I learned, occurs when a player on the other team attempts to make a basket, but as the ball is rising toward the basket, you "block" it by knocking it away, defeating their effort.  A really good block happens when you not only stop the upward trajectory of the ball but also direct it strategically to someone on your own team so that you're back in charge.
Why, you're probably asking, is she telling me this?

Well, in life as in sports, we encounter obstacles and challenges.  We run into situations that we'd rather not deal with or wish had never happened (like the other team controlling the ball or a boss who's difficult to work with or clients or vendors that don't fulfill their end of the bargain or the friends who let you down.)

We wish things weren't the way they are, but wishing will only get us so far. 

Real change occurs when you take control of the situation and ACT.  Block the shot life is trying to take right in your face.  Direct the flow toward the outcome YOU want. 

 
COACHING CHALLENGE: Take a moment right now and think of a situation you're not happy with.  Perhaps it's something you've been tolerating or putting up with.  Maybe you've been waiting for someone to start or stop doing something.  (Maybe that person is YOU!) Maybe it's a figurative train wreck you can see that's about to happen if things don't change.

Rather than waiting for this 'opponent' to take the shot you know you won't like, figure out what you can do to 'block' their shot and have things go the way you want.  Sometimes being patient is a virtue, sometimes waiting for someone else is just asking for trouble.
 PIP Tip

Happiness does not depend on outward things, but on the way we see them."
-Leo Tolstoy
1828-1910, Novelist and Philosopher
 FEATURED RESOURCE – VISION, INSIGHT & ACTION COACHING INTENSIVE
 
  
A couple of months ago, I introduced to you my BRAND NEW, one-shot coaching intensive. 
 
If you've been feeling like you're:
  • spinning your wheels
  • stuck and not sure what steps to take next
  • immobilized and procrastinating a bit too much
  • or overwhelmed with all there is to do!

This might be your way out!

“In just one session, I got insight into a new direction for my project!  As a result, I connected with resources that helped me launch my pilot TV show with real ‘sizzle’.  Since working with Loretta, I experienced a 33% increase in funding sources and I’m now set to republish my book.”

- Dr. Lillie Coley

www.ceo1.com

If you think you need a jump start to a new beginning, click here now

 UPCOMING EVENTS

Relationships and Revenue, Webinar with special guest Rachel Jackson, Tuesday, March 11, 4:00 PT/AZ, 7:00 pm ET. Stay tuned for registration information.

Leadership that Transforms People & Deliver Profits, Ottawa University Business Division, Women in Business Educational Forum, Friday, March 14, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Email Brian Simpson for more information.

Get Clients Now Preview Workshop, March 20, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Creative Business Solutions, email Carol for more information.

Get Clients Now Preview Workshop, March 27, 11:30 a.m. Shared Vision Network, Click Here to register.

When 'Off with their Heads!' Won't Work, Western Region IPMA-HR (International Public Management Association for Human Resources, April 1-3, , Visit IPMA-HR for more info.

Get Clients Now! Preview Workshop, eWomenNetwork, Tuesday, April 15, 11:15 a.m. Visit www.ewomennetwork.com, select Arizona, then Phoenix to register.

BUSINESS OWNERS & SALES PROFESSIONALS: DON'T MISS THIS!!! - Marketing Magic Marathon, Friday, April 25 8:30 - 4:00 p.m.. Phoenix.  All day, live workshop with special guest speakers.  Stay tuned for details.

Get Clients Now! Preview Workshop, eWomenNetwork - Northwest Valley, Thursday, May 15, 11:15 a.m. Visit www.ewomennetwork.com, select Arizona, then Phoenix to register.

When 'Off with their Heads!' Won't Work, MPI (Meeting Planners International) Education Forum Thursday, July 18 - 20, Laughlin, NV. Visit MPI-AZ for more information.

I Want More Business!!! National Sales Network, September 18, 2008, for more information, visit: NSN Phoenix

Leadership that Transforms People & Delivers Profits, Society of Human Resource Professionals (SHRM) - Baton Rouge Chapter Annual , October 3, Baton Rouge LA, Friday October 3. Visit GBR-SHRM for more information.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Gabriel's Angels Doggie Beach Party Walk-a-thon, Saturday March 1 REGISTER

PRIVATE EVENTS

Leadership that Transforms People & Delivers Profits, APLUS, African American Postal League United for Success, National Conference, Phoenix, May 3

Loretta Love Huff
The Dream Leader for Business™

 

Emerald Harvest Consulting, LLC

Your Performance Improvement Partner

tel: 602.535.1290
toll free: 888.280.8231
fax: 602.798.9738
Loretta@EmeraldHarvest.com