I’ve just spent the most fascinating week in Switzerland at St Gallen University studying entrepreneurship and it was a trip that will most definitely never be forgotten. The Swiss chocolate had a lot to do with it of course and I’m still shedding the pounds! The words ‘inspirational’, ‘educational’, ‘motivational’ and ‘creative’ spring to mind. Huge thanks to Richard Dearden and Nottingham Business Venture for the opportunity.
For any Women’s Alternative Network Members that are attending the Barclays/NBV sponsored ‘Women’s High Achievers’ workshop at Aura, Newark on 5 March, I shall be demonstrating some of the entrepreneurial teaching methods that came out of the course. We shall be kicking off with a video of ‘October Sky’ and discussing what makes an entrepreneur, what leadership skills really count and what strategy needs to be in place to grow a successful business. If you fancy joining us please email Sparr@nbv.co.uk for further details.
For those of you who love to be inspired by ‘dreamers’ and ‘doers’ then check out the film – it’s wonderful and enough to move anyone to action. But be careful not to blow yourself up … you’ll have to watch the film to understand that last remark.
As a result of the Switzerland course I’m also adding another dimension to the complimentary ‘Stepping Stones To Leadership’ workshop on 11 March, 0845 – 1200. If you enjoyed watching ‘Dead Poet’s Society’ you will remember when Robin Williams asked the boys to ‘tear out’ a page of their poetry book and to replace it with their own verse.
My invitation to you on the 11th (or before) is to start writing your own verse of life.
See you on the 11th.
Carpe Diem, Seize The Day.
Warmest wishes
Ann
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Saturday, February 2, 2008
The other day someone asked me how I managed to always keep so positive and full of energy
The other day someone asked me how I managed to always keep so positive."You always seem so happy and full of energy", she said.
A million thoughts flew through my mind like a turbo train racing through a tunnel. And if only she had seen me 30 minutes earlier! My BT land line had gone down, so too my broadband, my computer took a dislike to me and my mobile died - all within 24 hours! She happened to bump into me on the way to library, resigned to the fact that we all at the mercifull hands of technology and how vunerable it leaves us feeling when we rely on it for our income!.
The 'always keeping positive bit', well that's not always true. I have my moments like all of us, but I guess I've learned to get out of it quicker and not get stuck for hours in negative stuff that takes me nowhere.
The IT problem is no different from others really. I've learned to step back and look at the 'grander purpose' - a phrase that years ago would have left me feeling rather synical. But today I find it gets me out of the problem and into 'what I can learn' from it. Then within a few minutes, I've got wisdom, solutions and I'm on my way again.
I'm really looking forward to the next Stepping Stones To Leadership and Business Networking event on 11 March (check http://www.womensalternativenetwork.co.uk/). The morning is going to be spent looking at why so many women hold themselves back from stepping up and becoming all that they secretly know deep inside they can become.
Your comments, feelings, experience and anything else you would like to add would be most valued and appreciated so why not post something on the forum.
Since my last blog I have had some incredible and insightful meetings with members of the network. Lesley Brown is going to take a few moments to talk about her wonderful women's cause, for women who have been abused at some point in their life www.sheuk.org but we have a terrific success story to tell as a result of the work that has gone into this group.
Kay Wilson from support4mothers is going to tell us a little about her business idea of supporting mothers of new bornes - a well needed service.
So, until the next blog, keep positive, keep happy and I hope to hear from you soon.
Warmest wishes
Ann
A million thoughts flew through my mind like a turbo train racing through a tunnel. And if only she had seen me 30 minutes earlier! My BT land line had gone down, so too my broadband, my computer took a dislike to me and my mobile died - all within 24 hours! She happened to bump into me on the way to library, resigned to the fact that we all at the mercifull hands of technology and how vunerable it leaves us feeling when we rely on it for our income!.
The 'always keeping positive bit', well that's not always true. I have my moments like all of us, but I guess I've learned to get out of it quicker and not get stuck for hours in negative stuff that takes me nowhere.
The IT problem is no different from others really. I've learned to step back and look at the 'grander purpose' - a phrase that years ago would have left me feeling rather synical. But today I find it gets me out of the problem and into 'what I can learn' from it. Then within a few minutes, I've got wisdom, solutions and I'm on my way again.
I'm really looking forward to the next Stepping Stones To Leadership and Business Networking event on 11 March (check http://www.womensalternativenetwork.co.uk/). The morning is going to be spent looking at why so many women hold themselves back from stepping up and becoming all that they secretly know deep inside they can become.
Your comments, feelings, experience and anything else you would like to add would be most valued and appreciated so why not post something on the forum.
Since my last blog I have had some incredible and insightful meetings with members of the network. Lesley Brown is going to take a few moments to talk about her wonderful women's cause, for women who have been abused at some point in their life www.sheuk.org but we have a terrific success story to tell as a result of the work that has gone into this group.
Kay Wilson from support4mothers is going to tell us a little about her business idea of supporting mothers of new bornes - a well needed service.
So, until the next blog, keep positive, keep happy and I hope to hear from you soon.
Warmest wishes
Ann
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
I was wondering this morning what I would write for the very first blog .....
I was wondering this morning what I would write for the very first blog of the Women’s Alternative Network. I was thinking should I just see what happens today, give a few details of any last minute hitches and then give an honest account of how I’m feeling about the content and what I am going to deliver tomorrow?
As the day proceeded it became obvious that the time was just going to fly on by and before too long I received several last minute bookings and attempted, again, to update the delegate list. I realised that no matter how hard you try, things sometimes don’t always go according to plan. For me, that’s a tall order, because I like things to run perfectly.
Only a few minutes later, a jet plane flew right over and very close to my house. My new puppy, an adorable white and champagne fluffy ball, suddenly disappeared. I didn’t see her go, but the door was open and I assumed she’d made a run for it.
So now I’m running through fields, down lanes and into farmer’s yards calling for the pup to come home. This wasn’t what I had in mind. I’d still got to print off handouts and evaluation forms. Where was the day disappearing.
Tired, wet from the rain and feeling helpless I wondered how well I could rise to the challenge of delivering two upbeat presentations and keep everyone else uplifted – because after all, I’d already received many calls of expectations.
A while later, two grubby ears appeared from underneath my kitchen units – the pup was wedged. But at least she was safe and I was looking forward to a great day on Thursday and to meeting lots of new and interesting people.
It’s fantastic being able to meet and chat with likeminded women who are looking to improve their work, income, health, relationship or some aspect of their life in one way or another. And what has delighted and amazed me is that this started with just a few emails to the people I had met over the years. Suddenly the network is growing at a pace and we haven’t even had the second meeting yet.
I’m so thrilled and grateful for those spreading the word.
So back to my notes – a few last minutes changes, a bath, a glass of wine and an early night.
Hope we get chance to speak tomorrow.
Warmest wishes
Ann
As the day proceeded it became obvious that the time was just going to fly on by and before too long I received several last minute bookings and attempted, again, to update the delegate list. I realised that no matter how hard you try, things sometimes don’t always go according to plan. For me, that’s a tall order, because I like things to run perfectly.
Only a few minutes later, a jet plane flew right over and very close to my house. My new puppy, an adorable white and champagne fluffy ball, suddenly disappeared. I didn’t see her go, but the door was open and I assumed she’d made a run for it.
So now I’m running through fields, down lanes and into farmer’s yards calling for the pup to come home. This wasn’t what I had in mind. I’d still got to print off handouts and evaluation forms. Where was the day disappearing.
Tired, wet from the rain and feeling helpless I wondered how well I could rise to the challenge of delivering two upbeat presentations and keep everyone else uplifted – because after all, I’d already received many calls of expectations.
A while later, two grubby ears appeared from underneath my kitchen units – the pup was wedged. But at least she was safe and I was looking forward to a great day on Thursday and to meeting lots of new and interesting people.
It’s fantastic being able to meet and chat with likeminded women who are looking to improve their work, income, health, relationship or some aspect of their life in one way or another. And what has delighted and amazed me is that this started with just a few emails to the people I had met over the years. Suddenly the network is growing at a pace and we haven’t even had the second meeting yet.
I’m so thrilled and grateful for those spreading the word.
So back to my notes – a few last minutes changes, a bath, a glass of wine and an early night.
Hope we get chance to speak tomorrow.
Warmest wishes
Ann
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