Yes, it’s that time again where I sit down and reflect on all that’s happened in 2006. I’m amazed at how much was jam packed into a twelve month period! The year has been fuller, more enlightening and a huge period of growth for me…... a full spectrum of everything you could imagine. One of my clients keeps maintaining that I’m busier than any human being she’s ever known and that might be true, however busy also incorporates my personal world.
My work has morphed in a way. Last year I looked at how to change some of the dynamics of my work, for as I get older I have to take into consideration the extraordinary amount of energy required to Shadow Coach™ organizational and global leaders. I don’t ever want to get to the point where I find myself saying “I just can’t do this any more as I don’t have enough energy” and find myself in a place I don’t want to be. Rather, I want to continually reinvent what I do, grow, stretch, teach others so I can continue to pick and choose my clients and work with those who energize me and help me grow in the process.
As I look at “what’s new” in the world of ‘A Better Perspective™’, The School of Shadow Coaching™ and Donna within those contexts of course, I decided to share it all in a running list so you have some idea where we’re taking the company, the school and how, within both realms I’m making a point of growing in my field and figuring out ways of remaining on the cutting edge of Executive Coaching. And of course, if you want to know more, you know where to find me to ask : )
So, taking a deep breath…here goes!
January: 2006 began by being invited to co-author the book 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life with Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Jim Rohn and gang. I found myself frantically writing on planes traveling to and from England (wait times in airports and long plane trips are great for these things!) The School of Shadow Coaching™ launched its first international awareness session in Chicago. Also in January the office was wired with whatever we needed to launch the Microsoft Vision Team so we could meet virtually on our calls and start looking at the context of collaborative technology.
February: I chaired the Communication and Conflict Management Skills Conference in Ottawa which was a big success.
March: We formally launched the Microsoft Vision Team and virtually met our counterparts from across the country.
May: We had our book launch for 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life.
June: Our first face to face meeting with the Microsoft Vision Team players to plan, collaborate and look at next steps for the team.
July: I was asked to come on board as one of the Thought Leaders for ExecuBooks Blog and began an extraordinary dialogue with my fellow bloggers from all over the globe. I was very fortunate to connect with amazing individuals, get to know Tom Morris from ‘If Harry Potter Ran General Electric” fame (I love that book!) and Steve Harper. NO! Not our Prime Minister though I’m razzed about it every time others see his name in my inbox or schedule, not to mention he could pass as our Prime Minister’s double!
September: brought the launch of The School of Shadow Coaching Advanced Coach Satellite Training in Chicago and the Organizational Leadership Training.
October: Our ICCO group (International Consortium of Coaching in Organizations) met in New York City to look at Stewardship within our profession as we coach global leaders. We had a select group of coaches from all over the world look at various dynamics, issues, and case studies to move our profession forward.
November: I was a speaker at the International Coach Federation Conference in St. Louis and had hundreds pumped and energized as they dove into the world of Shadow Coaching™. What an amazing experience!
December I launched my blog called “Jumping Into the Deep End of Leadership” with Fast Company Magazine’s ‘Fast Company Experts’ and launched my Executive Coaching article in Canadian Government Executive Magazine.
Whew! Lots happened with a great deal more to come for 2007. Right now we’re in the middle of putting the finishing touches on “It’s All About People….And About You” Virtual Program, a Unique Time and Self Management Program (that one I’m keep under wraps until we’re almost ready to launch : ), we’ll be looking at planning a series of live events for organizational leaders. A book on leadership is in the planning stages and we’re looking at taking The School of Shadow Coaching™ global!
Perspectives blog went from having subscribers from 67 to 94 countries and territories. I am continually amazed at the community of readers that’s ever growing.
And before you ask if I have a personal life, as yes, I AM very busy, the answer is yes. It’s very precious to me and I will never compromise my relationships and take for granted the gift of those relationships to put them on the back burner for anything. If I can’t live a full life, I can’t coach others on how to. It’s not only how I manage my time it’s how I look at my relationship to time which is never a renewable resource. It’s only here for the moment and then poof! It’s gone.
So before I close by wishing you all the best for the upcoming year, I will encourage you to look back at the past year and remember all your successes. Share them. Celebrate them and BUILD on them. Read as much as you can, speak to at least one person you’ve never spoken to before every day if possible and find out what their story is. That’s the richness of our lives…the stories we create over time. And, if you haven’t started yet, start writing your own story and remember how extraordinary life is when you pay attention. To my readers, clients, colleagues, family and friends I wish you the best of the holiday season, 2007 and the best of life!
Donna Karlin
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