Everything is Contagious ... and we're hearing it everywhere!

Just started reading "Crush It!" by Guy Vaynerchuck and in it he refers to Passion as Contagious. Not long ago I saw a McDonald's commercial that said something about the enthusiasm over a Shrek glass collection was contagious! Sports enthusiasts continue to talk about how atheletes have a sense of Contagious Confidence(tm). And the list could go on and on. It's true, everything we do, say, think, believe and how we behave is, in fact, contagious! What are you doing today that is rubbing off on someone else and are you giving them what you really want to get back?

New Conference in Jacksonville!

Woo hoo and good morning!
It's been a while and part of that is from the "office consumption" that happens around conference time! Our conference on April 28th was a great success and there are still great things happening as a result. In fact, if you look on the Contagious Conferences page on Facebook, you will see that Kellie Lightbourne WON Mrs. Florida after our conference and it was in that very conference room that she overcame her fear and declared that she would indeed stay in the pageant and make a go of it. Boy, did she! WON the whole thing! Congratulations Kellie!

In addition, we have heard from many of you on the successes you have uncovered after the conference and we look forward to hearing more. Please share your successes and posts on our Contagious Conference Facebook Page!

Also, we have SUPERB news! The conference we conducted in Orlando in October 2009, is going to Jacksonville! In partnership with the University of North Florida Continuing Education division, we will be conducting the Balance: When You're In Charge, In Heels, and Out of Time Conference on October 12, 2010! Keep an eye out for this great information, great learning day, great partnership, and fabulous opportunity. We'll see you there!

Invisible Barriers that keep us from our own Authenticity

Much like we imagine many of the obstacles in our own brain, I found this picture of what that sometimes feels like. In fact, it is a picture of the elephant pen at the Washington, D.C. Smithosonian Zoo. Pretty formidable holding cell and quite frankly not unlike how we envision the barriers and bars in our own life. So, if this is what it looks like in your brain at times, then I have a few questions:

1. Are those bars/barriers really as solid as we think they are? (I.e. I can't be me at the office. Really? Can you really NOT be you or is it fear that is as solid as these bars and a deeply held belief that others won't like the REAL you?)

2. Can you remove the barriers around you with a simple key or do you really need a hacksaw and a crane? hehe! This one is fun. What if you just had a simple key to open the door? This is what the CORE Profile is for many people. It makes change and removal quite simple actually.

3. Can others see the barriers or just you?

Just a few questions for you and food for thought. See you soon!

What is the CORE Profile?

Each participant of Contagious Conferences receives a complimentary CORE Profile. This tool shows how you see yourself, how you actually behave and how you handle stress, but it's more than that - it also answers the "now what?" question.

When you complete the CORE profile you will receive a six page report and a one page profile sheet with all of your graphs. You migth think "how can three graphs really show me who I am and how I behave", but it's amazing. And, at no time is there information about your weaknesses or what "you're doing wrong". This informaiton, based on how you answered the questions is merely for your own self awareness and we can only know what we know.

You see, most of us walk around on auto-pilot in complete oblivioun about our own behavior - it's normal. But, once you can literally see on paper, what behaviors you use and when during times of stress, you are then able to effortlessly feel much more in control of your behavior. CORE gives you back the control that you think you've lost when you feel like "you're 'losing' IT!"

For more information on the CORE profile, click the title of this post above and go to our conference home page. From there you can complete the CORE profile and register for the conference as well. We'll see you soon!
Monica

There is difference between what you do and HOW you do it!

Good afternoon!

Have you ever noticed that so many in leadership tell you WHAT to do, but when you want to know HOW to do it, there is less information? It happens a lot.

The truth is that telling someone WHAT to do is helpful, particularly if they didn't already know. However, telling someone HOW to do something in a way that they learn from you and are able to repeat the skills... is PROFITABLE.

Also, though, teaching someone how to do something often requires communication skills, patience, knowing of the steps yourself, and a desire to help someone grow. If you are an authentic leader, these things come easy. If you are under stress, or learning to lead by trial error, they may not.

Learn more about developing patience - in fact, learn to be fascintated, not frustrated...
Learn more about your own unique style of teaching someone HOW...
AND learn how to teach the how in a language or style that THEY will understand...
At the next Contagious Conference!

This conference will be held on April 28th, 2010 in Winter Park, Florida (just north of Orlando). The theme is AUthentic Engagement and EVERYONE receives a complimentary personality profile! To Register Today, go to http://www.contagiousconferences.com/contagious_conference_authentic_engagement.htm

Stay contagious!
Monica

Are you Engaged?

We're not talking about marriage here, we're talking about being Engaged in what you are doing or working on and who you are working with? Authentically Engaged.

Are you in it? or are you making it look like you're in it - merely going through the motions and playing it safe?

Oddly enough, Top Gun was on this weekend and I happened to catch the part where Pete Mitchell (the young and handsome Tom Cruise) was trying to recover from losing Goose, his partner. The crew and his wingman kept saying "Maverick! Engage! Get Engaged!" meaning get your head back in the game and get in this. He couldn't do it at first, but then when others made it clear they needed him, he was able to find the strength and win the day! Of course, this is Hollywood, but how many times have you been disengaged and merely going through the motions of your day to day job?

Being engaged isn't always easy, but to do whatever your doing - well, it is a necessity and important. Learn the key to being engaged in life and work, at the Contagious Conference on April 28th, 2010 in Orlando. www.contagiousconference.com

What Does Authentic Engagement mean for a Leader?

What does Authentic Engagement mean for a Leader?
March 8, 2010

Good morning and Happy Monday!
One of our Contagious Conference™ vendors asked me over the weekend just how we arrived at the theme for the upcoming conference of Authentic Engagement. It was a great conversation and the concept is one I thought you would enjoy this morning.
If you’ve ever heard me speak, you’ve probably heard me refer to Contagious Leadership™ and the fact that everything we do, see, say, think, believe, and behave is contagious. Well, so is your ability to be authentically engaged. And in fact, being a contagious leader means that you are able to Be You and Lead You, as well as Lead Others. .... read more

To “See” the entire transcript of today’s Monday Moment, click here.

To listen to today’s Monday Moment, click here or paste this link:
http://monicawofford.com/audio/MondayMoment030810-F.mp3 into your browser.

Monday Moment works on Tuesday, too!

Need a boost on Tuesday? Try Monica's Monday Moment: http://ping.fm/pzzeJ
Sign up for your own at http:www.monicawofford.com

PHR and SPHR Credits NOW AVAILABLE for Conference!

If you are in Human Resources and are applying and working on your PHR or SPHR designations, the Contagious Confidence Conference has now been approved (as of 9.30.09) for 6 hours of general credits toward both of these designations!!!

As a result, we have extended the Early Bird Deadline until Oct. 9 so that you can save the date and register at the lower rate!

Now you can get credit AND skills for your confidence, balance, and stress management!

Register today! www.contagiousconferences.com

The Contagious Confidence Conf. has just been certified for 6 gen. credit hours through SHRM!!! Get credit AND skills! www.tinyurl.com/contconf

Did you receive your Monday Moment? Just in case not, take a listen... http://tinyurl.com/MM092809

Could you use a little less guilt, a little more time a lot less stress

It's true, we could all use a little less guilt, a little more time a lot less stress! Right?

Here are some key factors that will help:
1. Stop whining and take ACTION now!

• I have been whining about feeling out of shape for years, but also complaining about having no time to exercise. I was creating guilt for myself and two days ago, said WHO NEEDS THAT and went out to start running. I can't quite run a whole mile yet, but determination will prevail and I feel like I can leap tall buildings when I'm done. Two days in and the guilt is exponentially less!

2. Recognize that you CAN do it all, IF you know what ALL that is.

Decide WHAT you WANT before you start saying you can't have it all categorically. The WHAT is doable and once you figure that out, you merely have to make a priority list of when you want it. Now, if you want it all at once, like right now, well then, that's a whole different blog, confernece, seminar, and discussion. We'll cover prioritizing at the next conference. Check it out: www.contagiousconferences.com

3. Get Seriously Focused on the things you don't like

They, whoever THEY are, say that what you focus on gets traction and gets bigger. Well, I'm going to turn that around a bit. If you ignore what you don't like about you and just let the guilt build up about it without taking a clear examination of how to change it, then it will also get bigger. You have to look at reality and then decide what to change and when to change it. How about... yep, maybe, perhaps... like NOW. :) Or maybe that's just me.

We Should Have Changed the Title!

It's almost here... four weeks away to be exact, and three days left in the early bird special for the October 22 Contagious Confidence Conference for Women. Our theme this conference is: Balance: When in Charge, In Heels and Out of Time

However, in hindsight, I am thinking we should have changed the title to : Doing More in Less Time with Less Stress. In fact, in a conversation over email today with a book publisher who is looking at our Commander in Heels book, I recommended to her that we change the title to Being a Commander in Heels: How to be a Woman Who Does More in Less Time with Less Stress

Isn't it true that we could all use a little less guilt, a little more time a lot less stress?

Blog title...

have you seen the video that shows a difference between confidence and skill? http://ping.fm/W0c2p
We'll see you at the Contagious Confidence Conf. on 10.22.09

Confidence vs. Self Esteem

Did you know there is a difference? Often we use the terms confidence and self esteem interchangeably and yet, they do not mean the same thing.

Confidence means you believe you can do something.
Self Esteem means you are worth the effort.

You can wake up in the morning and believe you CAN get your list accomplished, but not believe you are worth the effort in setting boundaries, saying no when necessary, and doing what you need to do to maintain a sense of balance and fulfillment, otherwise known as contentment. Yes, it is something you can have and that you deserve, I promise.

October 22 Event

Ever feel like a professional juggler? There’s your list, your life, your family, your job, your bills, your friends… aaaaaaahhhh! Some days we can manage it and some days it gets a bit hairy! If you have ever said you need more hours in the day and more arms on your body to juggle all that you are doing, then you want to join us on October 22.

Join us at the Contagious Confidence Conference for Women at the Winter Park Civic Center on October 22, and here’s why:
- You will finally get to relieve the stress in your back, neck, and shoulders that comes from running around like crazy and feeling out of control
- You will learn new skills that are easy to implement and NOT another “To-do” that will help you immediately with your planning and your confidence
- You will be able to take a break, even if just for one day, to focus on you, enjoy being you, and spend time becoming even better, with little or no effort.

That’s right. There’s no smoke and mirrors here. No side gimmicks. No fluffy stuff – just plain old skills, with networking, food, and fun. You deserve this day for you and your schedule, your stress level, your friends, your family and most importantly YOU will be so glad you did.

Don’t delay. You’re worth it my friend. REGISTER NOW for the Contagious Confidence Conference and we’ll see you on Thursday, October 22.

Did you happen to hear your Monday Moment? If not, here's a copy: http://ping.fm/FHFT1
Get your very own at www.monicawofford.com

What Does Leadership Take? Reminding yourself that the learning you've done so far didn't happen over night and new learning won't either.

Goal Setting: Are you doing what YOU want or trying to please others?

Ladies,
You have goals and you deserve to acheive them. In fact, for a good goal setting resource book, check out Creating Your Best Life. However, what few have ever been told about Balance or Goals, is that though you CAN have it all, you typically can't have it all at the same time. As well, it is important to assess whether those goals are something YOU really want or something others have told you you SHOULD have. We've got to stop "Shoulding" all over ourselves (one of my favorite lines!) and make sure that we are doing those things that are most important (versus urgent) for us over the long term life of our goals.

So, what are you chasing and is it YOUR rainbow or one someone told you that you SHOULD chase? Hmmmm... this is definitely going to be a topic of discussion at the next Contagious Confidence Conference!

Balance:When in Charge, In Heels, and Out of Time

So, how do you balance all that you try to do? For women, this issue is often compounded by the multitude of roles that we play at home and at work. Typical women's leadership conferences share information on how to manage time and yet, the truth is we don't manage time, we manage tasks. This women's leadership conference: The Contagious Confidence Conference for Women, will focus on managing the tasks you want to include in your day, your week, and your life. This is not going to be a typical time management course! :)