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! :)

Join us on Oct 22 for Balance: When You're In Charge, In Heels, and Out of Time!

It's here! It's bigger and better! AND it's about balance!

Join us for our next Contagious Confidence Conference for Women on October 22, 2009!

If you are struggling with all the balls in the air that you're juggling...
If you are stressed out while trying to manage all the stuff you've put on your calendar...
If people marvel at all that you do and yet you don't feel like you do enough...

This is the conference for you! And... even better... there's no ginsu knives or gimmicks - just an entire day of learning and training on how better to manage the concept of balance and the tricks it plays with our head!

Register now and recieve $20 off the Early Bird pricing. Use Promo code: EEA20.

You can Balance: While You're In Charge, In Heels, and Out of Time!
See you there!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

It was a wonderful Contagious Confidence Conference and it was made possible by all of our wonderful attendees, staff, and volunteers! Thank you for your support and for your participation.

During the day we spoke of leadership skills, where we are now and what we needed to work on, how confidence is key, how we get in our own way, how to develop your own description of what you do (really!) and how to modify your communication skills for each team member. We also worked on time management challenges, the impact of stress and the needs and pet peeves of many personality preferences.

It was a wonderful day of learning about ourselves and others, as well as how we can be better leaders of our own lives and the voices in our head, along with leading employees!

What did YOU learn yesterday?
Thank you so much for being a part of our 5th Contagious Confidence Conference. Stay tuned for details on our next event and we look forward to seeing you there!
Stay Contagious!

Michael J. Fox said Optimism is Contagious!

In watching the first episode of Michael J. Fox, The Incurable Optimist, I was overjoyed to hear him talk about the sense of hope in times that most of us have not seen or experienced in our life time. Yet, what stood out the most for me is when he shared that Optimism and sense of hope is contagious!

Everything we do, optimistic or otherwise, is contagious. How you feel and what you say about the economy, your own abilities, your environment, and so much more is contagious. We need each other and "hope doesn't exist in a vaccuum". This topic and many more WILL be covered in our next conference on May 13th. The Contagious Confidence Conferences help you not only learn from other women in the session, but also to learn how you can be an even better you than you thought possible or had seen before.

If you could use a dose of incurable optimism, contagious enthusiasm about leadership, life, or the voices in your head, then make plans to join this women's leadership conference.

I'll see you there!
Monica

Why attend the Contagious Conference: Leading in Tough Times?

Why should you send some of those you work with, spend a day away from work, even ask your boss for the time, or take time away from what you are doing to grow your own business to attend the May 13th Contagious Conference: Leading in Tough Times?

Here are a few of the top reasons:

• You will learn how to effectively work with change (recently inspired by a participant who wanted more on this topic – thanks Renee!).
• You will gain unique techniques for dealing with whiners, nags, negative neds and nellies who can suck the very life out of your day.
• You will be able to boost your own confidence, which means you will be better able to ask others for help, develop teams, and admit when you don’t know the answer, without looking silly.
• You will interact with others from the business community who may turn out to be your next job lead or your next customer.
• You will get the chance to practice delivering coaching to an employee and selling your idea in a tough crowd.
• You will gain the ability to actually identify what an employee’s problem is and the skills to address it effectively once and for all.
• You will learn why micromanagement has value (and when to use it or not!).
• You will get a MUCH better understanding of why you have stress and how to eliminate most of it and keep it from affecting you daily.

Those are at least the highlights. The Contagious Conference: Leading in Tough Times, is a full day training course. And oh, did I also mention, we have continental breakfast, lunch and dessert, and a cocktail hour after the class, as well as over 15 vendors with services you don’t have time to shop for when you ARE at work.

This is more than just a conference, this is a way for you to feel better about what you are doing, particularly if you have been promoted, but not prepared and what to know what to do when you have people reporting to you.

Join us on May 13th in Orlando at Leu Gardens. Limited spaces are still available and for more information, go to www.contagiousconferences.com. Can't wait to see you there!

What Women Want...

Do you remember the movie What Women Want with Helen Hunt and Mel Gibson, in which he could literally "hear" her thoughts? eek! I'm not sure that is what women want but I do know we want a few other things...

We want to be understood
We want to be recognized for our talents
We want to be noticed for all that we do
We want to loved
We want to be accepted
We want to be seen as unique individuals
And often, we want to be seen as powerful, well respected and approved of people

You can be all of that! Some of these elements can come naturally, I suppose. Others of them require new skills, effort, and the development of communication that lets others know what we want.

These skills and more are what you will gain at our next Contagious Conference on Women's Leadership Skills: Leading in Tough Times. Join us on May 13th, 2009 in Orlando to get not only what you want, but what you deserve.

Women are wired to be fantastic leaders and yet we often fail to find that middle ground between being a leader without having to ride a broom or carrying a picket sign in promotion of feminism. We look forward to seeing you!

Stay Contagious!
Monica