Words that Work

Archive for the ‘creating community’ Category

Throughout your life, I imagine like so many of us, that you have been invited to attend or have led retreats of some sort. These events are an opportunity away from the daily routine and possible distractions of everyday life at work for learning, sharing and exploring more deeply such topics as leadership, conflict management or social media marketing. Sometimes we attend retreats away from the daily activities of life at home to experience more deeply such practices as yoga.

Yes, retreats offer a place to come together, to retreat from the usual and to move away from daily concerns. Many of us leave these gatherings feeling invigorated, and take with us fresh ideas, a renewed sense of purpose, and often a greater connection with others with whom we work. We get to know others in ways we have not been able to otherwise.

Yet, what happens in your body when you hear, read or say out loud the word “retreat”? Does your upper body tilt or lean back? Do you get ever so slightly tight? Notice your energy when you talk about a retreat. When we retreat we are moving away.

What would it be like if the next time you were offering a special day or weekend away program for your business coaching clients or life coaching clients you announced your event as an advance?

• Leadership Advance
• Yoga Advance
• Spiritual Advance
• Couples Communication Advance

Check out your body when you hear, read or say out loud the word “advance”. Your body automatically moves forward. Test making the shift as frequently as you can. At first you might experience discomfort offering programs as advances (e.g., Special One Day Words that Work Advance). After your first advance notice your energy as you talk about the positive outcomes of the time away. When we advance we are moving toward something.

As you speak and live out loud, make a difference. Create a rich community. Be like the kangaroo or rhinocerous, both can only walk forward. Rather than hold or sponsor a Retreat, hold or sponsor an Advance.

Sometime during the 1990s I began making up words that I sensed belonged in our everyday vocabulary. Of made up words, google is most likely the most noticeably recognized one used as a part of speech.

Today’s world of instant, almost infinite information that Google provides presents a readily available opportunity to search for information. In addition to searching for information, some of us search deeper and deeper for meaning that, at first, may not seem so readily available. We search for how we can be of greater service and make a lasting difference.

In my search, I benefited from colleagues and mentors. Adela Rubio inspired Yessence through her energy conscious business mastery. Suzanne Evans and confirmed the need for Yessence through her shift from marketing to movement message: Decide. Lisa Cherney gave life to Yessence through the benefits of the benefits part of her conscious marketing.

From working with these thought leaders, as I gained greater clarity about my purpose, Yessence emerged as a word that works. What is Yessence?

• Yessence is saying yes to your essence; saying yes to your core; saying yes to your authentic self.
• Yessence is saying yes to your world; saying yes to your past and to your now and to your future.
• Yessence is saying yes to making a difference.

Imagine creating a community around Yessence. Explore adding Yessence to your business coaching, life coaching and group coaching vocabulary. 

Consider the senses of Yessence:

• Sight—See the pink and gold iridescent colors of Yessence
• Sound—Hear the do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do song of Yessence
• Smell—Breathe in the sweet, musky, earthy scent of Yessence
• Taste—Savor the spicy, exotic curry of Yessence
• Touch—Feel the fresh, air dried cotton, the smooth silk of Yessence
• Kinesthetic—Move with the full embodiment of Yessence

As Thanksgiving approaches for those residing in the US, many of us will gather with family and friends to celebrate, sharing food and stories, and offering gratitude. Part of the celebration includes reflection, perhaps answering the question I posed in the October 28, 2009 post, “What Do You Really Need?”

The second comment on that post was from Anne Rubin, a cousin who was my Mom 2. On November 1, she wrote, “Certainly something to think about. Also the want/need equation changes depending on our age, circumstances, health etc. Personally, knowing that I am loved by my family & friends, becomes more important, the ‘things’ that make life easier, more pleasant or more interesting become less so, though still enjoyable and appreciated.”

Only 2 weeks after sharing her comment and 2 weeks shy of her 82^nd birthday, Anne died suddenly while vacationing in Japan. Of the people in my life, every exchange with Anne was a celebration. She celebrated each day with a walk in the morning and a glass of wine at night. Conversations were celebrations filled with laughter. She sent the funniest e-mail jokes, which  I shared with the message, “Here is another great one from Anne in California.”

Anne and my Mom (4 years older than Anne) grew up next door to each other in Germany until the Holocaust interrupted their respective childhoods. From Anne, a nurse, I got first hand support about working with my Mom’s cognitive impairment and stories of my Mom as a young girl.

Through Anne I was able to write and publish my first book. “Anne Rubin offered the quiet and space I needed to work on this book, making her home in southern California available as a writing haven on several occasions. I am grateful for the physical and personal environment she provided in support of the creative process.” (Action Based Communication: Changing Experience through Language, page viii.)

Anne’s life was a celebration and she was loved by family and friends. Watch a tribute to Anne from her son Sam Rubin.