Kit Prendergast, PCC
Kit brings you a wealth of expertise and experience as well as a wonderful spirit, energy, and a gift for inspiring you to create the life you truly want for yourself.Kit's Tips & Books
Kits Tag Cloud
Brain Science business Career change coaching communication cross-cultural Emotional Intelligence energy engagement entrepreneurship Global Volunteerism happiness inspiration Leadership learning management millenials motivation Multigenerational Networking optimism Positive Psychology Relationships resiliency social media strengths success Talent Development teams training transition VisioningKit's Favorite Resources
-
Blog Archive
- October 2016
- September 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
Tag Archives: optimism
Choose Not to Be Afraid
At 4:45am each morning I take the dogs outside for their first potty beak and to pick up our local paper off the front driveway. As our golden retriever and westie (Snowball & Dooley) are rolling in the snow making snow angels, I am glancing at the paper’s headlines under the garage lights.
Almost without fail, the front page stories shout at me about something that is going to immediately endanger myself or my family. It can be anything from global terrorism; the national economy, our local unemployment statistics; home foreclosure rates or a whole array of looming health disasters that will kill me off before the day is done. I’m surprised I can stagger back into the house for my first cup of coffee.
Fear, worry and anxiety are epidemic in our world today. The media, our politicians and even our family & friends are telling us constantly to “be afraid” of everything and anything. Yes, there are some very real things in 2013 that we need to be concerned about but do we really have to be worried 24/7? No, we don’t!
It’s our choice – what are we going to be concerned about (in a healthy way) and what are we going to let go. It takes practice but over time each of us develops an inner “check list” of what is worth getting our “knickers in a twist” (as the Brits say) and what needs to go on the back burner. That’s when our inner voice – the language – we use in speaking to ourselves becomes critical.
My challenge to you, is to pay attention to what media generated “fear” can hook you and then be touch with yourself in choosing your response. It’s your choice. Do I retreat to my comfort zone? Second guess myself constantly? Become critical of others? Cynical of the world around me? Think about it . . . and I hope you choose to put fear in its proper place. You are in control . . . not it.
When Blogging Grinds to a Halt!
Despite my best intentions, my weekly blog ground to a halt over the last two months. And it wasn’t even for something terribly exciting. It was rather due to the sudden onset of severe carpal tunnel syndrome in both of my hands. It started late July and really set me back in many ways. I’ve always been blessed with excellent health so I was a bit grumpy to be dealing with this unexpected health challenge.
But after two surgeries (Oct & Nov) I am back to writing, working out in the gym and generally getting into mischief – the spice of life! I was able to continue getting out my monthly e-newsletter Kit’s Monday Tip but it is only now (early January) that the hands are ready for my weekly blog to all of you.
And I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling guilty about slowing down or even stopping blogging on a regular basis. Have you ever felt that way? Life does get in the way for us. We may get pulled away by a family member’s pressing needs or by our own. The lesson I’ve learned is that it’s okay – I’ll get back to it as soon as I can. We’re just doing the best we can. So be kind to yourself if you’ve had to take a break – you will be back as I am now. More to come next week . . . Warmly, Kit
Posted in And a Bit More, Inspirational Leadership, Navigating Change, Your Time & Energy
Tagged change, energy, inspiration, optimism, resiliency
Leave a comment
“The Art of Political Conversation” A Unique Workshop
What fun! I was invited to speak on KJFK 230 AM this past Saturday morning, Sept. 29th, on “The Art of Political Conversation”. Chip Evans and his co-host Verita Black Prothro are anchoring a progressive talk radio show “Get Real, America!” every Saturday morning at 9:00am dedicated to opening the conversation in Northern Nevada on progressive issues and concerns.
Chip and I are an experienced political training team. We have been working with the Nevada Democratic field organizers since 2004 on all aspects of leadership and political activism. For this political cycle, we are offering our evenings and weekends to meet with community groups and field organizers to teach the fine art of engaging in a political conversation without being triggered. And that’s not easy in this political climate!
This is a fast moving, interactive 1 1/2 hour skills-based workshop. Participants get hands-on practice in these state-of-the-art communication skills. And what Chip and I enjoy most is the feedback we get from the college students, Republicans turned Democrats and the many, many dedicated volunteers willing to spend their free time working on behalf of progressive values and condidates. After every workshop, they tell us they have more confidence and more concrete tools to engage in that next conversation at the door, on the phone or with their Republican brother-in-law at Thanksgiving dinner.
Dogs Sit in the Front Row of Life
I had to look twice! It was early evening on a beautiful warm night in Greece. And here are two doggie pals sitting together on the tin roof of a house along the main street of Amadaoli, Crete. Would they slide off? Nope.
They were perfectly content to watch the action down below on the street and when something really exciting happened (like their Greek Orthodox priest owner coming home) they would dash down to the first floor barking wildly to greet him. After taking care of that task, they would scurry back up to the roof to take their front row seat again and resume watching the tourists, party-goers and Global Volunteers (that’s us) returning home from our day of work. It was the best seat in the house – they didn’t miss anything and were right in the middle of the action. Why don’t we all do that?
It’s Simply a Habit – Hiding in the Back Row
Every evening they were there . . . and I had to think they certainly had the right idea. They were positioning themselves to be right in on the action. Sitting in the front seat of life not hiding in the back row. How often do we figuratively sit in the back and avoid being front and center. We find lots of reasons to do that . . . it’s our personality; the situation isn’t right; it’s too risky, etc. But it’s actually simply habit. We simply go to that comfort zone and default to pushing the “No, I don’t think so” button over and over again.
But what does that get us? Not very far and probably a bit bored. Yes, it’s comfortable and there are no surprises. And that’s the problem . . . it’s very, very comfortable and there are no changes, challenges or opportunities to stretch our wings.
How’s It Working For You?
Sitting in the back row of life may have worked just fine for you over these last few years. But is it working now? Is it getting you to where you want to be next? For many of us, that answer would probably be no. So I encourage you to move up a row or two – stretch that comfort zone until you’re sitting in the front seat of life like the doggie pals sitting on the roof. And I bet they are still there too!
Shredding the BackPacks in Greece
We started off with six backpacks! Being super organizers, my twin sister, Diane and I had carefully planned out how to travel to Greece for a three week work assignment carrying various sized backpacks (including backpack purses). We were ready for any contingency, any emergency and any task.
But we didn’t need them and we didn’t miss them. We hadn’t even left home before we decided to leave the first two fancy North Face backpacks behind on the kitchen table. And then the two backpack purses (special “expensive” anti-theft bags) were swiftly stowed in the duffel bags as soon as we got to Greece. And we really didn’t need or want to carry two of the light weight Eddie Bauer backpacks because everything could easily fit in one. So we just carried one between the two of us. It was wonderfully simple.
And I had to laugh . . . on the last night in Athens we shred even that last backpack. Cargo pants with pockets and a passport holder around the neck was everything we needed. Of course, we had spent all our euros helping the Greek economy so the money envelope was pretty light!
Lighten Your Load
So what did I learn? I don’t need all that stuff. We don’t need all that stuff. Be willing to shred the extra baggage and lighten your load. And it actually clears your mind and gives you a feeling of space that feels really good. So go on ahead and simplify your life load. Your back will thank you!