CREATIVE SUCCESS NEWSLETTER, NUMBER 20 - JANUARY 31, 2002

CREATIVE SUCCESS NEWSLETTER,
NUMBER 20 - JANUARY 31, 2002

The Positive Choices Series

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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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1) Check out my website for new articles on creativity and careers
posted at under Articles.

2) If you did not receive our Dec. 31st newsletter about the Power of
Visualization, including my interview with Margie Levine, (we had a few
technical snags while we were revamping our subscription service), it is
also posted at my website http://www.creativesuccess.com under the News
section.

3) People are continuing to start 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women
support groups. Do let us know if you are leading one, so we can
announce it for you or add it to our database. If you are in the
Cincinnati, Ohio area, Marion Corbin Mayer and Sandra Korn are starting
a new group on Thursday mornings, beginning right away. Call
513-368-1994 or email art4marion@aol.com to register. My purpose in
writing The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women was to inspire women all
over the world to follow their fascinations and support each other's
originality and risk-taking. These groups are very exciting and a
manifestation of my original vision.

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POSITIVE CHOICES STEP EIGHT: E IS FOR EMPOWERMENT
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This week I had a coaching session with a client where we talked about
how to empower herself at work. She had a special request she wanted to
make of her boss to attend a conference and noted that his usual
response to anything that costs money, was "No". We talked about how it
was up to her to communicate her request clearly, in a language that he
could understand. For example, she needed to let him know specifically
how this conference would benefit the company in terms of training,
networking, etc. and why it was actually a great investment. Armed with
a new attitude and a persuasive case, she emailed me this afternoon to
say that her request was granted! This is why I love being a coach! My
client valued her desire to attend this conference and took a stand on
her own behalf. Empowerment is about being proactive and having the
courage to take risks to achieve your goals. It is also about learning
communication excellence. To help you to achieve the empowerment of
Positive Choices, I want to share with you some wisdom from
communications expert, Suzanne Bates, owner of Bates Communications in
Wellesley, MA. I was fortunate to meet Suzanne two years ago when I
appeared on her TV show "Family Matters" to talk about The 12 Secrets of
Highly Creative Women. Suzanne is a lovely, savvy woman, and a seasoned
TV anchor and award winning reporter. She now works with corporate and
professional clients in many industries teaching them to increase their
visibility, learn the art of public speaking, run effective meetings,
appear in media, or resolve difficult communication issues. Suzanne
believes strongly that learning to communicate well is an essential
skill for success and that practice and preparation are the keys. One of
the unique features about Suzanne's style is that she teaches people to
be their true selves, starting with a video diagnosis. She believes that
by being authentic, people can discover their personal message. A great
technique that she recommends is that people keep a journal of stories,
anecdotes, illustrations, and analogies that are personally meaningful
to them to use in their communications to others. This helps to relieve
anxiety as well generate excitement and enthusiasm in presentations and
meetings. As Suzanne says, "People want to hear about you and your
uniqueness-that's why they are listening." To become a more active
communicator in your career or your life, Suzanne advises practicing
what you want to say, for example, at a meeting, so you can jump in
early to get your point across. Women, especially, need to learn how to
"just say it in a friendly and assertive way", and not use too many I
statements, qualifiers, or apologies. With the tough issue of conflict
resolution. Suzanne advises people to listen non-defensively to the
other person's point of view, without interrupting them, so people feel
heard first. Then you need to ask for clarification before you proceed
and be careful not to make assumptions without checking them out. She
helps people to de-personalize the situation and zero in on the facts
and issues to be decided. Sometimes the resolution is simply to agree to
disagree, as conflict can be a good thing. As Suzanne says, "Conflict is
inevitable, it's just how we deal with it." Lots of communication
problems are the result of faulty messages-both sent and received.
Suzanne feels strongly that the only way people can reach their goals is
to become a really strong communicator. Practicing communication skills,
whether it is making presentations or talking effectively with your
colleagues, leads to improvement and empowerment. Worried that you're an
introvert? Suzanne believes that introverts can be great communicators
as they are often more in touch with their own mission, values, and
ideas, so they have a lot to say. Introverts have a lot of credibility,
but they need to learn to project their personality so they are seen as
a leader. With the media, Suzanne's experience as a reporter, makes her
a great guide. She advises people to think carefully about what a
reporter would be interested in. For example, if you've written a book,
you must tell the reporter why this book is relevant to today's
audience. Once you have your message in soundbites and have anticipated
off the wall questions, it can become really fun to think about ways to
get people excited about your book or your event. You have to make the
connection for the reporter or the radio host as they haven't probably
read the material. Also, be sure and include suggested questions in your
press kit so it will give the interviewer a sense of what you want to
talk about. Make your questions really relevant and topical to the news
today. You can use these same strategies to prepare for meetings as
well. Check out the resources on Suzanne's website for further ideas and
contact information at http://www.bates-commincations.com. In the
Positive Choices program, your communication style is a powerful tool.
Make the time to complete this month's challenge and take an inventory
of your communication assets and liabilities. It is a worthwhile
investment to maximize these skills. Good luck!

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CHALLENGE
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1) Identify a situation where you want to feel more empowered. Write
down all of the elements of importance in this situation. 2) How do you
want to resolve this challenge? What do you truly want? 3) How can
proactive communication help you to potentially achieve this resolution?
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a communicator? What is your
message in this situation and how can you present it effectively so it
can be understood? 4) Take action this month to remedy this situation
and email us your successes! 5) Remember, we don't always get everything
we want, but we want to feel that we made our best effort to achieve
success.

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 7, 2002
The Power of Positive Choices workshop at 7 PM
Barnes and Noble Books-Valley Forge
Devon, PA
610-695-6600

February 15, 2002
Boston Chapter for Institute of Noetic Sciences
The Power of Positive Choices Workshop
Boston, MA
Registration filled already

April 12, 2002
"Increasing Your Creativity as a Writer"
American Society of Journalists and Authors Conference
NYC

May 23
12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women workshop at 7 PM
Boston Learning Society, Needham, MA
781-453-9800 to register

Have a wonderful month!

Creatively yours,
Gail McMeekin