Category Archives: Mindfulness

What’s Your October Learning

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This month of October, on a National basis, is about Learning in business as well as remembering our heritage. Polish American, Italian American, Hispanic Heritage and German Heritage all celebrate their ancestry background this month.

It’s also National Cyber Security Awareness Month https://www.boozallen.com/c/insight/thought-leadership/booz-allen-kicks-off-national-cybersecurity-awareness-month-2017.html and National Women’s Small Business Month https://www.nwbc.gov/news/10-million-strong-october-council-celebrates-national-women%E2%80%99s-small-business-month. The Balance website hosts an extensive list for you to choose a favorite event: https://www.thebalance.com/october-is-national-month-calendar-3514993

Here in Chicago, events during the year have all led to the celebration of Chicago Ideas Week http://chicagoideas.com from October 16th through October 22. As an example, Professor Marcelo Gleiser, Director the Institute for Cross-Disciplinary Engagement at Dartmouth College spoke at a Symposium on the Future of Intelligence: Human, Machine and Extraterrestrial, sponsored by Chicago Ideas. He asked the question, “Are we engineering our own destruction through technology when we speak about artificial intelligence?” It’s an ethical and scientific dilemma because our intelligence is really about how we move from our present world to the future, including all that’s dark and dangerous, to creating a future that is just and equitable for all society.

As mentioned earlier, this month of October celebrates who we are as a society because all that we have around us places us in a state of constant Learning from the daily occurrences in our lives, both personally and in business. Within the past 30 days of our lives we have experienced or witnessed more tragedy in the USA, than was ever presented before, in non-war time. We mourn all those who left this earth and keep the survivors in our good thoughts for recovery.

Earlier this week, I attended an online Webinar where like-minded people shared their views about our profession and how we can Learn from one another’s experiences. It is because of that discussion that I would like to share with you some ideas for change management in your career. I prepared the format this week and it is based on a business presentation, hosted by the University of Chicago back in 2001. It’s pretty straight forward and timely in today’s environment. Here it is:

As you Choose Who You Want to be Known As during this Learning month, consider how the survivors demonstrated their strength of character and became the best examples of USA humanity for us all.

“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Executive and Career Management Coach
http://www.wordpress.com/disclosures
http://creativecommons.org/by-nc-sa

 

Processing Mindfulness on a Sunday Morning

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I’ve  a grand memory for forgetting – Robert Louis Stevenson via BrainyQuote

 

Personal values of using the Laundry Room are similar to the use of the small office refrigerator, i.e. forgetfulness.     It happens on an early Sunday morning.  You fill two washing machines which are side by side, and each has a 27-minute timer.  You leave for a few minutes and return to see one machine has reached 16 minutes and the other is stuck at 25 minutes.  After a short phone call, you remove the wet clothes and fill another machine.

More than half of the 14 dryers are still full of dried clothes as well as the folding table.  If you are a people watcher, you might enjoy reading that a 20-30 something man enters the Laundry Room.  He bends down in front of a dryer and removes some of the dried clothes.  He leaves knowing he still has dried clothes in the dryer.   Forgetfulness happens at all ages [smile].

Have a mindful Sunday in you activities as you Choose Who You Want to be Known As.   “Jo Ann” M. Radja

http://www.wordpress.com/disclosures

http://creativecommons.org/by-nc-sa

 

More Questions to Consider. . .

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In order for an organization to stay healthy, its members must have a clear sense of who they are and what they can accomplish…in terms of a product they make or… in terms of a service they perform.  Members must feel they have a share in it.   Fred Pearson

Earlier today, I published a post entitled, “What’s YOUR Question Today?” at LinkedIn Pulse  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/whats-your-question-today-jo-ann-m-radja    The subject matter was innovation, feedback from the world’s largest architectural firm founder, Arthur Gensler and  a change management Design Group Study Guide from the University of Chicago.   A number of questions were posted from the Design Group Study Guide.  I would like to share with you additional questions because they acknowledge how you may be able to work through different perspectives in a group or team.  Here they are:

What expectations do the leaders have for the group/team?  Is there a match with the expectations of the team?  Are the expectations in line with the agreed goal of the project?  If not, is it time for the group/team to agree an expectation has a place to be articulated in the group and may be unrealistic.

“How do your attitudes compare with the team members?  Are your observational skills improving?  Are your skills at listening to others, and asking effective questions, getting better?   How were you influenced by others, for the better,  in the group/team?”

“What skills do Group Leaders need to get the job accomplished?  What skills do group members need to work together?  How has your participation in the group/team increased your understanding of your company and your place within the company?”

Personal growth will only be realized when you recognize what was difficult for you, your lack of understanding of an issue, or dealing with another person, or making a tough decision.  No one ever said self-development was easy and that’s why we love to do better by stretching ourselves in our careers!  Have a great week.

“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Executive &  Career Management Coach

http://www.wordpress,com/disclosures

http://creativecommons.org/by-nc-sa

Monday Anagrams – What’s your Awareness. . .

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 Although we lost an hour Early yesterday morning, we made it through the day this Monday.  Throughout our career path, we lose time, appointments, colleagues and friends and an occasional discussion.    It happens that we grow, develop and become more aware of who we are and how we interact with others.    Since I traveled to New York City on business, twice this month, I wanted to share with you a few anagrams I wrote, as follows:

 E arnestly the Speakers engaged

T he audience to

H ear how their journeys gave them strength to change.

I t never fails to reach the

C onsciousness of each person’s awareness.

S electively, we chose our next steps.  ©Jo Ann M. Radja

 

E arly on it became clear

T hat a Speaker told the truth.

H e said, “What was for many of us, was not in our future.”

I t was necessary to Pivot in order to 

C hange our chosen path.  Be guided by your integrity

S o the judgment of others won’t keep you from your Purpose..  ©Jo Ann M. Radja

 

 E verything outside of the vehicle was very still.  After

T he quick glance out his window, the driver

H eard no voices or sounds on the street or parkway.  He

I nstantly and 

C asually drove slower at 1:30am.

S o we continued to be safe for the next 10 blocks.  ©Jo Ann M. Radja

 

 E ver so softly people moved

T hrough the 9/11 Museum this Sunday morning.

H ow it affected people was

I nterrupted by watching

C arefully placed videos.  We were reminded to

S ee though our pain in order to appreciate the joy of the value of life.  ©Jo Ann M. Radja

Have a great week as you Choose Who You Want to be Known As.

“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Executive & Career Management Coach

http://www.wordpress.com/disclosures  http://creativecommons.org/by-nc-sa

 

Five Years on WordPress. . .

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Any new thing faces the force of inertia!  And that’s just a test! Use greater power and overcome it!  Tom Morris American Philosopher

 

It’s my 5 Year Anniversary on WordPress business account. Thank you all   for:  following this blog, liking a post and sharing your comments with me.  I hope you have enjoyed a number of takeaways.

 

Earlier today I wrote a piece for LinkedIn Publisher that explained that ethics is alive and well, the people who work in large corporations are just like you and me and want to do well, as well as lessons learned in this 21st Century.

                                    Here is that link  “IT REALLY HAPPENED. . .” https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/really-happened-jo-ann-m-radja by @Coach_Jo_Ann on @LinkedIn  

 

Another quotation from the American Philosopher Tom Morris is:  Service puts others first.  And, ironically, it’s in the acts of service that we most often feel our best and become our best.

WordPress has had a philosophy and culture of service over the past five years that I have been a member.  Many of you also believe Service is important.   All the best to you this week as you Choose Who You Want to be Known As.

“Jo Ann” M. Radja,  Executive and Career Management Coach

http://www.wordpress.com

http://creativecommons.org/by-nc-sa

 

When Mindfulness becomes a Personal Mantra

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Heedfulness, Mindfulness and Introspective Awareness help us retain our core values in life.  The Dalai Lama

 

While leaving a Professional Building before Labor Day Weekend, I noticed a few available individual public trays of current magazines.  One of which is called, YOGAChicago , September – October, 2016. It was a surprise to see the lead article written by Mia Park entitled, “Reflections on Mindfulness by Illinois Politicians at the DNC.” [this past Summer]  

Ms. Park quoted a number of Illinois elected officials who shared how Mindfulness was incorporated in their public lives:

Senior US Senator Dick Durbin – “A moment of reflection is valuable….for you to consider what your political career might be able to accomplish.  Real world reflection helps to set the stage for value-driven policy making.”[paraphrased].

Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Cook County Board of Commissioners –   “When you’re going off into battle to debate legislation, remember who you are accountable to.”  “It’s important to be conscious of that always – it will keep you away from the forces that have led many politicians astray –  money, special interests, and many other vices that make you cease to be a public servant.”

Theresa Mah – 2nd District – Reflects on how mindfulness for politicians can acutely keep uppermost in their minds why they became public servants for the people they serve.

The complete Mia Park’s one-page article, includes the Secretary of State, Jessie White is at this link :http://yogachicago.com/2016/08/reflections-on-mindfulness-by-illinois-politicians-at-the-dnc/

The quotation by The Dalai Lama was found at page 107 of his book, Beyond Religion, Ethics for a Whole World. (2012)  He explains that:

 Heedfulness relates to being vigilant and conscientious about what we do;

 Mindfulness, in the context of living an ethical life, is about recollection of one’s core values and motivation; and

 Introspective Awareness means being honestly aware of our behavior and bringing it under control.   Of course, this does not happen overnight.  It requires practice.

As You Choose Who You Want to be Know As, consider how a Mantra of a mindful thought will bring you closer to the person you want people to see.    Enjoy!

“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Executive and Career Management Coach

https://www.wordpress.com/disclosures

http://creativecommons.org/by-nc-sa

When Mindfulness leads to Emotional Intelligence. . .

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stick_figure_balance_mind_heart_md_wm Bing 052016At the heart of great leadership is a curious mind, heart, and spirit.   Chip Conley via Brainy quote.com

Over the past few days, I’ve read a number of blogs from Social Media Influencers and Government Leaders.  Stories emerged of how dysfunction not only causes breakdowns in communication but reason takes a backseat at a place of work.  We may become a bystander to a discussion that causes us to become very uncomfortable and we don’t wish to enter the “fray.”

Some four years ago I was attending a Networking Event and was participating in a conversation between two men who were consultants.  One man was from the East Coast and the other lived in a Chicago suburb.  Another man, unknown to us, walked up and asked if he could join our group.  We welcomed him (the black coat man) and he asked me about my business – that conversation led me to give him a sample coaching session.  The man was eager and surprised himself by telling me something he had not told his wife; he was uncomfortable with the disclosure and decided to walk away.  The two consultants offered that I shouldn’t have given my time to someone who clearly wasn’t appreciative of joining our discussion group.

What happened next was an example of personal mindfulness.  The black coat man walked around the room and said to more than a handful of people, “You see that woman in the red jacket [meaning me] she won’t talk to me.”   People began to ask, “Do you know that man?”   It was unclear to many why the black coat man continued his pointing at me and saying she won’t talk to me.

Mindfulness allow you to become aware of your surroundings, what you are thinking, what you are feeling and what these sensations mean to you at that moment.  Emotional Intelligence is a learned process where mindfulness forms the basis for you to manage yourself and by doing so, manage others.  As you manage your emotions you are able to assist someone else likewise.  Put another way, you observe what is happening around you, describe what it means to you, accept that someone else has something going on causing a disturbance, don’t take it personally and don’t become judgmental.  While it may seem like a balancing act between your mind and your heart, in fact, it is a process that allow you control over how you are in the moment.  The image above displays the end result of mind and heart balance – when you are comfortable in the emotional intelligence realm. 

Emotional intelligence is a process and it most definitely can be learned.  How you act in the moment is what I call, “Choose Who You Want to be Known As.”   Since today is the last day of June we have another beginning in our imperfect world tomorrow on July 1st.  Have a great month of July in your chosen career path!

“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Executive and Career Management Coach

http://www.wordpress.com/disclosures

http://creativecommons.org/by-nc-sa