Lynn's Presentation on "Intentions"

Lynn Thomson, who gave us a great presentation on "Intentions" at our last meeting, has graciously agreed to let me post my notes here for you. Enjoy!

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We often use the word “you” to keep things at somewhat of an arm’s length. It becomes more powerful when we use the word “me” instead.

(Lynn drew a bull’s eye diagram with ME in the center, OTHERS in the next circle and COMMUNITY in the outer circle.)

We need to claim the ME space. Think about ME and the roles I play.

Then Lynn had us do a “Falling Still” exercise. Sit straight and comfortably with your feel flat on the floor. Close your eyes.  Now breath in – all the way to our toes – and then breath out. Repeat this several times and pay attention to your breath – how the air feels cool as it enters and warm as it exits. When she had us open our eyes, she made the comment that breath has the power to make you lose your mind and come to your senses.

Lynn then took us through a series of questions.

What made me get up this morning?

(Don't overanalyze this - just a simple answer like - to go to work)

We were then asked to define the word Intention.

Ÿ    Goals

Ÿ    Reason

Ÿ    Purpose

Ÿ    Choice

Ÿ    Motivation

Ÿ    Commitment

Ÿ    Wants

Ÿ    Desire

It can be more helpful to set intentions for the day than to set goals. Consider setting your intention for the day in the morning – perhaps by doing the Falling Still exercise. If you have an intention set for the day, it makes it easier to measure your success at the end of the day by how well you kept or acted upon your intention.

What was my intention in coming to the meeting tonight?

(and you are not allowed to use the word “should”!)

Ÿ    Build relationships here that then affect my client relationships too

Ÿ    Meet other business women, to learn more about the CBC

Ÿ    Share my business

Ÿ    Learn

Ÿ    Socialize (and get to have some adult conversation J )

Ÿ    To challenge and encourage

What needs to happen here to keep me coming back?

What would make the CBC really successful for me?

(We discussed a bit about celebration – What does that look like for me? Note: Celebration cannot have guilt attached to it.)

Where do we network?

Ÿ    At sports events

Ÿ    Moms groups

Ÿ    Organizations

Ÿ    Hobbies

Ÿ    Volunteering

Ÿ    Church

Where do I network?

What is something specific I want to walk out of here with tonight?

What do I have to offer?

Lynn finished her presentation with this list of Rules for Networking.

Ÿ    Be open-minded

Ÿ    Be prepared

Ÿ    Treat all as equals as a source of your referrals and info (ie, the waitress as well as the leader or speaker)

Ÿ    Don’t be afraid to ask

Ÿ    Don’t waste resources

Ÿ    Give without expectation of return

Ÿ    Always say thank you

Ÿ    Set realistically achievable goals

Ÿ    Be committed

Lynn then took us through a networking exercise where we met each other member. We teamed up two by two and were each given 45 seconds to give our elevator speech and to ask a specific question of the other person. As in, this is what I do in my business, and tonight I am specifically looking for such and such.

A great presentation – very practical. Thank you Lynn.

(Notes by Evelyn Marinoski)