Befriended by a Beautiful Butterfly

When was the last time you experienced moments that took your breath away? Feel a rush of delight fill your heart as you remember those magical moments. Now you know how I felt during my 2011 December birthday trip to the 'Middle of the World' - Ecuador.

There I visited a butterfly farm in the Amazon rain forest. As soon as I walked into the enclosure, I was greeted by a beautiful butterfly landing on my arm. Not wanting to dislodge this friendly creature, I gingerly moved my arm each time I took a photo. Yet my butterfly friend never moved, remaining my steadfast companion as we explored the farm and experienced different species of butterflies in every stage of their life cycle.

When we were ready to leave the farm, our expert guide told me to just shake my arm and the butterfly would lift off my arm. I did as instructed, but the butterfly didn't move at all. When I shook my arm more vigorously (as directed by our guide), the butterfly moved from the top of my arm to the bottom of my arm. Clearly, this sweet creature was very comfortable.

Finally, our guide walked over to me and with his finger lightly flicked the butterfly off of my arm. As it flew away, my heart felt graced by its   presence. During my entire time at the butterfly farm, this beautiful butterfly effortlessly shared with me its gift of transformation.

Transformation 4.0

The complete life cycle of butterflies in the rain forest of Ecuador begins and ends in about 2 months. That's from egg to caterpillar to chrysallis to adult butterfly to laying eggs for the next generation and then death. The brevity of their existence and the alacrity of their multiple transformations offer us juicy insights.

• Transformation is who we are, not what we do.
  • Like the butterfly, transformation is our shared consciousness...the intelligence of our Being.
• Just like the caterpillar that gives up crawling to become a butterfly, transformation asks us to let go what we think we are so we can become who we are.
  • Expecting ourselves, our lives, or our businesses and circumstances to remain in some currently recognizable form so we feel safe keeps us from receiving the surprising gifts that emerge from our transformations.
• Transformation need not take a long time if we listen and surrender to the inner shifts that show us the way.

What inner shifts are you experiencing that are changing your external world?

"The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough."  ~Rabindranath Tagoren.

Welcome to Butterfly Time!

After my up-close-and-personal butterfly encounter, I wondered about the unseen significance of this tranformational being landing on my arm to 'travel' with me as I explored the wonders of its incredibly short life cycle. When I returned home, I began to see that this experience was introducing me to a new context for life and business—'butterfly time'.

We're experiencing a quickening in the world around us. If you have any doubts about this, look around you. 

Changes that once took years now happen in months or weeks. As evidenced by global events like Arab Spring and Occupy America (regardless of our personal views), the speed at which metamorphosis is occurring now is unprecedented.

This is true for our own inner shifts. And, a transformation of our consciousness and collective evolution is evident in leadership, business and money-making.

Since the start of 2012, I've noticed that business activities which typically take days or weeks to complete now get done in hours or a day. Less time and less effort with unexpected grace and ease...that's my experience of butterfly time. What is yours?

Journey into the Wonder of You

Join Me for a FREE "Liberate Your Inner Awesome!" Telecall

Why is it important for us to talk? BECAUSE...

• Butterfly time is not going to slow down and the quickening of transformation in our inner and outer worlds is only going to increase. This is the new context for our existence and experiences.
• Deeply meaningful connection and collaboration are not just the new way of business. They are the new way of LIFE.
• I care, and I care deeply...about you, whether you feel free to thrive, and how you want to use gifts of your transformation to make a significantly meaningful difference in the world. 
  • Essentially (at a soul level), I'm a traveler, a pathfinder and a wayfinder, a seer and a seeker—someone who senses what is not yet visible and translates what was once mystical into what is now wisely practical.
  • I want to use my transformational gifts to help you on your journey into what feels and looks like unknown territory.

Let's "Liberate Your Inner Awesome!" ...the naturally rich and effortlessly enriching aspects of your essential self that you have forgotten, haven't been able to find a place to express, or don't even know are still within you.

It's time to thrive by fully and boldly experiencing the wonder of you in business, leadership and life. The world needs now (more than ever) the gifts of your uniquely inspiring and significant transformations.

Experience your evolving awesomeness in butterfly transformations.

Join Me for a FREE "Liberate Your Inner Awesome!" Telecall

Extremely good news!

"You will receive in 2012 exactly who you are." ~Dee Wallace

Be Your Own Guru

Join Me for a FREE "Liberate Your Inner Awesome!" Telecall

In the Inca Empire this insignia was worn by leaders as a tatoo designating their position in the culture. Now Simon Sinek shares with us a simple powerful model used by modern day leaders to inspire. Do you know your "WHY?"

The Golden Circle

Feel Free to THRIVE!

Start 2012 with a 5-minute transformational journey to the Jungle Temple in Angkor Wat. There you align with Mother Earth and experience the wonder of seeing in new ways. Return to your business, work or project, with unexpected insights, fresh perspectives, and a-ha breakthroughs. Let the new sense you feel about what's possible lead you to ripe opportunities that you didn't see in 2011. 

Instead of a music sound track, Lori Ference asks me a revealing question about my wild woman wisdom.

An Unexpected Gift

I've become very comfortable not knowing...the answers to questions, solutions to problems, the best way to make great decisions. You're probably wondering why 'not knowing' doesn't cause me serious anxiety. Well, the answer is very simple. I'm very comfortable 'not knowing' because 11 years of executive leadership coaching has shown me how incredibly valuable 'not knowing' can be.

'Not knowing" frees me to...

• Make less assumptions.
• Let go of expectations.
• Ask more questions.

Instead of insisting on arriving at certain conclusions or finding instant answers to troubling challenges, I travel on a coaching journey of exploration, discovery and breakthroughs with women entrepreneurs, executives and nonprofit leaders. Together, we navigate familiar and unchartered landscapes to find their path through or around obstacles and difficulties they encounter in their work.

Like you, these phenomenal human beings are committed to making a meaningful difference in the world. Their practice of resilience and courage in the face of uncertainty and unexpected change inspires me to...

• Listen without judgment.
• Hear what is not being said.
• Experience 'not knowing'.

'Not knowing' invites me to share objective observations and fresh perspectives based on my...

• Understanding the nuances of context in their stories. 
• Sensing the invisible connections in their experiences.
• Seeing what's possible now in their leadership and their businesses.

As our coaching conversations unfold, leaders experience a-ha moments, deeply enriching insights, and major breakthroughs. These experiences enable them to let go of unproductive ways of thinking and acting. Instead, they tap into the wealth of who they are — their natural gifts and talents. From this richer sense of self, they engage in practices that allow them to thrive in their businesses and lives.

Transform & Thrive in 2012

Get comfortable 'not knowing' because 2012 is full of twists, turns and surprises. Actually, that's good news! Yet you will have to navigate much more unfamiliar and unchartered terrain. If you would like a seasoned guide — a life-long traveler who is very comfortable navigating the unknown, contact me. 

"As a traveler, I'm very comfortable navigating the unknown - allowing the journey to tell me what I need to know about the destination and how best to get there. That's why it's fun helping leaders navigate the unknown, presented by unexpected obstacles and daunting challenges. With confidence and courage learn to sense what's not yet visible — new possibilities, options and opportunities to transform yourself and thrive in business and life in 2012 with Simply the Best Coaching." ~Sylvia Warren, MBA | Consciousness Coach

Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, looks at why a smaller percentage of women than men reach the top of their professions. In this TED video she offers 3 powerful pieces of advice to women aiming for the C-suite. Her advise is extremely valuable for women entrepreneurs as well. Sit back and enjoy your favorite cup of Joe or tea as you watch this 15-minute video.

Sally's Story

When I asked Sally what her leadership super powers were, her initial response was: "I'm not sure!" Then she said: "You know, I spend a lot of time second guessing myself with what I think I should have or could have done. I really don't pay much attention to what I do that is natural, easy and effective. Maybe that is why I don't even think of myself as having 'super powers'."

Her candid response prompted me to ask: "If you saw yourself with leadership super powers, what would they be?" In our rich coaching conversation that followed Sally realized that big picture thinking and planning for contingencies were second nature to her. When she led with these pivotal strengths, she always felt confident and decisive. Plus, her leadership was more effective.

So in her business Sally decided to shift into conscious competency of her super powers. She started to leverage what she does best, and began to delegate work based on the individual and collective super powers of her team.

Instead of becoming frustrated or overwhelmed by problems, team members are seeing and approaching challenges as opportunities to exercise their super powers—individually and collaboratively. With Sally's leadership guidance and direction business revenues are increasing and her company is hiring personnel. Now Sally's entrepreneurial spirit is being energized and sustained by her own super powers.

Are you occupying your super powers? If not, let's talk!

As I complete final preparations for my annual tradition of celebrating my birthday 'off continent', I'm reminded of the wondrous people, places and experiences in my world. It gives me pause. With sincere gratitude, I am humbled by all the blessings LIFE shares with me. 

You are a blessing. Thank you for each and every way — great and small — that you touch my life. I appreciate you!

That is why I am sharing with you a poem 'from the heart, mind and pen' of Minx Boren. Minx is a dear colleague and a phenomenal poet. In this poem she expressess the natural elegance of gratitude. Savor the sweetness! 

considering that we are

none of us wise enough

or strong enough or clever

or creative enough alone

how considerate and necessary

it is that we remember

time and again to

turn to one another

with gratitude and respect

considering the ways that we are

each of us so interdependent

on one and another

our lives so interwoven

down to the details and intricacies of

our every day goings and doings

that something as simple

as putting food on our table

or even simply setting a place

or more simply still

seeding a garden or field

requires the work and wisdom

of thousands of hands and tools

and practices that stretch back

to the beginnings of time

even to the harnessing of fire

the weaving of baskets

and the discovery of the wheel

while we as humans have collectively

scaled the highest peaks and soared

way into the heavens

reached far into the depths

of oceans and delved into the magnificent

complexities of our own bodies

and minds not one of us

could have done any such thing

on our own

and so it is that we must truly be

forever and always beholden

beyond measure to those

upon whose shoulders we stand

those who came before and those

who journey with us now

and what is ours to do in this

and every moment

with great humility

and even greater awe

is quite simply to remember

and give thanks

©2011 Minx Boren.  All rights reserved.

"The Mesh is a major trend that will shape business in the next decade." ~Forbes 

Lisa Gansky is a wildly successful serial entrepreneur, marketer and 'impact junkie'. In her Mesh Manifesto and a TED talk, she tells us 6 reasons why the sharing society will trump the ownership society in the new economy.

According to Lisa, businesses are shifting into the 'Mesh'. This is evidenced by their delivery of irresisitible value that is scalable and sustainable—benefiting their customers, their bottom line, and the planet. See for yourself. 

Making a Difference From the Belly of the Beast

Carmen Medina, former Director of CIA's Center for the Study of Intelligence, would agree with Steve Jobs. In an IBM Think Tank video she tells us that how we make sense of the world depends a lot upon our theories of what runs the world. According to Ms. Medina, no matter how great our sense-making tools are, they will not help us if the theories we hold about how the world works are flawed or incomplete.

Clearly, today's world demands a different sense-making approach. That is why practices of how the world runs are being rejected on such a global scale with seemingly leader-less, yet highly collaborative, positive disruption. As Carmen Medina reminds us, the good news is that optimistic and outrageous sense-making can be the start of our solutions.

When you're trying to make a difference and you're trying to change things, optimism is the greatest act of rebellion. ~Carmen Medina

Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of spending time with an incredible group of colleagues in Asheville/Hendersonville, North Carolina during a picture perfect fall foliage season. The company and colors were simply spectacular!

Receiving the Gift

Savoring the natural splendor of this vivacious community of leaders and vivid fall beauty, my mind, body and spirit received a priceless precious gift. The stunning natural richness of conversations, brilliant tree colors, flowing rivers and triple waterfalls made the dramatic change in seasons unforgettable.

Gazing at the water dramatically plunging over rocks, I see how awesome and magnificence the force of change naturally is. Standing in the cleansing stray of the waterfall, I experience the water rocketing over rocks as a vibrant and envigorating shift in energy. If I venture too close, however, I fall into the merciless force of the waterfall's powerful surges—loss in the great disruption. 

Where are you standing relative to what is changing in your business, leadership or life? Are you too close to the edge of disorienting shifts around you? If so, what are simple ways you can put a enough distance between you and potentially overwhelming changes confronting you?

With some space between you and the great disruption you can catch your breath, find your footing, and begin to sense where a path leads to unseen options and opportunities. You gain much needed clarity and objectivity. Then you can decide how to respond—instead of reacting—to the great shift.

The lyrics of the Abby Lincoln song "Throw It Away" carry a precious message for us all. You can see and hear the unwavering commitment that flows from Esperanza Spaulding's musical rendition. After you listen to the entire song, ask yourself this question:

What am I inspired to let of go so I can receive exactly what I want?

"Nothing we want is in our comfort zone." ~Sharon Crawford

When we're young children, our curiosity naturally trumps fear. Then at some point we 'grow up' and fear becomes more familiar than curiosity. 

Now with uncertainty so obviously everywhere, our fear seems like an appropriate response to real and present dangers. Yet human fear tends to be preoccupied with stories about what happened in the past or imaginings about what might go wrong in the future.

Meanwhile, our current reality is offering us unseen opportunities and new possibilities. In the chaos of uncertainty that is amplied by our fear, confusion— rather than clarity—tightens it grip on us. We feel out of control. This internal chain reaction escalates our alarm, draining and limiting our capacity to think clearly or act wisely.

So how do we rein in our fear? How do we scale back the paralyzing vulnerability we feel in not knowing what to do next or how turn around for the better a bad situation?

Get Curious!

To find your way in unchartered territory you have to let go of self-criticism because it only feeds your fear. Instead, ask questions about your assumptions, your beliefs, and what you think 'should' work.

Engage in a simple 3-question practice to re-ignite your curiosity and turn on your inner guidance.

1. If I didn't assume 'X', what do I imagine could be possible?
2. If I didn't believe 'Y', what other options could be available to me?
3. If I stop thinking about what 'should' work, what action could I take?

Then you can... 

• Explore the possibilities. 
• Discover what next step you can take. 
• Listen to your intuition. 
• Trust your instinct. 
• Follow the opportunities you sense are emerging.
• Stay curious.
• Keep asking questions.
• Notice what works, what doesn't work, and what could work better.

Let genuine curiosity help you navigate uncertainty. It frees you to sense and see what's possible, so your next step can come from the heart—filling you with courage and confidence.

Many thanks to Creativity Sage Judit Mueller-Kiss for this guest blog post that shows us how travel transforms what we do and who we can be. 

Leonardo da Vinci, Rudyard Kipling, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Paul Gauguin, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway... What do these creative geniuses have in common? Travel played a huge part in their creative adventures!

We instinctively know that travel is great for boosting creative thought and creating innovative ideas. Let me share a wonderful summary on the creative benefits of travel:

"Venturing beyond your geographic comfort zone invigorates your creative spirit. When you go somewhere you've never been before, your brain becomes alive, and you become more acutely aware of your surroundings...

Travel serves up a continually changing kaleidoscope of colors, textures, smells and tastes that heighten all of your senses and compel you to think and react in new ways...

Travel jolts you out of your normal habits and gives you a renewed sense of excitement about the world that can refresh your creative wellspring. Perhaps more than any other tool, travel feeds your creative core and strengthens your intelligences. Each time you observe an unusual custom, hear a foreign language, listen to strange music, or walk an unfamiliar path, you inject your mind with data that build your intelligences."

(This excerpt is from the book Aha! 10 Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Ideas by Jordan Ayan.)

Exactly 10 years ago in September I had the chance to visit France. I would have never thought that spending a few days in a magical garden near Paris will be enough to break through my creative block towards drawing. The memory of my art teacher telling me loud and clear that I cannot draw became vivid. But this time it didn't stop me. I began creating — in that magic garden, in a land where I didn't understand a word and didn't know a soul.

What awesome creative adventure are you ready to experience? Let travel — actual or virtual — inspire you...so with grace and ease you take innovative action in business, leadership and life.