[Ailist] A New Year's resolution with a twist ... join me in an experiment

[Shelley Hourston]

Hello fellow AI folks. Happy New Year to all. 
I'm sending an
invitation below to join me in a "New Year's experiment" that will incorporate a blend of AI coaching and story to support participants in turning their 'word' into a strength by December 2008.Best wishes ...

Shelley
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[from my blog: Possibilities: where story and information intersect
http://www.shourstonandassociates.com/blog/

What's your one-word New Year's resolution? 
As I was walking my dogs the other morning I was
contemplating the new year and the notion of New Year’s resolutions. I
usually don’t “do” resolutions… having experienced too many years of
not quite achieving my goal. But it occurred to me that I might like to
try a “word” for 2008. I’ve heard that one of the tricks for achieving
your resolution is to have just one. After thinking a bit longer, I
decided that my word would be “courage.” At the end of each year, I
feel like I could have achieved more if I’d had more courage–less fear
of failing or of appearing foolish in the eyes of my peers.
A bit further along the dog walk, it occurred to me that other
people might do New Year’s “words” (or “phrases”) too. Wouldn’t it be
interesting to share ideas for implementing our “words?” People would
commit to sharing their successful “word” experience at least once each
week and hopefully more often. As they say in Appreciative Inquiry, the
thing you focus on is the thing that grows. It’s true.
I'm calling it the FutureStory 2008 group. The group would share ideas and stories … and, in
fact, by collecting insights, achievements and surprises that unfold
while focusing on our word/phrase over the next year, each of us could
compile an anthology of stories relating to our “word of the year.” Our
“word” would become a part of our lives in a way that it might not
without such focus.
So … are you interested in choosing a “word” (or a phrase) and
through mutual support and focused attention, making it one of your
strengths by the end of 2008? If you’re interested in participating,
email me at shelley at shourstonandassociates.com and I’ll send you
instructions for signing up. I’ll set up an online community to
facilitate discussion among people with the same “word” as well as the
group at large. I’m also thinking that it would be interesting to have
“success mentors”–people who have achieved success in some area of
their life–to join us periodically to share their secrets for achieving
their goals.
The cost? It’s free! [And it’s an experiment.]
Let me know soon as I will probably have to close the group at a
certain size. And please forward this invitation to people you think
would be interested. I’m looking forward to hearing about how your New
Year’s “word” appears in your daily life once you (and your FutureStory
team) focus on it.
Happy New Year!









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Shelley Hourston B.A., M.L.S.
Story Facilitator/Communication Coach
Vancouver, BC Canada
Email shelley at shourstonandassociates.com
http://www.shourstonandassociates.com
Freckle & Ceilidh's Blog:
http://www.dogsbestfriend.wordpress.com 
“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." Christopher Robin to Pooh--A. A. Milne