“Time and tide wait for no man”
― St. Marher, 1225
In my last newsletter, Endings and Beginnings, I touched on how our purpose, values, and beliefs come into play as we deal with the ups and downs of life. Joy and sorrow can go together, as interconnected forces, and we have a choice as to how they will be perceived and received.
Less than two weeks later, I lost a classmate. Decades prior, during Spring Break of my senior year of high school, this classmate became my friend. You’ve probably heard the poem about friends being there for a: ‘Reason, Season, Lifetime’. I thought he was there for a season, to help me finish that particular year of school with laughter and understanding. Years later, tragedy impacted his life with the loss of his daughter. We stayed connected in small ways, reaching out on occasion. I wrote a poem as a personal reflection on our friendship.
It was a reminder that no one can stop the march of time, it is the one gift we cannot return or upgrade. Live fully, embrace your purpose, and bring your gifts to fruition as you Dare to Dream.
For businesses and organizations, you’ve done the work to get you to where you are, but your team may need a boost to gain clarity and alignment with your mission, vision, values and goals. My personal method has been to:
Simplify: What is the goal you’re trying to achieve and Why? How, When, and Where do you plan to deliver?
Humanize: Activate your core values and communicate with an understanding of the impacts to others. This is an opportunity to work together with your employees, partners and clients.
Amplify: Telling your story is more effective when people feel seen, heard, and understood.
Evangelize: Promoting your solutions happens naturally when the team expands to include your employees, partners and customers.
The quarter is quickly coming to a close – a few highlights and opportunities from my end:
October Highlights (It’s a Wrap):
World Values Day: Our Be You More: Activate Your Values Workshop was wonderful. Each participant walked away with a Values Crest to support their goals and theme.
Values Culture: I was interviewed on the Nobody Studios Culture Livestream.
We discussed fostering an environment where every team member feels seen, heard, understood, and has a sense of belonging. Replay links can be found HERE.
Empower Your Breast Health Activities & Personal Highlights:
Jordan Foster Construction, LLC Women’s Leadership Council invited me to present our Breast Health Action plan to their team.
My Density Matters BDQ (Breast Density Intelligence) campaign was a success.
Paint the Lake Pink Walk featured on CBS Chicago and online and print news.
JLL Health & Wellness Fair in Chicago – Attended in-person. If you’re having a Health & Wellness Fair let us know and we’ll see how we can best support you!
Poetry:
The Global Values Alliance published my poem about HOPE.
A talented artist in South Africa, Gerda Smith, has created 24 pieces of art in response to stanzas from my poems. This collaboration has given new life to my poetry.
My poetry webpage launched yesterday with 2 poems. This will continue to build now that I’ve taken this step - Thank you for the encouragement.
What’s Ahead for November & December:
Custom Workshop Opportunities (LEARN MORE)
Values Crest: Team-building workshop to activate your goals and values for success.
Brand Culture Compass: Develop a mission and values-based compass to help guide your organization. Prepare your CULTURE roadmap for 2024 by aligning the mission, vision, values, goals and objectives within your team for more effective outcomes.
Values Community Activities:
US Values Alliance 2023: Collaboration, Grace, Integrity, Kindness, Respect, Unity
US Values Alliance 2024: Values Selection Committee, Announcing soon
Conferences:
Check Your Chart™ strategic development.
‘Find Out My Breast Density Day’ strategy and planning. Reach out if you’d like to support this global event on 21 February 2024.
Books available for purchase (signed copies):
I am a Values Culture and Partnerships Consultant, Mental Fitness Coach, Author and Poet who has raised a family of four (now adult) children in the process. I help individuals and teams ignite a renewed clarity of purpose, values and action in order to achieve success utilizing my mantra: "Know your value, Live your values"
Please reach out if you’d like to learn more.
May you always “Know your value, Live your values”.
✨Susan
