simplify, Simplify, SIMPLIFY ..1 ..2 ..3

Trevor writes:

From this post - MAD 7. It Only Takes 'HALF-A-DOZEN' Things! (extract below) - I am reminded that it is all to easy to fall into the trap of adding unnecessary complexity to ideas, projects, strategies, et al, that should be as simple as ...1 ..2 ..3

Too many people look to make the simple things in life too complex to understand.

Yes, most often it takes only a few things... 1, 2, or 3 things... just a 'half-a-dozen' things to ensure success in most projects.

I am resolving to simplify every idea, project, strategy I have into a 'simple as ..1 ..2 ..3' graphic presentation.

Regards
Trevor Nel - 011 - 705-2790 - www.innercircleforum.com
trevor@innercircleforum.com

Nikki Viljoen: A WOMAN Who ROCKS!

Trevor writes:

Hey, call me biased, I don't care, take a read of Nikki Viljoen's articles posted on BUSINESS Reality Bites & When Reality Bites and I defy you to tell me that this is not a woman deserving of the title - Nikki Viljoen - A WOMAN Who ROCKS..!

Am thoroughly enjoying Nikki's series on - THE POWER OF NETWORKING - PART 3 - take a look at the complete series on BUSINESS Reality Bites .

Regards
Trevor Nel - 011 - 705-2790 - www.innercircleforum.com
trevor@innercircleforum.com

Lynda GIBSON Rocks World Of Communications

Trevor writes:

Met yesterday with a very exciting developer of Core Concepts - 'An all women owned and managed company that focuses on providing THROUGH-THE-LINE COMMUNICATION soultions within Southern Africa and beyond'.

I am so impressed that I'm looking to establish another Developing JV Projects with Lynda... watch the links on the right-hand side... ;-)

If you'd like to get in touch with Lynda contact her on 083 230 6462 or at email info@coreconcepts.co.za

Regards
Trevor Nel - 011 - 705-2790 - www.innercircleforum.com
trevor@innercircleforum.com

Emma THOMPSON Rocks!

Trevor writes:

Emma Thompson is one of my favorite English movie stars... and just down-right has bucket-loads of human goodness to boot.

Found these interesting links on the work that she is doing in Africa - having just toured South Africa, her comments on our infrastructure showed her surprise for our country:

1. Aids: Ask Emma Thompson

2. Oscar-winner Emma visits EC women and children:

'She flew into South Africa last week with her seven-year-old daughter, Gaia Romilly – and was amazed at the infrastructure that she found.

“For one thing, you have (so many) roads, which is something I’m not used to in other African countries,” she said.

“I’ve enjoyed South Africa, just spending time with people and making their struggle mine,” she said.

Regards
Trevor Nel - 011 - 705-2790 - www.innercircleforum.com
trevor@innercircleforum.com

Getting OFF The Couch

Trevor Writes:

For the Cirie of Survivor Island fans, see http://ciriesurvivor.com/bio.html .

I'm always interested in what it is that makes people CHANGE.

Here's someone who discusses what can happen if you don't open your mind to change - with a reference to Cirie:

'As long as you hold on to what you have, you will not be able to start the change process. For as long as you believe that everything is alright you will remain with what you have. Cirie could have “stayed on her couch” and would have remained who she was.'

'The change journey involves entering into the unknown and dealing with whatever you face as it occurs.'

The SADDEST thing that could have happened to Cirie would have been to stay on her couch and not get to test herself on Survivor - where she seemed to FIND herself.

Regards
Trevor Nel - 011 - 705-2790 - www.innercircleforum.com
trevor@innercircleforum.com

Is Prince Charming A MYTH?

Tess writes:

To start the ball rolling, one of my favourite subjects: belief systems.

There are social, cultural and gender based belief systems.

Our behaviour is indicative of what we believe, so it is quite difficult to hide our beliefs over time.

We all develop our own belief systems based on our experiences and environment.

Some of our beliefs empower and motivate us and others hold us back from truly living life.

Some of these beliefs about women are that you are not a real woman unless you have children, you have to find your soulmate or you are not truly fulfilled, women are too emotional, it’s not OK to show anger.

Nothing gives me quite the same buzz as a coach or facilitator, than watching the light go on for another individual when they have a paradigm shift in their reality.

Watching Cirie on Survivor Exile Island realise she could get off the couch and do anything was truly inspiring. She was only sorry she spent the first 35 years of her life on the couch not knowing her own potential.

I have met many women who believe they are not good enough, not pretty enough, slim enough, clever enough, in fact just not enough of anything to have the courage to explore their own potential.

Women seem to buy into these debilitating belief systems much more than men. I have met less women who relish their independence and feel really comfortable with who they are.

In less than 100 years, a drop in the ocean in terms of evolution, women moved from being completely dependent on men, to completely independent, in most western cultures.

So we haven’t really had time to adjust emotionally, mentally or spiritually to our new found independence.

I think we have inherited a legacy of thousands of years of male domination that has left us unsure of ourselves and the boundaries.

I remember growing up expecting to be swept off my feet by a prince charming who would look after me. Because I believed this, I never really gave career planning a thought. When prince charming turned into a poisonous frog, I believed it was my fault and questioned my looks, my personality in fact just about everything. What was wrong with me that I couldn’t find or keep the Prince? The only thing wrong was the question.

There are many beliefs I have had to unlearn and I am fortunate enough to have had the courage to find a career and be able to change careers when it wasn’t working for me (several times). I have moved countries twice and learnt to take risks and trust my instincts. I still have belief systems that hold me back, but at least I know what they are. (Their days are numbered!) What are yours?

Take care of yourself
Tess

Tess Elsen
Tessen Enterprises
Office (011) 787-5361
Fax : (011) 787-4108
Cell : 083 266 1505

Scoping THIS Blog

Tess writes:

I have been very involved with scoping a “Women’s Initiative Project” inside a large medical aid company recently, which sparked all sorts of debate around what women would want included in this initiative.

During this scoping process I found out a lot more about South African women, their ‘issues’ and concerns - (I am British): What they compromise on and what they won’t compromise on, their expectations and disappointments, and the incredibly different, diverse outlooks women have.

I was surprised at other women’s reaction to my, as they said “wealth of knowledge and experience” and the breadth of my network, as I thought most women in my age group (Forties) were like me!

So as a woman of the world, I decided I needed to share this with a greater audience.

Such is the universal synchronicity, that soon after this desire to share hit me; Trevor Nel suggested a blog and said what do you want to call it? Women Rock! leapt to mind and in his indomitable style, Trevor had the thing up and running that night!

Nothing like being taken at your word.

As I am a process kind of person who likes structure, I will map out my current intentions for this blog. In no particular order here are some of the issues I would like to explore, research and discuss:

Belief systems, where do we get them from?

Do women need to be more like men in the workplace? (Donald Trump issue with women’s tears on the Apprentice)

Why do women trust women less than men in the workplace? True or false?

Women Bosses

Women as Entrepreneurs

How long does it take to make a new girlfriend? (At what age?)

Understanding Men! (Not as difficult as you might think)

Women are the foundation of society

What do women want??

How women judge women

Relaxation and de-stress

Money Matters

Womens values

Know your place! (In society, culture, family)

Inner power, outer strength

Getting to know yourself again.

Self Esteem

The list could go on and on, but these are top of mind at the moment, and I would like to explore them as we go along, choosing one topic at a time to discuss and debate at length, as only women can! Who knows, we may even come up with some answers we can all agree on.

If you have any other ideas let me know. I look forward to the journey.

Take care of yourself
Tess

Tess Elsen
Tessen Enterprises
Office (011) 787-5361
Fax : (011) 787-4108
Cell : 083 266 1505

BlogHER At Work

Trevor writes:

Found this interesting BlogHER site link: PAUSE - http://www.jorydesjardins.com/pause/

FastCompany had this to say about Jory:

'BLOG: Pause WHO WRITES IT: Jory Des Jardins,
freelance writer and Fast Company contributor

WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT: Des Jardins
blogs from the heart. She usually writes about the intersection of life and work-- about finding the best coffee shop to work in, about getting the call about her mother's layoff, about the self-discovery that comes with becoming self-employed. Her well-written posts are long and meaty, eloquent and revealing.'

I like Jory's thoughts on 'power plays' at work... have just written something similar this week on - http://loubarcom.blogspot.com/2007/01/are-we-playing-games-in-sa.html

RegardsTrevor Nel - 011 - 705-2790 - www.innercircleforum.com
trevor@innercircleforum.com