Inspiring Nuggets

Integrative Life & Leadership Coach
Consultant | Facilitator | Process Artist | Author | Speaker

Wrestling change? Let's talk. From Broadway to blacksmithing to divorce, death and Dubai, I'm no stranger to change. Through the fire, I've learned to be resilient. I'm not perfect but I've got grit and love to share with you. I consider myself a pioneer thought-leader with a presence-based approach to coaching, helping professionals navigate change, mindfully, creatively and successfully. Having traveled 22 countries and 47 US states, I've discovered that most people want the same three things: to be heard, to feel safe and to hold a sense of belonging. How we get there is what triggers conflict and separation. Getting comfortable with what’s uncomfortable is important and matters to all of us. No matter who I serve, I believe the secret to success is shared compassion. More than ever-- the world needs shared compassion. Join me.

Each season I provide inspiring nuggets of wisdom through my newsletter which includes invitations to upcoming events. My goal is to help YOU better cope and create through change. Seasonal teachings come through both my personal and professional experiences and the Chinese Five Elements philosophy of Wu Xing (wŭ ching) and Tao, among other philosophies and sciences which highlight and explore unique nature-based ways to understand the processes of change. In addition, each newsletter aims to help you create a mindful mindset and provide resources to build resiliency in the face of personal, professional and cultural change. Find this newsletter useful? Be the gift that keeps giving, share it with a friend! Want to hear more? Invite me to speak at your next conference, place of business, networking or civic groups. Enjoy!

One of the ways I help professionals become better leaders in life and at work is to help them cope, navigate and manage change. We cannot separate the human condition from our work life. They're inseparable. When we try to separate our humanity from the tasks, lists and linear roles of the work-world we harden ourselves and become hard towards others. What's more useful is understanding how to integrate our humanity into all expressions of life, even at work. As life gives us a variety of challenges to cope with, exploring problem-solving through nature is not only interesting and inspiring, it's also a unique way to better understand our own nature.

According to Eastern tradition of Tao, there are five elements expressed through five seasons each represented by an element, color and emotional characteristics. Here's a simplified explanation.

• Winter : Water : Blue : Stillness : Fear
• Spring : Wood : Green : Creativity : Anger
• Summer : Fire : Red : Connectivity : Joy
• Late Summer : Earth : Yellow : Transformation : Sympathy
• Autumn : Metal : White : Acknowledgement : Grief

The season of Late Summer sneaks on in around mid-July and carries us into autumn, in September. The sunlight shifts, tops of trees yellow, the "back-to-school" bugs chirp late afternoon into night and early morning. Only the most keen of folks realize something new has arrived. What have you noticed shifting in the natural world?

Late Summer is related to the element of EARTH which feeds and inspires generosity, sympathy, harvesting, nourishment, and transformation. It's also represented by the color yellow and upholds soothing, sweet sounds. Think of the earth element in metaphor. Just like our own earth we live upon has qualities of holding, supporting, transforming, giving and receiving, we too can consider putting these qualities first at this time. Consider NOW to be an opportunity to tend to what is both giving and grounding.

Let's explore just one Earth/Late Summer quality; transformation. Change is a big buzz word nowadays, even more so is the word transformation. Recently I attended an organizational development conference where the whole theme was about transformation. What caught my attention though wasn't the topic but how skewed their interpretation was.

Transformation is the complete loss of what was for the sake of something new to arise. In nature, a caterpillar which is one type of creature wraps itself up then slowly decomposes into a primordial mush to then transform and reveal another type of creature-- the butterfly. From that mush, one by one, imaginal cells pop into existence, almost "imagining" what will be revealed. Then slowly, slowly a beautiful butterfly emerges. No caterpillar remained to tell the story of what happened. The caterpillar died to become what's next, one cell at a time.

Those "experts" at the OD conference radically misused the definition of transformation. They tried to get people to change to meet company visions, not the other way around; evoking innovation and imagination within its human resource. Transformation occurs from the INSIDE, not by force from the outside. Transformation includes unpredictability, requires disorder and chaos. It's not formulaic per say.

On our world stage and certainly here within our own nation, we're facing a forcing from the outside verses a shift from inside. The key to transformation from the inside is within each of us. It's a tender noticing. For us, it'll need to be inclusive of imagining our new story. What's next after what was-- is no longer recognizable?

If that thought made your stomach sink just a little further... here's a TED talk to re-frame your thinking.

So how do we cultivate transformation? We first need to remember we're all connected. Everywhere we turn we're reminded of how fractioned we can be, pitting sides against sides. But the bigger truth is we are ONE. Even when it feels like we are broken apart by anger and fear, we are still ONE. Do what you can, where you can to remind yourself and others how deeply connected we all are. Think, do and BE your piece of the peace.

To integrate the element of EARTH in your life and work, explore these questions.

• What might be transforming in you at this time?
  
• What's transforming on life's larger stage?
• In what ways do you tend (or not tend) to yourself and others?
• How well do you receive compliments, support or even criticism from others?

• Even abundance can be overwhelming. How do you know when enough is enough?
  

Coach Immersions with Annelies
I'm heading to the BEACH! Are you? If you're wrestling change, consider working one-on-one with me to address priority issues, de-stress, gain clarity and set a few goals. Immersions are custom designed to suite your needs, time and budget. Immersion packages range from half-day, full-day or two days. I'll be in Emerald Isle area for six weeks August through September teaching for a local college. JOIN ME! Let's navigate change together.

Invite Me to Present
Moving through change has never been so interesting! Invite me in to speak and/or facilitate a workshop or custom retreat. Learn about resiliency, navigating change, stress reduction, creativity, transforming conflict, conscious leadership or gently unpack hidden grief. Contact Annelies

Wisdom Circle Mastermind
What would it be like to be free-- to express your ideas in a BIG way? Join us for Wisdom Circle! A facilitated 6-month mastermind group designed to help you gain mastery over your mind and ideas alongside other trusted professionals. Bi-weekly meetings, accountability partnerships and coaching support helps passionate professionals, like you, to further define yourself, leave a legacy, grow your business, fuel goals, catalyze ideas, gain traction, direction, community and peace of mind from personal and professional accomplishments. Wisdom Circle is limited to 4-8 seats. You seat is right here--> READ MORE

ART IN THE GARDEN
Last Saturday of every month 10AM-1PM
$38 includes Lunch & Workshop
Come explore an art-FULL experience at one of Raleigh's best kept secrets, the Well Fed Community Garden owned by Irregardless Cafe. Join us for Art in the Garden and enjoy the simplicities of life; creativity, community and cuisine. Experience the good life through an outdoor (plein-air) guided watercolor class with Annelies followed by a vegetarian farm-to-table picnic lunch from Irregardless Cafe. REGISTER HERE

Email: annelies@conduitforchange.com
Website: www.conduitforchange.com
Phone: 919-345-8396