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Take time to listen. It matters.
Hi Barb,
I don't know about you, but I've been feeling unsettled during the past couple months. The world is shifting in unexpected ways.
I'm trying to discernWhat is Mine to Do.
As I listen within, I'm reminded of some things I have learned about What is Mine to Do.
In a state where I used to live and work, a new governor barraged the legislature with new initiatives as soon as he took office.
Many people disagreed with what the new governor was trying to force through the legislature.
Every day on my way to work, I walked through thousands of protestors surrounding the capitol building, and I wondered if and when I should protest too. But if I did, and if I were arrested, who would take care of my child? Would I be fired? Trying to figure it out only paralyzed me.
About 3 weeks into that mileau, I went on a weekend retreat. I came home KNOWING What was Mine to Do. It was to start remodelling a basement bathroom (!). In retrospect, it turned out to be the right thing, but that's another story.
My first learning was that rest can create real clarity without effort.
Meanwhile, the protests continued and spilled into our government offices.
One day, I was walking down the hall and heard someone crying.
I poked my head into a dark conference room and found one of my coworkers (I'll call her Darlene).
Darlene, through sobs, explained that the governor was going to move all the supposedly segregated funding that paid for hyperlocal programs serving municipalities and small businesses, to fund something related only to big business.
Millions of dollars, folks, diverted just like that.
I listened to Darlene pull her thoughts together. When she seemed calmer, we left the conference room. I turned left to go back to my cubicle. Darlene turned right and took the elevator down to the cafeteria.
Here's the "rest of the story"
In the elevator was the newly appointed head ("Secretary") of our agency, a business woman determined to run our agency like a business, headed off to the capitol. (Note: in my many years at that agency, I NEVER met a Secretary in the elevator.)
To her credit, Ms. Secretary noticed Darlene's tear-streaked face and asked her what she was upset about.
By then, Darlene was calm enough to explain succinctly about how the shift of funding would impact our state's communities and businesses. A true elevator speech.
"Oh!" Ms. Secretary exclaimed. "We didn't realize that! I'll go talk with the governor and see what can be done."
To make a long story shorter, about 2/3 of the funding was restored to the segregated fund to be used as the legislature originally intended.
What I learned
Now, in this remarkable series of events,What was Mine to Do was a humble act of listening, although I didn't know it until Darlene shared the rest of the story with me months later.
And, even now, I may not ever knowWhat is Mine to Do in the Big Picture. But I do know that even small acts of listening can make a real difference to one person.
How might your listening make a difference? And, what within you needs to be heard?
It's worth exploring. So, please explore with us!
Join us for our Transitions retreat or for one of our free upcoming listening sessions (see below for details).
Warmly,
Barb Bickford
Listening session: What's on your mind? What is yours to do?
-- For entrepreneurs, online, Tuesday, March 18th, 5 PM EDT / 4 PM CDT / 2 PM PDT
-- For leaders, online, Monday, March 24th, 11 AM EDT / 10 AM CDT / 8 AM PDT
Are you wondering how to respond to the stress and chaos surrounding you? Tired of watching as people talk past one another; lecture or criticize each other?
Join us for one or both listening sessions to gain skills in slowing down the dialogue and share experiences, burdens and requests for help in our personal life, community and professional challenges. You will be invited to share your concerns and to listen to others. We'll share a couple tips for better listening, too.
If interested in either listening session, please reply to this email and I'll send you the zoom link before the session.
Transitions and New Beginnings retreat
-- in person near Wausau, Wisconsin, April 4-6, 2025, $300
Life was humming along just fine, in your ordinary world. Then something happened. Your job ended. You entered menopause or retirement. You had an unexpected turn of health, or a beloved friend or pet died. Or, you just began to feel restless, wondering if it's time to change careers or end a relationship. You may feel disoriented and not know what to do next.
Transitions can be lonely spaces. But you don't have to go it alone! Others have navigated transitions similar to yours. And, by listening, you might be able to help them too.
Join us for a restful weekend away among thoughtful people. You'll explore how your transition began, how it's showing up in your life, and what might be coming next. Through journaling, conversations, art (no talent needed), and gentle movement we will help you find a way forward.
Your investment of $300 covers the retreat sessions, all supplies, lodging in a regular room and six meals. Such a deal.
Special bonus!
Kathleen Paris will join us in person for a fireside chat on Saturday evening, April 5th.
Read more about Transitions retreats. OR go for it and register for the April 4-6, 2025 retreat. (You don't live in Minnesota or Wisconsin? Fly into MSN (Madison, WI) or MSP (Minneapolis-St. Paul) and we'll arrange car-pools from there.)
Upcoming events I recommend*
Curio412: Social Impact Masterclass
-- April 2025 (dates to be determined)
Whether you are an entrepreneur, business owner, or nonprofit leader, come learn how to amplify your impact and explore why purpose-driven organizations are being embraced by consumers, leaders, and communities. Interested? Learn more here.
Beth Boynton: "YES AND" 101 for Healthcare & Mental Health Care Visionaries
-- Friday, May 9, online, 10 AM PDT / 12 noon CDT / 1 PM EDT for 90 minutes
Experience how fun, easy to learn improvisational activities can promote safe car, healthy workplaces and rewarding careers in healthcare! Learn more and register.
Michelle Laurie: Graphic Facilitation Workshop
-- In person, in Winnipeg, Canada, May 1-2, 2025
Revolutionize the way you engage teams, clients, and stakeholders by using visuals in meetings! In this very interactive workshop, you’ll explore drawing basics, visual templates, and creative facilitation processes, learn practical skills and gain confidence. Learn more and register.
* I don't get anything for recommending these events. I just know they'll be good because of who is leading them.
Related blog posts
-- The power of curious listening
-- Embracing life transitions
-- On Grief and Engagement
Our upcoming events, workshops and courses
Simple things can make a big difference
To build trust and accountability in your team, get them talking. To get them moving, help them find what is only theirs to do.
Try these ideas!
Five Minute Connectors Start you meetings with 5 minutes of connection. Ask a simple question or pose a prompt related to the topic of the meeting or to its context, and put them in pairs to discuss it. The question or prompt should have a personal spin to it. For example:
- When did you first get involved in [a topic]?
- With respect to [a topic], what is one thing that has unintended consequences?
- My own sense of how we got here is…
- What gives me hope is ...
15% Solutions Things that individuals have the authority to do and don't require added resources are what is known as "15% solutions". They can be crucial for influencing the course of events or accomplishing a goal.
Help your group discover what is theirs to do! Learn how to lead 15% Solutions here.
Want even more tips? Access Ten Tips to Foster Online Engagement.
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Photo Credit: Georg Ijevic from Getty Images, accessed through Canva Pro
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