BE AWARE OF YOUR ATTITUDE!

As parents and educators, we have for decades examined and debated countless ideas regarding how best to raise our children, at home and in the schoolroom. University research, popular books, spiritual guides, and thousands of other sources have tried to persuade us that one particular strategy or another is best, that children will flourish if we implement one favored program or another, or if we pass a particular piece of legislation.

Yet we still struggle with issues like juvenile delinquency, high school dropout rates, moral alienation, gang affiliation, and other facts that tell us we haven’t quite “connected” with large numbers of children in a meaningful way that inspires their uprightness and social caring. At best, we keep our minds open to all strategies that help, wondering perennially what can consistently work with kids.

Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, said in his little gem of a book, It’s Not Easy Being Green: “The attitude you have as a parent is what your kids will learn from more than what you tell them. They don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.” (p. 113; emphasis added)

What a simple idea; yet, if we reflect on these words, we can see their wisdom, their truth. Henson’s statement also mirrors a proverb many of us grew up hearing: “Actions speak louder than words.”

My husband’s Tio Juan, who died a few weeks short of his 100th birthday, had the most memorable, humanistic attitude I’ve ever encountered. Tio Juan became totally blind when he was a young man. From the onset of his blindness until his death, he lived with his older brother and his family. Tio Juan’s life was circumscribed by his disability: he never dated, never married, never had children, although everyone’s children around him—for he came from a very large, extended family—were his children in spirit.

It would have been understandable if Tio Juan had been bitter or jaded. If he wallowed in self-pity and cursed his fate, we would have understood. If he spurned people’s help, out of pride, we would have accepted it. If he pushed away the fortunate ones, from envy, and turned his perspective inward, we would have been patient.

But this is not what Tio Juan was. His daily routine was set in simplicity. He walked into the kitchen early in the morning for his breakfast, for which he always said grace and always praised the cook. He sat in the living or dining room all day chatting with whoever dropped by, ate his other meals, retired sometimes to his tiny bedroom for a nap, and always ended the day in the living room, sitting in his favorite wooden chair, cane in hand, talking, laughing, joking, and reminiscing with family, friends, and neighbors.

Because of his blindness, Tio Juan didn’t travel far from his chair. He didn’t work. He left his home only in the company of his brother’s family, only for special occasions or family gatherings. But, oh, the joy and radiance in his unseeing eyes, in his smooth face, in his smile! When he spoke, music filled his words. His eyes twinkled, and “only goodness and mercy” spilled from his tongue. His reminiscences (he loved to relive his youth and talk about family members’ escapades as children) bespoke love and caring.

When we sat beside Tio Juan, it was as if only we, his visitors, mattered in the universe. His attention upon us was genuine and alive. He asked us many questions and cocked his head just so as he listened to our answers. We knew he was interested in us, in our lives, in all of us and what was happening in our worlds. He accepted aid humbly and gratefully. He radiated humanity, authenticity, and total interest in the welfare of others.

All the children and adults fortunate to spend time with Tio Juan benefited from his presence. I don’t remember much of what he spoke of. I don’t remember much of what he tried to teach the children bouncing around him at all hours of the day, though I know he tried. I doubt that anyone else can articulate all that he said. But we all remember and cherish his benevolent attitude: his humility, modesty, tolerance for all, patience, and unwavering hope for our betterment. We recall how he carried himself with quiet dignity and grace. We remember his lack of ego and faith in each of us.

We all remember clearly what he was!

If each of us, as parent or educator, examines the attitudes we relay daily toward all the children in our charge (and for that matter, everyone around us), what will we find? Are we communicating hope and joy in humanity, love and protectiveness, as Tio Juan did? Can we place the selves of others above our own petty concerns? If we can do this…oh, what a world we can create!

Tackling the Hidden Barriers to Our Success (Part 1)

In November 2009 the Industrial Relations Officers published a study on Talent Management Process for a Diverse Leadership Team.  It’s an excellent review of the factors that promote diversity at the very top of leading organizations—executive directors and board members.

A total of 47 companies participated in the survey—mostly US multinationals and some of Europe’s largest employers.  When leaders were asked what barriers women face when they seek leadership roles, the top three were listed as:  [1] Exclusion from informal networks, [2] A leadership style perceived to be different from the one dominant among current leaders, and [3] A lack of visibility to senior leaders.

Let’s take these one at a time. Today’s blog post will focus on what to do if you think you are being excluded from your colleague’s informal networks.

A classic example of being excluded from informal networks is not getting invited to play that round of golf on a Saturday morning or to have cocktails Friday evening after work. Despite the appearance that you’re simply missing happy hour or a sports outing among colleagues, you can be sure business gets discussed and decisions are being made without you.

At the very least, your colleagues are building a strong rapport among themselves that will serve their needs and you are not part of that effort.  Not a big deal, you say?  Wrong.

These informal gatherings or the network among fraternity brothers, sorority sisters, or business school alumni can be quite powerful.  These networks spell opportunity.  If you find yourself in this situation or suspect that you are, act swiftly and decisively.

There are basically three options: The toughest step to take is to confront your immediate boss to suggest that you need to be included in key discussions—formally and informally on projects that your team manages.  This is not asking to be invited to play golf. This is about letting your boss know that excluding you from key discussions is unacceptable.

I would start, however, by extending your boss the benefit of the doubt by saying: “I’m not sure you realize this, but it appears we made a decision about this new software at the golf game on Saturday and I didn’t have a chance to make a contribution until Monday. I wonder if you see that as a good use of my expertise?”

The second option is to indeed request to be invited to join in the round of golf.  Do not do this however, if you truly cannot play at the level that your colleagues suggest they play.  The potential for greater embarrassment is just too great.

Instead suggest something that’s doable for the group: “Hey folks, I know that you usually play Golf on Saturdays, I’d like to meet you at the club for brunch so we can talk about key projects.  I’d like to make sure I join in the discussion and offer my perspective.”

Be prepared to walk through the course with the group even if you don’t play golf as they may want to insist on continuing the conversation on the course.  This puts your colleagues on notice, but shows you can compromise and yet allows them to remain true to their plans and integrate you into those plans.

The last option is to suggest a different informal gathering that you can manage or host or both.  It may be as simple as: “I know that there was a golf game scheduled for this Saturday and it looks like this is a key time for informal dialogue on the software project. I would like to be included in the discussion and I wonder if we could schedule a different venue for this so that I can participate? I’m happy to make reservations for dinner at the club.”

If you are genuinely interested in an alternative sport or event, you may suggest a different activity.  But be mindful you want to be able to conduct business.  While you may personally enjoy watching hoops, it may be hard to have a conversation at the arena during the game.  Choose something that lets you get down to business and puts you in a favorable light.  There’s no easy way to get invited to “play” but you don’t need to accept the situation without letting your colleagues know you wish to have your say.

Do you have a different idea on how to handle this or have you experienced this situation, write me share ideas with others at Avisos y Avances !  You can also visit my Coaching Notebook for other career tips.

Until next time—

To Your Continued Success,

María Hernández, PhD

Believe In Yourself!

Believe in yourself is a winning formula if it is rooted in reality
and accompanied with good common sense. Unfortunately, many of us
become the primary saboteurs of our own lives and therefore, we are unable to reach our goals.

There are some of us that opt to settle for failure and fear success.
Often this is the result of a lack of self confidence in conjunction with the unwilligness to put the necessary effort and confront our fears.

For many of us it is easier to accept a life full of fears, worries, and suffering than to do the hard work that it takes to overcome the limitations, labels and anxieties that prevents us from having the life desired!

Believing in myself

Ingredients:

3 teaspoons of acceptance
1 envelope of courage
1 bunch of learning experiences
1 cup of clarity
2 tablespoons of right decisions
1 pinch of responsibility
1 drizzle of reality

Seasonings:
Good disposition, humility, unconditional love

Recommendation: self-esteem grows when a person accepts his/her imperfections.

Method of preparation:

1. Self-esteem is a pulsating and vital energy that guides daily actions. When you discover your own potential and stop making vain excuses, you achieve a clear vision of real limitations and possible aspirations. There is no force or obstacle that can prevent success.

2. Acceptance of errors and weaknesses frees up the fears that
paralyze personal development. To dispel feelings of insecurity and fears, it is necessary to accept that nobody is perfect. Honesty and the right attitude give us peace of mind and strength to work on our own weaknesses.

3. Recognizing our responsibility in the choices that we make increases well-being and individual satisfaction. Everyone is the master of his destiny. Appropriate actions lead to freedom and nourish the cook’s courage, making his recipes unsurpassable.

4. You have to grow and always try to improve. Looking for a way to be better and stand out provides us with a feeling of security.

It strengthens us, motivates us to fight and reminds us of the abundant resources that we have.

“Courage is unlimited. It helps to overcome challenges and continual temptations, reaffirming values and giving us the freedom to live fully.”

If you want to improve your life, visit www.recetasparalavida.org Also write to our blog www.quepasacontuvida.com

Recetasparalavida®

Knowing Yourself: Asking the Tough Questions

This month has been a time for me to reflect, journal on where I’m at and where I’m going, as well as getting serious about what it will take to meet my own personal goals.

And sometimes, that means asking myself the tough questions. Questions like: What have I let get in my way of achieving certain goals? What are my fears? What do I need to heal to be able to move forward? And if I haven’t yet done so, why?

I’ve been taking this self-study seriously, and it coincides nicely with our theme of the month. I have to be honest and say that at times during this process, I’ve felt some regret, some sadness, and some grief. I’m mourning some of the past, and at times get discouraged about the future.

[Of course, my melancholy could have to do with the cold, wet weather that we're not used to having here in what is supposed to be Sunny Southern California, but for now, I'll assume I'm getting to some deep stuff...]

At the same time that I know I need to “get real” with myself, I also know that when I come out the other side, I’ll be a lot lighter, a lot happier, a lot more focused and much more energized. And yet… going through the hard questions can be difficult.

Getting to know oneself intimately can be a tough journey. Inevitably (unless we’re saints — and maybe not even then!), we find things about ourselves that are not particularly positive. I’ve certainly done things for which I am not proud. I’ve stayed in unhealthy relationships for too long, refused to give up unhealthy habits, and failed to stay focused on my goals.

On the other side of the coin, I’ve also done things for which I am immensely proud, things which I look back upon with joy and gratitude, and things that have been just plain crazy and FUN!

So I would encourage you, in this month of self-reflection and introspection to ask yourself who you really are. What drives you? What moves you? What are your strengths and what are things you’d like to work on, either to change or to re-direct?

The questions can be difficult — especially if we’re deeply honest with ourselves — and at the same time, in telling ourselves the “truth” we have to own up to the wonder that we are, too! I know each of you are incredible women. You each have your own stories and your own celebrations.

So as you gaze within, look for the hidden, the scary, and yes, the beautiful. And I hope I’ll see you on the “other side” glowing with relief and peace. Because, guess what? Whatever our past is…it’s the PAST! And because we get to create the future, this makes it MUCH more hopeful.

But UNTIL we’re able to be open and honest with ourselves, we often do the same things over and over. So let’s do the hard work, and then celebrate the women we are and move forward with confidence!

January 2010 Latina Flick Picks

Sister Outsider Entertainment - Flick Picks
By Elisha Miranda & Sofia Quintero

GIRLFIGHT

In her unforgettable debut in this 2000 film, Michelle Rodriguez plays Diana Guzman, a Brooklyn high school senior who finds herself – and love – when she decides to train to become a professional boxer.  GIRLFIGHT does more than put a feminist twist on the typical sports film. It’s perfect for this month’s theme because Diana’s journey is one that demonstrates how first knowing and accepting who she is not leads her to discover who she is.  That discovery, in turn, gives her life meaning and otherwise makes available to her some of the best that life has to offer.  So watch GIRLFIGHT, take out your journal and answer the following questions.

1. Who are the people who tell Diana who she is? Make a list of these people and what they say to her.  What do you believe are their motivations?  Who are the people in your life who tell you who you are, and what do you believe are their motivations? Make a list of these people and the things they frequently tell you that reflect their perceptions of who you are or should be.

2. Sometimes Diana agrees with other people’s assessments and sometime she does not. Furthermore, over the course of the film, how she sees herself change while, in other respects, Diana remains true to who she really is.  For example, she knows that she is not a girly girl, and nothing anyone says or does makes her try to become. Meanwhile, when Adrian acknowledges that she is “someone,” Diana embraces that; she no longer stands for her own father looking right through her as if she is not there. Look over your list of people in your life who tell you who you are. With whom do you agree? With whom do you not agree? As you journal about this, ask yourself if your agreement with other’s assessment of you is a matter of accepting who you are or betraying yourself to satisfy others.

3. Diana knows that she is not a “girly girl” and yet she is pressured to conform to this model of femininity.  Meanwhile, being who she is and pursuing her goals does not stop her from experiencing the things that only the “girly girls” like Veronica and Karina are supposed to get. In your journal, write about at time when you defied the pressure to conform to the expectations of your gender, ethnicity, culture, religion, etc. because that was being true to who you were and what you gained that you were not “supposed” to for defying expectations.  Are there ways that you comply with the expectations even when they do not resonate with who you are? Does doing so get you what you want? If so, is at the cost of other things you want?

4.  Diana explains to Marisol that she enjoys boxing because in the ring, “You’re all that you’ve got in there.” Where are the places or moments in life where you are all that you have?  How does being in that place or moment make you feel? What does being in those places or moments tell you about who you are?  Identify ways in which you can take the insight into who you are to create even more places and moments where “you are all you have,” and it feels good.  For example, if you are a lawyer by profession who feels the most “you” when you are painting over the weekend, the insight may be is that part of who you are is a creative person. Therefore, can you bring your creativity to your work as a lawyer during the week? Make a list of how you might do that.

Be sure to follow Elisha, Sofia and Sister Outsider on Twitter at @elishamiranda, @sofiaquintero and @sisteroutsider. We are also on Facebook.  Drop us a note to let us know you learned about us from Power Latinas.

KNOWING YOURSELF: OH, SOCRATES, WHERE ARE YOU?

Socrates, the great ancient Greek philosopher, was charged at the age of 70 with corrupting the minds of youth with his public debating and questioning of society’s beliefs and practices. He had devoted his life to educating young people and challenging deeply held social and political beliefs of others as he sought truth and wisdom in all aspects of existence.

When he was sentenced to die by poisoning, he was given the choice of ceasing his philosophical debates and lectures in order to live. He refused to do so and uttered one of his now most famous lines: “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Luckily for us in America in 2010, we don’t have to fear execution for openly examining our lives and social values. Socrates also once said, “Know thyself.” Today, to know yourself and to understand others is not only acceptable, it’s frequently encouraged as a healthy thing to do, and we’re swamped with ways to do it!

Researchers and other professionals in all walks of life talk of people’s “emotional quotient,” or EQ, as a gauge of our social maturity. Job-seekers and those who hire them take and give standardized skills tests inspired by the book, What Color Is Your Parachute? to help people learn their job-related strengths.

The Myers-Briggs Personality Test and scores of others have, for decades, tried to help us understand ourselves: our intellect, our ways of interacting with others, our work styles, our thinking styles, and basically everything that makes us tick. Surely, it’s easier in 2010 to “know thyself” in many arenas of life than it was in Socrates’ day.

The Question of the Centuries

Yet do we truly know ourselves? Pessimists would say no. A simple measure—California’s sky-high divorce rate, reportedly the highest, or among the highest, in the world—shows that people marry without truly knowing what they’re getting into (or maybe who they truly are and who they might be compatible with), or what their new mate is really like, or even if marriage is the right thing for them.

Educators can tell you that high school graduates today often enter college without an academic major in mind. And it’s not unusual for college graduates to pursue careers totally different from ones they studied in college.

These are certainly examples of not knowing oneself (at least at one point in time), even if we only look at the time, money, and effort expended for something that did not last, or proved to be in the wrong direction.

How do we truly know ourselves? It’s been the question of the centuries, across all cultures. Whether it’s couched as self-knowledge, self-acceptance, self-love, or self-esteem, volumes have been written about the topic. Still, no one has the answer today, not even folks who’ve made fortunes giving us tips in books and lectures, the Wayne Dyers and Deepak Chopras of the world, and others who claim to know “The Secret.”

A Never-Ending Process Unique to Each of Us

The only thing we can say with certainty is that it’s a lifelong process as individual and unique as each human being.

•    Learning about the journeys of others in this process helps us.
•    Being open to constant change as we grow and evolve through the years helps us.
•    Being collaborative in this process—giving input to others and openly receiving input from others about who we are—helps us.
•    Remembering that nobody is perfect, that being human means being filled with flaws, helps us.
•    Staying focused on the best personal qualities within each of us (we all have these!) and striving to keep these front and center helps us.
•    Remembering that each of us is a part of the vast human family, that none of us can grow and thrive in isolation, that each of us belongs to a large, dynamic system of interactions that is always in flux…helps us!

My husband, Victor Reyna’s, simple and practical definition of self-knowledge is: “Knowing your weaknesses and your strengths.” After a moment’s thought, he adds: “Throughout your life, work on both.” This elegant little guidepost has served him well.

Which brings me to my final point: Find your own definition, your own measure, of who and what you are. The simpler the better: Is it, “Helping others makes me happy? Or, I’m at my best when I’m working on something I love? Or, Having a stable family is my greatest joy in life? Or…? This is not the magic bullet. This is just a small, individual step in your own unique self-knowledge.

Write it on a slip of paper. Tape it to your refrigerator door or your calendar. Share it with significant others. Just do not carve it into concrete, for it will most likely change as you evolve. Then lead your life with a commitment and focus on it.

Ringing In the New You

The New Year is an ideal time for new beginnings, reminding us of the unique energy each of us brings to the cycle of life. What makes life so exhilarating is that there is always something new to discover—not only in the world but within ourselves. The ending of one yearly cycle and the beginning of the next offer us the opportunity to review our life, reconsider the choices we’ve made, and chart new paths of self-discovery.  Through introspection and self-assessment, we can look back and appreciate that we are not the same person we were a year ago—or ten years ago.  The millions of experiences we have throughout the year impel us to evolve and grow, so that by year’s end we have become a new person in many ways. Authentically ourselves, yet profoundly changed.

Are you grounded by the essential values that define who you really are—yet committed to change in ways that enhance and deepen your life? I invite you to focus on this invigorating process of self-discovery. Let yourself be amazed by your own journey, by the creativity, struggles, and surprises along the way. Take some time as our new year begins to think about how you came to be the person you are today, an evolving individual with new passions, dreams, and awareness. What made last year’s changes possible? What chances did you take and what efforts did you make in order to pursue a new course that really mattered to you? How did a change of heart or a shift in attitude play a part? What caused you to draw upon new sources of inner strength? And what will you ask of yourself this year as you undertake new challenges?

While we sometimes lose sight of this core truth, it is an enduring one: the most profound changes come from within.  Happy New Year! Happy New You!

Launching the Power Program

Latina Mastermind Groups?

Meeting 2010 Goals?

Networking through the power of the internet with Latinas nationwide!

Working with others to stay GROUNDED in your personal power!

If any of these ideas sound interesting to you, I would strongly encourage you to check out the new and exciting program that PowerfulLatinas.com is launching. I’ve been working hard on all the key pieces and I’m so excited to offer you all the opportunity to connect with each other and put the wisdom of amazing Latina women to work in your life.

I know that many of you do some amazing work in your lives, and give back to your communities, and I’d love for you to get involved and share your own strategies for success by participating in the groups. The program is broken down into 12 modules (centered around the key power ideas for 2010 — click here if you missed that blog), and will have exercises, tools, and motivation to support you throughout the year.

We know that when we need to learn and grow, we turn to our friends and networks. We turn to women who’ve gone before, who’ve been able to accomplish what we want to accomplish, and lean on these role models to provide key clues for actions we should take.

Likewise, we also mentor others, and offer them our rich resources. So we need to replenish our stores, and get key support from those around us.

Additionally, we all have busy schedules, and sometimes it can seem overwhelming to think of adding even one more things to our already packed schedules. For this reason, I’m putting together a program that will be easy, work within YOUR availability, and also lots of fun.

And, perhaps even more importantly, because this is a new program and I want to encourage as much participation as possible, I’m offering the first month F*R*E*E* so you can try it out and see if this is something of interest to you.

For those of you who have written goals and are setting your intentions for 2010, this online program will offer tools to implement positive change in your life.

Of course, the material is based on the over 60 interviews with incredible Latina women that I’ve spoken with over the last couple of years, and that number continues to grow. Although we are all focused on improving various areas of our lives, many of us forget as we go about the routine of our “day to day” lives to stay connected with what’s really important to us.

Take action now to get involved, and to keep the core principles of Latina leadership front and center.

Go to www.PowerfulLatinas.com/POWERPROGRAM to find out more.

Theme of the Month: Know Yourself

When we keep KEY POWER IDEAS front and center in our thoughts, in our vision and as part of our focus, we are able to do so much more. For that reason, each month this year we’ll be focusing on a different key power idea, and you’ll see the themes move through the various blog posts.

This month’s theme is to Know Yourself. As we move through the seasons and the years of our lives, we each grow to know ourselves better. What we know about ourselves is dependent upon how much we pay attention, and how close we allow people to get to us (because those closest to us can see things we can’t).

Our history is another piece of our character. Our history is comprised of what has happened to us in our families, in our communities, perhaps in our neighborhoods, or even in our home countries. Our history is the stories of not only what’s happened to us, but what’s happened to those around us, and *what we tell ourselves that it means!* As Latinas, our histories are important components of who we are.

Another category of your “you-ness” is your goals, your desires, your dreams. These drivers motivate you, inspire you and pull you to do certain things and move in certain directions. Paying attention to our feelings and needs when we express our desires can give us insight into who we are.

Finally, knowing yourself means differentiating the opinions of ourselves from the opinions others have of us. What others think we should be (our families, our communities, even our friends!) is often different than either who we are or who we aspire to be.

Although those outside us can give us key insights into our blind spots, we still have to take their opinions with a grain of salt, recognizing that their views are colored by their own perceptions. Ultimately, it is up to us to be honest with ourselves and know what we need to pay attention to, and what we let go by.

Getting to know ourselves better means we also have the power and the strength to create and re-create ourselves. If we understand who we are, we also know how to change, right? And creating ourselves means we also re-create our communities and what it means to be Latino.

Do you know who you truly are, and what are you doing to get to know yourself better? By the way, who we are changes over time, so this is not a one time exercise.

We’ll be exploring these ideas over the course of the month. I would love to hear your feedback and thoughts!
We know that we all have blind spots — things we don’t see about ourselves that others can see only too clearly. For this reason, I personally have a group of friends close to me to whom I have said, “Don’t ever be afraid to tell me a truth about myself. I *want* to know!” If we allow people to get close to us, and then share with us things we might otherwise not see, then we have a rare opportunity to learn more.

I know that self-knowledge and accurate perception is important. And this theme has been repeated over and over by our Powerful Latina interviewees. To know yourself is to know key features of your character — your strengths, your weaknesses, your traits that make you uniquely you — and how these features interact. Are you funny, serious, stubborn, adventuresome, fanciful? The things about us that combine to make us unique are also the things that we may take for granted. How well do you know your key character traits?

Another component of character is your values, ethics and moral compass. When someone asks you to do something that makes you feel “funny,” how do you respond? Do you know what your belief system is, and WHY you believe what you do? Or, conversely, do you ask people to do things that align with your beliefs, and do you feel comfortable doing so?

Themes for 2010

This year we’ll be focusing on certain key “power ideas” each month. These themes will be those around which our contributing bloggers will be writing (look for a full introduction of our contributing bloggers later this week!), and around which we’ll be centering our interviews, as well as the new Latina Power Program.

These themes have been repeated over and over by our Powerful Latinas interviewees, and we’re going to take time to explore them. For now, take a look at the themes and I’d love to hear your feedback on what resonates for YOU.

January - Know Yourself. It’s important to know who we are inside and out – our strengths, weaknesses, our history and our desires. Without knowing who we are and what drives us, how can we move forward? And, as we all know, who we are is ever evolving…

February - Find Your Passion. You were put here for a special reason, a purpose. Do you know what it is or are you still looking? And if still looking, some resources to help you figure out what it is.

March - Learning is Key. We learn in different ways, and are continuously building on the past. What’s next for you?

April - Get Support Around You. No one does it alone. We all need support and guidance, especially from our Latina sisters!

May - Your Culture Is An Asset. Our unique cultures and histories make us stronger and contribute an important piece to all we do.

June - All Experiences Bring You Something. Good or bad, we take something out of all our experiences and it’s up to us to make it the best we can.

July - Don’t Take It Personally. Everyone around us has their own stories and their own lens with which they view the world. It’s up to us to make sure we don’t get caught up in others’ “drama.”

August - Perseverance – There’s Nothing Like It. Good, old-fashioned hard work. It may not happen the first time, but if you keep moving, you WILL get to your goal.

September - Be Grateful; Focus on the Positive. An attitude of gratitude, and keeping your focus on the positive around us makes ALL the difference.

October - Guard Your Boundaries. Others may try to move you, or push you past your comfort zone (and not in a good way). As Latinas, we tend to be closely connected to others. At the same time, we need to learn when to push back and take care of ourselves.

November - Find Things That Motivate & Inspire You. Humor, music, exercise, friends? What is it that keeps you going when you need a bit of a boost? We’ll be sharing ideas and suggesting resources.

December - Give Back. It’s never to early to contribute what you know, what you’ve learned, your resources and your networks. We get back what we put out, and there are so many around us that need our help, too!

Hope these themes will give you something to think about, and keep in your mind all of YOUR possibility.

For example, this month Marcela’s Book Picks are around the theme of Know Yourself. Click here to see her recommendations. I’ve read Dancing with Butterflies myself, and would give it a two thumbs up.

Happy New Year! I’m looking forward to a FANTASTIC 2010.