Miscellaneous

What a great honor for me to be inducted into the Canadian Speaking Hall of Fame. The announcement was made December 7, 2010, at the annual CAPS (Canadian Association of Professional Speakers) Convention held in Montreal.

The Hall of Fame is a peer award for individuals who are recognized for their excellence on the platform, their longevity and success in the business, and their contributions to the speaking industry. That’s Warren Evans CSP, long time speaker colleague and friend (and HoF member himself) presenting me with the award. There are now 24 members from across the country who have been inducted into the Canadian Speaking Hall of Fame.

I am the fourth female speaker, and the second speaker working from Saskatchewan to be honored as a member of the Hall. Needless to say, I am delighted by the recognition. Even more than that, I so appreciate the support I have received over more than two decades in business from this great community of generous and talented colleagues.

Congratulations to Linda Edgecombe, CSP, a friend and colleague from British Columbia, who was also inducted on the same evening.

Thanks to Dov Friedman, CAPS Convention photographer, for so graciously gifting me with these images from the awards ceremony. This link will take you to Dov’s website, where you can learn more about his wonderful photography.

There has been a lot of talk about generations and generational differences in the media and in the workplace. Over the last couple of years, along with millenials and Gen X and Y, a new word has wormed its way into the generational vocabulary: Zoomer.

As I understand it, a Zoomer is sub category within the Boomer age group (Boomers being those born between the mid 1940’s and mid 1960’s). The distinction appears to be that a ‘standard’ Boomer is someone on the decline – energy and involvement waning, aspirations dwindling, over the hill and coasting. In contrast, a Zoomer is considered to be someone who is fully energized, actively pursuing new goals, engaged in learning and exploring new territory.

I’m a proud Boomer with lots of life in me and ahead of me, and I find myself irritated by the word, Zoomer. I’ve come to understand it’s the word, itself, not the concept of long-haul vitality that gives me pause.

Synonyms for zoom include: buzz, speed, streak, whizz, flash. Zoooooom is all about moving fast and making noise. Showmanship! Razzle dazzle! Superficial, short-lived, flash-in-the-pan pizzazz!

At this stage of life with the hard earned maturity and wisdom we Boomers have at our disposal, we can do a LOT better than aspire to superficial zooming. We’ve learned what really matters – and the things that truly matter do not require running around like chickens with our heads cut off!

How about significance? Now there’s something long-lasting and meaningful – something that’s well worth pursuing.

Are you with me or against me on this? How does the Zoomer label strike you?

An earlier Pause e-zine posting invited people to share their travel tips for staying well and healthy on the road. Here are the ideas shared so far by Pause readers. Hope they make your life on the road a bit easier to manage.

Carla T writes: I wanted to share a tip for travelers who are trying to find a healthy balance.  When I am going to be at a conference or meetings for a few days, I try to book a hotel with a kitchenette.  I do the grocery shopping on the first evening and make easy healthy meals instead of eating out at a restaurant every evening.  Most restaurants serve portion sizes 2-3 times larger than what people need and it is harder to find healthier choices at many restaurants.   (more…)

We met Jorge on Labor Day weekend as we strolled through the Old Strathcona Farmers Market in Edmonton. As you can see from his photo, Jorge stands out from the crowd.

When I complemented him on his haberdashery finery, he explained his reason for being dressed so well so early on a Saturday morning. You see, at 85 years old, Jorge is looking for a wife. And, in case, the opportunity arises, he wants to be prepared for the wedding. Now, that is what I call being ready for life!

Jorge told us he arrived in Canada from Bulgaria when he was five years old, and spent many years performing as a magician. He certainly worked his magic on us that morning, leaving us with smiles on our faces, and warmth in our hearts.

Good luck Jorge. I hope your search for a mate turns out well! I’m sure she’s out there somewhere!

PS – Here’s a sketch of the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market that I did from our hotel room earlier in the day.

If you’re ever in the Whyte Avenue vicinity on a Saturday morning, it’s worth taking the time to drop in – especially this time of year when the produce is tumbling out of the gardens and into the market.

Ask and ye shall receive. Through the month of August I invited Pause readers to send along pics of their favorite smiles and grins. What a fabulous collection arrived on my desktop – bringing me smile after smile as I opened each message and clicked on the pics.

I’ve put together a compilation to share with you and the world. Hope you enjoy these Sunny Smiles. Share the link with others who just might need a lift and a laugh!

Artists sign their paintings. Authors’ names are featured prominently on the covers and spines of their books. If taking pride in what you create is important in the artistic world, why couldn’t it be just as important in the business world?

Here’s a message on a chalkboard that you’ll find high up on the wall in a space with a 20 foot ceiling. The board hangs over the kitchen prep area in the Saskatoon restaurant/coffee shop/wine bar/grocery that is known as Souleio Foods.

Since, apparently, Felix Rules, I had to discover his identity. It turns out that Felix is the painter who added the color to this gloriously resurrected space. I get the feeling that Felix loves what he does, cares about his work, and has no qualms letting the world know. Good for him!

How about you? Are you and your team proud of the job you do? One of the great antidotes to overload and overwhelm is to stay connected to the meaning and the purpose in the tasks.

How could you sign your work and spread the spirit of joy and excellence?

PS – Souleio is a great place to lunch. I highly recommend the gazpacho – best I’ve had anywhere in the world!

August is the month to e-mail me a photo of your best smile – or someone else’s best smile. I’ll pull together a photo collage to brighten everyone’s day. To prime the smile pump, here are a couple of my favorite grins – compliments of three year old Ethan.

For those of you who are fans of the travel tales, here’s a post Morocco tidbit for you. I was very taken with the flavors and foods of Morocco. My ‘personal chef’ (AKA foodie husband Dave) has been working away trying to recreate some of the North African goodies I enjoyed so much. Here’s a link to a recent posting on his Kitchen Savvy website with the inside scoop on his Pear, Apricot & Pork Tagine. Enjoy!

PS If you are a foodie yourself, Dave’s always glad to field food and cooking questions. You can submit them via the Kitchen Savvy site.

Spent a lovely evening May 27th in the company of a group of amazing women and their supporters. I was delighted to be named the recipient of the YWCA Women of Distinction Award in Leadership & Management.

It’s an honor to take a turn in the spotlight. And, the best thing is that when a light is focused on any one of us, we all shine just a little bit brighter in the reflected glow of everyone’s stellar accomplishments.

Congratulations to all the nominees and recipients.

REFLECTION: This is a bit of a diversion from the usual Pause fare, but football is on my mind this week. If you are from Saskatchewan or follow the CFL (Canadian Football League), you’ll know that our beloved Roughriders competed in the Grey Cup final on Sunday.

The Riders played well against a formidable opponent – at least until the final moments of the game. With seconds to go and the lead in hand, a Saskatchewan error (one too many players on the field) gave the Alouettes a second chance after a botched field goal. This time the Montreal kick was successful and the Alouettes clinched the title by just one point.

With the flick of a flag and the tip of a toe, Roughrider players, coaches and fans took a nose dive from elation to deflation. I’m sure the players are struggling mightily to come to terms with the error and its impact. Yes, it’s only a game – but these guys put their hearts and souls into it. (more…)