I am so enjoying the time on my computer these days spent reading, learning and writing. I’m currently working on an e-course to help solopreneurs develop their businesses. It will be called: Ignite Vision™: Your Business Success in 4 Phases.   What is fun about learning in this format is that it offers a system that allows you to take your learning process at your own pace by its delivery method. I will be sending out 4 weekly modules loaded with information, tools and templates to keep you busy or have the attachments saved for use at another time.

My other projects these days include committee work for a Wellness Exhibition (“Get Into Your Life” taking place on Dec. 2nd 2007 in Montreal, created through Moms In Business mibnetwork@hotmail.com), and preparing my workshop for a themed cruise entitled “High Power, High Heels and High Seas” on April 13, 2008 bpauls@videotron.ca. Also in the works is an idea I have for a book (ebook, in fact) on the issue of “letting go” of outcomes both in work and in life.

Hope you stay with me on these projects, and as usual, your comments and questions are always welcome!

Remember it is daylight savings soon, “fall forward”!

 I just loved spending a week in the OC watching my son, David help take his roller hockey team to a bronze medal finish! It’s always great to get away and allow your body and mind to feel a different spirit and energy…

Just finished reading The Alchemist, wow! So simply written with rich images of deserts and oasis as metaphors of our oneness with nature, and how all the answers of the “universe” are already within us. Searching for one’s life purpose is the premise of this novel and how our own emotions and internal widsom will ultimately lead us to its fulfillment, if we allow ourselves to listen.

I’m looking forward to what always feels like a new season when back-to-school is around the corner! Many projects are sizzling right now and I’m enjoying this feeling of anticipation coupled with the faith that the unfolding will reveal more surprises! I can already feel the energy of others I know who are embarking on exciting new projects as well: friends, colleagues and clients. I can’t wait to see what gifts their hard work and passionate devotion will bring them!

If I can try to narrow down one important lesson (among many others) I have learned this year is that the ability to “let go” more and more from outcomes and remain present in the process of what I am dreaming and creating really does bring clarity and focus of “what’s next”. It seems that the less hard I “try” and the more I just “allow”, my responses are what sets things in motion rather than manic reactions based on fear of the unknown.

I’m hoping to learn more of your epiphanies and personal insights as this helps me to explore and examine myself even more!

Read more about the subject of “purpose” in one’s life in August’s newsletter:  igniteme-aug.doc

Some of us take a break from work in the summer. I’ve felt more vibrant in using the summer days to begin with work tasks in the morning and using the rest of the day for me, my family and my health. The shift seems to be in recognizing that there are “things to get done” and that they somehow always do. Time management becomes more about letting go and trusting that the vision of what has to be accomplished will direct the allocation of time used. This is in stark contrast to how most try to achieve work-life harmony in the winter months where the endless tasks somehow over-ride any “vision” of what has to be achieved.

When I get in my car, or on my bike, or on my feet outdoors, I am always amazed by the amount of people I see engaged in their environment and not in their “heads”-they’re gardening, walking, playing sports, talking to neighbours, sitting on swings or chairs and they are most always smiling!

What are you doing this summer? How are you being more connected to each other and the world outside? How has your work shifted or has it at all? But most importantly, what feeling or vision can you maintain in all of this so that the summer “breeze” continues after Labour Day?

Happy summer and keep smiling!

P.S.If you’re an entrepreneur starting or developing your own business, take a few minutes to fill out my survey at:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=p1hNa_2bFv6UsomEgZqHXBaw_3d_3d

Those who know me are aware of how I try to take good care of my physical well-being with exercise, good nutrition, yoga, meditation…Yet entering my “mid-life” phase has kept me stuck with a bit of that “mid-life-middle” or “muffin-top” as I’ve recently heard coined as a term (how lovely!). I’ve always believed in the concept of cleansing and detoxifying yet was nervous about trying anything. I’m not one to try diets and quick fixes, nor do I use supplements or medications. However, my hard work was not yeilding the results I wanted. Well, I finally tried a product called Isagenix (www.ignitus.isagenix.com) that left me feeling energetic and free of that bulge! It is considered a “nutritional” and is not intended for weight loss, it just happens to be a great fat-burning supplement to healthy eating. Check it out for yourself!

The next “new” thing in my life came from some inspiration from my daughter, Jacqui. She began to scrapbook her digital pics of friends, family and pets and began to rummage through all of my disorganized “stuff” to gather more! It drove me crazy to know that she was creating more of a challenge for me to remember what was where. It also served as a reminder that photos not displayed and memories not shared are of no value to anyone but a box, drawer or counter! So……….we’re scrapbooking together and it is so liberating and fun! There isn’t much this mom can do with her teenage daughter these days besides shopping and spectating events, this allows for great discussion and fused creativity! We’re bonding our hearts while bonding our pics (okay, that was lame, even I can see that!)

Here’s my inspiration, Jacqui:

Finally, had a great opportunity to speak at the Professional Organizers in Canada, Montreal Chapter,this morning (www.professionalorganizersincanada.com). What a dynamic group of people! I gave a brief workshop on applying coaching tools in their existing practice. Always fun to have enthusiastic exchanges with people who want to help others improve the quality of their lives!

I’m off to continue my scrapbook!

I always find myself asking different questions in May: What excitement can I have with my hubby and kids? What fun things can I do, go see or listen to? Which friends can I connect with for BBQ’s and festival accompaniment? What can I do to be healthier and more vibrant? All of these questions are about what is possible and there always seems to be a way towards an answer! (I must admit, February does not generate this much enthusiasm for me!)

I certainly hope that as you bounce into Spring, you’ve begun to clear out the old clutter too! Nothing makes room for possibility more than open spaces and worry-free daily tasks. So clean, clear, file and organize! You’ll feel lighter and calmer as you daydream about what you want to do instead of what you have to do!

Happy Spring and Happy Mother’s Day!

Great News: My son, David, got his driving permit (learner’s) today on the first shot! Yippeee!

Check out my May newsletter of ”ignite me”: igniteme-may.doc

My name is Joanne Baskin. I am a certified professional coach trained through the International Coach Academy www.icoachacademy.com and a member of the International Coach Federation www.internationalcoachfederation.com. Having had a social work career for over 20 years and witnessed so much pain and sadness, my hope now is to help people who are ready to live their lives, both professionally and personally, with joy and meaning.

My vision for this blog is to share thoughts, ideas and tools for personal and professional development in view of experiencing feedback and interaction with like-minded people!

My life and business coaching career was launched in September 2006 and today I am even more excited about this  journey! I’ve been enjoying the opportunity to watch my clients learn to recognize their unique talents and gifts and use them in paving a path towards their personal and professional dreams! Speaking of dreams, what are yours? To read more on dreams, read an article I wrote for my newsletter in November 2006: ignite-me.doc

To learn more about my services, visit my website at: www.ignitus.ca