Unbound Ideas » Maureen Simon http://unboundideas.com Ideas you need, wherever you need them Sat, 31 Jul 2010 12:00:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3173 A “Zig-Zaggy” Career http://unboundideas.com/2010/a-%e2%80%9czig-zaggy-career/ http://unboundideas.com/2010/a-%e2%80%9czig-zaggy-career/#comments Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:11:56 +0000 Maureen Simon http://unboundideas.com/2010/a-%e2%80%9czig-zaggy-career/ Is your career “zigzaggy”? In response to questions by Barb Berggoetz of the Indianapolis Star, Madeline Albright (former ambassador to the United Nations and secretary of state under President Clinton) spoke of her career as “very zig-zaggy”. Ms. Albright spoke Wednesday (March 24, 2010) at Butler University in Indianapolis as the closing speaker for [...]]]> Is your career “zigzaggy”? In response to questions by Barb Berggoetz of the Indianapolis Star, Madeline Albright (former ambassador to the United Nations and secretary of state under President Clinton) spoke of her career as “very zig-zaggy”. Ms. Albright spoke Wednesday (March 24, 2010) at Butler University in Indianapolis as the closing speaker for the 2009-2010 Celebration of Diversity Distinguished Lecture Series.

Ms. Berggoetz’s Q&A began by asking Ms. Albright what she would be speaking about. Her response was, “First of all, I think, I’m always asked to talk about my life. I try to make it something that shows some lessons of moving from here to there and opportunities one has to take and the choices one has as a woman. I’ll speak of the importance of women’s leadership.”

Ms. Berggoetz goes on to ask, “What advice can you give women who want to become political power brokers?”

Madeline Albright’s response, I believe, was applicable to all women whether they hold political ambitions or not. She stated that, “First of all, they need to be very well-informed. You can’t operate on the basis of smoke and mirrors. You have to really know what you’re talking about. Once you do, women have to learn to interrupt in meetings or just generally to voice their opinions. To do that, you have to also be willing to debate the issues.

I also think they need to realize there are many advantages to being a woman, one being based on biology. Our life does come in segments and allows for fulfillment in different phases…As young women make their choices, they should not close the door on various options. My personal career was very zig-zaggy. It obviously never occurred to me that I’d be secretary of state. I did want to make a difference.” (Want to read the original article? Click here.)

The truth is that women’s careers are often “zig-zaggy”. There is a benefit to both ourselves and our communities in these “zig-zaggy” careers which we tend to overlook. Our natural feminine mental flexibility and long-term thinking attributes are especially useful in creating a life that is open to new ideas, opportunities and directions. We are able through our imagination and vision to pull together our different experiences into a workable, forward-moving direction. We are pre-disposed to move in a direction that makes a difference through contribution and connection.

Women’s leadership is of great importance in today’s world. We need the feminine attributes, including collaboration, peacemaking, and interconnectedness to heal our world. Enjoy fulfillment at the next zigzag in your road. Take steps now to make the next segment of your life express your true self, overcome your resistance to change, and design a highly intentional life.

Join me at the up-coming webinar on April 7 and 14, 2010 to design your “Women’s Success Blueprint”. I am excited to personally work with you on this custom designed life as I bring to the table twenty-five years of supporting women to create amazing lives with great success.

To register for the webinar go to: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/869819352

Maureen Simon
“Designing Business & Lives”
Create Your Blueprint for 2010
info@theessentialfeminine.com

http://womeninfluencingnow.wordpress.com

http://www.facebook.com/maureensimon

www.theessentialfeminine.com
Join our Facebook Group “Women Influencing Now” twitter@maureensimon

]]> http://unboundideas.com/2010/a-%e2%80%9czig-zaggy-career/feed/ 0 The Essential Feminine “Living Room” Opens March 24th http://unboundideas.com/2010/the-essential-feminine-%e2%80%9cliving-room%e2%80%9d-opens-march-24th/ http://unboundideas.com/2010/the-essential-feminine-%e2%80%9cliving-room%e2%80%9d-opens-march-24th/#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:43:03 +0000 Maureen Simon http://unboundideas.com/2010/the-essential-feminine-%e2%80%9cliving-room%e2%80%9d-opens-march-24th/ Among the natural attributes of women are collaboration and team building. (And, we hold many more.) Our ability to use these gifts has been recognized by such groups as CARE, Heifer International and The Hunger Project. (See notes below.) These groups have invested their resources and total faith in women to rebuild their communities as they [...]]]> Among the natural attributes of women are collaboration and team building. (And, we hold many more.) Our ability to use these gifts has been recognized by such groups as CARE, Heifer International and The Hunger Project. (See notes below.) These groups have invested their resources and total faith in women to rebuild their communities as they know that women will use their opportunities to feed their families and strengthen their communities.

Relationship building, networking and community building are some of women’s finest gifts. Therefore, The Essential Feminine Company™ is opening its “Living Room” as a place for women to get together once a month to share ideas and suggestions about various topics. This is a free event happening at noon (Pacific Time) on March 24 and continuing on the fourth Wednesday of the months following. You will need to register for the event at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/448858688

We will begin our Living Room discussion with the topic, “Inviting The New, The Different and The Good Into Our Lives”. After the initial theme has been presented we will be opening the lines for announcements, wishes, desires, and general networking. Please contact us at info@theessentialfeminine.com if you have something you would like to share during the second half hour. We need at least forty-eight hours prior to each Living Room event for your comment or need to be considered.

We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to join women from around the globe and help us create a community of women who want to create their lives from their true selves and thus make a difference.

Maureen Simon

Note: Yesterday (March 8) “was International Women’s Day celebrating the progress women have made in their struggles for equality and development and also focusing on what remains to be done to ensure there is equality for all. The theme this year is “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All.””

Note from The Hunger Project: “(THP) firmly believes that empowering women to be key change agents is an essential element to achieving the end of hunger and poverty. Wherever we work, our programs aim to support women, build their capacity and ensure their voice is heard and influence felt, both in their own communities and more widely.” To read more: http://www.thp.org/learn_more/publications/newsletters/february_2010

Note from Heifer International: Women Working Wonders; Since they received goats from Heifer, the members of Zambia’s Evergreen Women’s Club have been able to provide life-saving milk for their children, grow valuable crops to support their families and help their neighbors support themselves. To read more: http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.201594/?msource=kwg538

Maureen Simon
“Designing Business & Lives”
Create Your Blueprint for 2010
info@theessentialfeminine.com

http://womeninfluencingnow.wordpress.com

http://www.facebook.com/maureensimon

www.theessentialfeminine.com
Join our Facebook Group “Women Influencing Now”
twitter@maureensimon

]]> http://unboundideas.com/2010/the-essential-feminine-%e2%80%9cliving-room%e2%80%9d-opens-march-24th/feed/ 0 Personal Responsibility in Leadership Serves All http://unboundideas.com/2010/personal-responsibility-in-leadership-serves-all-2/ http://unboundideas.com/2010/personal-responsibility-in-leadership-serves-all-2/#comments Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:12:27 +0000 Maureen Simon http://unboundideas.com/?p=3013 As a nation, we have projected a sense of righteousness and superiority attitudes that are deeply resented in world. Separateness and superiority have become our way of life, rooted deeply in fear. A question– is our way of living necessarily “right”? Many aspects of American life are unraveling before our very eyes (such [...]]]> As a nation, we have projected a sense of righteousness and superiority attitudes that are deeply resented in world. Separateness and superiority have become our way of life, rooted deeply in fear. A question– is our way of living necessarily “right”? Many aspects of American life are unraveling before our very eyes (such as, the ability to live and lead from truth and the ability to care for the whole, our health care system, our economic foundation). I wonder who are we to put forth our superiority? Collective responsibility expressed through empathy and understanding would benefit us all. Therefore, one of the most important things we need in the world today is for each of us to have a sense of what it is like to walk in the shoes of another.

In order for our collective responsibility to change, we must change on a personal level. Attempting to change collective responsibility will fail, as it is a symptom and not the disease. For true change, we must accept our personal responsibility to move beyond fear, selfishness and superiority to a place of deep understanding and care for the benefit of all. Women are particularly needed to lead this new way of living/leading because we who give birth, by our very nature hold the potential for compassion for all (the whole). It is my wish that women step forward today and take a greater lead in where our collective (world) is headed. It is my passion to help that to happen.

Maureen Simon is the founder of The Essential Feminine Company™ (TEF)—a lifestyle and business design company that supports women in creating successful, powerful lives that incorporate their feminine attributes and gifts. She can be reached at:

415-381-5115
maureen@maureensimon.com

www.theessentialfeminine.com
http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/women/
www.facebook.com/maureensimon

Join our Facebook Group ” Women Influencing Now”
twitter @maureensimon

]]> http://unboundideas.com/2010/personal-responsibility-in-leadership-serves-all-2/feed/ 0 Feminine Attributes Are Needed In World Leadership http://unboundideas.com/2010/feminine-attributes-are-needed-in-world-leadership/ http://unboundideas.com/2010/feminine-attributes-are-needed-in-world-leadership/#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:01:11 +0000 Maureen Simon http://unboundideas.com/?p=2666 It’s become very clear, based on the state the world is in that the time has come for feminine attributes to be at the forefront of the leadership of the world.  Women are naturally predisposed to the feminine because of our brain biology, socialization, and history.  What would the world look like if women brought feminine [...]]]> It’s become very clear, based on the state the world is in that the time has come for feminine attributes to be at the forefront of the leadership of the world.  Women are naturally predisposed to the feminine because of our brain biology, socialization, and history.  What would the world look like if women brought feminine attributes to the forefront?  Our world would hold far more collaboration; we would show concern and team build more with others, decisions would have greater community focus and we would be concerned for the emotions and feelings for others. If we apply these basic attribute to what the world currently needs they work hand in glove. The needs of the world include greater equity, more understanding, less fear of the other, and overall more inclusion. Who would be better suited than a women to integrate these into the decision of the world.  If we are courageous enough to believe that our natural gifts are now being called on and we are wise enough to place them in places where we ourselves would enjoy leading, the combination would make a historical impact that the world has not seen. What are the issues and passions that you hold dear to your heart? How could these be incorporated more so into your day and life? What now needs to happen for you to make a courageous move?

Maureen Simon is the founder of The Essential Feminine Company™ (TEF)—a lifestyle and business design company that supports women in creating successful, powerful lives that incorporate their feminine attributes and gifts. She can be reached at:

415-381-5115
maureen@maureensimon.com

www.theessentialfeminine.com
http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/women/
www.facebook.com/maureensimon

Join our Facebook Group ” Women Influencing Now”
twitter @maureensimon

]]> http://unboundideas.com/2010/feminine-attributes-are-needed-in-world-leadership/feed/ 0 Become a Co-Creator in Your Life http://unboundideas.com/2010/become-a-co-creator-in-your-life/ http://unboundideas.com/2010/become-a-co-creator-in-your-life/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:29:03 +0000 Maureen Simon http://unboundideas.com/2010/become-a-co-creator-in-your-life/ There are two ways to look at how we fit into the world scheme of things. We are either at the mercy of circumstance and victims or we are co-creators. If we are at the mercy of circumstance, our lives are limited by what happens to us. We must live in fear of [...]]]> There are two ways to look at how we fit into the world scheme of things. We are either at the mercy of circumstance and victims or we are co-creators. If we are at the mercy of circumstance, our lives are limited by what happens to us. We must live in fear of the next shoe dropping. If we are co-creators, we may not always see the whole picture but we can take the steps necessary to create lives that are unlimited, meaningful and happy.

The first step we can take towards achieving the life we desire is to step back from our victim and assume we are creating our lives and if we don’t like what we’ve created we can change it. Then we can begin to take charge and consider our goals. This is an important step, since it is difficult to take a journey if you don’t know where you are going. If our goal is aligned with hope and the highest possible good, we cannot fail.
When we know our goal in life we can begin to ask ourselves where our greatest roadblock lies. We can look at our problems as challenges to our understanding. Remember we are co-creators. Part of us is working with us and knows more than we do about reaching our goals. If we ask why this problem exists in our life at this time and what we can learn about ourselves from it, we open ourselves to the knowledge of our intuition. Let the answers come to you and you may be surprised at your inner knowledge and the strength it can bring to your life.

Maureen Simon is the founder of The Essential Feminine Company™ (TEF)—a lifestyle and business design company that supports women in creating successful, powerful lives that incorporate their feminine attributes and gifts. She can be reached at:

415-381-5115
maureen@maureensimon.com

www.theessentialfeminine.com
http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/women/
www.facebook.com/maureensimon

Join our Facebook Group ” Women Influencing Now”
twitter @maureensimon

]]> http://unboundideas.com/2010/become-a-co-creator-in-your-life/feed/ 0 The Importance of Finding Our Life’s Purpose http://unboundideas.com/2010/the-importance-of-finding-our-lifes-purpose/ http://unboundideas.com/2010/the-importance-of-finding-our-lifes-purpose/#comments Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:23:58 +0000 Maureen Simon http://unboundideas.com/?p=2468 There is a great joy, lightness and a sense of knowing which prevails when we understand the purpose of our lives.  The road to this destination can sometimes feel long and winding. People often speak of confusion, fear and a lack of clarity setting in.  They are all part of the journey, the journey of knowing.  [...]]]> There is a great joy, lightness and a sense of knowing which prevails when we understand the purpose of our lives.  The road to this destination can sometimes feel long and winding. People often speak of confusion, fear and a lack of clarity setting in.  They are all part of the journey, the journey of knowing.  They are actually some very clear indicators that can guide us along the way when we take note of them and use them to understand ourselves.  As we come to know ourselves, we learn our purpose.  It is only when we fully know the reason that we are here can we live in a fully inspired way.

Our world is busy, so filled with things that need to be done.  We often believe that we should ignore our feelings in order to achieve, push, drive or reach a given result.  I am no longer convinced that this is true.  I have found that taking time for listening in silence, observing signs, patterns and repeated feelings moves me closer to my purpose as well as allowing me to get more done.  As John O’Donohue says in his book “Anam  Cara” “It is in the depths of your life that you will discover the invisible necessity that has brought you here.  When you begin to decipher this, your gift and giftedness come alive.  Your heart quickens and the urgency of living rekindles your creativity.”

We need creativity today for the world faces change at every side.  It is only by our creativity that we can break the patterns of the past and bring a fresh new world into being.  Dare to bring forth your gifts.

Maureen Simon is the founder of The Essential Feminine Company™ (TEF)—a lifestyle and business design company that supports women in creating successful, powerful lives that incorporate their feminine attributes and gifts. She can be reached at:

415-381-5115
maureen@maureensimon.com

www.theessentialfeminine.com
http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/women/
www.facebook.com/maureensimon

Join our Facebook Group ” Women Influencing Now”
twitter@maureensimon

]]> http://unboundideas.com/2010/the-importance-of-finding-our-lifes-purpose/feed/ 0 Personal Responsibility in Leadership Serves All http://unboundideas.com/2010/personal-responsibility-in-leadership-serves-all/ http://unboundideas.com/2010/personal-responsibility-in-leadership-serves-all/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:04:13 +0000 Maureen Simon http://unboundideas.com/?p=2403 As a nation, we have projected a sense of righteousness and superiority attitudes that are deeply resented in world. Separateness and superiority have become our way of life, rooted deeply in fear. A question– is our way of living necessarily “right”? Many aspects of American life are unraveling before our very eyes (such [...]]]> As a nation, we have projected a sense of righteousness and superiority attitudes that are deeply resented in world. Separateness and superiority have become our way of life, rooted deeply in fear. A question– is our way of living necessarily “right”? Many aspects of American life are unraveling before our very eyes (such as, the ability to live and lead from truth and the ability to care for the whole, our health care system, our economic foundation). I wonder who are we to put forth our superiority? Collective responsibility expressed through empathy and understanding would benefit us all. Therefore, one of the most important things we need in the world today is for each of us to have a sense of what it is like to walk in the shoes of another.

In order for our collective responsibility to change, we must change on a personal level. Attempting to change collective responsibility will fail, as it is a symptom and not the disease. For true change, we must accept our personal responsibility to move beyond fear, selfishness and superiority to a place of deep understanding and care for the benefit of all. Women are particularly needed to lead this new way of living/leading because we who give birth, by our very nature hold the potential for compassion for all (the whole). It is my wish that women step forward today and take a greater lead in where our collective (world) is headed. It is my passion to help that to happen.

Maureen Simon is the founder of The Essential Feminine Company™ (TEF)—a lifestyle and business design company that supports women in creating successful, powerful lives that incorporate their feminine attributes and gifts.   For more information about Maureen or to be in touch, contact her at:

email:  maureen@maureensimon.com
web:  http://www.theessentialfeminine.com
blog:  http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/women/
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/maureensimon or join her Facebook Group: Women Influencing Now
Twitter:  @maureensimon

]]> http://unboundideas.com/2010/personal-responsibility-in-leadership-serves-all/feed/ 0 We Are a Part of a Much Greater Picture: Our Passion is an Indicator http://unboundideas.com/2009/we-are-a-part-of-a-much-greater-picture-our-passion-is-an-indicator/ http://unboundideas.com/2009/we-are-a-part-of-a-much-greater-picture-our-passion-is-an-indicator/#comments Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:35:36 +0000 Maureen Simon http://unboundideas.com/?p=2334 “Deep within every life, no matter how dull or ineffectual it may seem from the outside there is something eternal happening.”  John O’Donohue

I’ve come to know that we are part of a much greater picture than we might believe when we sit stuck in a traffic jam or feel frustrated about a challenging communication in our [...]]]> MSRight“Deep within every life, no matter how dull or ineffectual it may seem from the outside there is something eternal happening.”  John O’Donohue

I’ve come to know that we are part of a much greater picture than we might believe when we sit stuck in a traffic jam or feel frustrated about a challenging communication in our day.  These days I have been learning to take an aerial view and fly high above the simple challenges that take place in my day-to-day life. I have come to believe that each of our lives may sometimes feel ineffectual, but in reality something very major is happening. The real art is to learn how to tune in to what is most important in our life? How do we identify what our true passion is so that we can begin to move from ineffectual to fully alive and passionate.

I believe the answer to us finding our passion-lies in our ability to connect with what is deep in our life – what is significant and important to us. I believe that we have deep wells of joy that are waiting to erupt as a geyser or a spring.  We must take time to listen and to allow the answers and information that we need to find us.

Silence is a natural way to connect with what we hold deep in our hearts. Trust that through silence signs that come into your daily life – trust and your ability to follow what feels good and right in your life will all serve as great resources on your journey to connecting with the bigger eternal aspects of your life.

Maureen Simon is the founder of The Essential Feminine Company™ (TEF)—a lifestyle and business design company that supports women in creating successful, powerful lives that incorporate their feminine attributes and gifts. She can be reached at:

415-381-5115
maureen@maureensimon.com

www.theessentialfeminine.com
http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/women/
www.facebook.com/maureensimon

Join our Facebook Group ” Women Influencing Now”
twitter@maureensimon

]]> http://unboundideas.com/2009/we-are-a-part-of-a-much-greater-picture-our-passion-is-an-indicator/feed/ 0 What feels good and right in life http://unboundideas.com/2009/what-feels-good-and-right-in-life/ http://unboundideas.com/2009/what-feels-good-and-right-in-life/#comments Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:35:01 +0000 Maureen Simon http://unboundideas.com/?p=2331 What feels good and right in life is where we need to place our attention.  I’ve been speaking to a number of people recently who said that they are just not clear on what feels right in life for them at this time.  I am convinced that we are at a point in time where so [...]]]> MSRightWhat feels good and right in life is where we need to place our attention.  I’ve been speaking to a number of people recently who said that they are just not clear on what feels right in life for them at this time.  I am convinced that we are at a point in time where so many systems are being restructured that we ourselves don’t even know what feels right.  I must admit however that that answer is not strong enough for the days that we are now living in.  Now knowing is not good enough any longer.  Our personal responsibility to pay attention to what feels right and good in our life will lead us to answers that we thought we may never find.

I read a book once entitled, “You Can’t Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought” I enjoyed the title more than the book as it inspired me at that time in my life that I was luxuriating in negativity – tossing my hands up to the skies and wondering what part of the challenges that I was living did I actually have a say in. Years later, I have come to realize that I have a say in a large portion of this life that I am co-creating. I am co-creating with you, with spirit, with nature and with this grand universe but at the end of the day my very thoughts lead me to the life that I live on a daily basis.  I have learned to look closely at what feels good to me as I use the most clearly defined moral code that I have a available to me I combine the two and live life to the fullest.

Today, take time to look around your world and identify what really feels good what do you look forward to spending time on. What do you need to eliminate that is taking up too much of your time and not serving you well. I truly believe now more than ever we are at a time in history where we need to take personal responsibility and make decisions about our lives that serve us based on what feels right. Don’t feel greedy you are actually serving the betterment of all when you take time to create a better life.

Maureen Simon is the founder of The Essential Feminine Company™ (TEF)—a lifestyle and business design company that supports women in creating successful, powerful lives that incorporate their feminine attributes and gifts. She can be reached at:

415-381-5115
maureen@maureensimon.com

www.theessentialfeminine.com
http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/women/
www.facebook.com/maureensimon

Join our Facebook Group ” Women Influencing Now”
twitter@maureensimon

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