Get in the flow – Center
I left to run an errand. On the way, I was stalled behind a school bus, then a trash truck. Ahh...center, unexpected time to breathe and focus. I set aside a day for writing. Then, I just couldn't get in the mood. Instead, I went for a swim. Ahh...center, as I swam...
Common Threats to Common Gound
Jonathon Haidt's Ted Talk 'Common Threats Can Make Common Ground' I found very insightful. He uses the analogy of astroids headed for earth and shares historical data to show polarization trends in our country over time. I've watched this talk 3 times and will watch...
Tribute to Kevin Choate Sensei
My aikido teacher, Kevin Choate Sensei passed away unexpectedly on December 1st. I still feel sad. Yet, I notice a quickening in my aikido practice as I try to assimilate the essence of his teaching before it fades. Kevin Choate Sensei, Karen Valencic Colorado July...
When differences are strong, what do you do?
It seems all too common to sacrifice growth and community to be 'right'. Relationships, businesses, and governments falter as people defend STRONG positions by talking over each other, leaving the room or refusing to consider other opinions. Innovation stops. People...
Whoops, too late!
I pushed 'enter' and in a few minutes my computer software updated. Whoops! This rendered my computer obsolete, an unintended consequence that took many hours to fix. I had researched the software in terms of my own computer performance. The question I didn’t ask...
Monday morning!
Dear Colleagues, It's now Monday morning. Imagine it is Friday, the week has unfolded perfectly for you and you are telling a friend. In vivid detail what do you say? Even better tell me! Intention is powerful. Be specific.
Saying it doesn’t make it so
They promised excellence; they delivered a façade. A ‘nicer’ club purchased my health club. They spent a lot of money to update the facility to their ‘higher’ standard. Yet, 18 months later the same broken equipment doesn’t work, the clock is now stuck at 8:40, the...
Rethinking Comfort Zones
Getting out of your comfort zone is common advise for increasing success. Watching the Olympics made me rethink this premise. My conclusion: Olympic Gold is achieved by being solid in your comfort zone and is fueled by a clear intent. Being out of your comfort zone...
Lost in Words?
It took all my attention to follow the conversation - like walking through a maze with many wrong turns - there were so many words I was lost as to the point. Have you ever been surprised when someone obviously didn't understand your communication and you thought you...
Make it Mutual – Performance Improvement
Something unexpected happened at the gym. It was a stair-climbing day for me - the stationary escalator that only a few of us diehards use. As I stepped into my rhythm, I glanced over at a young man on a neighboring machine. He was going full out. He smiled,...
Resilence, Innovation, Collaboration – 10 Min Intro
Join me for a 10 minute introduction to Spiral Impact! Increase resilence, innovation and collaboration! [vimeo]https://vimeo.com/39938136[/vimeo] Thanks to Thom McKinney for being a great uke!
National Conflict – same as interpersonal conflict
People are outraged. Protests are happening all over the country over Trayvon Martin’s death. I feel sad when anyone is killed. This is no exception. However, last night watching Anderson Cooper’s report I got this sick feeling in my gut. What if all the initial...
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Karen Valencic
Martial artist. Engineer. Best-selling author. Sought-after consultant.