During the 1980s I spent a lot of time in the former Soviet Union, quietly running a student exchange program. In that bloated, bureaucratic police state and economic dead-zone, signs of life kept strolling up to me: Hip, young, hopeful Russians and Ukrainians who risked arrest or deportation just by talking with me and asking to buy my stuff and sell me theirs. The Soviets warned travelers again these “criminals,” and some were. But in general, their essential hustle and optimism in that tough economy were compelling to me. Fast-forward to another tough and unusual economy. We’ve all got less money and more anxiety than we did a year ago, but my phone keeps ringing. With a nod to some of my old Russian and Ukrainian acquaintances, here are a few of the top “Coach-able Issues” I’m working on with people:
- Keeping your job by staying essential.
- Getting really defined and deliberate about what you want to offer and how you want to offer it.
- Staying positive and energized.
- Staying connected to and networked with friends and allies.
As always, I’m leading lots of groups. Good groups are cost effective, supportive and, I believe, a little magical. I’ll be starting more “coach-able issues groups” in the coming month. Be in touch if you’d like to join with other great people to work on some of your own “coachable issues.”
Filed under: The Articles
I remember that day too, Patty. I was at home that summer and I was out with friends until maybe 11. when I got home my parents were both sitting in our family room waiting for me. They always went to bed early (like we do now!) so it was wierd that they were up. By the looks on their faces, somthing was obviously wrong. Someone (not sure who) called to say that RaeAnn Johnston was killed and that you were okay. I knew some of the other women, but I was just close to you and Rea Ann. What a terrible night. Back then we probably thought that we understood God pretty well. Now we know that we don’t and that we never will. His ways are not our ways. Thanks for sharing that story. Julie