Tele-class Adventures

I am a woman that is always in a race.  At times, I speed through assignments, multitask even with toothbrushing, and listen to books like GOOD TO GREAT driving  from meeting to meeting.  At the same time, I am results oriented.  To get through a project quickly is not the goal.  Its to get through it as quickly as possible AND achieve the greatest product ever.  Yes, this has a strong competitive component. The process can be exhausting in an exhilerating way. 

When I came to Train the Trainer it was for three reasons.  First, to learn to train students the ICA way.  Second, was to perfect the teleclasses I offer to my clients and to take teleclasses to the next level for my business.  Third, to apply my talent and natural skills with something that I felt could prepare me for some of the face to face talks I will be giving in 2007. 

The third area is where I have seen my most change.  As I have mentioned before, I am aware that I have a lot of energy.  I do not wake up with a smile and talk endlessly in the wee hours of the morning.  However, I do wake up happy and open to the day.  My moods are realitively centered.  

To be prefectly clear, I can feel the energy inside of me rising much like a wild electric surge.  I cannot help but smile.  Yee Ha….I think.  Whoo wee!  Let’s go and get em!!  Race ya there! 

Often my audience is a little more tame.  Where I cannot wait to take action and change, change, change, my audience is often wanting to figure out what I am drinking.  As a young woman people thought I was certainly on speed.  Nope.  I was not.  It is a natural energy and I have spent at least the last 30 years trying to keep it undercontrol the same way that one attempts to hold a beach ball under water.  Takes a lot energy, yes?

So, in the last few weeks my most significant change has not really been about my top three reasons for being here but one important lesson in living.  It’s ok to just be myself.  This is a work in progress.  When I remind myself to just be me, I can feel the weight lifted off my chest.  

Still there?

LOL…just kidding. 

I was up early this morning excited about my first ICA train the trainer class.  Not nervous, but really wanted to get going!  “Karen, can I dial now?”  It seemed that the minutes before signing on were dragging.  My energy level was very high and my mind racing to get things going.  There is a place in me that feels at home with a group of students.  I suppose you could say, Desiree was happy. 

B101 Getting Clients: Trial Session at 6 am New York time.  We had roughly 11 students.  Some from Paris (qui qui),  Spain, Canada, & New York (not a country?) just to name a few.  I had the lesson plan ready JUST IN CASE I had to read it word by word.  I’d read the module for this class a few times to be sure I could answer questions. With a lesson plan to beat the ban, I was there.

They (our students) were so very nice to me.  The hour flew by.  They talked.  Just a few brief dead spaces.  We kept moving on anyway.  People to see, places to go!  There was a nice mix of student participation and a significant “safe place” was emjoyed.  I asked questions, encouraged participation, and keep as many of the competencies in the forefront as I heard them being used in our conversation.  It was fun to have them use core competencies in their “this is what I am  taking away from this class”. 

We were present which makes it even more delightful.  We meaning all of us that shared this call.  Some walked away with a few new tools, or a new way to look at a past experience,or preparing for the future.  Others simply gave of their experiences so others could learn and maybe they could hear their own accomplishments. 

I did not like it when it all came to an end.  Such an honor to share the dance.

It seemed I was able to demonstrate my competencies as a trainer today.  Questioning the learners for a deeper understanding.  Sharing insights through relating brief coaching experiences and acknowledging the students for their work, commitment, presence, participation, and acceptance of a new trainer for the moment.

Other competencies I was aware of includes hardwiring our conversations to the key learning points, core competencies, and coaching experiences.  As the facilitator this morning it was up to me to manage the class momentum.  Which I did and felt good about. 

It was early for some, earlier for a few and comfortable for others.  The need to keep the class moving, safeguard the energy, smile as I talk, and nod in understanding as I demonstrate how the place we are working is indeed sacred.

Karen, thank you for the support. 

Hmm, I can get wordy in a blog.  Who woulda thunk?

Desiree