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filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
We decided to do a separate company and new personal brand for Schools/Parenting. We switched visually to the tree and bench concept for the Innovative Parenting Strategies and the new BE + DO messaging. (~2012)
Trunk is Character ( It is "me") ...what makes us both flexible yet unbending to peer pressure or whatever life throws us. This is what we "see/show"in the external world...how you act and interact.
IF we want to do an "elements" metaphor, we could assign them. This is "Earth" and grounding...its what we can tough and feel. the trunk "ground" down through its roots, and is "fed" this way through the ecosystem.
The "Tree" shows that your physical body (trunk) needs to be cared for - food, sleep, exercise - because it houses our material self (health, wealth, purpose, inner fire). The chakras and their corresponding life lessons would also be housed here.
It was to also represent Tamara - my life purpose expressed as LEAF Strategies...the wise woman tree....
Roots are values. What keeps us rooted and grounded in this realm. You have to "dig deep" and be authentic and strong in who you are and what you stand for to have a healthy and strong tree.
Its the inner/lower world to your outer world. It can be tied to the roots of your resiliency and self-identity, and links you to your deeper purpose (note I never said higher purpose.)
Energy moves like water THROUGH the plant. This is "Water" (like sap) running deep inside...like emotions (sadness, but also joy, purpose, love). And SEL/EQ
Tamara's mission is to grow from the roots (values) to the minor leaves (mindsets) and major leaves and beyond (holistic/spirit) of kids and families.
The metaphor holds for all target audiences and products: both families and organizations need to invest in all of these - the BE and the DO. You have to grow individuals if you want to grow organizations.
And to ensure they also think about the ecosystem and what fruit they are bearing/prioritiizing and if the garden is safe and inclusive culture.
The branches you "grow" in life - areas of expertise, or even PEMS holistic living, or academic-sports-hobbies-community.
The branches you grow stay..but they also split and grow sub-branches as you grow older.
Parents help you grow the first (oldest, strongest) branches, and then you go off and start adding on.
So you never stop growing or experiencing or learning...its all part of you.
This is "Fire" and mental. So related to how you learn and what you do and how you think and process the world. IQ
For LEAF corporate this was to be the 4 portfolios of products.
The individual mindsets and skillsets and KSAs that you hang on the branches. They feed the branches which become major life paths or areas of expertise.
You always have 'majors' and 'minors' leaves. Some fall off but grow back next year which means you keep growing.
This is "Air" and spirituality.
And the roots give the trunk the nutrients from the soil, the leaves capture the nutrients from the sun and air (and the pollution) from the ecosystem.
They "Breathe" and "Release." and can also be scrawny or get "choked" in a bad environment...but they always have a fresh start in the next season. "mulligans"
For LEAF this was the Mindsets workshops.
And you can work in the concept of fruit (flower, seeds, pollen, harvest, etc)
This is our ability to manifest - if we have a plan and work through it. The plan is a cycle or a program - never ending growth.
You will always get fruit - but varying qualities (ie some seasons are quite shitty, like some decisions are shitty).
And if you don't have pollinators (mentors, coach, family, friends - your 'crew') you might not bloom or bear fruit. Yes, this also leads to a healthy sexual life which is the PEMS-S in holistic living and an inevitable topic for working with teens and supporting families through this time.
For LEAF this was to be the products I sell in the online store (fruits)
This is about leaving a legacy. Living a purpose greater than ourselves.
As the next generation. As entrepreneurs. As a mentor. As a parent As making an impact that lasts longer than you.
And you need to decide what the plaque on the bench will say about you after you are gone (quote) and the eulogy (story) read about the life of your tree. And. who is sitting on the bench by your tree?
You can sit alone and contemplate what comes next. You can ask a mentor to sit with you. Your ancestors and guides are always sitting there waiting for you to ask for help. Your spouse sits with you...sometimes only for a short time.
It is "steel" which is the 5th element.
Parents "tend" their children's garden.
Provide rich soil (environment), sun (spiritual connection), water (healthy lifestyles).
Each of us is a unique individual tree, but in the garden we are a unique flower in our family - our own color, at different life cycles (sprouts, stalks, flowering, bearing fruit) which require different ways of tending them. (ie parent the child you are given, not parenting as you were parented/wanted to be parented)
Parents are also part of the garden - families need to invest not only in their kids, but in themselves as individuals, and as a couple if the garden is to be healthy, strong and beautiful.
And every family tends a different garden - ALL types of families are growing, are different types of plants and all important to the ecosystem. (ie embrace diversity and act inclusively because we are all better for it)
The community as well as the organization. We (as individuals) and US (as gardens/orgs), participate in the local forest AND feed into a larger ecosystem.
We can refer specifically to the forest to mean nurturing our teams, our family, our community... And are we focused on the forest or the trees right now? (zoom in/zoom out)
The pollinators (bees, butterflies, insects, other animals) are the "leaders" of civil society orgs or corporations or schools. They are the change makers whose sole purpose is to grow - and sometimes it stings!
This also allows to bring in the concepts of the crystals, natural health, spirit animals. And also business performance and leadership engagement and teamwork. (teaching symbolic sight skills works..if we dare to take it corporate)
Our LifeQuest is like a journey through the forest. When we are young, we only play in the garden. As teens, we explore further into the forest. And then into professional workplaces.
This is our world. As individuals, subsets and pollinators we make a collective impact. We are co-creators because everything we be/do has a ripple effect. And we need everyone.
Our goal is healthy sub-systems and ecosystems - we want to be circular economy (no waste, added value, part of a system). And Sustainable and SDGs and inclusive, and make P4 impact. We need to engage and empower all in all parts of the system.
Our LifeQuest is like a journey into the global world. This is diversity, global cultures, new markets, big experiences.
LifeQuest and ChangeQuest works here too - as we are adults our hikes are walks, climbs, valleys, storms, etc.
Note - you don't have to talk about "change or growth or transformation" the same way when they are young...not until a critical"disruption"
ie. they get married/kids/manager...or recovering from trauma or forced change that disrupts their "me" world comes from the forest. The pandemic, global trade, tech revolution, insecurity that causes displacement of people come from the ecosystem.
A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child." - unknown
It takes a village to raise a child - African Proverb
Also: refer to UBUNTU - very trendy, plus the social change-maker movement in sustainable business, and servant leadership - the values align.
"These guiding principles are the roots that sustain my tree. They are the experiences that form the branches of my expertise. They influence my dreams, wisdom, creativity and attitudes, which are my leaves that stretch up to the universe. And through my company, LEAF Strategies and its portfolio of services, I live my purpose and nourish my ecosystem. You are the unique flowers, vines, and trees that share my forest. I pledge to help you grow into your fullest potential – from the roots up to your leaves."
Parents? Families? Children (>12)? teens? young adults? (?16-25). Should we target educators or psychologists or parents associations? Our customer is who the product fits. Our marketing decisions are targeted to who is making the buying decision. The more targets - the more marketing, the more channels, the more content - the more work/people/time/expense/expertise required.
Do we market to Parents or Schools or Youth NGOs? Private system vs Public system? K-12 or University? Or youth orgs which are NGOs or private funded?
Is our content for delivery in classroom or living rooms? In board rooms or at camp? Through soul trips? Is anyone going to want this ONLINE? (This was 2014...and content is scarce in EdTech and digital media/platforms as CAAS is emerging - competition is higher but costs are cheaper in 2021.)
The product, sales and marketing have to match with the target group and the target buyer (which are different when dealing with kids....) Credentials? Publishing? Social media channel/# matter for networking and collaboration. Testimonials? Affiilates? Memberships?
Who are we planning on growing? Boost enrollment. Partner with orgs. Hire facilitators. License content (royalites). Certify others (franchise). Affiliate sales (online). Investment for a Retreat/Academy (debt, equity, partner buy-in). Grants to create a business? Tenders required? What is the cost to grow? Make vs Buy. No growth.
My LifeQuest has introduced me to many incredible people, and has taken me to some very interesting places – and it’s far from over yet! From the family farm in Davidson, Canada, to the big city of Bogota, Colombia, I am always asked, “How did you possibly get from there to here?” and “How can I do the same?”
Although everyone’s journey is unique, I am happy to share insights from my journey so far, in the hopes that it will provide you with some tips for your own adventure. I definitely encourage you to discover your Greatness, and use it as the compass for your own unique LifeQuest.
I have always believed that “if it’s to be, it’s up to me.” This pioneer spirit guided me to take a leadership role within four incredible youth organizations – the 4-H Council, the Cooperative Youth Program, student government, and AIESEC.
The numerous sports teams, student leadership activities, and community projects that I shared with friends, teachers and families significantly influenced my values, shaped my character and developed my worldview. All of them showed me how to dream big and create my own destiny. I learned that anything was possible if I followed the principles of democracy and fair-play, and built collaboration and communication.
AIESEC was my doorway to the world, and shaped my transition between youth and adulthood. AIESEC showed me how to make my voice count, and that I can truly make an impact in the world. It allowed me to develop skills relevant for the 21stCentury global economy. Through this organization I met amazing people from all over the world, and led projects in several different countries.
My whole life has taught me that 21st Century competence starts with building personal values and character, and that they can then be stretched into a global context. I learned that it doesn’t depend on who you know, or the size of your budget – it was my character and attitude that prepared me most for participating in this world. I followed the opportunities, and along the way developed a global mindset and became a culturally sensitive, entrepreneurial, change-maker.
(RHS: 300 words) Today, as a business strategist, life coach and conscious parent, I am still an open-minded, culturally sensitive, entrepreneurial, change-maker. I believe that ‘a waterfall begins with just one drop’ and I act accordingly in all that I do. I choose to ‘be part of the solution, not part of the problem’. I still believe that ‘if it’s to be, it’s up to me’. I live my life as a positive role model and an inspirational teacher, dedicated to sharing my knowledge, skills and experiences.
I continue to plant the seeds of empowerment, excellence and social responsibility in all that I do. I am committed to helping others break out of their comfort zone, stretch their limits, and find their inner power. I love helping others to dream big and start living the life they were destined to live…no matter how old you are, or where your LifeQuest has taken you so far. Tomorrow is a new day, full of infinite possibilities!
These guiding principles are the roots that sustain my tree. They are the experiences that form the branches of my expertise. They influence my dreams, wisdom, creativity and attitudes, which are my leaves that stretch up to the universe. And through my company, LEAF Strategies and its portfolio of services, I live my purpose and nourish my ecosystem. You are the unique flowers, vines, and trees that share my forest. I pledge to help you grow into your fullest potential – from the roots up to your leaves.
If you will allow me, I’ll be your Navigator for this part of your journey. I’ll show you how to use your Greatness as the compass for your life’s adventure. I will help you to stand tall at the helm, as master of your destiny and Captain of your LifeQuest. I’ll help you strengthen your resolve, tune into a better frequency, and find personal and professional balance.
I will share some great tools to use throughout your LifeQuest journey. I do this through four incredible programs: Discovering your Greatness, Developing Global Competency, Innovative Parenting Strategies and LifeQuest Coaching.
No one is ever sure of what’s around the next bend, or just over the horizon - but it’s sure to be amazing!
Growing the World one Child at a Time. A way to LIVE our values. A PRACTICE of wealthy/abundant mindsets. Also a PRACTICE of giving/receiving and invoke the law of attraction.
Monthly fee, where they could access a community. I need to have something new every month-ish...store specials, workshop discounts , blog posts, meditations, podcasts, masterclass, affiliate programs, raffles for 1:1 coaching, campaigns for Little Sprouts, booking SoulTrips, raffles for their fundraisers, guest speakers, etc.
Today you ca
Monthly fee, where they could access a community. I need to have something new every month-ish...store specials, workshop discounts , blog posts, meditations, podcasts, masterclass, affiliate programs, raffles for 1:1 coaching, campaigns for Little Sprouts, booking SoulTrips, raffles for their fundraisers, guest speakers, etc.
Today you can simply join Mind Valley, rather than create this yourself But..#..time..S is barrier!
Passive Income through recorded workshops and coaching sessions. Load it up and keep creating!
I never had the digital skills or knowledge - and the software/design was sooo expensive in 2014! This barrier has gone away.
Use the platform to generate leads and process payments. Barrier removed today!
Affiliate programs - everything from health, wellness, spirituality.
Plus branded merchandise like Successories for corporate gifts or Character Counts for schools - which I can produce super cheap in LatAm...but it was a cost/inventory/language barrier.
Now you can drop ship through Instagram and do Affiliate programs so barrier removed!
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