I hope you all enjoyed your holidays as much as I did! I didn't do anything spectacular, but my days were filled with quiet joys and wonders: connecting with family at home and just "being" together; visiting and celebrating with friends near and far; baking (and consuming) lots of special once-a-year treats. And watching movies.
As a member of SAG-AFTRA, (the union of professional film and television actors), I get screeners and downloads of movies that are in theatres now. I need to watch them soon, so I can vote for the upcoming SAG Awards. It's fun to view a big movie like Gravity sitting on your own couch! Each movie I have seen so far has impressed me with incredible acting (whatever other quibbles I may have). So many actors are transcending "type" and creating believable, achingly truthful characters. You might not recognize Bruce Dern in Nebraska or Mathew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club; they have transformed. Unusual for leading men in Hollywood, there is no ego apparent in either performance. Each man is more interested in communicating his character's reality than in looking good. I hope all students of acting go see these amazing performances and learn from them. To paraphrase Stanislavsky: They love the art in themselves, not themselves in the art.
Speaking of transformations . . .
I am looking forward to Don't Await It, Create It LIVE later this month. My friend, colleague, and client Julie Jakopic of iLead Strategies is hosting this "experiential event for Big Thinkers & Game Changers" January 17- 19 in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia. The goal of the weekend simple. Julie and her team (including me!) will lead you in a paradigm-shifting experience. You will leave with strategies to help you transform your personal and professional life. Don't Await It, Create It LIVE gives you space to discover--or reconnect with--your own creative energy. How you use that power is up to you!
A gift for you
I am sure Don't Await It, Create It LIVE will appeal to many of my clients, as well as other readers of this newsletter. Here's an added incentive: I am offering you a special bonus for signing up to attend. The next 3 readers of this newsletter who register will get a free 40-minute consulting session with me. We can meet by video chat, phone call, or in person to work on an upcoming presentation, or discuss your speaking style or other leadership communications issues. Simply register at this site, and e-mail or call me at 703.244.7546 to let me know you're attending. Then we can book your session. So register now--you will be glad you did!
