In the January 2005 Newsletter:
  Bestseller! / Can you pause? / Practical Pointers / PPP Events /
Be the Buzz

Pursuit of Passionate Purpose is on the 800-CEO-READ bestseller list — the list that shows what business executives read. You can see the review at: www.1800ceoread.com. The book is available now wherever books are sold, including: www.pursuitofpassionatepurpose.com/store.html.

Tuesday, February 1st is the first day of Passion Month. Be sure to check your email!

A Pause for Prosperity

What better time than now, the beginning of the year, to assess how things are going? Was 2004 all you and your organization had envisioned? What needs to change? Sometimes small changes can make a big difference. Yet we get too busy “doing” to pause.

It’s time to Assess Progress: “Evaluate progress, recognize success, appreciate, and determine what’s next.”

Organizational Pause. A recent USA Today poll conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management found that nearly 25% of U.S. employees — roughly 30 million people — are dissatisfied with their jobs. What’s more, most of the 300,000 U.S. businesses employing these workers are failing to capture the full benefit of a motivated, productive workforce. Firms need a plan to produce performance and profitability.

This is why my organizational “Pursuit of Passionate Purpose” strategic planning sessions start with assessment. Organizations who use the “Pursuit of Passionate Purpose” approach positively impact the bottom-line and reach other goals. Technology and Management Solutions just recently helped a County government develop its strategic plan while building its executive team. This approach paid off. All participants in the strategic planning process were very satisfied and reported they had more intense passion, a clear roadmap to achieve their purpose, improved team communications, and better understanding of self and others.

Personal Pause. You have heard it before from so many colleagues, perhaps from yourself. “I only have ___ more years (fill in the blank) and then I can retire and start living.” In reality all we have is TODAY to live life to the fullest. Snooze and you lose. What’s more, your family, your business, and the world lose all that you can contribute.

After 9/11, we paused as a nation. Many of us wished that we had paused one last time to give a hug, throw a kiss, and say “I love you.” Don’t wait for a painful pivotal point. Pause now and get on the proper path.

Live today like there is no tomorrow.

Practical Pointers

Here are a few of the many proven “Assess Progress” suggestions found in Pursuit of Passionate Purpose:

• Use the Progress Inventory^TM on p. 121 of my book as a helpful 10-point assessment tool.
• Review. Look back and revisit the joys and sorrows. What did you learn? What will you do differently next time around?
• Appreciate fellow beings, spiritual forces, and yourself — all those who helped you achieve progress. Don’t delay gratification too much.
• Make mid-course corrections. Find the courage and choose to change as appropriate.

Upcoming Public Events

Wednesday, January 26, 2005. San Diego Speaker Series Workshop on “Pursuit of Passionate Purpose” for the Forum of Women Entrepreneurs and WITI Chapter in San Diego, CA. From 11:15 AM – 1:30 PM at the Avanir Pharmaceuticals Conference Center at 11404 Sorrento Valley Road. Visit www.fwe.org/p/p.asp?mlid=147 for information.

Saturday, January 29, 2005. Keynote luncheon address and two workshops on “Pursuit of Passionate Purpose” for the Society of Women Engineers Conference at the University of Colorado in Boulder, from 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Contact heather.doty@swe.org for information.

Tuesday, February 8, 2005. Presentation and book signing at the Boulder Bookstore, 1107 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO at 7:30 PM. Call 303-447-2074 for directions. Spread the word!

Wednesday, February 9, 2005. Presentation entitled “From Innovation to Income” at the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and U.S. Small Business Administration training conference at the Adam’s Mark Hotel, 16th Street, Denver, CO. Contact 866-483-0167 for information.

Saturday, February 12, 2005. Round-table discussion from 12 noon – 1:15 PM on “Winning Traits of Passionate Pursuers” at the NSA Speakers College at the Adam’s Mark Hotel, 16th Street, Denver, CO. Visit www.nsacolorado.org for information.

See more PPP events at: www.pursuitofpassionatepurpose.com/events.html.

BE THE BUZZ

Be a BUZZ AGENT about Pursuit of Passionate Purpose so that its message can help those who need it. A grass roots effort is the way to build momentum. I need your help. Here are a few ideas. Create your own.

• Please tell your friends, colleagues, and family about Pursuit of Passionate Purpose. Pass this eNewsletter on and encourage others to subscribe.
• Give the gift of passionate purpose, as a book, to those you care about. Buy a number of copies. Have the book available to give as a present.
• Ask your local bookstore and library to carry Pursuit of Passionate Purpose and to display it prominently in “New Non-Fiction.”
• Help me get speaking and consulting gigs. This is the best way to create a buzz. Do you know of people and organizations that need a super-charge on how to successfully pursue prosperity and real rewards in life? I am open to pro-bono and paid engagements in line with my national author tour.

Life is Short. Begin Now

Don’t just wish for a prosperous year. TAKE ACTION! Remember to pause and assess progress on your journey. Let Technology and Management Solutions, the catalyst for your extraordinary results, help you and your organization thrive.

Thrive in 2005,
Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D.
CEO, entrepreneur, and author

P.S. Pass it on. Feel free to share this newsletter with your colleagues.