In the April 2005 Newsletter:
  More Good News! / The U in Sunflower / Making Lemonade / Events

More Good News!

The Book Tour Rolls On. Theresa was on tour in California this past week, speaking to a standing-room-only crowd at Stanford University, then at The Commonwealth Club, and many other venues. Theresa visits Washington and Virginia in May and then speaks in Denver, Chicago, San Francisco, and Fort Worth in June. See the events section below.

Media Spotlight. Theresa’s interview aired on Bloomberg Radio last week. She will be seen on San Francisco KCNS-TV on “Bay Area Week” on May 4th, and NBC-TV in Charlottesville, VA on May 10th.

The Buzzzz. “This is more than a self-help book. This book has proven steps for successfully pursuing passionate purpose. The strategies in this book are tried and tested. See for yourself.” Jack Covert, the CEO of 800-CEO-READ.

New Book Discussion Guide. You asked for it. Now the companion to Pursuit of Passionate Purpose is here to guide your continued growth — both personal and group. Learn more at: www.pursuitofpassionatepurpose.com.

The U in Sunflower

Passionate Pursuers — people who successfully find and pursue a worthwhile purpose with intense interest, enthusiasm, and dedication — have nine winning traits. Consistent with the bold flower on the cover of Pursuit of Passionate Purpose, each trait aligns with a letter in the word SUNFLOWER. For the next nine months, this newsletter will highlight a “Sunflower” characteristic. Take the Self Inventory in Pursuit of Passionate Purpose to assess how well you are doing with these traits.

U – curiosity. The U, which could also stand for YOU, depicts that Passionate Pursuers have curiosity to learn, explore, and discover. Albert Einstein said, “I am no different than everyone else, I just have great curiosity.” What helps you become more curious? People report that they:

• Explore internally by meditating, getting still, journaling, dreaming, praying, planning, and more.
• Explore externally by talking to people, changing their environment, and learning through reading, attending lectures, playing challenging games, watching TV and movies, listening to the radio, and doing research.

Consider Jacqueline Frischknecht who used education to transform a sometimes unhappy and boring life. She took a college course and became curious. As she continued her education, she moved over the years from an administrative assistant to a university professor specializing in accelerated learning. Dr. Frischknecht will soon release SIX new books.

When Life Gives You Lemons, Know the Recipe for Lemonade

When I was returning from the last business trip, my purse was stolen at the airport. My flight was cancelled. A pending contract did not come through, and I came down with a cold. Ugh, this was painful and I was suffering! How could I continue to enjoy the process? Was this a message to make some small midcourse changes or should I drop my purpose altogether?

Practical Pointers. When adversity strikes, it can be an opportunity to strengthen your passion and spirit.

• Surrender. Use the Allowing Strategy to reduce resistance and stop trying to control the uncontrollable. Consider meditation teacher Shinzen Young’s formula: Pain times Resistance equals Suffering. By reducing resistance, you become more flexible and pliable, like the wind or water, and ultimately are stronger. When resistance moves to zero, you can bring suffering to zero and thus withstand a difficult situation
• Attract. Hold a vision of what you do want and continue to attract it with positive thinking, affirmations, belief, and more.
• Learn. What can you learn from the situation? Perhaps the universe is bringing you a wake-up call as a signal to make changes now
• Persist. There will always be obstacles along the way. Do not give up. Just pause, regroup and make necessary midcourse corrections. Recall that winning Passionate Pursuers are like Sunflowers. In line with each letter of the word SUNFLOWER, they are O-optimistic and R-regenerative despite setbacks

Upcoming Public Events

Friday April 29, 2005. Fireside Chat with NAWBO Leadership Circle in Denver. 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM MST. By invitation only.

Wednesday May 4, 2005. Lunch presentation at the Colorado State University “Career Series” program for graduates in Denver. 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM MST. Contact Kate Pennella at kpennella@learn.colostate.edu for information.

Tuesday May 10, 2005. Keynote address for the Charlottesville Company of Friends in Charlottesville, VA. Open to the public, this free meeting is from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM at the Glenmore Country Club and includes a light supper provided through the generosity of sponsors. Visit: www.fastcompany.com/cof for information.

Wednesday May 18, 2005. Theresa facilitates a “Pursuit of Passionate Purpose” strategic planning workshop with leaders of an Episcopal Church in Colorado. By invitation only.

Saturday June 4, 2005. Keynote address at the Business and Professional Women / Colorado convention in Golden, CO in the afternoon. Open to the public. Contact Theresa at tms@tmsworld.com for information.

Be the BUZZZZ

Be a BUZZ AGENT about Pursuit of Passionate Purpose. A grass roots effort is the best way to build momentum. I need your help to spread the word. Invite me to speak for your associations and corporate meetings.

Don’t Just Wish for a Prosperous Year

TAKE ACTION! Know that you can become more curious and get more out of life. Let Technology and Management Solutions, the catalyst for your extraordinary results, help you and your organization thrive in these challenging times.

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.