August 26th, 2008
Maui, Hawaii
Maui County Business Resource Center - 808-873-8247

Speaking is an essential business tool, whether you have an audience of 1 or 1,000. When you are in front of a group, you have the opportunity to position yourself as an expert in your field.
Susan Kim will teach you how to capture your audience’s attention and deliver a clear, powerful message to your audience. Learn tools to feel confident and comfortable with your delivery.

Gain confidence, speak your mind and position yourself as the expert!

I’m rounding out the month’s “Tips for Vacation” with some ideas for inexpensive, fun activities. Whether you’re traveling alone or with a family, vacation activities often can be costly. Here are some things you can do that are easy, fun and inexpensive!

1. Museums and Cultural Events. Most cities have a museum or host cultural events throughout the year. These are fairly inexpensive to get in and can entertain you for the whole day! My recommendation is to pack a light lunch so you do not have to spend money on the food and drink, which could get expensive here as well.

2. Go outdoors! Look for public parks in the area – even if you’re in an urban setting, you will find parks for picnicking, hiking, fishing and even camping! These are inexpensive activities fun for the whole family!

3. Go indoors! With Game Day! I remember a trip to Costa Rica with my husband, we were rained out of the surf, so we spent a couple days inside with our beer, cards and board games. It was so much fun! If you’re with a group of people, try an “Olympics” with the different games you have access to. A little healthy competition livens things up!

Hope the tips throughout the last weeks have helped with your vacation planning. Maybe it’s even inspired you to plan your NEXT vacation! For right now, however,. . .
What ideas do you have for some fun, inexpensive vacation activities?

Next month, look out for me featured in the Compass MAP(TM), “Taking Care of Self.” In it, I will lead you through some ways to achieving better balance, improved health and happiness! This is definitely a Self Care program you do NOT want to miss!

Make Happiness Yours,
Susan

Technorati Tags: inexpensive activities, travel, vacation, museums, outdoor activities, indoor activities, family vacations, travel tips

A friend, who also happens to be a mortgage specialist, sent me her newsletter with some great information, “How to Select a Pet Sitter.” I believe the original information came from a site called RISMedia which has various information for professionals in the Real Estate industry.

This information was very pertinent to me because I have a dog and a bird and when I go away for more than a few days at a time, I’d like to make sure they have someone reliable to care for them. They’re a part of the family and I want to make sure that they not only get their food and water, but they get the playful attention and exercise they need.

Here are the 10 steps they mention (in summary):

1. Ask friends, neighbors and family for suggestions. Sometimes a reliable and trustworthy sitter is right under your nose.

2. Ask local professionals such as pet-groomers, veterinarians and pet clubs. They are a great source of information.

3. Ask other professionals you hire, such as a housekeeper or landscaper. They may know someone OR they may be willing to do some side work and take care of your pet while you’re away. If your pet already has a good relationship with this person, it’s an added bonus!

4. Follow Up Recommendations. Word of mouth recommendations often indicate that the Pet Sitter is good, so follow up on others’ referrals.

5. Interview your potential pet-sitter and keep an eye on how they interact with your pet(s). These first signs can be a vital sign to you as to how they treat your pet while you are away.

6. Observe YOUR pet(s) reactions to the potential pet-sitter. Is your pet happy? Agitated? Angry? Calm? Skittish?

7. Ask questions. You deserve to know the level of expertise and experience of your pet-sitter. Some sample questions include: Have you done pet-sitting before? For what type of pets? Do you have other pets you are currently sitting? Do you have a set time for visiting pets that you care for? How long do you spend? Do you understand the dietary requirements of my pet(s)?

8. Ask for references. Contact or meet their references if possible.

9. Test your own feelings. Did YOU feel good with the sitter? Do you feel you can trust this person with your pet? Trust your instincts. If you are not pleased, keep looking.

10. Agree on a fair price. This is not the time to haggle. Be aware of the going rate for pet-sitting in your area and be prepared to pay it. Some may charge more for quality care, but in return, you can ask for a written confirmation of obligations the pet-sitter must meet.

Once you’ve found your pet-sitter and you feel confident, before you leave, prepare a checklist of daily tasks that the pet-sitter can check off each visit. This will help ensure they remember each step, particularly if there is medication or special dietary requirement involved.

Hope that helps with your search.
If you have some other tips to find pet-sitters, let us know. Simply comment on this blog to share.

Next week, I’ll share “Tips to Save Money on Vacation”

Make Happiness Yours,
Susan

Technorati Tags: finding pet-sitter, taking care of pet, vacation, tips for travel, resource, information

July 2, 2008 Show:
“Talk Story with SCORE” Where We Support Akamai Business.
Maui’s ONLY monthly radio show that offers an informative half hour of business information and resources in the state of Hawaii focusing on the county of Maui. Hear business advice and shared experiences from local business resources, SCORE counselors, and business owners who have successfully started a business with the help of SCORE.

July 2, 2008
Host: Susan Kim, SCORE counselor and Life Coach/Professional Trainer
Guests: David Fisher of Hawaii Small Business Development Center

Click on “Audio Programs” to hear the previous months’ shows.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!
At least for those of us who live in the United States and celebrate this holiday. Other than the freedoms and the patriotic feelings I get as a proud American, I also think of summer, sunshine, BBQ’s and VACATION!

Last year I wrote an article, “Get Lost - Vacationing with Intention“about the importance of intention and getting the most out of your vacation. I still consider this relevant and encourage you to check out that article to put you in the right mindset for your time off.

However, this month I’m going to focus on various vacation tips I want to share with you so you can prepare, plan and make your vacation as painless and pleasurable as possible.

In the coming weeks, you can learn about:
Tips to Finding a Pet Sitter
Tips to Save Money on Vacation
Tips to Inexpensive Activities

Come back throughout the month and visit to get the most recent Tips update.

Today, however, I’ll share how I prepare for my vacations. The first step for me is to create a checklist of: (1) what I need to do NOW, before I go, (2) what I want to do DURING the trip and (3) what needs to be taken care of while I’m away. This gives me an opportunity to organize my thoughts and even dream a little about my vacation.

(When I was planning for my New Zealand trip, it gave me a chance each evening to do a little online research about where I wanted to go and what I wanted to see. That was a fun process!)

TAKE ACTION TOOL!
Here are some steps to organize and prepare for your trip.
A. List out the To-Do’s that are on your mind and everything you need to plan your time.
B. Separate them into 4 categories:

(1) VACATION :
Things you want to do during your time away - sight-seeing, restaurants, tours, etc.
My recommendation is to keep the whole list, but prioritize the activities and make sure you plan your top #1 and #2 activities. In the long run, it will also help you on your vacation because you will have already decided what is important to you to do. Include your whole family on this exercise so you’re all on the same page.

(2) PACKING:
Everything that you ABSOLUTELY need on the trip.
Remember, most places that you’re traveling to will have things like shampoo and conditioner, which can add weight to your luggage (which you might have to pay for now!). My recommendation is to pack light, leaving extra room for things that you want to bring home, like souvenirs!

(3) HOME:
Things that need to be taken care of BEFORE you leave, like holding the mail, stopping the newspaper delivery, putting the sprinkler on a timer, etc.
The checklist is handy to keep for when you RETURN and want to resume service.

(4) WORK:
Things that need to be handled BEFORE you leave as well as preparing for project maintanence while you’re gone.
Most people prepare their work fairly well before a trip, but oftentimes will check voicemail or email while on vacation. As an added challenge, prepare as if you will be out of communication with the office for your entire trip. You might be amazed at how well you can prepare for your own absence. . . AND it will also give you a totally work free vacation - isn’t that what a vacation is about anyway?!?!

Organizing and listing thing out helps to plan and prepare so you can fully enjoy your time off. Also, it can help to keep you positive with a little vacation dream in sight each day.

Check back for more TIPS in the coming weeks.

Make Happiness Yours,
Susan

Technorati Tags: independence day, travel, vacation, tips, saving money

July 19th at 6pm - July 20th at 6am
War Memorial Stadium, Kahului

Join us for this annual event where we Celebrate the survivors, Remember those we have lost and Fight Back! against cancer through education, advocacy, research and services.

If you are unable to join us for this event, feel free to make a donation.
For more information visit Susan’s Relay page.

Who do you think are the happiest people in the world?

Would you believe the Danish?

On a recent flight to California, I watched the CBS Eye on AAmerica video that was airing on the plane. The “60 Minutes” piece they showed was about Happiness, so of course my ears perked up immediately. . .

Adrian White, an analytic social psychologist at the University of Leicester developed the first “World Map of Happiness” and ranked Denmark as the happiest nation in the world. This has prompted other academics to do some research of their own to answer the question of WHY.

Ultimately happiness manifests in our lives through purpose and pleasure.

Two main points in the WHY research that I would like to share here:

Have Moderate Expectations - Be Realistic :
The Danish have moderate expectations, so the pressure is off. When something does turn out spectacular, then they are very grateful for it. Compare that with our standard American view where everything needs to be great or outstanding. With those kinds of demands, not only is it unrealistic at times, it’s also very difficult to achieve. When expectations are too high (or unrealistic) and they are not met, people feel a sense of failure which leads to low self esteem, a feeling of discontentment, stress and overall unhappiness.
You can have moderate expectations and still excel greatly in what you do.

Ask yourself: What are your expectations of yourself? Are they realistic?
A suggestion is to start thinking about having HIGH STANDARDS vs. EXPECTATIONS. With Expectations there is a sense of anticipation or looking for something that might happen. With High Standards it is a model or example by which you live and achieve.
A second suggestion, Be Grateful - Honor the Blessings in Your Life.

Do Less - Stay Present:
Americans tend to try to fit in too much. Do Less. Tal Ben-Shahar noted in a study comparing American and European women, it was shown that American women do not particularly enjoy spending time with their children. It wasn’t because they loved their children any less, in fact often children was one of the most important things in their lives. When the researchers dug deeper, they realized that when the women were with their children, they were not really WITH their children - they were not present. Instead they were thinking about what they needed to do next, on email or on the phone. In essence their mind was somewhere else and they were not able to fully enjoy the time spent with their children.

Ask youself: Do you do so much that you do not enjoy the important things in your life?
A suggestion is to simplify your life, do less, choose the important things in your life and be absolutely present with those things.

We certainly can learn something from the Danish and why they are the happiest country in the world, but I believe:

Everyone defines happiness based on what is important and meaningful to them, so achieving happiness in your life is simply a matter of choice.

Make Happiness Yours,
Susan?

Technorati Tags: happiness, Tal Ben-Shahar, Adrian White, expectations, stay present

Have you ever seen a real live glacier?
It’s an incredibly awe inspiring experience. To think that this is water flow from the Ice Age, is absolutely amazing! Seeing the glacier from the outside is beautiful - it looks like a river, frozen in time. But then when you travel further inside, you find cracks and crevices that are filled with stories and experience that reveal even more about the glacier’s “personality.” What a wealth of history trapped in the ice. If only the glacier could talk! What did it experience yesterday that effects how it is today?

Much like the glacier, oftentimes there is rich beauty, history and experience within people that we do not readily see. These stories are hidden behind a protective shell or perhaps takes time to be uncovered. When we make the effort to understand people’s history, their perspective, then WE grow, WE learn, WE are enriched. Doing so also strengthens bonds through better understanding and develops a relationship to a deeper level.

I can’t help but think about the benefits in business when we understand the story of our clients, our vendors, our colleagues. The knowledge not only brings a new insight in order to provide improved service, but it also naturally creates a deeper level of trust.

Relationships built on trust and understanding – whether in business or in personal life – certainly makes life easier. Isn’t that what we’re all looking for?

TAKE ACTION! TIP:
Just like the glacier, there is an abundance of beauty under the surface of each person we encounter. Take time to discover and understand the hidden stories behind the people in your life.
I would love to hear your stories about this.
Comment on this blog or write to me at info@susankimcoaching.com about support, encouragement and inspiration in YOUR life.

Make Happiness Yours,
Susan

Technorati Tags: perspectives, understanding, relationships, trust, glacier, hidden stories, history

In Kaikoura we swam with the dolphins! Not in a tank or a huge pool – we swam with the dolphins on THEIR terms, in THEIR natural setting – the Pacific Ocean.

The staff donned us with our wetsuits and snorkel gear, drove us out into the middle of the ocean where we found a pod of about 100 dusky dolphins. We jumped off into the middle of the swimming pod and did our best to grab their attention, with the staff’s recommendations – making funny noises, diving (as dolphins would), swimming and trying to catch their eye. At first I was skeptical that their suggested methods would work – how could WE get THEIR attention and entertain THEM? Then we caught the attention of our first dolphin and my husband flipped, spun and held their eye contact. . . it worked! They spun right along side of him!
I thought, “This is amazing! We’re actually communicating with them by speaking THEIR language!” And it made sense. We’re in their environment, so it only makes sense that we adapt our communication style to how they would understand us. Once we did, the interaction was a lot easier and mutually entertaining and fun.

TAKE ACTION! TIP:
When you find yourself in a new setting, a new environment or amidst strangers, feel more comfortable by learning to speak THEIR language. Do this by asking them questions and listening. Everyone has their own personal “language.” Once you open up to that language and start relating, in no time you’ll find that you’re interacting more easily and building a solid relationship.

Make Happiness Yours,
Susan

Technorati Tags: communication, meeting new people, perspectives, dolphins, communication lessons, interaction, adapting, relating

There is nothing like taking a two week trip – without email, cell phone, laptop. Can you say. . . “AH!”

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my laptop and the convenience of all of my electronic tchotchkes, but I realized that time doesn’t stop without them. . . REALLY! And in fact, time did not have a problem moving quickly without them either - time flew!

Fittingly, I spent the technology deficient weeks in gorgeous New Zealand where the rolling green hills, the beautiful glaciers and the grazing sheep represent a pure land without the amenities of modernization. If you want a flavor of New Zealand, check out the movie, Lord of the Rings. Much of the movie was filmed in director’s Peter Jackson’s homeland of New Zealand and they did not even need cgi to enhance it.

My husband and I rented a camper van and got back into nature and how inspiring it is! Believe it or not it was not only personally and emotionally inspiring, but it was also professionally inspiring, giving me great energy and motivation for business. Just imagine the clarity of thought swimming with dolphins, walking in glacier country and seeing the nocturnal migration of penguins. Naturally awe inspiring.

Imagine being dropped into the middle of 100 dolphins swimming. . . and trying to entertain THEM to get their attention! Inspired me to build better practices of communication. . . read how next week!

Next week – “Swimming with Dolphins”
Make Happiness Yours,
Susan

Technorati Tags: inspiration, travel, New Zealand, energy, self care, motivation, communication, clarity