Volume 4, Issue 13 | September 26, 2008
www.shift-it-coach.com | [email protected]

Welcome to your September SHIFT-IT e-Zine.

1. A Note From Christina
   
2. Events Calendar
3. In Your Words: Lisa Arora
4. Feature Article: Do You Consider Yourself a Cultural Creative?
5. Recent Blog Entries
6. More Links & Resources
   
   

Dear %$firstname$%,

Well, right now, while you read this, I’m doing something I’ve wanted to do for over 20 years!

This Friday and Saturday I’m hosting my own corporate strategic planning/visioning retreat.

Twenty years ago I dreamed of having my own company – something that would be aligned with my personal interests and values. Something that would be a solution and positive force in the world, in my own unique way.

I went on to study organizational development in grad school in the mid-90s. Then onto a career as a graphic recorder and facilitator --- helping organizations clarify their visions and plans and shift their cultures.

Now, finally, I have begun to build my own real business (instead of a just solo facilitation and coaching practice). It’s still small (me and three part-time team members) … but I’m determined to walk my talk as CEO and apply the practices that I know make organizations healthy and happy.

We’re starting our company retreat with some personality work to understand our natural preferences and ways of working. Then moving onto doing environmental scan work on SHIFT-IT Coach’s business environment. Then into visioning and developing a detailed two-year operations plan. I can hardly wait to get this all mapped out!

Plus I’m bringing in my local mentee, Lisa Arora, to be our graphic facilitator. Now I can finally sit back and have someone else draw my thinking out of me – what a luxury!

As for an article this issue … I just finished writing an article for inclusion in an upcoming Association of Web Entrepreneurs book (I’m one of their contributing experts). We were asked to write on a Future Trend of our industry. Since I’m in the ‘self actualization’ industry, I opted to write on the acceleration of the ‘Cultural Creative’ market. Chances are, if you are reading my e-zine, you are a Cultural Creative too. This article is written from an internet marketing lens (as that is what AWE is all about), so a bit more business oriented than what I usually write about. It’ll give you a glimpse of what has gone on behind the scenes of SHIFT-IT Coach, Inc.

See you next issue!

Christina Merkley,
The SHIFT-IT Coach

Nov. 5-8: Meeting Graphics 101 and The Graphic Bootcamp (level 1 and level 2 combo):  Yes, its true. This is the LAST EVER offering of my popular, inspiring and nurturing training in using interactive-graphics in group settings.  Learn the base underlying skills for graphic recording and graphic facilitation, no matter what level of artistic ability. Plus all the inside scoop on marketing, business development and personal mindset... for both internal and external consultants, facilitators, trainers, etc.  Let my over 14+ years experience live on thru you!  More Info  Sold Out... Huge Waitlist

Fall & Early New Year: Private Graphic-Skills Training:  There are just two blocks left in my fall calendar for you to schedule a one-to-one training with me to be privately mentored in graphic recording and graphic facilitation skills.  Due to interest and demand I have decided to extend this option into the New Year.  You’ll want to book your dates now (up to 6 months in advance... easy pay-ment plans available).  My current ra-tes are extremely reasonable, but please consider yourself notified that they will be increasing significantly in January.  Please contact [email protected] to schedule an exploratory interview.  Click here for More Info. 

In Your Words: Have news and testimonials to share about the results of your SHIFT-IT experience?  Just send us a brief blurb with your photo to share your news with the SHIFT-IT community. 

WHY SAVVY WEB ENTREPRENEURS WILL FIND EVEN MORE OPPORTUNITY IN THE GROWING ‘CULTURAL CREATIVE’ MARKET

Social demographers and researchers have been tracking the emergence of a new category of people in the last 50 years.  Known by several labels (‘cultural creatives’ ‘integrals’ and ‘greens‘) this group of 50 million (25% of the adult population in North America and an additional 80-90 million estimated in Europe) is unique for their shared interests in ecology/global awareness, social justice, self-actualization, spirituality and self-expression.

If you aren’t personally one of these people, then chances are they surround you or they are entering your periphery in growing numbers.  Sociologist Dr. Paul Ray and co-author Sherry Ruth Anderson (Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People Are Changing the World) have been tracking this group for the last 15 years and believe it is still in a phase of accelerated growth.  That a deep shift in culture is occurring as an immense group of people change their minds and unite around a broad set of values.

Today’s dominant culture (coined ‘Moderns’) that primarily prizes money, materialism and status, is in decline, and Cultural Creatives are on the upswing.  However, very interestingly, this shift from a modern mindset to a culturally creative one can take individuals at least a decade to personally navigate and to bring their lives in alignment with their beliefs and values.  So, take note — many, many people are still progressing through this state of transition and will continue to for years to come.

Read the Rest of the Article Here

© 2008 Christina L. Merkley

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this blurb with it:

Christina Merkley, "The SHIFT-IT Coach" and creator of the SHIFT-IT Method® is a Visioning and Strategic Planning Expert specializing in Graphic Facilitation and Law of Attraction techniques. Based in charming Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, she works deeply with individuals, partners and groups in defining and getting what they really, really want. For more information visit: www.shift-it-coach.com

Looking for more rich, SHIFT-IT content? Check out my blog for recent ramblings, resources and general interest features:

• New Videos Up on YouTube!
• Trend: Continued Growth of the Cultural Creative Market
• Come Join Me in Mexico!
• In Your Words: Sabrina Dove
• Are You the Pack Leader of Your Vision?
• A Note from Christina
• SHIFT-IT’s Shaky U-Stream Debut

Besides the Blog, there are plenty of articles to read in the Ezine Archives. Browse past issues here.

Click Here to Read SHIFT-IT Blog

Ready to bust out of your status quo? Want to take things up to your next level? Curious how to really apply those Law of Attraction principles you have been hearing about for REAL effect?

Let's work together - by phone or in- person (in my charming Victoria BC studio). I'll get you to see and understand how you are currently creating your reality and bust you through the barriers, self sabotage and limiting beliefs that keep you stuck and locked in your status quo. Through our powerful work together you will systematically attract what you really want (better work, improved relationships, healthier body, enhanced prosperity - whatever it is that you want and need to shift for the better!). See testimonials from my many satisfied clients.

Info on Coaching Options

Can't travel to me? Want to experiment with the SHIFT- IT work on your own? Now Graphic Coaching tools right at your fingertips. Conduct your own SHIFT-IT Graphic Coaching Retreat® - from the privacy of your own home. Your life isn't a dress rehearsal. In fact, its happening right NOW. Is it going the way you want it to? Do you know what you next want? Are you sure you can do it? Get organized and confident with the step-by-step SHIFT-IT Graphic Coaching system.

In this innovative kit, I walk you through your past, present and desired future, so you can plot out your directions and strategies. You also pinpoint and flip the negative beliefs, assumptions and mindsets that stand in your way - to stop sabotaging yourself and your dreams. SHIFT-IT has already helped hundreds live life by design, not by accident. Learn how it can help you too!

More Info

Visit the Association of Web Entrepreneurs today and learn from the top industry experts on the Internet (including yours truly)! Membership includes over 30 educational programs, a resource library, monthly expert teleseminar (audio and transcript), discounts off many products and services, free promotion on their Blog, connection to a global network, and much more! Click here now and get their free eReport, 10 Mindsets Web Entrepreneurs Must Have To Succeed!

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