October – To me October is figuring out how to get the most use out of my transitional clothes and dragging my heels on changing my closet; but that’s just me.  More so October is the decreasing of allergy symptoms and transitioning right into the coughing, sneezing and runny noses of colds and flu symptoms.  So many people seem to be sick with these conditions.  As all of that is uncharacteristically negative of me, I want to mention the gorgeous pageantry of fall colors as the leaves change, fun for kids on Halloween, and Columbus Day (12th). Among the more bizarre celebrations this month: Awareness month (that’s right just a holiday to be aware!) National Pizza Month, National Popping Popcorn month and Sarcastic month.  Among the more reasonable month holidays: Breast Cancer Awareness month, Adopt a Shelter Dog month, and Lupus Awareness month.  As for weekly holidays in October, Week 2 is Pet Peeve week.  My biggest pet peeve is intolerance.  What’s yours?  Let me know.

Welcome to Our New Members Chicago:  Shirley Hogsett, Destiny Speakers Bureau, Carol Shifman, CS Communications

Spotlight News for Blog – News About Our Members:  Pat Keegan, Schaumburg Do you know someone who is addicted to HGTV? Someone who wishes that they had become a professional interior decorator? Someone who has an eye for decorating? Patricia Keegan, Decor&You, has an opportunity for the right person to become an interior decorator! The selected candidate will enjoy exceptional mentoring and support while learning and preparing for a new career. Our educational program meets all the CIDI requirements for certification as an interior decorator and the chosen candidate will finish the program with eligibility for CID as well as practical skills, and a DecorDesigner position with Decor&You! DecorDesigners enjoy the independence of working from home, proven systems, over 300 of the industry's best vendors, and ongoing education and support in order to keep up with industry trends. Decor&You enjoys industry partnerships with upscale vendors such as Hunter Douglas Hunter Douglas offers additional training designed especially for us to become Certified Window Treatment Specialists. If you know anyone who would benefit from this unique opportunity, please contact me at pkeegan@decorandyou.com Michelle Harrison, Deerfield Michelle has written an article for our newsletter.  Here’s an excerpt: At Informed Training Solutions, we strives to present and help our clients use Evidence and Research Based methods to deal with change management in their organizations.  We frequently use the concept of motivational interviewing and motivational enhancement.  We do practical and hands on workshops in the above areas to help employees and managers use effective change management techniques to obtain positive results for their clients.  Informed Training Solutions President, Michele Harrison, has been working with the Department of Juvenile Justice train 2,500 institutional officers, counselors, teachers, nurses and doctors in the spirit and principles of Motivational Interviewing to improve communication and outcomes for the adolescents that reside in various correctional institutions in California.  To read more, click here,

Valencia Ray, Chicago Valencia has also written an article for our newsletter:  Here’s an excerpt: I launched my new website at www.ValenciaRay.com at the beginning of the September.  I have a FREE report available on “Managing Stress From The Inside Out!” that discusses a new paradigm for realizing what stress is and what causes it as well as a proactive, empowered approach to managing it.  I am continuing to work with my editor and publisher to complete the publication of my book later this fall.  The book combines leading-edge science with ancient wisdom principles to empower you to create your life by intentional design instead of by default.  I also had a print article published in Today’s Chicago Woman in September as well.  To read the rest of the article, click here.

Dawne Simmons, Glenview Here's a marketing tip for Optimal Level members.  Become a subject matter expert and get your name and/or business out as an authority.  Consider writing an article for www.ezinearticles.com.  It's a service that offers free articles to ezine publishers.  Will you get paid for your advice?  No, but you don't pay anything to get your tips, advice and counsel out into the world -- all with your byline and bio attached.  Check out the web site and be sure to pay close attention to the writers' guidelines.  The articles should be short, easy-to-read and offer practical information on your subject matter.  I've submitted my first article and await its acceptance for distribution. Shirley Hogsett, Chicago The following event has already occurred.  However, I wanted everyone to know that this is something Shirley is working on.  I am sure she will have other similar events we can look for in the future.  From vision to victory: Conference to show transformation is in the moment.  CHICAGO – Change is inevitable, transformation is optional. In this current landscape of political, professional, financial, social and economic instability, one thing remains clear: times are shifting.  In response to this shift, Destiny Speakers Bureau will host its first Seize the Moment…Transform your Life Conference on Saturday, October 3, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Willis Tower Conference Center. Aimed at providing guests with an alternative approach and perspective to transition, the conference will feature six renowned speakers who will share insight on what it takes to live one’s best life now. With over 25 years combined experience on holistic health, servant leadership, money mindset, reconnecting to one’s intended purpose and calling, and building your dream team, the conference will provide attendees with a roadmap that will assist them in seizing the moment while creating a plan that will take them from vision to victory.  Click here to meet our team of dynamic and transformative speakers.

Scott Hershinow, Glenview Scott has provided us with a very helpful article about seasonal reminders for you automobile.  Here’s the beginning of the article: Now that Fall is upon us, Duxler Complete Auto Care wanted to remind you that now is a great time to have your vehicle inspected and to perform important maintenance work. Before we know it, the Winter cold will be here and your cars, vans, and small trucks will be taxed by the extreme weather conditions typically found in Chicagoland.  To learn how to make your care safer, click here.

Kerri Nevin, Deerfield Please join Drs. Paul and Kerri Nevin for a seminar entitled, "How To Manage Your Special Needs Child Without Losing Yourself" on October 15th, 7-8:30 p.m. at Heart Light Psychological Services, 2201 Waukegan Rd. Suite #180, Bannockburn, Illinois. The focus of the discussion will be on helping parents of special needs children recognize that they need to take care of themselves physically, mentally and emotionally in order to effectively take care of their children. Unfortunately, many of these parents throw themselves into taking care of their children to the exclusion of caring for themselves. The result is often health problems, higher probability of emotional problems such as depression,  as well as an astronomical divorce rate. We will provide parents with information, skills and strategies that will improve their ability to take care of themselves while meeting the often intense needs of their special needs children.  Please RSVP to Dr. Paul Nevin or Dr. Kerri Nevin at www.HeartLightPS.com or call (847) 374-1234. Nettie Badgley, Lisle A couple of weekends ago, Nettie performed the National Anthem on main stage at the Last Fling in Naperville! She sang right before country sensation Jason Aldean took the stage with over 7,000 people in the audience! I heard she was awesome!  Congratulations, Nettie! Sue Cotch, Lisle Sue will be taking part in a type of holistic health fair on October 9 in Barrington.  Kerri Nevin will also be presenting her business and will be added onto the attached flyer soon.  Click here for the flyer and more information.

Tip of the Month - Instead of a tip this month, we have two requests: Selected Reading suggestions wanted Optimal Level is planning its selection of books for 2010.  We would so appreciate your suggestions.  Keep in mind we need non-fiction (mostly; at least books from which excerpts can be easily taken. We have chosen some autobiographies that have worked well.   We will strongly consider your suggestions and if they meet our requirements for excerpting, we will be happy to choose them.  Please help us out on this as we want to bring you selections that appeal to you. Blog Profiles – This feature on our Members Only for our members has been a popular one.  However, some of our members have not completed theirs.  If you need the form for doing so, please send a request to Sandy Roos, sandy@ineedashadow.com.  This is an excellent opportunity for marketing as well as a way for your sister and fellow members to learn what you do and see if they would like to engage your services or purchase your products.  Others have readily participated in this blog feature and we would like you to do so as well. Did you know we have a LinkedIn page for Optimal Level Members?  Join our LinkedIn group, post comments, ask questions, get answers, share stores, etc.!

Did you know we have a LinkedIn page for Optimal Level Members?  Join our LinkedIn group, post comments, ask questions, get answers, share stores, etc.!

Quote of the Month:  "For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else.”    --Sir Winston Churchill

Fact or Fiction? –  Only 1% of bacteria cause disease. (See the answer at the end of this newsletter.)

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The following sections appear in every Newsletter issue (which means you have read them already  - feel free to review).

Meet Another Member Program  - This is a wonderful way to network.  Who wants to meet another member?  Any one interested this month?  Go to the blog (get your password and user ID from your welcome letter or send email to Sandy,sandy@ineedashadow.com for it) and read all the profiles.  Decide who you would like to meet and let me know.  I will send an e-intro!
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Member Profiles – Remember, every member's profile is posted on www.womenbizpower.net.   Your User ID and Password are in the Welcome Letter you received in email soon after you joined Optimal Level.  If you cannot find this information, send a quick email to Sandy, a sister member and my wonderful assistant, sandy@ineedashadow.com, and she will give you this information.  This is another great way to read about all of your sister members and see if you would like to call or email her to have a conversation or get together.  An Optimal Level member mentioned to me recently that so many members have not posted profiles.  We keep asking for them.  Any suggestions how to coax those members to offer profiles?

Marketing -   Every member is welcome to market by mail, email, phone, etc. to each Optimal Level member.  Get the information by logging onto our member blog, www.womenbizpower.net.  Search here first when you want a new service or product.

Library – Would you like to borrow a book from the Optimal Level library?  Check it out on the blog and then send email letting me know which book you would like me to bring for you to your next meeting.  If you have a book out, please return it at the next meeting.

Monthly Readings – Want to get the book we are reading in future months at our Optimal Level meeting?  Go to our blog site and click on Monthly Readings.  

Referrals -   If you like Optimal Level and believe in the value you have received, please tell me who you know who would want to get the same kind of help, meet all of our members, and enjoy the camaraderie of the meetings.  Send me your suggestions along with contact information.  Perhaps you might like to call them first and let them know I will be calling them.  I so appreciate all of your referrals. Remember, 10% discount off your next enrollment if someone you refer joins Optimal Level

True or False Answer:  Fact – According to http://www.nicefacts.com/

Dear Optimal Level Members and Friends, Optimal Level members must be busy with projects and vacations; we haven’t heard too much from them. However, we still have an interesting newsletter. For good advice and helpful tips, read on. * Some good book suggestions from Schaumburg member, Rhonda * Branding your business with gifts   more »

Optimal Level members are busy people devoting time to charities, writing books, being featured as speakers. Read all about them in our July Newsletter. Many Optimal Level Members are having their Midterm Evaluations and offering referrals. If you would like to learn about a discount off your next enrollment,    more »

Optimal Level members are busy people giving to charities, being interviewed on radio shows, being featured in publications. Read all about them in our May Newsletter. Many Optimal Level Members are having their Midterm Evaluations and offering referrals. If you would like to learn about a discount off your next enrollment,    more »

In this Issue of our Monthly Newsletter, be sure to read Spotlight News about member special achievements, ways to help your sister members and special offers to Optimal Level members. Also in this issue:    more »

In this Issue of our Monthly Newsletter, be sure to read Spotlight News to find out about seminars and events offered by your sister members, to give a referral for one member, and to support them in their events and efforts.    more »

It doesn’t seem as if it is just me because I have heard many exclamations, such as “January’s over already?” Or, “Has it been only one month since the start of the New Year?” Boy, that tempis does fugit! Although I think I do keep the passing of time in mind as I go about my daily to-do’s and stay aware of my goals, yet the realization of a month gone by from this new year does make me feel that I have to stay focused on what I want to accomplish. Do you feel that way too?   more »

I think most of you would agree that the word “eventful” would be a good choice to describe 2008 – from suicide bombings, violence in wars and nations, the primaries, assassinations, credit crises, to Sara Palin, Olympics, massive job losses, foreclosures, first woman wins Indy race, typhoons, our first African-American President, floods, bail-outs, Blago and more and more and more. Even though many say our economic state looks bleak, I am getting the impression from many of my associates that they are very excited to have 2008 over and 2009 begin!    more »

Brrrrr – have you noticed that we hear many comments about the harshness of the cold and snow each year? Why is it we forget and feel such great impact from year to year? Hopefully, because we live in the moment and tend to forget the sensations from years past. In the vernacular of Martha Stewart, “That’s a good thing!”   more »

Even though our weather over the past few days has been especially beautiful and definitely remarkable, it is the political scene that is exceptional and must be a topic worth noting. I have been hearing a lot of excitement from many friends and acquaintances about this historic election. Democrats and Republicans alike recognize the impact that changing Presidents and administrations have on our country during these challenging times. I am writing this on Election Day so like all of you I look forward to the possibilities that lie ahead after this voting day.   more »

Is it me or do month’s fly by faster now than they have in the past? October - I think of October as the first month of wonderful, but crazy-causing holidays, the trilogy of Halloween (for those of us with young children) Thanksgiving and Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanzaa. Our past month has been a month of palpable anxiety with our political scene, exciting baseball teams, a bombardment of scary financial news, and the passing of a much-loved movie star. We will have more political debates, baseball playoffs, and Washington and Wall Street drama.   more »

I don’t know about you, but for me it is really hard to believe that summertime is almost at an end and fall so near at hand. September is one of my favorite months because like one’s oft repeated dream of being in a class and not having one’s homework assignment, when September comes I get that “gotta get my school supplies and brand new clothes” feeling. It’s a time for planning, new opportunities, re-energizing from the lazy summer, and it starts out in a great way: with a holiday, Labor Day.   more »