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, read on.
  • Linda’s Tip of the Month for some inexpensive methods to market your business.
  • Of Interest To You – See the notices about some interesting programs you might want to attend.
  • Names and companies of our newest members
May – The merry month of May and its promise of spring, filled with high spirits about the upcoming pleasant weather to finally end the drudgery which dominated our winter this year.  Hopefully that helps us get into a mood for hope of the new to come whether that is in our personal or business lives.

This month starts us out with a somewhat unknown holiday of ancient origin, observed on the first day of May.  May Day has been set aside to commemorate the labor movement in many countries around the world.  Next comes Cinco De Mayo, on May 5th, celebrating a previous century’s Mexican army defeat of a French enemy.  We all appreciate the opportunity to honor our mother’s on Mother’s Day, and to recognize those who served our military along with a chance for hot dogs and picnics on Memorial Day.  If those don’t grab you, you might instead focus on Family Wellness Month, Heal the Children Month, or Clean Air Month.
Welcome to our New Members:

Lisle:  Angie Noll, Norita Co. and Nettie Badgley, Monarch Marketing
Schaumburg:   Rhonda Spenner
Spotlight News about our Members: 

Cosette Yisrael., Harmoni Group – Chicago
Kudos for Cosette who will be doing a triathalon in June for The Leukemia and Lympoma Society.  For your chance to learn more about it or to contribute, click here.
Donna Smith Belligner – Chicago
Donna is our Outcomes Specialist, helping individuals and companies get results.   She has accomplished so much this year.  Visit www.groupendeavors.com to download her new eBook “Why didn’t that work”.  She has also been popular with the media: Download her interview on the Nora Klaver’s “Bare Naked” radio program or once on her website, click on In The Media to hear her interview on the Sandra Yancey (Founder an CEO of e-women Network) show.  Donna,  we are so proud of you!

Leah Richter, Richterworks – Glenview
We were having our book discussion at our April Glenview meeting, and Leah said something that the rest of us really liked.  We all asked her to repeat it so we could write it down. It’s about one’s willingness to take criticism and we think it is quote worthy.  So for the benefit of all, this is what she said: "A wise person is someone who realizes they are gifted by criticism."  Leah Richter

Michele Harrison, Informed Training Solutions, Inc. - Glenview
Thanks Michele for sending us the news about the non-profit Workshop for any Optimal Level members interested in this topic.

Pat Keegan, Décor & You - Schaumburg.
Patricia Keegan, as part of a nationally sponsored Décor &You program, is accepting donations for the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Donors who give at least a $25 donation will be rewarded by Décor &You with coupons worth up to $6,000 to create their own Spectacular Home. You can reach Pat at 847-490-8888 for more information.
Theresa “TJ” Hughes, REO Movers – Chicago
How exciting!  TJ is featured in the Women’s History Month issue of the publication, Bulletin.  It’s a great story and you don’t want to miss it!  (click here)   Bravo, TJ.

Valencia Ray, Core Confidence Coaching – Chicago
Vallencia told me about a program she is enjoying and we appreciate her sharing it with us.  “We are living in changing times and with change can come discomfort.  The more informed and aware you are, the more empowered you become.  I am interested in unfolding into my personal best and creating a life that I love.  I have transitioned from practicing medicine (eye surgeon) for over two decades, to helping people to build their confidence from the inside out, using a holistic approach - Spirit, mind and body.  With a background in Neuroscience, I can tell you that not only is everything energy - yes, everything is energy - but that in order to be our best, we have to learn how to manage our thoughts, feelings and emotions.  Emotions are literally trapped in our bodies if we are not aware of suppressing our feelings and stress and fear not only impact your health, but they will impact your ability to attract abundance.  I am currently taking a "crash course" and releasing subconscious blocks, as our thoughts and feelings are energy, and the energy that we carry influences our experiences in life.  This is no longer "woo-woo" philosophy, there is plenty of science to back it up.  I am in a course called 40 Days and 40 Nights (For an archive of free interesting radio interviews visit their website www.EverythingIsEnergy.com), and after only 3 days, I am seeing amazing results.  For one example, Linda can tell you that today (May 1, 2009) I won the raffle for a private wine tasting party for up to twelve people.  Historically, I am so rarely a winner of raffles.  This is no coincidence.  As you change the way that you think and feel, and release negative beliefs that block your prosperity, you will change your experiences in life.  I use science in my coaching to explain how this works.  Life is a Mirror and the key is to empower up so that you can play big to win at life and create a life that you love.  You can thrive instead of just trying to survive.  The key is to learn how to build your confidence, from the ‘inside out!’”

Linda McCabe, Facilitator - Optimal Level
“Feeling Great About Social Media Networking” – that’s the title of the seminar Amy Riley, Shoop Consulting and VP of the Optimal Level Corporate Program, Sue Monhait, Basket Thyme, and I are bringing to you on the afternoon of Friday, June 26th in the Rosemont area (no location chosen at this time).  This seminar on social media networking does not just advise you how to use these sites, it helps you with deciding if you want to use them, how to find the time to use them, how not to feel overwhelmed about using them, etc.  Keep your eyes peeled for our invitation.  If you know anyone who would be interested in sponsoring this event, please have them call me at (847) 419-9300 or send email to Linda@OptimalLevel.com.
Of Interest to You

A friend of mine, Scott Hershinow, is the Marketing Director at Duxler Tire, www.DuxlerTire.com, a car service and repair shop with five North Shore locations.  I know they are particularly caring and helpful to their women clients.  I have chosen two articles from their blog site which I think are relevant to women and you might find useful.  If you would like to read more of their blogs, click here: www.duxlertire.blogspot.com.
Tip of the Month:  Being Heard

First, one of our Optimal Level members although being grateful for making great progress with our meeting format, bemoaned the fact that she doesn’t feel she is getting to say all that she would like to say.  One of our recently enrolled members talked about not feeling heard at her previous company.  While doing research for a book, I am hearing many corporate women expressing concern about not being appreciated or being taken seriously.

Congress recently passed a bill for women to get equal pay for the same jobs, and this is terrific.  Yet, there is progress still to be made about women being and feeling heard.

First, for Optimal Level members – we are all aware that if we let our natural inclination for free talk have sway, we’d wouldn’t get back home at a reasonable hour for our families, our work, or our needed sleep.  Here are some tips that may help you:
  1. At meetings, when it is time to focus on your topic, break your time into these steps:

    a.  Review what has happened with your action plan

    b.  Talk about the situation at present; what is the status of your issue

    c.  Get input from the group to help us create a solution and a plan.

  2. If something is bothering you or if you just want to toss something out to get opinions, take advantage of our contact information on our blog site.  Call other Optimal Level members who will be happy to hear from you and glad to offer any insight they have.
  3. If you are in pain, confused and would like clarification on something, call me for a brief chat or arrange to use one of your two free hour coaching sessions
In general, for women wanting to be heard at work, here are some tips which may be of help.
  1. One of our members, Tracey Samlow, Deerfield, who will soon be facilitating her own group in Evanston, gave me a formula that she says has helped her a lot.  She says when you have something on your mind that is bothering you, tell three friends or other people and move on.  She told me it helps you get it off your chest, feel that you have been heard, experience working through the problem by expressing it, and then it helps you get unstuck so that you can spend your time productively.
  2. Don’t stay late at work, don’t try to do more than others do, don’t gladly accept any worked thrown at you thinking this will get you noticed or endear you to the powers that be.  Absolutely express one hundred percent commitment to your work and when you do a great job at something, make it known!  Tell bosses, co-workers everybody about it.  Not that you are bragging; you are sharing a solution, something of valuable to the company.
  3. Figure out who you can talk to.  Carefully observe where to bring concerns and suggestions so that you look like a team player working hard for the good of the company.
Finally, listen to others more and notice soon how others begin to hear you more.
Quote of the Month:  “It is the province of knowledge to speak and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen.”  Oliver Wendell Holmes
Fact or Fiction? – Scientists have identified only 4,000 different viruses, a fraction of the estimated 400,000 believed to exist on Earth. (See the answer at the end of this newsletter.)
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:  True  Source:  All Species Foundation