Just a like a plant that gets a new pot, I feel refreshed and expansive, and I was glad to share the energy with my parents this past weekend. Here we are at the Kingfisher Resort indulging in a little seafood buffet.

If you haven't given yourself the gift of a repotting lately, could there be a better time than now? Sometimes it can be fearsome to 'not know' what you'd do if you were to think differently or bigger.

So if I can convey something to you it's this:

Whatever you do, you can't get it wrong. (with thanks to Abraham)

What's notable about Anne's book is not only its content, but its beautiful design, full of Anne’s own artwork. She crafted it for individual sales and for use as a gift item when purchased in bulk by corporations.

Of course, in true Multiple Streams fashion, there is a pink spoon embedded seamlessly and elegantly within. Readers are invited to receive a complimentary 6-week ecourse to reinforce the concepts in the book. This technique is an excellent way to build a targeted mailing list and deepen the connection with fans without adding the burden of extra work.

Congratulations, Anne, on the launch of your beautiful new book and your skillful use of the Multiple Streams concepts!

This book is like a tapas experience of hundreds of powerful and provocative coaching moments. "Rise and Shine Anytime" is not so much a book you read as a resource you can dip into whenever you might be feeling stuck.

Michael Bungay Stanier http://www.boxofcrayons.biz
2006 Canadian Coach of the Year

In an astounding accomplishment, I am thrilled to announce that Dr. Vikki Brock has completed her Ph.D. dissertation titled "Grounded Theory of the Roots and Emergence of Coaching."

This 693 page document (including appendices and references) is the result of three years and 170+ interviews, and is now available for your viewing pleasure at The Foundation of Coaching's Research Repository. 

Pause just for a moment to let this sink in now would you? While the amount of research-based work in our field is growing, it still isn't 'every day' that a PhD concerning coaching is completed. 

Vikki says her intention was to ensure people are recognized and valued for their contribution to the coaching field. Bravo, Vikki, on this milestone of an accomplishment. 

We can hardly wait for the book version of your dissertation to be published very soon! 

New readers may not know that from 2000 to 2003 I had the privilege of working as General Manager of CoachVille and ThomasLeonard.com. When this oft-described 'father of coaching' died unexpectedly of a heart attack on February 11, 2003, now owner of CoachVille Dave Buck and I had a - very bad - falling out. You know, the kind of falling out that takes years to hit bottom and then another set of years to heal.

Five years later, I can say with a full heart that it's never too late to do just that - heal old wounds. If you know the story a little, I think you'll be delighted to hear the following quick and dirty (but heartfelt) recording where Dave and I begin talking publicly about what happened, and what we have planned for the future of Thomas' material and his life messages. Your feedback and requests towards this end are as always most welcome. :-)

I put this much better on the call itself, but let the record show, please, that I am truly grateful for this peace summit. And Dave? Can't wait to unveil our new project...thank you again.

Click here to listen to this very special (at least for me) episode of CoachVille Caffeine.

One shift in particular can be quite the challenge...

Key #1: Come to realize that your business is not yours; it's only on loan to you

YOU are *not* in control.

Whether you have children or not, you've likely heard the saying 'Children are not ours, they're only on loan to us.'

Somewhere along the path to seven figures, often comes the realization that the same thing applies to your business. It's a foundational piece of the journey.

Sooner or later, you, the CEO, Founder, President, Owner, or whatever title you hold, realize that you are not in control, and the business is in actuality *not* yours. It hits you between the eyes. And regardless of your spiritual beliefs or personal faith, let's see if this makes a kind of sense:

Your business is really only on loan to you to shepherd awhile.

Different business owners respond to this very differently, so pause a moment now to make a note...how does this Key strike you? As something true, and freeing? Or odd, and uncertain? Maybe something else entirely.

Well, let's say a little more. What does it mean, your business is only 'on loan' to you? Case in point is the real-life story of a multimillion-dollar business called CoachVille, founded by the late Thomas Leonard.

While I was working as General Manager for CoachVille, Thomas once said to me,

"Andrea, you're managing a multimillion dollar business for me now. I need for you to know I expect you to manage it, not control it."

As you know beyond a doubt, any business with substance on its way to significant financial success takes on a life of its own. This was definitely the case at CoachVille.

Thomas said,

"CoachVille is like a giant tiger, with a tail that thrashes around as it runs back and forth. Riding on its back, you can't control it, you can only ride with it and from time to time, you might be able to lean into it with one knee or the other. But whatever you do, if you try to control it, it will break your back."

Literally. I've personally witnessed business owners' backs being broken, and I'm pretty sure you can think of a few examples too, if you consider it a moment.

To apply this key to your own situation, ask yourself 'In what way am I trying to force my business in a certain direction?'

How can loosening my grip on it, and listening deeply to how it wants to grow, help me nurture my business in a vibrant and organic way?

As the owner of a business that inspires for a living, I know without a doubt that you are here to elevate the lives of people you serve. Now let me ask whether you're ready for your business
to coach you as well? Just think of it as the shoe on the proverbial other foot. :-)

When asked what Thomas' plan was, for CoachVille, or where he was headed, his answer was usually 'Nowhere' or 'Who knows?' But internally the way he described it was this:

In other words, we trust. And in trusting, fundamentally, did CoachVille grow as speedily and elegantly as it did.

So here's the essence behind the first Key to reaching 7 figures in business:

The more you stop letting your ego grow your business, a little or a lot, the more capacity, energy, drive and sustainability you will have access to. Letting go of control of your business in this manner takes courage. I think you'll discover that cultivating this courage and letting go of control is exactly the right (uncomfortable) thing to do at this juncture.

Now here are some questions for your use, as befits your circumstance, to tease out the the topic for you at this moment in time. I invite you to answer as many or few as you like in writing, right now by posting a comment to share your answers at the Money and Meaning Blog.

(1) What do you think that only you can do? (Tasks, projects, other parts of your business...) How can you reframe this and let go of what seemed un-let-go-able until now?

(2) What have you been saying no to, and what would happen if you said yes? Try saying yes instead, even if you don't know how it will unfold. Just try.

(3) Any given business can only grow as big as the person who is running it. Where can you grow as a person so your business can expand too? What three things can you do to step out of your business' way?

Do you know someone who's looking to join a team? Take on a 'j-o-b' with its attendant security but not the four-letter word kind? 

Heart of Business, Inc. is a (go figure) heart and spirit-based small business training company. They provide products and services to micro and personal-sized businesses, and...they're hiring. 

Side note: I've known Mark Silver from 'afar' for a very long time and happily encourage you to take a look - they are making serious money and meaning and are 'great people.' Here are some details about the role from Mark's announcement:

The perfect candidate for this Super Detail-Oriented Office Assistant/Manager will be someone who wants to grow with the company, be stretched, learn, and is willing to do a wide variety of tasks and projects to help us do that.

* We're not looking for virtual assistants.

We've already worked with virtual assistants, very happily. Our current virtual assistants, whom we love dearly and who will still be on-call for us, agree with us that we need more.

* This position has tremendous growth opportunity.

Heart of Business has too many opportunities, and not enough hands to get to them all. It's a blessing, and I'm humbled by it. And, if the right person can help us get to more of what's waiting, we're anticipating some solid opportunities for whomever we hire that goes beyond hourly wages.

Click here for more information and be sure to pass along to anyone you know in the Portland area.

Michael Port, author of Book Yourself Solid and Beyond Booked Solid, is offering professional coaches the opportunity to become one of only 20 Book Yourself Solid Certified Coaches in the world.

Here's everything you need to know about the Certification:

http://www.bookyourselfsolid.com/certification

As of Monday there were only 7 spots left. So, if you're interested, I encourage you to apply now. Michael's coaching network will funnel clients to you and give you a proven brand building system on which to
successfully build your own business.

Remember, an unlimited number of applications will be submitted but only 20 high potential coaches will be
selected. The sooner you apply, the quicker you can be accepted.

Go here now to quickly learn more and apply:

http://www.bookyourselfsolid.com/certification

In the 30 days since moving here from Calgary, Alberta, we've already BBQed seafood 3 times, discovered a perfect little lake within 10 minutes drive, had visits from raccoons, hummingbirds galore, rabbits and a heron. Quite the contrast I'll tell you from the prairies where it was a minor miracle if a single bird spent a single moment in our yard.

Suffice to say it's an embarrassment of riches, except...okay...I'm not at all embarrassed! Thanks for the well wishes. I'm happy the move is done, and terrifically curious at how life will unfold and what new me will emerge, from impossible to elegant, in this new environment.

Sharing documents during telephone meetings has become fairly commonplace, but it can still be rather expensive and complex to do so, not to mention adding webcams and all that razzle dazzle.

But if it were easy and inexpensive, would you dive in?

Enter Dimdim a no-fee web conferencing service where you can share your desktop, show slides, collaborate, chat, talk and broadcast via webcam with absolutely no download required for attendees. (Can you hear your technical help breathing a sigh of relief?)

All you need to make Dimdim work is a simple download installed on your hosting service, and then it is 'ready to go' when you are.

Imagine being able to show your clients, right then and there, examples of what you are discussing in a coaching session, online training or TeleSummit - be it websites, photos, videos or just you hamming it up. You could also use it with your various online groups and take communicating with your virtual assistants and JV partners to a whole new level.

Watch this space for an opportunity to test it here with the Creating What Matters community, in a future issue of this newsletter. And, once you've tried it, do let us know how it goes.

Yes, even with the move and all the changes in life recently, I'm still practicing towards coach certification from the International Association of Coaching.

As part of that process, I had the good fortune to interview Nina East, Master Mentor Coach & Lead Certifier for the International Association of Coaching, to pick her brain about how the certification process works, what to expect, why get certified anyway, and of course, some major inside skinny on the IAC 9 Coaching Masteries.

Nina may not have known it at the time, but I thought of this series as a sort of 'Examining the Examiners' and along with the 55 tracks Barbra Sundquist produced, Nina's wisdom has been invaluable in my studying.

Whether you're pursuing the CC (certified coach) designation right away or not, I particularly want to draw your attention to the third interview 'Secrets of the 9 Coaching Masteries™, one by one.' (65 minutes)

Click here to access the Certification Quickstart interviews for streaming or downloading.

And of course a giant thank you to Nina, for being willing to share your experience and expertise!

We hear from fans that the quirkiness of it - involving frogs, salad bowls and even your sex life - makes it an especially good companion in the summer, along with a hammock and some iced tea. In keeping with the above fable, the best learning sometimes happens when you're not trying so hard!

As a toast to a Summer of Money and Meaning for you, I'd like to revive three of our most popular - ever - classes that complement the book.

Purchase a copy of Money, Meaning and Beyond before June 20, 2008 and receive immediate access to the below classes via MP3 download. Perfect for your Ipod via hammock, wouldn't you say?

• How We Wrote (And Published) Our 2nd Book in 45 Days (And You Can Too)
• Thirty Ways to Get Your Mailing List To Respond (To The Benefit of Your Bottom Line)
• 10 Differences Between a Virtual Assistant Who Costs You Money and a VA Who Makes You Money

On the other hand, if you already have a copy of the book, but would still like to take advantage of the Summer of Money and Meaning Gift Offer, simply make a purchase from the Money and Meaning store here, also by June 20, and we'll be happy to send you the 3 downloads too.

Whenever a person becomes an expert in something, lots of benefits follow. If you've been creating what matters to you most as a business owner, you know this is true. But one of the downsides to soaking yourself in expertise is that sometimes things can feel very stale. You may find yourself asking:

• Not THIS topic again


• Please don't hire me to do a repeat on THAT


• They shoot horses you know!

In all seriousness, one of the questions I frequently dust off when I feel at all stale goes something like this:

If I had one last chance to say something on this topic, and then that was it for me, what would I say? I wrote the answer to that very question as pertains to marketing in an article for Choice Magazine, the magazine of professional coaching.

The full article containing:

3 Advanced Marketing Tips and Tricks, for Coaches Who're In It For the Long Haul as well as the

call recording elaborating on the same topic are now available to you, dear reader, as a courtesy from Choice.

I'm not sure how long they'll be available so grab them while you can and enjoy.

Oh and yes, print magazines like Choice are notoriously difficult to keep afloat - like restaurants, they suffer from a very high bankruptcy rate, so let me take this opportunity to give Choice a hearty bravo for their work, now in their third year. Bravo team! Keep up the great work.

On this occasion they've offered a $4 off coupon for you to use towards a print subscription this year. Good only for readers of Creating What Matters, claim the discount by entering in the following code at checkout.

The code? Here tis: pinkspoon

Now where again are the Top Marketing Tips I'd share if it was my last chance on earth to do so? Go here...

Anyone who quotes Marge Piercy's poem 'To Be of Use' in the opening pages of his book is a friend to me, and in this it just happens to be Howard Behar, the former President of Starbucks and expert coach.
This week, as part of the launch of his book 'It's Not About the Coffee: Leadership Principles from a Life at Starbucks,' I have the pleasure of joining Howard on a TeleSeminar where he will share candidly and informally about the ten principles that helped him create legions of raving fans of Starbucks AND make a difference in the world.

DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 19th at 3pm Eastern Time

COST: none, other than your own telephone charges

REGISTER now at : http://www.howardbeharbooktour.com

What's perhaps going to be most interesting is Howard's perspective on coaching. What language does he use to speak of it? What is coaching to him? And more - it promises to be a full and richly enjoyable call. Be sure to register even if you just want the recording to listen to later, okay?

The excavation of the basement is complete! The most onerous part of packing so far has been deciding what to keep, what to donate or recycle, and what to give away to a good home.

I have 6 items carefully kept from the donation pile that I think would be a welcome addition to almost any coach's library, and I'd like to ship them - on me - to the next 6 coaches who register for Option #2 or #3 at the TeleSummit.

Just go to the TeleSummit page to register, and when your receipt arrives in just after you're done, send it to andrea@andreajlee.com with your mailing address and selection and I will drive myself to the post office this weekend. Happy dance!

Please indicate your first and second choice of 'Andrea's Moving' Prizes (first come first served):

Dr. Wayne Dyer's The Secrets of the Power of Intention, Live Lecture 6-CD Set | Retail $59.95, HayHouse Special $45.

Hypnotherapy for a Millionaire Mind with Julie Dittmar produced by Peak Potentials Training | Not available outside of T. Harv Eker events, this is a lovingly replayed and personally treasured disc

Guided Marketing 101 Meditation CD only: Marketing and self-promotion the easy way by Suzanne Falter-Barns | Retail $37 but please note this is the CD only, for some reason I have two copies of this great little disc

Thomas Leonard's 28 Principles of Attraction Program, produced by Nightingale Conant, 7 CDs, 48-Page Workbook and Card Deck | Retail $89.95 [Two separate sets available]

Karla McLaren's Emotional Genius: How Emotions Can Save Your Life produced by Sounds True, 8 CDs | Retail $69.95

Call #1: Emerging Trends in Coaching: What's Changing in our Clients' Lives?
**Timely, Happening May 12th at 1pm Eastern with Andrea Lee and Jo Romano**

Microtrends are the small forces behind the big changes occurring in our society. As a coach, you will be particularly interested in exploring how the trends are impacting your clients' lives. You may find inspiration for targetted products and services, or perhaps the nugget of a new business altogether.

This call was led by Jo Romano and Andrea Lee in rollicking and rapid form on May 12th, and is also a taster call for the Leadership in Coaching TeleSummit. As such, it includes two 2-minute, respectful commercial breaks. :-)

Here is a link to the call recording for your listening pleasure:

Call #2: Desperately Seeking Virtual Assistants: Help for VAs
*With Cindy Greenway and Tina Forsyth*

To kick-off the 'Hot Skills VA Training Program' [6-weeks of intensive online training] my business partners Tina Forsyth and Cindy Greenway are leading an Open House call to reveal exactly what disappointed clients:

• want from a Virtual Assistant


• will and want to pay good, regular money for each month


• are saying in general about the Virtual Assistants they’re meeting and how they're missing the mark (so you can avoid doing the same)

DATE/TIME: May 21st from 100 to 155 PM Eastern / 1000 to 1055 AM Pacific.

If you're an aspiring VA or perhaps a VA looking to expand into a new market, this is your ticket! Register now - once again, no fee required to attend, other than your long-distance charges - at this link: http://www.hotskillsvatraining.com