Welcome to ART OF CONVERSATION
Options Alive and Learning2gether.com newsletter
Issue #1 January 2001
Copyright (c) 2001 Bronwyn Buck
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In This Issue
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1. Welcome
2. Reflection
3. Conversations
4. Learning
5. Learning2gether.com TeleLearning schedule
6. How to Subscribe/Unsubscribe 
7. About Options Alive and Learning2gether.com

1. Welcome 
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Welcome to each and every one of you to the very first edition of Art of Conversation.
Throughout my life I have had many wonderful times that have conversation as the common ingredient. Whether it was been able to share a special moment with another person such as watching the sun rise with all the glorious colours, or communicating with words and actions with my young son or working with colleagues, customers and suppliers to achieve a common goal or sitting around the cafe solving the issues of the world with friends.
From the many conversations I have had, I have learnt a lot.
Hence I see and feel that there is an art to conversations that each of us can develop.
Just like a painting the conversation has a background and characters or objects are added to the painting in a variety of colours and texture and shape.
Just like music a conversation can flow serenely or be chaotic and fast flowing with changes in tone and pitch and volume.
Each month I will share with you my thoughts and others on conversation and learning.

2. Reflection
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You always have a choice, even when it seems you don't.

3. Conversations
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Conversations are an art form in that the people involved in a conversation take on the role of speaker or listener. Each of us listens and speaks in a way that is unique to ourselves. When we listen we filter what we hear via our past experiences, our beliefs and values. Being truly a part of a conversation ie staying present to the other is a skill that we can develop.
It is very easy to fall into the trap of thinking about what I am going to say next rather than listening to what the other person is really saying.
Conversations can happen anywhere from around the coffee machine at work, to standing in the queue at the supermarket check out to around the table at meal time.
When we listen beyond what we think people are going to say next, some magic happens. All of a sudden the conversation flows and one is left with a feeling of connection, if only for a moment.
Being heard is not only a gift but it is also a way to build trust and a relationship.
Take time to really listen to someone and observe their reaction and your own.

4. Learning
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I describe myself as a lifelong learner. I used to ( and at moments still do) expend a lot of energy over things that did not go as I planned or expected them to happen. Once I chose to take time to reflect on what I was feeling and why and what did I learn from the experience then it felt like a load been lifted off my shoulders. I had read all the books and knew the concept but until I actually put it into practice then little happened. I can now laugh at things rather than cry or rage.
From the time we were born we have been busy learning new skills and having experiences. 
There is a saying that I like, the more I know the less I know. For me this is not about just accumulating knowledge but keeping an open mind. Sharing knowledge with others is great, but how the other person puts it into action is their choice of time, place and method.

5. Learning2gether.com schedule.
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For the last 2 years one area I have been exploring is learning with others via a telephone call. It is similar to a teleconference in that the technology is the same but the focus of the call is to learn with each other about a topic that everyone is interested in. An environment of trust and respect is created so that learning can occur from each and everyone on the call. I have worked with people from various parts of the world on the one call. A wonderful feeling of a global community develops on the calls.
TeleLearning sessions scheduled for January include: 
NB. All sessions are free apart from the cost of a telephone call to the USA at each persons expense.
For more information go to www.learning2gether.com

Advantage Changer Jan 10 at 8 AM Australian EST (USA time Jan 9 at 4 PM ET)
Lost count of the number of changes happening in your life? Explore how to learn from and take advantage of change.

Activate your New Year Resolutions Jan 10 at 11 AM Australian EST (USA time Jan 9 at 7 PM ET)
Have you set your New Years resolutions? Do you want a strategy that will assist you to fine-tune and complete your resolutions? Bring your sense of humour. 

Be Wealthy Starting Now Jan 12 at 6 AM Australian EST (USA time Jan 11 at 2 PM ET)
Wealth means more than just having money; it also means an abundance (of knowledge, experience, and joy). Explore five common beliefs that stop us being wealthy.

Be your Valuable Self Jan 17 at 1 PM Australian EST (USA time Jan 16 at 9 PM ET)
Are your values intact, up to date, relevant or compromised, corrupted or buried? The priority we place on our values changes over time. Find out your priority values.

Be a Wild Wonderful Woman Jan 23 at 11 AM Australian EST (USA time Jan 22 at 7 PM)
Are you wild and wonderful or have you tamed yourself for whatever reason? Discover what wild and wonderful means to you with other wonderful women.

Join in and enjoy the experience of meeting with others.

6. How to Subscribe/Unsubscribe
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Visit our Web site, http://www.optionsalive.com to subscribe/unsubscribe to Art of Conversation.
Copyright (c) 2001 Options Alive Pty Ltd. All rights in all media reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute Art of Conversation as long as this copyright notice and full information about contacting the contributors to this newsletter is attached.
Contributors to this month's newsletter: 
Bronwyn Buck Director Options Alive Pty Ltd

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7. About Options Alive and Learning2gether.com
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Options Alive was founded in 1998 by Bronwyn Buck to provide a comprehensive range of services for people that support lifelong learning and developing strategies for living a life based on choices that are aligned with their values.
Delivering results by developing, supporting and recognising the value of the individual and teams within an organisation has always been Bronwyn’s focus. With experience at general management level including strategic, marketing, operational and project management roles, Bronwyn now provides her expertise to individuals and organisations.

Options Alive develops and encourages Strategic Conversations within an organisation to support people and teams to deliver results including improved profitability, productivity, staff retention and customer service.

Options Alive learning2gether.com service provides a range of learning teleclasses to suit the needs of clients. Every individual plus every organisation has a wealth of knowledge that can be tapped into and shared in an environment that encourages learning from each other. 

Options Alive and Learning2gether’s primary aim is to facilitate learning and sharing our unique individualism within a global community

Bronwyn draws upon a number of friends, associates, alliances and resources to ensure the highest standard of service is provided.

Bronwyn can be contacted at bronwyn@optionsalive.com
Additional information is available at Options Alive website http://www.optionsalive.com
Telephone +61 (0) 755 344 771
PO Box 832 Palm Beach QLD Australia

….allow every step you take to move you in the direction of your vision…