1. Welcome 
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March is here with a change of seasons. From summer to autumn in the southern hemisphere and from winter to spring in the northern hemisphere. Depending on where you are the change can be significant or barely noticeable. It can be highly visible ie autumn leaves or new flowers and growth or more tactile ie from the wet season to a dry season.

We can make assumptions about what the weather will be like ie it is always windy in Wellington (New Zealand) or it will be hot one day and cold the next in Melbourne (Australia) or it will be raining in Vancouver (Canada). The assumptions we make can influence what clothes we pack before visiting a city. The assumptions can be helpful or they can cloud (excuse the weather pun) our expectations and experience.
Making assumptions is the theme for this issue.

2. Reflection
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Trust is your gift to give, not something to be earned.

3. Conversations
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Be aware of the assumptions that you make before or during a conversation.
We might make assumptions such as
* You understand what I am thinking without me asking for what I want.
* I have only to tell you once and you will understand.
* I have your undivided attention
* What is important to me is as important to you
These assumptions place us in our own space and can act as filters in our conversations.
As the conversation continues, we may make more assumptions that lead to lack of clarity and understanding.

Hence, don't make assumptions.
*Take the time to check what your assumptions are.
*Ask questions to clarify what the other person is saying and hearing.
*If you do not understand something ask and be clear.
*Ask for what you want, everyone has the right to say yes or no to you, just as you have the right to ask.
Start to practice asking for what you want and being clear in how you communicate to avoid misunderstandings.

4. Learning
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Learning from each other can be greatly enhanced if we drop our assumptions about the other person.
Each of us is unique in our outlook.

Why? 

Our individual reality is based on our values (which are our beliefs about how life ought to lived), our beliefs and our experiences. Our experiences can confirm our beliefs or it can change our beliefs. At any time we can choose to change our reality by looking at our values or our beliefs or experiences.

If we assume that we all have the same beliefs or values or even experience life in the same way then we are likely to have misunderstandings and feel let down.
Clearing our assumptions can open our mind to learning many things about ourselves and others.

5. Learning2gether.com schedule.
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Learn Values-based Action, Reality and Conversations.

Why?
Being aware of our values can assist:
* making choices and taking action
* change our view of our own reality
* being present in conversations and valuing diversity

How?
Learn what your priority values are:
* Complete a questionnaire to determine your priority values from 125 values.
* receive a written Values Profile including past, present, and future values, world view, leadership style and brain preference.
* discuss individually or within a group to plan action, challenge beliefs and explore conversations and relationships in light of values.

When?

Individuals- commence any time
Complete the questionnaire, receive your Values Profile and setting aside time for three 30 minute follow-up individual sessions with Bronwyn 

Cost $660 ($600 plus $60 GST)

Group follow up

Complete the questionnaire, receive your Values Profile and attend 3 one hour group telephone sessions with Bronwyn commencing Thursday April 19 at 7 AM ET Australia 
(US time Wednesday April 18 at 7 PM EST (New York))
Cost $440 ($400 plus $40 GST) plus cost of calling to the USA based telephone bridge.

Want to learn about your values or if you have any questions, please contact me at bronwyn@optionsalive.com 

TeleLearning calls

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.

NB. Each person calls into a central phone number (or bridge) in either the USA or Australia at their own expense.

For more information go to www.learning2gether.com


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…