Howdy in 2025?

What's In, What's Out, What's New and What Remains To Be True

Photo by Guillaume Issaly on Unsplash

I’m late in this conversation. Mind you, I took off fairly early last year and told everyone I knew that I’m ready for the holidays and some rest and recreation to plan for 2025.

Now that we’re almost close to February, I found myself still not-put-together as I wished I should be this time. For one thing, our present lives are defined as we go, based on our actions and mentality. With all the ‘manifesting’ that is going around these days, it’s about how our thoughts, actions, and aspirations leading us to what we want to be - our best versions.

We need to internalize the externals and externalized the internals. What do I mean by that?

But before that, let me tell you some important reminders, announcements, and wins.

Photo by AbsolutVision on Unsplash

Announcements

• The Provocateurs is On Sale: There’s a 50% sale on the e-book version, just use the CODE: WINTER50. It could be as low as £3.99! This is a no-brainer. Sale ends on January 30th.

  Check all the reviews and testimonials on Amazon. If you ordered on Amazon/HIVE, please leave a comment for future readers.

  If you already have a copy, BUY ONE FOR A FRIEND.

• Pick my Brain Service- I'm extending this indefinitely for executives and leaders grappling with a particular question/decision-making dilemma regarding their strategies and change efforts. There are so many hot-button issues within purpose-driven organizations that needed to be addressed this year. Contact me directly.

• The Sentimental Provocateur is open for subscription. If you’re reading this but not subscribed, do so and pick the option that works for you.

• The Paid Subscriber (Annual) will also receive….”drum roll”… 1-on-1 coaching/advisory support scheduled 2x a year as your needs arise. We get on a Zoom/Google Meet and discuss practical solutions to painful problems or innovations whether as an individual changemaker or as part of your organization’s leadership. This is a non-metered, subscriber-initiated, and solutions-orientated coaching program. You can bank it for future use too.

• My 2025 Speaker Reel is almost done. Please stay tuned.

• Global Voices for Peace, A Peace Anthology authored by Susan Hartley and contributed by yours truly and other distinguished Rotary Peace Fellows and Rotarians as well as peace luminaries is ready for Pre-order.

  This publication is a massive collaboration of many Rotarian peacebuilders around the world contributing our insights, field experiences, and theories on peace to make the world more peaceful for our current and future generations. Check this out.

Where Am I Speaking /Writing Next?

• Startup Canada Podcast (online)

• The Life by the Page Podcast (online)

• The Above the Bar Podcast (online)

• Banff Systems Summit, Banff, Alberta, Canada (TBA)

• ??? - This could be your organization/network/university/Board Group/retreat event

News and Opportunities

• The Future of Labs Conversation, Possibility Space Tickets, Fri, 24 Jan 2025 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite

• Apply for the 2025 Fellowship Program, In-Sight Collaborative

• Apply for the 2025 Rotary Peace Fellowship Program, Rotary International (if you’re serious, I can help)

• Register to the 2025 Rotary Calgary Convention

• Apply for the 2025 AsiaGlobal Fellows Program, The University of Hong Kong

Newest Testimonials

(This was an old win but heck, this is a lifelong honor)

Rob Lewis, Youth HQ CEO, Central Alberta
(He participated in my Change session at the 2024 Summer Webinar Series).

"It was an awesome presentation. Just having a conversation with an expert helped spark thoughts in my own mind because I get pretty embedded in it. Having a conversation with somebody outside of that with a different perspective helps me to pull back and realize the options that I have."

Dr. Michael Ferber, Dean, King’s University, Alberta, Canada

Maiden spoke to my BUSI367 Social Entrepreneurship class at King's about her insightful book Provocateurs Not Philanthropists. She offered my students a unique perspective on how to turn good intentions into tangible, sustainable change. Her ability to challenge conventional thinking while inspiring innovative solutions left a lasting impression.

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5 Ways to Deal With Unsolicited Advice/Comments

After my presentation on stage, one member from the Association cornered me immediately and told me that I shouldn’t have done what I did during my talk because the people in the room are not children, they’re adults. He told me, “You just don’t do that.” I left quickly but politely with a cheque on my hand.

Generally, it’s for the benefit of the sender and not the receiver.

1. Ignore.

2. Ignore.

3. Ignore.

4. Ignore

5. You get it, right? Ignore.

While You’re Here And Scrolling Down, I’d like to know more about your motivations, if it’s alright

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Thank you, Dhanyabad, Shukran, Merci Beaucoup, Gomawoyo, Salamat po~