Even though it is 80 degrees here in Washington, DC, summer is over. My son, Marat started kindergarten, and my other son will be celebrating his second birthday in a month. What did you do this summer? Did you let go and not try to do everything? The biggest thing I learned this summer is the value of play. And how things that are labeled work can just be play. So that is my theme for my newsletter this month - PLAY. So, get to it, find someone to play with and just laugh. The picture above is me with my dear friend, Robin. Her favorite animal is a sea otter because they play all day. I am with her. Life is too serious not to play. Are you ready?

All the best,
Wayfinder Coach Robin

Honor the Child Within - Play
My sons, Marat and Shokhan, teach me about life everyday. The big lesson I learned this summer was the value of play. Everything I do with them is a game. Before we get in the bathub, Marat and I play "basketball hoops" and score points when you get your clothes into the hamper. Shokhan, who doesn't say much, likes to play by making noises of all the toys he has - cars for example.  So when we go shopping I pretend the grocery cart is a race car and I make noises - "vrooom" - all through the supermarket putting a big smile on my kids' faces. They remind me that not everything has to be so serious. Even like working out at the gym. Who invented the word "working out?" Why can't we just "reframe" it and call it "playing?" So in my spin class at 6:00am I am singing with the music and yelling out when we reach a tough part. It just makes it more fun.

I went on a great retreat to Vermont this summer with a group called Women's Quest, the leader, Colleen is world champion triathlete and everyday she said; "let's play". It made the whole day fun, even when I was huffing up the mountain on my bike, I just said to myself, "this is play."

So this month, let's play:

• What can you do today to make yourself laugh out loud?
  
• How can you reframe work into play?
  
• What was your favorite game as a child? Can you do it now?
  
• What will it take for you to risk looking like a fool?
  
• When are you going to set up a playdate for you?

I hope you have fun playing. I am off to the playground to play tag with my son and his friends. Let me know what you do to play.

Rebranding Robin
What do I do now?
Using all the tools I learned working in strategic communications for elected officials, non-profit organizations and the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, as well as my training as a professional coach and certified retreat leader , I work with individuals, groups and organizations to help them focus on clear goals and measured outcomes. As a professional coach I help individuals create strategic plans for their lives and I help executives become better managers and leaders. As a retreat leader, I design and lead custom retreats for individuals and organizations focused on what they want to achieve.

Custom Retreats
Are you celebrating a birthday? Marking the death of a loved one? Looking for a fun way to build your office team? Then contact me about designing a custom nature retreat for you. For more information check out past retreats on my website.

"There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative
and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. 
So what the hell, leap."
- Cynthia Heimel

Environmental tip of the month
A Cooler Wash
Clothes rarely need to be washed at high temperatures. By washing at warm (100) instead of hot (140) your washing machine will use 30% less energy and your clothes will last longer.

Wayfinder Inc. | 2840 Chesapeake Street NW | Washington | DC | 20008

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