I am having an amazingly good time with my group–they are helping me to market my new change course.  They also helped me think through what I will hold as my vision for the 400 days my husband is in Afghanistan!! Thank you Live Dynamite for the tools and group to be on a great path in 2009!!!

-Kristine, Minnetonka, MN

I attended a Live Dynamite Circle last winter/spring and then formed a group with several people from the session. At first we had a few too many people, but then it naturally transitioned to be just three of us, which is working really well.

Each of us is able to share our stories and be heard. It is hard to believe that less than a year ago I didn’t even know these people and now they are such an important part of my life. I think that we are able to give each other a fresh and unbiased perspective that is different from what you might get from family and long-time friends. Each of us has achieved some pretty significant goals. And I like that our group is about more than just careers. We help each other with lots of things like exercise, nutrition, dreams, family, as well as job stuff.

At first I was concerned about squeezing in one more thing into my life…and now it’s one of my favorite things to look forward to. And I am achieving more in my life now than before I was “squeezing” it in.

I really think we are all on this earth to help each other and sometimes you just need to take a more organized approach to it. My Live Dynamite group is a source of energy, inspiration, and comfort.

–Beth Eagan, MN

I’ve been in other groups before to hold myself accountable or focus on my goals, but my Live Dynamite group is different.  Instead of just my business life or my financial goals as the focus, I am working on the big picture balance. Every month that we meet I am reminded of how all the pieces of my life fit together.  It’s been a gift for me to stay focused on all aspects of my life and to stay balanced.  It’s by far the most worthwhile investment of my time and effort to date.

- Amy

Eagan, Minnesota

I signed up for my first Live Dynamite Circle almost a year ago! One of the questions asked in the registration materials was, “Do you need a fresh way of looking at things?” That struck me. I had always been a very positive person with a “can do” attitude. It was then I realized I was in need of a jump-start.

All four of my children were now in school. I had successfully started a business with my husband that he is now running. It was time to figure out what I wanted to do in this next phase of my life. Through this journey not a stone has gone unturned. This has really been a journey of self-discovery. My attitude has been readjusted and I am back on track.

I am filled with gratitude. I see everything, both good and bad, as an opportunity for growth. I am curious when opportunities present themselves. I am taking more risks. I am saying “yes” to things even when I don’t know the outcome. I am throwing ideas out there to see what happens. The results are so liberating. And I am encouraged to do more of the same. I am spiraling up!

After my Circle experience, I joined a Live Dynamite group. It has been a great source of support and accountability. And it has kept my Live Dynamite journey alive. I am surrounded by four people with amazing attitudes, a strong desire to succeed, and a desire to see me succeed, too!

My greatest goal through this process has been to have clarity. Pretty lofty goal I know…but through my journey I have kept asking for clarity. And it is coming! I know I that I needed to value and manage my time better. I am in the process of accomplishing this.

One of my gifts is that I love to listen to people and give feedback and insight. I have always been very curious and gather as much information as I can (I have read every book recommended by Maryanne!) Through the Live Dynamite program I realized that this is something that I enjoy. It’s something I am good at and was naturally doing all the time. The only problem was that I was spending a lot of time doing this–helping individuals and business expand–but never getting paid for it.

I realized that this was something I was passionate about and could build a consulting practice around. I needed to carve out specific blocks of time. I also needed to let people know how much I would be charging….Yikes! I am so happy to share that I have just negotiated my first consulting gig!

The courage, confidence and organization to go for it came from the accountability and feedback I’ve received!

I am forever grateful that I took that first step and signed up for the Live Dynamite Circle and my group experience…it’s been the icing on the cake!

–Maureen, Mendota Heights, MN
Marketing Consultant

Our group began in April ’07, about a month after we attended the Live Dynamite Circles. We all found our Circle meetings to be a great bridge from the training into our “real lives.” It’s kept us focused and helped to clarify the goals we were beginning to implement. The group has been very supportive and encouraging. And I’ve received some business connections, too.

As we’ve gotten to know each other better, we’ve hit a groove. We’ve tightened up the process so our meetings run smoothly and efficiently, honoring everyone’s commitment to time and energy. Each month we all set a short-term goal that we can attain during the month. Sometimes it’s small steps toward our stretch goal, other times it’s a goal onto itself. I know the group accountability and encouragement has kept me motivated and working harder.

I think we all realize that although we are very different, and have different goals, we all encounter similar feelings as we go through life changes…fear, insecurity and doubt. We’ve grown closer by opening up and discussing these feelings. This has been very uplifting for me and has helped me grow stronger.

I look at all I’ve accomplished with the support of my Live Dynamite group and I feel so grateful. I have designed and distributed a brochure on my yoga services. I have trained over 100 teachers in a children’s yoga curriculum. My business partner and I have set up two more yoga trainings for this winter. And I meditate again every day.

Life is great.

–Kathy, Minneapolis

Who knew five strangers could connect around something so important? Live Dynamite knew and our group was up for the challenge. A challenge of pushing ourselves to achieve the success we desired.

My Live Dynamite group is made of 5 people connected by the desire to be more successful…in all of the many ways we’ve defined success. Over the last 10 months I’ve been connecting with the same crew I met at the first Live Dynamite Circle in Minneapolis–where all our inspiration sparked. Each month we get together, usually over lunch, to continue our conversation. We talk about our goals, the actions we’re taking, things we may have been avoiding, and keeping the momentum going.

This is where our sparks have set blaze. We’ve used the tools to continue the conversations and focus on achieving results and actions. The conversations are great. The accountability I feel with the group is even better! My Live Dynamite group is another great way to continue what I started back on a cold day last February. Plus, it’s a great group to be able to share my successes with and revel in others’ wins as well.

Jeff, Minneapolis

I first experienced Live Dynamite on 3/1/07. As I think about how to tell you what it feels like, the first thought that comes to mind is, “Wow, what a huge, positive impact this has had on my life!”

In the past 10 months I’ve amazed myself. I set and achieved my health goal (lost 30 pounds and 13+ inches–and still going). I’ve created positive habits, stayed on track and expanded my real estate business (yes, even during this market). And I continue to set new goals that before seemed unreachable.

The Live Dynamite Circles launched me on my way and my Live Dynamite group have helped to keep me on track. I left Circles feeling inspired, energized and determined to see things through. I wanted to get this same boost out of my group.

My first group formed this past summer. We had 5 great people that met once a month. And while I enjoyed everyone, it became clear we all had different commitment levels and needs. And so, by the end of October our group had quietly disbanded.

I have to say I was disappointed, but not discouraged. I learned what I needed from a group and have recently formed a new group. Once again, our personalities all seem to complement each other. However, this time I made certain there was deeper level of commitment. We reviewed The Guide as a group, went through the Commitment page and made firm commitments to each other.

This time it feels much better. We’re all psyched to help each other achieve the goals we set individually and for our group. We show up excited to share what we’ve accomplished, celebrate our wins (or take a Victory Lap as Maryanne would say) and commit to new actions. I leave feeling energized and motivated.

Finding the right group may take a little work, but it’s worth it. It feels so good when you love yourself enough to make firm commitments. You do what you say you’re going to do–for yourself (and the group). I believe that when a group’s level of commitment is aligned phenomenal things can and will happen. I’m excited about my ongoing journey and all that is to come. If you’re thinking about forming a group–I say go for it! Dive in. Give it a try. And keep making the adjustments you need until you get it right. You’re worth it!

Lisa, Edina, MN

As a working mom I’ve got more than enough to do. But I make time for my Live Dynamite group because I meet with kindred spirits who are committed to positive change and who want to help me meet my goals. We talk, laugh, support each other and give lots of practical advice.

When we began we took the time to get to know each other, so now we feel comfortable enough to provide ‘tough love’ when someone is slacking off, or to remind someone who’s being too hard on themselves to celebrate all they’ve accomplished. It’s a great sounding board for issues you might not want to share at work, at home, or with close friends.

I consider myself a pretty high-functioning individual, yet I have many goals I have not reached. I want to keep learning and stretching myself always. Given my busy schedule, it really helps me to have regular meetings with people who both believe in me AND keep me accountable.

Mary, Minneapolis

Last winter, I attended a Live Dynamite Circle. Now, at this time in my life, I’d been unemployed for a period of 5 months. This session was a great experience where I was challenged to think differently about what I want in my life. More importantly I was challenged to think about what I am willing to DO to get it. What actions am I willing to take? One of the goals I set out was to win a tennis tournament. My goal, as written on my goal card was as follows: I am celebrating my 6-3, 6-2 win in my first tennis tournament by December 31, 2007 – or better!

Now, just because I wrote it down wasn’t going to make it so. I took action steps to accomplish it. I studied that card everyday this summer. I mentally rehearse my goals, read the words, infuse them with emotion and true belief and go through the images of success in my head – in the car, in the steam room, practicing on the court, before I went to bed at night, and when I woke in the morning. I even created a screen saver with a picture of me holding a US Open trophy.

I also took action and played in almost every tournament offered this season. I finished 3rd in one of them, 2nd in another. This last weekend, I played in the Eau Claire Halloween Open. Yep, in Eau Claire, WI – 95 miles from Minneapolis. After months of practice, believing and visualizing my goal, in a third set tie-breaker 10-8, I won the tournament. I had accomplished it! This goal card now sits by the trophy with a big, fat check mark on it. Completed – not exactly as written, but I am sure proud of the results!

With the gentle nudges and enthusiasm of my Live Dynamite group every month I am working on chapters of my book and a blog. Another goal that I set for myself. It’s all happening and I’m thrilled to have created the support network and structure for myself that has taken both my tennis, my life and my attitude to the next level. This stuff works!
-Jeff Stafford
Minneapolis, MN

I hired Live Dynamite to work with my staff on setting goals and staying focused on what we each want to accomplish in the near term. We all loved the process!

We found it not only inspirational and uplifting to focus on possibilities and our vision, but very practical and useful in terms of concrete, actionable steps we can take to make progress toward those goals. Live Dynamite has a unique and powerful way of helping people understand the dynamics of personal change, and provides the skills and tools to make it happen.

I have referred others to Live Dynamite, all of whom have found the process extremely effective. I would highly recommend Live Dynamite to anyone who wants to make a change in their lives and create their own accountability structure.

- M. Abigail Barrett, M.A.
Licensed Psychologist
Leadership Transitions, Inc