The Evolution of YOU!

In these times of uncertainty at ever corner, where tomorrow can change on a dime, our sense of self and work is constantly being challenged. Our work world today is like a moving target full of unknowns with the traditional sense of stability and security a thing of the past.

Still playing on the surface, we park our values, not to mention our wisdom, at the door when we walk into our places of work. We aim for the quick fix, not the long-lasting solution. We waste valuable time in the same old problems and patterns, where ignorance holds us prisoner to repeating the past instead of evolving into a new future.

Devoid of wisdom, we spin backwards. Our current problem solving does not suffice. These answers are now too small, limited in depth and breadth, and unable to create sustainable results. We are blocked from evolving into a new mental model of work that is more inclusive, inter-independent, and wise.

Where are YOU? Evolving or de-volving?

The evolution of work will happen when these outdated patterns are transformed. Only then will we find new middle-ground centered and functioning from wisdom and sustainable for the long-term. When we tap this, the work world will forever be changed.

Our work is to bring our wisdom into the world on a daily basis and a grand scale. Wisdom sits at the tip of our tongue longing to be spoken. We have the answers - YOU have the answers.

When someone is speaking and acting from wisdom, what they say hits a core of truth as we nod in recognition. But too often we fail to recognize our own wisdom. This not knowing, along with not trusting, prevents us from acknowledg-ing the wisdom within. We shy away from demonstrating our wisdom as if it's too grand an attribute to possess. We are no longer the common person when wisdom is at play. We fear the position it puts us in. That old voice echoes, "Who do you think you are?" It stops us in our tracks.

We've been running from ourselves and our wisdom long enough. With wisdom at the core of our work we can develop work models that tap and leverage human potential and humanity. Through these models we will meet deeper human needs: connection, healing, love, growth, and development - evolution itself. This new realm of business is the one many of us seek - one that feeds the pocketbook as well as the soul.

Here's the Homework!

I must say it again: YOU are wise. The challenge is to trust yourself and your knowing enough to bring wisdom out through your work. The following exercise will help you to step back and see the bigger picture.

As always, give yourself time to do the following.
Patricia

1. First, list the outdated attributes you see lingering in the workplace that limit wisdom. These attributes are often based in protectionism, fear, lack, distrust, control, power over, linear thinking, limited bottom-line focus, hierarchy, and paternalism. Then list the contrasting "evolved" attributes that encourage wisdom.

As part of our evolutionary process, we've taken the next "right" step making the leap from PurposeInc. to International Purpose LLC as of fall 2005. The purpose of International Purpose is to be a leader in the evolutionary process to transform work and business into a mental model that:

Is an incubator of human potential and spirit,
Acts as a means to meet deeper human needs,
Is a viable thriving entity that feeds the pocketbook and soul, and
Provides the internal tools for evolution, innovation and healing for ourselves as well as others.

Our work focuses on three evolutionary levels. Evolving:

The individual to a higher level of potential and a deeper level of humanity.
The work that they do so it is a demonstration of their potential, humanity, and ultimately purpose - and is a viable entity in the marketplace.
The model of work to become one that feeds the pocketbook and soul and becomes a means to our own evolution.

Business Expansion

We are now International Purpose, LLC an international entity operating as an LLC.
Partnering with Co-Vision in delivering a service for businesses called, "Asking The Next Right Question" - an online, facilitated, collective thinking technology that engages your people in focused critical thinking exercises on a timely basis. Click here for more details.
Implementing our Purposeful Business Circles for entrepreneurs, sole-proprietors and small business owners - a local and later worldwide initiative to serve, develop, and grow the socially responsible small business. This cooperative effort of like-minded people draws on the wisdom and intelligence of the group to create meaning dialogue and work purpose - it is purpose in action. The first Circle will start in Northern Virginia then expand, in 2006, to Washington DC/Maryland area, San Diego, and New York City.
Our book, "Stop Playing So Small: From Smallness to Wholeness - Evolution as the Next Work Revolution," is being represented by a book agent and being reviewed by publishers.
In July 2005 we moved into a new office space in the Old Town section of Alexandria, VA.

We still focus on you the individual through our 1-1 GuideWork/Coaching program with continued long-term success over the last 10 years. We'll be expanding our Purposeful Business Circles to socially-minded businesses as the year ends and 2006 begins.

We would like to thank all who have participated in our work - you know who you are, and I thank you for having the courage to be larger in the world; the confident to not give up on yourself or your ideas; and the determination to make this world a better place to live.

Sincerely,

Patricia DiVecchio
President & Founder
International Purpose LLC

By Ryta J. Mirisciotti

The year 2000 was highly anticipated by many, but proved to be of "millennial" proportions for me as it was the start of what would be a profound, life changing experience. It was then that I met Patricia DiVecchio and the International Purpose model that would take me from my "stable and good" job (that was slowly suffocating me) to a world of "no limits" and being able to breathe again. I would go from being unhappy, unchallenged and working and living in an area that only depressed me, to being motivated, exhilarated and aware of my role in the "Big Picture" of life.

Through one on one work with International Purpose, I began to expand my world of "I can" and "I will" through abstract homework that built a foundation for a plan. I began to explore my unique talents, skills and abilities and pursued my passion for wine, food and culture. Volunteering at a local winery in exchange for learning how to make wine led me to create my own position with the winery as a part time Marketing Representative.

I was at the "point of no return" and could no longer stay where I was. The International Purpose process had affected a profound change in who I was and resurrected "me". I moved from my home, an hour from Pittsburgh, to a new home 20 minutes from the city, full of everything I loved and craved. Once again I created my own position, this time with my full time employer and near my new home where I finally "fit in". This was the transitional step I needed to make the most risky, but most necessary, change in my life if I were to realize my goals, dreams and true purpose.

In January 2005, I retired/resigned from my position of 17 years at the university and developed a plan to realize my "dream business" and the concepts of Wine Consulting and the Edu-Social Wine Experience. Currently, I am planning to open a wine tasting room in Pittsburgh, PA where I can share this "edu-social" and "unique" wine experience with others. It is a wonderfully exciting, sometimes scary but always rewarding and satisfying experience. I am still learning and evolving but realize how important the International Purpose process was, is and will be. While I do not know exactly where this road leads, my newfound strength and faith in who I am and what I do assures me that I will be more than just fine...I will be great!

Ryta is the owner of Mirisciotti Wine Services and will open The Naked Grape Wine Tasting Room in 2006. She can be reached at 412-841-4478 or mirisciotti@comcast.net.

Are you looking to create socially minded work that is viable in the marketplace? We would love to assist you with the following:

Initial Consultation - Do you know you need to make changes to your work/business but you're not sure where to start? This one-hour session, in person or by phone, will focus on your most critical work/business challenges. You will leave with new insights and immediate actions to bring solution and innovation to your issues. For more detailed information, please click here.
Purposeful Business Circles - Is the true value of your work/business impacting the marketplace?
This one-day/month session is for socially minded entrepreneurs to step-back and focus on what's really important. You'll develop yourself, grow your business, and support others to do the same. We'll meet over a seven-month period. Our first Circles started in Alexandria, VA, on Oct. 20, 2005. The next circle in VA will start in February 2006. Future Circles in the Washington DC area and elsewhere will start later in 2006. More detailed information is available here.
Stop Playing So Small! One-Day Seminar - Do you want to jump-start your work or business and play larger? This one-day workshop is for entrepreneurs looking to up the ante on themselves and their business. Spend the day developing and expanding yourself and your business ideas. Seminar to be held in Alexandria, VA on Friday, Nov. 11, 2005 from 8:30-4:30pm. Fee for this seminar is $175 if registered by 11/1 or $195 thereafter. More detailed information available here. Next seminar will be on Friday, January 13, 2006.
One-on-One GuideWork/Coaching - Is it time to reinvent yourself and your work or business? This six-month to one-year process will leave you knowing yourself better than you ever have; confidence in your unique skills and talents; and ready to offer the marketplace a service or product that makes a difference and impact. We meet every other week, in person or by phone, based on your objectives matched to our Seven rEvolutionary Tools to dramatically move your forward. For more detailed information, please click here.
Book Subscription - "Stop Playing So Small-From Smallness to Wholeness: Evolution as the Next Work Revolution"
Work through our Seven rEvolutionary Tools one chapter/month. This process will challenge your thinking and create action through the chapter homework sections. For $7/month or $49 you can start to build the confidence and courage needed to create new purposeful work. Click here for more details.
Asking the Next Right Question - What if you had the ability to tap into the creative and critical thinking of everyone in your organization:

On demand
Focused on getting results
Solving the tough problems
Sharing the best practices!
Enabling individuals and the organization to innovate and prosper.

Asking The Next Right Question is an online, facilitated, collective thinking technology that engages stakeholders in focused critical thinking exercises on a timely basis. Based on a critical issue, participants receive an email directing them to a secure website where they are presented with "the next right question." This service is offered in conjunction with CoVision and the Web Council technology.

International Purpose Speaking Engagements:
"Stop Playing So Small: Enlisting Your Wisdom to Create Work that Feeds Your Pocketbook and Soul," 2005 Women's Entrepreneur Expo, "Healthy, Wealthy and Wise, Oct. 20-21, 2005 at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.

"Think Big: Setting Higher Level Goals for 2006," Northern VA Chapter, National Association of Women Business Owners, Dec. 7, 2005, Reston VA.
Business for Social Responsibility is hosting their 2005 annual conference from Nov. 1-4, 2005 in Washington, DC. "Questioning Assumptions - Changing Framework" is the title for the 4 day conference. Join over 1,000 business leaders from more than 40 countries to examine the assumptions underpinning current corporate social responsibility trends and reflect on the next generation of approaches. Go to www.bsr.org for additional information.