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Claim Right Use of Professional Power with Your Own Code

Today members of the human family in all industries across the world are shifting away from the negativity and injustice in the places we choose to work and spend much of our day. We see evidence of this as shocking professional misconduct allegations are published in the news weekly. Yet, not all poor work experiences are intentional or serious enough to go to court. Sometimes an awful day at work is simply due to the unnecessary drama, lack of transparency in communication or substandard leadership or attitude that surrounds you.

For those experiencing the above we want to alert you to a proven method, remedy and antidote to professional mediocrity now offered by the VAST Institute: Your Own Code of Conduct. This fix will position you as a stimulating, encouraging and effective leader.

When implemented, a Code of Conduct shifts a toxic situation to one of mutual respect and synergy. Customizing a Code of Conduct that defines who you are as a leader, team or entity, sets a standard of ethical behavior and provides a roadmap to enhance your business achievements in ways presently beyond your imagination. In addition to be being more effective in accomplishing your goals and becoming more profitable, a Code of Conduct states that you care about your organization, your employees and your impact on the world.

Let Catherine Corley and Michelle Sherman guide you through the steps to create and implement a Code of Conduct unique to your career, team or organization. Individually and in partnership, Catherine and Michelle have led both small businesses as well as Fortune 100 companies to achieve remarkable success implementing this method.

Employing a code initiates a potent conversation with diverse stakeholders about strategies that promote growth, solve the most difficult of situations and generate an environment where people are nurtured to possess the creative freedom to grow beyond their current limitations. Click here to register for Code of Conduct series or other inspiring events and Click here to subscribe to our VAST newsletter to receive our latest inspirational news and class offerings. Join us Today in the right use of professional power through implementing Your Code of Conduct.

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Greatness Becomes You… and the World!

Most of us are trained away from fully embracing our Greatness.

At a very young age, we notice the things that make us different from other people. Sometimes we voice those differences, other times we keep them to ourselves. We begin to keep a mental log of all the subtle or not so subtle, aspects of ourselves that don’t fit with what we are taught is the right way to be.

As we age, we internalize those differences, and often judge them against what we believe those around us deem as “normal”, “appropriate” or “lovable”. Often, as we adapt to align with those around us, we also decide if we are good or bad, capable or incapable, fun or boring, successful or mediocre.

To fit in and appear lovable we often dampen our Greatness. At VAST we say, not so fast!

The courage to be oneself originates with the courage to be whole instead of perfect. If we dare to believe that each of us is capable of magnificence exactly as we are, instead of contorting to conform or doubt ourselves, we must begin by learning how to work with that wholeness.

A whole person can give wrong directions, burp at dinner with new in-laws, and not know the answer to many questions. Wholeness is embracing the inability to fit in a box and instead choose to construct a life; the box that honors, nourishes and delights you!

By acknowledging and taking responsibility for your whole, authentic self, the greatness within you naturally emerges.

By acknowledging the Greatness in others, you awaken to the unique mix of qualities presented by each of them. You see others for who they truly are, precious examples of imperfect humanity working so hard to contribute their best selves each day.  You learn to value different things about people than you might have appreciated before. You notice that the new person you are training at work, who has not stopped talking all week, is better at handling phone calls than any other member of your team because they possess the gift of an extroverted nature and simply enjoy talking a lot. That quality that can be frustrating turned out to be a huge asset to your team and to you as a leader. You then learn to be appreciative of something you once deemed imperfect.

Accepting our wholeness instead of seeking perfection imbues your daily interactions with authenticity and adds to a richer, more vivid life experience. You notice your limiting expectations melt away as you interact genuinely with others, creating synergy and enhanced outcomes.

The ability to see people authentically, affords you a greater confidence to trust the decisions you have made and strengthens your personal power as a leader; shining into every corner of your life. When you are making decisions with, and based on, authentic contributors, better outcomes follow and suddenly everyone is winning. People love to be around winners!

At Vast, we believe that everyone possesses a unique brand of personal power that adds zest to the collective success of human kind. By encouraging everyone to be their authentic selves in service to their Greatness, we believe a better quality of life at work, home and on the planet is built.

If Greatness Becomes You, dive deeper into “Acknowledging Greatness in ALL with the Courage to be Oneself” with VAST Thought Leader Catherine Corley and myself for this installment of the Conscious Commerce, Code of Conduct Series streaming live this Wednesday, May 2nd at 1:00PM PST. Online to follow.              

The Vast Institute’s mission’s Conscious Commerce infuses the business sector with the power of practical optimism through the development of Socially Intelligent Leadership.                                                        

Click Here to Register for this class

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Imaginative Problem Solving

By Kelly Lovan

What do You Want to Be When You Grow Up-Imagine That!

This was a question that was asked of me thousands of times before I left high school and again when I graduated college. As I thought about this question I felt hopeless for the future because I could not answer it with any degree of confidence. Even though, I had a college degree and was working at the time, I still felt a lack of clear direction. I was doing the best I could and yet I still felt trapped inside a life that wasn’t my own. I still couldn’t answer that question with resolve.

What was missing?

As I recently discovered, just my Positive Imagination.

After refusing to be unfulfilled, accepting help, handing over some control, and making a few better choices, I met someone who encouraged me to consider something radical:

What is the best life you can imagine? What does that look like for YOU?

This was totally new for me. I had never considered planning my future this way, in alignment with what I wanted. Just using the two words “I want” together felt selfish! As I pondered what this life might look like, picture this… I imagined myself working with a company I respected, trusted and felt passionate about being a part of. I imagined myself sipping tea and researching materials for a class I was preparing to teach. I also imagined myself taking spa days, attending musical performances, eating delicious food and traveling to familiar and new places alike. And in addition, I imagined living in a home and community that made me feel supported and gave me freedom to feel good in my own skin and space to rest, replenish and nourish myself. How I was to accomplish this was unclear, yet I kept these positive imaginings close to my heart and head.

Not all of my dreams have come true yet, but here I am sipping tea and writing this blog for you, feeling happy in my own skin!

How did I arrive where I am today?

In part, by studying how to develop my Positive Imagination through working with the VAST Institute. One of the six competencies the Vast Institute promotes is Positive Imagination, defined as a hybrid of optimism and critical thinking www.vastinstitute.com. I started practicing this new way of dealing with life based on imagining what was in my best interest and all of a sudden things seemed to work out in my favor more often than not. I started seeing good in situations that used to stress me out and finding opportunities everywhere.

The very simple, yet absolutely vital first step to taking control of your future and your happiness is to Imagine your own version of “Living your best life”. Once the flame of imagination has been kindled, it often sets a slow burning fire in motion and before you know it you are living that life you could only imagine long ago. To learn more about igniting your Positive Imagination I suggest you begin by reading, Kindling the Flame: The Art and Science of Cognitive Replenishment or attend one of the VAST online courses on Imagination to begin your journey.

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Respect as an Act of Forgiveness

As I ponder the curves of human Respect, I choose to look deeper. The profound significance of this simple, yet elusive, positive regard appears as a placid lake whose surface hides the magnificence within. Why is the respecting of others so vital, yet rarely promoted?

Until yesterday the answer eluded me. Now, I think I have at least a crumb of understanding.

Respect is defined as: to appreciate or esteem. It comes in many forms. I can respect my rights, your property, their ground rules, our courage as human beings, their attributes, my wholeness, etc. But when it comes to respecting other, individual human beings there are a few great secrets and obstacles to help you dive beneath the surface. Despite how you feel or what you think about another person based on your experience or snap appraisals, it all boils down to how you treat people. I may not agree with your point of view, yet I can choose to treat you with the respect accorded a fellow: human, child, father, dog owner, community improver, small biz owner, etc. All of us are similar in our basic needs and instincts. We are diverse in the combination and expression of them.  

So why not choose to respect a fellow life traveler trying to solve the same set of problems within their own unique life puzzle? Because to esteem all people you must first forgive something quite essential.

What? You ask. Only Yourself. Oh my!

Last night while chatting with a dear friend about the state of the world, our lives and humankind at large he said something potent about his current spiritual practice, that caught my attention. He was focused on the act of forgiving our human nature. Once I thought about it I realized that forgiving our human nature is a precursor to appreciating human beings. We see in others what we project from within ourselves.  In the act of forgiving myself, others and human nature itself, I am available to experience wholeness, and then begin to see it reflected in the faces around me. Once we learn to forgive our true nature we are available to appreciate, respect and enjoy the wholeness of people we meet. They serve as our mirror of what lurks beneath the surface of who we truly are.

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Are your Sweetheart Skills a bit rusty?

Amid the tenor of today’s discussion about compassionate relationships between people of all types, the hurt, confusion and anger is still evolving as we all try to make sense of these emotions. While this fountain of thoughts, feelings and outrage are one healthy part of the conversation, I would like to add a simple idea to address this complexity of human relationships.

As a life coach and person who is also personally healing, I have come to discover that the most capable and contributing members of society are operating like teenagers when it comes to addressing romance, sex, intimacy and connecting with someone different from themselves. Our development is arrested due to a lack of cultural examples of vital, healthy, adult loving relationships of all expressions.  We do not lack goodness to construct those precious healthy relationships, what we lack is imagination.

Where are the juicy, happy, diverse examples of loving relationships for our communal appreciation? We teach our kids that obsession with sex and abstinence, or ignorance about their bodies is preferable to treating them with the respect deserved as whole developing, erotic and sensitive creature. Most of the images abound are far from the reality of feeling awkward in learning to gap the divide between human beings. Relating to one another without fear and judgement is viewed as a quaint bit of optimism. The negative verbal and subliminal, media messages we absorb about ourselves make a huge impact without anyone noticing or monitoring. And now we are beginning to discover how addicted we are to that rectangle piece of tech we use to filter and navigate our entire worldview.

A Pew research conducted in 2015 found that 24% of teenagers were “almost constantly” online. Tech giants such as Bill and Melinda Gates have limited their children’s use of this technology to secure their ability to relate to other humans and direct their own thinking. Some of my old friendships have eroded since the desire to talk and connect has been replaced by photos of an idyllic life with likes on a social media page. When I work in my office and answer my business phone, I often hear great surprise that a real human is available to talk.  If all this is occurring as we relate to our technology instead of one another what price is our love life paying?

It confounds me that our society refers to loving, consensual behaviors as obscene when violence and gory images are deemed decent. This sends mixed, messages about what constitutes healthy intimacy. We are offered virtual ideals and three second sound bites to craft our core concept about the most challenging aspect of life: relating to other people. Let us tell ourselves the truth; our sweetheart skills need a bit of work. So where do you start?

First, let it be OK that intimacy may be one of your biggest challenges. 

Welcome to Being Human.

Stellar Sweetheart Skills begin with:

A desire to connect in a more meaningfully way

Owning who you are today

Owning what is most important to you 

Implement a skill set to negotiate honest, vibrant and mutually respectful relationships. 

If mastering these skills intrigues you, VAST can help with our programs.

1) Engage with The VAST Healthy Relationship Workbook, a self-guided workbook to align your values with constructing a higher quality of life or register for one of our online learning sessions to identify and build relationships that solidify your well-being.

2) Refresh your mind and sense of optimism to create romance and joy in all areas of your life via the roadmap provided in the book ”Kindling the Flame: The Art and Science of Cognitive Replenishment”. Relationships can be terrific or tough. As a lifelong learner it encourages me to know that the study and practice of intimacy is the best gift I can offer both my Sweetheart as well as my own sweet heart. 

Get started on creating your best and healthiest relationships. It is courageous to be rusty but practicing.

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Why Trust & Integrity will Save the Day

It is nearly impossible these days to open any social media or browse news stations without being bombarded by examples of blatant misconduct in the work place. While sexual harassment and intimidation are extremely important issues that must be addressed, today let us explore another reason that people can feel mistreated at work. Lack of Trust is a human dilemma that often goes undiscussed.

In this second segment of the Vast Institute Code of Conduct Series being offered on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, where Catherine Corley and Michelle Sherman will give us deep insight into how to employ a code of conduct with Trust & Integrity to play a pivotal role in workplace satisfaction, cohesive teamwork and optimized goal attainment.

We find it interesting that despite the fact that many of us spend a large portion of our waking time at work, we do not actively develop trust in our relationships with our colleagues. When we think of trust in relationships, we think of romantic partners, dear friends and some family members, but why not our colleagues? They are the people who help us achieve career goals and professional growth that can have a huge impact on virtually every aspect of our lives.  Just as a marriage would soon fall apart without trust, imagine how difficult it would be to move forward on a project with someone you felt you couldn’t trust. Humans thrive in their roles when they feel supported and safe to be innovative without fear of ridicule, intimidation, dishonesty or shame. A huge benefit of trust is that it allows colleagues to operate with the assumption that the other person is doing their best, has good intentions and is a unique contributor.

A vital aspect of developing Trust is Integrity. During this online learning opportunity, you will explore how to earn Trust, carry yourself with Integrity and navigate environments where it is not present. This VAST Conscious Commerce Code of Conduct session will offer concrete methods to minimize the inherent costs associated with negotiating with those who choose expediency and convenience over integrity in the professional world.

Join us this Wednesday for the online learning session from 1:00-2:00PM PST. Tune in over lunch, while commuting or participate as a team who is interested in taking their commitment to each other one step further!

Register Here

If you love this class check out the entire 6 part series

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What We Do Matters - The International Impact of the Women’s March 2018

By Kelly Lovan - VAST Contributor

In the early stages of 2017 women and humanists everywhere were feverishly making pink hats, protest signs, and plans to meet up with friends for the Women’s March that would let the newly elected administration know that women were unwilling to be bullied, objectified, abused and most of all were done with being silent.

This year in 2018, in my Seattle community, The Women’s March had become a Facebook event, “another” protest. Somewhat like when you are invited to a birthday party, but you aren’t quite good enough friends to put the effort into going. I heard comments like “Are you going to the march on Saturday?” and in response “No, I thought about taking off work but it’s not really worth it. Last year was the big deal, this year feels a little pointless.” And although I understand that not everyone can or should take off work to protest (I have bills to pay that forced me to support the women in my workplace that Saturday), I want to explain how far from pointless this year’s march was. It inspired people you will never meet.

Being blessed with multiple family members and friends living throughout the world, I'm aware that many of them are American citizens, married to Americans, or that they love American culture and have spent much of their hard-earned money to travel to the USA and bring their families to this great country they have loved dearly and respected for so long. The impact of the social and political climate shift was felt far outside of the United States and many of my friends (especially in Germany) felt as though all hope for democracy and human rights in America had been lost. It is no secret that comparisons were made of the current administration to Germany’s darkest hour of history and the media did what sells papers - it reflected our sense of fear and hopelessness.

This year after the second, not so urgent to some, Women's March, I experienced family, colleagues and friends show overwhelming amounts of gratitude and love for the thousands of Women and allies who marched on that Saturday. I heard things like “Democracy is alive again in America!” as well as astonishment and relief that so many people showed up, even if for no other reason than to be another small voice joining a much louder song encouraging everyone that inclusion and human decency will prevail.

My point is not to discuss whether we should or shouldn’t participate in protests.

My point is to remind you that, What We Do Matters.

Every, Single, Thing We Do Matters. The VAST Institute has long been a friend to those who thought their heartfelt desires such as clarity of purpose or thriving were impossible. Our Founder Michelle Sherman, for almost three decades, has developed and delivered an innovative coaching process, which focuses on expanding right use of personal power, conscious business practices, healthy relationships and quality of life enrichment.

No matter how pointless something may seem now, I promise that what you do matters. “Not worth it” to me might be “last hope” to another and it takes us working together to lift each other up and be strong for one another when any member of our human family needs encouragement.

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Proud to be a Pollyanna

For as long as I can remember, because of my unbridled and optimistic approach to life, people have accused of me being a Pollyanna! After thinking on this for quite some time, I looked the term up in the dictionary and found what Merriam-Webster had to say, “a person characterized by irrepressible optimism and a tendency to find good in everything”.

Why wouldn’t I want to be a Pollyanna then?

What amazes me is how uncomfortable people have been with this sense of positivity and optimism. I’ve been met with countless eye rolls, looks of sympathy and cynical snorts dismissing me as naïve, weak or oblivious to reality. It never seems to occur to them that I choose to be hopeful and confident in my expectations of favorable outcomes. And, by making that choice, I am also mitigating the drama, tension, stress and confusion that less optimistic folks unintentionally exude.

Still think being a Pollyanna is naïve?

Turns out that being optimistic not only makes living more fun, but it also increases your life expectancy! As explored in “Kindling The Flame-The Art and Science of Cognitive Replenishment” (Sherman 2017, LOA Publishing), a Mayo Clinic study found that individuals with a pessimistic outlook were 19% more likely to die than their optimistic counterparts. People who see good outcomes can navigate the uncomfortable and unexpected twists and turns of life with grace and resilience. Those who intently focus on negativity forego the elevated levels of thinking required to generate the fresh solutions needed to grow and thrive.

There’s something my inner Pollyanna has learned, and I will be bold enough to share it with you.

A few of the people who have mocked me (noticeably or to themselves) over the years, have admitted that they are in fact secretly a tinsy bit jealous. If nothing else, they admire the sense of joy, positive outcomes often commenting about my luck or make other excuses as to why good things continue to happen to me. When asked how I am on most given days, I can sincerely respond with a resounding, Good! Thank you! That answer stems from a daily gratitude for the warm shower, healthy food and caring people I interact with. What the skeptics don’t witness is that the same negative situations are presented to me, life does not discriminate and no one “has it all”. There are times when I get a flat tire, argue with my spouse, misunderstand my daughter, send out an email before completing- Oops! or run late for important meetings just like everyone else in the world. The difference is that I ultimately choose to see each of those situations as an opportunity to master my response to life and exercise my positive imagination. I find something of value in each of them. By refocusing myself on what I’m learning I am instantly turning something negative into something positive and freeing myself up to have a magnificent day.

One final thought about being a Proud Pollyanna is that as a Life and Executive Coach I have seen that even skeptics can appropriately express their inner Pollyanna once they understood the benefits. When that occur on a broader basis I am thrilled to see how our world will change. On that day the gentle power of optimism will no longer need to prove itself.

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Personal Development Bias Attracts Legendary Talent

By Don Graf,  VAST Advisor

In reviewing the business publications articles that cross my desk, talking to others about their business challenges, and from scanning social media, I conclude that today, advocating for the personal development of employees is an essential part of attracting, retaining, and growing (both qualitatively and quantitatively) the workforce.  No longer do we question why we should embrace providing personal development employees. It is demanded by the workforce.   Studies by Entrepreneur magazine (2016), Forbes (2017) and Oracle (2017), among others, reveal that Millennials are looking for employment opportunities to meaningfully contribute, the ability to apply their best skills and be respected and recognized for their value to the company. These factors are also present in previous studies of generations at work, as a quick search on Google will demonstrate.  

Throughout my career, I have been motivated to nourish both the professional and personal development of those around me. Be they clients, colleagues or employees, I experience significant pride in the new-found zest for life usually translates into a new-found enthusiasm for my business organization.  This intangible zest has profited the companies I’ve led in ways that I had not expected.  While navigating the management of larger and larger teams, I learned to anticipate that “something” great would ultimately result from supporting the “whole” colleague without creating an expectation about what that “something” should be.  In doing so I have been repeatedly surprised, and pleasantly rewarded. My suggestion to professionals of all pay grades seeking remarkable talent is this,

Create a Whole Person Culture, be known for it, and become legendary. A dividend of motivated and talented people, will remain loyal and contribute in unforeseen ways to the company success. Let me explain.

I know a professional services company that was legendary for having a collection of exotic cars that employees could drive while on company business.  That perk helped distinguish the firm and attract the type of talent they required while showcasing their values. It attracted talent but the fast cars did not point to value for their customers. Today that approach seems antiquated, but the legendary concept is always relevant.

Instead of fast cars, how about being legendary as a company of FIRE WALKERS?!  Becoming legendary for business associates that have walked over hot coals could foster a legend with the expectations of accomplishing much more in the pursuit of client objectives.  Attracting employees to the firm that want to experience walking over hot coals, self-selects a stratum of likely high performers and risk takers.  

My personal experience with “fire walking” in Dec 31, 1998, led me to offer this as a personal development experience to an employee who found herself promoted to a new position, and though she had the capability, felt less than confident in her ability to persuade or lead others. Confidence as an inspired leader was her growth edge.

By increasing personal confidence, we bring out previously unknown talents and abilities in individuals.   Increased confidence can come from a variety of events or circumstances, usually experienced over time.  Sometimes, when “time is of the essence”, more unique experiences may provide a quicker boost.

The colleague who doubted her leadership abilities accepted my offer and successfully fire walked.  With this new-found confidence, she blossomed in her new role and garnered the respect of her peers.  

In conclusion, I assert that the employer who embraces the personal development of their employees to bring forward their personal values in alignment with company goals, not only increases the self-confidence of employees to contribute, and provides a professional context for teams to operate with increased focus and fewer distractions, they will also become known as perhaps a legendary (great!) place to work.  This will reduce turnover costs, facilitate recruiting of talented employees, and bring forth unforeseen solutions to emerging challenges in the marketplace. The unforeseen gift will be a position of market leadership and the benefits that provides.

Learn More

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VAST Institute launches Code of Conduct Online Learning Series

Looking to ignite engagement within your team in 2018? 

Discover how adopting a Code of Conduct provides a personal guidance system that enhances transparency, builds trust and improves outcomes! 

The VAST Institute is delighted to invite you to join us for a refreshing and uplifting six-part series on Codes of Conduct beginning on January 9, 2018 at 1pm PST and will be offered monthly through June 2018. 

Learn how to harness Clarity, Respect, Imagination, Trustworthiness and Integrity to achieve results plus implement your own Code of conduct will be illustrated by Michelle Sherman, VAST Founder and Catherine Corley, Principal of 4C Discernment, LLC. This buoyant Code of Conduct, once implemented heightens socially intelligent leadership, cooperative problem solving and improves team output. In short, it is one cost effective, highly potent secret weapon. 

This six-part series beginning in January 2018 that will instruct you how to create and implement a Code of Conduct that once put into practice will not only increase focus and productivity, but also decrease turnover and enhance your team’s ability to work cohesively to achieve organizational goals. 

Boost your socially intelligent leadership skills with this VAST enlightened business strategy and start reaping the benefits personally and professionally! 

This online learning class allows you to discover that when crafted and deployed properly, a Code of Conduct is a cost-effective and potent resource in creating transparency, boosting morale, and setting expectations that build a foundation of trust which enables great outcomes.

Introduction video VAST Code of Conduct

Register for the Code of Conduct Series

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Introduction to The VAST Code of Conduct - Online Learning Series

Looking to ignite engagement within your team?  Ready to upgrade your professional navigation system? 

Discover how adopting a Code of Conduct provides a personal guidance system that enhances transparency, builds trust and improves outcomes!

The VAST Institute is delighted to invite you to join us on Tuesday, December 19 from 1:00-2:00 PM PST for an invigorating new approach to socially intelligent leadership. Register

This Online Learning Session allows you to discover how a Code of Conduct can build trust and improve outcomes for your team. 

Codes of conduct have been a cornerstone of civilized society since before the days of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. When crafted and deployed properly, they are a cost-effective and potent resource in creating transparency, boosting morale, and setting expectations that build a foundation of trust which enables great outcomes. 

This session serves an overview of a 6 part series beginning in January 2018 that will instruct you how to create and implement a Code of Conduct, and how putting it into practice will not only increase focus and productivity, but also decrease turnover and enhance your team’s ability to work cohesively to achieve organizational goals. 

Boost your socially intelligent leadership skills with this VAST enlightened business strategy and start reaping the benefits personally and professionally!

Explore this uplifting leadership opportunity with Catherine Corley VAST Thought Leader &, Principal of 4C Discernment and Michelle Sherman, Creative Director. 

VAST Competencies Strengthened:

Socially Intelligent Leadership 

Self-Wisdom

Healthy Adult Relationships

Masterpiece of Humanity

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VAST 30th Anniversary

Dear Friends and Colleagues, 

I wanted to take a moment and thank the many people who have believed in, worked with and supported VAST (Vision Attainment Service Technologies and The VAST Institute over the past three decades. 

What is more remarkable than celebrating this magnificent milestone is the quality of people who VAST has had the honor of working with and for to make the world a better place through enlightened leadership and intentional life design. 

We all have much to be proud of. Keep your eyes peeled for our new and improved offerings that are dedicated to stimulating Optimism about the future of humankind. 

Michelle Sherman

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Business Strategy + Conscious Thinking = Sustained Success!

Join our Online Learning Session on Tuesday, October 17 from 1:00-2:00 PM PDT to experience the highlights of our Conscious Commerce Conference! You will boost your socially intelligent leadership skills with our VAST enlightened business strategy toolkit and learn three unique techniques to apply in your personal and professional world. Explore this uplifting leadership opportunity with Michelle Sherman, VAST Founder and Catherine Corley, CEO of 4C Discernment to launch your Conscious Commerce initiative today!

Click Here to register and reserve your spot!

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VAST Conscious Commerce Conference - Empowers Socially Intelligent Leadership

We at the VAST Institute are thrilled to announce the success of our inaugural conference focusing on Conscious Commerce and Enlightened Business Strategies. We want to thank each person who participated, our brilliant contributors as well as all those who have supported our mission along the way.

This conference featured thought leaders who skillfully guided us through a day of self-discovery and enlightened leadership approaches. The conference provided a blueprint for embracing the core tenets of Conscious Commerce as a proven strategy for developing mutual benefit with all stakeholders.

Conference Keynotes:

·         Legendary Talent Wisdom to Attract, Retain and Develop a Top Tier Team

·         Igniting Grass Roots Change within Your Organization

·         How to Polish and Leverage a Stellar Reputation

A special Thank You to: Catherine Corley; Principal of 4C Discernment, Don Graf; Legendary Talent Development Expert, Michelle Sherman; VAST Institute Creative Director, Mike Ament, our technical wizard, Kelly Lovan, our logistical ace and, especially the conference guests with who enthusiastically produced a personal platform to leverage the benefits of Conscious Commerce.

For those who were unable to attend the conference, we will be offering the three keynote sessions in our online learning portfolio later this year at our marketplace www.vastinstitute.com.

We look forward to seeing you at future VAST events that strengthen your personal and professional toolkit!

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How to Build Your Stellar Reputation and Become the Champion of Your Own Story

These days we crave the example of a Stellar Reputation.

We still have heroes of all shapes and sizes… like our brave defenders of freedom, genius inventors, and the first responders or loved ones who care, stay and help us through the toughest moments in life.  But how do you become the champion of your own story? One option is to intentionally develop and leverage your Stellar Reputation.

To do this effectively you must first know what you stand for. One short-cut to jumpstart a Stellar Rep is:  Do your best at all times in a fair and honorable manner, especially when no one is looking! This will irritate your most staunch detractors and build your fan-club. Then, on the rare occasion that your pure motives are challenged by an insecure or mean-spirited intimidator, it is by how you chose to handle the prior ten thousand days that your honor be vindicated as your Stellar Reputation prevails. 

People want to know who you are and what they can count on. If you learn to share that authentically they come to trust you and effectively support your personal and professional agenda. This consistent display of your most noble qualities inspires confidence in your leadership, management and life skills.

To polish and leverage Your Stellar Reputation join us at the VAST Conscious Commerce Conference https://tinyurl.com/yayssgl7 or visit www.vastinstitute.com

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VAST Spotlight – Catherine Corley: Igniting Grass Roots Change

We are excited to introducing Catherine, VAST Advisor and principal of 4C Consulting as she shares with us her experience on being an effective Agent of Change.

Have you ever wanted to make a difference, generate a lasting change or adopt a new personal habit? Catherine has learned that creating and fostering a great company requires careful thought and consideration about several factors beyond having a great product or service.  Two factors to consider:

1.       You must pay close attention to social intelligence factors such as attracting people with similar values who are aligned to your long-term vision

2.       Expectations: transparency in expectations between you and others based on their values, your relationship or a concrete agreement, fosters the trust and confidence needed to grow.

These factors, combined with creating and adopting a Code of Conduct enable opportunities for increased efficiency, personal gratification and enhanced outcomes in both your personal and professional life.  

To learn how to ignite your own Grassroots change, Join us on September 26th in Seattle at The VAST Conscious Commerce Conference or visit www.vastinstitute.com

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Igniting Grassroots Change

Have you ever wanted to make a difference, generate a lasting change or adopt a new personal habit?

Creating and fostering a great company requires careful thought and consideration about several factors beyond having a great product or service.  When you consciously create or go about changing the culture of a company, you must pay close attention to social intelligence factors such as attracting people with similar values who are aligned to your long-term vision. When you can start with a group of people who share values, are working towards an inspirational goal and want to make a positive difference, you possess the most effective ways to implement change and make it last. When people voluntarily become part of something they believe in, they become part of the process that actively and visibly supports the change.

Another important factor relates to expectations.  When there is transparency in your expectations it fosters trust and confidence in them.  Once trust is established, people are free to focus on what matters most versus spending time worrying about what might have been meant or concerned about not accomplishing a task or which agreements might be broken.

These factors, combined with creating and adopting a code of conduct enable opportunities for increased efficiency, personal gratification and enhanced outcomes in both personal and professional lives.  Creating a personal code of conduct, or human operating system, facilitates open communication, accurate expectations and a foundation of trust.