Virtual Events for Spring —
The Power of Three
Women’s Networking Group Holds Spring Kickoff Event
Nina A. Koziol
Why did the chicken cross the desk?
Hansard’s talk focused on the Power of Three—three To things to do to stay in the moment, three behaviors to adopt get to Kristina Jauch’s lap as she kicked off the first Women’s for long-term energy, and three ways to shift from a state of Networking Group (WNG) event this spring as “mistress of ceranxiety to calm. “The power of three is used many times, for emonies.” “Popcorn,” one of her many chickens, clucked away example—past, present and future; birth, life and death, and while nearly 90 participants—women and a few men—tuned in mind, body and spirit.” She posed interesting questions, such to the online event. From the guest speaker’s inspiring program as ‘Is your cup overflowing, or broken?’ and ‘Are you tired and several breakout sessions, to the happy hour (complete with and exhausted, but putting on a good face and saying you’re Cherry Blossom cocktail demo), and trivia games with $600 in ok when you’re not?’ prizes, there was something for everyone. Even the chicken. Noel Street of McGinty Bros., joined the WNG last fall. “It was the largest spring event attendance and we were “At my first meeting, we all discussed peaks and valleys that happy with the turnout for this virtual event,” said Marissa we were going through,” she said. “All of the women gave Stubler, ILCA’s Membership and Marketing Manager. me advice and encouragement and it was very comforting to “Women should participate in these events because they are hear some of them talk about their experiences and how they always fun and inspiring.” handle things.” Denise Hansard, life archiWhen things are crazy-busy during the spring/summer seatect, mindset coach and motison, it’s easy to become frustrated, overwhelmed or experivational speaker, (how’s THAT ence “brain fog.” There are things Hansard suggested to help for a title!), presented, “Keeping stay in the moment and remain focused on the tasks at hand Your Cup Full—Managing Your without unnecessary stress. “Hit the pause button and take Energy in the Busy Season.” three deep breaths—slowly in and out.” she said. “It helps “You can’t give what you you become present in the moment.” And, it refocuses your don’t have,” Hansard said. “This attention to your body and helps momentarily release some often happens to us when life stress. Try doing it throughout the day. At the very least, becomes extremely busy or you you’ll be feeding more oxygen to your brain. have a year like 2020. Self-care is a top priority and there is so Start Your Engines much more.” If you don’t focus on your own physical and Everyone has weird dreams or stressful sleepless nights. emotional well-being, you’re not going to be your best with Close the door on those thoughts before you get out of bed. your family, friends or your career. “Begin your day in a way that makes you ready to go. It’s “I’m habit-oriented,” said Brenda Ward of Beary about daily intention setting.” She often has fun tunes in her Landscape Management. “Before the pandemic I was in head, especially, “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” from the a good flow and then everything just stopped and I felt sad film, Oklahoma. “Or, I breathe and think, ‘thank you’ while about it.” She joined the WNG committee in 2016 shortly after I’m still in bed.” attending her first event. “I’ve met several women in the indus“Second, feel all the emotions. Make a mental note when try and it makes me feel that I’m not alone dealing with chalyou start to feel out of control. Trust your body and pay attenlenges that come from being in a male-dominated field. I’ve tion to it.” She also recommends women let their hair down. made many great connections for recruiting and purchasing.” The Landscape Contractor 40 May 2021
