Peakinsight Newsletter (Number 1)

Peakinsight News, Winter 2003 (Number 1)
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Welcome to our newsletter. Its purpose is to help people expand their insight and make new connections. We hope you'll want to continue receiving this in the future. However, if you want to take your name off our email list, simply visit http://www.peakinsight.com/unsubscribe.html
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Peakinsight News, Winter 2003 (Number 1)

IN THIS ISSUE:
1) People changing their world: Dan Petersen
2) Reflections on Fires by Katherine Holt
3) Upcoming events
4) Hot off the press
5) Quotes to spark imagination and action

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1) People changing their world: Dan Petersen (by Katherine Holt)
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While on sabbatical, I heard about a guy named Dan Petersen who was building a learning center in Cortez, Colorado. I called to learn more about his Sage Canyon project. I asked if he allowed people to camp there in return for doing some work on the land. He hadn't gotten a request like this before, but invited me to come.

I found someone who is changing his world and helping others change theirs.

Dan is a reformed orthodontist who was certified through Hudson Institute to do personal coaching. He confesses to having a high degree of "restlessness around the ordinary" and works with people who are breaking out of old patterns, making transitions, and living adventurous lives.

Like many coaches, Dan works on the edge and helps others explore their edges. He even started an annual retreat called "Edges" to provide a learning community for other coaches. According to Dan, "the visionary life keeps dropping us into the unknown and that uncertain future is what gives rise to extraordinary outcomes."

His own vision involved creating a place that would "offer a powerful message of freedom and hope to humanity" and promote the evolution of human consciousness. Dan's dream is unfolding slowly. He started by buying 130 acres of canyon lands and relocating to Cortez, Colorado. He continues splitting his days between tele-coaching appointments and working outside. He has cleared land, built roads, and erected a teepee for visiting questors.

The Sage Canyon Project was established as a non-profit organization in 2002. Dan and his partners are attracting a community of people who are "taking action on their own personal evolution" to make a difference in their world. Sage Canyon is now offering study courses, workshops, coaching, wilderness inventures, and solitude retreats.

Dan exemplifies some core attributes of successful change agents. He has great insight, lives a life filled with purpose and passion, and enrolls other people in his vision and strategy.

Now that I live in Durango, Dan is only 90 minutes away. I don't see him often, but I treasure every interaction. I hope you can meet him sometime!

For more information about Dan Petersen and Sage Canyon, visit www.open-focus.com

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2) Reflections on Fires by Katherine Holt
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The Missionary Ridge Fire in Colorado was finally contained with the help of 1800+ firefighters plus a little rain from Mother Nature. When I moved to Durango last year, I had no idea that I was exchanging earthquakes for wildfires. I appreciated the calls and emails that I received from concerned friends. Thank you!

In February 2001, I wrote an article on "Reflections on Cancers, Forest Fires and Other Catalysts" for the link&learn Newsletter. In the aftermath of this summer's fires, I would like to include an excerpt here:

Does someone need to light a fire?
The largest redwood in Muir Woods is 253 feet tall and 13 feet in diameter. Together the ancient redwoods provide a canopy that shades the rest of the forest. Most other trees cannot compete for sunlight with the redwoods. However many different species flourish on the outskirts of the forest. Predators abound, but everyone can enjoy plenty of sunshine.

Some of the redwood trunks are burned. I first assumed that was due to human carelessness. Then I learned that fires are part of the natural cycle of redwood forests, that fires help the forest enrich its soil, provide new seed beds, and retard the spread of disease. The redwoods have fire-resistant tannic acid rather than sap, plus thick layers of bark to protect them from heat.

Unfortunately, people are getting so good at suppressing fires caused by lightning that we are depriving redwoods of their renewal opportunity.

Other redwoods are toppled over. They lost too much of their root systems to remain upright. Years of having people walk over their roots had packed down the soil and prevented roots from getting the moisture needed for survival. However, these fallen trees are providing a home for new life. I found laurel trees climbing in different directions toward patches of sunlight. Oxalis is growing where it doesn't need sunlight. And I discovered redwood seedlings growing alongside the older trees, occupying a safe niche for short-term growth.

The shady cathedral of redwoods reminded me of organizations which have grown to dominate their industries. They make it difficult for newcomers to break in. For awhile it seemed like the dotcoms were threatening the survival of old economy firms. Although that threat seems to be receding, it forced many organizations to examine the viability of their business models for sustaining profitable growth in the face of changing technology and global competition.

Competitive threats give organizations the opportunity to clear away deadwood, stop deterioration, reinvigorate themselves and nurture new life forms„like the fires which help cleanse the redwood forest.

Reflections:
- What are you doing to reinvigorate yourself?
- What is your organization doing to nurture new life forms?

(See www.linkageinc.com/newsletter/archives/od/
katherine_holt_reflections2.shtml for the full article.)

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3) Upcoming events
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WEEKEND SAMPLERS: Innovation coaching work-outs
People who are interested in learning more about coaching innovation and change in organizations are welcome to attend these samplers. Some of the innovation coaching modules will become part of the certification program in 2003. Each session will be limited to a maximum of 5 participants. Experienced coaches are especially welcome.

DATES & TOPICS:
January 4-5: Scout, Networker, Inquisitor
January 11-12: Catalyst, Prototyper, Collaborator
January 18-19: Builder, Challenger, Evangelist
January 25-26: Advocate, Ecologist, Cultivator

All sessions will be held at The Ranch, located 10 miles north of Durango, Colorado.

For more information, send an email to weekend@peakinsight.com.

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COACHING SAMPLERS
Complete Innovation Horizons» 360.
Receive complimentary feedback and coaching session.
Ask about special introductory pricing for groups.
Send email to Katherine at peakinsight.com or call 970-247-1180 for information.

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4) Hot off the press
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The Heart of Change: Real-Life Stories of How People Change Their Organizations
by John P. Kotter and Dan S. Cohen, Harvard Business School Press, 2002
Buy From Amazon

The Inclusion Breakthrough: Unleashing the Real Power of Diversity
by Frederick A. Miller & Judith H. Katz, Berrett-Koehler, 2002
Buy From Amazon

The Seeds of Innovation: Cultivating the Synergy that Fosters New Ideas
by Elaine Dundon, AMACOM, 2002
Buy From Amazon

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5) Quotes to spark imagination and action
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"You can't start a fire without a spark." - Bruce Springstein

"Throw your heart over the fence and the rest will follow." - Norman Vincent Peale

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Contact Information:
Katherine at peakinsight.com
Phone: 1-970-247-1180

Copyright 2003 Peakinsight LLC. All rights reserved.

Peakinsight permits reproduction of the contents of the Peakinsight Newsletter for publicity and promotional purposes. Peakinsight™ and People Changing Their World™ are registered trademarks of Peakinsight LLC of Durango, Colorado. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies. Mention of third-party products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither a recommendation nor an endorsement.