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Author interview: Lisa Mininni

We first met Lisa Mininni when she launched The C Club for cancer conquerors. Now, this multi-talented life and organizational coach has collected the lessons she's learned about navigating change in the newly published Me, Myself and Why? The Secrets to Navigating Change.

What motivated you to write the book?
I believe my mission is to help people help themselves and this book is one way to fulfill that mission. Writing the book helps in several ways:
    -Identifies why change is so difficult to make personally and professionally. When one creates that awareness around how they navigate change, it is easier to create a framework to navigate it.
    -Not everyone can afford a professional coach so this book is an affordable alternative for people experiencing change and helps them create a framework to work through it.
     -Helps people help themselves.

Every writer seems to have a different process, how did you go about crafting your book?
Like life’s many experiences, time and reflection added to various developmental iterations of the book’s content. With my experiences of managing mergers, acquisitions, individual and organizational change, I discovered my ability to simplify complex issues. I wanted to keep it simple and create a framework for the person who was piloting their change, which is why it is in three phases.
    The book is based on the premise that motivators are natural to who we are. The key is to look at change through the lens of one’s internal motivators and, most importantly, how those internal motivators get assimilated into daily life. In order to find possibilities and create new paths, one needs to understand how they may view new possibilities and create awareness around how to remove barriers in order to move through those two phases.

The title grabbed my attention - what do you hope it conveys to someone looking at the cover of the book?
Everyone has the internal personal power to create a life they want if they choose to make a commitment in understanding themselves and others at a deeper level. That’s the key to navigating change.

What do you consider the most important message in "Me, Myself and Why?"?
The key is to understand what makes one unique and work with that uniqueness to create a fulfilled life.

You write about identifying motivators in ourselves and how to manage them in a positive way. Why did you also include ways to deal with others who have those motivators?
Often times, so much energy during change is focused on others: what they said, how they said it, etc., and that energy prevents focus on what’s most important. If everyone creates a greater understanding how internal motivators affect relationships and conversation, we can have more meaningful dialog and focus on what’s most important. Imagine what we could do globally, during peace relations, etc. with a simple understanding of how to manage our own motivators and understand the other person’s perspective?

We live in a world that seems in an almost constant state of upheaval and economic times are tough in Michigan. Do you see that affecting people's ability to navigate change?
Michigan is experiencing its own Cloud of Ambiguity right now and when you’re in that place, it is difficult but not impossible, to choose. I work with many organizations that help others start their own businesses, like Ann Arbor SPARK, for example. There are other grassroots initiatives beginning to help attract and make doing business in Michigan easier. People will need to balance what they hear and the choice of the life they want to create and begin to focus on action consistent with that desired future.
    While times are difficult for many people, there are many positive initiatives happening in Michigan right now. We all have to be part of the solution and in talking about those successes. I chose to be part of a solution to help keep Michigan working by selecting a Michigan-based printer. We can do many things, large and small, to keep Michigan successful. We have to make a commitment to focus on the positive, be creative, and resourceful. If one reflects on the tough times in their lives, they’ve emerged a wiser person because of it. We all have an opportunity to emerge wiser and more resilient. Everyone just has to be creative in their approach.

Your work has been about helping others through life's transitions. Where do you draw your inspiration and strength from?
I draw my inspiration and strength through:
    Understanding what makes me unique and work in alignment with that uniqueness to make the world a better place, (my mission of helping others help themselves.)
    My faith that is a grounding force during challenging times, and
    My Life’s Vision for the future that I keep posted in and around my work area so that I see it each and every day.

Anything else you'd like people to know about the book?
Through the sales of the book, a portion of the proceeds will help The C Club for cancer conquerors.