5 Oct 2018 – Nancy’s Notes & Anecdotes

Quote I’m pondering:

“Travelling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”

– Ibn Battuta

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On my reading list:

I’m in Portugal and I’ve been doing some reading about the queens of Portugal. Pretty interesting, especially when you consider that most of them took active roles in the politics of their day. Several of them served as Regent in their husband’s place and because these were political marriages for allegiance and territorial claims, they remained active as emissaries and liaisons with their home countries. Most interesting to me is Queen Philippa of Lancaster who is immortalized on the Monument of the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) which depicts all of the great explorers and statesmen of Portugal’s golden age of discovery. She is the only woman amidst 32 men. Talk about impressive–She was the mother of Henry the Navigator and actually traveled with him on expeditions and explorations!

Meetings this week:

I’m in Cascais Portugal for the Women of Wisdom 2018 Conference. Wow, just wow! What an inspiring group of women and men who support women. This is the kind of conference that I like: small enough that you can get to know people over the course of a few days, but not so small that you’re stuck with the same people. This is an international bunch and that always brings a new perspective. And have I mentioned the food? Not a chicken breast in site! Portugal is known for its splendid cuisine and if you like fish, well you will be in 7th heaven. Each speaker has brought a wealth of knowledge and inspiration and the participants have been actively participating making it a rich experience!

I’m especially enjoying celebrating old friends and new in Portugal. You know you’re in the right place at the right time when people say what you’re thinking and share the same experiences. Have you ever experienced that?

Ideas I’m Noodling…

How to get more international speaking opportunities and how to promote and create cross cultural strategic alliances.

What better way to bridge the global divide and all the challenges therein, than to do so with other women owned businesses who can be your eyes, ears and feet on the ground?

Here I am with 5 women from 5 different countries: Syria, Portugal, Columbia, UK and US!

I’m following…

Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx and one of the richest self-made women in the world. Here is an interesting article and video clip about how she learned to embrace risk by redefining failure, a lesson she learned from her father who encouraged her to always share her failures along with her accomplishments. Why? Because there is always a hidden gift in failing.

I’m Celebrating…

I’m celebrating the importance and restorative benefits of changing scenery. When was the last time you worked outside? Literally out in nature? You’ll be rewarded with new ideas and I’ll bet you will even get a lot more done than you would sitting at your computer.

In case you missed them, you can catch up here. I hope you’ll find ideas that spur your imagination and creativity to help propel you forward on your adventure.
Nancy Allen