Optimal Level holds monthly meetings at various convenient locations thoroughout Chicagoland. Groups of 10 to 12 women provide a close and intimate setting that fosters discussion and true listening. Meetings last between two and three hours and are led by trained facilitators, who keep the group focused and the conversation moving. At Optimal Level, women discuss topics of a broad, general interest and then focus on an individual's specific topic. Any topic is appropriate for our forum; anything that is on your mind, anything that may keep you awake at night, anything for which you may be seeking an answer, any new plateau you want to reach, or anything you feel like sharing. By the end of the meetings, members feel refreshed and energized. They have new ideas and plans on how to attain their goals. And they look forward to the next meeting when they report on the great progress they have made!
Issues
Balancing Work/LifeShared Readings
At the beginning of the meetings, there is a discussion about a book excerpt sent to members prior to the meeting. These reading selections are of interest and import to women. They are intended to contribute to the well-being, improvement, growth, entertainment, and empowerment of the Optimal Level members. They also are chosen with the belief that members will relate to and care about this featured topic.
Samples of Shared Readings
1. "Crucial Conversations, Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High" by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler. "The quality of your life comes out of the quality of your dialogues and conversations. Here's how to instantly uplift your crucial conversations." - Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator, #1 New York Times best-selling series Chicken Soup for the Soul.
2. "Core Transformation, Reaching The Wellspring Within" by Connirae Andreas and Tamara Andreas. Learn the Five Core States that will help you turn your limitations inside out, enabling you to experience yourself in a way you never dreamed possible. Discover how to identify the behaviors, feelings, and responses you like least in yourself, and use them to take a journey into the wellspring of authenticity, the core of being.
3. "The Confident Woman (Learn the Rules of the Game)" by Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz, the women who coined the phrase, Super Women Syndrome, about your confidence level. Take a quick quiz - example of a question - "I have a strong sense of my self: that is, I know who I am, what I like, and what I want out of Life. I am my own person." Find out the difference between self-confidence and self-esteem, how self-doubt can be helpful, that seemingly confident women feel so insecure at times, how to raise your confident level, and more.
4. "Power Tools For Women, Plugging into the Essential Skills for Work and Life" by Joni Daniels. Discover eleven power tools to help you be more successful in every part of your life.
5. "Never Good Enough, How To Use Perfectionism To Your Advantage Without Letting It Ruin Your Life" by Monica Ramirez Basco, Ph.D. Using a self-test, discover if you are struggling with perfectionistic tendencies. Learn how to stop the struggle with yourself and others, and how to replace the pursuit of perfection with peace of mind.
Presenters
Sometimes speakers will be invited to a meeting to address the group on topics of interest.
Seminars
Although Optimal Level is not a seminar, members will be offered opportunities to attend discounted seminars. Once a group has established a specific area of interest, such as getting through a divorce intact, best financial investments, balancing your life and work, etc., Optimal Level will sponsor a seminar, offered by a professional in that field so that interested members could attend.