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Being an Adult Fan of LEGO® & working with LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®

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"The Windmill in My Studio" by Karen Grayburn. This weekend just gone I was displaying at Oban Winter Bricks as part of the Oban Winter Festival on the West Coast of Scotland. It got me thinking about how I use LEGO® personally and how I use it professionally. Adult fans of LEGO® (AFOLs) are a passionate and diverse group of individuals who have maintained their love of LEGO® bricks well into adulthood. They are often collectors, builders, and creators who enjoy the challenges and rewards of using LEGO® bricks to express their creativity and bring their ideas to life. LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) is a unique facilitation methodology that harnesses the power of LEGO bricks to enhance communication, foster creative problem-solving, and unlock innovation. AFOLs have been instrumental in the development and adoption of LSP, bringing their expertise and passion for LEGO® to this innovative approach to problem-solving. AFOLs are drawn to LSP for several reasons: Creati

Embracing Darkness: A Journey of Letting Go, Surrender and Trust

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"Walking in the Dark" by _steffen is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. In a world that glorifies constant stimulation and busy-ness, the idea of spending 48 hours in complete darkness might seem daunting, unbearable and even slightly bonkers. However, this experience can also be a powerful tool for self-discovery, personal growth, and spiritual awakening. I recently had the opportunity to participate in a six-day retreat with Embracing Shamanism at Anam Cara in Inverness, Scotland which included 48-hours in complete darkness. It was an incredibly challenging yet rewarding experience that taught me a great deal about myself and the worlds around me and within me. Unexpectantly, I was really excited about the prospect of spending two days in complete darkness. I didn’t know what to expect but I was ecstatic at the unknowing of what could unfold. I was however worried that my impatience would get the better of me, and dare I say it, let me down. However, I was determined to see

How Can I Help Facilitate a Journey of Identity and Purpose?

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A Natural Explosion of Light by Karen Grayburn. As a coach, I use a variety of methodologies to help my clients achieve their goals and live their best lives. The more powerful ones for use in business being: Mindfulness, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, and Coaching. Mindfulness: Anchoring Presence and Awareness Mindfulness is the practice of knowing what is happening while it is happening without preference. By training our attention to focus on the here and now, we can detach from the incessant chatter of our minds and connect with the profound stillness that resides within. This practice fosters a deep sense of self-awareness, allowing us to observe our thoughts, emotions, and sensations without judgment. As we cultivate mindfulness, we gain the ability to respond to life's challenges with greater clarity, compassion, and resilience. LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®: Unleashing Creativity and Insight LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is a facilitated methodology that utilizes LEGO® bricks as a medium for e

Embark on a Journey of Identity and Purpose with a Coach

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"Life Is A Journey" by Easa Shamih (iZZo) | P.h.o.t.o.g.r.a.p.h.y is licensed under CC BY 2.0. In a world teeming with possibilities, it's easy to feel lost amidst the myriad of choice sand directions. The quest for purpose, both personal and collective, often leads to a winding path filled with introspection and exploration. As an identity coach, I am here to guide and support those seeking clarity and direction, empowering individuals, teams, and organizations to uncover their unique purpose and embrace a fulfilling journey of self-discovery. Unveiling Your Individual Identity Our identity is the foundation of our being, shaping our thoughts, actions, and aspirations. As an identity coach, I help individuals delve into the depths of their values, beliefs, and strengths, fostering a profound understanding of their authentic selves. Together, we embark on a journey of self-reflection, uncovering hidden gems of potential and illuminating the path towards a life align

Exploring Identity and Purpose

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"crossroads" by Laenulfean is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Identity is a complex and ever-evolving thing. It is made up of our values, beliefs, experiences, and relationships. It is who we are at our core. Purpose is the reason we are here. It is what gives our lives meaning and direction. It is what drives us to do what we do. Identity and purpose are inextricably linked. When we are living in alignment with our identity and purpose, we feel more fulfilled and satisfied with our lives. We are also more likely to be successful in our careers and relationships. As an identity coach, I work with individuals, teams, and organizations to explore and understand their identity and to discover their purpose and to live in alignment with it. With individuals, I help them to: Identify their core values and beliefs Understand their strengths and weaknesses Explore their passions and interests Discover their purpose Develop a plan to live in alignment w

Mindfulness and LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®: An Autoethnography

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MSc Thesis becomes a Book A dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MSc in Studies of Mindfulness at the School of Education, University of Aberdeen. November, 2018. Published: 04 September 2020 Title: How can the practice of Mindfulness enhance the facilitation of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® workshops? Keywords: Mindfulness, Facilitation, Flow, Autoethnography, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, Play, Narration Available: Amazon | ResearchGate Abstract Mindfulness is knowing what is happening while it is happening, both within our own mind and the world around us, without preference (Mindfulness Association, 2015; 2016). LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is an innovative, experiential process which deepens reflection and supports an effective dialogue for everyone, and is designed to enhance innovation and business performance. It is based on research which shows that this kind of hands-on, minds-on learning produces a deeper, more meaningful understanding o

Karen Grayburn: Coaching Profile

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"A Mindful Coaching and Facilitation Consultant" by Karen Grayburn. Professional Summary Karen is an enthusiastic, emotionally engaged, and mindful coaching and facilitation consultant. Having spent the last twenty years in technical positions around the world within the field of Information Systems, Karen has come to believe that there is a definite synergy between those and our own Human Systems. With a deep interest and training in Mindfulness, Karen’s coaching style encompasses the mindful and compassionate techniques she has embodied. She has also attained an MSc from the University of Aberdeen in Studies in Mindfulness and is qualified as Ready to Teach for both the MBLC and CBLC courses provided by the Mindfulness Association. Karen is also an Enhanced, and Real-Time Change® Facilitator in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method and materials. She has published a book based on her research carried out for her MSc Studies in Mindfulness: “ How can the practice of Mindfulness