Deri's Blogs

Wake-up Your Brain
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Deri’s blogs and video posts include emerging information, tools, tips, and strategies for living a positive, mentally-healthy life – at work and beyond!

We Called It a ‘Walkie Talkie’—We Didn’t Know It Was Also a ‘Brain Gain’

My friends, Audrey and Jacqueline, and I started walking over the last few years – especially during the long winter, in-between our southern get-aways. We knew we loved our “Walkie Talkie’s”; the exercise, connection, and camaraderie were always invigorating.  What we did not realize is the real brain-boosting power of combining walking and talking; improving…

Get Some Post-Traumatic Growth – Skip the Trauma!

Palliative nurses have discovered that there is some commonality among us all when we are on our deathbeds…they have listened and developed this list of the Top 5 Deathbed Regrets. They are: 1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. 2. I…

Out, Damned Thought!

You might remember the line ‘Out, Damned Spot…Out, I say’ from?the?play?Macbeth. ?The line is spoken by?Lady?Macbeth, whose husband?has killed?the?king?of?Scotland?at?her?urging. Her?guilt over the murder gradually drives her insane.? When she speaks this line she is sleepwalking, and she imagines that a spot of?the?king’s?blood stains?her?hand. Have you ever felt that way about a thought you were having…

Gratitude Grows

When you spend even a moment in gratitude, the ripple effects can be?astounding.? Consider this note I just received: Hi Deri: I attended a seminar you led recently. I enjoyed it, and got a lot of good stuff from the whole day, but wanted to share my favorite part of it, and the outcome. You…

Holding On and Letting Go

I was a bit cranky this week.? While it could be due to several things (hormones, late summer nights, preparing for a new?school year, etc.) I wondered why I was feeling a little ‘edgey’.?? My daughter started?university a few days ago.? She is – in addition to being smart, kind ?and beautiful?- a very independent…

The Power of One

What difference does one person make? ?Does one staff member in your business make a difference to your customers’ experience (and to your organization’s success)? ?Does one friend or personal connection make a difference to the quality of your life? I just ran into Ben who used to work at a local hotel; a place…

Ten Tips for Solid Family Bonding

Are you heading out on vacation soon?? Do you want a little family bonding to occur while you are away?? Bonding (coming together, connecting) requires something that seems to be the opposite of bonding…it requires a ‘letting go’?- letting go of?control, letting go of expectations, letting go of limiting beliefs, letting go of those things?that…

One-Buttock Living

If you have not already seen Benjamin Zander speak, you have got to check him out.? You’ll be smiling for days!? I want to hang out with this dude!! In the video below,?Zander references playing with “one-buttock” on the piano.? It’s a different way to play the piano, and the result (the music) is considerably…

See With New Eyes

My daughter is graduating from high school this week.? My son is saying farewell to middle school and is off to high school.? It’s a ‘moment’ for a mom. It’s one of?those moments when you could think ‘Man, I am old!’ or when you could think ‘Wow, I rock -look at these fantastic human beings…

Just Be

I was panicked – it was my first ‘gig’?with the much more polished and experienced consultants I had just started working with.? Gord and Steve had established a consulting partnership earlier that year, and they offered me a chance to work with them.? I left the security of my permanent Human Resource role in a…

What Clients Say...

“Deri, you are the best! Not a dull moment and the time went too fast!”
Linda Borbridge, Manager, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network
“I’m often asked to recommend a professional speaker who will captivate and motivate, and without hesitation Deri Latimer comes to mind. Deri has a reputation for a no-nonsense, energetic, synergistic approach. Her cutting-edge sessions are the perfect combination of science and inspiration and will have you moving into a new groove.”
Dr. Lewena Bayer, CEO, Civility Experts Inc.
“Deri is the personification of quality, style, and enthusiasm in her message. She delivered a message with our group that heightened their awareness and ability to share success. My hope is that you too will seek her out as a keynote, connector, and catalyst for change.”
Joseph Bork, Program Director, St. Mary’s University
“I am usually the type to sit in the crowd, quietly take it all in, and take notes, notes that end up in a binder, often never to be seen once I return to work. Deri was engaging, fun and as real as they get. I was so moved by her session that I shocked myself by approaching her after the session to chat. During the session I didn’t need to take notes because her concepts hit home and stuck with me. I have already taken her advice and acted on her tips and tools to be more positive. Her positivity is contagious and her message is one that everyone should take time to listen to.”
Amy Normal, VP, Corporate Services, Said Business School, University of Oxford
“I had the privilege of hearing Deri keynote at our conference. She captivates, motivates, and positively engages an audience with her unique combination of wisdom about neuroscience and positive behaviors that can be life changing when put into action. I would recommend her without any reservation for those seeking a speaker who can move an audience – from associates on a manufacturing floor to members of an executive leadership team – into action. Her takeaways are designed for positive impact. Prepare to laugh, to be curious, to be hungry for more time to listen to Deri.”
Vickie Maris, Host, Agile Digital Business
“Deri, your seminar truly resonated with our team. You took the time to learn about our roles, our challenges and opportunities and created an inspiring and motivating seminar just for us and made an impact with every person there. Having your book to use as a tool in our day-to-day has also been very valuable and has enhanced the results we got out of the time with you. We all hope that we will see you again at the next conference!”
Chantelle Arsenault, GBA, Great West Life Assurance Company of Canada
“It was an absolute pleasure to have Deri speak at our AGM. Deri brought an amazing level of passion and energy as she engaged our members with her talk on growth mindset. If you are looking for a speaker to connect with your audience, I would highly recommend that you reach out to Deri. Thank you, Deri – we were lucky to have you!”
Rob Chester, Director Information Security, Wawanesa Insurance
“A wonderfully authentic speaker with an infectious positive energy, Deri takes the crowd back to the roots of inspiration by sparking something within the humanity of the people in the room. Her fantastic sense of humor and knowledgeable way of integrating experiential learning opportunities into an inspirational message makes her a speaker not to miss!”
Ashley Collette, Social Work Officer, Canadian Armed Forces
“I forgot to take notes because I was taking it all in and feeling change take hold…”
Derek Rumboldt-Delouche, Director, Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada
“That was fantastic! That was the most energized I have ever felt leaving a conference!!”
Barb Spurway, Principal Consultant, Protegra
“I cannot exaggerate how positively our Forum delegates reacted to your presentation. You set the perfect tone for the entire conference and left a lasting impression on our delegates and CPA staff alike.”
Sarah Marshall, President, Canadian Physiotherapy Association
“You changed people.”
Michelle Kletke, Human Resources Manager, TNG, Jim Pattison Group