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…

Fear, Love, Acceptance, Peace and Dreams

At this time of year, you might be thinking about your goals for the year, and evaluating how well you did on your goals last year.? Both can bring some angst.? ?What if I fail to meet my goals again this year??? ?Look how lousy I did on my goals last year??? ?Really, do I…

Give … and You Will Receive

Each year, my family does something at this time of year…to give.? One year we bought and delivered ginerbread houses to young girls living in a group home over the holidays, another year we provided food and presents for a family who lost their home just before the holidays.? This year, we chose to volunteer…

Just do it!

Are you going to the holiday christmas party at your workplace? Is it something you dread – or something to which you look forward? For years, I attended holiday christmas parties – either for my workplace or for my husband’s workplace. I have to admit that I often dreaded the ‘dance’ part. Cocktail hour was…

Never Give Up!

I just saw this video and was completely moved by it! Heather Dorniden of the University of Minnesota races the 600m at the Big 10 Indoor Track Championships. She reminds us what a race really is about. What life is really about. We will fall. We can rise. Never give up! It’s a simple, yet…

‘Thinking’ About Retirement

Many of my clients are facing a mass exodus of boomers who are preparing to retire in the next few years. I regularly meet many of those soon-to-be-retired people in the workplaces I visit and at workshops and at conferences in which I take part. I love to engage in a conversation about how people…

WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET

Ten years ago, I was contracted by a client to provide a ‘lunch ‘n learn’ experience for? their staff.? Through our discussions, they liked my idea of calling it ‘What You See is What You Get’.? I still use that line regularly in sessions I deliver today. I started the session with a story from…

A Habit of Mindfulness and Happiness

On this Thanksgiving weekend, I am filled with gratitude for the amazing people who took time out of their busy lives to attend the launch of my new book, ‘Wake Up to Your Habits’ at McNally Robinson Booksellers. I had the privilege to be at Kevin O’Leary’s launch of?’Cold Hard Truth’ just two days before…

Appreciative Inquiry ?at Work?

If you have not already heard of Appreciative Inquiry, check out AI Commons and learn a bit about AI and it?s founder?David Cooperrider.? I first became acquainted with AI from a colleague; that inspired me to attend the AI Conference in Orlando Florida in 2008.? Since then, I use the principles of AI regularly in…

Your BEST Work

I am thrilled to be a contributing blogger for the Huffington Post.? I saw Arianna Huffington speak at the SHRM conference in Las Vegas in June; she was informative, entertaining and engagaing – a true inspiration!? I knew I wanted to be connected with her and the great work she is doing through the Huffington…

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