You are currently browsing the monthly archive for January 2009.
My clients at 341 Studios loved the suggestion of getting their team together for a celebration at the beginning of the New Year. They invited all of their subcontractors (me, included) for a party at one of those paint-your-own-pottery places. There was wine, delicious food, sweets, good company and a fun art project to focus on.
We filled two tables, painting unfinished mugs, bowls, platters and vases while we got to know each other. There’s something special about chatting while your hands are busy. Within a short time, new relationships were forged and older ones solidified–which was the intent of the evening. A week or two later, Felicia stopped by my office with my finished mug–a reminder of that wonderful night.
Felicia Rubinstein and Gretchen Bruno, two of 341′s partners, wanted to build their team as well as show appreciation. The party last year was such a success that they are following it up with another hands-on treat. To invite the team this year they designed these aprons and invitations ( I love the creativity displayed in the brilliant, attention-getting header) for a cooking party at Kitchens by Deane in New Canaan. I’d recently had lunch there with my friend and colleague Terry Scarborough, so when Felicia mentioned wanting to have a cooking class, I connected them with this happy result.
I’m having my own appreciation party next week for my past and current clients. I think it’s more important than ever to get people connected and in the company of others who are happy and thriving. It’s where I want to be.
I learned how to meditate over 15 years ago. I’ve meditated (TM) twice a day every day since then with very few exceptions. I still don’t think I’m doing it right. I share this because, although this is my 100th blog post, I don’t think I’m doing it right either.
My fabulous blog instructor, Lena West, explicitly told me that to be a good blogger you have to read other people’s blogs, comment on and trackback to them, quote them and stay engaged with influencers. I haven’t done that.
But, I’ve loved every minute of my blogging experience. It’s given me a brand new perspective on my business and what I want to bring to my clients and colleagues. I feel like I’m walking around with new lenses on, seeing small business in a completely new light. I can’t wait to write a piece on logo envy, another on how to deal with making plans in the Northeast during winter and yet another on throwing parties as a way to promote your business. I got the coolest invitation from my clients at 341 Studios. (More on that later this week.)
I’ve loved sharing my perspective with my readers. I’ve gotten positive feedback from neighbors here in Norwalk and from as far away as Slovenia. (Hi Darja!) It seems that whenever I begin to launch into a story–like my husband backing into the garage door–my audience has already read about it on my blog.
I have the joy of feeling seen and heard by hundreds. I believe that’s what we human beings crave. I do anyway. It’s a huge reward and bi-product of blogging. I surely didn’t anticipate that effect.
So, after writing my 100th blog, I still don’t think I’m doing it right. But like the transcendental meditation I’ve practiced for all these years, whatever it is I am doing, it’s working for me.
In my current skill building around coaching relationships I learned a term for the space between where you are and where you want to be: edge. Two examples in my manual are:
- Trying on a new idea or perspective.
- Being a shy person and choosing to speak up.
I certainly know the feeling and suspect you do, too. That’s where the word edgy comes up–that uncomfortable place between who you are now and who you’d like to become.
The illustration in the manual is an upside-down V. Over the holidays I received a delightful holiday card from my friend and colleague Janet Siegenthaler bearing an illustration by her son Max. It was a more memorable representation than the one in my fancy notebook illustrating the unstable and scary place between those worlds. There’s the “skier” whose primary identity (shy person) is on the left. the secondary identity (one who speaks up) on the right and an arrow crossing the peak of the V pointing from the primary to the secondary. When we’re poised on the top of that mountain, it’s a tenuous place. That’s where I come in.
I want to offer my services (again) to a handful of willing participants so I can practice coach this new skill. I made a similar offer back in October after my first course with great results. Here’s a second offer with this particular skill in mind:
Again I want to practice, practice, practice. Get ready for a bargain! The first 10 people who take me up on this will get a session for $25 to discuss an edge they’d like to focus on–making more money, moving into a new arena, committing to writing THE BOOK, whatever your edge is in ’09.
The specifics:
(This offer is SOLD OUT. Watch for future ones after my classes in late January, mid-February and late March.)
- A 30-minute (to one hour session) to get support for an edge you’d like to cross over.
- Sessions are by phone at a mutually convenient time.
- Calls can be with you as an individual discussing a relationship, or you with and the other person–an edge a partnership or relationship wants to move into.
- Sample session rate offer: $25 payable by credit card
In 2009 I’ll be taking three more courses in this area, stay tuned for future offers. First come, first served!
Although business is relatively quiet, getting ready to launch into the New Year still requires lots of activity, some of it fraught with feelings. My computer guru informed me that it was time to upgrade. Turns out, I’ve had my current desktop unit for four and a half years–a virtual lifetime in the world of technology. It had been getting sluggish and the all-important synching to my Palm Treo was failing. I’m quite good at helping others through changes, but had to go through some muddy water myself this week.
Things weren’t where they used to be. I couldn’t send my headshot to a reporter because I couldn’t find it. I had to upgrade my ACT database program from 6.0 to 11.0 (which shows you how long I’ve been putting that off) and spent precious hours on the phone with tech support thousands of miles away. My videocam and microphone won’t work at the same time now, so I need to get a new combination unit. None of these are big deals–like minor surgery–unless they’re happening to you AND all at once.
I also lost a document (and dollars trying unsuccessfully to re-find it on my laptop) that I’m sure is the one key to all my future success. Note the grandiosity in my mental attitude.
Yes. I know how to coach myself through this, but there’s been a toll–being snappy with my family, growling at a friend, frustration at what’s not getting done.
It took me some time to come to acceptance of the situation, but I’m there now. It’s a new day, a new year. I’m excited and happy and grateful that I’ve been able to turn this upset around and notice how lucky I was it happened at such a quiet time when I was able to devote non-client time to deal with it.
