You are currently browsing the monthly archive for July 2009.
I am overwhelmed by the response to my request for feedback on my headshot. The request to you came out of a coaching session where I was encouraged to allow myself to be the center of attention–a place that does not come easily or naturally to me.
I love the idea of being fully comfortable in the spotlight and have challenged myself repeatedly to stand in that place and allow myself to revel in the attention. My coach asked me what would help me to remain present for those good feelings. “Breathing always helps,” I answered, knowing full well that I often forget this and don’t inhale.
While going through my coaching certification process years ago my supervisor asked me a similar question. “How can you remind yourself to be fully present with your clients?” Again, the answer was to take a deep breath to get centered in my own body. That breath would give a moment to connect with the soul who was dialing my number for my services.
I devised a structure that would serve as a constant reminder of this easily forgotten necessity in my life and practice. I wrote the word BREATHE where I would easily see it every time. Not a coincidence that this reminder to take a breath when seeking connection was written on the receiver of my phone.
Kate Eisemann recently shot dozens of images of me for a new headshot. I was still enamored of the one she did three years ago, but based on some feedback from an unbiased third party, I decided it was time to step out as a glasses-wearing woman business owner who also happens to be three years older–not that it shows…
I would love your opinion on the narrowed down selection of shots Kate took. She generously provided me with four re-touched options for consideration. Will you vote on your favorite via the comments section?
The winner will be the one that goes onto my website and all my marketing materials for the next several years. No pressure!
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Blowing out candles at last year's party.
Most of you are taking today as a vacation day, so I’ll be brief.
I spent the past three days in NYC assisting at a coaches training course. It was an extraordinary experience being in a room with 18 very powerful coaches-in-training, two inspiring co-assistants and two master coach leaders, Nina McGuffin and Sam House.
Because I was so thoroughly engaged during that time, I’ve given myself today to play catch-up and rest. Also, since tomorrow’s my birthday AND Independence Day, I’m enjoying the quiet of no phones ringing and a chance to respond to 200+ emails waiting in my inbox.
I’ve got an awesome day planned tomorrow. I learned many years ago that if I wanted to have a special and memorable birthday, I would need to let people know it was an important day for me.
A dear friend has opened her home to members of our fellowship for a breakfast celebration. One of the great things about being born on a holiday is that everyone has the day off. If you get them early enough in the day (7:30-10am) , they haven’t left for the beach or backyard picnic yet.
My daughter and son-in-law got us all tickets to see God of Carnage, the Tony Award winner for Best Play in 2009 for tomorrow night. We’ll meet for dinner before the show, stay in Manhattan overnight, walk the High Line in the morning, then see Waiting for Godot at a Sunday matinee. It doesn’t get any better than this in my book.
I am blessed and very happy to be celebrating another year.
After a full day of assisting a coach training program I hopped the subway to my hotel, made a quick wardrobe change and took another subway to NYU where I was hosting a table for Women In Communications (WICI) at their Night of the Coaches. This was a brilliantly conceived event where coaches were showcased to members and guests of WICI.
The format was roundtable discussions (10 altogether) facilitated by coaches on subjects ranging from Crafting a Rock Star Pitch for Cover Letter and Interviews, to Negotiating in a Tough Economy and Building Your Freelance Career (my table). There were 10 women at each table, plus the coach and about 45 minutes to tackle the subject. I shared several tools and strategies for building a freelance business and opened the discussion to those in attendance.
“Show, don’t tell” has become a favorite phrase for me. I can talk till I’m blue in the face about the value of coaching and get continuous blank stares. But, last night, when I paused the group as one participant lit about about copy editing, they all witnessed what happens when you are truly in your passion. This woman had asked about getting started doing freelance writing work. When I asked a question about what she liked about writing, she said, “I love helping my friends write essays for applications and making sure they’re letter-perfect [I'm paraphrasing.].” I suggested that she trust that pleasure and hang out her shingle, for now, in that capacity. “Trust that doing that will lead you to your next opportunity.”
At my very first craft show, exhibiting my decorated eggs, a woman from Bloomingdale’s approached me–because I was there–and invited me to conduct a demonstration and workshop at the store. When you show up with your passion and make yourself available to opportunity, it comes knocking. Your job is to take action.
