Last week, I presented at the Twin Cities e-Women network luncheon. I facilitated a tailored version of our Envision Your Ideal Future, titled "Success in 2006!" Through guided imagery, creative journaling and conversation, participants were able to see more clearly what success would look and feel like for them in the coming year. The energy of the 40 women in the room was powerful and moving. As they shared the highlights of what they discovered (and some of their surprises) they were truly connecting with each other. These types of experiences always remind me of why I do what I do. Yes, the mission is for participants to pursue their ideal lives but underlying that, my passion is to help people authentically connect to each other and what is important for them. The very next day, I received feedback from a few of the women about how clear they got about what they want their work schedules to be like in the coming year. Since that seems to be a common theme, take a moment to think about your own schedule.
Read through this and then try it with your eyes closed:
-Take several deep breaths and get comfortable
-Imagine looking at your calendar and being delighted by what you see
-Notice if your calendar is full, highly scheduled or structured or open for spontaneity
-What activities on your calendar are you most looking forward to?
-Take more deep breaths and slowly open your eyes
-Reflect upon this over the course of the day and see what comes up for you.
I wish you success, however that looks and feels like for you, in 2006!
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
3 tips for when business feels slow
When work for an entrepreneur slows down, it often seems like forever. One of my colleagues was feeling down that she didn't have much work coming in. I reminded her just a month prior, she had a wealth of jobs coming in. I go through these same feelings myself and hear the same thing from the other entrepreneurs I know.
It's much like being in a valley. When we are in the valley the mountains seem so distant and unattainable (even if we've just come down from one). We have to be deliberate to not keep our line of vision only on the valley floor.
Alternatively, when we are at the peak of the mountain, we either 1) feel exhilarated, 2) feel exhausted from the climb or 3) worry that we might not have it in us to climb another mountain or 4) an combination of these feelings.
What helps:
1) Affirmation by remembering the mountains you've scaled. Look back through your calendar (or journal) and see how much you've accomplished. It's easy to forget!
2) Stay fit and ready for the climb ahead. Work on your marketing plan. Connect with former clients. Work on those projects you'd been wishing you'd have the time for. Focus on what is working and what is already waiting for you on the horizon.
3) Don't pitch a permanent campsite in the valley. Do realize that it's necessary and valuable to be in the valley. It's all part of the cycle of life and work. This is where you have a chance to reflect and regain your energy. Do your best to breathe inand enjoy the fresh valley air while you scope out the next mountains you want to climb. It's closer than you think.
It's much like being in a valley. When we are in the valley the mountains seem so distant and unattainable (even if we've just come down from one). We have to be deliberate to not keep our line of vision only on the valley floor.
Alternatively, when we are at the peak of the mountain, we either 1) feel exhilarated, 2) feel exhausted from the climb or 3) worry that we might not have it in us to climb another mountain or 4) an combination of these feelings.
What helps:
1) Affirmation by remembering the mountains you've scaled. Look back through your calendar (or journal) and see how much you've accomplished. It's easy to forget!
2) Stay fit and ready for the climb ahead. Work on your marketing plan. Connect with former clients. Work on those projects you'd been wishing you'd have the time for. Focus on what is working and what is already waiting for you on the horizon.
3) Don't pitch a permanent campsite in the valley. Do realize that it's necessary and valuable to be in the valley. It's all part of the cycle of life and work. This is where you have a chance to reflect and regain your energy. Do your best to breathe inand enjoy the fresh valley air while you scope out the next mountains you want to climb. It's closer than you think.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Getting Organized - tips from Mary'n Hallock
Last week, I went to another of Mary'n's workshops titled "Get Organized!" It was the perfect follow up to her "Putting Off Procrastination" session. This is what I learned and will be applying:
1) The value of tickler files to keep projects on track (I have one but fell out of practice using it. I'm getting back into the groove. Basically it's having monthly files and dated 1-31 files so that it's easy to plug in project notes, invitations, etc. by month. And when you move into a new month, you sort the inserts from the month file into the appropriate date files. It sounds more complicated than it is. For someone visually oriented like me, I need to have these files right in sight. They don't take up much room so they are in a vertical holder on my desk.)
2) The biggest time waster in organizations is...meetings. (Most meetings don't NEED to happen and there are other ways to share the information. Many happen out of habit, include more people than is necessary for the relevance of what is being discussed or are poorly run. I thought about this as I was planning our facilitators meeting for later in the week. The goal of our quarterly meetings has been to get everyone on the same page with updates and announcements, gather input for future direction, answer questions and help the facilitators get to know each other so they can provide cross-support. Upon reflection, not all of the meetings accomplish this. If someone misses the meeting, the information still needs to be shared so it's not necessarily a timesaver. We noticed that our best meetings have been when there was work that we were doing together or strategizing. In other words, a sense of urgency and a clear idea of "what's in it for them." So I'll keep this in mind as to whether/how we continue our quarterly meetings.)
3) E-mail keeps you from getting organized. If you check e-mail first thing in the morning and then throughout the day, it keeps you from getting a handle of what needs to get done and the priority of each of your tasks. E-mails feel urgent even when they are not. They can wait an hour or two while you organize your day and set upon the most important tasks. (This is a hard habit for me to break but having this awareness has gotten me to check it less.)
I hope Mary'n's tips are helpful for you. For more of her tips, check out her website at Painless Paper Cut.
1) The value of tickler files to keep projects on track (I have one but fell out of practice using it. I'm getting back into the groove. Basically it's having monthly files and dated 1-31 files so that it's easy to plug in project notes, invitations, etc. by month. And when you move into a new month, you sort the inserts from the month file into the appropriate date files. It sounds more complicated than it is. For someone visually oriented like me, I need to have these files right in sight. They don't take up much room so they are in a vertical holder on my desk.)
2) The biggest time waster in organizations is...meetings. (Most meetings don't NEED to happen and there are other ways to share the information. Many happen out of habit, include more people than is necessary for the relevance of what is being discussed or are poorly run. I thought about this as I was planning our facilitators meeting for later in the week. The goal of our quarterly meetings has been to get everyone on the same page with updates and announcements, gather input for future direction, answer questions and help the facilitators get to know each other so they can provide cross-support. Upon reflection, not all of the meetings accomplish this. If someone misses the meeting, the information still needs to be shared so it's not necessarily a timesaver. We noticed that our best meetings have been when there was work that we were doing together or strategizing. In other words, a sense of urgency and a clear idea of "what's in it for them." So I'll keep this in mind as to whether/how we continue our quarterly meetings.)
3) E-mail keeps you from getting organized. If you check e-mail first thing in the morning and then throughout the day, it keeps you from getting a handle of what needs to get done and the priority of each of your tasks. E-mails feel urgent even when they are not. They can wait an hour or two while you organize your day and set upon the most important tasks. (This is a hard habit for me to break but having this awareness has gotten me to check it less.)
I hope Mary'n's tips are helpful for you. For more of her tips, check out her website at Painless Paper Cut.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
From Ashley:
Hello Everyone!
I would just like to take this time to introduce myself, as the new short-term intern for Purple Crayon Factory. My name is Ashley Brabec, a native Minnesotan who loves to be outdoors. I have just recently graduated fom Gustavus Adolphus College this past May, with degrees in Sociology and Anthropology...and my lovely little English minor.
Throughout my life I have learned and been shaped by the very work you all do at Purple Crayon Facatory, only in my experience I was given this things through a summer camp. Camp Eagle Ridge is a boys and girls summer leadership camp. The camp's emphasis is based around training young people to become leaders. For an hour each morning the campers have one of 40 orignal workshops (newly designed each year by the camp staff). All the workshops are focused on the characteristics that are found in a leader (for example: listening, problem-solving, teambuilding). The experience as a child was so life-changing that when I was old enough I began to work there every summer, in order to further instill the gift that I received to other children. This summer will be my sixth year on staff. I first began as the oldest girls' counselor, working with girls aged 15-16. As of last year I was promoted to a more administrative position, Counselor In Training (C.I.T) Director. My responsibilities now include training 16 and 17 year olds to become counselors, designing cirriculum and teaching them everyday. I have much experience in designing and teaching leadership workshops for 8 to 17 years old.
I just recently returned from a seasonal position in Williams Bay, Wisconsin at Aurora University: George Williams Campus. I began to work with the OWLS (Outdoor Wisconsin Leadership Synergies) Program, that specializes teambuilding and further growth of leadership skills, by utilizing low and high ropes courses, climbing tower, and other teambuilding initiatives with 8th graders through adult and corporate levels. Needless to say it's quite a funny sight to watch a group from IBM up on the high ropes course! It was amazing to see the impact that took place when activities are linked to not only school or work, but also to general life lessons (compromise, working together, goal-setting, and planning).
Working with Teresa and Purple Crayon Factory will be an opporunity for me to learn more about the business side instead of just the play side. I am so excited to learn about what it's like to run a business in this particular field, promotion, marketing, and in general how the facilitators within the company create and deliver their powerful messages.
I look forward to meeting and working with you all. Also you should know that I am willing to do assistant work for $10 an hour, feel free to give me a call about that or anything (612) 558-9951. Thank you and have a great day!
~Ashley
I would just like to take this time to introduce myself, as the new short-term intern for Purple Crayon Factory. My name is Ashley Brabec, a native Minnesotan who loves to be outdoors. I have just recently graduated fom Gustavus Adolphus College this past May, with degrees in Sociology and Anthropology...and my lovely little English minor.
Throughout my life I have learned and been shaped by the very work you all do at Purple Crayon Facatory, only in my experience I was given this things through a summer camp. Camp Eagle Ridge is a boys and girls summer leadership camp. The camp's emphasis is based around training young people to become leaders. For an hour each morning the campers have one of 40 orignal workshops (newly designed each year by the camp staff). All the workshops are focused on the characteristics that are found in a leader (for example: listening, problem-solving, teambuilding). The experience as a child was so life-changing that when I was old enough I began to work there every summer, in order to further instill the gift that I received to other children. This summer will be my sixth year on staff. I first began as the oldest girls' counselor, working with girls aged 15-16. As of last year I was promoted to a more administrative position, Counselor In Training (C.I.T) Director. My responsibilities now include training 16 and 17 year olds to become counselors, designing cirriculum and teaching them everyday. I have much experience in designing and teaching leadership workshops for 8 to 17 years old.
I just recently returned from a seasonal position in Williams Bay, Wisconsin at Aurora University: George Williams Campus. I began to work with the OWLS (Outdoor Wisconsin Leadership Synergies) Program, that specializes teambuilding and further growth of leadership skills, by utilizing low and high ropes courses, climbing tower, and other teambuilding initiatives with 8th graders through adult and corporate levels. Needless to say it's quite a funny sight to watch a group from IBM up on the high ropes course! It was amazing to see the impact that took place when activities are linked to not only school or work, but also to general life lessons (compromise, working together, goal-setting, and planning).
Working with Teresa and Purple Crayon Factory will be an opporunity for me to learn more about the business side instead of just the play side. I am so excited to learn about what it's like to run a business in this particular field, promotion, marketing, and in general how the facilitators within the company create and deliver their powerful messages.
I look forward to meeting and working with you all. Also you should know that I am willing to do assistant work for $10 an hour, feel free to give me a call about that or anything (612) 558-9951. Thank you and have a great day!
~Ashley
Monday, December 05, 2005
Putting Off Procrastination
I've made leaps and bounds in the last few weeks of getting my office organized again. But I have to admit that I'm still way behind on my filing and record keeping. The piles just seem to grow and grow. I now have a large box of old papers to go through as well as full "to file" and "to enter" bins on my desk. Whenever I look at the piles or step around the box, I feel a twinge of incompetence because I can't muster the energy to figure out what to do with all the papers.
For a boost of motivation I participated in our facilitator, Mary'n Hallock's session, "Putting Off Procrastination" that she presented for Minnesota Women of Today on Saturday. Here is just a little of all that I learned (with my thoughts in italics):
1) Of everything we file, we only look at 20% (or less) of it again. So if I'm never going to look at the other 80%, should I be stressing out so much about filing things away perfectly or even keeping much of it?
2) When we feel overwhelmed with everything we need to do, we often set ourselves up with monumental expectations for what we can get done. With such high expectations, we usually can't achieve them and then end up feeling worse. Instead of thinking that I should devote several full days to the task, I'd be better off scheduling 15-30 minutes every week. Yes, scheduling it as sacred time on my calendar. And being the extrovert I am, I should consider having someone over to either help me or to just have tea with me while I do the work. It would certainly make it more enjoyable and make me more likely to follow through if someone else is planning on it. As soon as I'm done with today's blog, I'm getting this on my calendar!
3) Plan to give yourself an appropriate reward for completing the task. Meaning if it's a huge task, I should award myself with more than just a nice cup of coffee. And you reward yourself immediately to get accustomed to feeling the real benefits of accomplishment. Consider that you wouldn't make a child wait and wait to be rewarded for a great accomplishment. Hmm, what can I reward myself with for getting through enormous stacks of paper? A massage is sounding pretty good to me, to counter the stress of the filing.
Tomorrow, I'll be at Mary'n's "Get Organized" workshop. I'm looking forward to the added inspiration to get me going. If you are looking for some help in getting organized or putting off procrastination, Mary'n has useful articles on her resource page. Good luck to you (and to me) as we get our papers and offices back into shape!
For a boost of motivation I participated in our facilitator, Mary'n Hallock's session, "Putting Off Procrastination" that she presented for Minnesota Women of Today on Saturday. Here is just a little of all that I learned (with my thoughts in italics):
1) Of everything we file, we only look at 20% (or less) of it again. So if I'm never going to look at the other 80%, should I be stressing out so much about filing things away perfectly or even keeping much of it?
2) When we feel overwhelmed with everything we need to do, we often set ourselves up with monumental expectations for what we can get done. With such high expectations, we usually can't achieve them and then end up feeling worse. Instead of thinking that I should devote several full days to the task, I'd be better off scheduling 15-30 minutes every week. Yes, scheduling it as sacred time on my calendar. And being the extrovert I am, I should consider having someone over to either help me or to just have tea with me while I do the work. It would certainly make it more enjoyable and make me more likely to follow through if someone else is planning on it. As soon as I'm done with today's blog, I'm getting this on my calendar!
3) Plan to give yourself an appropriate reward for completing the task. Meaning if it's a huge task, I should award myself with more than just a nice cup of coffee. And you reward yourself immediately to get accustomed to feeling the real benefits of accomplishment. Consider that you wouldn't make a child wait and wait to be rewarded for a great accomplishment. Hmm, what can I reward myself with for getting through enormous stacks of paper? A massage is sounding pretty good to me, to counter the stress of the filing.
Tomorrow, I'll be at Mary'n's "Get Organized" workshop. I'm looking forward to the added inspiration to get me going. If you are looking for some help in getting organized or putting off procrastination, Mary'n has useful articles on her resource page. Good luck to you (and to me) as we get our papers and offices back into shape!
Friday, December 02, 2005
New energy with our new intern!
I'm excited that we've brought Ashley Brabec aboard as our new intern. She is delightful, insightful and helpful. Yesterday was her first day helping us with a networking event. She jumped right in with getting things ready, engaging the participants, closing up and debriefing. Ashley comes to us with lots of her own experience designing curriculum and facilitating leadership and teambuilding sessions for youth through adults in ropes and wilderness settings. We are sure to learn a lot from each other. Welcome Ashley!
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
"As an entrepreneur you can do anything but you can't do everything!"
I've taken the plunge and hired publicist Mary Lower from the Sterling Cross Communications agency. I'm excited for what will unfold. While Mary and I were meeting yesterday, we discussed the media I'd like to see Purple Crayon Factory in. I said that I really thought we'd be in Upsize this coming year. I mentioned that I'd sent in an Upsize Lifelines Award nomination for our virtual assistant, Jean Hanson but I hadn't heard from them so doubted we were in the running. Lo and behold, when I returned from the meeting I had a message from Beth Ewen, Upsize editor saying she'd mailed us a congratulations letter weeks before but it had been misaddressed and returned. I love synchronicity! Beth said she'll be calling me next week for an interview. The article will be to honor Jean for being my business lifeline but it will still be a nice mention. (I've raved about Jean earlier in this blog. In the nomination I shared how Jean has helped me to really move PCF forward and that what I've learned from working with Jean is, "As an entrepreneur you can do anything but you can't do everything!" Heeding that advice, that's why I realized I needed a publicist at this stage and that it would be very helpful to have an intern. More about that later!
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Staying focused
On Sunday, I facilitated my largest session to date for a group of almost 300. This is 5 times the largest size I've ever facilitated. The session was Treat Yourself to Treasured Holidays, a tailored version of our Envision Your Ideal Future workshop. It was part of a fundraiser for the Jeremiah Program that was orchestrated by Zonta International. I'm happy to say that it went great but not without a bout of anxiety. Each night for the previous two weeks, I'd have bad dreams that I forgot something very important and botched the whole thing. Every morning, I'd have to replace those thoughts with affirmations that I'd do my best, stay sincere and it would all turn out.
While I was presenting, there were a couple of tools that I used to help myself stay focused:
1) I found several faces that were obviously very engaged and appreciative. Each time I felt my confidence slipping, I'd look back at one of these faces for encouragement and to regain my strength.
2) I reminded myself to breathe and allow pauses regularly.
3) I kept thinking the word "trust" to help myself trust that I was doing the best I could.
It was truly a gift to have this experience. I was touched to be in the presence of so many, helping them connect with each other and contemplate how they'd like to be mindful during their holidays. And I learned so much, myself.
While I was presenting, there were a couple of tools that I used to help myself stay focused:
1) I found several faces that were obviously very engaged and appreciative. Each time I felt my confidence slipping, I'd look back at one of these faces for encouragement and to regain my strength.
2) I reminded myself to breathe and allow pauses regularly.
3) I kept thinking the word "trust" to help myself trust that I was doing the best I could.
It was truly a gift to have this experience. I was touched to be in the presence of so many, helping them connect with each other and contemplate how they'd like to be mindful during their holidays. And I learned so much, myself.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Meaningful Networking
Last week, we had a blast facilitating interactive networking stations at the Minnesota Women's Press Directory networking event. We set up the stations with fun, simple guided activities for participants to have meaningful interactions beyond just trading business cards. It was a pure joy to behold. Participants were really talking and getting excited by each other's work. Collegial and client relationships were being formed through real conversation and connecting. Numerous participants commented that this was the first time they actually enjoyed networking.
What was different? We suggested open-ended questions for them to talk about what was near and dear to their hearts with their work. We set a tone that made it easy for them to share about the personality of their work. And we encouraged them to offer each other continued networking, support and sampling of each other's services. All told, we assisted their opening up about why they do their work and what keeps them motivated. This led to real and meaningful connections.
Many of us tend to set our personality aside when we network. But personality is what makes us click more naturally with others. Have you ever been to a networking event that felt almost painful? I've been in several where it seemed everyone wanted to talk and get leads but few were sincere in really listening and supporting each other. What was missing in the networking was their personality, story and passion. Sure, they shared what they do and who they serve (and then madly passed out business cards). But the spark (other than their eagerness to sell) was hidden.
I don't know about you, but I'm much more inclined to make a referral or provide business to someone I feel a connection to. For example, I might learn that Jan works for XYZ Consulting to "get great results" for her clients. This is well and good. But when I learn that Jan was drawn to work with XYZ Consulting after desperately searching for this type of service herself, a story unfolds; I become more interested and suddenly want to help her along with her success. By getting a sense of her personality, I also am better able to identify what type of client would be a great fit for her.
As we facilitated the event, we were fortunate in another regard. We each had a role to play. That meant that each of our facilitators met (or was visible to) nearly everyone at the event. It made it easy for us to easily connect and draw in people we might not have otherwise met. At the next networking event you plan to attend, consider volunteering to help out. You might offer to help check people in or staff the prize drawing. When you combine having a role to play, sharing your personality and being genuinely interested in hearing and supporting each other, you are sure to have a meaningful and ideal way to connect.
Happy networking!
What was different? We suggested open-ended questions for them to talk about what was near and dear to their hearts with their work. We set a tone that made it easy for them to share about the personality of their work. And we encouraged them to offer each other continued networking, support and sampling of each other's services. All told, we assisted their opening up about why they do their work and what keeps them motivated. This led to real and meaningful connections.
Many of us tend to set our personality aside when we network. But personality is what makes us click more naturally with others. Have you ever been to a networking event that felt almost painful? I've been in several where it seemed everyone wanted to talk and get leads but few were sincere in really listening and supporting each other. What was missing in the networking was their personality, story and passion. Sure, they shared what they do and who they serve (and then madly passed out business cards). But the spark (other than their eagerness to sell) was hidden.
I don't know about you, but I'm much more inclined to make a referral or provide business to someone I feel a connection to. For example, I might learn that Jan works for XYZ Consulting to "get great results" for her clients. This is well and good. But when I learn that Jan was drawn to work with XYZ Consulting after desperately searching for this type of service herself, a story unfolds; I become more interested and suddenly want to help her along with her success. By getting a sense of her personality, I also am better able to identify what type of client would be a great fit for her.
As we facilitated the event, we were fortunate in another regard. We each had a role to play. That meant that each of our facilitators met (or was visible to) nearly everyone at the event. It made it easy for us to easily connect and draw in people we might not have otherwise met. At the next networking event you plan to attend, consider volunteering to help out. You might offer to help check people in or staff the prize drawing. When you combine having a role to play, sharing your personality and being genuinely interested in hearing and supporting each other, you are sure to have a meaningful and ideal way to connect.
Happy networking!
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
A Monarch Butterfly- the pain and beauty of transformation
I experienced the miracle of watching a Monarch caterpillar turn into a chrysalis. It literally took my breath away. My son had found the caterpillar at my brother's and asked to keep it until it turns into a butterfly. We gathered fresh milkweed leaves each day and watched her chomp away and then take rests (her rests were so deep, my son worried she'd died). Last night she crawled to the top of her container and hung upside down. Her head shook a bit and it would be easy to think she was sick or dying. This morning she was absolutely still. In the afternoon I was shocked to see a beautiful chrysalis in place of the caterpillar. I couldn't believe my eyes and wondered how this all happened. I could see that the shell of her head had detached and was laying on a twig. I found a sweet website where a young girl made an imovie showing the stages of a monarch from egg to butterfly: Monarch Butterfly imovie. It was incredible seeing how that transformation happened. The caterpillar's skin, splits open and what looks like an unpeeled grape begins to emerge--it seems fatter than the caterpillar had been. And then the unseemly blob becomes a gorgeous delicate chrysalis.
Experiencing this today became strengthened an anology for me about the pain and beauty in transformation. These are my thoughts:
-The Monarch sought the nourishment she needed (milkweed) and gave herself plenty of rest.
-She found a place that felt safe and then settled in and trusted she'd be okay.
-She appeared to be dying or ill just before her transformation. And things also got messy before they became stunning. This fits well with what colleagues have said about how things often get much more difficult before opening up and become easier.
-As an observer, I didn't know exactly what she was going through and could have easily misinterpreted some of her actions (I'm so glad I didn't try to "wake" her when she was ready to transform). She needed space and time of her own.
-Everything held inside of the lovely striped caterpillar body literally burst out. I imagine the tightness she must have felt and associate this with the tension our bodies feel when we are stressed and going through change.
-She shed a big piece of her previous identity. Her vulnerability in those moments between caterpillar to chrysalis was immense but necessary.
-She's built a layer of protection for herself to get through this next step.
-The chrysalis now appears serene but I imagine there's an awful lot going on inside. Splendid wings are being created that will carry her to new vistas she'd never have been able to reach as a caterpillar.
This has been deeply symbolic for me and I'm sure new interpretations will unfold as I observe this transformation. It really is incredible. If you haven't observed a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, I hope you'll watch the movie to get a sense of how wondrous it is.
Experiencing this today became strengthened an anology for me about the pain and beauty in transformation. These are my thoughts:
-The Monarch sought the nourishment she needed (milkweed) and gave herself plenty of rest.
-She found a place that felt safe and then settled in and trusted she'd be okay.
-She appeared to be dying or ill just before her transformation. And things also got messy before they became stunning. This fits well with what colleagues have said about how things often get much more difficult before opening up and become easier.
-As an observer, I didn't know exactly what she was going through and could have easily misinterpreted some of her actions (I'm so glad I didn't try to "wake" her when she was ready to transform). She needed space and time of her own.
-Everything held inside of the lovely striped caterpillar body literally burst out. I imagine the tightness she must have felt and associate this with the tension our bodies feel when we are stressed and going through change.
-She shed a big piece of her previous identity. Her vulnerability in those moments between caterpillar to chrysalis was immense but necessary.
-She's built a layer of protection for herself to get through this next step.
-The chrysalis now appears serene but I imagine there's an awful lot going on inside. Splendid wings are being created that will carry her to new vistas she'd never have been able to reach as a caterpillar.
This has been deeply symbolic for me and I'm sure new interpretations will unfold as I observe this transformation. It really is incredible. If you haven't observed a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, I hope you'll watch the movie to get a sense of how wondrous it is.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
At last week's WELLmet networking session, one of the participants shared how her professional confidence had transitioned throughout the meeting.
She'd been drawn to the professional group in order to form collegial relationships with others in the fields of wellness, creative and spiritual development. When she first arrived she was very excited for the opportunity. During introductions, she began to second guess herself. There were others in the group who did similar aspects to her work (writing a book, facilitating retreats, life coaching...). She began to feel deflated and that her work wasn't as unique as she'd like to think. After meeting up with the other participants, her excitement returned. What happened? She noticed several things:
1) While other's work might be similar, their styles/motivations/experiences/key audiences had unique differences from her own.
2) With an attitude of abundance, she realized there was more than enough room to be supportive of one another's work
3) And most importantly, she said, having connected with others doing similar work affirms that the work is necessary and needs to be in the world. (For example: Life coaching is a relatively new concept. As more and more people see the benefits of coaching--many go into the field. It now becomes a matter of identifying the ideal fit between a coach and client. So focusing on ones' own style/motivations/experiences and key audience is where a coach's services become unique).
Of course, she also remembered that she had been drawn to the event to be surrounded by supportive colleagues in similar fields. I was happy she shared this realization. I don't have a competitive nature but I have been in situations where I've felt deflated in the same way and notice when it happens for others. After she shared this insight with the group, there was a collective, relieved sigh--indicating that we all shared this feeling and were relieved to be reminded of the true positives of connecting with those in similar fields.
She'd been drawn to the professional group in order to form collegial relationships with others in the fields of wellness, creative and spiritual development. When she first arrived she was very excited for the opportunity. During introductions, she began to second guess herself. There were others in the group who did similar aspects to her work (writing a book, facilitating retreats, life coaching...). She began to feel deflated and that her work wasn't as unique as she'd like to think. After meeting up with the other participants, her excitement returned. What happened? She noticed several things:
1) While other's work might be similar, their styles/motivations/experiences/key audiences had unique differences from her own.
2) With an attitude of abundance, she realized there was more than enough room to be supportive of one another's work
3) And most importantly, she said, having connected with others doing similar work affirms that the work is necessary and needs to be in the world. (For example: Life coaching is a relatively new concept. As more and more people see the benefits of coaching--many go into the field. It now becomes a matter of identifying the ideal fit between a coach and client. So focusing on ones' own style/motivations/experiences and key audience is where a coach's services become unique).
Of course, she also remembered that she had been drawn to the event to be surrounded by supportive colleagues in similar fields. I was happy she shared this realization. I don't have a competitive nature but I have been in situations where I've felt deflated in the same way and notice when it happens for others. After she shared this insight with the group, there was a collective, relieved sigh--indicating that we all shared this feeling and were relieved to be reminded of the true positives of connecting with those in similar fields.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Hot Fun in the Summertime
Aaah, picking and eating fresh raspberries, discovering bugs you've never seen before, seeing a bald eagle up close, connecting with friends at backyard BBQs, receiving compliments on a recipe you've just tried for the first time, playing in dirt and getting so filthy you leave a ring in the tub, teaching a child to ride a bike without training wheels while cheering and leaping, camping somewhere you haven't ventured before and feeling like an explorer, perching on a summit to be surrounded by fireworks illuminating various parts of the city, listening to rain and feeling it cool a hot summer night, trying to fit in as many adventures as you can before summer slips away...
All being said, summer has been great and it's not even half over. Happy Summer!
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Cheap change
You've heard it before, about the wonders a haircut or a new coat of paint can do for your spirits. Last week, I did just this. I walked into one of those inexpensive cut n' go salons and had over 6 inches taken off. Not only did I leave with my hair and new look feeling lighter, I felt lighter all over and ready for summer
To lift our spirits even more, I decided to follow through on painting our bedroom as a gift for my husband's birthday. This was something we've been wanting to do for years. I did all the prep, painting and de-cluttering and surprised him with the end result. He was delighted by the change and especially happy that I put the thought and energy into completing it.
We'd had the desired color picked out a couple of years ago and we still really liked the color. I went into a paint liquidation store and was able to find a gallon of the same pre-mixed color for only $5! If you're looking for a quick room change to brighten your spirits, I highly recommend looking at paint that had been rejected by another customer for not being a perfect match to what they wanted. This works especially great if you are flexible or completely open to being inspired by what you find. Many home improvement stores have a section of rejected pre-mixed paint--stop and check that out first before you pay a lot more to have something mixed just for you. Even if you don't find what you'd like, it's fun to see what colors are available.
As my studiomate, Gwen Hauser said, "The bedroom is a perfect place to play with color, add sparkle, make it exactly the private haven you want it to be. The color doesn't need to please anyone but those whose bedroom it is." (For those of you who don't know Gwen, she is a highly talented artistic painter, faux finisher, muralist. She helped pick out the range of colors for our Minneapolis wellness studio. She's been featured in numerous design magazines. She can be reached at: 651-303-2377. I highly recommend her work.)
I hope this has inspired you to make a simple, fun and inexpensive transformation in your life.
Cheers to cheap change!
To lift our spirits even more, I decided to follow through on painting our bedroom as a gift for my husband's birthday. This was something we've been wanting to do for years. I did all the prep, painting and de-cluttering and surprised him with the end result. He was delighted by the change and especially happy that I put the thought and energy into completing it.
We'd had the desired color picked out a couple of years ago and we still really liked the color. I went into a paint liquidation store and was able to find a gallon of the same pre-mixed color for only $5! If you're looking for a quick room change to brighten your spirits, I highly recommend looking at paint that had been rejected by another customer for not being a perfect match to what they wanted. This works especially great if you are flexible or completely open to being inspired by what you find. Many home improvement stores have a section of rejected pre-mixed paint--stop and check that out first before you pay a lot more to have something mixed just for you. Even if you don't find what you'd like, it's fun to see what colors are available.
As my studiomate, Gwen Hauser said, "The bedroom is a perfect place to play with color, add sparkle, make it exactly the private haven you want it to be. The color doesn't need to please anyone but those whose bedroom it is." (For those of you who don't know Gwen, she is a highly talented artistic painter, faux finisher, muralist. She helped pick out the range of colors for our Minneapolis wellness studio. She's been featured in numerous design magazines. She can be reached at: 651-303-2377. I highly recommend her work.)
I hope this has inspired you to make a simple, fun and inexpensive transformation in your life.
Cheers to cheap change!
Monday, June 13, 2005
Being down to know you're up
You know the feeling...everything feels like it's going wrong, all at once. I've been experiencing this lately; husband missing lots of work because of back injury, my car dying, too many bills. Of course, I know that not everything is wrong. Many, many things are right but the things that are wrong shadow what's going right.
What helps to shake me out of the shadows? Realizing how much we are really supported and how good we've got it. Friends, colleagues, family--stepping in to show us we are cared for, encouraging us along. It's more comfortable and habit to say, "We've got it covered. I'll figure it out. Thanks for your offer but we'll be okay." But I'm reminded time and time again that when someone offers their support, they almost always truly want to offer it. It helps them to feel needed, of value, contributing to the greater good.
And you know what else I notice when things aren't going well? That soon after, when life is going better, I appreciate it so much. It's just like when you get so hungry that when you finally sit down to the most mundane meal, it tastes exquisite.
What helps to shake me out of the shadows? Realizing how much we are really supported and how good we've got it. Friends, colleagues, family--stepping in to show us we are cared for, encouraging us along. It's more comfortable and habit to say, "We've got it covered. I'll figure it out. Thanks for your offer but we'll be okay." But I'm reminded time and time again that when someone offers their support, they almost always truly want to offer it. It helps them to feel needed, of value, contributing to the greater good.
And you know what else I notice when things aren't going well? That soon after, when life is going better, I appreciate it so much. It's just like when you get so hungry that when you finally sit down to the most mundane meal, it tastes exquisite.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Riding the raft
Last week, my sister i group met (www.sisteri.com). We get together every two weeks to support each other on our creative goals. Once a season, one of us shares on our creative pursuit and it was my turn. I shared about my vision for my creative pursuit with Purple Crayon Factory and how it is coming along. As part of the meeting, I shared about how the analogy of river rafting felt important to understanding the cycle of my work and where I'm at in this cycle--you may resonate with it.
In the early part of our meeting, we journaled using the word "river" as our inspiration. As I wrote, I reflected on how my journey with PCF feels similar to riding a raft in a beautiful, exciting river. I noted that at the moment, I feel the excitement (and fear) of being in big rapids. These big rapids are: 1) growing PCF financially and 2) taking big leaps with PCF (hiring an assistant, renting space...). I realized that while I feel very challenged I also feel a strong sense of assurance. Assurance in knowing that I've fortunate to have found my course in this river, to know that this the river I want to be in, experiencing complete flow in this work. And assurance from the abundance of competent "river guides" that I am blessed to have as support for the journey of my "raft" in life. As in river rafting, I cannot sit idly by while the guides navigate the waters for me. I have to be focused, sharp, acting as part of a team, leading/steering when it's my responsibility, listening and following directions when it takes another's expertise when I need my own bolstered. While I'm in the midst of these rapids, I have faith that in the river ahead, these rapids will quiet and there will be periods of tranquility alternating with churning waters. There's no turning back, I wanted to travel this river and we're doing it--and having an exciting time with it!
In the early part of our meeting, we journaled using the word "river" as our inspiration. As I wrote, I reflected on how my journey with PCF feels similar to riding a raft in a beautiful, exciting river. I noted that at the moment, I feel the excitement (and fear) of being in big rapids. These big rapids are: 1) growing PCF financially and 2) taking big leaps with PCF (hiring an assistant, renting space...). I realized that while I feel very challenged I also feel a strong sense of assurance. Assurance in knowing that I've fortunate to have found my course in this river, to know that this the river I want to be in, experiencing complete flow in this work. And assurance from the abundance of competent "river guides" that I am blessed to have as support for the journey of my "raft" in life. As in river rafting, I cannot sit idly by while the guides navigate the waters for me. I have to be focused, sharp, acting as part of a team, leading/steering when it's my responsibility, listening and following directions when it takes another's expertise when I need my own bolstered. While I'm in the midst of these rapids, I have faith that in the river ahead, these rapids will quiet and there will be periods of tranquility alternating with churning waters. There's no turning back, I wanted to travel this river and we're doing it--and having an exciting time with it!
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Entering the world of blog
My Virtual Assistant, Jean suggested we start a blog. So here we are, new to this concept and ready to learn. Having a virtual assistant has been incredibly helpful for our business. We hired Jean last fall. Things that I thought were a pipe dream or years away are already happening. She has saved me over a $1000 by setting up an automatic subscriber service for our newsletter and being available each month to keep our website fresh. I could go on an on about why I'm glad we hired a V.A., as they're called. Jean's website is www.vaofficesolution.com. She has a listing on their of reasons to hire a V.A. She's currently not accepting new clients but she has links to other V.A. sites that would help you connect with one.
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