Growing the Write Way

It’s been rainy, cold, and blustery for the last two days in Cleveland, Ohio. I see dreary grey skies wherever I look. Sounds like “bad weather” huh? That’s what I would have thought – until I read something recently that’s helped me reframe my view. I read that there isn’t any “bad” weather – all weather is good. (And when I find the source, I’ll amend this post!)

Wow! Revolutionary! All weather is good.

• To the landscaper who just planted new grass – rainy weather is good.
• For the 2 year-0ld who enjoys puddle-jumping, rain is the best weather.
• Sun is wonderful – but do we appreciate it when it’s constantly sunny? Maybe not.
• And what about those vibrant fall colors on the trees? Can’t have those without some cool (ok “nippy”) days.

So today I appreciate the rain – it’s good weather!

Yup, that’s what was cooking in my house early this morning! Quite a way to wake up. We usually think of coffee as the “wake up aroma.” Today, it was healthy, filling chicken soup. All of the ingredients blended nicely to create an appetizing and enjoyable meal.

A wonderful change – to wake up and smell a different aroma early in the day. Maybe we’re on to something here…cook something unique in the morning…try a new recipe…take a new action. Change will open all sorts of possibilities!

I’m going to take my own advice, presented at the STC 55th Technical Summit and LEARN! (For a copy of the presentation, please email me.)

• Learn new enterprises.
• Entertain change.
• Actively seek out different opportunities.
• Run after new tools.
• Network.

I’m especially excited about the “R” – new software tools – InDesign, Illustrator, and more on HTML. This will also activate the “E” – I’m entertaining the change in skill set!

What will open up next? How can I use these tools to assist others?

On a journey there are twists and turns in the road. Sometimes, we lose our way. Sometimes the GPS is wrong. Sometimes the road is straight, yet we hit a heavy rainstorm. Or maybe there’s construction in one part of the route that we didn’t expect and now we’re delayed. So what happens?

If we’re lost, we stop and ask directions – sometimes more than once. If the GPS is wrong, maybe re-program it. And what happens in that heavy rainstorm? We get off the highway and wait for the storm to pass. We check the map for another route, and if there isn’t any, we wait and move forward slowly toward our destination.

We learn patience with the process. And as long as we know where we’re going, as long as we focus on the destination, we’ll get there.

Have a great trip!

Snippets of general career search advice…

• Post a list of job must haves and wants in a prominent place.
• Maintain a copy of the resume in key places.
• Take time between the offer and response.
• Before launching a business, consider, “What will my business contribute to the world?”

Musings about the right opportunity…

• Do my skills, interests and abilities match what the employer needs?
• Will this position bring out my potential?
• Does this opportunity make my soul sing?

It’s a cool day here in Cleveland, Ohio. The sun is shining, the trees are starting to show their vibrant colors, and the birds are singing. I enjoyed all of this in the early morning, before the world woke up!

What a gift – to be able to get before dawn, walk the neighborhood and listen to these morning sounds. There was a light mist over the golf course so that the grass and tree trunks appeared hazy – as if the view was an impressionist painting.

I’m grateful for all that I’ve been granted today. Gratitude – gratefulness, thankfulness, appreciation.

Sometimes I write in order to reach the dark places that prevent me from continuing my journey. Those are the dark places inside of me. Through writing I hope to shine some light on those places. Why the darkness? What is the darkness?

I often discover that the darkness is fear. Fear of opening that bulky, heavy, oak door, adorned with large metal latches. I can journey to that door, yet I cannot open it. What’s behind it? What if I don’t like what I find? The fear builds during the journey.

The fear builds until I’m about to explode. I suddenly remember that I don’t need to journey alone. I can find some traveling companions to make the trip enjoyable. With my buddies, we can help each other along the way. We share refreshments, information, and directions.

My traveling buddies have given me courage to open the oak doors that lead to beautiful, lush gardens. Thanks to all who are traveling with me!

* * * * *

Susan Orion inspired this piece during her presentation at the ABWA Women of Wisdom meeting, September 2009.

My “to do” lists contain all the items I feel I need to accomplish in a given day. I include everything from “write the article for that publication” to “do the laundry.” Then I race around, often unsuccessfully multitasking so that I accomplish everything on the list. I figure that all of the items are top priority.

What really happens? I don’t accomplish each activity. What’s wrong with this picture? Maybe I need a “to don’t” list.

“A ‘to don’t’ list? What’s that?”

At the recent Home Office Link meeting, Robin Sacks challenged us to rethink our lists. In exploring who we are, why we do what we do, Robin suggested we prioritize the activities on our “to do” lists along these lines:

• Are each of those activities aligned with our goals?
• What is really important to me?
• If I don’t take one of these actions, what happens?

Hmmm…are all of those activities on my list truly aligned with my goals? Is each item of equal importance? Maybe not. Those are the items, Robin suggested, that belong on our “to don’t” lists. Those are the items that I am not going to do. These activities don’t move me toward my goals, so I’ll stop doing them.

I’ll align my activities for the day based on my overall vision and daily goals. If my overall vision is to create freelance articles, then writing and researching better be top activities. If I’m taking some time for R&R, then by all means take it … and don’t do the laundry! (Laundry is not my vision of R&R!) How freeing!

Enjoy making your “to don’t” list!

 * * * * *

 9/11…in memory of all of those who perished on 9/11/2001…in praise of all of those who committed heroic life saving acts…

I learned to sail as a teenager at camp. We sailed on charming, pleasant Lake Bantam in Connecticut. So much to see! There were water lilies and other water flora, beautiful lake homes, interesting birds, and waterfronts of other camps and campsites. Sometimes there wasn’t much wind and we’d do our best tacking – moving back and forth to catch the upwind in the sails. Other days, the wind was perfect – just the right pressure and speed – and we’d sail blissfully around the lake and over to the other side. Then there were “those days” – strong winds, large waves, and gray skies. We sailed on those days as well and got great work outs doing whatever it took to keep our boats upright.

When the winds really kicked up and the sky turned from gray to light black, the counselors would round us up and instruct us to head to shore. “Storm’s coming – get to shore fast.” We adeptly (and gratefully) caught the winds at the right point in the sails, sometimes heeling the boat, and arrived at the shore safely. Raindrops greeted us as we moored the boats and headed for the boathouse – the only structure on our waterfront. We waited there through the storm.

In recent weeks, I was back sailing those rough waters. The wind kicked up; the white-crested waves were all around me caused my boat to bounce uncomfortably through the water. I couldn’t control the sails well enough to catch the wind at the right time. I didn’t want to capsize. Remembering how we used to signal for help during those camp sails, I set up the warning sign for assistance.

A couple of friends came aboard. One nimbly took hold of the jib line and the other agilely commandeered the mainsail line. I steered the rudder and tiller – and together we guided the boat to shore. In the nick of time! We got to the boathouse as the storm hit full force. Together we heard the heavy rain, the piercing thunder, and watched the jagged lightening illuminate the sky. It was quite a show!

While we watched, we exchanged stories of other storms; how we’d managed; how we’d learned from the experiences. Maybe next time, we’ll head to shore earlier. More important, maybe next time we’ll sail together instead of in separate boats. Sailing with others fosters camaraderie, cultivates friendships, and it’s certainly more fun than the solo sailing.

This storm has passed. The sky is blue with a bright yellow sun. I’m ready to venture out again into the lake. Only this time, I’m taking a crew along. Although the lake is calm right now, I know a storm can kick up at any time. And I want to be properly equipped with buddies who can help me adeptly sail the boat when we hit rough waters.

Have you gathered your crew for your next sailing trip?

Recently I had a lunch date with my Dad. This is a rare occurrence since we live about 2,000 miles apart. I treasure these times.

During our conversation, Dad shared some of his boyhood antics on the farm in upstate New York (anyone hear of Voorheesville, NY?). Now, I typically think of my Dad as a practical personal with sound business advice and information to share, based on his varied life experiences. Former VP of a major clothing manufacturer, he is the epitome of a well-organized and no-nonsense kind of guy. He’s often my sounding board to my queries of “How do I make this choice?” or “What do I do next?”

I forget that he was once a teenager. When he described the teenage incident of chasing his cousin around the farm, his eyes lit up. His giggle changed to a chuckle. He clearly enjoyed reliving the incident and sharing it with me. I was surprised – “Dad actually was a bit mischievous (within limits, of course)? Dad did other things on the farm besides the farm jobs? During the Depression, folks had fun?” There was something to learn here.

Lessons learned:

• Always maintain the boyhood/girlhood sense of youth
• Continue to have fun during challenging times
• Share childhood antics with the family – they’ll enjoy them
• Have lunch dates with older family members

Thanks, Dad!