Today's suggested links: Eckhart Tolle ... Dr. Rachel Remen ... Dr. Colleen A. Sundermeyer (in particular, her book 'Emotional Weight').
You don't realize how pervasive negativity is until you you embark on changing your life for the better. I'm talking about the negativity within ourselves.
Negativity is literally a quagmire. The inertia is incredible. As soon as you think about doing something positive, or trying something different, another part of you blurts out some negative judgment. You expect the worst. You get stuck in a downward spiral, and no wonder depression ensues. When you're at this point, getting out of bed is a major accomplishment. Believe me, I have been there!
Between 2003 and 2007 I've sailed through some awfully choppy waters. It all began when my really neat job at a non-profit was abruptly terminated (budget issues). Thus began my sailing lessons.
More coming.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Friday, July 6, 2007
Reason # 7 - Not a Rule Follower
Today I'll tell you a story which will illustrate why square pegs can't fit into round holes (hey, remember that TV show?). Anyway silly me, thought I could wing a corporate day job, which would support me and give me health insurance benefits, in order to pursue my artistic life (I'm a fledgling Illustrator). I learned the hard way that this is not the case.
At about the same time my company hired me - I'll call it 'XYZ' - the marketing department was in the process of 're-branding' and revising all of XYZ's marketing materials. XYZ had recently become an affiliate of a global real estate services company which necessitated incorporating that company's logo and look, etc.
One of my main duties was producing marketing information sheets for a team of really nice sales associates. Each associate marketed anywhere from 10 to 30 properties. It was actually my favorite part of the job because my artistic inner child could express herself (albeit in a tiny way).
However within a few months, the marketing team clamped down on everyone. We were told to use their new info sheet templates, and there was to be no variation. Period. Exact spacing. Indent only 5 spaces, not 4, not 6, photos had to be this or that particular size, blah, blah, blah. The sales associates were used to creating their own info sheets as they pleased, even if they were too wordy, or had garish graphics. Now, the marketing police reviewed each sheet to make sure it complied with the rules (Spread your legs! Hands up! Keep your hands on the car!)
I hated these templates, in case you haven't figured that out by now. Having designed websites and created characters and logos as a freelance artist, well, I bristled at these rules. I'd been somewhat aware of my non-conformist tendencies. But my resistance to following every template rule, down to whether you indent 5 spaces or 7 spaces, e.g., brought to my awareness how ill-fitting this sort of task is to me.
So that learning experience was a definite take-away ... that I should not work in a widget factory where my responsibility is to ensure every widget is the same as the one before!
At about the same time my company hired me - I'll call it 'XYZ' - the marketing department was in the process of 're-branding' and revising all of XYZ's marketing materials. XYZ had recently become an affiliate of a global real estate services company which necessitated incorporating that company's logo and look, etc.
One of my main duties was producing marketing information sheets for a team of really nice sales associates. Each associate marketed anywhere from 10 to 30 properties. It was actually my favorite part of the job because my artistic inner child could express herself (albeit in a tiny way).
However within a few months, the marketing team clamped down on everyone. We were told to use their new info sheet templates, and there was to be no variation. Period. Exact spacing. Indent only 5 spaces, not 4, not 6, photos had to be this or that particular size, blah, blah, blah. The sales associates were used to creating their own info sheets as they pleased, even if they were too wordy, or had garish graphics. Now, the marketing police reviewed each sheet to make sure it complied with the rules (Spread your legs! Hands up! Keep your hands on the car!)
I hated these templates, in case you haven't figured that out by now. Having designed websites and created characters and logos as a freelance artist, well, I bristled at these rules. I'd been somewhat aware of my non-conformist tendencies. But my resistance to following every template rule, down to whether you indent 5 spaces or 7 spaces, e.g., brought to my awareness how ill-fitting this sort of task is to me.
So that learning experience was a definite take-away ... that I should not work in a widget factory where my responsibility is to ensure every widget is the same as the one before!
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Reason # 6 - Help's Just 2 Clicks Away
I want to thank Steve Pavlina, a successful online entreprenuer, for his really inspirational website. Check out '10 Reasons Why You Should Never Get a Job'. Reason #1 compares dumb money-earning systems (called 'Income for Dummies') with smart systems. His wife has an interesting site also.
I've been an official Blogger for 1 week. Already I've experienced highs and lows. LOW POINT -- On the 2nd day, after writing and editing for 45 minutes, my post disappeared! I freaked out immediately for 3-4 minutes, eventually clicking 'Help' and stumbling upon some potential answers. Somehow, I got the post published. I can't tell you specifically how I solved the problem, but that's Web 2.0 for you!
The highs come from my growing awareness of how big Blogging is already and will be. Let me explain. You know I bought 'Blogging for Dollars' by Angela Booth. Not only do I know have the ebook on my desk, I can consult her Blog anytime I wish. In particular the link 'Beginners Start Here' is crammed full of marketing ideas I would have never thought of myself! Again, that's the beauty of the web.
In 2 clicks I have access to a successful person's ideas and suggestions. Just 2 clicks! Not a trip to the library, or a lecture attendance, etc etc. It's available NOW, to me, to little 'ole start-up, entrepreneur wanna-be self-employed me.
Like Pamela Slim of 'Escape from Cubicle Nation' fame. She's got TONS of ideas, inspiration and information. Visit Pamela here. She actually posted to my little newbie Blog the other day!
I know that if I plug the web and its vast resources into my creativity, along with patience and determination, I can do it!
I've been an official Blogger for 1 week. Already I've experienced highs and lows. LOW POINT -- On the 2nd day, after writing and editing for 45 minutes, my post disappeared! I freaked out immediately for 3-4 minutes, eventually clicking 'Help' and stumbling upon some potential answers. Somehow, I got the post published. I can't tell you specifically how I solved the problem, but that's Web 2.0 for you!
The highs come from my growing awareness of how big Blogging is already and will be. Let me explain. You know I bought 'Blogging for Dollars' by Angela Booth. Not only do I know have the ebook on my desk, I can consult her Blog anytime I wish. In particular the link 'Beginners Start Here' is crammed full of marketing ideas I would have never thought of myself! Again, that's the beauty of the web.
In 2 clicks I have access to a successful person's ideas and suggestions. Just 2 clicks! Not a trip to the library, or a lecture attendance, etc etc. It's available NOW, to me, to little 'ole start-up, entrepreneur wanna-be self-employed me.
Like Pamela Slim of 'Escape from Cubicle Nation' fame. She's got TONS of ideas, inspiration and information. Visit Pamela here. She actually posted to my little newbie Blog the other day!
I know that if I plug the web and its vast resources into my creativity, along with patience and determination, I can do it!
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Reason # 5 - What is 'Work' ?
Happy July 4th! This morning I met Susan and John along with their 5 boys (yep, 5 of 'em) for my community's civil parade. I loved watching the kids. They have a natural therapeutic effect on me, or what I mean to say their spontaneity (sp?) does. Whenever a band came marching by, hese two little cutie-pies next to us would just break loose like there was no tomorrow. Now if I was to start dancing spontaneously, it definitely would be entertaining to watch crowd reaction!
Reason #5 relates to my personal expansion of the definition of 'work.' The first big crack or thump to my head was reading Robert Kiyosaki's 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' book. Here's his website. I first read 'Rich Dad' in Summer 2003, right after my position with a large (but poorly run) nonprofit organization was suddenly terminated (I received a 2-day notice. Outch). At this same time I got into network marketing, via my hairdresser, who was active in Market America.
I highly recommend this book to you. It's mind-expanding, but probably more so if you're already dissatisfied with the existing trade-time-for-money system and would welcome new ideas. I could easily create a whole Blog around his ideas (which probably already exists!). 'Rich Dad' stimulated my mind & imagination because of his perspective on the 'system,' especially the fact that he believes (as I do) that we are living in revolutionary times. I even think it is evolutionary - the digitalization of life has only just begun!
Reeling myself back in, 'Rich Dad' was the beginning of my mental meltwdown in terms of redefining 'work.' So fast forward to today - 2007 - and after much personal transformation and growth, I am FINALLY at the taking-off point. I have FINALLY given myself just about all the permission I need to start 'earning' money in a non-conventional way.
It's funny - I live in a typical suburban neighborhood. Most of the homes on my street are owned by families, or couples, who've lived in them for years. There are a number of teachers, blue-collar and clerical workers. And it's a pretty tight little street. When I left my last job, I can assure you the fact that I no longer walked out of my flat every day M-F at 7:35am, got into my car and drove away to work was definitely noticed by the nosier neighbors. Going 'to' work, coming 'back,' the whole rigamarole, it's such a part of us, our way of life. Everything gets all mixed up in it, like whether you're perceived as a 'lazy' person or a 'productive' one, and if you're not at work, but inside your house all day, what are you doing, playing computer games? Watching soaps and eating bon-bons?
Kiyosaki would point out that this type of judgement is typical of someone who's still operating under the 'Industrial Age' perspective. This means most of us still perceive 'work' as sitting at a desk or in front of a machine and producing. Our education system is still operating within this framework and its assumptions, e.g. 'Get good grades, go to college, and get a good job.' But as the last 20 years have shown, this no longer guarantees a good life. We're in the Age of Information now.
So my foray into Blogging is the result of years of soul-searching and going through some interesting adventures to get to this point today. Oh, and yesterday at Barnes and Noble I came across a very recently-published book about Mitt Romney, and he is a Mormon! As Johny Carson used to say, 'I did not know that.'
Reason #5 relates to my personal expansion of the definition of 'work.' The first big crack or thump to my head was reading Robert Kiyosaki's 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' book. Here's his website. I first read 'Rich Dad' in Summer 2003, right after my position with a large (but poorly run) nonprofit organization was suddenly terminated (I received a 2-day notice. Outch). At this same time I got into network marketing, via my hairdresser, who was active in Market America.
I highly recommend this book to you. It's mind-expanding, but probably more so if you're already dissatisfied with the existing trade-time-for-money system and would welcome new ideas. I could easily create a whole Blog around his ideas (which probably already exists!). 'Rich Dad' stimulated my mind & imagination because of his perspective on the 'system,' especially the fact that he believes (as I do) that we are living in revolutionary times. I even think it is evolutionary - the digitalization of life has only just begun!
Reeling myself back in, 'Rich Dad' was the beginning of my mental meltwdown in terms of redefining 'work.' So fast forward to today - 2007 - and after much personal transformation and growth, I am FINALLY at the taking-off point. I have FINALLY given myself just about all the permission I need to start 'earning' money in a non-conventional way.
It's funny - I live in a typical suburban neighborhood. Most of the homes on my street are owned by families, or couples, who've lived in them for years. There are a number of teachers, blue-collar and clerical workers. And it's a pretty tight little street. When I left my last job, I can assure you the fact that I no longer walked out of my flat every day M-F at 7:35am, got into my car and drove away to work was definitely noticed by the nosier neighbors. Going 'to' work, coming 'back,' the whole rigamarole, it's such a part of us, our way of life. Everything gets all mixed up in it, like whether you're perceived as a 'lazy' person or a 'productive' one, and if you're not at work, but inside your house all day, what are you doing, playing computer games? Watching soaps and eating bon-bons?
Kiyosaki would point out that this type of judgement is typical of someone who's still operating under the 'Industrial Age' perspective. This means most of us still perceive 'work' as sitting at a desk or in front of a machine and producing. Our education system is still operating within this framework and its assumptions, e.g. 'Get good grades, go to college, and get a good job.' But as the last 20 years have shown, this no longer guarantees a good life. We're in the Age of Information now.
So my foray into Blogging is the result of years of soul-searching and going through some interesting adventures to get to this point today. Oh, and yesterday at Barnes and Noble I came across a very recently-published book about Mitt Romney, and he is a Mormon! As Johny Carson used to say, 'I did not know that.'
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Reason # 4 - Who is Mitt Romney?
Just after posting 'Reason #3' I went back to create a link for Hewitt's website when I stumbled upon Mr. Mitt Romney.
Who is Mitt Romney? 10 minutes ago I would not have been able to answer that. However the beauty of the web and having all this time is such that I can find out NOW. So I clicked on the link 'traditional marriage.' Here's the video of his answer.
Reason #4 - Knowledge is Power. How freakin' true. Educate yourselves!
Who is Mitt Romney? 10 minutes ago I would not have been able to answer that. However the beauty of the web and having all this time is such that I can find out NOW. So I clicked on the link 'traditional marriage.' Here's the video of his answer.
Reason #4 - Knowledge is Power. How freakin' true. Educate yourselves!
Reason # 3 - Information Nut
I am an information geek... I suck it all in like an industrial-strength Hoover vacuum cleaner. It's a good thing I live only 7 blocks away from a really great library. The reference librarians and clerks must think I'm nuts, that I must be some unemployed nerd (which actually IS true as a matter of fact), 'cuz I'm there all the time. It's kinda funny, as a super-regular patron, you get to know them pretty well, know which ones are generally grumpy all the time, which ones are friendly, stuff like that.... :)
So back to Reason #3 ... I love researching and analyzing. At UW-Milwaukee I majored in History. I wrote a rsearch paper on the Little Rock desegregation 'Event' which happened in 1957, in which President Eisenhauer was forced to utilize the National Guard so that 9 black kids could enter the doorways of Little Rock Central High School (here's a Wikipedia entry).
For background I read personal accounts Virgil Blossom, School Superintendent and Daisy Bates, President of the Little Rock NAACP who registered the kids and helped them. Of course I also perused the anti-segregationists' stuff.
Blogging is a form of Journalism. No doubt about it! Blogging would fulfill that part of me that always wanted to go into Journalism. Why I DIDN'T major in Journalism is a whole 'nother topic. In any case, this new 'social media' fascinates me and I believe it will be a new pathway for cash flow.
I'm using Angela Booth's eBook 'Blogging for Dollars' as my guide. I purchased it for $97, printed it out and now it's setting here next to me at my desk. She lays it all out very simply. The first step is ... start blogging! And so that's why I went to Blogger.com. It's amazingly simple, although I ran into a glitch a few days ago and I'm still not sure how I found my way out of it.
I'm also utilizing my local library of course! I've checked out 'Blogging for Dummies', 'Blog' (by Hugh Hewitt), and purchased 'Clear Blogging' Since I am not working at a regular day job (I'm eking it out on my last bit of savings) I use the hours to soak up as much knowledge as I can. And, post to this blog, research other blogs, and then read some more. In the background I'm developing ideas for the kind of Blog I'd like to publish. Again Booth's eBook has helpful reports which came with the book.
So Blogging, as a form of Journalism, offers tons of intellectual stimulation and immediacy. Hmm, wouldn't I rather be sitting in a cubicle numbing my mind with soul-deadening, production-oriented tasks?
So back to Reason #3 ... I love researching and analyzing. At UW-Milwaukee I majored in History. I wrote a rsearch paper on the Little Rock desegregation 'Event' which happened in 1957, in which President Eisenhauer was forced to utilize the National Guard so that 9 black kids could enter the doorways of Little Rock Central High School (here's a Wikipedia entry).
For background I read personal accounts Virgil Blossom, School Superintendent and Daisy Bates, President of the Little Rock NAACP who registered the kids and helped them. Of course I also perused the anti-segregationists' stuff.
Blogging is a form of Journalism. No doubt about it! Blogging would fulfill that part of me that always wanted to go into Journalism. Why I DIDN'T major in Journalism is a whole 'nother topic. In any case, this new 'social media' fascinates me and I believe it will be a new pathway for cash flow.
I'm using Angela Booth's eBook 'Blogging for Dollars' as my guide. I purchased it for $97, printed it out and now it's setting here next to me at my desk. She lays it all out very simply. The first step is ... start blogging! And so that's why I went to Blogger.com. It's amazingly simple, although I ran into a glitch a few days ago and I'm still not sure how I found my way out of it.
I'm also utilizing my local library of course! I've checked out 'Blogging for Dummies', 'Blog' (by Hugh Hewitt), and purchased 'Clear Blogging' Since I am not working at a regular day job (I'm eking it out on my last bit of savings) I use the hours to soak up as much knowledge as I can. And, post to this blog, research other blogs, and then read some more. In the background I'm developing ideas for the kind of Blog I'd like to publish. Again Booth's eBook has helpful reports which came with the book.
So Blogging, as a form of Journalism, offers tons of intellectual stimulation and immediacy. Hmm, wouldn't I rather be sitting in a cubicle numbing my mind with soul-deadening, production-oriented tasks?
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Reason # 2 - Independence
I've realized I haven't provided enough practical information... what I mean to say is I want to back up a bit.
I've been infatuated by the web since 2001. Actually I discovered the web when, after my Mom passed away in November, 2000, I got online and began searching sites related to death, grieving, living through loss, etc.
I still remember one woman I connected with, via her website. At that point in time she was suffering from multiple health problems - which I now can't remember very specifically what they were - and her own death was imminent. It was freakin' sad. I emailed her and we got to talking about her life and her job in the music industry. She was involved in promotions and had met/worked with top acts like the Eagles, Marshall Tucker Band, etc.
Sorry, have to reel myself back in.... anyway, the web connected me with so many people and resources and info, I was majorly hooked. I must say, I'm glad to be alive in the 21st century... there is much GOOD about technology. Technology in itself would be a topic I could chat about for centuries. Jeepers, I'm sidetracking again.
Anyway, back to reason no. 2. Reason # 2 has to do with the fact that, I've always been the person that goes ahead and does everything. I'm generally impatient, and have lots of energy. When I'm stuck working in a group, I find myself becoming annoyed often because of the pace. Often with jobs I've had, unfortunately, the organization has delineated everything ahead of time, I mean specific tasks and responsibilities. Depending on the organization, this makes sense if it is a large bureaucracy where all the teeny tiny parts have to come together like a symphony. But it doesn't make sense in smaller companies.
I've also come to learn that companies are like people. Each one is unique in some way. Each company can be healthier or not-so-healthy. It's actually pretty fascinating from an objective, sociological viewpoint. But not from the perspective of the 'daily grind' and needing that steady paycheck.
I'm looking...looking, and did I say I'm looking? for ... the best fit for ME. Being a 'freelancer' seems to offer independence, meaning I'm as busy as I determine that I want to be. On the down side, I'm still working for someone...the client.
This has turned into a bit of a rambling again. But I've decided - taking my cue from Stuart Smalley ['I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!', which is a riot, definitely buy it!] to just keep going forward.
In actuality, I'm toying with setting up my own Blog, as a sort of Roving Reporter of the lesbian variety.
I've been infatuated by the web since 2001. Actually I discovered the web when, after my Mom passed away in November, 2000, I got online and began searching sites related to death, grieving, living through loss, etc.
I still remember one woman I connected with, via her website. At that point in time she was suffering from multiple health problems - which I now can't remember very specifically what they were - and her own death was imminent. It was freakin' sad. I emailed her and we got to talking about her life and her job in the music industry. She was involved in promotions and had met/worked with top acts like the Eagles, Marshall Tucker Band, etc.
Sorry, have to reel myself back in.... anyway, the web connected me with so many people and resources and info, I was majorly hooked. I must say, I'm glad to be alive in the 21st century... there is much GOOD about technology. Technology in itself would be a topic I could chat about for centuries. Jeepers, I'm sidetracking again.
Anyway, back to reason no. 2. Reason # 2 has to do with the fact that, I've always been the person that goes ahead and does everything. I'm generally impatient, and have lots of energy. When I'm stuck working in a group, I find myself becoming annoyed often because of the pace. Often with jobs I've had, unfortunately, the organization has delineated everything ahead of time, I mean specific tasks and responsibilities. Depending on the organization, this makes sense if it is a large bureaucracy where all the teeny tiny parts have to come together like a symphony. But it doesn't make sense in smaller companies.
I've also come to learn that companies are like people. Each one is unique in some way. Each company can be healthier or not-so-healthy. It's actually pretty fascinating from an objective, sociological viewpoint. But not from the perspective of the 'daily grind' and needing that steady paycheck.
I'm looking...looking, and did I say I'm looking? for ... the best fit for ME. Being a 'freelancer' seems to offer independence, meaning I'm as busy as I determine that I want to be. On the down side, I'm still working for someone...the client.
This has turned into a bit of a rambling again. But I've decided - taking my cue from Stuart Smalley ['I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!', which is a riot, definitely buy it!] to just keep going forward.
In actuality, I'm toying with setting up my own Blog, as a sort of Roving Reporter of the lesbian variety.
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