My Lifestyle Career

Lifestyle Biz Idea: Build a Tent For Your Tribe

Two weeks ago we had a major storm in my town.  And when I say "major" I mean M-A-J-O-R.  53% of the town had no power for the better part of a week. 700 trees were blown down.  The roof of the Whole Foods market was ripped-off.  It was a week to remember.

Since I work from home, the power outage meant I had to find another location where I could conduct business.  So, I packed up my laptop and drove to our local library, where I found myself working sandwiched between a college student and a senior.  Two people who I didn't know, and under other circumstances, probably wouldn't have even noticed.  

But as we all tried to adapt to a less-than-ideal working situation, a strange thing happened.  Instead of assuming the usual "stick-your-head-down-and-pretend-you-don't-see-your-neighbor posture", we began to talk. 

Voice to voice.  Eye to eye. Just like neighbors used to do in the "old days."

And you know what?  We had a blast.  Within five minutes we went from being strangers to being friends.

My experience was hardly unique.  Throughout the week, I heard stories of neighbors helping neighbors with offers of food, flashlights and candlelight dinners.  Churches and synagogues opened their buildings as shelters for the community.  The town came alive with a communal spirt that I hadn't seen in such abundance since the dark days following September 11.  Funny, how the storm gave us "permission" to connect, to help and to share.

Reflecting on the "week that was" I realized that this need for community holds great potential for entrepreneurs looking to create or expand their portfolio of services.  Offering opportunities for your "tribe" to connect, whether online, in person or some combination of the two, is a wonderful way to establish yourself as a thought leader and generate good will among your peers.

Let me share with you some different ways people are tapping into the power of community by "building a tent" for their tribes:

Create a Conference:  I just returned from The Career Thought Leaders Conference, a three day dynamic event that was the brainchild of career gurus Louise Kursmark and Wendy Enelow.  The conference provided a venue where career coaches, resume writers and recruiters could learn, exchange ideas and make valuable connections.  

Design targeted networking experiences: My colleague, small business coach Jane Pollak puts together inspiring networking events in the NY metro region that empower 30 remarkable women entrepreneurs to meet, mingle and "tap into the creativity, success and generosity of remarkable women."  

Build an Online/Offline Community: Marissa Thalberg is a savvy working mom who created Executivemoms.com, a site that provides fabulous women who are both mothers and professionals with the peer support, networking opportunities, and unique resources to thrive in both roles. In addition to the online resources, Thalberg sponsors educational luncheons and social events for Moms in the NY metro region.

Create a Job Leads Group: Connecting your tribe to work is a fabulous way to establish yourself as a go-to person in your industry.  Organizations like FENG (financial executives networking group) and MENG (marketing executives networking group) are two examples of groups that started out small and grew into major entities over time.

The possibilities for creating community (and subsequently generating profits) are almost endless.  What say you?  I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas of innovative ways to build connections and empower your followers.  Comment away! 

Lifestyle Career Portraits: Shannon A. White, Mom/Minister/TV Reporter/Author (Wow!)

 

For months, I've been wanting to post interviews with people who are living lifestyle careers -- doing meaningful work outside the boundaries of a 9-5 corporate career.  So, I am thrilled that for my first interview, I am featuring one of my favorite people (and clients) Shannon White.  

Shannon is one of the most remarkable woman I know.  A banker by training, Shannon grew disillusioned with corporate America at a relatively young age.  After much careful thought, Shannon followed her calling and became a minister, a position that she still holds today.  

But at the point that we met, Shannon was contemplating ways to expand her calling to help people to live with integrity and authenticity in all areas of their lives: at home, at work, in their communities, and in the world at large. As she writes on her website, "Telling the truth to yourself first, and then to others in a compassionate way, is ultimately liberating and authentically powerful." 

I encourage you to listen to our interview to learn how Shannon was able to diversify her career to include a role as a part-time television reporter (nominated for an Emmy -- woohoo!) and as an author of an amazing new book, How Was School Today? Fine! co-written with her beautiful daughter Peyton.  

The book is getting rave reviews (you gotta love that title) and can be ordered through Shannon's website  or on Amazon.com.  Buy it today -- it is a fabulous guide for anyone looking to improve the quality of their communications with their children.

You can listen to the 30 minute interview by clicking below:

Enjoy -- and please let me know if you'd like to hear other interviews with lifestyle careerists.

Feeling Stuck? 6 Ways to Ignite Those "Aha!" Moments

I woke up today with a smile on my face.  After a long winter, the sun was shining, the birds were chirping and spring was finally in the air.  

Not surprisingly, my joy translated into a productive day; I tackled several projects I had been putting off and held an intense brainstorming session that resulted in key breakthroughs for a client.  It was one of those rare Mondays when everything just clicked.

Alas, not every day will be as invigorating as today.  But, my sunshine-induced "can-do" attitude was a welcome reminder that success is directly tied to emotional well-being.  When you feel good, you do good.

So, to help keep that feel-good spirit alive,  I compiled six ways to clear your clogged brain connections and create those "aha" moments -- even when the weather doesn't cooperate.  Enjoy!

1)  Quiet Yourself: In our 24/7 wired world, it is critical to periodically quiet your mind, silence the chatter and receive the emotional signals life is sending you. Depending upon your personal preference, you can use meditation, prayer or deep-breathing techniques to open up your thinking process.  Scientific studies confirm that people who consistently practice mind-quieting strategies, enjoy increased self-awareness and creative thinking.

2) Activate all five senses:  When you're feeling stuck, engage your whole body to help out your head.  Your endorphins will flow and act like roto-rooter for your brain --  helping you to "see" solutions that you never noticed before. Go for a walk.  Take a jog.  Better still, go for a walk on the beach on a sunny day; notice the feel the sand on your feet, listen to the pounding of the ocean waves and breathe in the smell of sunscreen on your skin.    If you're feeling daring, consider taking on a big physical challenge, such as a marathon, triathalon or The Race for the Cure.  Committing to a major physical challenge helps you to think big in other parts of your life -- you'll feel more optimistic, powerful and ready to conquer the world.     

3)  Rewire your brain:  Do you ever notice how you tend to do the same thing, the same way, every day?  You make the right side of the bed first.  You always eat the same cereal for breakfast.  You take the same route when you walk the dog.  While these habits (ruts?) make us efficient, they also lull our brains into complacency.  Fire up your brain by shaking up your "normal" -- take a different route to work, try out a new place for lunch, go to a lecture on a topic you know nothing about.  Varying your routine will help open up your thinking and ignite your creativity.   

4)  Engage Your Intuition: Sometimes you just can't think your way through a problem.  Next time you feel stuck, tap into the power of images and music to stir your soul. Indulge in a cultural activity. Go to a museum. Attend a concert. Listen to classical music. The visual and auditory stimuli can help open up your mind to new patterns and possibilities.  

5) Reconnect with your inner child: Children have a remarkable ability to dream big.  If you want to recapture the "can-do" spirit of your youth, recreate your childhood by engaging in some of your favorite childhood activities.  Finger paint.  Run down a hill.  Go for ride on a horse.  Create with playdough.  As silly as it sounds, letting go and allowing yourself to tap into your inner child can wake up senses that have been lying dormant for years.  

6) Take a Trip:  There is something very liberating about getting away from home.  You are removed from your daily distractions.  Your senses are awakened as you experience the sights, sounds and smells of a new environment.  You enjoy time to take walks or hold meaningful conversations with loved ones.  Even if you can't go on a full-blown vacation, just a day away from your normal environment can help you gain much needed perspective.

Finally, as you engage some of these strategies, don't forget to keep a notebook with you so that you can record your "aha" insights as they materialize.  You never know when you’ll get those fleeting, but powerful, "aha" moments of revelation. They can come in a dream, while on a walk or after taking a shower -- write them down do you don’t risk losing them!