Happy New Year to you! I hope you've had a restful and lovely holidays. I love the potential of this time of year, an...
Business from the inside out
My Journey | What’s On My Mind Articles
Asking My Mentor About… Writing Habits
This is the sixth installment of Christine and my Peer-to-Peer Mentoring series.
On her blog, I answered her question:
Asking My Mentor About… Nourishing My Body
This is the fifth installment of Christine and my Peer-to-Peer Mentoring series. On her blog, I answered her question:
My Question to My Mentor:
“While I love how focused I am on my work, I often find that my focus is so focused that I forget to eat. I am healthy and well-nourished despite this tendency but I would like to change it. I think it’s important that even when I am “in the flow”, I am still mindful of my bodily needs. Do you have any thoughts on how I can improve this situation and become better at checking-in with my body?”
What Was/What Is/Looking Forward
As the new year unfolds before me, I’ve spent time reflecting on the year that passed, and how I will grow in 2012.
What was in 2011…
What were some of your favourite moments?
- Looking out over the lights of downtown Toronto from 50 stories up while a snow storm blew outside
- Meeting Jack for the first time
- Taking Jack to the park for the first time
- Signing my first car lease
- Landing on Big Island
What challenged you?
- My self-confidence
- Being a true partner to my husband
- Not caretaking
- My performance anxiety
- Being a loving and supportive parent to myself
Joyeuses fêtes à tous!
Thank you for your love and support this year!
all my love,
Ch-ch-changes
I've made some changes around here. After 5+ years, my website, my online home, felt like it didn't fit me anymore. So...
Leaving Commentary
A wise woman asked me recently after I received a hate-full comment on my blog if I would stand in front of an arena of people and sincerely ask for them to tell me what they think of my outfit, or better yet, my self.
My answer was no. Absolutely not. I would not do that. The opinions of total strangers are not something I want or value.
Next, she asked me if I would stand in front of a group of people I respected and ask them what they think.
My answer was yes. Absolutely I would. The feedback of people I respect, and that respect me, is something I value very much.
No place for commentary in my world.
Feedback, to me, is thoughtful communication intended to support my growth and improvement. It helps me close the circle. It’s love-full.
It’s Getting Radical Around Here
I’ve been thinking about this idea a lot lately:
In the face of so much evidence that life hurts and is fraught with adversity on all fronts, a willingness to feel good and create a crazy beautiful life is a genuinely radical act.
Reflections on Value Pricing
The six-month report
Call me crazy – and I know people do and I secretly like it – but after six months with value pricing, I am fucking loving it.
Sure, some days I think I’m a total wackjob and that I’m screwing my Self. But most days I feel like I’m exploring something really cool.
I honestly believe you can be f’ing great at what you do, have faith in that, and rely on your customers to determine your value.
Value pricing feels like a powerful act of self-confidence. I’ve got enough faith in the awesomeness that is my work that I’ll let you set the price for it.
Something To Admit
I’m not so into community.
I’m more of a solitary sort.
I wonder if all us Innerpreneurs need is encouragement, not community. Just simple awareness that there are others cultivating their business within.
photo credit: Pulpolux !!!
Feeding my Freaky Soul
I have just returned from New York City. It was a wonderful trip to experience the city with my husband and be in the home of a great friend. I met her in France when we both were on exchange there. We lived in the hilltop suburb of Rouen, Normandy, a beautiful city in the North of France. We studied business there but mostly we traveled everywhere together.
Together we discovered our individual love of improvising. Of adventure. Of exploring. But only now, five years later, am I starting to truly understand and embrace it.
Getting A Bit More Serious
I’ve updated the site. I made it a bit easier to use and more streamlined. Plus I like the smoke.
I’ve been posting three times a week as well. Monday, Thursday, Friday. I’m disciplining myself.
I’m learning about time right now and I’m realizing I need to quit making excuses for not doing things. I can make the time because I make time. Not making time to write is me limiting my Self.
Oh That Tara Joyce, She’s Such a Phony Baloney
This is actually a quote from Seinfeld‘s Jerry in the episode, ‘The Mango’… obviously he wasn’t talking about me though, he was talking about Meryl Streep. But whatever, that’s not important.
We all feel like phony baloneys
I pontificate weekly about craft, community and connection… but, at times, it feels fake. The truth is, I’m not yet confident enough in my own craft to call myself a writer
Value Pricing Your Service Business: Establishing a Payment Structure
Call it what you will — value pricing, karma pricing, pay-what-it’s-worth pricing — any way you cut it, not having a price is not normal. Letting your customers set your price is very unorthodox. And yes, it makes people uncomfortable.
As far as I can tell, it’s hardly ever done. I learned about the idea from author Phillip Dignan, and in the last 6 months I’ve learned that Radiohead and a few restaurants use the model, as well as a web developer in India and a business consultant in England. And there’s also a woodworker in America that is experimenting with it… and then there’s me.
Taking Our Self Too Seriously
I am so guilty of it. I convince myself that certain things matter when they don’t. I put intense pressure on myself for minute tasks.
I write this blog for free. I have no editors to answer to and no one relying on me to produce. But the day I got my first subscriber – and each day that has proceeded that – I’ve felt that I have you relying on me. You took the step to subscribe or revisit and I feel that it’s my duty to create value for you.
My Peace
Time away
Daniel and I are backcountry hiking 12km into Algonquin Park and staying there for a week. It is our own little retreat from the world.
I’ll still be publishing while I am away… but I’ll tell you now that it won’t be me “live”.
Be well.