Quote I’m pondering:
“It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and how that I have it, I’m not going to be silent.”
— Madeline Albright
On my reading list:
Don’t you just love the week between Christmas and New Years? You know, that week when you lose track of time because of all of the activities and (if you’re like me) you start reflecting on last year and looking ahead?
I also really appreciate the week after New Year’s day because of all of the possibilities that lie ahead… What about you?
This week I was in my car a lot and that means that I got to listen to my favorite podcasts. One that stays around the top of my list is Elizabeth Gilbert’s podcast: Magic Lessons, based on her book Big Magic. She did a series where she invited people to write an essay about a creative project that they were struggling with. She got hundreds of submissions and selected 8 people to coach through their challenges. I am in awe of how capable she is in her role as a coach.
She gave them great advice and assignments AND she took it one step further by inviting successful people in the same field as the person she was coaching and asked them to weigh in on the challenge and the assignments. Wow. Just wow! Just listening to her coaching, wisdom and advice gave me insight and inspiration.
I’d like to share one with you that truly that blew me away… She told one woman who was not sure she could write because she feels her voice doesn’t matter, to do some family research and document the names of the women in her family who had no voice because they were slaves. “Ask them what they would have said if they could speak.” She also asked her to look forward and write a letter from her own great-granddaughters thanking her for opening the door that they might speak.
Women have been silent and those of us who venture out and speak publicly open doors for all those years of silence. What stories would your female ancestors tell?
Meetings this week:
January is my ‘catch up with key people‘ month. I like to start by looking to see how and who can help me achieve my goals for the year ahead – and how I can help them. If you’ve been following me a while, you know I’m all about connections and collaborations to make us stronger.
And because I think January sets the tone for the whole year, I set up lunch and breakfast meetings throughout the month to touch base with the people who are going to make my vision happen.
Truth be told, I’m an old fashioned “let’s break bread in person” kinda gal, but virtual meetings and phone calls work just as well. How about for you?
Ideas I’m Noodling…
My word for the year is courage. Last year was all about transitions. This year my word is courage. I’ll focus on the courage to try new things, the courage to let go of old things and the courage to maintain some things just as they are.
Have you ever tried this exercise? If you had to pick, what would be your word of the year?
I’m following…
Sarah Jones, comedienne, political activist, and master storyteller. Here is a TED talk about the invention of self:
I’m Celebrating…
One of my favorite holiday traditions is a special luncheon with the key members of my team to bask in our esprit de corps! We usually do it before the holidays, but we could not fit it in then, so voila (!) a new tradition was born…
New year, new starts, new ideas!
If there is anything that we can do to help you make 2019 awesome, don’t hesitate to let me know! You can always call the office at 305.971.9446, we’re standing by to help you …
BTW
I’m happy to tell you that starting this month I will be leading a virtual monthly Business Book Club via Zoom.
The intent of the Business Book Club is to create a space where we can share ideas and experiences. I would love it if you would join us, you can let me know if you’ll make it here.
The first book we will discuss is It’s OK to be the Boss. Here’s a video interview with the author.
