"Be the change you seek in the world" – Gandhi
So, I write a post about change, and then what: I go AWOL on you, my people. What's the deal?
In case this has been keeping you up nights (though I'm guessing and hoping it hasn't), I've been spending my time in the past two and a half months working on my business, this business. What I do, how I do it, why I do it, and who it's all for.
(In fact, if you are a frequent visitor to this site, you'll see that some things have changed around here. Please take a look around – I'd love to hear your feedback: what do you like, what would you like more of?)
And I've learned quite a bit that I think can be applicable to you all as well, my dear readers. So, without further ado, here are my top 5 learnings from my blog vacation (AKA busting my rear on business development):
1) Learn or stagnate. I love to learn – I always have. But I haven't really been sure about what steps I needed to take to grow my business to have the impact and make the difference I want to see in the world. I love what I do, I love who I work with, and the changes my clients make, and there are ways to do even more of that and still honor who I am and how I want to run my business. Cool stuff.
2) Ask for help. I tell clients all the time that asking for help is a leadership skill. Guess what: this applies to me too! When I don't know how to do something (like grow my business), it's OK to ask for help. I've know this one before too, but I guess it was time to re-learn it (see #1).
3) People are really awesome. (OK, I'm cheating. I already knew this one too!) Really, people are amazing. When I reached out and asked for help (see #2) from colleagues, other business owners and clients, their enthusiasm and generosity blew me away. Not only that, but the information was critical in helping me improve this website, what I offer and how I talk about my work.
4) Cut to the chase. We all get very attached to our "stuff", our way of doing things, our language. Even though I've been told I write well, I was getting all tongue-tied and fancy-pants about how I describe my work. The feedback I got from my clients helped me cut through the coach and OD organizational development (thanks, Pam!) speak and get down to what really matters for the people I want to serve: you.
5) Have more fun! I've described that my website has worked like a parking lot: my reserved parking space on the web. And funny enough, it became just that: a pretty dead space without a lot going on. But get ready, because I've got plans to turn this lot into an awesome carnival/street fair/amusement park where we can have some fun, take some risks and do some cool things together. How does that sound?
So, let's get this party started! As a result of all this cool learning, I've developed a practical and action oriented e-workbook for you to get some traction on your own path and journey. You can access it by signing up for regular updates from me in that pretty blue box in the top right hand corner.
In the comments below, I want to hear from you. Let me know:
1) Which of my five learnings is your favorite?
2) What's your greatest learning of the past two or three months?
Before specializing as a professional coach in 2004, I spent more than a decade in leadership, management and program development for state and local government and non-profit organizations. Now I get to help leaders and teams have more clarity and ability to stand up for what's important in their work and in their organizations. Working with me, leaders and teams find more meaning and purpose, feel happier and more confident, navigate change and conflict, and work together better.
I’m going with #4 (though I don’t know what OD is). I spent part of Sunday night rephrasing and rephrasing while trying to explain what I do to non-public-health people. It was a struggle this weekend and it’s been a struggle for all of my 20 years in public health. Would like to get better at this.
But the greatest (re)learning of the past few months has more to do with Newton’s Law: An object in motion stays in motion.
Pam, thanks for the comment! (And, you caught me – OD is organizational development – more lingo I need to eliminate!!)
So true that our public health language doesn’t always connect. Interviewing my clients and then using THEIR words in describing my work helped find regular words for what people do in coaching and get from working with me!
Taking that approach, I wonder what it would be like for you to phrase your work in terms what outcomes, problems or hopes people, organizations or communities have in regards to their health – such as “feel better”, “breathe easier”, “enjoy life”, “feel safe in your neighborhood”, “get the job done easier.”
And, love the Newton reminder: let’s stay in motion!