Month: September 2014

Three Reasons to Read Chris Guillebeau’s Latest Book, The Happiness of Pursuit

Yes, there are WAY more than three reasons to read The Happiness of Pursuit. I’m choosing to limit my list to three reasons that will more than illustrate why you should hop on over to your favorite local bookstore or power up your favorite piece of technology to order this gem.

One copy just isn't enough
One copy just isn’t enough

The subtitle of the book provides a bit more clarity of what the book is all about: Finding the quest that will bring purpose to your life. How, you ask, can a mere book steer anyone to identifying their quest? Great storytelling, that’s how. Guillebeau is a master at weaving stories together to move his readers around the world from the comfort of their home as he shares a variety of quests focused on the happiness of pursuit.

Do we all have a quest? Maybe, maybe not. Are you happy in your everyday life? Do you go to work with a smile on your face? Or are you trudging through each day waiting for something to happen to bring a spark into your world? If the latter speaks to you and your humdrum life is getting you down, it just might be that your inner self (your gut feeling) knows there’s something you’re meant to do. A few hours reading this book. At a minimum, it will get you thinking; at a maximum, it’ll change your life.

Here are my top three reasons for reading The Happiness of Pursuit:

  1. Inspiration Meets Action. Guillebeau shares numerous stories of people’s quests. Some resonated with me in a big way; others, not quite as much. Each story, however, illustrated that small steps matter. Quests (which Guillebeau defines for the reader) are not accomplished overnight AND must have deadlines. This keeps the inner perfectionist from endlessly fine-tuning the quest rather than moving forward. As Seth Godin says: “Stop polishing andship  Polished perfect isn’t better than perfect, it’s merely shinier.”
  2. Assistance Identifying Quest. Guillebeau outlines a few steps to put readers on the path to identifying their quests. Putting the brakes on, set aside some time to honestly assess your life, and see what happens. Use this book as a guide, not a crutch. That’s the beauty of Guillebeau’s approach: this book can’t (and shouldn’t) tell you how to find purpose in your life. What it will do, though, is lend a hand as you figure out just what the heck it is you’re meant to do with your life.
  3. Happiness is Important. Happiness means something different to each one of us. We go around once in this life. Our choices can make that ride a wildly fantastic experience, a yawn fest, or worse. Following someone else’s path to happiness isn’t going to work for you. What matters to someone else may not matter to you. Listen to that inner voice as you take time to figure out what happiness means and looks like to you: This is the difference for many of us between leading a life of drudgery and leading a life that counts.

Flipping the pursuit of happiness on its head, you can’t help but take a step back and rethink your approach to life as you read Guillebeau’s The Happiness of Pursuit. Discontent is a big motivator. As Guillebeau noted: “Dissatisfaction + Big Idea + Willingness to Take Action = New Adventure.” Take advantage of that discontent and find your quest.

 

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Three Reasons to Read Chris Guillebeau’s Latest Book, The Happiness of Pursuit was last modified: September 30th, 2014 by Deb Nelson

Oxymoron or Smart Strategy: Planning for Spontaneity

I don’t use the word oxymoron every day, and that’s probably a good thing! While the concept of planning to be spontaneous sounds a bit odd, let’s see how these two concepts might work together in your business.

You know where you want your business to go. You know where you want to be in three years, five years, and beyond. And yet, you’ve got no plan. This raises many questions, including:

Mapping out your approach can pay off in a number of ways for your company
Mapping out your approach pays off for your company
  1. How will you know which tactics have been successful, or not-so successful?
  2. How will you know what to repeat, what to tweak, and what to promise NEVER to do again?
  3. And, of course, what was the ROI?
  4. One of the questions I always ask, though, is How will you know when to do the sweet happy dance of success?

All of these questions also lead to another valuable question to ask yourself: What did you miss out on because you didn’t have a plan?

If you’ve got a plan – well, you actually need a number of plans: business plan, marketing plan, fundraising plan, event plan, etc. – AND you’re working the plan(s), and an unexpected opportunity knocks on your door, no problem – you assess your current situation and decide whether or not this opportunity is worth pursuing.

If you’ve got no plan, it’s really hard to determine whether this “opportunity” is actually (1) a worthwhile opportunity for you to pursue, or (2) just one more distraction that will help you continue to spin your wheels without moving forward.

Make a plan. Work the plan. Celebrate your results.

Oxymoron or Smart Strategy: Planning for Spontaneity was last modified: September 23rd, 2014 by Deb Nelson

Attitude of Gratitude: There’s a Lot to be Grateful for in my Life

A favorite lunch spot along Maine's rocky coast in Bar Harbor. Uninvited seagulls never fail to join us.
A favorite lunch spot along Maine’s rocky coast in Bar Harbor. Uninvited seagulls never fail to join us.

Faceboook is overflowing with gratitude challenges. People are challenging their friends, family, and colleagues to identify those things in their lives for which they’re grateful. My friend, Maura Halkiotis, challenged me to identify and post three things I’m grateful for each day for five days. I altered the challenge a bit: here’s my list – all 15 in one day, no particular order except for number 15 (no skipping ahead).

  1. Laughter. Listening to a child’s infectious giggle or an adult’s belly laugh stops me in my tracks and immediately puts a smile on my face.
  2. Coffee Shops. Working out of my home as a consultant has given me a great appreciation of coffee shops – even though I’ve ditched coffee for green tea. These satellite offices provide a place for me to meet with clients; allow me to be in a room with people when I’ve spent too much time alone; and, of course, there’s always a great cup of tea or snack awaiting.
  3. Friends and Family. There is nothing like sharing successes and setbacks with people I love and respect. I’m blessed to have family and friends who open their hearts and homes to my husband and me; and I’m especially grateful for those of you who share your children’s worlds with us.

    My preferred mode of travel takes me through the marshes of Cape Cod.
    My preferred mode of travel takes me through the marshes of Cape Cod.
  4. My Bike. My pink bike has taken me places I never imagined I’d travel. And, yes, I’m grateful each of those 30 gears to power me over hills and through trails.
  5. Water, Water Everywhere. Beaches, marshes, lakes are mesmerizing. I feel lucky every day to live in the beautiful State of Maine. The rocky coast is a stunning backdrop for a good life.
  6. Second Chances. We can all use a do-over every now and again.
  7. Living in a Country Where Disagreements / Debate Take Place. While our country certainly has its issues, there’s no place in the world I’d rather live. Disagreements can be debated publicly; political change takes place seamlessly; in spite of disagreements, there is a sense of compassion (most of the time) that transcends politics.
  8. Generosity and Philanthropy. Working in the nonprofit sector allowed me to see on a daily basis how dedicated people are to helping those in need. The generosity of people to share their time, talent, and financial resources is truly heart-warming.
  9. Public Spaces. Imagine a world without public beaches, parks, or museums. No thank you.
  10. Pioneers. I’m so grateful for those bold pioneers who turn a deaf ear to the naysayers and forge a new path.
  11. My Health. I’ve been researching the relationship(s) surrounding lifestyle and cancer for close to three years now. I’m grateful every day to be healthy, sometimes in spite of my choices, and sometimes because of my choices.
  12. Loud Music. Whether I’m cooking in my kitchen or driving my car, a loud blast of music can change the shape of the day.
  13. Artists. Creativity provided by artists – photographers, painters, singers, musicians, etc. – opens our eyes to new possibilities and perspectives.
  14. Social Media. The power and ease of connecting has never been greater since social media entered our world. Personal and professional lives collide, multi-generational conversations bloom, and the world is a better place for it.
  15. John Nelson. I saved the best for last. I’m grateful every minute of every day that John is in my life. Lucky me to have a husband who is my best cheerleader, sounding board, and friend.

This was a valuable exercise for me to complete. While it may sound a bit contrived, developing an attitude of gratitude can change the way you see the world AND the way the world sees you. So give it a shot: I encourage (or should I say challenge)  you to take a few minutes and think about those people / places / things that make you smile even when you’re trying your hardest to be cranky. Don’t let anyone else write your story; it’s yours to tell.

Attitude of Gratitude: There’s a Lot to be Grateful for in my Life was last modified: September 18th, 2014 by Deb Nelson

Managing Expectations: Do Your Clients Know What to Expect from You and Your Company?

Storefront of Ducks in the Window
Storefront of Ducks in the Window

Before you even enter Ducks in the Window, this business has already kept its promise to you because, yes, there are ducks in the window! Upon entering the store, you’ll see that a variety of ducks line the shelves – big ducks, smaller ducks, clothed ducks, decorated ducks.

moreducks

There are other items for sale in Ducks in the Window, all of which fit into the description on their site’s About Us page: “toy store for the young and young at heart.” I double-dog dare you to leave this store without a smile on your big ducksface. Don’t see what you want? No problem – order up a customized duck for your special occasion.

Are you offering your clients the same clear set of expectations? If not, let’s connect and see how we can improve your messaging.

 

Managing Expectations: Do Your Clients Know What to Expect from You and Your Company? was last modified: September 15th, 2014 by Deb Nelson