Fall Harvest

The cooler weather is a joyful blessing in our house. We love having the windows open and the cooler air breezing through the house.

This time of year, we see all the farmers harvesting and gathering their crops. I got to musing, it's the season where we all harvest and gather our friends and loved ones as well.

Summer is busy with vacations, and more individual activities. There are the occasional picnics or Barbeques but by and large, everyone seems to be focused on the kids summer activities, or the family vacations and not a lot on just gathering with friends and other loved ones.

As fall arrives with it's subtle color changes, and invitation to gather by the fire, we find ourselves reconnecting with our friends and loved ones. At least, I sure do. 

I enjoyed a FABULOUS dinner with my best girlfriend this week - wine and sushi! It was marvelous. And we committed to a date on the calendar for dinner just us two once a month at a minimum :D

With the kids back in school and on a more regular schedule, I've planned dinner with another girlfriend this month as well.

And don't forget... this gathering with our friends does magnitudes to reduce and help manage our stress levels. Just one more reason for 6 girlfriends and a bottle of wine.

What do you think, does the change of seasons and the cooler temps call you to gather with your friends?
I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Your Network is your Net Worth

As a woman in business, how much time do you dedicate each month to networking? Business mingling? After hours? Progressive luncheons? 

How much time are you spending nourishing your existing relationships?

This weekend, we were super excited because Mike was home for 2 of the 3 days of the 3 day weekend and this is unusual for us with his pilot schedule. We planned a dinner out and then to go see a friend's band play at a local bar.

We had such a great time! The band was great, Jeff was having a great time, and he was visibly pleased to have a superior cheering section. --- I am a fantastic WOO'er and Mike has that awesome guy whistle that can cut through a crowd like a hot knife through butter.

After they were done playing, we hung out until the bar closed and kicked us out and my girlfriend commented how nice it was to get together, and how long it has been since we've seen each other. And Jeff sent me a note the next morning thanking us again for coming out and saying how nice it was to see each other.
 

Of course, that got me to thinking.... Gosh! It has been a long time!

Why do we let these excuses get in the way?

I need to follow my own advice. and Schedule it!

We used to see Jeff and Donna all the time. Even after the first baby, even after the second baby. Since the third baby, we've just gotten lazy, fallen out of the habit of scheduling time. We've let the excuses get in the way. It's not so tough, even with the kids in activities and my busy schedule with a full time job, training schedule for my fall race and my own business. Really. We pick an evening and I pop over about a half hour before the kids hit the sack, so I get some Auntie Shannon time with the munchkins. Then we pour a glass of wine or two and catch up.

What excuses are you letting get in the way? 

What fabulous people in your life do you miss seeing?
 

What relationships that you ALREADY have in your life are you not nurturing?

Your Network is your Net Worth.

How YOU Doin?

Few people I know don't hear the voice of Matt LeBlanc as the character Joey Tribbiani from Friends when they see that phrase or hear those words. 

And I think it typically brings a smile - at least to most.
I saw Matt LeBlanc on my favorite chat show and he told a story that his daughter antagonizes him by intentionally saying it wrong "How are YOU doing?" He says through clenched teeth "And I KNOW she knows how to say it right!"


When asked this question today, how would you respond? Do you actually share how you are? Do you just reply "good" or "well" automatically?

Equally as important a question. When you ask someone else that question today, do you truly listen to the response?
Do you even ask the question in response after being asked how you are? 

My husband went to college with a guy who exemplified this lack of connection. His standard greeting was "Hey, How's it going." and NO MATTER what the person said in response, he'd reply "Cool."

You may expect me to share a tip on how to take your good to great today or something similar, but I have a completely different type of challenge for you.

First, a tidbit.

Nearly every single day, I'm greeted by a stranger who asks me how I'm doing. 

It may be a cashier, a waiter, a doctor's assistant, someone at a networking event, doesn't matter. 

Nearly every day, I watch their face change when they hear my response. I see their mood change, and I see a noticeable pause in whatever task they were performing. 

I'd say at least 75% of the time their reply is something OTHER than "good" or "OK" in response. My response causes them to change theirs, even if they don't match my level of enthusiasm, which they often comment about. 

"Well, I'm darned good, I don't know if I can be fabulous, but I'm having a darned good day!"

Now, I am fairly bubbly, and I greet them with a beaming smile, but I think there are 2 things that cause them to pause and also result in their response being something OTHER than "good" or "well".

1. The word I choose is different, a word not often used in current conversation.
   
2. The word I choose is typically superlative (Super! Fabulous! Spectacular! Fantastic!)

Also, about 60% of the time, they genuinely thank me for asking how they are doing, and caring I suppose.

Now, I'm not asking you to do the 2nd thing, especially if it's not genuine, because that is just plain annoying and no one is fooled!

So, here is my challenge to you today. Whatever your mood, even if it's sour - now DON'T be the person that spills their every ache and pain and trouble to anyone who makes the mistake of asking how you are - take the half second pause it will require and think of a unique word or phrase to use.

Some ideas to get you started:

If you're having a horrible day you could say:

• Introspective
• A little dull
• A bit curious
• A little scattered

If you're "just OK" you could say:

• Mysterious
• Pleasant
• Just Chillin'

If you are "good" you could say:

• Crazy
• Amused
• Delightful
• Jolly - especially if it's NOT Christmas
• Excited

If you want to kick it up a notch and be superlative you could say:

• Magnificent
• Outstanding
• On Fire
• Glorious
• Splendid
• High on Life
• A party waiting to happen

Give it a try. It's almost as fun as the smile game! See who you can pause with your reply today! You just might make their day!

Share in the comments today --- so, How YOU doin?

The Hokey Pokey, Best Laid Plans and Going with the Flow

We enjoyed a wonderful exhausting weekend with friends this past weekend. We had friends in from out of state and we not only enjoyed a concert for a band who hasn't toured the US in a decade or so, but enjoyed much food, drink and laughter with friends we rarely get to see, and my pilot husband was home for the entire weekend which is almost as rare as our friends' visit.

Saturday, we met for dinner and drinks, went to the show and then went for some nosh, drinks and chatting afterwards, getting home about 3:30 am on Sunday (this pic was taken about 2:30 am Sunday I believe) when we planned to do some Chicago sightseeing with our friends.

Sunday didn't quite go as planned. We were thinking we'd get together around 1pm, lunch and visit the sights in the city. Our friends seriously over slept (much needed) and we didn't start our Sunday visit and sightseeing until 5pm. What was planned to be an afternoon of sightseeing followed by an evening where we found ourselves back at home by 8pm ended up an evening when we got home at 1am. As the only member of our group who needed to be up and at the office this morning, I could have called it an early night, or spent the evening thinking about how I needed to be home and in bed to be rested for my work week and I would have missed out on some great, rare and fleeting memories with dear friends.

So thankful that my husband and I were "all in", and able to go with the flow and enjoy one of life's greatest pleasures, Good Times with Great Friends.

At 9:00 when I was planning to be home, unwinding for the evening, we were headed up to the skydeck of the Sears (now Willis) Tower. We enjoyed the fantastic view, frightened our 2 acrophobic group members in this crazy clear floor outcropping, and pointed out cool Chicago landmarks. We returned to drop our friends at their hotel, and my good friend, also one of my favorite singers burned us a copy of his new upcoming album. As we went to our car to make sure it would play in our player, he suggested we grab dessert and 1 more drink. At 10:30 we were walking down Michigan Avenue headed to Grand Lux Cafe. I admit, I'm a little surprised to say that at no time did I check my watch, or worry about how my lack of sleep would affect my Monday. We were in the moment and I'm so happy for it.

Driving in to the office this morning, listening to my pre-release copy of a much anticipated album, I can't think how lucky I am. To be surrounded by such extraordinary people in my life.

As women entrepreneurs we must recognize and seize opportunities not only for great business partnerships, expansion and growth, but also and perhaps more importantly opportunities to Live our Life to the fullest, NOW.

What if we played "all in" every day? Like the Hokey Pokey. How much of life's remarkable experiences do we allow to pass us by because we're preoccupied, worried about tomorrow, or that list of to-dos and obligations.

I don't espouse neglecting our commitments, nor do I recommend going without a plan. There are many times when we need to focus, stay on track and work hard to make the goals we've set or get the results we require. Those are super important things that do require our focus and attention.

As women entrepreneurs, we have so much on our plate every day. So many commitments to our business, our families, our friends, loved ones, and colleagues. We have lists of chores to maintain our households, keep our children on schedule and on track, and the list goes on and one. It's SO easy to be focused on "the next thing" that you fail to truly take time to notice THIS thing.

So, when you make a decision to be with someone, or to be somewhere, BE THERE. ALL IN.

How many times to you see people on their smart phone at their children's soccer games? What if you miss a perfect goal, or a spectacular save?

So today - put your whole self in and shake it all about, do the Hokey Pokey and turn yourself around.
Cause THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT!