It’s happened to you.

You’re in the midst of a phone call or a meeting and suddenly your ears perk up. Something feels off.

Do you act on it, note it for later or let it slide?

Depends on what’s amiss.

Bodies are speaking. Nervousness, distraction, discomfort don’t always signify trouble ahead, but they should get your nose twitching. Try observing and mentally cataloging your experiences to see what happens over time. Or, simply ask a direct question: “You seem distracted today. Is this still a good time to talk about ________?”

Julie Morgenstern is a professional organizer extraordinaire. One of the secrets to her success is she preaches that everyone must design their systems (work or home) based on “their unique goals, habit and style”.

Amen sister!

Her SHED system—more on this in a moment—is the perfect filter to take a fresh look at your client base. Because we know that the clients you choose to serve directly impact the quality of your work, your earnings and the amount of joy you reap from your day. If your current blend isn’t working for you, read on.

Original illustration by Sara Franklin*

You say tomato, I say tom-ah-toe...

Differences make the world go round.

Because many of us work across cultures, geographies and industries, how we use language matters.

But it’s more than adjusting for an accent.

It’s rather like traveling to a foreign country. Happy, successful travelers don’t expect locals to behave in the same way as their home countrymen. They go in expecting to adapt. They observe, ask questions and learn to appreciate the local culture.

May the holidays and the New Year bring peace to you and your special corner of the world.

Thank you for spending your time to read, consider and comment on my musings. I learn from you every day and am deeply grateful for your lively participation and generous spirit.

Wishing you all the joy and magic and peace that you can possibly imagine.
 

Vampires. Werewolves. Scary stuff in the movies. Scarier still in real life.

Vampires feed on your energy and give nothing back. The client who demands constant attention and yet balks at your fees? Vampire. Worse still, doing your best work with vampires is difficult unless it’s 100% focused on their (often hidden) agenda.  They leave you drained and lifeless, looking for the nearest stake. Enforcing consistent boundaries works best with vampires, but sometimes you’ll just need to cut them loose.