Welcome to the Workin My Way Community

This newsletter, and the related web-site and blog, are intended to be inspiring and educational for anyone who is considering turning a dream or a talent into a stream of income.

Each issue will include News and Announcements of opportunities and events; a section for Book and Resource Reviews; and another entitled Notes and Tips from My Journal where I will share clever ideas I've come upon recently, unique cool stories of entrepreneurial folks, and my personal take on anything I want to talk about. (Hey, it's my newsletter.):)

News and Announcements

Thanks to KC, my web design expert, the web site has been re-designed and enhanced beautifully.  If you haven't visited it in the last month or so, please take a look.  There are new articles, a book store and an expanded list of resources.   Updates are happening weekly so keep checking back. 

After an inspiring weekend at the Work At What You Love seminar in Northampton, I have a few more creative ideas in the works.  I will be offering an e-mail course and a teleclass later in the fall to help all you daydreamers find your passions, and learn how to make creative choices for your life and work.  

  Stay tuned for more info!  


   

The Art of Possibility

On my recent vacation, I went on a reading binge that was more intense than even I have ever done before.  But, in the middle,  Barbara Winter reminded me of an old favorite, so last week I re-read it.   The Art of Possibility by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander is an inspirational gem for anyone interested in exploring the infinite world of possibility in life, love and work. 

He is a well known as the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, and she has a private practice in family therapy and works with people to transform issues and conflicts.   Their story explores the challenges of living and working with others in today's "measurement world" and how to bring true caring, creativity and goodness into all our relationships.    The backstage peek at the world of orchestral productions is a fun and wonderful bonus.

Their examples, and the practices they suggest, are not just about "positive thinking."  They encourage the reader to truly understand the outside influences on our lives and attitudes, and the assumptions we make daily about our relationship to the world around us. Then they offer specific tools to turn our thinking inside out to see the possibilities in front of us at every turn. 

They include many personal stories and experiences from the worlds of music, art, psychology, business and politics.  There is something uplifting for everyone to take away from this book. 

Notes and Tips from my journal

The hardest part of being a solo-preneur is the feeling of responsibility for every facet of my business.  Each day I have to make decisions about mundane things like adding a 2nd phone line to big issues such as whether or not to launch a related web-site. 

I recently read a description of this experience on another blog that described the process as zooming from 100 feet above the trees to 30,000 feet and then back again.  It can be exhausting and frustrating at the same time that it is exhilarating and exciting.   

At the Work At What You Love weekend in Northampton, I was reminded in a very real way of the power and value of people working together.  My group of colleaques met and decided to collaborate on some projects that had loomed huge for each of us alone. 

Then, during the workshop, I watched a roomful of 65 people erupt into a series of wonderfully creative brainstorming sessions as they helped each other design their ideas into workable business concepts.  Later they thought of ways to overcome the hurdles each one imagined they faced. 

Suddenly all those small kernals of ideas grew into ventures with great names.  Then everyone had a chance to share their own particular knowledge or experience with someone else who needed it.  It was a great process to see in action. 

Even though Valerie  did an audio tape of all the sessions, you had to see the smiles and exuberance that grew as the participants found support and positive encouragement from the group around them.  

It is so important to find a small group of supporters who "get it" and can offer not only moral support, but good ideas when you are stuck, empathy when things are tough, and kudos when you have a success to celebrate.  We call it finding your "tribe".   

Often, your family members will be the least supportive - you have to search out other entrepreneurs and people who live and work in non-traditional ways.  I belong to a group that talks on the phone once a week to share problems and achievements, and to hold each other accountable to our stated goals and dreams.   

If you are attempting to start something on your own, find at least one other person and suggest a buddy system of sorts to start.  Then ask everyone you know for names of other solo-preneurs and form a group.  You will be amazed at the synergy that results from "putting your heads together." 

There's Lots More on the Blog!

I've been busy interviewing lots of "outside the box" folks lately and adding their stories to my blog.  Go pour a cup of coffee or brew a cuppa tea and read for a little inspiration.  Don't be afraid to comment too! 


              I also have a request for my readers - send me your questions - any questions. 

What information do you need?  What is holding you back from trying your idea?  

What resources are you searching for?   What question keeps coming back to your mind?  

 I will begin to answer questions in a new section of this newsletter beginning in October.  

                                     Solo-preneur School is back in session!