Would-you-like-a-cup-of-tea?

Obviously, over here we’d have a cup of tea… the answer to everything!

Wise words from a friend in England last week while I had to wait. For huge design files to transfer. For software to run. For technology to work its magic, while not knowing whether or not the solution would work.

I wanted to use the waiting time productively and I was growing impatient.

So, I took his advice. I waited out the 40 minutes of file transferring and software processing away from the computer. I brewed a pot of tea, cleaned the kitchen, and listened to Eat Pray Love on audiobook.

And guess what? He was right. I was more calm and focused. I’d still been productive, too, but in a much needed physically active, get-away-from-the-computer way. In a fill-my-mind-with-something-inspirational way.

Take a break. Have a cup of tea. Embrace the waiting time, the uncertainty, as a moment to recharge, so that you’re clear and ready when the next task arises.

That advice is still making me smile days later, popping into my head while I wait for decisions and files so I can finish another design. The kitchen and laundry are clean.

Geeky footnote: The latest episode of Dr Who (just days after this advice) has a bit about tea, so read the photo caption like a Dalek!

As Adria mentioned, I am looking to play a greater role in the conversations and strategy surrounding your brand and to get involved with what people are saying about your products and services. Particularly in the wine and food industry.

3 roles I am eager to play in your next project:

1. Conversationalist (What are people saying about your brand online? How can you engage in the conversation?)
2. Conference Evangelist (How do you connect at conferences and trade shows? Who’s out there talking about you?)
3. Design and Content Strategist (What are your words and visuals actually saying about you? What do you want them to say?)

I am detail-oriented, LOVE people, and love sharing everything I discover about wine and food! Currently on the East Coast (US), I can work with you anywhere (gotta love technology!) and am open to relocation and new adventures.

Who do you know? How can I help?!?

Last month, I was particularly moved by an episode of Glee featuring the immensely talented Chris Colfer and Lea Michele in a duet of Defying Gravity (from Wicked). The song’s soaring determination resonates deeply on my journey of transformation.

Incidentally, if you haven’t watched Glee, yes, it is definitely the best show you’re not watching. Huge congratulations on your Screen Actor’s Guild Award tonight, Glee! So well deserved!

Defying Gravity

Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I’m through with playing by the rules
Of someone else’s game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It’s time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes: and leap!

It’s time to try
Defying gravity
I think I’ll try
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I am defying gravity
And you won’t bring me down!

I’m through accepting limits
’cause someone says they’re so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I’ll never know!
Too long I’ve been afraid of
Losing love I guess I’ve lost
Well, if that’s love
It comes at much too high a cost!

I’d sooner buy
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I’m defying gravity
I think I’ll try
Defying gravity
And you won’t bring me down!

I’d sooner buy
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I’m defying gravity
I think I’ll try
Defying gravity
And you won’t bring me down!
bring me down!
ohh ohhh ohhhh!

Have you chosen your 2010 ThemeWord?

In 2009, I began with the ThemeWord FLOURISH. Throughout the year, I met amazing people, completed important projects, and grew tremendously, but it was also the toughest year to date in every aspect of my life. While I kept my sights on flourishing, a more appropriate ThemeWord might have been SURVIVE because, miraculously, I did.

Like so many other people, I am excited and relieved to see a glimmer of hope for the new year. My 2010 ThemeWord is TRANSFORM. In these last few days of 2009, I am preparing by tying up loose ends, setting goals, decluttering my computer, seeking advice, and exploring new tools.

How about YOU?

1. What are your goals? Your ThemeWord?
2. How will you check in, stay on track, and measure progress?
3. What strategies and methods do you use to get things done? How have you developed – and stayed with – a system of follow through that you trust?
4. What tools do you use to manage information overload, keep resources organized (especially links and digital files!), follow through, connect with people, and interact more efficiently with your world?
5. Are you still searching for tools and techniques? What has – or hasn’t – worked for you and why?

I can’t wait to hear your ideas and suggestions!

The search was invigorating and exhausting. I met amazing people, joined new communities, and enjoyed the adventure. But, the process was physically demanding and emotionally draining, so it was also a relief to reach the end.

I’m continuing to downsize and reorganize my space, but now I am channeling all of that search energy into connecting with new clients, creating awesome web and print design work, and pursuing my passions in food and wine.

Sometimes it’s hard to know when to stop and change direction, instead of feverishly pushing forward on something that is no longer taking us toward our goals. Sure, I’ve made some compromises in this choice, but I know on a gut level that this was the right decision at this time.

I later discovered that this advice can also be found in The Dip by Seth Godin, whom I had the pleasure of meeting with Hugh McLeod at the Purple Cow print party on the very day I ended my search. The event was wonderfully intimate and inspiring, particularly on a day of moving forward in a new direction. (Thank you, Hugh and Seth!)

On this journey, I have made new friends, met potential clients, practiced Chinese, connected with a spiritual community, and walked all over Philadelphia to see the insides of about 40 properties – and to hunt for phone numbers to many more.

This winding path has provided new experiences and clarified the answer. Remarkably, though, I discovered today that one phone call 12 days ago probably would have revealed the same destination! For many reasons, it was clearly necessary to take the journey and to go deeper within myself, rather than to know immediately. I needed to immerse myself fully in the uncertainty and reach out to anyone and everyone for leads every day. That may be one of the biggest lessons of the past 12 days.

Two years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Lisa Haneberg, author of Two Weeks to a Breakthrough. One of the techniques she talked about in her presentation, and encouraged me personally to practice, was to zero in on your goal and share it with two new people each day.

I shared this goal with dozens more than two people each day and received helpful suggestions and introductions from strangers all over town. It got easier all the time to strike up conversations about my goal anywhere – on street corners, in shops, at a festival, etc. – and the adventure unfolded in unexpected directions as new clues were revealed.

I haven’t thought about my conversation with Lisa or her book in a long time, but as I watched myself pounding the pavement and talking to anyone and everyone about my quest, I grinned as I suddenly remembered her advice. Thanks, Lisa, you were right!

It’s easy to find excuses not to reach out and ask, but unless we put ourselves out there, how can we get what we want?

How important it is to appreciate the journey and serendipity, even when we just want answers and certainty!

At the moment, I am pursuing a specific deadlined goal of finding a new home. The search is exhausting, with many twists and turns, hopes and disappointments, and miles of walking neighborhoods I didn’t even know existed.

Along the way, surprising new opportunities and friendships have appeared, revealing meaning in the journey itself. By being present to meet this goal, I am in exactly the right place for serendipitous encounters… a big blinking sign that I’m on the right path!

How often do we allow the journey itself to be meaningful? How often do we talk to strangers, striking up new friendships in unfamiliar spaces? How often do we focus on what isn’t done, while missing the beauty and opportunity of what would never have been discovered if we had already accomplished the goal?

If this housing search had been resolved with the first place I visited, I would have missed so many amazing connections and discoveries that have appeared since. While there have been frustrations, my life is richer for the journey. My community and inspirations have grown.

These moments (and encouraging friends!) help me continue taking steps forward with optimism, trusting that things will work out – which they always do, when I allow myself to embrace synchronicity.

Sometimes I just need to be reminded of that simple truth. Don’t we all?