Aloha!

Well it's Summertime & this issue is dedicated to the artful, fun & creative ways of playing! Yup, you heard me correctly. Even Professional Organizers need a break sometime.

You have worked far too hard during the year to deny yourself this well earned frivolous necessity. Besides, I know that once you take the time to recharge -- you'll be raring & ready to go full steam ahead!

Wishing you much FUN & Aloha,

Julie

I was recently asked by the local program committee of my professional association (NAPO SFBA) if I would consider presenting a topic on "Running Your Business Efficiently." I told them I would be honored.

On the surface it seems as if this topic is about productivity. Yes, Professional Organizers need to apply their own advice too. While productivity is a component, I assure you, there is a deeper need which is why I knew I had to speak on that particular topic.

I meet fellow entrepreneurs, sole proprietors or small business owners all the time. In my role as a Professional Business Coach, I co-facilitate a monthly business-development group at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. The dialog most people are having is one on how to manage all of their roles and responsibilities, both on a personal and professional level. While efficiency has its place, the heart of the matter is balance.

Lately, I have been struggling with this too. Only "lately" is actually an accumulation of choices I have made over the past couple of years. I didn't get here over-night. Yet I have asked myself "How did I get here?" and "What was I thinking?" Now there's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. There's no way to "fake it" anymore either. All the efficiency and effectiveness I could gain isn't going to solve the core issue. I know this is "up" for me and a majority of others as well. I know this because it's in the conversation, at work, in professional meetings, at home and quite honestly, in "my head" when I sit "quietly" to reflect upon my life.

So, how do we really "run our businesses effectively?" The audience I will be speaking to in the Fall is comprised of sole proprietors and small business owners, like myself. In our respective roles in running our companies, we often find ourselves wearing several "hats." These include, yet are not limited to: administrative assistant, bookkeeper, cashier, marketing manager, office janitor, stocking clerk, etc. Oh yeah, least we forget, as the principle of the firm we run, we are often the ones who deliver the product and/or services. And what about a personal life, you ask? Who has time!

Does this sound familiar?

If we look closely enough, the answer is simple. And I mean that quite literally. All around us there are "signs" for us to simplify. We need to simplify our lives. It, too, is in the conversation as a solution to our respective situations.

How do we begin? By approaching this from a holistic approach that includes not only our professional lives, but our personal lives as well.

A participant in one of our meetings at the San Francisco Chamber recently suggested that we create a "Life by Design." This particular monthly meeting was addressing the various problems facing the business owner. Unanimously, the 25 participants all wanted to know how to balance their respective responsibilities. What we all realized was that there isn't necessarily a model in place to guide us. For most of us, we thought that a "successful" entrepreneur meant 60 hours a week, devoted to our business. A personal life was a distant second.

The mere thought of a "Life-by-Design" intrigued us at the meeting. We sat up and said a resounding "YES!" Let's create that new model. We don't necessarily know what it looks like. Yet when we look towards building a company the runs efficiently, lets do so consciously, implementing the principle of simplicity.

Perhaps the new model will involve less activities in our own business endeavors as we face the realities of what it takes for one or a few to actually develop, operate and grow a company. It doesn't mean we give up our dreams, just slow down. And perhaps we re-evaluate the quality of our lives and make a commitment not to separate the personal from the professional -- they are intertwined. Quality and balance are paramount for us to live a full life of peace, joy and contribution.

What does a "Life-by-Design" look like to you? How would you create it?

When I make my presentation this Fall, I will be further along in my process. I plan to use this opportunity to request that the audience take a step back and look at the whole picture of their respective lives. From this perspective, we can look honestly and thoroughly at how to "run our businesses efficiently."

Who wants to repeat the mistakes of the "unhealthy corporate culture," where you're valued because you gave your life to your company? Let's not make that mistake again.

Alan

Always leave enough time in your life to do something that makes you happy, satisfied, even joyous. That has more of an effect on economic well-being than any other single factor. --Paul Hawken

As I slowly draw closer to reaching the half millennium stage in my chronological age, while physically feeling I'm almost pushing 25, I have grown to listen to the child within that wants to p-l-a-y! I mean really, really, seriously play! It took many years to even hear the voice, the tug at my spirit, the constant whispers in my mind. Today I know the whispers are the deepest & truest part of my essence. The part that I will continually need to honor in order to maintain balance in my professional & personal life. The battle is constant. The process is now my focus.

A humongous step for me is p-l-a-y-i-n-g every Sunday, in any way, shape of form. Even if it means lazily laying on a beach, or under a swollen-branched tree granting comforting shade. If I somehow miss my day of recharge in our lovely, peaceful, life-giving Hawaiian waters ...my spirit is easily weakened with the demands of my workload. This is my truth & essence: I constantly need to listen to the whispers in my mind & avoid by-passing this important message, for it will greatly affect my productivity through out the week.

We all have a tug at our heart & spirit & many quiet whispers in our mind -- if we only slow down long enough to take the time to listen Yet many people run from instead of to this quiet time a-l-o-n-e. What is it we fear will be heard? What are we unwilling to acknowledge tugging at our spirits? What are we afraid the whispers will remind us of -- lost visions? Promises & commitments unkept to ourselves? Unfulfilled dreams? Long time yearnings or goals? Or is it that we continue to blatantly deny the truest gifts endowed to each of us? We need to listen to the whispers & remind ourselves that first & foremost we are human beings -- not human doings. Take time for your quiet whispers.