Pwning the Happy
April 27, 2009
Not sure how new that creative version of “owning” is or when it became main stream to convey the utter domination of one thing over another, but it seemed to correctly convey the mindset I need to get into to move through Marci’s course. For the optimist that I am, I am sure having a hard time wrapping my mind around this Happy For No Reason business.
I haven’t spent time on it for a few weeks. My excuse is that I haven’t had the time. While things have been amazingly busy - it is still just an excuse. I am becoming completely aware of the fact that I don’t have time not to.
It is time to lay the foundation to pwning the happy. That foundation, according to Marci, is embodied in a simple equation
E(motion) + R(eaction) = O(utcome)
I don’t mind telling you that I spend a whole lot of time using this alternate and far less effective formula
E + O = R
And this sure fire motivation zapping formula
O + R = E
The workbook asks to recall a situation where you implemented a less that effective attitude. It then asks to describe the level of contraction that accompanied it. The unasked question is how does it feel when things are going well and you feel expanded.
I am spending some time considering these ideas of expansion and contraction. I would love to hear your thoughts on it.
Happy Bloggy Birthday!
March 16, 2008
Blogging is an amazing thing. I didn’t realize what I was getting into when I started this a year ago. The thought when I started was pretty basic. I needed a way to promote my real estate website, market myself and I would get to write on a regular basis.
How limited those thoughts were and reflect just how much I didn’t know about blogging.
In the beginning, I thought I would join the impressive rank of real estate bloggers - or at least copy what they did in an attempt to remotely resemble the brilliance. I quickly realized that wasn’t my way. My approach is different and my way is different. The blog transformed into a place to discuss development, practices and general improvement. It is comfortable for me and it seems to work. After all, we have made it to the first birthday.
I am looking forward to year two here and over at My Beautiful Chaos. I am looking forward to talking with you more and meeting new folks that add to the discussion.
Big thanks to those walking with me while I follow those big dreams!
Purpose, Intention and Great Blogging
January 27, 2008
Let me tell you about the neatness that was Blog Savannah UnConference ‘08. I got to meet some of the best and brightest in Savannah
And connect with some I already knew
It was a phenom time. I was most excited to be able to connect with other mommy bloggers during the the working mommy blogger breakout session. I had the opportunity to discuss purpose and intention with some wonderful smart mommies.
The neat thing about an UnConference is you can just discuss. As the UnSpeakers, Ginger introduced herself and I introduced myself. We discovered that we blogged with different purpose and intention - and both were good. As the discussion took off around the room, you found a lot of different intentions and purposes - and they were all good.
Some of us were blogging with a scrapbook feel. Others were looking for teachable moments. Some were supporting other bloggers as a research. All were concerned about our kids and their privacy. We talked a lot about how much is too much and where do you draw the line.
The moral of the story is that they all blogged with integrity. They focused on purpose and they lived by their own intention. It was a great opportunity to be reminded of the importance of these things in blogging.
I would love to hear how you keep them integrated into your blog…
Business Choice - Corporate or Personal?
January 21, 2008
If you missed the big announcement, I left my previous real estate brokerage to join one that has newly opened. A brilliant agent and friend opened the first Sellstate franchise in the state of Georgia right here in Richmond Hill and I was all too happy to join her.
It has been quite the challenge. I was fortunate that my previous broker allowed me to keep my listings (the listings acquired by an agent technically belong to the broker and he had every right to keep him - he’s a nice guy). However, moving the listings over has taken some leg work. Then there were the different social networks that I belong to that required updating. I am sure I didn’t get them all yet. The last feat was the tweak of my main website to reflect my new brokerage.
I wouldn’t trade a minute of it. I am excited about the fresh start that just so happens to coincide with the start of the new year. However, I would be lying if I didn’t say I had one solid concern. Sellstate as a brand is unknown in my local market.
I considered that thought for a while. I then decided that, while Sellstate was a virtual unknown, I was not. It is my belief that people largely do business with people - not necessarily businesses. That’s what my gut said and I went with it.
Question 1 - What does your gut say about it?
Today I read an interesting post from Joanna Young at Confident Writing. She issued a bloggy challenge for authors to consider with new eyes their “About” page. Her idea is that her About Page should reflect her blog - not the author. She had some very successful bloggers that agreed with her (Skellie, Darren Rowse and Brian Clark).
Because I think know Joanna is brilliant, I gave her idea much thought. You see, my about page is all about me - my heritage, my family, my friends. I revisited the page and considered different ways I could change it to fit Joanna’s challenge.
Then my belief of person not business resonated in my head. My About Page is my vehicle to let readers know, in one post, who April Groves is as an individual. In my opinion, this is the way mine should be. I can’t imagine why people would want to trust, confide, relate or do business with me if they have no idea who “me” is.
Question 2 - How do you handle your “About Page” and why?
While I am comfortable…mostly…in my ideas on both subjects - I am always open to new ideas and great conversation.
Encouraging Conversation
January 12, 2008
When I first started blogging, I was fortunate to meet some wonderful folks that gave me excellent advice on how to do it “right.” Chris Cree taught me about the importance of community. Liz Strauss consistently encourages me to better conversationalist. Both of these traits have fit my personality, kept blogging fun and productive, and allowed me to interact with amazing people. To say my knowledge has grown would be a serious understatement.
Eric over at Leadership and Other Ramblings does a great job with this. He wrote a post about balance. It started a conversation. In the comments, another idea was raised and he continued to ask questions and engage.
Mitten Musing almost always drops me an email in response to any comment I leave over at her place.
Phil “Make it Great” Gerbyshak picked up the phone and gave me a call.
It is my belief that encouraging conversation is the key to productive blogging. It is more than asking questions or going controversial to elicit a response. It is about connecting on a level of genuine interest and interaction.
Two questions…
- Why do you feel it is (or is not) necessary to encourage conversation?
- If it is important, how do you make the field ripe for that conversation?
Just in case things get wacky over here…
January 2, 2008
Here is the post from My Beautiful Chaos. If Making Life Work You starts to get freaky, comments start disappearing, this is why. Also, if you guys have any suggestions, I would be ever so appreciative.
Christmas Eve Instructions
December 24, 2007
Those versed in the military way of life will appreciate this. Those who aren’t, I am sorry I had to post this. I recieved this from a client of mine whose husband is currently serving in Iraq.
JaeLynn - Thank you! Many blessings you and Seth. I hope he enjoyed the coffee and can share a cup with you very soon. He is always in our thoughts.
MEMORANDUM FROM: MG CLAUS, Commander, Joint Arctic Operations Detachment
Subject: Distinguished Visitor
Date: Sunday, 16 December, 2007
1. An official visit by MG Santa (NMI) Claus is expected at this headquarters 25 December 2007. The following instructions will be in effect and govern the activities of all personnel during the visit:
a. Not a creature will stir without official permission. This will include indigenous mice. Special stirring permits for necessary administrative actions will be obtained through normal command channels. Mice stirring permits will be obtained through the office of OSURG, Veterinary Services.
b. Personnel will settle their brains for a long winter nap prior to 2200 hours, 24 December 2007, Uniform for the nap will be: Pajamas, cotton, light, drowsing, with kerchief, general purpose, camouflage; and Cap, camouflage w/ear flaps. Equipment will be drawn from CIF prior to 1900 hours, 24 December 2007.
c. Personnel will utilize standard ration sugar plums for visions to dance through their heads. This item will be drawn from the servicing dining facility.
d. Stockings, wool, cushion sole, will be hung by the chimney with care. Necessary safety precautions will be taken to avoid fire hazards caused by carelessly hung stockings. Unit Safety Officers will submit stocking hanging plans to this headquarters prior to 0800 hours, 24 December 2007, ATTN: AEAGA-S, for approval.
e. At the first sign of clatter from the lawn, all troops will spring from their beds to evaluate noise and cause. Immediate action will be taken to tear open the shutters and thrown open the window sashes. DCS G3 Plans (Saint Nick), Reference LO No. 3, paragraph 6c, this headquarters, 2 February 1995, will be in effect to facilitate shutter tearing and sash throwing. Division chiefs will familiarize all personnel with procedures and are responsible for ensuring that no shutters are torn open nor window sashes thrown prior to start of official clatter.
f. Prior to 2400, 24 December 2007, all personnel will be assigned “Wondering Eye” stations. After shutters are thrown and sashes are torn, these stations will be manned.
g. DCS G4 will assign one each Sleigh, miniature, M-66, and eight (8) deer, rein, tiny, for use of MG Claus’ driver who, in accordance with current directives and other applicable regulations, must have a valid SF 46 properly annotated by Driver Testing; be authorized rooftop parking; and be able to shout “On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen, up Comet, up Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen.”
2. MG Claus will enter quarters through standard chimneys. All units without chimneys will draw Chimney Simulator, M-6, from DCSENG, for use during ceremonies. Chimney simulator units will be requested on Engineer Job Order Request Form submitted to the Furniture Warehouse prior to 19 December 2007, and issued on DA Form 3161, Request for Issue or Turn-In.
3. Personnel will be rehearsed on shouting “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.” This shout will be given on termination of General Claus’ visit. Uniformity of shouting is the responsibility of division chiefs.
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
Get out and vote - if you think like me
December 17, 2007
I am a bit frustrated so we are going to continue and hope this doesn’t become a rant…but I am thinking that once I make that disclaimer, I am already setting myself up for one…but on I go anyway.
Let your vote be counted - if you are going to vote like me
Let your voice be heard - if you are saying the same thing I am saying
Show up and show them strength in numbers - if you presence adds to my team
Otherwise, sit down, be quiet and stay home or else it is personal.
I hear lots of conversations that verbally express the first thoughts, then escalate to the second ones in the face of opposition.
It seems like lots of folks want you to stand up and say what you think, unless you disagree with them. Then it is a personal death match instead of productive problem solving. Politics is the worse. Community activity is almost as bad. The workplace has the same characteristics.
Don’t get me wrong - I can be a guilty as the next person. If you tell me you are voting for…well, we won’t go there because that is not the subject and as soon as I say it, it will be. But let’s just say you are voting for person “A” and you support topic “B” and I am adamantly opposed to both. I don’t mind if you are uninvolved in the process. In fact, I would just assume you let me handle it. I am guessing you would probably say the same thing about me.
But, we both know the process is not supposed to work that way. Somewhere in the grand scheme of things, disagreement got personal and compromise was thrown to the dogs. Winning became the point - right be damned. Who cares what the other folks say, it will be my way. Anything less is defeat and I will not submit. How does that work? How is that mentality useful?
It is becoming harder and harder to figure out who is the majority. Harder still to figure out if the majority is right. Moreover, is the majority informed enough to know one way or the other? Understand that, in the US, we live in a republic more than a democracy. We vote for the people who vote in our stead. And our guy doesn’t always win - so, we have people voting for us that we didn’t vote for…but, I digress…
I guess the real question is when did we lose the art of honest compromise for the overall good and just?
More importantly, how do we get it back?
What are you reading?
November 28, 2007
I’d love to know. Seems with this new tag going on and Christmas coming up, everybody is looking for the latest greatest or the oldie-but-goodie.
So let me know - what are your reading? If you are feeling generous, tell me why as well.
If you are feeling really froggy - consider yourself tagged!
Happy Thanksgiving
November 22, 2007
I would be curious to know how many Thanksgiving posts are published today. More importantly - I would love to know how many have been posted on other days of the year.
This bloggy journey has been a wonderful one. I have met some incredible people, I have made great friends, and I have learned a lot about myself. How very Thankful I am for all these things.
It is now time to finish up my to do list so that the rest of the day can be spent with family. However, I hope we will all decide that the flood of Thanksgiving post should not be limited to one day of the year. I for one have been too guilty for too long in overlooking the importance of a “just because” Thank you.
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