I feel like I just sent myself to my room: GROUNDED due to blog neglect. And don't come out until you are ready to apologize! So here I emerge, tail between my legs, with a bit of an apology. See, even if you didn't really notice or didn't really care, I know that I've been neglecting you these last few weeks. I haven't been living up to the high standards and twice-weekly publishing schedule I try to uphold on this blog. Because I don't want to waste your time with sub-par content, I end up not publishing anything at all, even though I have so much I want to say and share.
The truth is that I've been overwhelmed (AGAIN). Contrary to popular belief (at least based on a handful of humbling and incredibly nice emails I have received recently), I do NOT have it all figured out. "It" being this magical place where accomplishment AND inner peace co-exist, where I seamlessly balance life's demands while walking a tightrope of my own expectations, and where I pay-close-enough-attention-to-but-somehow-don't-over-feed my crazy emotions that seem to run amok every day.
So I have been prioritizing the book, my day job, my sleep and my sanity over just about everything else. I haven't been writing as much as I would like, responding to emails in a very timely way, commenting on other blogs, tweeting or really upholding my end of the social media bargain. But we all need a break sometimes (or a turtle shell to hide under), and this has been mine.
That is not to say I haven't been thinking about you. Drumroll, please! Enter THE MOST RANDOM POST OF ALL TIME.
Things I've been wanting to ask/say/share these last few weeks:
- I would love your support for my SXSW Panel - I'm pretty much scared shitless to even tell you about this panel (let alone lead it), which is why I know it's important that I do. I submitted a proposal to speak at SXSWi (tech-geek heaven) called "Got 99 Problems But a Blog Ain't One" to help bloggers understand what it takes to get a book deal even without a gigantic platform (much like my inside scoop book newsletters). In order to have a shot at presenting, I need your help -- will you vote for my idea if you think it's a good one (even if you're not attending)?
- If I Had Known Just One Thing E-Book - I'm a contributor in the free career-related e-book compiled by Shane Mac called "If I had known just one thing." You can either download the book as a PDF, or navigate through the fancy HTML pages (using your arrow keys). My submission is called "Don't Wait."
- Book Photo Voting & Contest Winner - Thank you SO much for the comments and votes. I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to reply to your comments, but I read every single one and appreciated them so much -- you have no idea. I still haven't decided which picture I'm going with; the popular vote seems to be for photo #2, but I might just be leaning toward #1 (both need a closer crop). And (drumroll again) the winner of the first-ever-giveaway of my own book is Sneha -- congrats! The book is in the mail (and by mail, I mean off to the copy-editor for the final round of edits. Eek!)
- Career Moxie BlogTalk Radio Guest Spot - I speak with hosts Tiffany and Allison about why you don't need an official mentor (and share what inspired me to write my book). The show is about 30 minutes long, and covers how to create informal mentoring relationships and how to find mentors in unexpected places.
- Psychology Today article mention - Speaking of mentors, one of my favorite people, Susan Biali, recently wrote an article for Psychology Today based on conversations we've had recently about time management, saying no, and taking care of ourselves. The article is called, "Shackles or soul-stirring? Decide before you commit." The part where she quotes my email response as "Eeeeeeeeeee!!!" cracked me up. Guilty as charged :)
- Hosted Pam Slim for an Authors@Google Talk - I was very excited to host Pam (another role model who blogs at Escape From Cubicle Nation and has a book of the same name), for an Authors@Google event earlier this month. She makes a case for building a "side hustle" (either within your company or outside if it) as a critical part of being successful in the workforce. Check-out the 45 minute video (with a short intro from yours truly).
- Coaching update - after 2.5 years, 115 training hours, 100+ 1:1 coaching hours, 9 supervised calls, a written exam, an oral exam, and 2 major 3-month long "I'm not cut out for this" dips, I am now a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC)!
Just for Fun:
- Check out these AWESOME retro aprons from Cupcake Provocateur (sent by my fabulous friend Jenny Ferry)
- Want a song with so much bass it will make your butt vibrate when you listen in the car? Download Bassnectar's Bass Head
- Need some inspiration? Check out 10,000 Ideas and Resources for Writers
- I was honored to be a guest speaker with Merlin Mann at an ASAE event this week. Check out an awesome talk he recently gave at Rutgers on Time & Attention.
Blog Posts I've Loved Recently:
- Andrew Weitsman's "Time Enough for a Life"
- Danielle LaPorte's "Your Permission Slip from the Universe"
- Elisa Doucette's "There is a Time for Everything"
- Derek Shanahan's "A Day in the Life"
- David's transcription of an awesome "How to be Alone" video on YouTube by Tanya Davis
- Ben's "Energy Bankrupt"
- Doniree's "Input-Output and a Calm Presence"
- Chelsea's "Wrestling My Muse into Submission is like fighting a RABID. DOG."
- And finally, congrats to Ryan who just landed an awesome new gig in Kansas City and Grace on her 2-year blogiversary!
Words of Wisdom from a Recent TUT's Notes from the Universe:
You're the only person who knows what's right for you. The only one. And if you already know what this is, commit to it. If you don't, commit to nothing.
Only you know, The Universe
That's it for now...I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your week! I'm off to continue my search for a life filled with rainbows and unicorns. Or just watch some so-bad-it's-GOOOOD reality TV.