Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You're only a stranger once.

February 4, 2008

The Business of Connecting and Doing What We Need

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 11:58 am

Okay, Rodney, I Finally Gave In!

relationships button

It was about a year ago that I heard these words from my friend, Rodney Rumford. You’re a connector! That’s what you are . . . like in the Tipping Point.

I thought, Yeah, I can see why someone would say that, but I’m not one word.

Yesterday, Rodney said, “How’s business, Liz?”

I said, “Rodney, I finally gave in. I’ve taken on the title, Connector. Try as hard as I might to say that’s not what I am. When I looked around, all I saw was me connecting — people, ideas, relationships, steps in a process.”

I have to admit that since the day that I connected with the word, connector, my whole life has made more sense. I’ve connected all of my strengths. I’ve connected all of my values. I’ve sorted out my major disconnects. I know my unique purpose. I know what I bring and what I need for success.

The Business of Connecting and Doing What We Need

Have you noticed how easy it is to be with folks who know where they’re going? The energy that we lose trying to focus on too many things gets released when we set our sights on purpose number 1 — what we most need to do for ourselves is what we best do for everyone else.

Every bit of me needs to be connected — relational and whole. Fragments frustrate me. Loose ends nag and aggravate me. I’m best when I connect parts into meaningful big ideas. The business of connecting is right for me. I see relationships — among people, ideas, and things — that are are relevant and whole.

What does every bit of you need to be? . . . at peace, in service, authentic, useful . . . what word drives you? What business are you really in?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Are you looking to get unstuck?





Filed under Business Life, Successful Blog | 32 Comments »




C'mon. Let's talk!

32 Comments to “The Business of Connecting and Doing What We Need”

  1. February 4th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
    Patricia Martin said

    Liz-
    Well, you’ve achieved a major life goal with this post–”Know thyself.” Most people are confused into thinking external trappings will give them an identity and so they seek them. Or they keep adding tasks and titles to their lives to gain identity. You’ve done it with one simple word of self-knowing: connector. You are a connector and I am glad to have my little tenacle attachment, slight as it is. Hope to see you at SOB 08, Madam Connector!
    Patrici Martin

  2. February 4th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
    Joanna Young said

    Of course you’re not just one word. (Except Liz!)

    But I think having one word that inspires, motivates, energises, makes sense of things… for you and for others… well that’s a prize worth having.

    And it must be fun watching all those connections sizzle around you!

    Joanna

  3. February 4th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Patricia!
    No connection is slight in this neighborhood. We connect and it’s strong as can be. Can’t wait to see you at SOBCon08, but we should really talk before then. :)

  4. February 4th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Joanna!
    I’m helping other folks get to their one word. You’d be surprised how quickly that happens. It’s such fun to be a part of helping people put concrete under their feet. :)

  5. February 4th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
    amypalko said

    Hmm… I’ve had to give this one a fair amount of thought, Liz. I think the word which ‘connects’ me to my purpose in life, what drives me forward, is ‘facilitate’. I like to help people to acquire deeper meanings in literature (as university tutor), in media (as consultant), in everyday experiences (as home educator) and in life (hopefully, as blogger!). I think that as a facilitator, I am not necessarily the one who makes the connections, but I am the one who facilitates others to make the connections for themselves, if you see what I mean.
    I’m going to stop now before I confuse myself any further ;-)

  6. February 4th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
    RayD said

    Hi Liz,

    What a great post! I strongly relate to this feeling of ‘being connected’ both within and in interacting. Plus, in connecting with other people you imply “value”. It makes ‘networking’ sound shallow in comparison. Quite a bit to think about here!

    Thanks for putting some concrete under my feet – as long as you don’t put my feet *in* the concrete ;)

    RayD

  7. February 4th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
    Joanna Young said

    Liz, like RayD I had to read your sentence on concrete and feet twice!!

    Helping people find their one word is a gift indeed.

    I thought you might be interested in this piece by Dave Rothacker based on the ‘You Inc’ book, where he’s shared his one words for fellow JJLers (shows the power of that community that we’re happy to do this stuff in public!)

    http://www.daverothacker.com/rothacker_reviews/2008/02/you-inc-the-art.html

    Joanna

  8. February 4th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
    SunnySchlenger said

    Powerful post, Liz!
    I see people as if they’re already who they’re capable of becoming.
    Except myself, apparently. ;-)

  9. February 4th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
    RayD said

    @Joanna: I was watching “Lethal Weapon 3″ (the scene where someone gets buried in concrete by the bad gut), hence my twisted thoughts.

    @Sunny: Who are you to decide what others are capable of becoming?

  10. February 4th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
    SunnySchlenger said

    Ray — I didn’t mean it like that. Perhaps a better way of expressing it would be to say that I often see the beauty and talent in people who haven’t yet “owned” their own gifts.

  11. February 4th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
    Tammy Lenski said

    Rodney’s right on the mark, Liz. Any of us who went to SOBCon ’07 saw your Connector-ness…heck, that whole event was a celebration of connection and it’s one of the reasons I’ll go again this year.

  12. February 4th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Ray!
    Good questions along this thread. Glad you heard me talking about concrete under your feet, not your feet in concrete. Interesting that you went there. :)

    I wonder about your question to Sunny. . . . did you not hear the generosity that I heard, especially in the self-depreciation?

    Interesting that she used the word “see” and you used the word “decide.” Wonder what that means? :)

    Were you teasing?

  13. February 4th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
    RayD said

    @Sunny: Oops! I added something between angular brackets behind that sentence, but it seems to be filtered out as html. It said *big evil grin*, which would have clarified it was only a bit of innocent fun. I did get your meaning and didn’t mean at all to criticise you or your statements!

    Please accept my apologies!
    Ray

  14. February 4th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi AmyPalko,
    I’ve been reading your comment for hours, wondering what was in it that I was looking to find. I finally found it . . . look again at the way you use the word meaning.

    “help people to acquire deeper meanings . . . if you see what I mean.”

    I wonder whether that isn’t important. :)

  15. February 4th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Ray,
    That explains my confusion The fact that you were teasing seemed the only explanation that worked. . . . I’m heartened by your comment.

    You’re not a stranger here. I hope to get to know you even better.

  16. February 4th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Sunny,
    You said what you see. I think that part was beautiful. What the heck was that part about taking it back where yourself is concerned. Ha!

    I’m not buying that one. :)

    We know what you mean. You have faith in potential and give that with what you see to other people. Some take it gratefully. Some don’t understand it. :)

  17. February 4th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Tammy Lenski,
    I’ve sure grown since last year and so has SOBCon! I can’t wait to show you. I’m going to be so much more aware of the moments. :)

    I so love every visit here you have time for. :)

  18. February 4th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
    RayD said

    @Liz: I forgot to read my comment *after* I submitted it, otherwise I would have clarified immediately. I think Sunny is right on track with seeing the possibilities in everybody, I try to as well.

    I also noticed that my reply to Joanna said “bad gut” instead of “bad guy”. Wonder what that says about my physical state :)

    Actually this brings up another aspect on connecting (or at least trying to): it can go haywire with a single thoughtless or hasty action even if intentions are good.

    (Note to self: always check writing before *and* after submitting….)

  19. February 4th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Ray D!
    If that’s the biggest goof you make, man, you’re a far better person than I’ll ever be. Look enough and you’ll find plenaty of examples of me doing just that same thing in the comment box all over the Internet.

    Funny how we know what we think we said. :) :) :)

    You’re a real person for coming back to say so.

  20. February 4th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
    RayD said

    *Blushing*

  21. February 4th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
    SunnySchlenger said

    Ray — yeah, the evil grin would have helped, but no worries. :-)
    Liz — that comment about me was thrown in for your benefit. Honestly, I’m getting better!

  22. February 4th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey, Sunny, I know that. I threw the comment back atcha! :)

  23. February 4th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Ray,
    You look particularly handsome in that “blushing” color. :)

  24. February 4th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
    RayD said

    @Sunny: Glad we’re good again!
    @Liz: Thanks! All this makes for a nice little post on my blog…

  25. February 4th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Ray!
    I so love the way we inspire each other. I have a feeling something here tonight might show up on my blog tomorrow! :)

  26. February 5th, 2008 at 8:16 am
    Patricia Martin said

    Liz,
    Okay, I realize this comment is completely off topic, but you can decline to post it if you wish. I just wanted to send you an invitation. Look, I know these are shadowy times and I sense people are feeling it out there in the blogosphere. What can we do? Well, I intend to change the subject. Perhaps a diversion will lift our spirits. What if we talked about love for a few days?

    I am setting up a virtual kissing booth on my blog. I will announce it this week. I will ask people to describe their most memorable kiss. That unforgettable smooch–whether clumsy or thrilling. Frivolous? You bet. Winners get a free copy of John Stark’s new book Dictionary of Love http://blog.patricia-martin.com/

    What can you do? I need judges. Entries will appear as comments on http://www.culturescoutblog.com. I will announce the panel of judges this week, so jump in or decline, either way no love lost. Winners will be announced February 14.
    You game?
    Love,
    Patricia

  27. February 5th, 2008 at 8:36 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Patricia!
    Thanks for letting us know about it. Sharing the thought of love and good memories is always a good thing. Maybe next time we can coordinate a post about it via email. :)

  28. February 5th, 2008 at 9:11 am
    Patricia Martin said

    My face is red. Thanks for the gentle direction. I assumed your comments were monitored. So forgive my what must appear like a ham-handed approach. I imagine you encounter all kinds of funny behaviors when you have a blog aimed at helping people be better blogger. I bet you see all sorts.
    My best to you.

  29. February 5th, 2008 at 11:13 am
    amypalko said

    It’s so funny that you called me up on “meaning”, Liz! As I was falling asleep last night (the point at which I do all my best thinking!), it suddenly occurred to me that ‘facilitator’ wasn’t my word at all! It’s ‘explorer’ or ‘forager’. I love exploring new things and I love finding that ever-elusive website/shell/quote. I’m happiest trawling the beach, the vintage clothes racks, the internet etc. And this, of course, extends to meanings, textual/visual/existential. I enjoy sharing what I find, and helping others to find their own, but what actually drives me is the initial discovery.
    Anyway, I’m waffling! Apologies for the mammoth comment (again!).

  30. February 5th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Patricia,
    No worries and no need for red faces. You’re welcome here and so are your ideas. Please know I was only inviting you to my front page next time you’ve got something big going on. :)

  31. February 5th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Amy,
    I love how the quest for a single word took me to think deeply about who I am. It’s not waffling to try on a few to see how they fit. I’ll be sitting here waiting to find out which stays. :)

  32. February 8th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
    Sunny Schlenger’s SunCoach Blog » Blog Archive » Doorway Contemplation said

    [...] was speaking with Liz yesterday about the one word concept: The idea that it’s possible to sum up who we are and what we do naturally in one word. [...]

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

C'mon Let's Talk!