Successful Blog

An Open Mind ……..

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Brittany – funny I feel okay to share her name now (I asked) – has been released from jail. All her charges were dropped. Her “friend” showed up and confessed to an armed robbery that Brittany did not commit but was involved in.
 
Sometimes it’s difficult to keep an open mind. Sometimes we have beliefs and convictions that we know are right and refuse to let anything change that. One thing I have learned from working in social media is you never know who may have the next great idea, what project you may work on, or who may become a close friend. The same goes for “real life” as well but is often not as apparent.
 
I’ve talked about Brittany before, and her struggle. They were some of the hardest posts I’ve written because they were the most personal. Interestingly enough, they were also the posts I received the most feedback on and the ones that actually gave me hope and kept me persevering. Thank you for that.
 
Before her release I had been running into wall after wall advocating for her in an attempt to get her into a rehab. I am still doing so and still running in the same circles; passed around and around. I will not give up. 

Brittany has a criminal record of over 50 convictions, many are breaches of probation orders, but the majority is theft-related. Drugs are an expensive addiction. Jail does not help people with addiction issues – jail warehouses many who need help.

Brittany is a wonderful, funny, intelligent, insightful, witty, and beautiful nineteen-year-old woman. She loves to read, write, exercise, eat well, hang out with friends, go shopping, and have fun. We have a lot in common. 

She asked me once if I had met her as an addict in jail and heard of all the crimes she had committed would I still like her? I answered that I honestly didn’t know but probably would not. But I can honestly tell you right now that I love Brittany and am proud to know her and call her my friend. If I had not had an open mind and an interest in her story, I would not have the honor of learning with her and calling her my friend. 

We keep in touch by text now. She’ll contact me when she has a craving, a good day, bad day, or to see how I am. I call on her when I’m discouraged or need a boost. She listens, she laughs, and she gently speaks an insightful truth that makes me think. I have learned from her and leaned on her. I value her friendship and judgment.  

I hear a lot of talk in all circles I am involved in of this person doing this, or how could this person possibly be thinking of that action or, one closer to home for many of us, people criticizing those who do things on social media platforms, which we don’t agree with. I hear people criticizing the marketers, the celebrities, those who run the businesses, and I frankly wonder why.  What I have learned from Britt, and from social media, is that there is something to be gained and something we can learn from everyone. It often comes from the least expected places. We just need to keep an open mind, and heart.

from : Kathryn Jennex aka @northernchick

photo credit: Brittany

Beach Notes: Waiting For A Wave

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by Guest Writers Suzie Cheel and Des Walsh

The sea’s been wonderfully warm for Autumn (Fall) and this week the sea has been crystal clear. But for the board riders the waves have been modest in size and frequency. So the surfers have had to practise patience and be ready to spring into action when a good wave comes.

We notice that experienced surfers do a lot of stretching before they actually go into the surf, so when the moment comes for action they are less likely to pull a muscle. We met one of our board riding friends the other day limping, he had done just that the day before.

In business as in surfing there are times you have to wait, just make sure you have done your "stretching exercises" so you are prepared to spring into action when the opportunity arises.

The old saying comes to mind:

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
-Seneca .

How do you stretch while you’re waiting for the wave?

Suzie Cheel & Des Walsh

Happy Mother’s Day!
From Liz, Suzie, and Des!

How Can You Change What You're Afraid of?

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Each Year We Get Better

The theme of SOBCon09 was the ROI of Relationships. We underscored the importance of relationships in business and had a chance to make and celebrate a few while we’re doing that.

Every year, we get a better at smoothing the edges of what we’re inventing — our businesses, our community, and this event that we build together when we walk into that room.

At SOBCon08, a beautiful young woman joined us. She signed up with only her first name. She was in the room the whole time, but I didn’t get to know her well. This year she returned with her full name and seemed so much more involved. As I read her story, I wish I had reached out to her more last year. She’s inspired me to make sure that I look to do that more.

Reflections on the ROI of SOBCon09 by Amy LeForge

I’m just home from a weekend in Chicago for SOBCon09. The theme this year was The Return On Investment (ROI) of Relationships and I’ve been reflecting on what my personal ROI is for this trip. This was actually my second time attending SOBCon. That fact came as a surprise to more than one of the attendees this year when I introduced myself. The reason they were surprised is because they didn’t remember me from last year. That’s right. I went to a marketing/business/entrepreneurial/blogging conference last year and hid. I sat back in the shadows and listened and learned. I made a few friends, but I shied away from actually stepping out and having conversations or building relationships.

Don’t get me wrong: I have no one to blame for this but me. No one at SOBCon was (or is) anything less than stellar and wonderful and amazing. Every last one of them. I was out of my comfort zone the entire time; it was clear that I was in the company of people who knew and understood so much more than I and I was intimidated. I do not exaggerate when I tell you I sobbed for a good deal of the drive home last year.

I have long wondered what caused my attack of shyness. My husband, upon hearing me describe what had happened at SOBCon08, was quite puzzled. “You’re not shy,” he said. And he’s right. I’m not. Perhaps it’s that I’m an introvert, but even that label does not completely fit. It’s true that I am a listener, but I also love to tell stories. I wouldn’t be a blogger if I didn’t.

I came to SOBCon09 bound and determined to do better. This meant stepping far out of my comfort zone and forcing myself to join conversations, ask questions, and get to know people. Most frightening were the evening social gatherings. I went anyways. (I won’t lie to you: I had to have several rather stern talks with myself about not giving up and running away.)

If you talk to SOBCON attendees from years past you’ll hear how people walk in as strangers and leave as family. Friendships are forged that extend far beyond the boundaries of this one weekend. It’s all true.

I cannot begin to adequately describe how kind and welcoming people were, or how blessed I am to have been able to friend so many. Even when I very honestly said, “I’m scared out of my wits here,” I was warmly received and supported.

It was a conversation with Chris Cree that really crystallized things for me. When you feel so completely out of your league, as though you’re surrounded by people who are just so far ahead of you it’s emotionally exhausting. You finish every day just raw inside. Chris told me he knew what that felt like; that he had experienced it himself and that fear was playing a big role. That’s when I realized: sometimes we need to change what we fear.

I was reminded of a field trip I arranged for my behaviorally disordered students to a ropes course several years ago. If you’ve never seen a ropes course, it’s basically an obstacle course about 20 feet off the ground. I got it into my head that my class would benefit from doing the course.

Have I mentioned that I’m afraid of heights?

There were safety harnesses of course, but that didn’t stop me from almost passing out at one particular obstacle. Two trees were a few feet apart, each with a small platform. All I had to do was step from one platform across open space to the other. It couldn’t have been more than an 18-inch gap. With all the kids watching I didn’t dare to quit so I took the step. In order to succeed, I had to change what I was afraid of.

This weekend, I was blessed with the wisdom, expertise, time, and friendship of more people than I have space to acknowledge here. I cannot begin to put a value on the support I received or the help I was given. I deserve none of it. I am no more special than anyone else and yet I walk away having been given priceless gifts. I doubt I could ever thank people enough.

So what was my ROI on SOBCon09? Huge. Priceless. Beyond description.

Worth it.

And guys? No longer will I allow fear to stop me from walking into a room to make new friends. No longer will I allow myself to run and hide when I really need to stand and shine. Instead, I will fear letting you down by not using what you’ve taught me. I fear disappointing you after having been given so much.

I have changed what I am afraid of.

Amy LeForge writes about the successes, failures, and funny stories of being a parent at Earnest Parenting. You’ll find her on Twitter as @EarnestOne

I’ve been afraid like Amy has been. Sometimes, in some rooms, I find I still am.
I was afraid when I read this blog post that she, you, and me would only see that I let her down last year. It’s hard to think someone has courageous as she is would have feel so sad on her way home.

But so much would be lost if I didn’t share her story.
I had to change what I’m afraid of. I don’t want it to happen again.

A new outcome is inside a new point of view.

How can you change what you’re afraid of?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

Beach Notes: Across the Waves

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by Guest Writers Suzie Cheel and Des Walsh

Yesterday walking on the beach I was stuck for inspiration for this weeks beach notes. Des came up with a few ideas that were variations on what we had done previously.

Then I remembered SOBCon ’09 was on and thought what good timing for a beach inspiration picture, especially as Liz loves Aussie Beaches.

SOBCon09

I then headed into twitter to see what was being said about and at SOBCon ’09.

Here are a few gems for those of us who didn’t get to Chicago this weekend.
SobCon09
SobCon09
SobCon09
SobCon09
SobCon09
SobCon09

Suzie Cheel and Des Walsh

A Community Gathers SOBCon 09

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I grew up in a small community and gatherings were a regular thing. The community gathered, through some type of religious affiliation or volunteer organization, and the people came together. There was the planning that occurred up to the event, the talk surrounding who was going, and the conversation about looking forward to seeing so-and-so. People came together to learn, to discuss ideas, to renew old friendships and make new.

People worked hard and long to arrange schedules, offer up what they could, and sometimes make sacrifices to attend these community gatherings. I feel it’s all very much the same, as we have been getting ready to attend SOBCon 2009. I appreciate all that everyone has done – I want you to know that.

The theme this year of the “Biz School for Bloggers” is the ROI of relationships. I want to learn as much as I can from all the various sessions and bring back new tools to help me move forward. I also am very much looking forward to expanding the relationship part of that equation and adding a new dimension to the relationships I have developed through this blog, Twitter, and the online community in general.

Tomorrow I head to Chicago to meet people from my community. The journey to this point has been a crazy one! I’ve been ill and felt defeated. I lost hope and motivation. But, right now, I am holding the ticket in my hand and am more than ready to get on that plane!

Because I was so late in actually knowing whether or not I would be attending (seriously – I just found out for SURE yesterday!) I was holding back from announcing my excitement. But tonight it’s actually palpable out there on Twitter. I want to thank all of you, and you know who you are, who offered encouragement, support and really kept me going in my quest for a Chicago adventure.

I look forward to meeting you all. I feel like I have known many of you forever. Those in our community who cannot make it – trust me, I understand. Please ask us who will be there for the information and/or things you need.

And please comment about the relationships you’ve built through this community, through Twitter, and through your other online communities!

from Kathryn Jennex @northernchick

Beach Notes: I Can See Clearly Now the Rain Is Gone?

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by Guest Writers Suzie Cheel and Des Walsh

On Friday we wondered if we would get to swim in the sea. Following a week or more of fierce storms with a consequent build up of debris, the sea was so murky. The locals including ourselves were reluctant to swim. Thursday we stood on the beach discussing why it was taking so long to clear. We didn’t swim that day.

Then overnight, as if with the wave of a magic wand the sea had become crystal clear. You could see the fish and your own feet.

Life itself is like that sometimes I find. Last week I was in one of my "overwhelm" states. HOW would I get everything completed IN TIME?

Des says let’s get everything that is in your head onto a spreadsheet. VOILA, magic wand time again! I have been able to get clear and move forward. What’s great is I am checking things off. This give me good feelings as well as giving me clarity.

What do you do when things are not clear?

Suzie Cheel and Des Walsh