Virtual Zen

Robo-Calls for School Delays - You Actually Can Over-Communicate!

When I was a kid and we had a snow storm, we would gather around the clock radio in the kitchen and listen to a long list of numbers being read, announcing school closings or delays. Each number represented a particular school or school district. Sometimes I'd get lucky and my Dad would hear the list early in the morning and tell me not to bother getting out of bed (thanks Dad!) When my kids started school, these listings had become actual school district names instead of numbers, and the lists became available on TV during the morning news programs.

The next generation of announcement started a couple years ago when I could also sign up for email alerts from the local NBC affiliate so that I could get the closing or delay message on my computer and didn't even have to wait for the list to reach W (our school district is West Chester). Very convenient! Even without these email alerts, the complete alphabetic list of schools can be found on their website at any time.

Yesterday it snowed and I expected that there could be a 2-hour delay today. What I didn't expect is for my phone to ring at 5:45 am. Since I can't read my caller ID without my glasses and I never get calls at that time of the morning unless it's bad news, I jumped out of bed to answer the phone. It was a robo-call from the school district (you know those prerecorded calls that get broadcast out to a large list of phone numbers), letting me know that there was going to be a 2-hour delay today.  I guess the district doesn't have faith that I would get the message otherwise. OK, I accept that, they are just trying to be good communicators.  I turned off my coffee timer (didn't want my coffee to brew and taste burnt before I could get to it) and snuggled back into my warm bed for a little extra sleep. 

I was just drifting back to sleep when at 6:22 am the phone rang again. Again, it was the school district with the same message as before.  I guess since I have two kids in two different schools, the district thought I needed two messages. This really was overkill. Maybe they were concerned that in times when we lose electricity from a storm and don't have access to a TV or computer, a phone call would be better to get the word out (of course so many people now get their phone through cable that they lose their phone when they lose electricity anyway).  At the point when a snow storm is so bad that we lose electricity, I probably don't need a call from the district to tell me to keep my kids safe at home.

Sometimes you really can over-communicate. At least my kids are enjoying a little extra sleep this morning.

A Nutrionally Incorrect Video

My husband sent me this video clip.  He was having a difficult time figuring out if it was real or not - evidently it is. After spending the last year working with Linda S Jassmond Lanfear on her book, Journey to Fitness - Chronicles of a Working Woman, it's hard for me to believe that people actually eat like this. Apparently they do.

I did notice, however,  that it was primarily men in the video (but considering the dress code of the wait staff - or should I say undress code - I can see why).

I'll let you form your own opinion - it is interesting nonetheless. I guess there is a market for everything even if it's coronary disease. Enjoy (or not)!

Watch CBS Videos Online

Taking a Step Back to Move Forward

Earlier this week I was on a teleseminar with Alexandria Brown to learn more about her new Millionaire Protege Club. While I have to admit I'm not in a position to join her Club at this point, I enjoyed the information she shared on the call found it quite motivational.  One thing in particular she said, struck a chord with me: "sometimes you have to have a breakdown before you can have a breakthrough".

You see, I have been struggling for the last few months trying to figure out where I want to take my businesses and where I want to be spending my time. While I love my VA practice and have enjoyed the opportunities presented through it and the great clients I work with, truth is, publishing is my passion. I really want to work on growing my publishing business and the Virtual Publishing Assistance (VPA) piece to it. This is work I genuinely love!

I made the mistake, however,  of taking on a new VA client a few months ago who I sensed going in was going to be less than ideal for me but I contracted with him anyway.  Maybe I was greedy. After a frustrating few months I decided that the anxiety being cased by working with this person was keeping me from spending time on work that I enjoy and from working with people I enjoy. Well, I reached my "breakdown" point this week and had a "breakthrough". I decided to let that client go and I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders! My billing may be down a bit for a while, but now I have made room in by business to create new opportunities with Alexemi.  My VA practice will be kept as is for now and I won't be taking on any new VA clients. I have some great clients there now and I'm comfortable and happy with the work I do with them.

On her call, Ali also shared some mindset shifts that I plan to focus on over the next few months:

1. Stop ladder-climbing and start leap-frogging (I think it's time for me to take a few leaps).
2. Learn from a broader perspective.
3. Make decisions from where you want to be no where you are (this is one in particular I plan to focus on).
4. Plan carefully but don't sit on your plans.
5. Surround yourself with people and environments who support you (no more less than ideal clients!).

If you think you are ready embrace Ali's philosophy you may want to check out her new educational/coaching opportunities she's presenting with her Millionaire Protege Club. Who knows, maybe in the near future I'll be ready to join the Club too!

Making Time to Take Time

Well here we are - another new year. Looking back, I do think that 2008 was overall a good year though I have to admit that Time was not my friend. It seemed I constantly found myself saying "I don't have time". No time to update my blog (as is obvious by how infrequently I write). No time to clean my house; no time to read a magazine, or take a bath.  No time to exercise or take better care of myself. No time to execute the many plans swimming around in my head.

Why has time been so elusive?  Probably because I have given all of "my time" to others.  I helped my clients find time by taking work off of their desks. I gave my time freely to my family to make sure they had what they needed, when they needed it. I gave my time to help the publishing dreams of others come true (though I have to admit I really do enjoy that). Those were all choices I made so I really can't complain, but I do think that I need to make some adjustments. I need to make time to take time - for me. I just have to figure out how.

I just took a look back at my resolutions from last year and I think I really fell short in many of the areas.  I definitely grew my business (now businesses since I started a second in 2008). I learned a great deal along the way, but I really don't think I met any of my other goals. This is disappointing.

So this year I'm keeping it simple - I only have one goal. Find Time.

Wish me luck!