a personal note from Cairene

As the weather cools, there's something quite appealing about a warm kitchen. I spent a very relaxing and satisfying Saturday making soup and muffins and - mmm - lasagna. After a week of nail-biting news, it was indeed comfort food. In these uncertain times, what comforts you?

events

Entrepreneurial Series Morning Meetings at CubeSpace

Every weekday morning, CubeSpace offers local Portland entrepreneurs the opportunity to chat with "professionals-in-residence" about legal, IT, finance & operations, HR and marketing questions as part of its Entrepreneurial Series.

These events are free and open to the public - and are a great way to get answers that will point you in the right direction with only the investment of your time.

I will be among the "professionals-in-residence" three Wednesdays this fall. If you would like some face-to-face troubleshooting, I would love to chat with you - come on down!

Wednesdays, 9-10am
October 22 and November 5 & 26
CubeSpace - 622 SE Grand Avenue, Portland, Oregon

workshops

The True Discipline of Time Management
Stop trying to force your activities into boxes on a calendar and “discipline” yourself to conform to a schedule. Learn how to create a flexible and synergistic calendar that helps you stay focused and organized.
• 6-week class begins November 4 [details & registration]

Get-In-Gear Fridays
Finish what you've been putting off! Join GiGF and have some fun tackling the bottom of your to-do list.
• sessions offered monthly [details & registration]

one-on-one coaching

Want more individualized attention than is available in a workshop? Need help with a specific area of your business or special project? I currently have two openings available for one-on-one coaching.

Whether it's making better use of your time or putting systems in place to streamline your business, gain the skills and information you need to succeed through individual training and support in the areas you want it most. [learn more]

get in gear > leaving your comfort zone vs. leaving your home

In order to mature, as people and in business, we must occasionally leave our comfort zones and try new things that make us a twinge uncomfortable. That may be public speaking, getting the support of an assistant, narrowing our niche, expanding our networking, learning new technology, or just changing our daily schedule, among many other things. Stretching ourselves in this way is essential to our healthy growth.

But there is a difference between leaving your comfort zone and leaving your home. By leaving your home, I mean abandoning those comforts that keep you safe and grounded, and allow you to thrive - the comfort of like-minded people, the comfort of systems that are in sync with your work-style and personality, the comfort of your perspective and values.

So how do you tell the difference? In a moment of this feels weird, how do you decide whether or not to push through the awkwardness? How do you know if you are building an addition to your home or abandoning it?

the clues

The right systems, people, or mindset will feel good when introduced into your business, even if they make you a bit nervous - in the same way that a roller coaster is a bit scary, but also fun. The tension will be more about anticipation than anxiety. There will be a positive flow of energy and excitement and the outcome will remain an enticing and achievable reward, despite any temporary fears or setbacks.

Introducing inappropriate systems, people or mindset will not feel so good. Any nervous discomfort will be accompanied by dread and resistance - more like the proverbial visit to the dentist than a roller coaster ride. There will be an energy drain and the supposedly useful and positive outcome might not seem worth the effort.

The right stuff will make sense and will be relatively simple and easy to implement (okay, if not easy, then interesting). The wrong stuff will never stop feeling counter-intuitive and will remain difficult to put in place.

The right stuff will give you easier and greater access to what is already important to you. The wrong stuff will take you away from what you love; the wrong stuff will ask you not only to change how you do things, but change who you are.

get in gear > learn to recognize the difference

In everything from participating in a professional organization to applying the lessons of the latest productivity best-seller, pay attention to these clues. Then - and this is crucial - act on that information. Keep doing those things that stretch you in healthy ways and eliminate the rest.

Because it matters where you focus your attention. It matters where you invest your time. It's important to know when to persevere and when to quit (or not even get started). Learning to recognize the difference between leaving your comfort zone and leaving your home is an essential time management skill. Practice it.

* * * * * * * * * *
Learn how to leave your comfort zone without leaving your home in The True Discipline of Time Management. The next class begins November 4.

talk back

Like what you've read? Irked? Have a suggestion? Got a question? Let's start a conversation.
I'd love to hear from you - send me a line.

recently on the blog

• The Devil Is In The Details | structures help you manage the little things
• Delivered From Distraction | great advice, whether you live with ADD or not
• I'm All Ears | what is good self-care when your brain is on fire?
• No, Really, It Works | the email and the filing will take care of themselves

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Unless otherwise attributed, all material is written and edited by Cairene MacDonald.
© 2008 Cairene MacDonald, Third Hand Works. All rights reserved.

Cairene MacDonald
Third Hand Works
PO Box 31113
Portland, OR 97231
info@thirdhandworks.com

Third Hand Works | unconventional workflow strategies for unconventional people
administrative guidance for creatives who want to succeed in business and still be themselves