A couple days ago I had lunch with some folks from a local marketing company. I had met them at a local tweetup (twitter users face to face networking get together) and it seemed that we really hit if off. Anyway, .... we met at a local coffee house for lunch and instantly I noticed the office dynamics of these two individuals.
It clearly wasn't a formal "boss / employee" relationship. Almost like 2 adults who respect the fact that they are adults... but almost like brother and sister. (They each ordered something different so they could share. I have since learned that is the rule if you go out to eat with them... you have to order something different and share what you have. )
Throughout lunch we had a great conversation about a variety of topics including restaurants (I just had a bad experience at a local restaurant), work enviroments and dynamics.
I have rarely heard people speak about "loving work" but although it was not said... you could tell that something is working very well at that office.
Before I left the office the big cheese over there gave me a book. It's called "Why Work Sucks and How to Fix it" We chatted about the book for a few minutes and I left.
The last couple of nights I have been reading this book and it's almost as if someone took my own thoughts and views and wrote a book for me... really, I should be taking credit for this book because I have had exactly the same thoughts for atleast the last 5 years...
The thought process with this book is very interesting and I would say controversial to an extent but makes so much sense....The book is based on the "Results Only Work Environment (google it if you need too) Here is a quote or two for you to ponder:
"This new way of living is based on the radical idea that you are an adult. It is based on the radical idea that even though you owe your company your best work, you do not owe them your time or your life" (page 3)
"In a Results Only Work Environment (ROWE) people can do whatever they want, whenever they want, as long as the work gets done" (also page 3)
"You get paid for a chunk of work not a chunk of time" (page 4)
There are TONS of golden nuggets of info that I am just captivated by... It may seem outlandish but I truely believe that it is possible to run a business using this principal . The truth is the guy that gave me this book?? He runs his business based on many of these principals, and from the outside looking in it sure looks like a happy crew over there who love their jobs and have the flexibility to actually have a life.
So in saying all this, I think I might just move in there just to feed off the energy that these happy people have created. Got an extra chair??
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
A Leap of Faith
After a rather long hiatus from blogging, the fall is here and with my favourite season comes routine. Back into the swing of things. Back to school (yay!!!), activities, and time for fitness for me. I'd love to say that I'm one of those amazing people that sticks to a rigorous fitness routine, sadly I am not. Although with kids in school I am excited to get back into my running routine and also boot camp. Wish me luck on that one.
I took 3 months off work to focus on me and my family for a bit and get back some of that balance that was lacking prior to taking time off. Before leaving my job I carefully considered whether or not we could financially handle me taking time off and what my options in the fall would be.
Now anyone that knows me for more than 5 minutes knows that I'm a talker. Perhaps it's a bit of my outgoing personality or perhaps I really enjoy meeting people. Either way it's my strength and my weakness. (all my past school report cards could attest to that)
For the last 5 years I have had such a deep desire to "do what I love" and start my own business. I love communications, public affairs, facilitation, presenting, media you name it.
Though loads of past experience I have developed these skills and abilities and will go as far as saying they are my talents. Another passion I have is self improvement. I have more books than I can count on all different areas (so many so that I have had to create a system for loaning as may of my books were out and missing at times) and topics and have read them all more than once.
I have finally decided (after much prompting by my family and peers) to take a leap of faith and get the ball rolling. Last week I became a certified Level 1 Facilitator for a tool called "Personality Dimensions". ( http://www.personalitydimensions.com/) This is a tool that I have used for 6 years now personally and loved it so much that I decided to obtain certification and share this valuable tool with Central Alberta. By doing so I can combine both of my passions and maintain a great work life balance.
Wish me luck.
I took 3 months off work to focus on me and my family for a bit and get back some of that balance that was lacking prior to taking time off. Before leaving my job I carefully considered whether or not we could financially handle me taking time off and what my options in the fall would be.
Now anyone that knows me for more than 5 minutes knows that I'm a talker. Perhaps it's a bit of my outgoing personality or perhaps I really enjoy meeting people. Either way it's my strength and my weakness. (all my past school report cards could attest to that)
For the last 5 years I have had such a deep desire to "do what I love" and start my own business. I love communications, public affairs, facilitation, presenting, media you name it.
Though loads of past experience I have developed these skills and abilities and will go as far as saying they are my talents. Another passion I have is self improvement. I have more books than I can count on all different areas (so many so that I have had to create a system for loaning as may of my books were out and missing at times) and topics and have read them all more than once.
I have finally decided (after much prompting by my family and peers) to take a leap of faith and get the ball rolling. Last week I became a certified Level 1 Facilitator for a tool called "Personality Dimensions". ( http://www.personalitydimensions.com/) This is a tool that I have used for 6 years now personally and loved it so much that I decided to obtain certification and share this valuable tool with Central Alberta. By doing so I can combine both of my passions and maintain a great work life balance.
Wish me luck.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Change
I apologize for not blogging in a few weeks.. the end of school is a busy time. My goal was to blog once a week and I am determined to stick with that goal.
At 5:30 this morning I said good bye to a dear friend. She and her husband were instrumental in getting our family connected when we first moved to Red Deer nearly 2 years ago. A few months ago when she shared that they were leaving I was devastated. Making real friends as an adult is much more challenging then making friends when your 8. This person made a point of introducing us to lots of different people and made a point of spending time with us, showing us around, sharing all of their favourite hot spots, restaurants, etc. Truly they were a Godsend.
Within a month or two a relative that I am very close to called and told me that her and her husband were moving to Hong Kong.
Everyone knows that change isn't easy. We cannot avoid change but we can decide what our reaction and attitude towards it will be. I have heard it be said that it takes either a minute, an hour or a day to process change. I know that for me it's a day. I need a full day to process situations. That full day usually involves going to sleep and waking up (either a nap or overnight). Because I know this about myself I don't allow myself to feel pressure about making decisions right away. Over the last couple of years, I have worked though managing stressful situations better and working towards controlling my emotions. It's a working progress.
It takes a lot more to stress me out now a days. For me a big part of that has been learning to let things go.. to show people grace when they do something I don't like and seeing past comments to the heart of the person. I value the relationships in my life and want to be that person that is not easily offended..(that is my goal this year) and one that is quick to forgive and make others feel like they matter. At the end of the day isn't that what we all really want?
Thought for the day: It takes a lot of work to hate someone. Forgiveness is very freeing. Try it sometime.
At 5:30 this morning I said good bye to a dear friend. She and her husband were instrumental in getting our family connected when we first moved to Red Deer nearly 2 years ago. A few months ago when she shared that they were leaving I was devastated. Making real friends as an adult is much more challenging then making friends when your 8. This person made a point of introducing us to lots of different people and made a point of spending time with us, showing us around, sharing all of their favourite hot spots, restaurants, etc. Truly they were a Godsend.
Within a month or two a relative that I am very close to called and told me that her and her husband were moving to Hong Kong.
Everyone knows that change isn't easy. We cannot avoid change but we can decide what our reaction and attitude towards it will be. I have heard it be said that it takes either a minute, an hour or a day to process change. I know that for me it's a day. I need a full day to process situations. That full day usually involves going to sleep and waking up (either a nap or overnight). Because I know this about myself I don't allow myself to feel pressure about making decisions right away. Over the last couple of years, I have worked though managing stressful situations better and working towards controlling my emotions. It's a working progress.
It takes a lot more to stress me out now a days. For me a big part of that has been learning to let things go.. to show people grace when they do something I don't like and seeing past comments to the heart of the person. I value the relationships in my life and want to be that person that is not easily offended..(that is my goal this year) and one that is quick to forgive and make others feel like they matter. At the end of the day isn't that what we all really want?
Thought for the day: It takes a lot of work to hate someone. Forgiveness is very freeing. Try it sometime.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
No more "Lush" for this girl
This afternoon I was strolling Whyte ave in Edmonton with my hubby. As I walk pass Lush cosmetics I see this poster in their window. To say I was wild was perhaps an understatement. I sent the pic to my friend Jon who kindly posted it on twitter for me.
Their website shows a very (one sided) flashy video about the "most destructive project on earth"
I also posted the picture on my facebook and got some really great feedback from people who work and reside in Wood Buffalo and others who don't live anywhere near there but support Alberta's Oilsands.
Before I share some of their feedback I want to first say that I value our environment and think we need to each do our part to preserve it for future generations. Secondly I want to say that Alberta's economy depends on this oil. Without the revenue from this resource we could expect to have a provincial sales tax of roughly 16% plus the 5% GST.
It irates me that a soap company that claims their products are all natural are now on a "soapbox" preaching to the world with misinformation about the "tar sands" .
Rob from Fort McMurray said " People are so misinformed. The Dirty Tarsands account for less than 1% of the worlds carbon emissions, where is this info in the video? Coal is the dirtiest energy source in the world, and the US is the biggest coal user and supplier! We don't have an alternative energy source! There are initiatives to clean up the environment, but perspective would be nice!! Level headed conversation, accurate information and logical solutions! When did all reason go out the window?
Mark from Edmonton writes " Another case of the uneducated trying to educate the uneducated. Yes, tearing down trees, digging holes and carbon emissions are bad, but hundreds of thousands of people out of work (remember most of downtown Calgary is employed because of oilsands and most of Nisku and Fort Saskatchewan not to mention the energy traders in places like New York and Toronto) is bad, and the financial collapse of most of Canada would ensue. And let's not single out the oilsands. The coal mines / power plants around Wabamun pollute more than the oilsands as does the PRB (power river basin) in Wyoming. If it wasn't for mining and energy generation in general all those environmentalists wouldn't have Mac computers to produce videos, iPhones to tweet on or Prius's to drive. If it's not mined, it's grown.
and finally.. Leanne from Red Deer said " Have they heard of BP??"
I believe strongly in Alberta's oilsands. I urge you all to approach this subject for discussion based on factual information considering both the environment and the number of Canadians that benefit from it. Really, it's all about balance.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Who's your Hero?
As I scroll though the latest tweets on twitter this morning I see the phrase " Tell me who your hero's are".
Wow. Nothing like getting the brain going early in the morning. This was most definitely an challenging thing to come up with.
My first thought was my friend Deb. Although she has some very impressive political achievements under her belt, the things that I admire about her are too long to list. To name a few I love that she is as real as they get. If you don't want a truthful answer, don't ask Deb. She never apologizes for who she is and is not the type to whine about her figure or try to make her body into something it's not (a size zero). She is positive and encouraging and has the most amazing sense of humor. Although we have not spent a ton of time together I always look forward to our chats either on the phone or by email.
Thinking about hero's is an interesting thing. Our first thought is someone famous perhaps. Ghandi, Mother Teresa, The Dalai Lama, maybe a celebrity even.... lets think a little closer to home. Everyone has a story.... when I think of my friends and family and coworkers and acquaintances there is one "hero" in my circle that I want to mention.
There is a gem of a lady that I met last fall. She is (not by her choosing) a single mother of 5 children. Her life is not easy. She works, volunteers both with her kids activities and in other things she enjoys. After having 5 kids and suddenly becoming single she went back to school to learn some administrative skills and through this long process has emerged a positively vibrant, strong, and determined woman. She invests real quality time with her kids. A line she always uses as a guide with raising her kids is " more is caught then taught". After many years of single life she is getting married and is looking forward to being married again. No matter what she deals with in the course of a day she is always smiling and always lights up a room when she enters it. I miss her when she is not around. Her energy, humor and outlook on life is addicting. I love you girl!!
In my world, hero's have certain traits. So perhaps you are one of them and we have not met yet.
A hero breaks the cycle of negative and destructive behavior in their family lines.
A hero does not let the past define their future.
A hero admits when they don't have all the answers and knows how to ask for help.
A hero desires to be a better person and strives everyday to do so.
A hero puts relationships ahead of things.
A hero knows how to say "I'm sorry I was wrong".
A hero is a voice for those that don't have one.
Be a hero. Every hero thing you do really does change some one's life for the better.
Wow. Nothing like getting the brain going early in the morning. This was most definitely an challenging thing to come up with.
My first thought was my friend Deb. Although she has some very impressive political achievements under her belt, the things that I admire about her are too long to list. To name a few I love that she is as real as they get. If you don't want a truthful answer, don't ask Deb. She never apologizes for who she is and is not the type to whine about her figure or try to make her body into something it's not (a size zero). She is positive and encouraging and has the most amazing sense of humor. Although we have not spent a ton of time together I always look forward to our chats either on the phone or by email.
Thinking about hero's is an interesting thing. Our first thought is someone famous perhaps. Ghandi, Mother Teresa, The Dalai Lama, maybe a celebrity even.... lets think a little closer to home. Everyone has a story.... when I think of my friends and family and coworkers and acquaintances there is one "hero" in my circle that I want to mention.
There is a gem of a lady that I met last fall. She is (not by her choosing) a single mother of 5 children. Her life is not easy. She works, volunteers both with her kids activities and in other things she enjoys. After having 5 kids and suddenly becoming single she went back to school to learn some administrative skills and through this long process has emerged a positively vibrant, strong, and determined woman. She invests real quality time with her kids. A line she always uses as a guide with raising her kids is " more is caught then taught". After many years of single life she is getting married and is looking forward to being married again. No matter what she deals with in the course of a day she is always smiling and always lights up a room when she enters it. I miss her when she is not around. Her energy, humor and outlook on life is addicting. I love you girl!!
In my world, hero's have certain traits. So perhaps you are one of them and we have not met yet.
A hero breaks the cycle of negative and destructive behavior in their family lines.
A hero does not let the past define their future.
A hero admits when they don't have all the answers and knows how to ask for help.
A hero desires to be a better person and strives everyday to do so.
A hero puts relationships ahead of things.
A hero knows how to say "I'm sorry I was wrong".
A hero is a voice for those that don't have one.
Be a hero. Every hero thing you do really does change some one's life for the better.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Debit Card Security
I came home from work yesterday and there was a voicemail from my banks security department urging me to call them immediately.
After calling in I was informed by a digital voice that my card had been used at a location that is currently being investigated for skimming and card duplication. I was then required to go to my local branch for a new card.
Upon arriving at the branch, I asked the teller what business in town was suspected and was told "I don't know. None of us do. Unless the police get involved nobody will ever know."
Might I say that this really bothered me. I use chip and pin technology. These "new security measures" are supposed to prevent this from happening and I am standing at a branch location having to be issued a new card and now have to (after 12 years) choose a new pin.
Besides the inconvenience of the whole ordeal, the most disturbing thing is that the business in question benefits from complete privacy and is still allowed to open it's doors every day and breach the trust of it's customers.
WHAT IF.... businesses that were being investigated or charged were publicized and held accountable. In a day and age of FOIP and privacy, where is the line that says we have taken it too far??
In the name of privacy we have eliminated accountability and integrity in business dealings in this capacity. I am all for protecting a persons personal identity (especially online) however I feel that individuals should loose that right if they are participating in theft, bullying or trying to remain anonymous while exercising "freedom of speech" because they are too cowardly to receive the backlash of their "freedom of speech".
What do I do now? Well...... I guess I will start memorizing my new pin.
After calling in I was informed by a digital voice that my card had been used at a location that is currently being investigated for skimming and card duplication. I was then required to go to my local branch for a new card.
Upon arriving at the branch, I asked the teller what business in town was suspected and was told "I don't know. None of us do. Unless the police get involved nobody will ever know."
Might I say that this really bothered me. I use chip and pin technology. These "new security measures" are supposed to prevent this from happening and I am standing at a branch location having to be issued a new card and now have to (after 12 years) choose a new pin.
Besides the inconvenience of the whole ordeal, the most disturbing thing is that the business in question benefits from complete privacy and is still allowed to open it's doors every day and breach the trust of it's customers.
WHAT IF.... businesses that were being investigated or charged were publicized and held accountable. In a day and age of FOIP and privacy, where is the line that says we have taken it too far??
In the name of privacy we have eliminated accountability and integrity in business dealings in this capacity. I am all for protecting a persons personal identity (especially online) however I feel that individuals should loose that right if they are participating in theft, bullying or trying to remain anonymous while exercising "freedom of speech" because they are too cowardly to receive the backlash of their "freedom of speech".
What do I do now? Well...... I guess I will start memorizing my new pin.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Non Profit: Do you Donate?
Since picking up blogging again, I have kept a notebook in my purse anytime a topic comes up that would be interesting to blog about. I work for a very large non profit and currently they are running their "family campaign".
I've been in the non profit sector for 5 years now and have observed the great differences in running and managing charitable organizations. Everyone feels (of course) that they are doing amazing work and are always after the almighty dollar to keep things running.
I have sat around boardroom tables and discussion have been had about the expectation of board members financially contributing to the organizations they volunteer with. Of course there was some push back. This got me thinking. We do the work we do because we want to make a difference (why else would you work for lower than average wages?) but at the end of the day do we really believe enough to personally sacrifice a few dollars each month to support the "great work" we are doing?
If I do not believe enough in the work I do to contribute some dollars each month then perhaps I should not be there. If we expect donors to open their pocketbooks and support us then maybe we need to also be accountable and follow suit as well. I'm not talking tons of money here, if you donate $20.00 a paycheck, at the end of the year that's $ 480.00. If all your staff do that, in my mind going to funders with that bit of information is more powerful then the number of volunteer hours.
I'm sure there are those reading that would maybe disagree, or maybe not.
I'd love your feedback on this one.
I've been in the non profit sector for 5 years now and have observed the great differences in running and managing charitable organizations. Everyone feels (of course) that they are doing amazing work and are always after the almighty dollar to keep things running.
I have sat around boardroom tables and discussion have been had about the expectation of board members financially contributing to the organizations they volunteer with. Of course there was some push back. This got me thinking. We do the work we do because we want to make a difference (why else would you work for lower than average wages?) but at the end of the day do we really believe enough to personally sacrifice a few dollars each month to support the "great work" we are doing?
If I do not believe enough in the work I do to contribute some dollars each month then perhaps I should not be there. If we expect donors to open their pocketbooks and support us then maybe we need to also be accountable and follow suit as well. I'm not talking tons of money here, if you donate $20.00 a paycheck, at the end of the year that's $ 480.00. If all your staff do that, in my mind going to funders with that bit of information is more powerful then the number of volunteer hours.
I'm sure there are those reading that would maybe disagree, or maybe not.
I'd love your feedback on this one.
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