Lifeworks! » business plannng

MIDLIFE, MILES AND MIRACLES

Jeannie Fennell — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:03:56 +0000

This is a story about a midlife crisis that resulted in internal and external miracles…and the many miles that were traveled along the way.

Midlife crisis is usually joked about as the time when people buy the fancy sports and find a young, good-looking person to ride in it. But even if you don’t approach this time in that way, midlife is certainly a time to reexamine your life, make some big changes and perhaps go in a different direction.

This is the story about how one woman is doing that & is inspiring others to create their own “new journey”.

The Inner Journey

About three years ago, Soulo Entrepreneurs member, Tamela Rich came to me to help her deal with the loss of her business and to help her find a new career direction. Tamela did a lot of inner work to connect with what she really wanted to do. She had long loved to write but had, like many of us, not seen using her talent as a viable business. But as she connected with her passion, her energy returned and doors began to open for her.

She created a successful business writing for financial markets. And after having dealt with her own crisis, she decided to write about the trade offs everyone must make in life. With the financial meltdown still playing out, she’s researching the book by talking to financial traders across the country about their trade offs – personally and professionally.

She also wanted to have some fun, live a dream, and make a difference…All great midlife goals

So next week, she will start riding across the country to conduct her research, not in a shiny sports car, but on a shiny new motorcycle. Along the way she’ll be raising money for The National Breast Cancer Foundation.

The Outer Journey

Of course, there were a few obstacles to realizing her dream. Minor ones like she had never ridden a motorcycle.

She had little money of her own, didn’t know many people around the country, and a few other “minor” challenges.

Oh yeah, and she didn’t have a motorcycle or the means to buy on

And some people who asked her, “What are you thinking? “ and other discouraging remarks.

The Dream

But she had a dream and out of that dream has come some miracles –like the new BMW motorcycle and the dozens of “little” sponsorships from friends. strangers and businesses across the country. In the spirit of “If you build it, they will come,” her dream is coming tru

Biker Babe

And on June 26, she will start her “outward journey” with lots of support. plenty of contacts, a book contract and a new bike. In the process, she has inspired all of us to reconnect with our passions and find a way to make a difference in the world…especially our own.

Tamela gives a new meaning to “You Rock, Biker Babe!

You can follow Tamela’s travels on Roadtrip.TamelaRich.com

Down the Rabbit Hole and Back Again

Jeannie Fennell — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:05:47 +0000

LifeLearnings…Musings and Perspectives on our changing times

Remember what happened to Alice in Wonderland?

She fell down a rabbit hole into a strange land where the rules didn’t make sense and the all the signposts were backwards.

Alice kept asking for help to find her way but got confusing instructions. The queen of the land threatened to take off her head if Alice didn’t follow orders, but the orders were impossible to execute.

Over the last year or so,I have been feeling like Alice. The world seemed crazy. And I know many who feel the same. We have fallen down a hole and can’t get out. The signposts don’t make any sense. The landscape is different. What we are “supposed” to do is impossible and real directions seemed hard to find.

But as I have stumbled around myself and have helped others navigate through their changes, I have found out something very helpful and comforting.

That something is my essential self.

What’s the essential self? Our heart and our soul — those parts of us that are our character, are the same. They have not changed, no matter what else has. The essential self is as distinctive as the shape of our head or the way we walk. Whatever happened externally, the inside is much the same. On the inside is our values, our integrity and yes, our quirks and eccentric ways. Whatever made us valuable and unique is still there and usable, even if dented and scratched.

Whew..Realizing that was a great relief. I can count on those things within me that I have honed over my lifetime…they are not going to desert me. I can feel safe. I have only lost the outside stuff, not what is really valuable.

Realizing this, a quiet joy began to emerge because while everything else can be replaced or discarded, I, the essential me, will never go away.

And while I’m not grinning like the Cheshire Cat, I am smiling more and that’s a good sign. And yes, as the song says.”Still crazy after all these years” and I refuse to lose that.

And I hope you are the same.

5 Mistakes That Can Cost You Business

Jeannie Fennell — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:25:18 +0000

I will be giving a talk on this topic to The Midlands Business Association on May 18, 2010 @ 12:00 .

The Midland Business Association has invited me to speak on this topic at their monthly luncheon. In this talk I will discuss the common mistakes in using time, money & reputation that undermine many entrepreneurs and give some simple solutions to avoid them. After making lost of mistakes myself and years of coaching entrepreneurs, I have some suggestions that can help to avoid costly missteps.

This business group is made up of small businesses and entrepreneurs who are located just on the outskirts of Charlotte NC in a fast growing area close to the 485 loop.

I was recommended by Pat Allen, a former SOULO member and owner of Grannanny Soaps & Lotions. Ifelt that I could give useful information to this group and I am delighted to support them since “start up entrepreneurs “ are some of my favorite people to work with.

For more info, contact me or : joyce@weeklypostnc.com

THE CIRCLE THAT MAKES THE WORLD GO AROUND

Jeannie Fennell — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:10:51 +0000

Women Holding Up the World

“A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead

I was crying…

It was a very hot August day and I was crying. I felt depressed and lonely. I was overwhelmed, stressed and didn’t know where to get any help.

I had started my business and while it was slowly growing, so was my despair.

The isolation of working alone, trying to know all I needed to know and keep up with it all was overwhelming me. It was just too much to do by myself. Friends and family just didn’t get what I was doing and thought I just laid around all day.

A job a Wal-Mart was looking good

Slowly it dawned on me that I could not be the only person who felt like this and maybe by getting us together we could help each other.

So out of my despair, the entrepreneurs support group, SOULO was born. Seven years later I now know help is close by in the lives of other women; I just have to as

Ordinary women making history

So this is an article about “ordinary” women making history by just being themselves and making a difference right where they are.

Most of them started a business because of economic necessity and equally important, because they wanted to make a difference in their world.

And I can honestly say, without their ideas, inspiration, advice and savvy, I would be working at Wal-Mart.

Over the years, women with a variety of businesses have been a part of the group. From a goat farmer to CEOs…all have come together to grow themselves, their businesses and each other. Someday I’m going to write a book about all of them but for now, let me introduce the current members and you will see what what I mean.

Meet these amazing Women

Meg Houlihan, Ph.D. ,has been in the group almost since it started and her quiet wisdom has added so much to all us.Meg is a psychologist in private practice and she supports people, especially children, to deal with stress thru connections with nature. Her community activism and her commitment to the environment as well as her family inspire us.(Dr. Houlihan)

Carolyn Cook is the newest member and created her business, LiveSmart Designs after she was laid off. Carolyn helps people with physical issues stay in their homes by redesigning & configuring ways to both be “green” and to be accessible. She is currently teaching “Aging in Place ” at CPCC. Her energy and openness is contagious.

Belinda Haverdill, psychotherapist, came to SOULO to find way to expand her work with woman and support their healing. Belinda has studied many traditions and spiritual paths and wanted to share her knowledge. She now leads retreats, a drumming circle and many other growth experiences.She now sees herself as a expanding entrepreneur. Belinda’s gentle caring supports us all. www.belindahaverdill.com

Tamela Rich came to the group after her business had to close and she wanted to find a way a create work out of her love of writing. She is now a sought after writer for financial markets. She is planning a cross-country motorcycle tour to gather material for a book and even has a book agent. Tam inspires us by her use of social media and willingness to take risks. www.TamelaRich.com

They think they are ordinary...

And they think they are just “ordinary” women….making history by being themselves.

I am honored to know them and to know I am not alone.

They are holding up the world…. each other, and especially me.

Without them, I would be lucky to working at Wal-Mart!

****************.

ITS A DOG’S LIFE

Jeannie Fennell — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:56:00 +0000

I’ve been so fortunate that for most of my life I have had dogs. I have learned a lot from them.

But recently an experience with a dog taught me a lot about health….which

reminds me once again that there are gifts in everything.

Often I take my two rescue mutts to a large field where they can run off leash and meet other dogs. A few weeks before I had chatted with a young woman named Cindy & met her year-old Boxer “Max.” Cindy was a first time dog owner & was excited about having a dog. We talked about dog behavior and I told her of some of my “dog learning” experiences.

A few weeks later I was at the field and saw Cindy and a guy I assumed was her boyfriend as they were very involved with each other. However they were not very involved with Max.

Max was running around and getting further away from them. Cindy would occasionally pull her attention away from her boyfriend and call Max to “come.” When Max did not come, her calls became increasingly shrill.

She eventually came in my direction so I took the opportunity to offer her a dog treat to entice Max with, explaining that was a way I had taught my dogs to come. Cindy told me emphatically that Max didn’t deserve a treat, as he was being “bad.”

Finally Max did come to her and she began to hit him and tell him he was a bad dog. I was very upset to see this and felt I needed to intervene. I said that I knew she was frustrated but he would not want to come if he was punished when he did come. Of course she didn’t pay any attention to me and hauled Max away.

With a very heavy heart, I saw that the relationship between Cindy and Max was headed for trouble and possible abuse. And probably the pound for Max.

Later that day I was reminded of the relationship between Cindy and Max when I saw an article about exercise were the emphasis was on the ”No Pain, No gain” school of health.

It occurred to me that many of us have the same type of relationship to our bodies that I saw between Cindy to Max.

That is, we ignore our bodies until they don’t perform like we think they should and then we punish them and tell them they are “bad.” We treat our bodies like they need to be punished with brutal exercise and deprivation diets. We don’t take the time to learn much about what they need and we don’t pay attention to the “messages” we get about what makes our bodies feel good. So it is no surprise that our relationship to our bodies is one of frustration and confusion.

So I am going to suggest that we adopt a new view of health

starting with the motto:

“Your Body is Your Best Friend”

And the remembering these simple D.O.G ideas:

D= don’t rely on fad diets or quick fixes,

good relationships take time & care.

Do “check in” regularly to see where

your body is and where it is going.

O= Own that your body is unique and will

willingly tell you what makes it thrive.

Do you need more sleep than is?

“average”? Do you like walks more

than treadmills?

Find out what works for YOU, not

what “experts tell you

G= Give your body the care and respect

it deserves.Walks, lots of play,

good food and loving attention

make dogs and bodies thrive.

Treat your body as well as you would

your Best Friend…because it

really is.

Be the person your dog thinks you are!

LOOK AT ME. I’M DRIVING A FERRARI!

Jeannie Fennell — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:44:17 +0000

Well I finally did it. I‘ve moved from a regular website to a blogsite and it has certainly stirred me up.

When my colleague, brilliant writer, & Soulo member Tamela Rich did the same thing some time ago she commented that she felt like an Amish woman who had just been given a Ferrari. And wow, she was so right. I feel like I have gone from a quiet comfortable place to live (a regular website) into an alternative universe – blogging– and I am not sure I can fit in here. I’m sure for many people this would be a ho hum experience but for a “technologically disadvantaged’ person like me, it is a big step.

Lessons Learned

I learned a lot about myself during this move, most of which gives me more empathy for what my clients in transition face. Like many clients who want to make a shift in their lives, I both loved and feared the move to a blogsite. I loved the idea of the possibilities of blogging but when confronted with the reality of what I need to do, all my fears and insecurities come swirling up like ghosts at Halloween.

Can I really learn how to do this? Will it be worth the time & money? Will anyone read it anyway? On and on and on. I scare myself with old fears and made up monsters. By the time I am finished with my “haunted house” I want to hide under the bed & never come out.

But of course, I finally have to emerge and look around.

How ironic that I teach others how to calm their fears but let the monsters get to me. I am just like everyone else…I scare myself with “what ifs”. It certainly gives me more insight into what fear can do and how energy sucking it can be. I know that this is not a life-threatening situation but it is amazing how invasive it becomes.

When I get a little perspective on it, I realize that these “fear ghosts” are what we all feel when we take a risk or move away from our comfort zones.

Since we often teach what we need to learn, I realized I need to apply that to myself. So I talk to myself just like I do my clients (glad no one can hear me!) to remember that I have learned many other things in my life, that I have what I tell others they need — a great support team in Tamela & Andy Ciordia (the blog tech guru) of Nuance Labs Consulting and that I will love getting comments from people. When I focus on these things, it really helps. I’m not driving much yet but I am in the car.

And I think I really look good in a Ferrari.