Week 19: Rain Returns

Clouds rolled through some days this week.  Rain fell with the temperatures.  Much-needed rain for the gardens, as well as for me because a few grey days here and there force me to slow down a bit.

The five best things about the week:

1. The one night I was home by 7 p.m., I had to sit around and read instead of hike up the hills outside. Rest.  Relax in my own space.
2. I better balanced my personal interaction with business.  Every day I managed to talk with, share a meal with, or in some way correspond with a friend.
3. That having been said, I still did a lot of business.  Such as: a new client project where I already see the motivated person growing skills (needs only a little nudge from me, not a remake).  Four business networking meetings from which I will write at least one new project proposal.  Plus the discussions gave me energy & ideas.  Mass mailing new marketing brochure. One evening with a professional communications event.
4. Good steps forward with the Professional Women's Group of Zurich via transitioning the data and web details.  It was a lively Wednesday evening discussion, enhanced by opening a bottle of wine at the end.  We are ready to put some structures in place for efficient operation and to set goals for the next year.  Our target for the new team to be formed and ready to charge ahead is June -- I think we'll get there!  The best part is that I feel the individual leaders pulling together for the journey. It is on some days more work than any of us expected.  And yet each person seems motivated to get through the sometimes challenging first weeks with real belief we can make something happen over time.  I already sense an exceptional team, an exceptional experience ahead.
5. I'm finding new ideas for keeping the flow in my writing while implementing business tasks.  Read in an article from Havard Business Review by Howard Gardner (referred to me by my friend Beth) that included an example of people who take a bit of time for reflective thinking every week.  Will try it myself and let you know how it goes.

The least inspiring part of the week:

1. The days remain a bit long at times, even with fun personal things mixed in.  I fight the "treadmill" mindset around 4 p.m. most afternoons.
2. I did not yet commit to how I will print what could be a very expensive, but useful, story book of my business.  I sense that I need a small breakthrough in thinking about how I will implement it.  Made a prototype and will see what I learn in the next week of interactions.

What I learned: 

• I sense I'm about to break through a little further in my way of approaching my business & my life.  Little breakthrough from one plateau to another.  I am surprised that I do not use the full freedom and flexibility my own business gives me.  Want to test if this is just "habit" or "assumption" or something else.