From the Desk of Janet Barclay

Earlier this week, I mentioned in the Introvert Retreat blog that all of the contributors, including myself, have been pretty quiet lately, and I wondered it was because we are introverts. In my quest for something to write about there, I came across Micah Sparacio’s A Guide For The Introverted Blogger where he stated that introverts are often sensitive to criticism, which may cause us to hold back from blogging and to avoid controversial subjects when we do blog. My sister, who is also an introvert and who is quite new to blogging, wrote "This blogging business still seems to me a bit like throwing your diary open on the sidewalk, where it might get read or it might just get kicked in a ditch," which seems to confirm this.

I don’t think that is what holds me back. Sometimes it’s a time issue, but more often, I just can’t think of anything to write that would be of interest to anyone other than myself. So I found it very interesting that while reading some of my other favourite blogs today, I discovered that Kathie Thomas recently posted an entry called Do You Have Trouble Blogging? and Cristina Favreau posted one called Suffering from Blogger’s Block? Obviously I am not alone in this! Between them I now have several resources for future ideas, and I’m looking forward to trying them out.

Last time I wrote about how indecision had been keeping me from moving forward with certain things, as well as keeping me up at night. Just becoming aware of that challenge has helped me to overcome it.

Which brings me to the topic of this month’s message on my motivational calendar:

CHALLENGE

They can conquer who believe they can.

William Dryden

I haven’t heard that particular quote before, but it reminds me of this one:

If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.

 Henry Ford

I can think of quite a few times, in both my personal and my professional life, where I reluctantly attempted something which took me outside my comfort zone, such as public speaking, attending a large networking event, or opening my eyes under water. In most cases, it was much easier than I expected to be. But even on those occasions where it was as difficult, or even more difficult, than I anticipated, I had the satisfaction of knowing that I had given it a shot. Then, when faced with a similar situation in the future, I would be able to decline because it was something I chose NOT to do, rather than something I didn’t think I COULD do.

A few months ago, during a conversation about my business, the person I was speaking with commented on the fact that I was receiving a lot of coaching. I’ve been working one-on-one with a business coach for two years, in a law of attraction group for several months, and have taken advantage of a few free coaching sessions.

Recently as I pondered the future direction of my business, I wondered if signing up with a VA coach would be a good investment. As I struggled with that and other pending decisions, it finally dawned on me that I don’t need more coaching; what I need is to learn to be confident enough to make decisions and carry them out. Although there is no harm in seeking advice from experts, ultimately I know what is best for my business and my clients. With that realization, I have been able to move forward with three issues that were keeping me awake at night.

So, for my own benefit and that of any readers who also struggle with decision-making, I am posting the following quotations:

  If you put off everything ’till you’re sure of it, you’ll get nothing done.
Norman Vincent Peale

In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing,
the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
Theodore Roosevelt

When you cannot make up your mind which of two evenly balanced
courses of action you should take - choose the bolder.
William Joseph Slim

The man who insists upon seeing with perfect clearness before he decides, never decides.
Henri-Frederic Amiel

A peacefulness follows any decision, even the wrong one. 
Rita Mae Brown 

Although every man believes that his decisions and resolutions involve the most
multifarious factors, in reality they are mere oscillation between flight and longing.
Herman Broch 

What decisions are keeping you awake at night? What is the worst that could happen if you made the wrong decision?

Registration is now open for Professional Organizers in Canada’s 7th Annual Conference in Vancouver this November - the first time it has been held outside Toronto. Although I don’t think a trip to Vancouver is in the plans for me this year (I’m going to Nova Scotia in September - my first real vacation since before I started my business) I thought I’d take a look at the registration package.

One of the seminars that caught my attention is How To Source Green Office Products, which will be facilitated by Gil Yaron, the Founder and CEO of Frogfile Office Essentials. Gil established Frogfile to provide business consumers with sustainable options to reduce their environmental footprint, and offers office products that are made with recycled and renewable materials and that can be recycled at the end of their life cycle. Although the company is based in Vancouver, they ship to clients in other parts of Canada and the US (shipping charges apply, of course).

I’ve recently stocked up on office supplies, but I will definitely be visiting their website again when it’s time to order more.

Like many others, I started my home-based business as a part-time venture while I was still employed elsewhere. Eventually I reached the point where I had to give up my outside job in order to grow my business further. Because of changes in my job, I was required to work 8:30 to 12:30, Monday to Friday, so I wasn’t able to attend networking events that took place at breakfast or lunch time, or to take on any projects where I was needed in the morning (or all day). So I made the plunge, and although it was a bit scary, I’ve never looked back.

Now I am at another one of those turning points. I’ve realized that in order to continue growing my business, I am going to have to give up personal time (which I don’t want to do, at least not on an ongoing basis) or grow an extra pair of hands. Since that is not physically possible, I am now looking for my own VA to support my business. This process is giving me a clearer understanding of what my clients have to go through when they take this step. When you’re a bit of a perfectionist and/or a control freak, it’s not easy to entrust someone else with your work, but I realize this is a necessary step. I think it’s time for me to re-read my own article, Getting Ready to Delegate!