The Eclectic Writer

A Fun Friday Morning Procrastination Tool!

Happy almost weekend! I was introduced this morning to a blog written by a fellow TravelingMom.com blogger, Kim Moldofsky, called Hormone-colored Days . The blog follows Kim's "musings on parenting, gifted children, marketing to mommy-bloggers..." and anything else that is on her mind.

As I read down the postings I came across a really cool tool called the Obamicon.

I'm usually one to skip over these things in favor of productivity, but, hey, it's Friday and I was looking for a little fun.  

With the Obamicon, you upload your photo and get to choose a one word message a la the approach taken by our new president's communications team (Hope, Progress, Change, etc.) or make up your own (which I did.)

You can make your very own Obamicon by clicking here.

An 18th Anniversary Remembered

When I was in Lithuania during the summer, I was reminded of the events back in 1991 when the Soviet army invaded Lithuania. Although Lithuania had declared itself free and adopted a Declaration of State Independence, the Soviet Union decided it did not want ot let go of this small but strategic country and invaded Vilnius, taking over strategic points like the Parliament and television tower. Unarmed, thousands of Lithuanians flooded into the streets and stood up tothe soviet tanks. The soviets retreated, but not until after 14 people were killed and hundreds of others injured.

Yesterday was the anniversary of those events - just 18 years ago. When I look at what's happening around the world today, we in the U.S. should never take for granted the independence we've enjoyed for almost 233 years. Yes, we're dealing with tremendous change and times right now basically stink in a lot of ways - our economy needs to be overhauled desperately, we need to pump up our education system, a new presidency kicks off in less than a week. But ownership for the issues we're dealing with is in our hands. Now we just have to exercise the freedoms we enjoy to get things back in order. That's the great thing about freedom - with it comes accountability and the ability to make change happen.

The Most Challenging Assignment

I've sat here during the last few days working hard on one of those writing assignments I dread. The client is difficult, the subject matter challenging, and the pay...what pay?

What I'm working on is updating my bio. For all the things I can write easily and eloquently about in this world, writing about myself is the subject that causes me the most angst. What should I say? Should I try to sound witty? Or should I be serious and straightforward? Should I employ literary mechanisms? Or go with a to-the-point journalistic style?

I must have rewritten variations of my bio about a half dozen times last year. Each time I tailored it specifically to an article I'd written, or a workshop I'd conducted, or a speaking engagement I'd given.

I can no longer afford the time, redundancy, or inconsistency that comes with continuous rewrites of my professional life story. Although the process itself has helped me to wrangle in  "who I am" on paper, I need to settle in a specific message and overview that doesn't read like War and Peace. I realize now that I need two distinct bios: one that can be used more broadly for my business marketing, speaking gigs, and events, but can be easily tailored when needed; and one for my literary writer self for when I publish essay collections, children's books, or novels.

At one time or another, everyone has to provide a written response to the request, "Tell us about yourself." Here's is a quick formula to help reduce the angst and put your best words (and profile) forward:

• Open with a succinct statement that puts your value statement up front. For example, "Jane Doe is an experienced pony wrangler who enjoys helping horse-loving farmers keep their charges safely and securely in their paddock."

• Follow with a service statement that briefly describes more specifically what you offer or what you do. "Jane offers training and coaching services that combine horse whisperer techniques with proven command discipline modeling."

• Add in your credentials. "Jane is the author of the book, Keep Your Ponies Penned, and delivers weekly advice on her internet radio show, Horses Galore."

• Conclude with final credits. "Jane earned her veterinary science degree at Yucataw University."

Recession-Proof Your Resume Replay

If you missed my recent interview about how to recession-proof your resume on the Rich Women Sisterhood internet show, you can replay the show - just click here.  You can listen directly off the link or download the file.

The program lasts about an hour and covers pertinent topics like:

• improving your chances of getting an interview

• what attracts hiring managers

• the biggest mistakes people make when updating resumes

• the basic steps to take to get the job you want

• the power of storytelling in resume writing

• the value of positioning your "personal brand"

• how to differentiate yourself in an increasingly competitive marketplace

My business, C-Suite Communications, has launched new services in career redesign and professional development for 2009! I am now applying my expertise with words and messaging to these new capabilities, including resume coaching services. For more information, feel free to email me at AnneWitkavitch@comcast.net or visit Recession Proof Resumes for more information. 

A Case About Cordless Phones

I don't know what you think about cordless phones, but I sort of have this love and hate relationship with them.

Of course, I love being mobile while chatting away. A multi-tasker like me takes great pride in throwing a load of laundry in while making picnic plans for the weekend. Using the cordless phone tied to my landline versus my cell phone means I can confidently climb the stairs to my office while talking and not fear getting cut off when I cross the "narrow strait of lost signals" that traverses my stair rails about halfway up.

However, when I need one they're hard to find. The down side of their mobility is that we tend to drop them wherever we speak our last word of the conversation, be it the living room, bathroom, bedroom, or garage, then fail to find one of them when we need it. Forget those locater mechanisms. Our home has a wide footprint, so sending out the search signal means pushing the button and then frantically running through the house, hoping to catch the beeping response. Or positioning kids strategically with an ear out and offering a buck to whoever finds the missing phone. A person could go bankrupt.

Cordless phones are here to stay, I know. They serve their purpose. But as I type away I look over and find comfort that my traditional plug in the wall model - truly state-of-the-art in its day with speed dial stations and a place to slip in a microcassette for the answering machine (long dormant) - is sitting right next to me, trusty and reliable this morning since my three cordless models died a sudden death during yesterday's storm.

Sometimes it still pays to be a bit old-fashioned.

Same Tree, Different Season

Early in November, I shared a picture of our Japanese Maple Tree, wearing its blazing red fall foliage.

Today our dear tree wore a more seasonal winter coat. As an ice storm hit New England, its limbs and branches were covered with a thick layer of the hard stuff. The weight of the ice drooped the branches down to the ground, as if they were bowing to say hello to mother earth.

Although the ice kept everyone home and indoors today, the scenery was beautiful and I took a few moments to snap some photos from my front porch. Later in the day, when we lost power, we took advantage of a flashlight and board game received as a gift during the holidays to spend some family time, staying warm next to the wood burning stove. Fortunately the lights came back on in a little more than an hour, just in time to illuminate my triumphant win in the competitive Trouble tournament!

Capturing Travel Memories in Print

As a holiday gift, I put together a photo book that the siblings gave to my mother on Christmas Day. The book captures in words and images our recent trip to Lithuania.

For anyone who has thought of putting together a photo book as a gift or for themselves, I highly recommend it. However, I learned a lot in the process of pulling this one together (especially with the added pressure of doing it during the final weeks before the holiday!) I share my tips for creating a beautiful memory photo book keepsake on today's post for the TravelingMom blog .

Just a reminder to my Eclectic Writer readers -- save TravelingMom.com as a favorite webpage and log on regularly to check out my latest Sanity tips and the TMOM Blog, for which I am a regular "blogger."  This is a terrific aggregate of tips, advice, and information for any woman who loves to travel, near or far. Or just click on the link conveniently located here on the Eclectic Writer homepage.

A Good Year for Goal Setting

A few conversations today got me thinking again about 2009. Let's face it, the final months of last year were crazy. The world was surrounded by uncertainty - who would be our next president, how much farther down could the stock market plummet, would bread lines be forming in cyberspace?

As the year gets going most people have realized that while uncertainty still surrounds us, time is going to march forward with or without us. This is when perspective is important. Perspective helps us look at things in a certain way, which is sure to influence our thinking and behaviors.

Reading the headlines, it's easy to become reactionary. The key to surviving the tough times while preparing to flourish when better times return (and they will, though it may take awhile) is to figure out how to stay focused on the long term goals and stay proactive even when there's volatility all around.

• First, avoid setting unrealistic goals. We've all been conditioned by the good times of the past few years to expect instant gratification. If we wanted something, we went out and got it. Whether it was a new job, a new television, or a new haircut, we moved forward and just checked it off the to do list. In this new environment, it may take longer to get the things we want. But we can take advantage of the time to make sure we get in the end what we really want.

• Second, look for advantage points. For example, as I move forward with my communications consulting business, I've found ways to leverage my writing and messaging skills to launch expanded capabilities in resume coaching and professional development - and in the process I'm serving a timely need, creating a niche, and expanding my audience. I also have new subject matter to write about.

• Third, practice patience. Think about that slow cooker chili you'll be making for the Super Bowl. Why does it taste so delicious? The flavors are slowly cooked into the meat, and the end result is a hot crowd pleaser. Mixing up a can of processed fare wouldn't be half as good. It's worth the wait.

• Finally, don't lose sight of the prize. This is the best time to reevaluate your 3 or 5 year goals and think about what you can do this year to move forward and position yourself for when things turnaround. Then all you'll have to do is get ready to start complaining about how busy you are!

A New Year Begins

Although January 1st officially marks the beginning of the new year, I always consider the Monday after the holiday as the official starting point. I suppose that's because the first day of the year usually falls in the middle of the week, and we still have a few days of sleeping late, having fun, and pondering the "what if's" of our goals and dreams a little bit longer.

The kids got up today, no problems, a bit groggy, perhaps, but excited to see their friends and teachers again. Each dressed in a selection of blue and white garb, complete with a temporary tattoo of a blue pawprint stuck to their foreheads (the school decided to celebrate spirit day today, so the 1"x1" tattoos have been clipped to my refrigerator magnet up front and in full view for the past 15 days.)

I find first day back to work particularly easier than most other days. The adrenaline is flowing and I'm ready to go at it. Already I secured URLs for a new business website, got my next sanity article in to TravelingMom.com, and working on two agent query letters. My car is scheduled for tomorrow to check a safety recall and have the oil changed. I'm about to hop on the elliptical to get back in the groove of my 12-week/lose 10 lbs. diet/exercise program. This afternoon I drop off a kiddie toolbench to the daycare that my son claims he is too old to play with. I'll renew my library card and return some overdue books so as to start the year with a clean slate.

Day One of my new year is going exactly as planned - getting a lot done, full of optimism and good spirits. However, what always worries me is what lurks around the corner - Days Two, Three, and Four and the dreaded Next Week. For some reason the adrenaline rushing through my veins dries up. It will take a forklift, or something more powerful, to raise me out of bed and get me in the shower. The kids will be cranky, asking when the next day off is scheduled. School spirit will have spiked and the countdown until summer vacation will begin. My computer will crash, or something like that.

No, I don't want to sound pessimistic. But the key to moving forward in the year is to pace myself. Like a racer, it never does any good to charge out of the gate at breakneck speed. The most important reminders as I start the new year are to:

• Think about my to dos in days, weeks, and months.

• Set yearly goals, but get specific and be realistic about the next 6 months.

• Plan the night before what I'll get done the next day.

• Keep the prize in mind - don't forget what I'm setting out to achieve.

• Remember that good things come to those who work hard - but not all at once.

Another year. I'm going to slow down my pace, focus on my breathing, and try not to have to make so many stops. If I do this, I think I can reach this year's finish line in record time.

Happy New Year!

Every year there are traditions tied to celebrating the new year, including Times Square, a glittering ball that drops at midnight, and toasting glasses of champagne. There is one other tradition that marks the holiday for me as much as these do. That is the New Year's Twilight Zone marathon.

I'm a big Rod Serling fan. Every year I try to catch at least a few of the back-to-back episodes as shown over a 24-hour block of time. What absolutely amazes me is that for the number of years I've been doing this, I still tune in and catch an episode I've never seen before.

That's what happened today. The plot centered around a 36-year-old vice president of media at a NYC ad agency, successful, wealthy, but who was experiencing a nervous breakdown. He'd basically left the city and headed to the town where he had grown up, and to which he hadn't been to in years. About a mile away from his destination, his car breaks down and, while it's getting repaired,  "Martin" decides to walk the rest of the way. Little did he know he'd be walking one mile forward and 25 years backwards in time.

He finds his boyhood home, frightens his parents, but even more so freaks out the younger version of himself when he chases him to deliver a critical message - the boy must enjoy this summer because it will be the most wonderful time he'll have for the rest of his life. Basically, this is as good as it gets. As Martin pursues his younger self to give him this sage advice, the boy falls off the carousel and breaks his leg.

"Martin" sits down distraught. Everybody has left the scene, but his father finds him. "I thought you'd like to know that the boy will be okay," he tells him, while handing back the wallet accidentally dropped at his home. "Martin" realizes his father knows he has traveled there from the past.  

Why did you come back here? his father wants to know.

I don't know, "Martin" tells him. My life had gotten to crazy. I needed to get away, to just stop and breathe. Maybe I needed to come back here to be able to experience a merry-go-round again, hear a concert in the park, eat cotton candy, relive the time in my life when things were wonderful.

"Well," his father tells him, "I think there are merry-go-rounds, band concerts, and cotton candy where you're from. Maybe you're looking for them in the wrong places. You've been looking behind you, Martin. Try looking ahead."

As I write this, the first day of 2009 has just come to a close. The holiday is over, and reality will begin to sink in. Most likely it's going to be a tough year. Many will start the year stuck in what's happened during the last few months. It's hard not to.

But it's important to remember to keep looking ahead. The best years aren't over, but there may be a year or two ahead that will demand an extra dose of tenacity, lots of adversity, maybe even some bravery and courage, and a lot of faith. But through it we will learn new things, find new ideas, and somewhere in front of us discover the next merry-go-round , with its galiant steeds rising up and going down with a comforting rhythm, inviting us to climb on board for the next ride of our lives.