Now the hard part...

I have been on a self-imposed hiatus for almost a year...and am now back.

My book has launched...

I always imagined that when this day arrived I would feel different...maybe I am so overwhelmed I am numb...don't know yet.

I keep telling myself it was an amazing year; I started re-writing this book last year in March and frankly, it always seemed a little vague in the sense I kept questioning my resolve to really finish it this time. Well, I have.

Now the hard part...getting my name out....and for those of you who know me, I am actually shy. Hard to believe, I know, but I am. Or better, it appears as shyness but I am actually an observer and uncomfortable being free enough in front of strangers to just let-go.

Will be checking in with telling you how ME and me are doing on this new road to publicity.

I'm Back

I am back.

I have been off blogging for the past year. I am not the social media type. In fact I am a Luddite.

BUT...it would seem I do not have a choice; play or perish.

So, as I have different people making suggestions, they are teaching me baby steps at a time ...'how to...', and I am getting it but have not quite yet surrendered to this new way of communicating...broadcasting...I am so out of my comfort zone.
 
I have to now put a video of MYSELF on my website....yikes !! That's scary. Posting testimonials done through videos is currently in the works and should be up by the end of the month.

My book, which I re-wrote this past year is done and was released on AMAZON the 27th of June.

That in itself has created angst for me. Talk about being pushed out of my comfort zone...heavens to Betsy...

But as I have always said, I am the poster child for my own business; move ahead in spite of the dis-comfort, breathe through the anxiety.

But, when all else fails, I remind myself I have good hair....sturdy, buoyant, looks like I spent too much time in the dryer cycle...GOOD !!
 
Have a great week....Pegi

Test

Many recent posts are missing. Trying to get to the root of the problem.

Is there a tooth brush in your suitcase?

I talking with a client the other day who was just beginning her 6 month journey with me, and I said to her: "The key piece of all of this is patience and compassion, those are the two companions you need to keep close as you go down the 'football field'.

I gave her the metaphor of:
Picture a football field, and you are at one goal post.
You have a sofa with no wheels, you are 5 years old, and there is a bunch of mis-matched luggage on the cushions.
Your journey will feel at times impossible...you just cannot push that sofa one inch.
And, there are other times when you can get some real movement, and never think about the 'sofa'.

But, I promise you, if you do the work here, by the time you get to the opposing goal post, you will have let go of all the mis-matched suitcases, and have only your tooth brush...and light as a feather and in total control.
(don't forget to pack your Coppertone)

FEAR is the access to SUCCESS

I went to a networking event last week where Amy Applebaum was the keynote speaker.
When she used the phrase: Fear is the access to Success, a bell went off in my head; one of my brother's favorite expressions as a young adult was the existential comment:
WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU, MAKES YOU STRONGER.

Why do I relate these two comments?

Because the root of each comment is the same; perseverance will prevail. What ever is blocking you from your next goal can be shifted, moved aside, broken into smaller pieces and the journey to do that is as important to your self-esteem as reaching that goal.
Often what holds us back is the FEAR to be viewed differently not only from our outside world but more potently, our perception of ourselves.

The key to unlocking the FEAR is to move in small, consistent steps; not huge leaps. In order to truly heal, we need to keep emotionally current as we make changes. Winning the lottery does not give us the time to process the change, which is why most winners go bankrupt.

'Coming 'Round the Mountain.....

We all know this line from a Gene Autry song: "She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes..." which is sung with the joy of anticipation.

But, the other day, when speaking to one of the few male clients I have and we were going over, again, why he was stuck in the fear mode, and that's all that it was, and nothing more, his response was:
"I really need to deal with this, I have been going around this mountain too many times..." My response to him was: "Healing moves very s-l-o-w-l-y, and we need to move forth with compassion, patience, and reasonable expectations. You did not get here in 6 months or 2 years..it will take time and consistency to make any change permanent.

I loved his metaphor because that's often how the future appears....a high mountain ahead and we feel like a small creature. The secret is to change the incline; instead of going around flat, elevate the path to 15 degrees. It won't feel so dramatic and scary but will get you to the top. Small changes will have huge results.

Credentials or street smarts....

The other day someone asked me (for the umpteenth time) what my credentials are for doing what I do.
I answered: "I have a PhD in street smarts" (got that from Jacqueline Wales).
They laughed, and got the message and then explained to me they rely on their instincts and ignore the formal credentials.
Good.
But, why do some insist upon the alphabet soup after the name in order to feel comfortable?

I have come to the conclusion that when people are either out of their depth, in unfamiliar territory or lack trust of themselves, they don't have a finely tuned sense of what should be happening.

Being able to be a 'good' judge comes from having some familiarity or at the very least, knowing and trusting yourself. How many people have I seen that lack that basic tenet? Plenty. Self-confidence and trust go together and are born from self-esteem and respect.

Knowing yourself is the key to knowing others.