I Yam A Writer

November 27, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

From Words For Hire

Last night around 11 pm, I realized that I was less than 1500 words away from my goal. Was I seriously going to pull this off? With visions of yams and a stress free Thanksgiving in my head, I leaned in and went for it! Right around midnight I had typed the final period on my first draft. I uploaded my obfuscated text (thank you YWriter for including this function) to the NaNo word count validator. Confetti fell, bells rang and the screen blinked YOU WON! Actually the confetti, bells and blinking were only in my mind but hey you know anyone who even attempts this is deserving of bells and confetti, don’t ya think. So the screen is flashing and I did what any winner would do, I started bawling. Yep, that’s right I cried. Go figure, I have had the same reaction at the end of every marathon I’ve run (well that might be from the pain but you get the picture).

I wiped my eyes and downloaded my winner’s goodies (don’t ya love the instant gratification of the digital age) and then started sobbing again. So at 12:15 I was a sobbing, dancing mess but heck I think I’ve earned just a bit of craziness.

Now, here’s where it really gets good folks. I am not special. Nope not one bit. (Yes that’s the sound of loved ones hysterical with laughter in the background.) No magical superpowers, unless you count the super human ability to blunder my way through this thing called life. And if I can meet a crazy, big fat goal, you can too.  I encourage you to try. Yes you may fail along the way. However, you can get up and try again and you know what you just might make it.

Go ahead, take a risk. We can dance and sob together when you meet your big fat hairy goal!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Sha Na NaNo – In the Key of Thanks

November 26, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

When I committed myself to National Novel Writing Month (NaNo) I had no idea how it would impact my days. Before the month began, I planned to awaken at 5 am, go for my morning run and then write. By 8 am I would be at my desk and ready to continue on with my pre-NaNo schedule.

My plan fell apart on day 1. 5am came and went but I never saw it. I awakened in a panic at 6:30 am and groggily tried to reorganize my day.  I took deep breaths and fell back on Plan B, write, work, then work out.  By 10 am, I was on to Plan C. Who knew that the first 1700 words would not fly from my fingers in one hour? On Day 1, I had a new respect for NaNo, like running a marathon it was a distance that demanded respect.

I plodded through week one. It was neither smooth nor elegant but I stumbled through. In week two I fell into a groove, still a little sore from week one but the movement was getting easier.   My glee over finding the right gear was however, short lived.  In week two,  every client that had thought of using my services decided to sign me up.  I found myself knee deep in a business feast (no complaints mind you!) with little time left to breathe between bites. My idyllic dreams of luxuriously writing, working and tweeting went up in a puff of smoke. Getting up at 5 or even 6 was out of the question when I was going to bed at 1am.

My phone was ringing off the hook, my days were filled with back to back meetings, and in spite of my persistence my email climbed to over 800 messages.  My father, who is recovering from a stroke was also still hospitalized. I was being pulled in so many directions I felt a little like Gumby.  With only so many hours in the day, I dropped several of my spinning plates. I was tired and found myself crying over cell phone commercials, and falling snow. I was a mess but I was still writing.

In week three, the work kept pouring in but my Dad finally came home from the hospital. I was still on target with NaNo and somehow I had settled into the craziness of my life.  I sometimes forgot to eat and had more bad hair days than I care to share but I made it.

Now, here we are in the final stretch, week 4. I am roughly 4500 words away from goal, and will finish ahead of the November 30th deadline. The words are pouring out so fast that I can’t type fast enough. Business is still coming in and I am managing my customer’s expectations and enjoying the work. I have missed tweeting and blog commenting and visiting with friends.  It has been a wild and wacky ride but in spite of it all, something magical happened this month.

I pushed the boundaries of my limitations and learned that I am capable of more than I believed.  I failed early and often and am thankful for the lessons.  I grew more passionate about all of you. I really missed you and had time to really reflect on how thankful I am to be part of this wonderful blogging community.

Even though I was MIA (missing in action) when I popped my head up in twitter or stopped by your place for a visit, I was warmly welcomed. I got messages of encouragement and support and continued to be inspired by your talent. So it seemed appropriate on this Thanksgiving Eve to say THANK YOU.  You let me in your space, and I don’t take that for granted. You so graciously share your ideas, dreams, and fears. As you learn and grow you help me to do the same. You make me laugh and sometimes make me cry. This blogging thing is so much more than publishing content, it is being part of a community of people. You are my neigbhors and friends and I am just so happy to share space with all of you!

Whether or not you celebrate Thanksgiving, I am giving thanks for each and every one of you!

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What I Learned from the “Why Girl” and How It Can Help your Business

November 25, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

Years ago, I had a colleague who we nicknamed “The Why Girl.”  It was not one of those mean, behind the back nicknames whispered in the corner by the water cooler, she knew and embraced our good natured ribbing.  She earned the nickname because in every management meeting, you could count on her to ask “Why?” When presenting her own points, she would give you her list counting them off 1, 2, C (because she always forgot if she was counting down numerically or alphabetically – yes we found it hilarious!). I liked “Why Girl.” Questions force us to examine our own beliefs and opinions, and in doing so renew our own understanding.  One of the best ways to learn is to teach.

I think of “Why Girl” a lot these days as I question actions I have taken for granted and explore new paths. The exercise has opened my eyes to things I do without thinking that may befuddle others. It has made me take a step back and examine business processes – Why did I set it up this way? Is this intuitive for customers? Why did I word this message in that way? Is it easily understood? Is email most efficient for this communication or would it be better to call?

When children ask “Why”" it can be annoying. We may tire of explaining and become exasperated when we can’t explain something that we just accept as true.  Yet, are colleagues and customers silently asking “why?” Are we exasperating them with our lack of answers or unwillingness to even listen.

Social media enthusiasts risk not asking “why?” and assuming that everyone knows how to  (fill in the blank) or that everyone understands why. In truth, only a small percentage of your population may understand “why.” Believe it or not there are still many people who are not even comfortable with email let alone other social media tools. It is important not to become so entrenched in your comfort zone that you isolate those who may not be where you are yet.

Or you can dig in your heels and decide that they need to figure it out because after all the future is here. You could do that … but it would be a big mistake. A willingness to ask why provides you an opportunity to lead. When you not only understand but are willing to show others the way you  will achieve far greater results than simply following the “in-crowd.”  Taking a step back to examine, and question may lead you to discover an unmet need.  Identifying an unmet need is an opportunity to fulfill that need in the market, and to take a position of leadership.

The truly cool kids are not just moving from one shiny toy to the other, they’re taking it apart, banging it against the wall, and merging it with different parts. They’re not only asking why” but also “What if?” If you are wiling to challenge, examine and question you have an opportunity to do and be great. In my mind that’s a much better position than simply standing in line waiting for someone else to figure it out.

Have you asked “why” lately in your business or personal life? Were you surprised by the answer? Feel free to share your comments, opinions or questions. Discussion is welcomed and encouraged.

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Waiting for the Train

November 24, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

I walked from my husband’s hospital room out into the hallway. I had become a familiar fixture and the staff welcomed me as one of their own. I had been given access to the fresh linens and the staff lounge. I would chat with the nurses while microwaving tea or share a laugh as I grabbed linen to change my husband’s bed. On this day, as I headed out into the familiar sterility, an older woman caught my eye. She was about 5 feet 4 inches tall with salt and pepper colored hair. She was wearing a hospital gown and slippers and held a black handbag firmly on her arm. It was a bag that more aptly could be described as a pocketbook. A relic from years gone by when women wore hats on their heads and stockings on their legs.

She made her way toward me and I saw the twinkle that remained in her aging eyes. She gently touched my hand and asked, “Do you know when the train is coming?” Momentarily confused, I then realized the poor old dear had dementia. “No, I’m not sure when the train is coming, but why don’t we wait over here?” I commented as I tried gently leading her back to her room. She smiled and began to tell me how she was traveling to see her daughter. I linked arms with her as we made our way toward her room listening to her tales.

Her mind remained in a time long past but her dignity was ever present. In her hospital gown with her purse firmly in her grip, I could tell that she was truly a lady. Her held remained held high as she waited joyfully in a hospital hallway that had become her railway station.

I am not sure why I recall this story today but all these years later I can still see the twinkle in her eye. As I now pass through a season of aging with my own family members, I am filled with hope that our minds may fade but the essence of who we are is never lost. The twinkle in our eyes, the joy in our hearts is not dimmed by time.  In this season of the year when we pause to reflect and give thanks, for this I am truly thankful.

Have you had to deal with aging issues? Any tips to share with those that may be enduring this season of life with parents, relatives? Feel free to share on topic or off. All discussion is welcomed. Hang out and strike up a conversation with me or anyone else.  The doors are always open for you and that cushy chair has your name on it.

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5 Great Blogs You May Not Be Reading

November 20, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

One of the best things about the internet is the never ending stream of great reading material. It is a virtual bookstore that restocks its shelves on a minute by minute basis. I have found wonderful sources of information and inspiration through other bloggers, blog directories, Facebook, Twitter and more. I love the ease of inviting people into your virtual library and having them leaf through books to discover something of interest.  It’s near the end of the week and the temperatures here are chilly. It’s a perfect day to grab something warm and curl up with a good read or five.

Sticky Figure – Steve Woodruff is a brilliant writer who graciously chooses to shine the spotlight on others. His daily Five in the Morning posts share his finds of great reads throughout the blogosphere.  I have discovered wonderful posts that I missed and new blogs that were promptly added to my library.

Indie Business Blog – I discovered  Donna Maria Coles Johnson and the Indie Business Blog last weekend. I now read the blog and follow this wonderful woman on Twitter. Her blog covers  business and social media insights and her style is high energy, upbeat and warm.

Painting A Day - Janice Cartier is a brilliant painter and writer. She writes about art but has a way of drawing these wonderful parallels to life. I never fail to leave her blog without a brand new insight and a smile upon my face.  She is warm, funny and brilliant. This blog should be in everyone’s library.

Solo PR Pro – This is Kellye Crane’s brand new blog. Besides being one of the nicest people on the planet, Kellye is a PR genius, a solo professional opening her storehouse of knowledge to share with everyone.  Solo PR Pro is a wonderful online resource for PR and Marketing Communications.

Maximum Customer Experience – I could gush all over the page about how much I love Kelly Erickson. She’s smart, funny and knows her way around the business world.  If I were throwing a dinner party, her name would be at the top of my list. Kelly teaches you to design a customer experience that will help you become a leader in your field.  Business owners should definitely be reading this blog but her insights are applicable to everyone and her writing style alone will earn it a top spot in your library.

I loved this so much that I wlll plan to share more often.  How about you, what’s in your library? Any new discoveries or old favorites?

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What you Talking ‘bout Willis?

November 18, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

As if we had not tortured and twisted the American language enough, an entire new lexicon has arisen as a result of social media. Our language is now populated by pop culture colloquialisms, abbreviated text speak and social media-isms. Add industry jargon to the mix and you have a communication nightmare.

What Say You?

Me: Here in MI our local ABC station follows that practice, it’s great.

Twitter Friend: I’m new to twitter speak, what’s MI?

In the above exchange I used the standard postal abbreviation for Michigan – MI – assuming that I was being inclusive with my language choice. Think again. We have become so accustomed to strange abbreviations and new words on Twitter that MI could have stood for anything.

Another example:

Travis: I’ll work on the feed and get it corrected, thanks for your help.
Me: No problem, ping me when it’s fixed and I’ll add you to my reader.
Travis: Oh, I don’t use Ping yet but I know I should learn
Me: No, not Ping.fm the service, I meant email or IM me to let me know when it’s done

See how confusing our language has become. We have created a virtual tower of Babel where it’s a wonder that we are still able to carry on conversations. We are friending, tweeting, linking, plurking, kwipping, blogging, shouting, skyping and on occasion hitting each other on our cellies. No wonder, even Dutch words have taken on a familiarity for me of late. These days I am as comfortable with unfamiliar foreign languages as my native tongue of English.

Think Before you Speak or Text

Yes, your mother was right. I have stuck my foot in my mouth more times than I care to admit when I have not taken a moment to think before opening my big fat mouth.  The removal of facial gestures and inflections makes communicating in writing even more hazardous. Pause before you hit the send button and make sure that your message will be read as intended.

So What Does That Have to Do with The Tea In China?

Now more than ever it is important to strive for clear communication. It is easier to have our words taken out of context, misunderstood or even unknowingly offend. Clear and simple language, free of jargon will foster understanding when communicating with a large and diverse audience.

Regional language and colloquial phrases are a wonderful way to add color to your communications but use them wisely. Phrases that are appropriate on one platform can be easily misunderstood on another.

I am going to make a greater effort to not be Misunderstood in MI, after all the whole point of social media is to communicate which implies being understood.

How do you manage our bourgeoning language? Do you have any personal practices or tips to share?

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First Snow

November 17, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

The snow fell slowly at first like tiny origami doves floating toward the ground. I watched as they fluttered past my window seeming to dance upon the air to a happy little tune. Wings spread as each flake tumbled and spun until finding its landing. It then fell faster as though someone had opened giant down pillows from the clouds, a flurry of white rained down falling quickly clinging to the grass covering it in a blanket of white.

Dancing flakes from heaven sounded winter’s clarion call. Six weeks ahead of schedule, she arrived when she pleased. Perhaps she would dance with autumn again, but that was her secret to share. Today she is here, her majestic robe of white spread across the city.

My novel in progress now stands at more than 27,000 words. Like the wind that carries the snowflakes I have danced and twirled wherever the story took me. It is not the story I thought I would tell, but I quickly learned I was not in control. I had an idea nearly a year ago rooted in a kernel of truth. It sat lingering in a word file waiting for the right season. NaNo arrived and my calendar said the season was here but like the fickle nature of winter my story did not follow my plan. It unfolded in its own time sometimes beautiful and sometimes frightening in the fury of her demands.

Today, I sit in awe of the words that spread across the page. Like the first snowfall, pure and untouched is my first draft – not yet tread upon or plowed, allowing other layers to fall. I wrap my hands around my hot cup of tea savoring the first snowfall and first words. It is a good day.

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The Walking Wounded and Socially Fatigued

November 14, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

The other day I received an email notification that one of my Twitter followers was no longer following me. I clicked through to the follower’s twitter page and the most recent tweet (message) indicated that he was changing his twitter account un-following everyone and only following those who could have a direct impact on his business.

I was not offended by the un-follow but questioned the strategy. Is it possible to know who will impact our business? Human relationships are not linear so it is impossible to predict the trajectory of an interaction with someone you consider “unessential.” One of the benefits of having a broad social network, online or offline is the access to people beyond our immediate circle of influence. A social network like Twitter affords you the opportunity to be visible to a broad, diverse group and all those who follow them. That is both the benefit and the problem.

The interactions suddenly swell to a high level of noise and you look for ways to tone down the volume. Some are like me and simply take the occasional break from online interactions. Others may un-follow or quit networks altogether. Many have chosen to limit the interaction by shutting off their Facebook Wall or Blog Comments. Those who have a true need/desire can simply send a message or email.

With the rise of social networks we ripped the lid from Pandora’s box and unleashed a beast whose tentacles reach far and wide. As we choke on the glut of social interaction, we begin to question our previous adoration of those shiny new tools. Is it too late to tame this social beast?

The reality is we really do need people. We require some level of interaction in our personal and professional lives. Unfortunately, we cannot control how people choose to interact with us, or respond to us when we try to establish boundaries.

My advice is to look carefully before you leap into any social network. The honeymoon period will come to an end and you will be left with a relationship to manage. Is it worth your long term commitment?

Are you among the socially fatigued? How are you managing the balance?

References:

• Pandora’s box
• Shannon Paul – How to Participate in Social Media Without Being That Guy
• Beth Kanter – Tips on Managing Multi-Memberships in Social Networks

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The Thief Who Stole November

November 11, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

In the United States today is Veteran’s Day. The holiday was originally known as Armistice Day and was to commemorate the temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany that went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.” In 1919 President Eisenhower had this to say:

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those
who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

I don’t know about you but a day to honor heroism, freedom, justice and peace doesn’t seem to be a bad deal. But this Veteran’s Day it seems to be business as usual. Banks and schools are open and there is no parade or flag flying. This day like the rest of November has been forgotten.

Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving have been shoved aside while marketers turn our attention to Christmas. The stores have been decked out in Christmas decorations since November 1st. Wreaths, ornaments and wrapping paper sit next to the Halloween sale items.  Christmas carols play in the background with hopes of putting shoppers in a buying mood.

November has been shelved like a cheap polyester suit. It’s as though someone declared, “There’s no money in Thanksgiving. Push Christmas, that’s where the money is at. Push it early and we’ll double our profits.” Well, I like November! I like the crunch of Fall leaves and impromptu football games. I love Veteran’s Day parades and little flags that  you can hold in your hand. I like pausing for a day and being grateful for my freedoms. I love Thanksgiving Day – a day where we celebrate the things that really matter in our life.  I WANT MY NOVEMBER BACK!

I know that the eocnomy is bad but is this truly the answer? To my thinking, our present economic state is all the more reason for savoring a month of Thanksgiving. What better time to connect with what matters and give thanks? Why wouldn’t we want to slow the pace down this month and allow our minds and body a break from the stress of this past year?

I’m not ready to deck the halls and ring the sleigh bells.  I want tofurkey, and cranberry sauce. I want to gather with my family and marvel at how the youngsters have grown and laugh at my Grandmother’s jokes. I want to walk in a house filled with the warmth of family and inhale the intoxicating scent of cinnamon.  I want to squeeze into a tiny little space on the couch and yell at the football game. Is it really necessary to squeeze out November to make a buck?

What are you seeing where you live? Is this November different for you? I’ll be watching the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special and looking for the last remaining pile of leaves. Join me? 

References:

Veterans’s Day

Thanksgiving Day

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The Pieces of My Life

November 10, 2008

Written by Karen D. Swim

It was 5:00 pm on Friday. Normally, I would be doing a serious happy dance at this hour. I looked at the clock and realized that it was 5pm on a Friday and I needed to go to the bank. I had to make a deposit that could not wait for the next business banking day. No big deal, hop in the car and make the 5 mile round trip to the bank. Except, I didn’t have my car. I had no choice I’d have to get there on foot.

I run or walk to the bank frequently. It’s 2 ½ miles each way and a pleasant trip. Today was different. It had rained on and off all day and the trek to the bank only had concrete on one short block. It happens to be the block across the street from the bank, like a reward at the end of your hike through the perilous suburban jungle.

I threw on my coat, backpack and hat and headed out the door. I skipped the mascara because on my last trip to the bank, it rained on me and the result was not pretty. I felt like a human Pac Man (or woman) as I dodged back and forth to avoid the goose poop. I made it to main road and carefully balanced myself on the sloping mud strip that passed as our sidewalk. (For some odd reason, my township is not fond of sidewalks or even tiny borders that protect you from oncoming traffic.) I narrowed my eyes against the bright lights of oncoming traffic while trying desperately to avoid road kill (eww) and becoming road kill by the rush hour traffic that was whizzing by me. With all the grace of a football player on a balance beam I carefully picked my way down the road.

As yet another wave of traffic whizzed by, I imagined myself as one of the characters on the TV show Without A Trace. At the start of every episode, they show a normal person going about their routine and then they fade out – vanished without a trace. Unable to shake the image of me fading out on a dark suburban road on a Friday night, I panicked.

My head spun with crazy thoughts – What if I was snatched by mad truckers or a band of vagrants? What if a car hit me and I fell into a ditch and I was unconscious or dead? What if no one noticed I was missing and they didn’t start looking for 2 ½ weeks? What if they found my poor rumpled body?  I wasn’t even wearing mascara! What would they think?

Earlier that day I read a post by Robert Hruzek which discussed what people conclude about you by observing you. On Without a Trace the FBI investigators piece together your profile by digging into the various aspects of your life. I wondered what would they think about me. Would they know that my kitchen drawer was partially open because I had considered eating my last Aristo bar but decided to save it? Would they know that the gray sweat shirt neatly folded on my bed was freshly laundered and one of my favorites? Would they know I hated my current laundry detergent and had only bought it in an effort to reduce my carbon footprint?

Would they dig in my email? Read my tweets? Open my file drawers? What would they think? What profile would emerge from the seemingly disparate pieces of my life? The question hung in the darkness looming over me like the storm clouds that threatened from the sky.
By 5:26 I had made my deposit and was walking out of the bank. The question greeted me once again in the darkness grabbing hold demanding to go all the way home with me. I opened my front door at 5:58 and stood for a moment. I looked around as a stranger might to gain a new perspective. The warmth and soft smell of cinnamon wrapped around me. I decided a stranger would like that too.

I then realized that I did not need to answer the question, I only needed to allow it to guide me in my day-to-day actions. However, I wanted to be remembered should also be the way I live my life. Was I living a life of purpose and intention? Am I treating people with kindness and respect? Am I using my gifts and talents in service to others?

I bounded up the stairs, renewed and resolved that the next time I left the house I would indeed be wearing mascara!

References:

Robert Hruzek, Who do you Think You Are?

Without A Trace

Pac Man

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