This is a true story. One of my coaching clients had taken on the task of brainstorming big-picture messages that she wanted to communicate. She took some time to record her thoughts. In that moment of inspiration, she created several powerful statements that resonated with her. In fairly short order, her thoughts then moved towards how to translate those messages into tangible outcomes or … [Read more...]
Revelations of an (Almost) Egotistical Introvert
I had an interesting awareness yesterday that you might appreciate - I was offered a leadership opportunity in a professional association I'm part of. I was flattered, but also hemmed and hawed about it for a few weeks. Here's why... Two things kept coming up: my business and my energy. My plate feels pretty full. I have some ambitious goals. But when I thought about my colleagues in association … [Read more...]
50 Shades of Introvert
This question popped up in a discussion thread on Facebook yesterday: Beth, have you observed the varying degrees of introversion? Do you think there are hybrid innies? Besides learning the real definitions of "introvert" and "extrovert," the answer to this question seems to result in the most relief among people I have presented to over the past two years. Part of the answer is that we all have … [Read more...]
What to Do When You Have a Yucky, Mucky, Sucky Day
There's a fabulous 2003 episode of "Sex and the City" that tells the sad tale of a poorly implemented break-up. Carrie, our lead protagonist, awakes after an evening with her boyfriend to find herself alone with a post-it note that says, "I'm sorry, I can't, don't hate me." She takes the note to breakfast with her gal pals, seething with anger and disgust. At some point, she decides that … [Read more...]
The Introvert Entrepreneur or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying & Love the Telephone
There was no more putting it off. I'd already reorganized my filing system, vacuumed the rug in my office, updated Facebook five times and shredded a stack of old papers and checks from 10 years ago. It was going to be easy. Really. They'd said "Yes, please contact me!" And yet, I still kept saying, "Oh, I'll start after lunch," and "Just one more e-mail..." What was it?! Why in the … [Read more...]
From Writer to Author with “Book Shrink” Laurie Helgoe
Do you have a message you want to shout from the rooftops? Since shouting isn’t usually a way introverts communicate, we’re lucky there’s a more subtle way to get our message across. At the risk of generalizing, most introverts prefer to express their thoughts and ideas through the written word. For many, writing a book is a fundamental business strategy, opening the door to increased visibility, … [Read more...]
You Wanna Piece of Me?!?: The Fierce Introvert
You know how sometimes a word keeps popping up over and over, so much so that you have to stop a moment and wonder why? Over the past few weeks, my word-pop has been “fierce.” It’s not a word I’ve used very much, and I’ve certainly never used to describe myself or anyone I knew. I mean, really, come on… I’m an introvert!! One of my clients, though, is immersing himself in claiming his … [Read more...]
What “The King’s Speech” & “Black Swan” Have in Common
Note: This post contains no spoilers, nor do you have to have seen either movie to "get it." :-) As I sat in the dark theater last Tuesday night, enraptured by "The King's Speech" and emotionally engrossed in the stuttering troubles of King George VI - or "Bertie" - one line of dialogue jumped out at me. Speech therapist Lionel Logue (embodied superbly by Geoffrey Rush) said of Bertie, "It's like … [Read more...]
Money & Mindfulness with Debbie Whitlock
How does an introvert wind up leading a large networking organization, hosting a nationally syndicated radio program and running her own company? Lots of energy, vision and taking care of business - most importantly, the business of taking care of herself. This week's podcast focuses on how one introvert leader has stepped into the spotlight and created ways to spread her message in a way that is … [Read more...]
Life as Improvisation with Leif Hansen
Does the idea of standing up in front of a group of people and having to think on your feet, well, freak you out a little? Or does not knowing what to expect make you just a wee bit uncomfortable? My guest today is a friend, colleague and co-conspirator who has helped me take steps to increase my confidence in these situations and more. Leif Hansen is an experienced coach, seasoned … [Read more...]