Thursday, October 29, 2009

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

I am taking a leadership training class as part of my studies at Bizdom U. At the end of the course I should be able to understand 8 Leader ship Skills, and they are:


Vision
Presence
Adaptability
Deep Thinking
Personal Growth
Living the Culture
Talent Development
Communication Expert

I’ve been asked, as an exercise, to identify which of these skills I think I’m strong at, and which ones are opportunities for me.

My strongest skill is probably adaptability. I’ve always thought of myself as a really happy person. And, I’ve always attributed my happiness to growing up in a household where money was tight. Unlike, MY KIDS, who must constantly be reminded their last name is not Rockefeller, I never asked for anything from my parents. I knew upfront the answer would be “NO”. So I learned how to make my own “happiness”. As a little girl if I wanted something I figured out how to get it, or get over it. As a result I learned to adapt.

For example, when I decided to learn how to play guitar, it was pretty obvious to me that it wouldn’t be easy. But rather than give up, I learned really really simple songs that were really really good. AND I found a bass player who was AMAZING and could make up for my weakness as a musician. And I also learned that being in a band is about more than playing well—it’s about marketing, image and branding—things I was pretty good at. So I made myself a valuable player by being aware of my strengths, and finding others that were good at the things I wasn’t—and never getting stressed out. Being in a band made me happy—not being a good musician—I found ways to adapt.

I also think Personal Growth is one of my skills. Before I wrote a book, “Rock Star Mommy”, I never once dreamed of being an author. It wasn’t one of my goals in life, but I knew I had a pretty good story, even though I knew little about writing. After a lit agent explained having a ghost writer would be expensive and time consuming, I had no choice but to write the book myself. I paid a local writer to review my work, and positively embraced my entire editor’s feedback. I wrote a 200 page book in 4 months. After I wrote the book, I continued to grow as a writer and went on to write several magazine articles too.

As for opportunities, the two big areas for me to work on are Vision and Deep Thinking. I am pretty good at dreaming about BIG things—but dreaming is not vision. I learned you can “dream” about being in PEOPLE magazine, but without vision, it doesn’t add up to much. Folks see your picture for a week and talk about you—but what happens? Another PEOPLE magazine comes out the next week with new stories and you are quickly forgotten. I wish I had the vision in 2004 to have leveraged a big opportunity, like being in a national magazine, into making something else happen. I didn’t.

I need to:

Ignore the noise.
Make long term goals.
Focus.
Have reasonable, measurable objections.

I could also work on Deep Thinking. Before Bizdom, I spent most of my time being reactive—you know, reading my email and responding. Now I am working on being proactive. Thinking things through. Going deep. Looking for opportunities. I am figuring out how to make things happen for me, rather than waiting for someone else to come up with an idea for me.

I need to:

Dig deep in my problem solving.
Brainstorm with others.
Use research in my decision making process.

Having action items will hold me accountable to improving my leadership skills.

Friday, October 23, 2009

FUTURE MYDOLS


The adorable Freeman sisters and their Daisy rock guitars.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

HELP!


I need to get 100 people (minimum) to take a brief survey about Facebook. Thanks in advance!

Here's the link:

Click here to take the survey

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

PERFECT DAY

Today was the perfect day. Beautiful cool weather. I'm lovin' it.

I also made a lot of break through on my bizness concept, including coming up with a name. It's weird how that's proven to be one of the most challenging things. (Just like coming up with the name 'Mydols'. That took a whole summer.)

I am really enjoying being in school. I know I say it all the time, but I really truly mean it. I like my teachers, the program and my classmates. I cannot say enough good things about Bizdom U.

I'm off now to the high school to pick up a tux for Willie!

Friday, October 16, 2009

MAMAZINA


Check out the banner I did for a new magazine about moms written my moms!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

DYLAN'S SCHOOL PICTURE


My son is starting to look like Jim Halpert!

E2 CONFERENCE

I thoroughly enjoyed the E2 Conference today at the McGregor Memorial. Thank you Bizdom U for making it possible for me to attend.

Thomas J. Murphy, the former Mayor of Pittsburgh, gave an inspirational keynote speech on making things happen-- or what can be accomplished when you get off the hamster wheel and aspire to a higher level. He was a bundle of energy, ideas, leadership and vision. He spoke of some of the remarkable things Pittsburgh has achieved, much of it done with a combination of public and private money. And it wasn't a picnic either. He developed brown-fields, ignored the opposition and did what he thought was the right thing to do (hard things too)--whether it got him re-elected or not. He made tough decisions and eventually things started to happen. Things changed. My favorite quote from him was he started as "a community organizer" but is now a firm believer of "benevolent dictatorship".

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
















It’s Breast Cancer Awareness month and pouchee is going pink…

Read about this great offer from Ka'anela Holcomb for Pouche:


I wanted to pass along info on the Breast Cancer LTD Edition Cotton pouchee which offers “mothers on the go” style and organization while helping to contribute towards a cause that effects so many women each year. Pouchee will be donating $1 to Breast Cancer Research for every limited edition pouchee sold. It truly is a gift the gives back.


Breast Cancer LTD Edition Cotton pouchee are available at
http://www.pouchee.com/ and at select retail shops for $25.00

Below are a list of pouchee features.
Features
· Handy Rings for ease of changing purses and bags.
· Outside pockets for pens, sunglasses, mobile phone, credit cards, keys etc.
· Inside pockets for lipsticks or small flashlights
· Inside Zippered pockets for change or personal items.
· Inside dividers to keep everything organized.
Dimensions
Width: 7.5”Height: 5.25”Depth: 3.5”
Locations

Sold in 1,500 specialty gift shops and boutiques across the US and Canada as well as
http://www.pouchee.com/

I plan on ordering my Pouchee today to help the cause and it's PINK! YAY! My favorite color.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

CELEBRITY WEEKEND


Friday afternoon I was at school in Tech Town and I decided to go to the Java Exchange for lunch. I walked in and I saw Charles Pugh. I was so excited I walked right up to him and started talking. He showed me his Time magazine with Dan Gilbert in it and we talked about Bizdom U. He was so nice. When I was on FOX 2 I got to see him but Deena interviewed me and I never got to meet him. One of my classmates walked over and introduced himself too. After, Joe and I had lunch and Joe was telling me he was so proud of himself for talking to Charles, and that he followed my lead. I was a little surprised that it was hard for him. I said "Joe, he just a guy like you!" Actually Joe is even cooler than Charles.

Friday night I went to the ROHS football game to watch Willie and sat with Jeanette and Gary in the rain, but I had a ball. This morning was the big Pancake Breakfast for the marching band. After Dylan worked for WOAK at the Powder Puff football game. The boys really seem to enjoy high school.

Today John golfed in an outing with our buddy Thom Sharp. (Thom played Tim Allen's brother on Home Improvement and is the funniest friend we have.) John WON the outing and came home with a BIG trophy. YAY!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

YOUR SHAPE

Here's a sneak peak of fitness game featuring Your Shape blogger Laurel House and celebrity trainer Kathy Kaehler that I am waiting patiently for!

http://yourshapegame.us.ubi.com/gallery


Your Shape is a first-of-its-kind camera peripheral that allows players to project their own likeness in to the game and play without the use of controllers. By scanning the body of each individual player, it can correct improper positioning to help tone/slim “problem” areas. Also, the 480 + exercises allows for customization of your workout with the option to incorporate home fitness equipment (free weights, exercise balls, etc.) into routines.

Pretty cool, huh? It's on my wish list for the holidays!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

GUMPING






At Bizdom U we have an expression called "Gumping". The term comes from the novel Forest Gump by Winston Groom--which, of course was adapted into the Academy Award winning movie. Forest Gump lived his life simply and truthully. "Gumping" is about making something so straight forward that even someone who is border-line mentally ill can understand it. It's about making life easy.

Here's an example of "Gumping" that applies to me. I have a Myspace account that I rarely look at any more. I moved to Facebook about a year ago and it's become my social networking preference. Why? The number of "clicks" it took for me to get information I could use from Myspace was ridiculous. While it's much improved these days, it's still too much work--for too many friends--that aren't-really-friends--for the limited amount of free time I have.

For example, if someone sends me a direct message in Myspace, I receive an email that only tells me who sent me a message--NOT the message. I then have to log into Myspace, click-click-click and then FINALLY I read some message that means nothing to me. In contrast, on Facebook I can read direct messages right in my Yahoo! email account. I can then decide if I want, or need, to open up Facebook and respond (or not). It's a simple thing. A little thing. But it makes using Facebook so much more enjoyable and easier for me.

Another "Gumping" example is how Facebook always looks the same every time you open it and it opens FAST! Myspace on the other hand allows users to "PIMP" their pages and "PIMP" they do. Some people put so much trash on their Myspace pages it takes ten minutes to open up. I don't necessarily want to hear your crappy band's music every time I look you up. That's why I punish you by making you listen to "Hot Rod Your Home" if you look at my page.

In the end, the neat and clean Facebook has won over users that would never dream of using Myspace—like the baby boomer generation. We like it. It doesn't offend us. There's no pimping. It's simple. We get it. We have control. Why? Because it's gumped.

Monday, October 5, 2009

IT MIGHT GET LOUD



My husband took me to the movies this weekend. I had so much to do I felt guilty going, but he'd been bugging me for a few weeks to see "It Might Get Loud"--so I went. (John was great last weekend about the whole Family Jewels thing and he went with me to the ALS walk at Saturday--I kind of felt like I owed him.) I really had no interest in this film and on the way to the theatre John told me it got crappy reviews. I sunk into my seat thinking "I'll talk a nice little nap."

Much to my surprise, I LOVED this movie. I enjoyed all the background stories of Jack White, Jimmy Paige and the Edge--particularly the Edge. The Edge seemed to be the only one of the three who was not born with some sort of great musical genius--he just sort of grew into it. He admitted when U2 started they kind of sucked, but they got better and better--and now they are kind of regarded as one of the greatest groups of all time. He was really inspirational.

Of course Jack White is freaking amazing, and Jimmy Paige and Led Zeppelin? What can I say? I feel blessed to say I saw Led Zeppelin in 1977. After 30+ years, it remains one the the greatest shows I have ever seen. I was 17 and I went with 3 girlfriends. We had terrible seats and we wiggled our way to the very front of the stage. I stood before greatness. I would never have dreamt that one day I would be in a band myself. I wish I knew then what I know now. I would have paid a lot more attention to Jimmy Paige instead of drooling over Robert Plant.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

BABY BOOMERS AND FACEBOOK



I'm looking at the ways younger generations communicate with older generations. Like Facebook. Are your parents on Facebook? Do you wish they weren't? Or were?

My mother-in-law doesn't even have Internet and I think she's missing a lot. We can't seem to convince her though. She has no idea what's she's missing. My own mom on the other hand is pretty adventurous. My sister set her up with Facebook and I try to stop by every few weeks and help her with it.

Anyhow, if you have a few minutes, I'd really like to know what you think. Here's my survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=KuDccL63FNEf4h39TktQjA_3d_3d

THE FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS

This weekend has been long. After the hoopla of last weekend, spending all that quality time with Gene Simmons, this weekend seems uneventful. It's raining too.

But, in fact, I've got a lot accomplished. I walked for ALS yesterday on Belle Isle with by Bizdom buddies and I've had a lot of homework. It's all under control and I'm feeling pretty good about it. I went to mass this morning, which is always nice. And my dogs, Barney and Ozzie, went to church this afternoon and got blessed by Fr. Steve. There were loads of pets--the blessing was in honor of St. Francis. For those of you not familiar with his story:


Once Francis had been converted to the Christian faith he gave away his worldly life and lived in abject poverty for the rest of his life. He only lived to follow in the footsteps of Christ. His love of animals and nature and people are known and respected worldwide. Francis won over the Popes he dealt with although I believe many of the cardinals found him quite a threat.

He quickly became well-known in Italy, Europe and other parts of the world. His fame spread before there was media coverage or even books and written material. His courage to hold to what he believed in gives us all inspiration and courage. The stories of his courage and fortitude are recorded by many writers at the time and ever since.

Source: http://www.try-the-real-you.com/st-francis-assisi.htm

Thursday, October 1, 2009

TWEET FOR ALS!







Dear Friends,

Today I donated a dollar to Tweet for ALS (http://www.tweetforals.com/). I am part of a team that is trying to raise $10,000 in 10 hours.

If I have ever done ANYTHING nice for you (and I hope I have) this is the way you can repay me and it will only cost you a buck!

Why do this?

"Because when human beings collectively focus their energy they can miraculously accomplish great things...like cures for diseases."

Thanks!