Change Catalyst

05/30/2017

The other day in my mastermind group, I was discussing the failure of a business. Not my business, but an acquaintance’s. I had seen it happening, and I th

05/22/2017

Discernment. It’s a big value of mine. To discern what is useful, what is important, what’s germane. To know how far to go — or at least to have the sens

05/09/2017

Reposting : ..
"Graffiti.

I start the week after my sick days with a Weekly Review, and although it's needed and necessary, it takes twice as long as I had budgeted. I hate it when that happens.

But the clarity that comes from a proper WR cannot be beat. That's why I do it, even when I feel behind.

"

05/09/2017

Bravery is when you stand and fight. Courage is when you run towards the threat.

Over 18 million people have “Liked” the Humans of New York page on Facebook. I’ve been following it for several years, and I’ve used many of his st

05/08/2017

Clear to neutral.

After several days of not feeling able to work, my symptoms have seemed to stabilize. However, I am not fooled. Being sick is not the same as resting, and I know if I attempt to use this Sunday to "catch up", I will start the week feeling frazzled and overwhelmed.

Instead I decided to clean up, and it was there I saw that I really was still fuzzy-brained. It was a real effort to look at a collection of items on the counter and think "Now where does that go?"

I could feel my desire to slide my attention off it, to do something else or really to do nothing.

But I persevered, and now I think I'm approaching the week with something like ease and order.

And really, that's enough.

55 Likes, 2 Comments - Shanna () on Instagram: “Clear to neutral. After several days of not feeling able to work, my symptoms have seemed to…”

05/01/2017

I think it’s interesting how you can be in one business, but in order to kill it in that business, you need to attain mastery in some other, seemingly unre

05/01/2017

Reposting : ..
"Today we put the hammer down on processing inventory. You're looking at a 500 # shipment ready to roll for Monday am.

It's so nice to start the week with a shipment all complete. And a new month! Sometimes it REALLY doesn't help to allow this kind of symbology in your life, and sometimes it's fine. Starting May with a bang is just the kind of symbol that feels good.

"

04/29/2017

Reposting : ..
"I've got the worst summer cold and/or allergies known to man. I can barely see out of my swollen eyes.

Because I felt like ass and wanted to avoid real work, I paid a bunch of bills and then I decided that what I really needed to do was start an investment account.

I won't lie, initially I wanted to invest in Prosper or one of those other P2P accounts, because I've heard you can make like 12%. But then I found out you have to have a net worth of over a million to do that, so I gueeeeeeeess, I'll just go with a roboadvisor and get an index fund like you're supposed to.

This is a big step. It's the first time in 10 years of self-employment that I didn't have an immediate need for capital to either reinvest or pay the bills. And tbh, I don't feel like I'm quite there, really. But investing needs to start happening.

Want to do your own baby steps? 18 months ago I started an account with Acorns, which basically skims the change off all your transactions an invests them for you. Their fees are a little on the high side, but it gets you over the hump of that lump sum investment. Today, I closed that account and moved it over to Wealthfront and it feels a little like signing your first lease-- like you've had adulthood thrust upon you.

But I'm glad that's done. And I felt productive when I was sick.

"

04/29/2017

We got a lot of rain while I was gone.

I also deleted my Unroll.me account after they were caught selling user data. Now I've realized the extent to which they didn't actually unsubscribe me from anything, just filtered it. As a result 250+ emails waited for me in my inbox this morning. I guess I'll find that unsubscribe button on my own!

The flood of email only highlights the flood of work I feel pressed under-- inventory to process, thank yous to write, deadlines to meet, commitments to honor.

So today is just about digging into the work, knowing that I chose it and that I'm doing it for all the right reasons. When we pray for rain, we don't get to say for how much!

6 Likes, 2 Comments - Shanna () on Instagram: “We got a lot of rain while I was gone. I also deleted my Unroll.me account after they were caught…”

04/28/2017

I never hope for things to go according to plan A. What I hope for is the satisfying unfolding of plan B, C, D, etc.

Today was one of those days. Each obstacle, each development, smoothly accounted for and a backup plan deployed. I live for these days! Even though this one was very long, it couldn't have worked out too much better.

[The only pic I had time to snap today, of the petal-strewn sidewalk on the way to my car.]

48 Likes, 2 Comments - Shanna () on Instagram: “I never hope for things to go according to plan A. What I hope for is the satisfying unfolding of…”

04/27/2017

A day of rest.

More or less. I got home at late last night after 7 hours of grueling, rainy traffic. I leave again tomorrow. So today I rest.

But much of my self care rituals revolve around setting things to rights. I unpack and put things away. I clear the mail off my desk. I follow up on this email and that project and I basically ensure that nothing has fallen apart when I was gone, and nothing is likely to fall apart when I leave again. It's nice. It's soothing.

I'm edging into a cold, I think. I thought it was allergies (damn tree s***m) but it's raining, so the pollen is minimal, and my throat is getting scratchier and scratchier. So in combination with a family commitment that came up this weekend, I made the executive decision to cut this next trip short-- only two days instead of three. :) All too often, entrepreneurs ignore the rhythm of rest that flows alongside productivity. There's a fine line, I know, and it's takes experience (read: screwups) to know where it is. But I'm confident in my choices. "Make hay while the sun shines;" but today it's raining, and so I rest.

4 Likes, 2 Comments - Shanna () on Instagram: “A day of rest. More or less. I got home at late last night after 7 hours of grueling, rainy…”

04/27/2017

Today was a day of unexpected help.

I had to be in the deep downtown of Wilmington, DE. I could park no closer than three blocks to my destination, and to be honest, I thought that was a minor miracle itself.

After an hour waiting at these imposing doors, I decamped to a coffee shop around the corner. The owner and I, a man named Ben, struck up one of those instant rapports you sometimes get. We chatted of the vagaries of business in a new location and the best way to organize the new menu.

But get this! I mentioned that I was hoping that one of the metered parking spaces in front of the library would open up, because otherwise I really wasn't sure how I would load up my loot. It's not really feasible to hoof multiple 50-lb boxes three city blocks.

I didn't know at that point, but Ben comes from a family of restaurateurs. I knew he was bone deep in the philosophy of hospitality, though, because he immediately offered to let me drop off my books in his store, then showed me a little-known loading zone in an adjacent side street.

Toting boxes 1/2 a block is way better than toting them for three, and I gladly accepted the offer. 5 hours later, I darkened his threshold. then again. And again. And again. Four trips in all, and then I had to go for the car.

Afterwards, more than a little winded and ready to eat a horse, he recommended a great sandwich at the deli next door. Then he offered to parallel park my car in a tiny, tiny spot so I didn't get ticketed in the loading zone.

Over my Korean BBQ sandwich and red birch tree, we talked of the vagaries of ecommerce, of breaking into potential customer's routines, and of selecting for the right sorts of customers. I left feeling like I'd made a fast friend, although I don't know when I'll be in Wilmington again.

My goodness, what a difference that made to my day! Instead of being a massive hassle, it was downright fun. It's great to find those 'kindred spirits'. It reminds you that the hustle isn't just worthwhile, it's a grand adventure to those who are called to it.

43 Likes, 2 Comments - Shanna () on Instagram: “Today was a day of unexpected help. I had to be in the deep downtown of Wilmington, DE. I could…”