Now What?® Coaching

from Laura Berman Fortgang

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Values Behind the Business Model

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An interesting article about Craig Newmark, the founder of Craigslist.org, and the values that motivate him.  Working 4 hours per day on customer service and 4-6 hours per day on his volunteer or public service work, Craig says of founding the company that it “eroded my cynicism.  I see that people are overwhelmingly good. Our culture is self-policing…  We do a great job of classified ads in a culture of trust.”  What are the values behind your ideal business model?

“Doing Well by Doing Good. How Craigslist Continues to Thrive.”

Now What? Q &A: Crazy for wanting more?

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Today’s question comes from a Marketing Director in Atlanta, Georgia and is answered by: Ginny Kravitz, Deputy Editor.

Question: Am I crazy for wanting more?  Shouldn’t I just be grateful for having a job?

Answer:

No, you’re not crazy.  Sometimes no sooner do you follow that inner prodding to dream than you are affronted with the thought: What am I crazy?   It’s one of those who-do-I-think-I-am squelches that surfaces to test your courage.  Don’t worry, it’s a natural feeling to have when you begin to specify what “wanting more” means for you.  Some people will even tell you outright that you’re crazy for considering a new path and that you should just be grateful for what you have. While gratitude is a powerful thing, it’s also true that if you feel drawn to explore something different, honoring that call is the first imperative. So, no, you’re not crazy… in fact you’ve never been more sane.

 

Craving a Creative Outlet

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“This wasn’t a well-thought out plan… I was just pursuing a dream.” That’s how Priscilla Lopez describes her transition from IT consultant to tennis wear designer. While essentially a summary of her story, this article does include some interesting points, including how she got her start by wearing one of her own creations at her tennis club.

“Trading in a six-figure income for fashion.”

Now What? Q &A: From research mode to decision made

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Today we’re introducing a new category to the blog: Now What? Q &A,  where we’ll answer questions we are often asked by our clients and readers.  We’d love to hear from you so please do send us your questions.  Chances are if you have the question, then so do a whole lot of other people.  Today’s question comes from a woman who is working the Now What? Coaching Program with Ginny Kravitz, Deputy Editor.

Question:

How do you know when you’ve moved from “research mode” to “decision made”?

Answer:

This question comes up often.  When you’re exploring various directions to pursue, how do you know when it’s time to say, “Okay, I’ve done enough research and my decision is made”?    

When you’re in research mode, it’s important to stay open and resist rushing to judgment.  The information you’re taking in will need to be sifted through and examined.  Does the opportunity you’re considering line up with your Life Blueprint (Who You Are) as well as your Criteria for Happiness (Your Needs and Values)?   Timing can be unpredictable and only you will know if you’re ready to declare the research “done”.  At some point however, it will be time to make a decision.  Gathering more and more data doesn’t culminate in some sort of guarantee that your new venture will be successful.  You just need to know enough to feel right about pursuing your new direction.  

Here is how Roberta, the person who submitted this question, ultimately answered it for herself:  When all the clues and your intuition lead you to a conclusion, then you have to trust yourself and move to a decision.  It’s a huge risk but it feels right.  I found that it took a lot of courage to go from “I’m figuring it out” to “I’ve decided” —there is something final about saying it out loud— but once I realized that I had in fact decided, I did a little dance.