Fearless Fabulous Project

Where in the world did Andrea go? No, I’m not one of those people who started a blog ’cause it was trendy and then ran out of things to say. No one who knows me would ever believe I’d run out of things to say.

Actually, I’ve been busy delivering and learning from my pilot “Fearless, Fabulous Project” offering this winter. I’m about to turn around and offer it to the paying public now…. at least that’s my plan!

I am so lucky and appreciative to the women who signed on to be my guinea pigs… I mean Fearless, Fabulous Females! They have given my great insights into what works, what doesn’t, and how very different and similar we all can be when faced with life transitions or taken by the idea of reinvention. They have given their time and comments generously. They are singly and collectively so insightful, graceful, and funny.

I’m looking forward to this last month with them, and then April when I begin to work with other women who may benefit from a little “Creative Discovery & Reinvention.”

The first nine FFFs, though, will forever be among my favorite friends. And I can’t wait to see what they do next.

Okay, I’d accept an invitation to the White house…even from the current host. Don’t know what we’d talk about (if you haven’t got anything nice to say…), but I’d sure love to get a close up view of the The West Wing.

Recently, I was having lunch with a good friend and we were discussing favorite or influential books read during childhood. In passing I mentioned, “How to Get Invited to the White House” by James C. Humes, as a possible reference for my attitude of “why not?” when confronted with a seemingly impossible or probable idea or action. [Note: I couldn’t remember the author’s name at the time, but this friend researched it and then tracked down a copy to send to me a few weeks later. Lucky me to have such a friend!]

This collection of more than 100 essays is designed for those who desire more fun and adventure in their lives, but need illustration of practiced bravado to get going. I read it as a teenager and it made an impact. “Get Elected to Congress,” “Keep Hostile Audiences from Throwing Tomatoes at You,” and “Pick up a Last Minute Date” have not been motivating factors over the years. However, there is clear evidence that advice proffered in how to “Win Fame as Bachelor Gourmet Chef,” “Dine in Style as a Woman Alone,” and “Chair Meetings like a Railroad Engineer” have featured prominently in my life experiences to date.

I can’t point to this volume as a seminal work of any kind, yet I smirk realizing that it may have been a harbinger of what was to come with me and my ideas about how to move through the world world. Pawing through the pages takes me back to how I was in my teens, but I see clearly that I am the same today.

A bit short on natural élan many days, I believe that pretended and then practiced movement toward new experiences and challenges is one of the most fulfilling and entertaining approaches to life.

One of my recent epiphanies revolves around technology. I love it.

I am surprised, as I never wouldhave imagined saying tha about myself.

At the beginning of my work life, I was one of the “early adopters” with personal computers and often in a position to teach and mentor others in how to best use them. I felt challenged, and as a result smart, every day.

I learned many skills over the next twenty years, but never anything as satisfying as learning how to effectively learn how to use my tools. This may be surprising to those who know me predominantly as a writer and editor.

There was often a duel between the soft skill of composing words and the hard skill of getting them to behave/perform as intended. For a long time, there was been a lack of respect between those responsible for their creation and then their ultimate manipulation and presentation.
?Mastery of most things is an illusion, and never more the case than with technology…especially when it changes daily. The idea of lifelong learning has never been more relevant or necessary than when trying to conduct an online business.

Every day I am challenged to learn new programs and applications to make it possible to show up in the world the way I want and to get my work done most efficiently. Honestly, I haven’t had to work so hard to learn this much so fast since I first entered the work force. Yet, this is probably the most exciting time in my work life to date.

I’m trying to pace myself and limit the distractions to achieving my major tasks. It’s hard. But it’s fun–when I’m on track and when I’ve gone down another “rabbit hole.”

Technorati Tags:
lifelong learning, Early Adopter, technology

It’s been a while since I’ve dropped down into new surroundings with a need and desire to make new connections.

Sent off to Girl Scout Camp as a child or to College as a young adult required establishing immediate bonds to navigate camp chores or to find the library and dining halls. Also, shared space in tents, cabins, and dorm rooms creates intimacy no matter whom one might choose without assignment. Might as well get along or get out.

Having relocated more than an hour from the Upper Valley area of New Hampshire — my most recent home for the last 15 years — it’s impractical to believe I’ll see any of my old gang as regularly as I might hope. Everything about my day to day and week to week schedule has changed, and I’m changing too.

My husband and I are having our second social event as a couple (a family picnic last June was a very different animal). It’s not a big party and we’ll number no more than ten if all accept our invitation. But it’s a “coming” out of sorts. With two divorces between us, both Roger and I are guilty of having lurked in the shadows for a couple of years. When you feel you’ve failed at something, it’s hard to rally and be out and about making happy with the masses.

Now we have our new shared happiness, and want to join in again. So we’re stepping beyond the comfort zone and inviting others in to share a meal and some laughs. We don’t have any hidden agenda, just a desire to be reconnected with the world and feel safe and accepted beyond our togetherness.

Wish us luck!

I’m going to share fun stuff like this I find along my journey.
These short vignettes at Eric Lerner’s website–some with original music–are a kick!

My favorites are Dreamer and Fortune, filled with exuberance and glee.
Deja and Scared are good reminders about why I returned to self-employment.