What an excellent article!
This matches my and my boyfriend's experiences just fine, and explains how our tendencies and expectations are different from other generations'. (I'm a community educator, activist, and organizer, and he's a project manager - we're both Gen Y.)

I heard from friends in Europe of 'flattening out the infrastructure:' a previously multi-layered hierarchical structure is now a 3-tier, first-name-basis-only environment where leadership is in touch with, and in service to the workforce, who are in service to the clients.
With many more mixed departments, they cut out much (over)communication (confusion), and enjoy more face-to-face, solid understanding.

Ironically, young employees are more eager to work hard now, without the old fear of being promoted to 'the other side of the office' i.e. 'becoming one of THEM'. My friend enjoys the respect, flexibility, and pay she gets for doing well and delivering, without feeling self-conscious or envied for excelling (is that a typically Dutch problem or what?), and enjoys working closely within a team of differently-gifted peers.

Thanks for the article - reminds me that I'm supposed to be this way!

I am excited to be integrating the 'Getting Things Done' system, and noticing that there is power to having a physical location to each phase of a thought process, as well as knowing that each thought has a place in the system.
1) frequently completely empty inbox

2) trash/recycling/archive/center stage

3) center stage:

a) do within 2 minutes

b) delegate and put a place holder in system

c) defer to

    - calendar
    - tickler file(like a time-capsule)
    - break down into next action and 
    put a note in a file for a 
    particular 'place' or 'mode of work' 
    in folders labeled "@___"

4) do tasks efficiently by completing everything in a folder labeled "@Biznik" on Biznik, "@phone" with phone, pen, and paper, or "@errands"/"@Carl's house" when out of the house, by taking the appropriate "@____" folder to the special place it's for!

I hope that's clear.
This way, I can have a special place where I take care of phone calls that is not at my desk (reception is conveniently crèpe-y there) and know I'm being efficient: I just take my folder of 'calls to make' with me! AND I get to turn off the (cell) phone and diminish radiation and distraction all around.

I have loved every step of installing and using my Getting Things Done system. It's awesome! My mind can be empty, because there is even a sacred little place for every thought that enters it! My mind and body are just a thought channel, and my system is the sacred space for my thought processes to manifest real results.

I just noticed some objects that can change places to better serve me and bring my awareness back to center, with more joy every time. For example, my beautifully framed mirror, minutes ago hanging by the door, is now instead by my side, my own self-image keeping me company as I do my awesome work.

I also have renewed my commitment to slowly, perhaps a bit every day, paint my small statue of Kuan Yin on a water dragon.

I often receive intuition as silly thoughts that seem like too much fun to not make time for. For instance, I've labeled my water dispenser with a reminder that I'm 'Fluid, fluent, and flowing', my blank paper drawer reminds me I'm 'resourceful,' my computer screen is called 'Vision,' my mouse is named 'Choice!'

Thanks for your article, and, kind others, for sharing your stories!!!!

enjoying reminding ourselves of our true natures, ever unfolding, ~Briana

I only meant to select one of the parts of my first post - eek! Hahaha!!

I was practicing a new skill (Non-Violent Communication) when my internet connection wonked out.

Back online...

I noticed a similarity in the style of the 2 previous comments, and I was puzzled, since I had hoped to see reflections of my trust, appreciation, and respect for what was written in the article. I'd like to know what Gary and James actually felt while reading it, or what each of you might have gotten from the article.

I am happy with this article, as it meets my need to reflect honestly on the topics of balance, expressing myself through my new business, self-development and harmony with commitments (past, present, and future).

I find myself thankful and inspired by the strength Taylor displays in noticing and owning human limitations, letting something go graciously, and sharing her learning in such a practical form. I needed authentic examples of people saying 'no', as that is an important skill in the business of life. The empathy and re-instated trust I experienced reading this was, of course, for myself, as the article helped me discern some important factors.

I am relieved that the tips provided in the article can be applied not only to a new business, but to graciously letting go of some relationships or processes that would, if perpetuated, stand in my way of continuing on my new endeavor.

I feel energetic, as I see myself using the tips from the article above, and respectfully and authentically communicating why I must put some things on hold, regulate other things, and stop some things altogether, without going to the "I'm overwhelmed" place. I can avoid overwhelm altogether!

Above all, I'm excited. It seems you've written an article that helps people know when it is time to check in with themselves, and do that effectively. I see people using it to graciously step back, and to commit to good ways to keep going with integrity, as well!

Gratefully, ~Briana Barrett

I like your jokes regarding repetition in the bullets, and the one where you add the word 'other' in the sentence "(...) empty words that add nothing to the overall content."

I love the line: "Some lessons need only be learned once, yet, if you add another variable to the scenario, the lesson changes."

You wear life's innate vulnerability well; with compassion for everyone involved. Your humanity and your perspective make your writing invaluable.

You are real about your identity - where you're coming form, where you're at, and where you're going - even in chaos. Your insight and honesty have always qualified you as a Great brand developer.

Your article is also a constructive reflection of who you're relating to, and what you'd like to see happen that will benefit everyone involved. Your disciplined talent and can-do perspective are second nature to you, a great marketer.

I trust that smart Bizniks (or newbies - just join!) will make use of your really, really awesome offer. You are a blessing to all you touch, Kelly - Thank you.

Thanks for posting - I love this article.

I have a perhaps silly-sounding question, but what are some examples of the "success strategies" you recommend in part 3 of Step 1?

Are these things that only a boss/mentor/coach/more experienced employee can give someone? Or are they things that employees come up with themselves?

Are they sometimes tool-strategies (like 'start using GTD'), or are they methods/strategies specific to the job (like 'take a course on xyz")?

I've just been doing some research into this, thank you for stating it so clearly:

"Competencies are the skills and knowledge we need to do our job well. Capacities are our abilities to learn, to reflect, to accept and to adapt."

My mother always said: "You can't do any better than your best" ...which is offensive only to still-perfectionists!

I really appreciate this article. Thanks for letting go! The perfect article is the actually-posted article, haha... I'm especially fond of the last question you propose one asks oneself.

I myself enjoy briefly scoping out, say, 5 options, first writing them out. To humble myself I call sometimes on the energy I felt when Tad Hargrave once asked in an RBI workshop: "Are there people --charging more and doing a crappy job-- making a fine living offering what you do better?"

After that, I really try them on one at a time, feeling out their score on the fun-o-meter. This 'trying on' and considering different possibilities helps me realize that my beautiful brain doesn't really conjure up 'bad' options anymore, ever! And I'm before a banquet of beautiful choices...

If perfectionism were to have its way and 'perfect' were to exist, what feelings would it conjure up for us to have? Challenging is a 'given' for anything new and dear to us... Do projects get to be FUN for us to create? Leaving themselves, and us, free to change and grow?

I agree with all of the above praise. I found your article to be both complete, compelling, simplifying, and thorough.

Admittedly, I jumped a bit at the interview questions, because I like to think that I'm not "solution-selling", and that none of us has to see ourselves that way. I don't believe in problems, and I prefer to believe that noone need have a problem to be interested in hiring or purchasing something.

I see all of us as enabling one another to do what we do naturally, by lending our attention, expertise, and commitment. This is how we enable one another and lend leverage to each others' dreams-coming-true. Because of this 'enabling from already great' attitude, my clients are eager to share their experience. I look forward to interviewing them for testimonial purposes!

I will most certainly use all of your advice, and simply adapt my interview process when I get to that step. I'll let you know what I make of it!

Thanks again for writing - like many have said - at the exact right time! Stimulating.

~Bree Know Thyself - Know Thy Creative Process

Oops, I forgot to start with my initial thought: this sounds like an awesome event I'd like to attend.

And then I saw: ooh! it's being rescheduled! maybe I can help?

I was struggling with whether to 'offer' an event, or admit that I need a sounding board (or braindump!) myself!

Thanks for taking initiative - and let me know what happens, ~Bree

I live in Wallingford and was planning to host just such an event in my home on Saturday between 1 and 4!

Since I am a creative process consultant, I seek out people who would like to share about their approach to creativity in the middle of a project, and/or tell/show finished work.

I'd love to offer my space, or else attend your new event another time!

Thanks for your article. I agree wholeheartedly, and I love how you use many metaphors. I love doing that.

About the thread: I've often looked at my life as if my awareness were sewing through time... not just in and out, in a straight line, but more like proper sewing: going from here back a bit (recalling), leaping forward and setting intentions, then getting back to now, then going back and forth again.

the way I sew says more about me than where my thread has been.

This is so true! I have been asked too many times how I've achieved the happiness and success I have in my life, and as I told my story/guessed at my process, I could feel that it's just a story - just my process, how it happened FOR ME... not necessarily for anyone else!

I've been told that my story inspired and uplifted - that it made a big difference in a stranger's life, that they're psyched to apply the tool/perspective/process I used in their own daily life... and I have to let go of believing or not believing that. I could trust that coincidence/law of attraction/whatever actually brought me together with people who like to approach things the same way I do... but in all honesty, I feel that if they really wanted and were ready for a tool, they would have made their own.

When I started asking people what works for them, what was most fun about today/this year, what the most important lesson tis that they've learned in life, what they're doing when they feel free, I get to hear and find the pattern in what other people are doing right - in ways that are only right and fun for them!!!

That's why I don't call myself a life coach or a career consultant - I have tools, but they're for me.

I'm a self-image consultant, plain and simple: I ask clients affirmative questions, my client tells me about him/herself in the most raw, real way they know themselves, I admire them silently and reflect back/ask questions to help them find and draw on the functional creative process recognizable in all of their successes. Clients focus on becoming aware of themselves as perfectly powerful. No tools, no gimmics.

Clients and friends taught me that. Living in integrity is the result, for everyone involved. Nowadays, when I accidentally slip back into storytelling, advising (i.e. asking a friend or a stranger whether they've tried xyz yet -- guru complex) I immediately feel icky and stop myself while I'm able to take it all back and stay present to what's important: honoring and trusting the integrity, creativity, and resourcefulness I'm about to see - and out it comes: the insight!

I am going to edit my profile next week, and really admire your pointed article. Thanks for inspiring and empowering by not claiming that any secret powers of yours are actually transferable.
It's all the more obvious you have them. And you know that all we need to findi t in ourselves is good chemistry with good company.

cudos! ~Briana

I think that your bold statement to only answer one question in a post.... ONE!!!! ...will help me stop straying - pronto. I'm excited! Love the bold title, too!

I love your article, Chris.

I like reading that you charge for product when you produce a product, and for hours when the hours are time that a client wants you spend with them, focusing on their stuff. You are helping them be efficient with time (a shared commodity) on both occasions.

I think that charging for a product encourages everyone to envision the Value of the product. This puts the client in the same boat as us: thinking honestly about intention, outcome, and value.

Value is: moving a client forward, removing a cost/problem/bottleneck, increasing revenue, making life easier or more pleasant, etc. OR, in other words,

the Value of a product is the Effort it will save the client. I like how Ruth described Effort (time x resources x experience)...

You teach what you do!
This article is an illustration of exactly what it preaches.

Going deeper (or to art) for inspiration, + working harder to convey your aspirations, +

leveraging cool clients' contexts as functional limitation,

messages that go farther without further perspiration.

That's what marketing is! You do your chosen field great good, Karrie. I'm glad you share.

"We're back to the Beveridge Place Pub, at Morgan Junction in November."

I almost thought the event had passed! Luckily it's in December! Have fun!

No. Wanna go shopping together? I'll shoot you an e-mail/call after I post this for any artists who see this string:

http://www.artisttrust.org/linc/term/7

check it out!!!