Your timing is great Judy. I've been looking at this very issue for the last couple of weeks and I appreciate your sage advice. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Hi All, The website I mentioned, in case you didn't note it, is www.lowimpactliving.com. Check it out - a wealth of information. It's my favorite e-newsletter.

I second Ari's comments Joe. I learned a lot and feel the alignment coming on... Thanks!

Joe, I'd love to come to this if space opens up. I'll check back about the 28th. Otherwise next time. Thanks.

Great article Diana. I've been on LinkedIn for a while but forgot that there are many people I know that I can invite to connect with me there. I'm comfortable networking via Biznik because there are so many opportunities to meet face-to-face and have found it to be an incredibly valuable resource. I find LinkedIn to be less stimulating because it's so virtual - any suggestions for how to make it more personal, less cerebral? Again, thanks for the reminders. I too went point-by-point and reviewed my page.

Jacob and Joy, I'd love to come to this event. I'll see if I can pull it off - lots on my plate on Tuesday. If not, maybe you'll do it again? Frith

Thanks for this article Corbet - packed with food for thought and great advice. And thanks Jeff for reminding us of the thrust of the article - that building a business based on anything but trust will just backfire eventually. A certain amount of greenwashing is inevitable, and actually a good sign, because it shows that manufacturers and businesses have worked out that it's what (enough) people want. I have to hope that eventually things will settle down and the public will be given the tools to sort the wheat from the chaff, and then, as Corbet has said, it will be the firms with integrity that survive and thrive. In the meantime, go meet those green chicks for happy hour!

Thanks for this article Pam. It made me pause and think about how I present what I do to the world, and whether the clients I'm looking for value what I offer. Great stuff.

I had a career crisis about a year ago, trying to reconcile my industry (shamelessly devoted to conspicuous consumption) with my values (smaller, simpler, more compassionate living) and my spiritual beliefs (buddhist). For a while I thought I would have to change careers altogether, which would have been heart-breaking because I truly love what I do. I had a few conversations with trusted meditator friends and, of all things, a veteran buddhist nun, about whether to stay on doing work I love in an industry I feel less and less connection with, or switch to something more obviously in synch with my values. Both said that, to stay in my business practicing with ethics and integrity, creating spaces for people that make them happier, will trickle outwards two ways.
First, I can help reform the sphere in which I work, and second, by creating spaces that resonate with people, they become better at what they do - kinder managers, more creative problem-solvers, and that's good for the world as well. I was surprised that neither of these deeply spiritual women suggest I give it up and do something "less frivolous". That was the turning point that helped me realize I could do what I love if I do it green - practice my passion with a heart focused on what my decisions mean for the world at large, and all that live upon it. It was a great turning point in my life. I loved reading this thread and seeing friends' names up there! Thanks for the conversation and the book suggestions.

Can't wait to see old faces and meet some new ones. This is a great group - thanks Jessie and Amy. Great idea to start early too!

Denis, Glad the ink's not bothering you any more. If it's actually Ultrasuede (not Naugahyde) you can try mild detergent and water, or mild cleaning fluid from the hardware store.

I'm happy to donate a couple of free two-hour consultations!

Hi Rachel, I'm going through everything you've written now and it's a gold mine. These tips are very useful - great for those of us who tend to rush when nervous. I have the hardest time remembering people's names and often fail to introduce folks that I should, because I forget one or other of their names. Now I've just learned to say "Tell me your name again??", but honestly, I was 35 before it occurred to me that that's ok... The other thing I've learned is that if I know my subject matter well and have a passion for it, if I truly believe in what I'm there to talk about, I am way more comfortable with new people.
Thanks!

Thanks so much for this article Rachel. I'm a certified introvert, and it wasn't until a couple of years ago that I stumbled upon the energy-based definition you write about. It's helped me enormously to see this characteristic in those terms. If I know I'm going to be drained by a big, social event, I plan my day accordingly, building in down-time before hand, or working at home on something that requires deep concentration, which seems to energize me. I second the comments others have made about how deep connections with trusted friends are energizing for me. In addition, I'm married to an utter extrovert (describes himself as "socially voracious") and it's taken years for me to bring him around to understanding this reality - he is energized by people, I'm drained by them, and that's ok. Thanks for the stimulating conversation!

Jessie and Amy, thanks again for this morning - a great resource. Can I ask a favor of the group? I'm reworking my website based on some of y'all's advice and will have the new version up in a couple of days. If you think of it, please pay a visit and see what you think. I'm thinking hard about a blog - but still not sure it's for me... Thanks for your energy today. And J/A, I though the meeting was way more productive than last week, now that we've got the introduction thing down pat. Well done!

Kelly, thank you for this post. Years ago MCI called me and said I was paying too much for my service with them and they'd like to switch me to a cheaper, better plan. I was stunned. They went through financial crises after that but I stayed with them for what they had offered me - honestly. My work as an interior designer could give me opportunities to talk clients into things they don't need, but I never do it. I could make more money if I did, but my work relationships are long-term and based on trust and if I jeopardized them, I'd be not only out of business, but unable to live with myself. I applaud your decision and thanks for starting a discussion about honesty and the bottom line.

Charlene thanks for this online readability link - very useful for those of us who have designed our own websites (out of necessity, I may add, not any particular talent for it!).

I'm looking forward to brainstorming at this event. Amy, we have a mutual friend (Gina Diamond) and similar businesses (I'm an interior designer) so I'm especially looking forward to meeting you.