Quitting for Success
“Learning to quit while you’re not ahead is one of the best financial and life skills you can master.” ~Martha Beck (January, 2008 O Magazine)
This is one of those life lessons that is so much easier to see in others than myself. I am very quick to look at another’s situation and think, ” why don’t they just quit?” All the while, I cannot see it in myself.
One of the best investments I made is hiring a small business coach. Cristina Favreau has really helped me focus on what is best for my business. One of the greatest things she has done for me is teach me how to quit. I have to admit the first time she brought it to my attention I was working on a project that I was certain would have a large return on my investment. I knew she was right. I just could not bring myself to quit.
The second time she advised me to quit the project, I told her she was right. Right then and there, I hung up the phone from our coaching session and I quit the project. You know what? My business picked up. I still miss that project. However, the benefits of leaving have out weighed the stress of staying.
When I read Martha Beck’s example of the gambler and the “sunk-cost fallacy”, I realized that is what I was doing. I was investing my time in that project certain the next day would be the big pay off. The next day came and went with no pay off, never mind a “big” pay off. At the end of the day I would tell myself, “well, I invested my time today. It has to pay off tomorrow.” Now that I have opened up the time I was spending on that project, the Universe has filled it with more prosperous projects.
Funny how quitting can make all the difference.
My life story on a postcard…
I was in Digg when I saw this blog:
Clever writer. Then, it occurred to me, this is what my life on a postcard would look like:
“The 25 Words of Work / Life Wisdom Writing Project”
I created a Twitter account. I am enthralled. I love all the conversations. As I sit in my home office running my business, I feel a lot less isolated. I actually feel as if I have adult interactions during my day. Trust me, it is a rarity and a treat.
It was on Twitter where Vicky @eeUS posted a link to her 25 words in response to Liz Strauss’ @lizstrauss
The 25 Words of Work / Life Wisdom Writing Project
Vicky’s 25 words were inspirational. So much so, I was motivated to check out Liz’s explanation of the project. Then, I was so intrigued, I wanted to give it a try. Here is my offering:
Marriage is overrated.
Marriage is forced by a society obsessed with conformity.
Live up to society standards or be shunned.
Not everyone is for marriage.
Will this work?
I saw this post by Deanna on her blog Spiritual Coaching about the Salwen family. The Salwen’s are giving up half of things they own in order to give back to those in need.
The article, “Sale of 1 house will help 30 villages” explains “They talked about selling their cars or other things, but it was Hannah’s mother, Joan, who came up with selling their 6,500-square-foot house, donating half the proceeds and then moving into a house half the size.
For nine years, the family lived in a historic 1912 mansion near downtown Atlanta. It boasts five bedrooms, eight fireplaces, a kitchen that would make any cook jealous and even an elevator.”
Further in the article, “But the Salwens’ house has sat on the market for more than a year. It’s a tough time to sell any house, let alone one with an asking price of nearly $1.8 million.”
My question is: if their story is meant to inspire others to give up half, donate half, then how can they expect someone to buy their house?
It sounds to me as if the ideal buyer is someone who owns a 13,000 square foot house and has it on the market for $3.6 million.
The National Association of Realtors reports the preliminary median sales price of existing single-family homes in the Atlanta area for 2008 as $154,000.
Infoplease reports “According to the National Association of Home Builders, the average home size in the United States was 2,330 square feet in 2004, up from 1,400 square feet in 1970.”
In an increasingly conscience public of “going green” how energy efficient is the house? I would guess the electric bill just to run the air conditioning is one paycheck alone. Evidently not that much. The “Calculate your electric cost” on Michael Bluejay’s web site estimates it would cost $257.00 per month. Again, that is just to run air conditioning and it is simply a guestimate.
Although I think the Salwen’s concept is very noble I wonder how feasible it is. Would you feel guilty buying their house knowing their reason for selling?
If you wanted to buy the house to help the Salwen’s and their cause, why wouldn’t you just donate directly to a worthy cause yourself?
Maybe the answer is the historical society of Atlanta should buy the house and turn it into a museum. Admission fees collected could be donated to America’s Second Harvest.
Networking never ends…
Who recommended: Lynne Waymon
What I am reading: Make Your Contacts Count (Networking Know-How For Business and Career Success) by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon
Where in the book: The End
Why I am reading: Learning how to network. Cause believe me, I have no CLUE!
Which quote: “You never outgrow the need to network.”
How this quote adjusted my thinking: So this is the end of my journey through “Make Your Contacts Count.” I am so glad I read this book. I cannot stop recommending it. I think Lynne Waymon must be tired of all the people I refer to her. I am glad I took this journey. It opened my eyes to the type of networker I am. The book gave me practical advice that I can really apply. It was not some high brow academic “blowing smoke up my knickers.” As you can tell, I recommend you read it.
Have you read “Make Your Contacts Count?” Please leave a comment with your favorite quote, piece of advice or favorite networking story.
I love conventions…
Who recommended: Lynne Waymon
What I am reading: Make Your Contacts Count (Networking Know-How For Business and Career Success) by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon
Where in the book: page 221
Why I am reading: Learning how to network. Cause believe me, I have no CLUE!
Which quote: “Connect at conventions.”
How this quote adjusted my thinking: I love conventions. I wish I could be a professional meeting attendee. Out of the whole “Make Your Contacts Count” book, THIS is the one area where I excel. All of her examples in this chapter I have implemented when attending conventions. The skills presented here seem to flow out of me naturally. Now, if only I could get my networking skills up to this level….
Leave a comment with the convention you love to attend. Tell us a successful convention experience.
What is your sound bite?
Who recommended: Lynne Waymon
What I am reading: Make Your Contacts Count (Networking Know-How For Business and Career Success) by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon
Where in the book: page 214
Why I am reading: Learning how to network. Cause believe me, I have no CLUE!
Which quote: “Don’t Just Join, Join In-Create Sound Bites.”
How this quote adjusted my thinking: I am struggling with this task. All through the book there are tips and tricks to writing a “success story.” I just cannot seem to get the hang of it. The examples in the book are clear, concise and tell a strong story.
When I attended the IVAA Live Summit, I saw one of the speakers, Stephanie Frank, create a “success story” of one of the attendees. It was magic. Stephanie asked the VA three questions. The VA took less than five minutes to answer. Right there on the spot Stephanie transformed the information into a concise “success story.”
This must be a talent. I still do not have a story to tell.
I would like to read your “sound bite.” Leave a comment with your one or two sentence example of how your business helped a client.
Be Active…
Who recommended: Lynne Waymon
What I am reading: Make Your Contacts Count (Networking Know-How For Business and Career Success) by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon
Where in the book: page 206
Why I am reading: Learning how to network. Cause believe me, I have no CLUE!
Which quote: “Make the most of you memberships-Jump right in.”
How this quote adjusted my thinking: I am a reserved person. Typically, after joining a group, I would observe for a while. After taking Lynne Waymon’s advice, I have to tell you, the value of my membership in groups increased dramatically. I started looking for ways to act as a “host instead of a guest.” I also attempted “to give myself a job.” Low and behold, I found it much easier to approach people, a lot easier to have something to talk about and I felt my confidence in myself shine through. Again, this one piece of advice has served me well.
Help! Too many groups to join…
Who recommended: Lynne Waymon
What I am reading: Make Your Contacts Count (Networking Know-How For Business and Career Success) by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon
Where in the book: page 199
Why I am reading: Learning how to network. Cause believe me, I have no CLUE!
Which quote: “Make the most of your memberships. Choose groups strategically. Not all groups are equally useful for networking. Your choice will depend on your goals and on the characteristics of the group.”
How this quote adjusted my thinking: There is an abundance of groups to join. It is overwhelming to try to evaluate each one. They all look good. I think it is advantageous to research thoroughly six groups. Decide which three of those six groups is the best fit for you. If you can afford to join three, then join three, else join the group at the top of your list. After a year of membership, evaluate your experience. Continue with memberships with groups strong in reciprocal benefits, discontinue groups that did not work out and add a group or two. I think adhering to a process such as this keeps your creative juices flowing.
Lara Nieberding 