OCMetro Business - (Judy Rose, NAWBO OC)

You need both

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:46:00 GMT

I’m a little worried about our young people. Too few of them are developing strong basic writing skills. I see it every day as I work with businesses whose employees have difficulty expressing themselves in writing. The problem is partly due to modern technology, which has given us shortcuts that can make it seem as though the old ways of doing things no longer have value. But being able to write well is about more than getting something down on the page: It’s about the quality of one’s thinking. And high-quality thinking is something you need no matter how many apps are contained in that amazing gizmo that used to be just a telephone.

Look at texting. It has changed the way people communicate. All the old rules are out the window. Now, the faster you can write it, the better. The more acronyms you use in your message, the fewer buttons you have to press. It’s fast, it’s efficient, it gets the job done. It’s a new language – a useful language – driven as much by the capabilities of electronic devices as by the need to convey information or thoughts. There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with texting. I myself am a purist about writing, but even I can appreciate the practicality of being able to say in a few thumb taps what I might choose to relate in an entire luxurious line of carefully constructed prose.

So what’s the problem? You write your way, I’ll write mine. But there is a problem, and it’s reflected in the growing number of young people (perhaps some of your employees) who can no longer write in the formal, professional style that business demands. It may be fine to text in 10 keystrokes about the time or location of a meeting, but that sort of shorthand doesn’t cut it when you want to explain or discuss anything of substance. It certainly won’t suffice for letters to prospective customers, the content of your Web site or business documents and contracts. The more people use the short writing style, the less practice they get using correct English. And this puts them at a distinct disadvantage when they are called upon to write something of any complexity.

Texting-style writing is probably here to stay, and that’s fine. If all you want to say is: GF, R U THERE? NE14KFC? BBFN*, then use whatever means you like, and then enjoy that delicious salty, crispy, greasy meal to your heart’s content (or heart attack, whichever comes first). You who read this are very likely in a position to influence the young people who work for you, as well as your own kids. You can do a lot for their futures if you remind them there’s another way to write that’s just as practical and just as useful as the short style they’re so adept at. It's a way that will enable them to serve up ideas that can’t be contained in the 140 characters that Twitter allows for; a way that makes it possible to handle nuance, explain a process or build one thought upon another until they’ve said something worth reading – something worth thinking about. Remind them that English contains immense variety, subtlety, emotion and beauty with which we can express to a precise degree, every shade of meaning imaginable, and that the more capable they are of using this fantastic language, the more they will connect. And isn’t that the purpose of writing, after all?

*Girlfriend. Are you there? Anyone for Kentucky Fried Chicken? Bye-bye for now.

Sharing remarkable stories

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:04:00 GMT

On Oct. 15, NAWBO held its annual Remarkable Women awards dinner honoring three outstanding members for their accomplishments in business and in life.

It was my privilege, and my pleasure, to write the program bios for the three winners, so when I entered the banquet room to take my seat, I already knew quite a bit about them. But hearing them speak opened up a swell of admiration for these three vibrant, successful women. The room was filled with attendees representing all rungs of the ladder: those just starting out in business; those with long-established companies; and everyone in between. And there was plenty of wisdom and humor to inspire everyone and to confirm the rewards of innovation, effort, persistence and hope.

One recurring theme I heard running through these women's stories is that there is no instruction book on how to create a successful business. It was good to have this reaffirmed, because if there was supposed to be a manual for any part of life, it was not in the carton when I was delivered.

As is customary, our three Remarkable Women awardees addressed the crowd with amazing speeches. Here are some of my favorite moments from the evening.

Laura Neubauer, whose company Deliver It! has grown every year since she started it five years ago, was our Entrepreneur to Watch. I loved hearing her explain why she never worked for FedEx or UPS. Laura's reason: "Corporations have too many rules for me!" Having purchased three companies that she had to get ready to open within a 13-day period at the height of the holiday season in 2004, Laura told us that a sudden voice in her head asked, "Laura, what are you doing?" And her answer was, "I don't know." Listening to her, I realized that Laura didn't want to make mistakes, but she was not afraid to make mistakes. There's a huge difference. She explained that just like playing catch with a 3-year-old, there are going to be misses. But as the child grows, she's going to get better and better, and eventually, that child will be able to catch the ball and fire it right back. That's an encouraging thought to keep in mind.

Cheryl Osborn, founder of CASCO Contractors, was our 2009 Business Owner of the Year. Cheryl, who built a $25 million company starting from her kitchen table, told us that the two most important attributes an entrepreneur can have are ignorance and persistence. She reminded me of heroes I've read about who succeed against all odds and say something along the lines of "If I had known it was impossible I never would have tried." She also reminded me of the moment in "The Empire Strikes Back," when Han Solo says to C-3PO after hearing him recite the possibilities against successfully navigating an asteroid field: "Never tell me the odds." Cheryl's wisdom is the kind of knowledge that can only come from experience. And it speaks to me. I so often feel like I have no idea what I'm doing, but I try to move forward anyway. Cheryl moved forward in a big way and is a huge success today.

Heidi Miller, who won the Lifetime Achievement Award, had the vision early on to see the connection between the fitness movement of the '80s and the potential for marketing healthy, delicious snacks. She built Heidi's Frogen Yozurt into a 120-store chain. After selling that business 20 years ago, she opened Tight Assets, a group of women's exercise-clothing boutiques that merge fashion and function. Heidi has demonstrated, through her many accomplishments, the ability to weather economic cycles. She told us that entrepreneurs, like cream, rise to the top. They create from nothing. They know that economic necessity is the mother of reinvention. And they never lose hope, no matter the circumstances. In keeping with that, Heidi left us with these words: "When life gives you lemons, use the rind to garnish your martini!" That's an attitude we would all be wise to adopt.

Sitting in a banquet room, listening to three remarkable women tell us in their own words what they have achieved and learned is a truly inspiring experience. Worthy of a standing ovation – or three of them.

Who's the Remarkable Woman in your life?

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:38:00 GMT

I have one, do you? For most people the answer is “yes.” Most of us have remarkable women in our lives who have loved us, influenced us, nurtured and taught us, inspired us, and helped to make us the people we are today.

The National Association of Women Business Owners recognizes and rewards three Remarkable Women every year at our signature event in October. These are women who have achieved success in their careers and in their personal lives. But not all women who are remarkable get publicly acknowledged for it. Sometimes their remarkable-ness (or remark-ability) is a very private thing, known only to their friends and family members. Now you have a chance to shine the spotlight.

This year, in conjunction with the official Remarkable Women Awards dinner being held at the Hilton Hotel in Costa Mesa on Oct. 15, the Orange County Chapter of NAWBO is sponsoring a video contest. Just submit your two-minute video telling us about the remarkable woman in your life. We want to know about her special qualities, achievements, experiences, perhaps her sacrifices – things unique to her that make her remarkable. She may be your mom, wife, sister, aunt, grandmother, colleague, mentor, teacher or friend. If you want to pay tribute to her, we want to hear about it.

Three winning videos will be chosen early in October, and each one of the women honored will receive a surprise gift along with a copy of the video, courtesy of NAWBO-OC and contest sponsor PoshPartyBox.com. Videos will be posted on the NAWBO-OC Facebook and Twitter pages and on the NAWBO-OC YouTube channel.

There are a few rules:

1.   Videos may not exceed two minutes in length. Longer videos will be disqualified.
2.   Videos should contain your name, honoree's name, honoree's city of residence, her relationship to you and at least one or two things that show just how remarkable she is.
3.   The honoree must be a Southern California resident living in Orange, L.A., San Diego, San Bernardino or Riverside county.
4.   She must be at least 21 years old.
5.   Submission deadline is Oct. 1.

Complete instructions for submitting your video and further information about the selection process can be found here.

October is NAWBO-OC's official Remarkable Women month. In addition to acknowledging the accomplishments of the three official awardees, it's a time when we reflect on the amazing women – millions of them in every town, on every street and in every home – who make our lives richer, happier, more secure and more fulfilling just by being there for us.

So c'mon Southern California. Grab your video cameras, get your creative juices flowing and tell us all about your very own Remarkable Woman. She deserves it!

FOCUS

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:59:00 GMT

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking with a student who is taking a summer writing course at Saddleback College. Her assignment was to do a personal interview with an active member of an organization or club. Her Internet search led her to NAWBO, and she was sent in my direction.

We sat down over lunch and went through her questions. I was able to tell her about my experiences after joining NAWBO and the benefits of membership. I told her about my business as a writer, how and why I started it, and how NAWBO has helped me find new clients by giving me a base for forming strong relationships with other business owners.

After I was assured she had enough material to complete her presentation, I asked about her studies and her goals. She is currently working as a paralegal but doesn't see that as her "real" career. She was excited about finding NAWBO and inspired by information she found on our Web site. As a consequence, she's been thinking about starting a business – but what business, she doesn't yet know. She had been advised, and thought it a good idea, to prepare for a broad outreach – to cast a wide net, so that she would have more opportunities in this tough market.

I'm no expert, but I possess a certain amount of common sense that was telling me that the advice this young woman had been given was wrong. With her permission, I offered my opinion. Here's what I told her:

1. Focus. Don't think broad – think narrow. If you try to make yourself all things to all people, you'll be nothing special to anybody. I believe in the old days, they called that a "Jack of all Trades and Master of None." I told her to become a master at something.

2. Find a need and serve it. Or find a problem and solve it. Or find a desire and fulfill it.

3. Understand the ways in which your products or abilities can be used.

4. Be prepared to educate potential customers about the value of what you offer. Know how your product or service will make something possible, make something easier, save money or bring joy.

5. Identify your target market and stick to it. Know who needs you and why.

6. Be unique. Do it better, do it differently or offer something greater than your competition.

In other words, find the right niche.

I hope that what I told my new young friend was good advice. Many of you reading this have been in business longer than I. What do you think?

The jackpot

Fri, 29 May 2009 08:43:00 GMT

Why do I love penny slot machines? I know that in the long run, I'm not going to win. And I know that there's nothing I can do to control the outcome (although I have some rituals). But even with that knowledge, I enjoy sitting down, putting my money in the slot, pushing the button and then watching to see what riches await.

Why? I'm smarter than that.

I'll tell you why: hope. Despite what I know about slot machines, every spin gives me the opportunity to hope. If all the machine did was eat, I'd never do it. But every now and then, for my measly 20-cent bet, the machine gives me back $8.50, or $13, or (and this has happened to me) $62.85. And because I know that each machine has the capacity to do that, I enjoy playing.

How, you may ask, does that relate to business? It has to do with networking. You stand with a drink in one hand and your business cards in the other, and you talk to 50 people in a crowded room. And then somebody says, "I'm glad I met you. I need help writing the text for my Web site." It has to do with e-mail blasts. You send your message out into the ether, not knowing whether it's going to be read or trashed. And then, into your in-box comes the reply that says, "Do you write brochures?" (Oh, yes I do!)

It has to do with hope. For every broad outreach method you employ, you must know that most of the recipients won't respond, and many of the responders won't buy. But some will. And when they do, you get to do the thing you love and keep going. That's the jackpot.

Warning: Slot machines are for entertainment purposes only. Please play responsibly.

An unexpected education

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:19:00 GMT

When I was a child, long before the game Trivial Pursuit was invented, my father prided himself on knowing thousands of tidbits of information on a wide variety of subjects. He was extremely intelligent, naturally curious and ready to be amazed by the things that surrounded him. He used to say, "My head is filled with useless information," and then proceed to teach us kids something fascinating.

No matter how long we live, we keep learning – at least, one would hope that's true. It may be intentional (taking courses or reading up on subjects of interest), or it may be that by walking through life with your eyes open, learning simply happens. I’m sure of one thing: Your hard drive is never full.

I thought about this recently when I looked back over the unexpected education I've been getting since I started writing professionally. Working on Web site and brochure copy for clients in a variety of fields, I've learned:

•   California's highways are often constructed out of crushed concrete that used to be old highways, bridges and airport runways.

•   Human scent is as individual as DNA, and it can be used in criminal cases as evidence.

•   The spectacular movie explosions we watch on screen are created by the same devices that are used by the military and police for training exercises.

•   Alpacas are the smallest members of the camel family, and they have a temperament somewhat like a domestic cat – curious, intelligent, sometimes loving, sometimes aloof.

•   Coffee beans were discovered by accident when an Ethiopian goat herder noticed that his flock was strangely stimulated after nibbling on the fruit of a nearby bush.

•   When it became the rage in Europe, coffee fell under harsh criticism by some officials of the Catholic Church, until it was learned that the Pope himself was a coffee drinker.

I'm sure many writers will tell you the same thing: Every project provides us with an education. Do you need to know this stuff? Hardly. Will there be a test? Nope. Is it fun? You bet.

Facebook – a garden on the Internet

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:03:00 GMT

At the urging of those who know more than I about all things Internet, I put up a page on Facebook. I immediately started searching for “friends” to build my network. My purpose was merely to connect with people who might be interested in my writing services or who might be useful contacts – just another form of networking. This was business.

I didn't really understand how this was supposed to help me. All I knew was that everyone was doing it, and so should I. After people started accepting my invitations and leaving nice little messages on my “wall” (which functions like a personal bulletin board), I discovered it can be fun. I also discovered that it can eat up hours of time that I never intended to spend that way. I found myself watching for e-mail (you get an e-mail every time somebody sends something to your FB page), checking my wall and looking at my home page to see what all my friends were up to. But I still wasn't really getting it.

Then somebody left a note on my wall that mentioned she's looking forward to working with me later this year on something she's writing for her coaching business. I started to get it. Here was a place where people could learn to associate my name with what I do. Here was a place where little tidbits of information about my business activities could keep me in people's minds and perhaps make them think about how I might be useful to them. At the same time, my friend was announcing that she's a coach, and that she's going to be putting out some materials later this year. It was about exposure. It was about associations. It was about keeping myself on people's radar screens in an inoffensive, friendly, fun way – and it was something I had been invited to do by the mere acceptance of the offer to be Facebook friends.

Facebook is a place to put up substantive information about my activities and achievements. I can link to my Web site. I can post articles, pictures or anything else I would like my FB friends to look at. It's also a place to connect over things that I would never bother to send an e-mail or pick up the phone about. But I can get a quick thought in front of a friend and maybe make her laugh, or make her curious or tell her we have something in common. It's like tapping somebody on the shoulder, with no more purpose to the act than waving hello. It's about awareness of each other as much as anything else.

And I see Facebook creating real friendships that otherwise might not exist. The more you write back and forth on each other's walls, the better you know each other on a personal level. The next time you see each other at some function or event, the more of a bond you have because of all of that Facebook contact. That's great!

Social networking is like throwing handfuls of seeds into a fertile patch of soil without knowing whether they are destined to be marigolds, snapdragons or petunias – or whether any of them will come up at all. But they might. They just might fill my garden with a colorful bounty of flowers. Or they might yield one or two perfect blossoms. I'm blowing the seeds off a dandelion, scattering them into the air, never knowing where they'll take root.

A matter of choice

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:50:00 GMT

Enough already! Bad news is everywhere. You can't turn on the radio or TV without hearing about some disaster, act of terrorism or idiotic government solution proposed by the very people who created the problem. Sales are down, food prices are up, and your bank is running out of money. Global warming is going to fry the planet before next Thursday. Oh, and potatoes cause cancer. I say, ENOUGH!

If all they're going to do is tell me why I shouldn't have gotten out of bed this morning, I will silence the doomsayers shouting over the airwaves and turn on country music. I will visit the blogs that show me pictures of cute cats. I will skip the front section of the newspaper and go directly to the puzzles. I have a lot of reasons to feel happy, and I'm not going to let them be drowned out.

I still love my husband after 40 years, and that includes the new mustache that makes him look like a movie star. I'm happy about that.

And I have clients who aren't afraid (or too broke) to invest money in fresh copy for their marketing and advertising campaigns. Some of them are cutting back, but they're not giving up, and they're still sending work my way. I'm happy about that.

I met a fantastic group of women this year when I joined NAWBO. I'm happy about that.

I filled up my gas tank for $17.40 last week, and I'm happy about that.

A dear friend sent me some scrumptious chocolates for Christmas, and I'm happy about that.

Big things, little things, and each a reason to feel happy. And I have blessings, not the least of which is having been born in the USA. I try always to appreciate that fortunate accident. Had my grandparents never come here, I could have been born in Hungary or Russia. I'll take Orange County any day of the week. It's something worth remembering from time to time – something that makes me happy.

You may say that I'm just burying my head in the sand and that intelligent, serious-minded people must hunker down and deal with the harsh realities. Yes, times are tougher than they were, and the world is facing some scary challenges – that's just fact. But when I focus on the things that make me happy, it helps me deal with whatever comes my way. Not all of it is good, but so far, it's manageable. And I'm happy about that.

It's a matter of choice. Worrisome things do have to be addressed, but rather than dwell on them endlessly, I search my brain's hard drive for something good to think about. I choose to be happy and that rubs off on everybody with whom I come in contact. And guess what – I'm the greatest beneficiary.

So let me just wish all of you a very peaceful, joyful holiday season – and recommend that you listen to some music, pet a pooch, eat something delicious, kiss somebody you love. And, remember, everyone has things to be happy about.

There's no such thing as 'the weekend'

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:03:00 GMT

The other Sunday, I received an e-mail from a potential client about some text he wants to work on together. I'd planned – if you could call it planning – to do nothing that day (except the crossword puzzle). Not that I didn't have anything to do – I'd just decided not to do any of it. And then I got the e-mail.

I spent most of my life as an employee in the kinds of jobs done at other people's offices. I never took work home. So my Fridays were lightened by the anticipation of Saturday, and Saturday arrived with that “no-responsibilities” sense of freedom. The week had a structure – a start, a peak, a winding down, and then a two-day break from everything associated with the job – until Sunday night, when it was time for that back-to-reality feeling to descend. Anybody out there know what I mean?

Then I went into business for myself.

I discovered that there is no such thing as a weekend. There is no such thing as quitting time. And I discovered something else. While I used to wake up in the morning resigned to going to work, not discontent but not inspired either, now I wake up eager to see what the day will bring. That's true on Saturday and Sunday, too. And I feel more free, not less so, although I may find myself working seven out of seven days. Since much of my time is spent writing text for my clients, I have incredible flexibility – much more than business owners who don't work at home and have customers who expect to be able to walk in the door during specific hours. I can start at 9 in the morning and stop to eat breakfast at 10. I've been known to get out of bed at 3 a.m. to write down a good idea that will otherwise just be mush the next day, if I can remember it at all. I can watch “Grey's Anatomy,” find out whether Meredith and McDreamy are on again or off again, and then go check my e-mails. I can do whatever I want. And that includes scheduling a totally work-free morning if I have no deadlines, taking a vacation without asking permission, and doing my grocery shopping at 2 o’clock on a Wednesday afternoon. I like that.

It does require some adjustment – a real change in perspective and in the deeply ingrained habits of marking time that began with the first day of kindergarten. And, oh my, that was a really long time ago, so I've been very well trained in that kind of schedule. At the beginning, when I was first on my own, I felt a bit lost – but no more. I have embraced the chaos.

I'm not offering advice to anyone, just sharing my experience. I'm grateful for the ability to adapt. I'm grateful I have found new types of freedom. I'm glad I like the way it's working out.

Business writing: Take the trouble to do it well

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:59:00 GMT

Writing is my business, so I’m especially attuned to its impact. Whenever you write something for your business, whether it’s related to sales and marketing, company policy, employee relations, or legal matters, the writing itself, as well as the content, says something about you.

Let's take Web sites as an example. We all see sites that boast about a company’s great products or services. We see words like EXCELLENCE, QUALITY, and RELIABILITY in bold letters. But if the text is badly written or contains obvious mistakes, what does that site really say? Here’s what it says to me: “Listen to what we say, but disregard what we do. We didn’t take the trouble to do this well because we didn't think it mattered, or we thought you wouldn’t notice, or we hoped you wouldn’t care.” Or worse, “We don’t know the difference.” I think lots of readers are just like me: I do notice, I do care, and I can tell the difference. It’s more than just the words. It’s about identity. It affects the way I think about that company.

You know it instinctively – bad writing can cause damage to a business. It tarnishes the company’s image and undermines credibility. It shifts focus away from the message because mistakes draw attention to themselves. It can cause misunderstandings that lead to ill will or disputes. And all these things cost money. In short, bad writing is a liability.

But, on the bright side, well-written, error-free text conveys your message clearly, creates a good impression, keeps your readers' attention longer, allows them to focus on the information, supports your expertise, inspires confidence, and wins customers. Whether you're creating a Web site, marketing materials, or company documents, it’s worth the effort to be sure your writing is the best you can make it. If you’re not a confident writer, there are people out there who can help.

Just remember that good writing is an essential, valuable, time-saving, money-saving element of your company’s success – and well worth the trouble.

She made an impression on me...

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:27:00 GMT

This is a true story. My first real job, fresh out of college, was at the Social Security office in Brooklyn, NY. I was a trainee and was developing my skills as an interviewer (skills that would later come in handy in my work as a writer). I was also learning how to handle people, since part of the job involved helping the public complete applications for various types of benefits.

One of the real professionals in our office was a lady named Bessie Washington. She could have been my grandmother except for the fact that she was a black lady raised in the deep South, while my grandmothers both came from Eastern Europe. Bessie had worked for the Social Security Administration for about 30 years at that point, and there was nobody better at handling touchy situations. When you’re dealing with the public, things can sometimes get touchy.

One day, a man came in and told the receptionist he wanted to apply for disability benefits. She took his name and told him to have a seat. Somehow he had it in his mind that he was going to have a physical exam and proceeded to remove his shirt. People took notice. Then he unzipped his pants. Some people started giggling and others were getting a little panicky, but nobody did anything and soon his pants were on the floor. While everyone else just let the drama unfold, Bessie stood up from her desk near the back of the room, set her hands on her hips, and marched down the aisle to the waiting area. She stopped right in front of him and said calmly, “Didn’t your mother ever teach you that it’s not polite to take your clothes off in public?” Perhaps his mother had indeed taught him that, because he bowed his head, mumbled “Sorry, Ma’am” and put his clothes back on. Then Bessie touched him on the shoulder and said, “Don’t worry. We’re going to help you.” There may have been applause.

You might not think this story has any relevance in a blog about women business owners. But dealing with clients, suppliers, and employees can require finesse at times. You need to maintain good working relationships with these people, and you also need to set your boundaries. I doubt you'll face a situation similar to the one that occurred that day in the Social Security office – but something will some up. It helps to have a role model. Bessie took charge, but she did it with wisdom and grace. She certainly made an impression on me.

Take the pain out of networking

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:50:00 GMT

Women of the Baby Boom era were raised in a different social climate than we have today. Girls were discouraged from being aggressive. We were taught not to speak up too much in class. We often felt we were smarter than the boys we hung around with, but, we were cautioned against letting them see that, lest they feel inferior. We heard sentiments like “Behind every successful man, there’s a woman.” BEHIND every successful man… and we bought it. Crazy, huh? Today’s young women would never put up with that.

Many of us developed a comfort zone back in the second or third row. But you can’t stay there and achieve anything significant of your own. When I became a new business owner after a long career as an employee, I was faced with the challenge of networking. I didn’t like it.

Then I joined NAWBO-OC and attended the orientation meeting where I learned a more useful way to think about networking. Here are some thoughts that helped me overcome my reluctance to walk up to perfect strangers and talk about myself:

1.    Nobody likes it; so you have something in common with everybody in the room.
2.    You can rehearse. Prepare an “elevator speech” that tells the essence of what you do in about 30 seconds. If 15 is enough, better yet.
3.    You can always start by asking another person about herself. You’ll probably learn something interesting.
4.    Most people are really nice.
5.    The more you do it, the easier it becomes.

There, now that wasn’t so bad, was it?

A constant balancing act

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:30:00 GMT

Perhaps a few of you will remember the old "Ed Sullivan Show." It was a staple of American entertainment when I was growing up. Every Sunday night, families would gather around the TV and watch a succession of variety acts, including one guy whose whole act was to spin china plates on top of long poles. By running back and forth across the stage, quickly rotating one pole or another, he was able to keep the plates from falling. I don’t think many people would find that very entertaining today; it’s too much like what we’re all doing in our daily lives.

This is especially true of women who run their own businesses. You know what the plates are: your work, your family, and yourself. Some of us have more plates than that. It’s easy to get so focused on the business that everything else, and everybody else, has to get in line. But is that a true reflection of your priorities? I’ve heard it said that very few people, at the end of their lives, wish they’d spent more time in the office. Now is the time to do something about that. Now is the time to decide which plates can fall.

If you’re like me, there are probably some things you do habitually that are not as necessary or important as you’ve made them. You can always buy a new set of dishes, but you can never get back the occasions, opportunities, and memories you missed. Careful evaluation and organization will help you find some things that can be eliminated, postponed, modified, or delegated. We all need to do it. (I’m talking as much to myself as to you.) The reward will be more time to spend on things and people that most enrich your life and nurture your soul.