take a look at how you grow.
How do you improve yourself personally and professionally? Some of us grow in solitude, pulling from within, but many of us value and seek communal growth. Regardless of ‘how’, it’s important to be aware of what you need to improve and cultivate growth throughout the many facets of your own life, profession, and inner self.

others enable us to see what we can’t.
We are all capable of amazing things; handmade creations, intellectual ideas, unconditional generosity, and so much more.  However, we can benefit from the growth that comes from our community of peers. We are able to witness opportunities and potential through the honest lens of others.  Growth in many forms comes from experience and the wisdom offered by those we encounter (online or in person).

at times, we all need the support of others.
We are all undergoing a continual transformation – working to better ourselves to better serve our communities, families, and professions.  The support and motivation from a close community subset enables us to better achieve these goals or change our end-goals as appropriate.  Have you ever found yourself stuck?  Perhaps paralyzed by an idea, a question, or an insecurity.  Turning to our tribe can get us back in gear sometimes through a much needed hug or a good kick in the butt.

As evident through Twitter and the myriad of online and physical networks many of use partake in we build our close net of tribal members over time.  This group resonates with us at a deep, soulful level and is built as we navigate experiences, encounters, and networks.  Open and honest engagement aids us as we organically connect with potential tribal members. This process can’t be forced, but is cultivated through humility, and trust.

observe the tribe you are already have around you.
Communal growth can be incredibly powerful.   It can shape us as well as inspire and push us in ways that we can’t yet even image. Look around you, your tribe is probably already present, and you may not even know it.   They may have nothing in common or not even know one another other, but fulfill you in ways the many others don’t.  Open yourself to your relationships, listen to those who inspire, reach out, and nurture this community of those who push you to be better, do better.

[Image by WanderingtheWorld via Flickr]

Time to mix things up a bit. We’re headed to the Midwest (as of today). I’ll be resurfacing once we’re settled – or at least once our bed is unpacked and the Internet is up and running. For now, relax and enjoy the rest of what summer has to offer.

Be well.

(Wonderfully appropriate photo, courtesy of ChepeNicoli)

Part I, single-tasking.
Part II, 1 new post per week.
Part III, 2 comments per week.

The first of any month seems like an opportunity for renewal – June’s perfect for this. This is not the first time I’ve decided a revision was in order (here and here). I am, and probably will always be, undergoing a constant state of revision. It’s something I seek to do often. I find great value in personal reflection, growth, and development.

Right now I crave intellectual growth. These three particular resolutions are a start:

I. Single-tasking. With Lucy here, my time is increasingly precious and my need to be efficient and effective is critical. Multitasking simply does not work for me anymore – and perhaps it never really did. It leaves too many tasks, projects, and ideas open and usually incomplete. By single-tasking I am able to tackle one idea at a time. Focus on it, create it, and complete it with everything I have. As a result, I’m producing higher quality work and am able to be much more present to the process.

For more on single-tasking, I highly recommend the wisdom of Tim Walker:

• DAGTOOTAAT (“Do A Grand Total Of One Thing At A Time.”)
• Once again: Do Not Multitask.

II. One new post per week. It’s time to exercise my mind and tease out my ideas (it’s a bit cluttered up there at the moment). Blogging is how I’ve always done that. Recently circumstance and severe writer’s block have prevented me from doing so. The primary culprit – fear. More specifically, a fear of what others will think and of simply making a mistake. Though as I have learned from Sir Ken Robinson mistakes can lead to innovation and fear of them can only harm such creativity. It’s time to face my fears.

III. Two comments per week. Yes, comments. Do people still comment on blogs? They do. In fact, I love commenting and wish I did it more frequently, which is why it’s on the list. I’m sure folks think that there is better use of my time, but I find commenting very value. It’s an opportunity to stretch my own brain and enhance critical thinking skills (something that’s a proactive process for me personally). It’s also an awesome opportunity to engage with wonderfully bright individuals – and there are a ton of them out there.

There you have it. Resolutions aren’t just for the New Year. In fact, the summer is the perfect time to revise yourself, personally and professionally, even if it’s just for the season. What have you been meaning to do, revise, or change? What are you waiting for?

It was important to tie up my work as well as set realistic expectations with clients and online networks. I needed to be detailed and meticulous as well as flexible, adaptable, and open to the unexpected changes that were no doubt around the corner. How can you create a success maternity leave that works for you:

Identify goals: What do you want your maternity leave to look like? Before I did any other work I needed to set goals. While I couldn’t account for everything, I knew that I wanted to spend as much time with my daughter as possible and check in routinely with my networks.

Define expectations: Length of leave? Once I identified my goals, I was better able to determine how long that leave should be. This also took into consideration what we could financially swing. Downside of a freelancer’s maternity leave – no maternity pay. Be realistic with your time, you’ll probably need more then you think.

Be transparent: I wanted to embrace my time off. It’s hard, but you are doing something amazing and deserve (and need) the break. This is where communication is critical. I made it clear that I’d be a bit MIA and posted occasional updates on my blog, via Twitter, LinkedIn, and sent out periodic emails to select people and clients.

Say no: This is the time to say “no” and do so with confidence. If you’re like me, this is not easy to do, but it’s so important. It will make you better able to focus on adjusting to your new life, tend to your own needs, and address priority items. I am still working on this area, but it’s been invaluable to say no.

Be flexible: As I mentioned before, allow for the unexpected. Planning is great and being as organized as possible going into your leave is a sanity saver, but be flexible and adaptable to the situation. My expectations going into my leave have at times been dramatically different than the reality. I continue to revise my goals and actively communicate the transition to my network.

Final advice, identify what you want out of your maternity leave and own it. This is a special time. Relish in it and be sure to give yourself a break. If you’re open and honest, then people around you (your networks, clients and peers) will be patient, flexible, and most importantly, supportive.

For me, it came down to a little soul searching and identification of personal and professional goals. I determined that my goal was to attain space and balance without become completely obsolete during my hiatus. How’d I do? Well, perhaps that’s not for me to answer, but for the folks around me to critique on.

Image: Lu

Lucy was born on March 6, 2010 at 8:34 PM, weighing in at 6 pounds 2 ounces and 18 1/2 inches.  We are smitten with our newest addition!

To fully enjoy every moment I will be on maternity leave from all social networks (other than to gush over life as a new parent) and freelance work until early April mid May. 

In the meantime, please feel free to check out past posts here at Left Behind Bottle Caps or contact me via DM or email to connect this spring.

Please note that the original post was updated on May 5, 2010.

]]> http://vanessarhinesmith.com/blog/2010/03/17/look-what-we-made-maternity-leave-until-april/feed/ 5 http://vanessarhinesmith.com/blog/2010/02/12/navigating-client-expectations/ http://vanessarhinesmith.com/blog/2010/02/12/navigating-client-expectations/#comments Fri, 12 Feb 2010 23:18:50 +0000 Vanessa Rhinesmith http://vanessarhinesmith.com/blog/?p=1122 Oh come on, we’ve all been there. You know, in one of those situations where you’re not quite on the same page as your client regarding next steps, a particular item and/or the way to achieve the primary project objectives. It happens to all of us.

So once it’s been determined that you and your client disagree, how do you move forward? Do you:

a.) Simply appease the client
b.) Stand your ground
c.) Find a happy medium
d.) End the project
e.) None of the above

Before reading any further, you have to understand that I am not of the school of thinking that the client is always right. However, I am not so vain to assume that I am always right, because I’m not. I’m of the frame of mind that successful relationships are rooted in how we choose to navigate these types of situations. They can be incredibly empowering and valuable to everyone involved.

Eye on the prize. What’s the end goal or intended outcome? Sometimes we get so caught up in how we’re going to get there that we fail to remember where we’re going. Refocusing on the end goal (or goals) can open the door to solutions or paths that we never even imagined. Being too focused on the “how” right up front can be incredibly harmful and misleading to a project. It causes us to unintentionally narrow our scope of thought and fail to identify all the factors that can cause change throughout the process.

Pick your battles wisely. There are times when you simply won’t agree with the client. Is it a small issue or a big one? Put the item in question into perspective. If it’s something small with minimal impact, then it may not be worth the headache. However, if it’s something big that could throw off the trajectory of the entire project, then it may be well worth digging in. Therefore, decide when it’s critical to not back down – and please make sure it’s always for the betterment of the project, and not your ego.

Mutual achievement and focus. Remember, beyond the actual end goal of the project, your client wants to succeed in an area where you can offer insight – and (I’m assuming) you want to see that client thrive as well. Even at the most frustrating and trying moments of a working relationship you have to take a step back and remember that you’re both focused on mutual gain. Therefore, work together to remain focused and achieve that mutual outcome.

Walk in their shoes. How you look at a particular item or problem may not be how your client sees that same situation. Take the time to ask questions and understand where their perceptions are coming from. Industry norms and corporate culture can play a huge role here. Being able to understand the ecosystem where your client works can foster a solution that takes into account other factors and preferences that scale well beyond your control.

Keep the lines of communication open. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, be sure to grab face time or pick up the phone. This is especially critical when you’ve found yourself in a disagreement with a client. Don’t go back and forth via email. Being aware of a brewing situation, taking the time to acknowledge the point of disagreement, and working towards a solution is incredibly poignant. Employing the tips above can further assist you in having a productive conversation with invaluable results.

My last word to the wise is – do your homework. Client unrest is normal, but make sure that you’re up front before they’ve become your client. Granted, we don’t always have a choice, but in cases when you do make sure to clarify expectations right from the get go. This will enable you to more effectively manage expectations throughout the relationship. The result is a healthier working relationship that can proactively manage disagreements and collectively work towards powerful solutions.

[Image: Dimbola Walk 004 Boat courtesy of Auntie P, Flickr]

Email has become one of many communication options, but is still a primary mean leveraged by many, especially when it comes to project-oriented communication. More of us are working independently and remotely with email critical to our working relationships. I’m a believer that practice makes perfect, and it’s always good to revisit email best practice so to improve productivity, foster relationships and minimize frustration caused by miscommunication.

Don’t assume, ask. Taking a moment to ask someone how they prefer to be communicated with can go a long way. Not only does it remove any unnecessary frustration that could develop, but also shows commitment to the person, project and collective outcome.

Some questions to ask when identifying email preferences include:

• How do you prefer to communicate?
• How often do you check your email?
• Do you prefer short or long emails?
• How do you like emails presented when the information is urgent?

Know your style. While flexibility is important when working with a client, it’s equally important to know your own preferences when it comes to email communication – or communication style overall. Being able to understand what maximizes your own productivity benefits everyone. The caveat being: make sure you voice your needs as well as acknowledge the preferences of others.

Don’t get lost in translation. Take a moment and reread your emails. Simple advice, but tone, context, urgency, next steps, and so much else can get lost in translation. Email has no 140 character limitation, but that doesn’t mean we should write rambling, unchecked notes. Take the time to ensure clear, concise meaning in order to prevent any unnecessary confusion and/or delays!

TIP. In regards to deadlines, I like to maximize the subject headings. If something’s urgent, then I note it right up front. If something needs to be reviewed and returned back to you by the end of the day make a note right in the subject heading. On a particularly busy day, the subject heading is all that someone may see. Therefore, make it count.

Check in early – and often. As noted it’s critical to have an “email check-in” as early into the working relationship as possible. When starting up a new working relationship, often the top agenda item on my list is “communication preference”. Though I am always mindful that projects, preferences and relationships change. Therefore it’s worth revisiting communication preferences again, especially if you notice a shift in response or behavior.

When it’s time to ditch email. People get busy, emails get lost, or perception of expectations gets convoluted. The phone is sometimes the easiest way to clarify and get answers in order to move forward. It’s also important to know when it’s time to get off email and enlist an additional option of communication, like the phone, Skype, or (if you’re geographically close enough) grab a cup of coffee. I’ve even used Twitter to tap a hard to reach individual. All of which help get quick answers while further strengthening the relationship.

What’s the value in all this attention on email and identifying communication/email preferences. For one, it shows commitment. It let’s others know that you are paying attention and value the relationship. Two, the relationship and tasks become more productive. Email and miscommunication can cause significant delays in projects, when the reality is they don’t need to. Taking the time to develop communication expectations and norms fosters a more productive (and healthy) remote working relationship that cultivates a successful project outcome and experience for all.

[Image: 107/365 - Flickr courtesy of RXAphotos, Flickr]

The decision to make this blog more a professional think tank is in response to two previous posts “ambiguous clarity” and “the disruption of life, soul searching and career shifting.” The result is not only the transformation of Left Behind Bottle Caps, but also the creation of Lollipop.

Lollipop, offering sweet design treats for all, is a long overdue project that will serve as both a creative and personal playground. Due to launch in February, this new blog will serve up plenty of handmade treats, design centric elements, artist spotlights and a light-hearted space where reckless play is not only welcomed, but encouraged! Stay tuned for more on Lollipop and Left Behind Bottle Caps.

It has been humbling to witness her navigate such a life (and world) changing journey, continually standing by her convictions, only to find herself at such a critical and defining juncture. Read more and join Heatherjean’s journey (@proxybird):

Dearest Friends and Family,

Today is a historical day in the life of Proxy Apparel. As you have all provided me with immense personal support in my efforts to translate Proxy from a dream to an investor ready, scalable business, I write to inform you that Proxy is ready for its debut. I wouldn’t be here without you.

After two years of diligent research and data collection, field visits to cooperatives and completed design and product development, I have created a bootstrapped go-to-market plan that includes the 2010 launch of Proxy’s Spring and Fall signature collection. The signature collection Hummingbirds, designed specifically for Gen Y/X women, features fashion-forward blouses, dresses and accessories produced by women-owned cooperatives in the Americas. As you know I have invested the time necessary to develop strong partnerships with Proxy’s production partners as well as put in place a talented team of individuals to bring this plan to successful fruition. Proxy’s development is the accomplishment of many incredible people.

I am currently seeking to secure $30,000 in start-up capital to bring Proxy to market. These funds will be directly invested into the design and development of Proxy’s ecommerce website; the production, launch and promotion of Proxy’s signature collection; and the development of resale relationships with other fair trade/eco brands. The Simmons School of Management will continue to incubate Proxy by offering free office space, and the Proxy team will continue to build the business full-time without salary. Based on our conservative sales projections from the signature collection, Proxy will be a positive cash generator by the end of 2010 and my intention is to reinvest all of the profits into the future growth of the business.

I pursuing a grassroots approach to raise these funds, in the form of low-interest loans to be repaid by the end of 2012 at an 8% accrued rate of interest. Proxy is accepting initial investments as low as $200.

Please take a moment to look over Proxy’s attached solicitation letter and pass it along to potentially interested parties. I deeply appreciate your continued support of the Proxy mission to empower and employ women around the world.

With Gratitude,
Heatherjean

So, who in Boston [or NH, Maine, NYC...other] wants to have coffee [or tea] on me?

Current coffee takers:

• Cara Lisa Powers: @caralisapowers – Founder of By Any Media Necessary
• Larae Junior: @lnj4boogie – Nonprofit Marketing Maven
• Matt Saunders:@mattsaunders – Internet Lawyer Extraordinaire