Functional versus Aesthetic Workspaces - Which Do You Prefer?

Husband: We should get rid of this rickety, old desk in your office and get something nicer. Like this. (Shows me photos from an online business furniture store - deep cherry wood, shiny surfaces, modern designs).

Me: My desk is fine. I never really think about it. Besides, that price tag is pretty steep (I like to save, remember?).

Husband: But how can you work in here?

We had this conversation about two weeks ago and we both discovered something about ourselves that night.

My husband prefers an aesthetic workspace. Walk in his office at work - you'll see modern black frames with crisp black-and-white photos that he took and developed himself and diplomas that showcase his undergraduate and graduate degrees in pristine and artistic frames. Even at home, he's bothered by pictures that are crooked, rooms that are cluttered, and colors that don't quite match.

I, on the other hand, prefer a functional workspace. Don't misunderstand me here. My space is organized and clean, but it's also rather practical and plain. That's partially because we don't have unlimited finances and partially because I'm not particularly tied up by "prettiness." I want to have a working laptop, a wireless Internet connection, an organized filing system, steno pads within reach, and pens with nice, dark ink (I'm finicky when it comes to pens). Candles? Paintings of scenic landscapes? Flowers? Unnecessary.

These same "leanings" affect our home too. For example, about a month ago, my husband suggested that we give away our TV and DVD player. My response was immediate: "Okay." After all, we haven't turned on our TV for over six months so it's not very functional.

You've probably guessed that I'm not very sentimental when it comes to my belongings - unless they are useful. I give things away often. Our wedding guest book? Toss it! That little crayon drawing that I created when I was five? Gone! The bridesmaid dress that I wore to my sister's wedding? Sayonara! You get the idea.

This is an ideal place to interject and send out a memo to family and friends - If you give me something nostalgic and don't specifically say that you want me to keep it, there's a good chance I won't. Not because I don't love you or cherish the memory. I just am not fond of keeping things around that aren't useful.

So there you have it. Two different preferences for workspaces. Which category do you fall in to?

Getting Serious about Writing

I'm planning to "turn up the heat" in moving forward with my writing career. Over the next few weeks, I'm going to create specific goals for sending out queries to magazines and newspapers - as well as for submitting a non-fiction book proposal. I am also going to think about the possibility of joining (or starting) a writer's group and registering for a writing conference. Any tid-bits or tips from other aspiring or famous writers would be greatly appreciated!

(Photo by: athena)

Starting a Business (Maybe I will, Maybe I won't)

I met with a woman yesterday who recently started her own writing business. It's called Advantage Writing. She basically does the whole gamut when it comes to writing - resume writing, copy writing, indexing, and more.

I asked lots of questions and she told me how to start a business - log on to the City of Tucson website and pay the $45 fee. Then, license your business name in Phoenix - and kaboom - you're in business!

Many of my closest friends and family members know that I've considered starting a business many times in the past few years.

Business Idea #1
The one that came closest to actually reaching fruition was my idea for a scholarship consulting business. As a high school guidance counselor, I have ample experience in the area and I absolutely LOVE it.

BUT I'm not sure if that's "it" because I enjoy dispensing that information for free to motivated students and anxious parents in my life.

Business Idea #2
Then, there's writing of all kinds - my specialty and my passion. Writing is what I do - whether or not I'm getting paid for it. I don't know how to not write. I just do - I think about writing, I talk about writing, and I write - all day long.

BUT I'm not particularly fond of editing and proofreading. Yes, I'm good at it. I know the ins and outs of grammar. I know where to put the commas, which adjectives deliver the most pow, how to create a killer introduction. But there's something tedious and non-creative about going over someone else's work.

So, when it comes to writing, I think I'll stick to my own freelance writing - working on my book, sending queries to magazines, and enjoying the creative [Emphasis on create] process.

Other Ideas
Then, there are my other two ideas (that might actually go somewhere):
1. speaking at various conferences, retreats, school functions, and events.
2. planning events (think: conferences, expos, and retreats, NOT weddings)

Or Maybe I Won't Start a Business...
Or, I might throw all business ideas out the window and start up a non-profit instead. I grow weary of the business world.

Hence, my husband and I had the following conversation over dinner last night:

Scene: I had just returned from a business mixer at a swanky little golf club, complete with hors d'oeuvres and door prizes and 30-second elevator pitches.

Me: (Sigh) The business mixer was so...

Husband: Boring.

Me: Yes, and superficial. I wish we could come up with a way to make billions of dollars so that we could just go around and help lots of people...maybe start a non-profit...then, we wouldn't ever have to go to business mixers and networking nights.

Husband: We will.

Me: You know how I have crazy, hair-brained ideas every once in awhile and decide that I should go to medical school or enter corporate America or become a lawyer?

Husband: Yes.

Me: Remind me to not go the corporate America route.

the stuff of life

“Time is life. It is irreversible and irreplaceable. To waste your time is to waste your life, but to master your time is to master your life and make the most of it.” (Alan LaKein, Time Management Consultant)

My husband and I decided tonight that it's about time for us to write out our goals again. We usually go on a little "goals retreat" every six months - or, at a minimum, every year. And we ask ourselves, "where are we heading?""Who am I now and who do I want to become?" "Where do I want to be in five years, ten years, and beyond?"

Then, we discuss and debate and probe and cross out and re-write. Until our goals are there. On paper. Living.

Then, we move toward them.

(Photo by: slack12)

Finding My Voice (in the blogosphere and in real life)

As many of you know, I'm in my twenties - a time of colorful dreams, lofty goals, and whirlwind growth.

If I wanted to allegorize my life, perhaps I would compare it to building a house. I'm in the process of gathering all the right tools (education/experience) and enlisting the help of qualified people (mentors). And I'm trying to decide what exactly I want my house (my future) to look like.

It is the age of self-discovery. I ask myself, "who do I want to be? what bold and beautiful future lies ahead? what legacy - what glorious imprint- will I leave on this world?"

I notice in this process that I am trying to figure out my specialization and my tone of voice in the blogosphere (and in real life). I notice that some people are sarcastic; others are funny; others are just plain honest; others are experts.

And I think I want my voice to be one of kindness and compassion and optimism - but also of information and ideas. Maybe the girl who "has a lot of innovative ideas and uses them to help people."

(Picture by: robyn00)

Let's Make a Deal - Negotiating Compensation Packages in 2007

I was serious about my offer in my last blog post - perhaps more serious than even I originally intended.

It's really a novel idea - compensation packages that consist of little or no actual hard cash. I do realize, of course, that this kind of arrangement would not be ideal long term. But I'm all for it for this year.

I would love to work in exchange for "growth" and "professional development" opportunities - graduate school tuition, organization and association memberships, travel and registration fees for various conferences, personal training sessions, etc.

MBA from ASU

Arizona State University has a fantastic online MBA program that I would LOVE to be a part of. In fact, I would apply tomorrow for the January cohort if I had a willing "sponsor."

So, if you are a millionaire who would love to fund an eager, intelligent young woman in her twenties - please do give me a call.

Or - we can work out a deal. I will work for your company for free if you pay for my graduate school tuition and my membership to the Public Relations Society of America, Greater Tucson Leadership, United Way Young Leaders Society, National Speakers Association AZ, and National Speakers Association. A subscription to the Wall Street Journal would be nice too. Any takers?

The Key to Career Success? Specialization

I've been reading Penelope Trunk's blog a lot lately. Although she has many new and divergent perspectives, one that seems to be aligned with "old-school" career advice is the concept of specialization. She states, "the best way to ensure you'll always be in demand is to become a specialist" and "specializing makes you more likely to be hired and hunted." Although specializing is the goal, she cautions her readers not to limit themselves "too much or too early."

The professors that I met with at the UA handed out similar advice. They told me to focus in on one unique area of study and become an expert.

Successful authors also seem to follow this route. They are experts in one genre - money management, science fiction, romance, chick lit, etc.

Trunk suggests examining your gifts to find your area. Without trying to brag, I think mine are writing, interpersonal skills, and creativity/new ideas.

More on this later...

1st Week @ New Job

It's going very well so far. Of course, I'm unable to write when Kayla is awake because she has become Miss Active and Miss Acrobat all in under two weeks. She rolls. She crawls. She stands. She dives. She finds her way into almost everything - especially anything that is not for babies.

But she is taking naps like a pro in her crib now and there's always the hours after bedtime. When she sleeps, I type.

My Newest Gig: Working from Home

We "shook hands" and settled my contract yesterday. I'll be working 20 hours/week from home for the local school district. Specifically, I will be freelance writing - producing content for the district website, electronic newsletter, and print newsletter. I will also be writing press releases and stories for local and national newspapers.

I'm excited about this new partnership.

If I Had Money and Time to Spare and Spend...

I'd enroll in a graduate program in Journalism. Hopefully, I'd find an innovative, technology-based program wherein I could learn the latest practices in print and online journalism with courses in media, film, digital photography, web design, public relations, and communication.

Now, that sounds fun.

Whenever one door closes, another opens.

We've been thinking and praying about my Ph.D. The result? I think that dream will have to wait.

I can't bear to leave little Kayla - even if the thought of intellectual and social growth is somewhat enticing. Motherhood is my full-time mission at the moment.

Thus, that door closes (for now).

But another door has opened. I will be working from home for the local school district wherein I currently work. More details to come...

Working with Baby...

is getting crazy. For those of you who don't know, I have been bringing my baby to work with me since she was four months old. It's been a wonderful arrangement and I absolutely love the fact that I don't have to miss any moments with her. Plus, she's smiling, laughing, and in a delightfully positive mood about 95% of the time.

That said, she's getting very active. She wants to sit and play and talk and roll and grab everything in sight. She especially loves "taste-testing" any items she can get in her hands and she loves to scream at the top of her lungs with sheer joy and excitement.

My last day on-the-job will be May 24th and I think it will be the perfect time for parting.

The Professor

I did some research yesterday on various careers in order to be sure of the direction that I want to take. After making an extensive table of pros and cons, I determined that I do indeed want to become a professor.

P.S. If you are investigating various careers and would like to take an assessment, there is a fairly comprehensive one available for free through Monster. You can check it out at http://mymonster.com/JobStrengthProfile/Intro.aspx. Have fun!

My Ideal Work Environment

• Fast-paced
• Highly social
• Action-oriented (not sitting at a desk—walking around, going new places, etc.)
• Clean, fun, bright, colorful imaginative environment
• The ability to help people and make a difference in society
• To be in charge of my own domain
• Meeting new people
• Co-workers who are compassionate, intelligent, focused, and organized
• Good Salary
• Opportunities for professional development
• Flexible schedule/self-paced (work is done = go home, work from home, on-assignment, etc.)
• Free gym or fitness center on-site or nearby
• Restaurant/café w/ nutritional choices on-site or nearby
• Casual dress 3+ days
• “fame”/presence within the local community
• workplace near my home and my husband (5 minutes or less, preferably within walking distance)
• Family-friendly - ability to bring my children to work
  

Balancing Motherhood, Career, and Personal Ambition

How can I find harmony over the next ten years? These are the childbearing years, the breastfeeding years, the infant-in-diapers and toddler-learning-the-ABC's years. It's as if my life has suddenly been interrupted - joyfully interrupted - but interrupted nonetheless.

I wish there was a better way in our society to combine mothering and working. I would like to do more than just stay at home with the kids for the next few years. By saying "more", I am not implying that raising children is by any means simplistic, easy, boring, or uninspiring. On the contrary, it is arguably the most difficult, time-consuming, challenging, and rewarding career that there is.

I want to do "more" for my own development and growth as a person, my own sanity, my future prospects after the baby years.

But I want the "more" to include my children.

The great "how?" lingers over my head - how to get the best of both worlds. Work-at-home, work part-time, write, go to school - What's the best way to be a mother and a woman, a mother and a professional, a mother and...more?

Reporting from...

I recently accepted a position as a freelance journalist for a local community newspaper and today I completed my first assignment. I was actually surprised how much I enjoyed it. I knew, of course, that I would enjoy the writing part. But I also absolutely loved asking questions, digging deeper, taking pictures - learning.

Freedom in the Workplace

I recently read an interesting article on BusinessWeek Online about a new business trend in in 2007. The article highlighted Best Buy and outlined how they are "smashing the clock." Essentially, they are giving their employees flexibility when it comes to their daily schedules and routines. Employees have professional goals that need to be met and tasks that need to be completed - but they can do them on their own time. As long as their work is done, no one is watching the clock.

This philosophy creates company-loyalty and encourages a strong work ethic. Additionally, it's a very family-friendly way of doing things. I, for one, am a huge fan of this new movement.

In past jobs, I often lamented about the wasted hours of "desk time" - the lethargic, passive, yawning minutes ticked by without productivity. Not because I was lazy. But because I was bored. I could complete my job in half the time that was required. What a brilliant idea to reward employees for the result of their work, not simply for numbers on a punchcard! Let the revolution continue!

Ph.D. motivation

Several people have asked me about what motivates me to get a doctorate degree:

(1) To continue my quest for knowledge and to squelch out boredom - my primary motivation for heading back to graduate school is purely intrinsic. I love learning and being in school allows me the freedom to do so. It also forces me to "stretch out my brain" on a daily basis.

(2) To earn credibility so that I can ultimately impact society for good - Professors are a formidable presence in our world. They are respected and revered as leaders and torch-bearers. They have a profound and pervasive influence on the thoughts and morals of their wide-reaching community network. Indeed, they mold the minds of the newest generations.

(3) To open career doors for the future - I'd like to be a professor and a writer. Obtaining my Ph.D. will help me to do both.

Ph.D. decisions

As many of you know, I would like to apply for admittance into a doctoral program for the fall of 2007 or the spring of 2008. I have narrowed my list of programs down to the following four (in order of interest): 1. Retailing & Consumer Sciences, 2. Communication, 3. Marketing, and 4. Family Studies & Human Development.

I currently have a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Educational Counseling. My primary career interests are Professor and Author. Other careers that intrigue me include: Event Planner, Marketing Director, Magazine/Book Editor, Motivational Speaker, Documentary Producer/Creator, University Administrator, Public Relations Rep, Researcher, and/or Business Owner. At this juncture in my life, I am not interested in continuing in the K-12 educational sector or in moving into the private practice/counseling/psychology arena.

Family & friends, I'd love to hear you weigh in on the topic. What program do you think fits my career interests, goals, and personality best?