Smart Women Create the Right Web

October 7, 2008 By Joy Chudacoff

Earlier this week, I was taking an early morning walk with a good friend and smart woman and we ran into a few spider webs (literally!).  It’s the time of year when spiders are spinning and carefully crafting their webs together in a way that will serve and protect them.  This got me thinking about how Smart Women always create a strong and sturdy web in their lives both at work and at home.

If you look up the word “web” in the dictionary, one of the definitions is “anything put together in a careful way.”  It’s essential that women take the time to put their lives together in a careful and thoughtful way.  Why?  There are so many options and opportunities for women in the world today.  You have so many choices on how you choose to live your life.  What’s most important is to make those choices authentically.

And then from that place of authenticity, spin your life together, design and build it with energy and passion.  Let it be a life that soars with meaning to you, the designer.  If you choose not to do this, then your life just “happens.”  It can begin to unfold in unpredictable ways with no meaning or direction.  Putting your authentic life together involves having people who are supportive and loving, an environment that provides relaxation, and a place for inspired creativity.

In your business life, when you have a Big Idea, dream or goal, it’s essential that you build a web that is super strong in its marketing message as well as making sure that you have solutions on how to manage your time well so that you get the right things done during your day.  When my friend ran into the spider web, it was a challenge to pull all of the sticky threads off her hat and sweatshirt. 

A well-designed spider web is very sticky.  Have you created a product or service that carries a message that will “stick” with your target market?  When your target market needs your product or service, do they immediately think of you or someone else? A spider knows that in order to build a strong web, she needs the support of strong tree branches to protect her from the wind and other elements.  This is true for you as well.  Having a strong support system in your life (both personally and professionally) is key to making it happen—to help you go to the next level.

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Filed Under: Business Tips, Coaching, Have The Life You Love!, Relationships, Smart Women Articles Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Smart Women Get Uncomfortable

August 21, 2008 By Joy Chudacoff

I’m 48 years old and I have never been on ice skates.  That is, until yesterday.  My 5½-year-old daughter, Jenna, has taken an interest in ice skating and I typically take her to the ice arena here in Park City where we are on vacation. I watch her skate while listening to the most incredible music they are playing on the sound system (CC Revival and the soundtrack from The Big Chill). 

Every time we go, Jenna always asks me, “Mom, when are you going to ice skate with me?”  And my answer has been, “Oh, maybe next time.”   Yesterday, Jenna asked her usual question and as I prepared myself to give her the typical answer, she quickly spoke up and said, “Mom, please, please, skate today!” 

I finally admitted to Jenna that I had never been on ice skates before.  Jenna’s answer:  “Mom, it’s easy—I’ll teach you!”  And so there was nothing left to do but rent the skates and prepare myself for what I thought would be a dreadful outcome.

My heart was racing as I approached the ice on unsteady skates.  Another woman could sense my apprehension. The absolute look of terror on my face was probably also a clue!  She shared with me that there was another entrance to the ice rink that had “wider rails to hold onto.”  And hold onto the rails, I did! Clutching every step of the way in the beginning! 

When you are faced with something new in your life, you have two choices:  Yes, to learning something new and getting out of your comfort zone; or No, I’m going to stay exactly where I am.  Being uncomfortable or unsure of yourself and your abilities is no fun. It holds the possibility of making mistakes that others can see and being unsure of the outcome—two things that we want to avoid at all costs.  Let me ask you a question: What is it costing you?  What is your unwillingness to explore and discover something new costing you along the way?  I can tell you that if I had not rented those skates and joined my daughter on the ice, the cost of not having the experience would have been high—possibly priceless.

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Filed Under: Big Ideas & Goals, Coaching, Realizing Your Dream, Smart Women Articles Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Smart Women Are Nutritious

May 22, 2008 By Joy Chudacoff

Last week, on two separate occasions, I had the topic of what I refer to as “nutritious” people come up. I was speaking at a women’s convention and I asked them to write down at least 3 “nutritious” people” they have in their life right now. I also had a conversation with a woman in my Success Circle about the difference between “nutritious” people versus those that can drain you and zap your energy level. You know the relationships I’m talking about– right?

Let me give you an example. When you are engaged in a conversation with a “nutritious” person, you feel enlightened, inspired, and energized. Compare this with people who you have relationships with in your life that I refer to as the “downward spiral” relationship. When you are in conversation with these people, it tends to spiral downward in a negative, non-productive way. No matter how many times you try to bring it back to the place of possibility thinking, the conversation tends to stay in the negative. When this happens, you always have 2 choices. One, you can take the high road and stay positive.

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Filed Under: Coaching, Relationships, Smart Women Articles Tagged With: , , , , ,

Smart Women Answer Their Call

February 28, 2008 By Joy Chudacoff

No, I’m not talking about your cell phone or the phone in your home or office. All the women in my Success Circles know that I don’t believe in picking up the phone every time it rings. I do believe in listening to my messages and returning calls and emails within a reasonable time period. I’m talking about answering your call—the call that is unique only to you.

Do you have any idea what that ring tone sounds like? You may be reading this and saying to yourself, “What is Joy talking about?” “I don’t hear anything like that.” Well, I’m not surprised. With phones ringing everywhere, music playing, family members and clients calling out for attention, how you could you possibly hear your own unique call? And maybe you don’t even think you have one. You do have one.

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Filed Under: Coaching, Inspirational Messages, Smart Women Articles Tagged With: , ,