Simple & Inspiring

On Twitter today Khloe Kardashian...of all people...tweeted an amazing quote by Elbert Hubbard (controversial author who died in 1915, his family boarded the Lusitania 3 years after the Titanic sank, and while at sea, it was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine):

"The biggest mistake you can make

 is continually fearing you will make one".

The quote really struck me, as I'm sure we have all at one time or another felt too apprehensive to try something new for fear of not doing it well. I can't speak for everyone but I know that I have definitely missed out on a few new experiences, as I was too scared to even try them...what if I look stupid, what if people laugh at me, what if I can't do it.

I also Wiki'd the author so that I could see where the quote was coming from, and after reading the story of Elbert and his family's death, it made his quote that much more inspiring to me. I know I would think twice before getting on a cruise liner 3 years after the greatest liner ever to take to the seas had sunk...guess Elbert was the sort of man who lived life, and didn't let his fear hold him back.

Definitely something to think about...thanks Khloe! 

I would love you to send me quotes / just words that inspire you!

Being Your Own Boss

The word 'Self-Employed' generates connotations of the freedom to do what you want-when you want to, a relaxed working environment, short working hours etc.

Even though some of these attributes do apply, for instance I can go to the shops at 11am if I see fit, but the reality is, the time I don't spend working must be caught up at some point...this usually being after hours. 08:00 to 17:00 suddenly doesn't sound quite so mundane, now does it?

Anyone who has their own business, or who has ever attempted to go-it-alone I'm certain will relate.

Being a bit of a workaholic means that even when I was a full-time employee, I was never really bound to the working hours in my contract, however, I don't remember ever experiencing sleepless nights over what was on the cards for the next day. I think the 2 biggest learning curves for me, however, was firstly saying goodbye to a reliable and predictable income every month. No work, no pay - what a concept...ha ha!

Secondly, workplace socialisation. You can hire employees that may hopefully become friends but the dynamic is always that you are the boss and they are the employees. Coming from an advertising background I was used to working in a busy, lively, talkative (this being a definite strong skill of mine) office full of peers who share the same perspectives as me, and most importantly Friday afternoon drinks :) I guess my dogs are always a comfort...although I have to admit that they have been known to give me a 'Why are you still talking' look from time-to-time.

The positive for me though, is that it has probably been the most challenging time of my life, whereby I have challenged my abilities to the hilt, and come out standing! Working with a spouse is another challenge, but in a strange sort of way, the stress has brought us closer together, as we have really had to learn how to handle each other's ups and downs, while still ensuring that the work gets done. When working with a spouse you can't just ignore them, as you would a colleague...I mean you go home together at night!

Having your own business can furnish you with laughter, pain, happiness and despair, that no ride at Gold Reef City could even aspire to provide!

I end with the words of Donald Trump's Apprentice winner and natural entrepreneur, Bill Rancic:
"If it really was a no-brainer to make it on your own in business there'd be millions of no-brained, harebrained, and otherwise dubiously brained individuals quitting their day jobs and hanging out their own shingles. Nobody would be left to round out the workforce and execute the business plan."

Social Networking Summit 6 - & September 2011

Daddy's Little Girl

Well, this is my first blog, and perhaps a rather serious topic to start on, but hey let's go for it!

With Father's Day having just passed us by, it brings me to many thoughts of my dad who passed away 5 years ago. It made me think about the role a dad plays in his daughter's life, and why there is such a strong bond between father and daughter?

I pretty much grew up with just my dad, so for me he became the only guiding light in my life, and it is obviously indicative of why we had such a great bond. But perhaps for others it is the way a man looks at life, which provides a daughter with an alternative outlook on things, whereas women are often overly consumed by the details. Is it the softness that a daughter brings to the edges of the man's-man?
I'm from a traditionally British family, where affection is reserved for weddings and funerals, but yet I always knew that my dad loved me and was watching over me. It's a sense of protection that no matter what my dad is going to be there for me.

I am intrigued to know how other women, who have lost their dads, feel on Father's Day, is it a sad day filled with heartache or is it a time to reflect on the happy memories?

For me, I am filled with mixed emotions, but one feeling is strong...no matter what my Dad did / did not achieve in life, he was a great man in my eyes!

I loved this blog from a dad's perspective: http://www.chalkboarddad.com/2011/01/bond-between-father-and-daughter-or-i.html