– Jane
· · · Jane’s Thread · · ·
Know What an FFT Is?
If you're a Brené Brown fan, it's likely you do know. If not, how did you feel reading the title of this post? My typical thought pattern would be something like this: Who wants to learn ANOTHER acronym? No, and I don't really care! Well, if _______ is talking...
The Incandescent Doreen Birdsell – 1951 – 2021
From the first time Doreen walked into the classroom where I was seated at Saugatuck Church in Westport, Connecticut, things got brighter. We were both members of a fellowship that included frequent shared experiences, not only during our regular meetings, but also...
Any Rowboats or Helicopters Coming Your Way?
I first read the story of the man and the flood in Bernie Siegel's inspiring book Love, Medicine & Miracles (1986). For anyone who doesn't know this famous tale, a man is on his roof as the floodwaters begin to rise. Someone in a wooden boat rows by and offers...
Why I Hate Learning
Every day this month, well since January 6th, has been unprecedented. It's hard to know what to do in light of our country's events and uncertaintly of what's ahead. I'm disturbed, anxious and tentative. That said, I also feel that my best contribution is to take...
Running on Empty?
How do YOU stay inspired, motivated, actively engaged? Never in my lifetime has that been more challenging than right now. I don't have to review for you all the reasons why. My question to you is, what can YOU do to keep your engine running and, dare I say,...
Do You Need to Know That NOW?
Years ago I was invited to address a group of out-placed executives who were considering entrepreneurship. I was the resident expert that day and was joined, in our circle, by a professor of entrepreneurship from a nearby university. One of the attendees asked how...
Baby Steps Reminder
If you're anything like me, you've got a juicy list of to-do's for 2021. And, if you're like me, you already feel behind. Aagh! Sorry about that contagious not-quite-good-enough gene. Sorry about mentioning contagion in the current environment... This is a reminder...
My Word for 2021 – Just Like Bergdorf Goodman’s
If the great city I live in is going to the trouble of providing a decorated tree, and retail stores are filling their windows with special displays for passers-by, the least I can do is be a witness. So last week, I hit the train and made a quick tour of...
Don’t Blame Me for 2020!
My choice for a Word of the Year in 2020 was TRANSITION (see last year's optimistic blog post). How prophetic was that? None of us knew in December 2019 what lay ahead. All those 20/20 metaphors for vision, the beginning of a new decade, this generation's form of...
Erik Hanson – Painter and Friend
Although my marketing plan for 2021 includes a weekly visit with a colleague, friend, client or new contact, I decided to get a head start. Last week I met up with Erik Hanson on the #1 train and rode with him to his painting studio in Bushwick. Erik recently heard...
An Invaluable Conversation with Donna Cash
I've been around long enough as a business owner to know this truth: trading money for expertise is a smart move. I hired Donna Cash last week to tell me all the secrets of the pillow industry, and did she deliver! We met by zoom, of course, as she is in Georgia,...
What’s On Your [Endless] List?
Before I could sit down to wish you all a serene and loving holiday season, I had to check things off my list. YOU are the priority, but my nagging mind reminded me that: The butternut squash would go bad if I didn't peel and cook it-- The gifts had to be shipped...
Discovering Saskia
What began as a way to fill an 8-hour day ended up being a rewarding, uplifting and satisfying adventure. I was at an intersection between my kitchen renovation completion and a rare day with no appointments on the calendar. My home studio is currently inoperable,...
Pillow Talk – Perfecting the Product
My Etsy shop opened a few weeks ago, and I've already quadrupled my prices. Considering the time and aesthetics that go into each design, I know that my pillows will have to be bought as art, not home dec. They bring beauty and style to any room they grace and are...
Don’t Judge Me!
My apartment is a mess. My kitchen renovation, delayed since July, is in its final stages, which means that there is currently a large plastic sheet dividing my living room from everything else. My brand new stove sits in the dining area. Pantry items and dishes...