– Jane
· · · Jane’s Thread · · ·
Where’s The Standing Ovation When You Need It Most?
Back when I was a member of the New England Chapter of the National Speakers Association, I heard a talk from a prominent editor at Fast Company Magazine. At the end of his talk, as was the practice in appreciating all of our guest speakers, the group rose to its...
I’ve Heard About Lemons, But Cereal Boxes?
Who hasn't heard the adage about turning lemons into lemonade (yawn)? But something really caught my attention today. This morning, friend and colleague Rebecca Velasquez handed me her business card with a huge smile. "They're made out of recycled cereal boxes." I...
Roz Chast in Westport! Lucky Us!
Roz Chast spoke at Bedford Middle School in Westport last night describing her arrival there after going the wrong way on Long Lost Road, as she hilariously renamed Long Lots Road. My friend Cookie and I attended together as we are both fans and slight...
The Entrepreneurial Dilemma
Years ago, when I was speaking at a conference in Virginia, I was having technical difficulties getting my laptop to 'speak' to the organization's projector. "Why don't you just buy your own projector so you don't have to go through this angst?" the program...
The Art of Specificity
I receive a number of offers weekly from people who want to speak at my networking events, give their advice to my mastermind groups or co-lead programs with me. The suggestions are worded something like, "If you ever need a speaker" or "I have great expertise in...
An Interesting Offer
I received an unusual offer today to participate in a job fair at the Danbury Correctional Institution. The educational director who placed the call talked about the need to help women prepare for the job market assisting with resume writing and interviewing...
Everything I Hate About Social Media
Okay, okay. I know I'm going to convert, but first, as is my way, I need to kick and scream, whine and complain. Forgive me. (I'd be interested in how you take on challenges that are daunting.) I have committed to becoming savvy about twitter and facebook (LinkedIn...
Last Night in Brooklyn
Twenty intrepid Artsy Girls found their way to an inspired evening hosted by Malene B (bottom row, center) last night. Malene invited our group for its quarterly dinner party after being a cherished member for eight years. Fifteen of us drove through the puddles...
How Far Do YOU Go?
My heart is set on getting an entrepreneurial superhero of mine to endorse my book (I won't mention any names...yet). I delayed the deadline to accommodate her busy schedule, sent another package with information, highlighted lessons that I believe relevant to her...
Weekend Ups and Downs
After hearing rave reviews for Venus in Fur playing way off-Broadway (13th Street in NYC), my daughters and I got tickets for yesterday's matinee performance, the last one of the run. I got there early to pick up the tickets my older daughter had ordered. The box...
Fearless Fridays – Sandy Weiner
I don't come across someone fearless every week, so these Fearless Friday posts are special. When Sandy Weiner (seated, right) called me excitedly to tell me her news, I remembered back to our past Mastermind Sessions and her putting out this 'reach' goal. But I'll...
A Great Reminder
This morning I finished reading Gretchen Rubin's best-selling book The Happiness Project recently recommended by a new friend, Cathline Marshall. I thoroughly enjoyed it, nodding at the pieces I have already undertaken, jotting down some new ones to test-drive. At...
What Would You Do?
My daughter Laura and I had scheduled a two day getaway to Kripalu (3/17-19) as her birthday celebration. We made the plans a good two months ago, well before last week's storm prediction or its aftermath. As you know from reading my blog (or scrolling up through...