Jane Pollak Logo

Category:

General Wisdom

What Can You Celebrate?

While so much has changed and been taken away from us since March 2020, I'm reminded of a mantra I heard many years ago that has helped me navigate these surreal times: "Focus on the doughnut, not on the hole." Here we are, 20 months later, still masked up, albeit...

My Most Difficult Client

Let me describe her to you. She would like my constant attention and feedback. She needs more reassurance and affirmation than our thrice monthly commitment allows. Even though I preach otherwise, she regularly compares herself to the competition and comes up...

Client Testimonial for My Custom Throw Pillows

How easy is it for you to ask for help? In my experience, it used to be a deal-breaker. I'd rather struggle along solo than risk rejection. What I've come to understand is that I am able move on from rejection, and still be okay. But more important, when I do...

I Almost Spent $199 on Vegetable Peelers Today

It's been years since I've walked a trade show at the Javits Center, but the NY NOW promotions caught my attention earlier this summer. What used to be separately the Gift Show and the Stationery Show have been fused together and re-branded. I attended it this...

What Fills You Up?

There were so many marvelous and unexpected outcomes from my Wilkes Barre adventure last week that I wanted to share a few with you. Because, like George Carlin said: “Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.” I...

An Unfavorite Activity Made Easier by Hawmi Guillebeaux

I used to be so afraid of rejection that I'd rather let go of a goal or vision than hear the word, "no". On closer examination, most of my requests have been granted, but asking still doesn't come easily. Consider the acronym for fear, which is at the root of my...

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

My birthday is sacred to me and also happens to be a national holiday – the Fourth of July.  I’d planned a trip to California to be with family on The Day. My brother generously invited me to celebrate at a neighborhood restaurant near him. Perfect! I would party...

Self-Promotion Makes Me Want to…

How did you fill in the blank? Sing and dance? Run and hide? My gut response, appropriately, is puke. I didn't want that word choice in the headline, but believed that you'd click to find out more. I'm learning how to write catchy subject lines, so thank you for...

The Magical Art of Networking

Of the over 100 actions I've taken to build my new business this past year, eleven of them revolved around networking. When you see the word networking, does it conjure up name tags, handshakes and fake smiles? I used to think that way, but it has become a favorite...

Did You Know It’s Star Wars Day?

I participate in Caveday.org, an online study group, that starts off each 'cave' with a theme. Today's was a celebration of Star Wars. I drew a blank until the leader said, "It's May 4th, Star Wars Day. 'May the fourth be with you.'" Having seen one of the...

Teeny-Tiny Quality of Life Changes

At the end of my shower this morning I was reminded of a small change I made in my routine years ago. I had complained to whomever, "Don't you just hate it when you finish luxuriating in a warm shower, then rip open the curtain, step out, grab a towel and freeze?"...

Gentle Coaching Circles

As this Year of Everything Different comes up to its first anniversary, I am offering a different coaching program. "No one is looking for a boot camp these days," one of my advisory board members reminded me. "We're all looking for something gentle, supportive and...

Stop Waiting for Permission!

I gave a talk early this morning to a group of business owners. The feedback I got was so uplifting and motivating that I decided I need to bring my message to a larger audience. "I should post videos of me sharing my experience, strength and hope to the masses -...

My Latest Re-connection: Heidi Nehlsen

I've been over-achieving on my commitment to reach out each week for a 1:1 conversation as a means of networking, marketing and filling time till post-pandemic life resumes. I'm so excited by this self-assignment that I can hardly contain my enthusiasm. We're 7...

Surprising Advice from my Advisory Board

On my bi-weekly Visions zoom call this morning, I was taken aback by the advice given to me by two people I highly esteem. My memoir has been out for almost two years, has been listed on Amazon and other sites for that amount of time, and continues to sell, albeit...