What does it say about me that I’m anxious for the weekend to start so that I can … read a book?  I know, the weather has been sunny and pleasant, and instead of thinking of outdoor activities, I’m thinking of homework.  I could make the excuse that rain is predicted both days anyway, or even say I will be reading it on a deck or beach somewhere.  But that would not be true.   

Does telling you that the book is The Will to Win: Leading, Competing, Succeeding by Robert Herjavec from ABC’s Shark Tank second book make it any better?  For some, maybe.  I’m looking forward to reading this book, because I’m curious about this race car driving shark.  I received this book after attending a webinar hosted by PNC where Mr. Herjavec spoke about driving business.  His talk was entertaining and informational.  I came away from the 40 minute session with added inspiration.  I nearly missed the announcement about the contest to receive his book and assumed, wrongfully, that I’d responded too late.  

Reading Work From Home? A Phone Call May Be a Rare Thing by Teddy Wane, it got me thinking about my own transition out of a traditional 9-to-5 corporate job.  I had a similar issue. My non-talking stretches were not quite as long as described in the article but I get the point. As I began writing more, I started to read out loud while editing.  I found that the action of reading aloud not only improved my writing but also exercised my talking muscles. This change in my routine, I found it easier to converse the next time the phone rang or I was out with others, my mouth didn't have to try to remember how to move.  

The post brings up a good point about oversharing.  I can't say that I don't overshare when I speak to a friend or loved after a quiet period but I haven't subjected a random person - yet.  Since I've never really been all that into texting, I do tend to call after the second round of text conversation or if I need my hands available to multitask.  Mr. Wane references the upcoming movie, Her, with Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson and how they become "closer" through a series of long phone calls (am I the only one that thinks Her is reminiscent of the 2002 movie S1m0ne with Al Pacino?).  It is rare that calls last longer that a few minutes in most cases.  I do have a couple of exceptions in my life.  How many times have you or someone you know jokes about the last time their cellphone is used as well - a phone? 

Somewhat embarrassingly I admit that until recently, I didn't recognize my ring tone.  My excuse is that there were so many gaps between calls.  That has changed now with my days including more conference calls, online meetings and -ugh, spam calls. I think for a normally quiet person working from home could mean lapsing into a more hermit-like state of contentment.  Scheduling time out to meet up with others, getting a change of scenery or starting a new hobby keeps those talking muscles working, lessens the friend/family dumping and yields a greater appreciation for the quieter moments.

How timely was it that the article by Jane Porter, How To Turn Your Insomnia Into A Productivity Tool in Fast Company's Business + Innovation section appeared in my Twitter feed?   Recently I've been having trouble sleeping. I'm not quite sure why but so far this week it not been unusual to find me roaming my home at some odd hour. I don't sleep much as it is, I wake up automatically after 6 hours regardless of what time I go to bed.  I also tend to wake early if it is bright sunny day even with light blocking curtains covering the windows.  I just sense that the sun is up and that I should be up as well. 

These last few cold days have inspired a lot of "house cleaning". Anything that prevents me from bundling up like a zombie in order to prevent frost bite is what I've been up to.  This time is not reflective time where I ponder the meaning of life or Danico for that matter, but time to clear the decks of the pet projects.  Those should have been done a long time ago projects and jus' cuz stuff that goes onto a "someday" list somewhere.

We all have them.  Those things we think of that don't really have an immediate application but are fun to work on.  If you are like me you have your client work, your volunteer work, your family work, and your personal work.  With all of that work, sometimes it is hard to find time for the fun-jus'-cuz stuff.  

Ok, so I tried out a bit of alliteration with the title.  Creating content for your blog can sometimes leaving you blank.  Often the issue is not that you don’t have anything to say, it just when you sit down to say it, the words don’t come.  I see this with my clients with telltale signs of blank stares, phone silence or unanswered requests for content.  

1.) Embrace it

2.) Read

3.) Update Content Map

4.) Talk

5.) Share

Sound familiar?  Maybe it's time to take a long weekend and give the "hats" a rest.  

(image courtesy of: Small Business Trends, Small Business Cartoons)

When I was younger and fantasized about becoming a business guru, I'd planned to own an empire with offices in popular cities like Chicago, New York, London, and the like.  I also was under the impression that business would be steady, predictable and linear.  

As I sat down to write this blog I had something different in mind but this one kept coming up.  How I got here, is that I've had a couple of client lately ask for ideas on implementing major changes within their organizations.  As you might imagine a major concern was to not cause a prolonged disruption of the services they provide to clients and they didn't want to frustrate their team as well.  I am a big fan of incremental approaches with small wins all along the way.  The small wins allow for quick encouragement as well as an opportunity for adjustments.