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Interview with Megan McMorris – Freelance Writer and Editor of “P.S. What I Didn’t Say”
By paulag | March 8, 2010
I had the good fortune of being introduced to Megan McMorris through Michelle Goodman author of Anti-9-to-5 Guide and My So-Called Freelance Life (you can catch my podcast interview with Michelle Goodman here). Megan is a freelance writer and most recently the editor of an anthology called P.S. What I Didn’t Say: Unsent Letters to Our Female Friends. I personally have had moments where I wish I could have said certain things to friends but never have. In my life, however, I seem to have experienced more of the “sent letter/said things” and then wondered why they were never received fully. Well, at least the response or lack thereof gave me that conclusion whether accurate or not.
That said I know how incredibly important and impact full it is to bring relationships to full completion and not leaving words unspoken. We never know what life holds for any of us and I do my best to live from a place of no regrets. I had the opportunity to have a virtual sit-down with Megan recently to have her share a bit more about her work and the book. I hope you enjoy this interview!
1) Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do.
I’m a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon, and I mainly write fitness and health stories for magazines (you know those articles that say Top Ten Ways to Tone Your Abs? That’s often me! I get to play “fun with alliteration” by saying things like “chisel your cheeks” and “get great glutes”!). I’ve also edited two other anthologies, Woman’s Best Friend: Women Writers on the Dogs in Their Lives, and Cat Women: Female Writers on Our Feline Friends, both also published by Seal Press.
2) What inspired you to spearhead the compilation “PS What I Didn’t Say”?
Well, it actually came out of a conversation I was having with my boyfriend about a friendship meltdown. In the middle of my entire analysis of each and every exchange this friend and I had (”and then she said…and then I said…”) he was staring at me blankly and was just like “I don’t get it, why are you friends with her then?” And it made me realize how much we put up with, but on the flip side, how much we get from our female friends. I liked the letter aspect because it’s a little juicier, the reader can feel like she’s almost reading someone’s journal rather than being talked to directly (and who doesn’t like that?).
3) From your experience working with all these writers – what are some of the common themes/obstacles that keep women from sharing what they most yearn to communicate?
I think we definitely build things up a lot more and let things fester, because we don’t want to offend. It’s funny, I’m actually in the middle of just that problem with a long-time pal, and it’s my fault–I didn’t tell her what I was really feeling about a situation until it built up so much that I totally shocked her last week by unloading on her when she came to me with a problem, which isn’t fair. If instead I had just told her all along how I’d been feeling about this situation she’s in, we could have had a meaningful conversation about it and all would have been fine. Likewise, a friend of mine just yesterday asked me for advice on the exact same thing, where a friend of hers exploded on her out of the blue and there seems to be more going on under the surface. It’s made me conscious of trying to voice problems when they first occur rather than waiting for it to build up. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Interviews | No Comments »
Are You Willing to Surrender?
By paulag | March 4, 2010
- Is there something you feel called to do but can’t figure out how to make it happen?
- Have you been working toward a goal but it feels like everyone and everything is throwing an obstacle in your face?
- Does it feel like what you want will never happen?
I know that feeling. In fact for several years while I was building my business part-time and working full-time for a corporation, I thought I’d literally die before I could reach my goal of leaving my day job or at least scaling it back to part-time. I tried numerous times, unsuccessfully to create a part-time arrangement or job-share. I felt defeated, at the mercy of others, and just plain sad.
Can you relate?
Then, just as I was at the end of my rope, I got deeply in touch with my feelings. I truly got in my gut what I most wanted to happen for my life. I made the decision that it will happen. It IS happening. I set a strong intention. I prayed. I surrendered. I let go of trying to figure it all out and worrying about how it was going to happen.
Then… it just happened.
Read more of Are You Willing to Surrender? and the amazing divinely inspired verse I wrote atop this cliff.
Topics: Career Coaching | No Comments »
Do You Find it Hard to Commit?
By paulag | February 25, 2010
The energy of commitment is so very key to succeeding your own terms. Frankly it is a necessary element to almost anything you wish to create in this lifetime. Why, then does commitment seem to be hard or elusive for some people? Why do people say they are committed but then back away never following their words with action?
My friend and colleague Jennifer Longmore of Soul Journeys recently started an inquiry about commitment on her Facebook Fan Page. Specifically Jennifer asked:
Commitment seems to be the one energy that we struggle with, and yet the one energy that breeds success….so what are we really afraid of: success or commitment?
That got me to thinking that while the energy of fear – of success or commitment itself can be at work, I believe it is something more. You see I think most people either make an excuse about commitment like “I’m not disciplined” or “I’m not good at commitment” because they are living from their past experiences. Frankly this excuse is a total copout that can be transformed if you are willing. Or, you avoid committing because you feel you need to “give up” something in order to do so. This feeling of lack is what prevents you from committing. Of course paradoxically commitment yields far more if only you would take that one step.
Think about it – we associate commitment with giving things up:
- Committing to a marriage/partnership equates to giving up the freedom of being single.
- Commitment to getting healthy feels like giving up food you love or giving up physical comfort rather than gaining what you want (remember diet has the word “die” in it).
- Commitment to a goal means you have to invest time taking action toward that goal (and therefore give up doing something else with it).
While this may be true…commitment often means a trade-off on where you choose to invest your time and energy, if you choose your commitments consciously this is a joyous trade-off that yields great benefits! My friend and colleague Chris Silvey said it well:
If we focus on our commitments, success is just a natural byproduct….and there’s less significance attached : )
Again, choose your commitments wisely. Make sure they reflect what you really want instead of what someone told you that you should want. If you do that, there is nothing to worry about. If you choose from your heart and your passions you will experience so much joy and fulfillment in the journey (even over the rough patches) knowing you are “on purpose” that the idea of lack will fade to black.
What is your experience with commitment? Does it come easy for you? Or, do you struggle with making or keeping your commitments? Would love to hear from you in the comments…
Topics: commitment | No Comments »
Podcast – Talking with Melinda Emerson the Smallbizlady
By paulag | February 22, 2010
I had the distinct pleasure of meeting and interviewing Melinda Emerson “Smallbizlady” for the February 2010 podcast. I first met Melinda via Twitter where she is well known for her weekly talk show #Smallbizchat. I was intrigued by her energy and her expertise in teaching entrepreneurs everything they need to know about launching and running a profitable business. Not to mention, nothing like Twitter to connect me with someone who is in my neck of the woods (Greater Philadelphia Area). I so love the global/local connection of the web! We recently sat down via phone to talk about her own story and her first book Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months: A Month-by-Month Guide to Start a Business that Works! which literally just became available for purchase.
Let me share a little bit about Melinda with you…
Melinda Emerson “Smallbizlady” is a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business coach. Her areas of expertise include small business start-up, business development and social media strategy. Melinda hosts #Smallbizchat, a weekly talk show on Twitter. #Smallbizchat is the trusted resource on Twitter to discuss everything entrepreneurs need to know about launching and running a profitable small business. Melinda has been featured on NBC Nightly News and in the Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and World Report and Black Enterprise.
You’ll want to check out her great business blog at www.succeedasyourownboss.com as well as her main website at www.melindaemerson.com
You can pre-order her book at www.becomeyourownbossbook.com
So, kick back (or kick it up for a good listen on your next workout) and tune into our conversation.
Audio Running Time ~ 40 minutes.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Topics: Podcast | No Comments »
Something is ALWAYS Emerging
By paulag | February 12, 2010
Even when it seems as if nothing at all is happening and growth and progress seem far away, something is always emerging. Deep in the heart of winter beneath many feet of snow, nature is still growing. Rest and renewal is an essential part of growth. Conditions are ripe to support that very next step.
Even as water is frozen at the edges and parts of the surface, it is still moving. The energy is still in the flow. It is nature’s way. Nature’s laws and universal principles do not cease to work simply because the scene at the surface looks different than you might want or expect it to.
Embrace what is for the present is always perfect (even if it is not what you’d prefer). Then listen intently to what is seeking to emerge in you, in your life, in your business. I guarantee you something is seeking to emerge for you right now that will move you forward to what you most desire.
Topics: Inspiring Images | No Comments »
4 Ways You Can Benefit from Having a Coach & Mentor
By paulag | February 5, 2010
Last weekend I was in Tampa, Florida for the first of several in-person events as part of a year long EnergyRich® Elite Mastermind Group I joined (here’s a picture of me with Heather Dominick my dear coach and leader of this group). The group and the event was unbelievably spectacular and I felt it was a great time to write a bit about the benefits of working with someone (or a facilitated group) who can be a coach and mentor to you along your journey.
First let me share with you that I did not take joining this group lightly. It is the most significant investment of time and money I have made to a program in my life (and that’s saying something). To be fully truthful with you, it is a big stretch for me and every last excuse and story I tell myself about money joined me on my journey to a decision. After much head AND heart-centered reflection, I chose to be in charge of my choices rather than be at the whims of other people’s opinions or be a servant to my money (rather than having it serve me). It is only early February and I have already had breakthroughs and transformational growth and cannot wait to continue my journey with this group for the next 11 months.
Here are four specific ways having a coach can transform your life and your business/career. I know this because I have experienced it firsthand and I’ve heard it from my clients.
Big Thinking And Holding A Vision Of You At Your Highest Potential
We think they way we think because it is always the way we have thought. What we see as possible for ourselves is a combination of past experiences and what we witness in those who we surround ourselves with. For most people their future looks very much like their present circumstances +/- 10%. Why? Because that is all that you know, think is possible, or will give yourself permission to want. With a coach at your side you get to live in the realm of possibility of much, much more. That more can be anything you want it to be – common things are more money, more time, more meaning, more satisfaction. It can also be more of that intangible spark that makes your passion and purpose be expressed in the world in a way that only you can deliver. A coach will hold you in that highest vision even when you feel like crap or your outer results aren’t what you want to see (yet). This isn’t about denial or wishful thinking, but about making that powerful shift into the role of creating that vision you most want for your life personally and professionally. And if you don’t yet know what that vision, what “It” is, she can help you discover it, name it, and claim it.
Read more of 4 Ways You Benefit from Having a Coach…
Topics: Career Coaching, Career and Business | No Comments »
Clarity & Confidence for a Successful Career Transition
By paulag | February 4, 2010
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to present at a Network Now event on the 4 Pillars of Success for a Successful Career Transition. Here’s a short 7 minute video of my presentation — this segment focuses on how important clarity is for you to breakthrough any limitations you sense about your next step in your career transition.
Topics: Career Coaching | No Comments »
10 Ways to Add More Meaning to Your Days
By paulag | January 29, 2010
I can talk all about 10 ways to be more productive, find more time in your day, boost your bottom line, or simply get more and they would give you benefit. Yet as I was thinking about which “10″ I wanted to write about today, I decided to get to the meat of the matter and talk about 10 ways you could add more meaning to your days. That means more meaning in your business or professional life and more meaning in general.
Truthfully without a sense of purpose, meaning, and connection, what’s the point? You can be the most driven woman on the planet, but if you’re lacking these, you’ll find yourself hollow and racked with sobs should you take a moment to contemplate how you’re spending your one precious life. So, tap into your power right here and now and try on these ideas for size.
1) Get Quiet
If you want to make sure you’re on track in your life and career, get quiet. Regular doses of complete quiet and stillness are key if you want to tune into your intuition and most wise self. If you don’t you’re left to the whims of the world tossing you about. I listened to Dr. Wendy Warner speak as a keynote the other day at an event where I was presenting and she really drove home the importance of being quiet to women’s health. Her suggestion was at least 5-15 minutes a day where you literally are quiet – no TV, no phones, cell phones, email, etc. Have your morning tea and stare at the bird feeder if you need to, but just get quiet for a moment and exhale.
2) Take Care of Yourself
Self-care is more than a bubble bath (though that can be good too!). I often talk a lot on this topic to groups because self-care forms the foundation for everything else we build, personally or professionally. You can’t build a career or business on a house of cards over a swamp, yet that is what we often try to do when we skip caring for ourselves in the process. My first foray into understanding what this really meant was when I started to discover Cheryl Richardson’s work about a decade ago. Her books Take Time for Your Life and The Art of Extreme Self-Care are classics and very workable for anyone to do.
3) Rest Well
Sleep. We all need it and without adequate quality sleep your life will be infinitely less meaningful because you’ll be too tired, wired, and stressed to enjoy it. While the occasional red-eye flight of coffee-driven day might be necessary along your way, it is not a life plan. Here are “14 Tips for Getting More Sleep – And Why It Matters”. It’ll make you happier, healthier, and allow more meaning to flow from your everyday. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Living Fully, Mindfulness | No Comments »