It’s a bit of a personal blog today, to let you know what I am up to (or not!) and to ask you (yes, you!) a question or two.
A few weeks ago, I mentioned seeing my new business coach, Sharon and how productive and inspiring I found the session. In the next session we explored some ideas further, particularly moving my business forward in a direction I’m not currently going in!
The problem, if you can call it that, is I find myself chained to a keyboard but would love to share my knowledge more – training/mentoring. I have a tonne of info here I can change into online courses. In fact I have several already, mostly written and mapped out.
Challenge 1
The same night, I made a comment on a blog and saw that Amethyst Mahoney had commented above. The Comment Luv linked to a post about her Biztopia Challenge. Now I knew Amethyst’s name from the Ultimate Blog Challenge and always associated her with tarot, but it turns out she helps people grow their businesses.
It felt right…
An odd thing to say from someone who likes numbers and facts!
But it did feel right and I promised myself this year I would trust my gut more. It’s a list building challenge. Since I recently blitzed my list and moved to Aweber, I signed up.
Then I found myself in a group of very inspiring (mainly) women from all walks of life and businesses. There’s lots of coaches from life through to business and more pagans, witches and wiccans than you can shake a stick at. Or perhaps they’re just more visible than everyone else lol
This week’s challenge to-do list is to sign up on Twitter, do a tweetchat with the group (it was my first believe it or not!) and to approach 3 Biztopians…
Well, it’s Wednesday and my blood is running cold. Ask me to blog, chat on skype, or stand in a room full of people and talk about something I love – no problem! Ask me to approach anyone one to one, and I’ll run a mile…
I’m not sure I can do it, even virtually through Facebook!
Challenge 2
This week sees the start of Tiffany Dow’s blog and list challenge. I was recently reintroduced to Tiffany’s blog through the lovely Bonnie Gean. I followed Tiffany’s stuff for a while in my previous life online when I wrote lots of articles!
The Challenge is a blog for 30 days (5 days per week, or whatever schedule we pick) and grow our list challenge. I knew because I am busy, that blogging 5 days a week was unlikely, remember the chained to a keyboard thing earlier?
I said yes to that challenge too…
Blogging and list building is something I preach to my clients. I know it works, that’s how I get most of my business!
I need to practice more of what I preach.
The Hurdles
Life…
On my last session with Sharon, I said I would have a draft version of a blogging for local business course ready for her to work through, and that isn’t finished. I’m also pretty busy at the mo too.
Then on Thursday night, my dog started coughing and struggling to breathe. On Friday, we went the vets. I *knew* it was heart failure.
Not a great pic! Bud my old dog, taken with my phone when he was staring me down to get off “his” couch.
He was old (almost 17) and because he could no longer manage a full flight of stairs, I carried him up while I got a bath on Thursday night. I heard it, how irregular his heart was.
The vet thought it might be aspiration pneumonia following his choking/gagging performance a week earlier. But, she couldn’t hear his lungs or heart because of his heavy grunt breathing. So, she gave him a shot of steroids to open his airways and we booked to go back on Saturday.
The steroids worked for 6 hours, which gave Bud time to get some decent sleep. Friday night he was back to coughing and grunting, and also falling over when walking.
Saturday, the vet said suspected heart failure. She gave him a full examination, he also showed signs of pain while she prodded and poked. He poo’d on her hand when having his temperature taken and there was quite a lot of blood.
I made the decision to put him to sleep. Yes, I am tearing up writing that. It was a horrible decision to make.
Needless to say, I am gutted. Totally heartbroken.
At the moment, I am really struggling to work. The house is far too quiet and I am restless. As the to-do list mounts up, I keep sitting down to tap away and just can’t concentrate.
For this week only, I am admitting I am human…
I will get back on track, starting now.
I’ll be using these challenges to help me, but I need your help too!
What do YOU want to know? What courses or downloads would help you? What topics would you like me to cover on the blog or by email?
Leave your thoughts and requests in the comments, or you can drop me an email if you prefer 🙂
Oh, and if you want to join in any of these challenges, it’s not too late! Two different challenges from two very talented Ladies with different business strategies, I know I am I’m learning loads and being inspired.
Find out about Biztopia here and Tiffany’s Freaking Fantastic Blog and List Challenge here.
A Challenge Too Far? by Jan Kearney
I know EXACTLY how you feel right now
My Stanley had to be put to sleep on Thursday – I can still ‘here’ him in the house, and it is just too quiet even though he was the quietest dog ever.
I have not managed to write or speak about it properly yet.
I had my first webinar scheduled for last Thursday – the first webinar I have ever done and for the new members of my brand new site.
Just 3 hours before we were on our way home from the vets – without him!
Still the show had to go on – and I just put it to one side.
The following day Friday I just couldn’t do a thing – I felt totally drained and exhausted – still do to be honest.
So Jan be kind to yourself – we are going through a bereavement -and it is agony.
By the way although Biztopia isn’t my kind of word I will take a look!
Sending you hugs and understanding
Sue
RIP Bud and Stanley
Sue, how did you get through that webinar?! I would have been sniffling and snuffling right through!
You’re right Sue, it is agony and totally emotionally draining. Sending love and hugs right back at you, you look after yourself too (hugs)
Jan, I feel for you. Bud looks a lot like my Gatsby (lost him last July at age 15). It is heartbreaking, even when you know it’s coming. It helped me to write about him – and reflect on the long time we had spent together (sometimes it’s hard to remember the fun immediately when grieving losing an aging dog with failing health). Doing this reminded me of the awesome times we had together moreso than his last few days – or months. You realize they had a great life – and so do you to have him with you. If you listen, you can still hear them. Gatsby’s often with me when I’m on the trails in the back woods.
Hi Nanette, I remember you writing about Gatsby, and yes it is heartbreaking even when you know it’s coming. I know Bud had a very long and happy life, I have lots of happy memories too 🙂
I am sorry to hear about your loss, Jan. I lost my toy poodle almost 2.5 years ago now and I still miss her. She kept me company during the day while the partner was at work.
I feel like I lost a part of my body and I don’t have the heart to replace her with another pet. It just wouldn’t be the same.
Let me know if you need anything. I’ll check out the other think to Biztopia, but no promises that I’ll join in. I have tons on my plate already!
The house is so quiet, I find it difficult to focus. I’ve been borrowing a friends dog in the day. It works for us both, her dog isn’t home alone for 6 hours and I have something pottering about and breathing!
It’s taken me this long to face these comments too – emotional wreck is an understatement lol
Thanks for popping in 🙂
Jan just take time to grieve and heal. Loss of a pet is so devastating 🙁 You’re in my prayers hon.
Thank you, Tiffany
So sorry to hear about your loss. I commend you for taking the time to share your personal side and what’s happening. Such courage during this difficult time. I am glad to see you have a Biz Coach, as you know I’m a life coach and it’s very important to have mentoring and someone to talk to. Keep on pressing forward as you are. Time will heal your heart and Bud will always be with you.
Still have some very happy memories – our pets touch our lives on such a personal level. Thanks for your kind words 🙂
Your welcome. I have a 5 year old Cairn terrier and Calie is my light! I’ve had dogs all my life so I understand your loss. Take care.