Looking ahead and back for inspiration

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Can you feel the wonder? It’s a season of miracles, light returning, birth, and celebration. It’s also a time of dying, of letting go, of finding the quiet within.

As I’ve been contemplating the end of the year, I feel deeply touched by how much there is to celebrate.

Finding the celebration

In this second year of Inspired Home Office, over 500 people have joined the conversation through my newsletter and an additional 1,500 hearts through Facebook and Twitter. These connections have allowed people struggling with order to find some peace from knowing that disorganization is simply a symptom of creativity. You’re not broken. There is a way through that honors all of who you are.

This year, participation in Inspired Home Office classes has blossomed. Monthly Office Spa Days had over 75 in attendance for the year – many of whom were confessed repeat addicts fans. A record number of people completed the Inspired Organizing program this year. I feel humbled and honored to walk with these courageous, passionate souls – and delighted to hear of the successes they’ve found as a result of our work.

On a personal note of celebration, the successes of Inspired Home Office this year have allowed me to eradicate almost $6000 of credit card debt. This accomplishment brings me a whole 20% closer to my goal of being debt free. Eeeyoop!

Travelers on the journey

If you’re self-employed, you know well that these accomplishments don’t happen without a team of supporters. So many people helped on my path this year, I’m just overflowing with gratitude and want to thank them publicly:

• Mastermind buds: Jenn Givler and Lisa Hunter
• Extraordinary helper friends: Marissa Bracke, Sharon Roemmel, Theresa Cornwell, Havi Brooks, Kitchen Tablers, Joanne Scharer, Kathy Hofmann (a.k.a. Mom)
• Joint venture divas: Jen Louden, Charlie Gilkey, Molly Gordon, Ariane Goodwin
• Teachers that made all the difference: Mark Silver, Lori Cegon, Marcia Bagnall, Scott Sadler, Ann Anderson
• Soulful tech queens: Allie Towers Rice, Wendy Cholbi
• Inspired Spouse: My one and only.
• You. Thank you for showing up, commenting, sharing ideas, and being 100% true to yourself. This wouldn’t be a business without you.

The next mountaintop

In January, Inspired Home Office turns 3 and exciting developments are on the horizon. The business is growing up. She tells me regularly that she wants to tie her OWN shoes and walk to the bus by herself. I’m learning to step out of the way of her growth so that miracles and healing can continue.

However, to push ahead today would deny an essential piece. The business still needs me to show up alive and engaged. As I send this, I’ll be entering the longest vacation I’ve taken in the last 10 years. 17 whole days. Some of which I’ll be on retreat.

While I’m away, I’ll be filling up any empty corners in my heart, surrounding myself with quiet, and coming back to the world renewed. I’ll be thinking of you and holding you in my prayers.

I’m wishing you peace, connection, presence and love this season. I look forward to connecting with you in January. Thank you for an amazing year.

Warm thoughts,
Jennifer

4 comments

Really. The only reason why I’m writing a blog at all is because I want to spend time with some of the coolest people I know. Yes, that includes you!

And the only way for me to know that we’re hanging out together is if you leave a comment!

Extra special fun stuff for the blograising!

For blograising week (August 17-24), you could get an extra-special bonus for commenting on the blog:

• A $100 gift certificate for Inspired Home Office services
• A $40 gift certificate for IHO services
• Your very own copy of The Wish Kit (It’s back!). Three will be given away.

Want to play?

All you need to do is:

• write a meaningful comment anywhere on the blog before 5pm Pacific, August 24, 2009 to be included!
• or tweet a link to the blog and include @inspiredjen (so that I see it) for extra chances!

Winners will be announced on Monday, August 24!

Ready?

Comment and tweet away! I look forward to connecting with you!

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Update!

I can’t thank everyone enough for the tweets and comments (over 160 total). I’m so blown away by your thoughtfulness, encouragement and participation. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Now. For the winners (drawn at random with help from the Inspired Cat):

• A $100 gift certificate for Inspired Home Office services: awarded to Wendy Cholbi of Your Web Coaches
• A $40 gift certificate for IHO services: awarded to Grace Judson of Svaha Concepts
• 3 copies of The Wish Kit (It’s back!). Awarded to:
  • Natalia Real, writer and translator
  • Mark Silver of Heart of Business
  • Melly Hocking, set costumer extrordinaire

Thanks again to everyone!

Warmly,
Jennifer

Care to comment?

I can sum it up in two words: Allie Creative.

But that just wouldn’t do justice to the gratitude.

Allie helped me when I didn’t even know I needed help.

See, Allie and I go way back to 1994 at Willamette Univeristy when I worked in Student Services and she in the website-wrangling department (I can’t remember the official name). The entire campus was undergoing a wesbite overhaul, department by department.

We met and I was immediately impressed by her precise, tiny (and I mean minuscule) handwriting – and her ability to ask questions. And then really listen.

Allie got our department’s website functional – and got me to the point that I could update information all by myself. A feat. She was patient, thorough, and helpful. Unlike other website people I’ve worked with, Allie never pushed or copped an attitude or told me my wishes were wrong. She steered and informed, but it was clear that my opinion mattered.

The time came when I knew I needed her.

When I became self-employed, I needed a pro. Allie designed a logo and a drop-dead gorgeous website for my staging business. She brought all her delightful listening and talent to my project – and it was a dream. I couldn’t have been happier.

As my business grew, I had conversations with other web people who looked at the back end of her work (Greek to me!) and were impressed with her attention to detail.

When I started Inspired Home Office, Allie created the website you’ve come to know – along with my daisy logo. We’d been talking for months about a blog and I finally bit the bullet. Right before she got married, in fact.

Am I ever grateful.

Because, in addition to converting my website to a WordPress blog, Allie went above and beyond as usual. For once in my life, I let go of control and Allie created a redesign that’s elegant, simple, and functional. I couldn’t love it more.

Now I’m a fan forever.

For me, starting a blog feels immensely personal. You come here looking for ideas, solace, and encouragement… if the blog were ugly and testy, I wouldn’t feel comfortable writing. You wouldn’t want to visit. How it feels and looks matters.

And so, my debt of gratitude is to Allison Towers Rice – web designer extraordinaire and owner of Allie Creative – for her impeccable eye, for all the listening and ideas, for sharing her gifts and time, and for making a place for me and readers to get to know each other.

I’m so very grateful to you.

2 comments

An old-fashioned tradition with a contemporary twist.

In the old days, a community rallied around a neighbor’s new barn. Women served meals, kids watched their sibings, and the menfolk raised the barn. Everyone gave – so that the impossible for one family became a rustic, red possibility.

The rumor is true.

After some serious consideration and much cajoling from peers, Inspired Home Office is raising a blog. Less lumber, yes, but equally lofty.

Starting in August.

For you, this means new, timely content and the opportunity to banter with me and ask questions. You’ll enjoy even more restful, lovely art. You’ll now have a place to visit where you’ll get support growing your small business and support creating a space that inspires you and works effectively.

You may also be happy to learn that all the past newsletters you’ve loved will be fully and finally searchable.

In a word, this blog will be a grand resource.

What’s your role?

In exchange for some seriously useful information that’s completely free, I’m asking you in advance for two things:

Show up. Your voice is your muscle, your casserole, and babysitting all in one. Will you come with your insights and questions?

Chip in. Although the blog will be free to you, it is a huge investment of IHO resources to start-up and maintain long-term. If you are able, will you pitch in monetarily to help raise this blog?

Donations in any amount will make a difference.

Launch is coming soon.

The tentative launch date is August 17, 2009. Your donation, encouragement, and/or participation are appreciated more than you can imagine.

I can’t wait to share this new blog with you!

Warmly, Jennifer

Care to comment?