Andrea Michaels's Blog, page 3
May 21, 2014
How To Do Business in the Future - Taking Stock of Your Company
Recently I did a Webinar and was asked a myriad of questions about how businesses should set themselves apart from the competition. This will provide brain food for those who willingly go through this exercise with me.
Take stock of who you are.
It is vital to know who you are in the scheme of your business industry. In "our" (that's the royal our) case, it is special events. Within this world of events, what specifically do you do best? Are you a great caterer? Or designer? Or an expert on technology? If you cannot define who you are, what you know, and at what you are best, no client can really take you seriously.
What defines you?
Are you someone who captures today's trends? Are you always on the cutting edge of the newest and greatest? And, specifically what do you do to achieve this definition? Are you defined by whom you surround yourself? Are you an active member of the various industry organizations? Do you attend all the industry trade shows? Are you a teacher? Or a student? Again, this is specific.
What differentiates you?
First of all, just about everyone says the exact same thing. For instance, “We are available 24/7”; “We have a team dedicated just to you.” Bla, bla, bla. But take away the same spiel that everyone else is using, and answer Why YOU? Skip ahead to the next point, and you'll see what I mean.
Look at the competition's Websites and collateral. Outline the key points they make. The words they use. Are yours the same?
If they are, change yours. Take your three biggest competitors and look at their Websites, or collect their collateral. Use a highlighter on the words in YOUR collateral that are the same words THEY use. Aha! Be different and set yourself apart.
What is the one thing at which you are best?
Instead of being the everything to everybody, make a decision. Define specifically at what you are best. That doesn't mean that's all you do, but you need to create a focus. Are you the best spatial planner there is? Do you know how to drape fabric better than anyone? What is that one special thing no one can do better than you?
Take stock of what no one else is doing and find the opportunity in that.
Many years ago there was a time when no one really did interactive entertainment (hard to imagine nowadays). I took a leap of faith and introduced actors into all of my events so that we had living theater instead of voyeuristic experiences.
If your client has a product that you promote through live events, be pro-active and become their living advertiser. A festival? A pop-up store? A sponsorship? The opportunities are endless.
Become an expert at something.
No one wants to hire an amateur. So use this analogy. Does Bono want to perform with a substandard band or is U2 comprised entirely of great musicians? You, too (pardon the pun) need to be outstanding (design, food, talent?) and then surround yourself with collaborators that enhance your offerings.
Be inclusive ... embrace collaboration.
Do not hide the fact that you are working with other companies. If you are afraid that your vendors will sabotage you or that your clients will attempt to go direct to your vendors, those are people with whom you shouldn't be working. Teams are "today"... today is "The sharing economy." You simply do not know everything, so don't claim that you do. Seek out partners that enhance what you already do and make yourself better as a result.
Vertical markets - find out your passion - if you have staff, find out their passions … they will work harder for those.
If you are passionate about fashion, you would definitely be more excited about working for Gucci than a medical device company. If your heart beats faster when you fantasize about producing a movie premiere, you probably won't be thrilled to call on an automotive client. When you are passionate about a subject, you learn all about it; you read all about it; you scan the web for every scrap of information. That, then, is the market you should be targeting. It's what you are conversant and educated on.
Action Item
Please share your thoughts or questions here with me!
Andrea Michaels is the president of multiple award-winning Extraordinary Events and the author of Reflections of a Successful Wallflower – Lessons in Business; Lessons in Life.
Take stock of who you are.
It is vital to know who you are in the scheme of your business industry. In "our" (that's the royal our) case, it is special events. Within this world of events, what specifically do you do best? Are you a great caterer? Or designer? Or an expert on technology? If you cannot define who you are, what you know, and at what you are best, no client can really take you seriously.
What defines you?
Are you someone who captures today's trends? Are you always on the cutting edge of the newest and greatest? And, specifically what do you do to achieve this definition? Are you defined by whom you surround yourself? Are you an active member of the various industry organizations? Do you attend all the industry trade shows? Are you a teacher? Or a student? Again, this is specific.
What differentiates you?
First of all, just about everyone says the exact same thing. For instance, “We are available 24/7”; “We have a team dedicated just to you.” Bla, bla, bla. But take away the same spiel that everyone else is using, and answer Why YOU? Skip ahead to the next point, and you'll see what I mean.
Look at the competition's Websites and collateral. Outline the key points they make. The words they use. Are yours the same?
If they are, change yours. Take your three biggest competitors and look at their Websites, or collect their collateral. Use a highlighter on the words in YOUR collateral that are the same words THEY use. Aha! Be different and set yourself apart.
What is the one thing at which you are best?
Instead of being the everything to everybody, make a decision. Define specifically at what you are best. That doesn't mean that's all you do, but you need to create a focus. Are you the best spatial planner there is? Do you know how to drape fabric better than anyone? What is that one special thing no one can do better than you?
Take stock of what no one else is doing and find the opportunity in that.
Many years ago there was a time when no one really did interactive entertainment (hard to imagine nowadays). I took a leap of faith and introduced actors into all of my events so that we had living theater instead of voyeuristic experiences.
If your client has a product that you promote through live events, be pro-active and become their living advertiser. A festival? A pop-up store? A sponsorship? The opportunities are endless.
Become an expert at something.
No one wants to hire an amateur. So use this analogy. Does Bono want to perform with a substandard band or is U2 comprised entirely of great musicians? You, too (pardon the pun) need to be outstanding (design, food, talent?) and then surround yourself with collaborators that enhance your offerings.
Be inclusive ... embrace collaboration.
Do not hide the fact that you are working with other companies. If you are afraid that your vendors will sabotage you or that your clients will attempt to go direct to your vendors, those are people with whom you shouldn't be working. Teams are "today"... today is "The sharing economy." You simply do not know everything, so don't claim that you do. Seek out partners that enhance what you already do and make yourself better as a result.
Vertical markets - find out your passion - if you have staff, find out their passions … they will work harder for those.
If you are passionate about fashion, you would definitely be more excited about working for Gucci than a medical device company. If your heart beats faster when you fantasize about producing a movie premiere, you probably won't be thrilled to call on an automotive client. When you are passionate about a subject, you learn all about it; you read all about it; you scan the web for every scrap of information. That, then, is the market you should be targeting. It's what you are conversant and educated on.
Action Item
Please share your thoughts or questions here with me!
Andrea Michaels is the president of multiple award-winning Extraordinary Events and the author of Reflections of a Successful Wallflower – Lessons in Business; Lessons in Life.
March 11, 2014
A Remarkable Weekend
I had a remarkable weekend. Originally I was supposed to spend Friday night with my grandson Ethan and Saturday night with my other grandson Cameron, but poor Ethan was sick, so I had Cameron all weekend. And what a joyous experience it was. First Friday night with dinner at CPK and then to see "The Pirate Fairy" at the El Capitan. They were setting up Hollywood Blvd. for the Oscars so, knowing some people there, we snuck in and Cam had his moment on the red carpet.
The next day we were off in the rain to Santa Monica and Cam's first "Cirque du Soleil" show, "Totem." Well, I feel like I've seen about 100 Cirque shows, but never through the eyes of a child. Amazing to view it that way. "Awesome" was the word he used to describe it. Then to dinner on the pier and walking along Santa Monica Place, ending up at Barnes and Noble reading books for hours.
Every moment of it, this nine year old child was a gentleman. Opening doors for me, carrying the umbrella, and when I lost my car and had a panic attack he remained calm and reassuring until he calmed me down. Every time he spoke to a service person he was amazingly polite as he was with me..."please" and "thank you" every single time it was appropriate, even if I handed him a tissue or held his popcorn box. It was remarkable how many people commented on what an extremely well brought up young man he was (and is) as if that display of good manners was unexpected or unusual.
Now I credit his parents for raising their children right and I'm glad people notice, but I am even more glad that these children do not do this for reward, but because it's now a natural part of their behavior.
We all forget sometimes how much good manners mean in how we're perceived. So I had a good lesson this last weekend, and just wanted to share it with all of you.
The next day we were off in the rain to Santa Monica and Cam's first "Cirque du Soleil" show, "Totem." Well, I feel like I've seen about 100 Cirque shows, but never through the eyes of a child. Amazing to view it that way. "Awesome" was the word he used to describe it. Then to dinner on the pier and walking along Santa Monica Place, ending up at Barnes and Noble reading books for hours.
Every moment of it, this nine year old child was a gentleman. Opening doors for me, carrying the umbrella, and when I lost my car and had a panic attack he remained calm and reassuring until he calmed me down. Every time he spoke to a service person he was amazingly polite as he was with me..."please" and "thank you" every single time it was appropriate, even if I handed him a tissue or held his popcorn box. It was remarkable how many people commented on what an extremely well brought up young man he was (and is) as if that display of good manners was unexpected or unusual.
Now I credit his parents for raising their children right and I'm glad people notice, but I am even more glad that these children do not do this for reward, but because it's now a natural part of their behavior.
We all forget sometimes how much good manners mean in how we're perceived. So I had a good lesson this last weekend, and just wanted to share it with all of you.
September 30, 2013
The Value of Education
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” - Yeats
I write a lot of books. I teach seminars all over the world to industry peers as well as to college students. Whenever possible I also mentor novices who want to enter the event industry and even some who just want advice on how to navigate this stressful world. Why do I do this is a question I’m always asked.
It’s not because I have a lot of spare time on my hands. EE produces events globally, and I run a very complex business and travel for work. Sometimes I’m away on business more than I am at home.
So back to “why.” I’m guided by the philosophy that when you give freely, you get so much more in return. That was reinforced by my role models. David Wright, President of Insight Publishing, asked me in preparation for one of my books, Bushido Business – The Fine Art of The Modern Professional, (co-authored with Tom Hopkins, Brian Tracy and Stephen M.R. Covey) to share my role models with him. I have three. Joann Roth Oseary, President of Someone’s In the Kitchen, because she taught me that while most people think about how to hold onto everything, her philosophy is how to share everything. And, she does…and is one of the most caring, giving human beings I know, the first to always give to others. Another is John Daly, President of John Daly Inc. and The Key Class, who is my personal cheerleader and inspiration. He has taught me how to be a selfless friend because that is what he is himself. He values humanity above all else. The third is my son, Jon, who has taught me about commitment. He is a devoted son, husband, and father, unwavering in his standards and ethics.
It is important to take what I’ve learned from these role models and everyone I’ve met along the path of my life and pass on what I’ve learned and share with others so that they won’t make the same mistakes that I did. Perhaps they’ll make other mistakes, but at least it won’t be from not having a formalized industry, books, university education, or seasoned professionals who are willing to take them under their wings. More importantly (I hope), I want to pass on what I’ve learned about survival. All these in one form or another are what all my writings and teaching are about.
When I started my career in the event industry in the early 1970s, there were no mentors, no classes, no books and no event history to follow. There was none of that. It was all trial and error. That’s part of the reason I wrote Reflections of a Wallflower – Lessons in Business, Lessons in Life. I wanted to share how the lessons I had learned in my personal life helped shape my business and vice versa!
Why Is Education in This or Any Industry Important?
“Let us never be betrayed into saying we have finished our education; because that would mean we had stopped growing.” –Julia H. Gulliver
I don’t ever want to stop growing, And I want to impart the value of education to all those I meet, too. Through the evolution of technology, the art of events has continued to evolve, now at a lightening rate. Think about it. Where once our clients wanted us to get them some entertainment and a few simple decorations, we morphed into producing elaborate themes, more elaborate marketing events and marketing strategies, then experiential events and now hybrid events and who can even imagine what’s next?
Learning from those who have been there and done that is essential…not just for novices but for seasoned professionals and especially pioneers like me. I’m learning how to work with an entirely new generation of people with different ways of approaching their careers and business communication and who understand the new technologies and methods of communication better than I do. The learning never stops. So as they can learn from me, I can learn just as much of value from them.
To those in the events industry, I welcome you to learn from my adventures. But, what other subjects would I advise you to thoroughly immerse yourself in other than all the latest and greatest technology and methodology for events? I’ll repeat some information I shared in Stepping Stones to Success – Experts Share Strategies for Mastering Business, Life & Relationships co-authored with Deepak Chopra, Jack Canfield and Dr. Denis Waitley. First, take a class in psychology. Psychology teaches people about skillful communication, and this will lead you to a better understanding of clients, vendors and co-workers. This is where you can realize your goals through win-win situations. I think most people are reactors, and as a result they don’t really get what they want.
If I could teach only one skill to anybody, it would be creative listening. Really listening to other people is the greatest tool on the way to success. Think of what can be accomplished if you really understand what someone else is saying, clarifying what they want, and then finding a way to deliver it. It’s not curriculum skill; and it takes great practice, which can start right at home or in your office. In the words of Larry King, “I never learned anything while I was talking.” I would also include creative writing, another communication skill that can be so expressive. Though long-winded proposals are a thing of the past, creatively expressing your concepts, even in short passages or bullet points, is an acquired skill that takes practice.
Other topics? Social media communication. (That’s something I personally need to study). International protocol, international communications, and how to deal with other cultures. As we expand our world and businesses, we have to realize it’s not just our way we have to respect, but we have to be open to other ways of thinking. We have to understand and respect everyone, and I think that’s an eye-opener.
Speaking of respect, I want to add something that came to mind from my latest book, Mastering the Art of Success, co-authored with Mark Victor Hansen, Jack Canfield and Les Brown. Everyone should brush up on personal integrity and ethics. As I said in the book, they are 100 percent of our business. To me, the most important thing in life is honesty and integrity and a sense of great ethics that never vary, no matter what is asked of you. It can be tempting sometimes to just tell a little white lie here and there to make things “easier.” I don’t believe in that. So, for myself and everybody around me, including my team, I would never consider myself a business success if integrity, ethics and honesty faltered – ever.
I hope you are “listening” to what you are reading. Life-long learning is invaluable to both your personal and professional success. Never stop growing!
Until Next Time,
Andrea
Another book by Andrea: Yes You Can! Reaching Your Potential While Achieving Greatness was co-authored with Dr. Warren Bennis and Jim Rohn.
Andrea’s Seminars: Special Events A-Z; Creativity; The Profitability of Doing Business; Creative Writing; Risk Management; Speed Pitching; Stress Management; Anatomy of an Event; and Working Globally.
I write a lot of books. I teach seminars all over the world to industry peers as well as to college students. Whenever possible I also mentor novices who want to enter the event industry and even some who just want advice on how to navigate this stressful world. Why do I do this is a question I’m always asked.
It’s not because I have a lot of spare time on my hands. EE produces events globally, and I run a very complex business and travel for work. Sometimes I’m away on business more than I am at home.
So back to “why.” I’m guided by the philosophy that when you give freely, you get so much more in return. That was reinforced by my role models. David Wright, President of Insight Publishing, asked me in preparation for one of my books, Bushido Business – The Fine Art of The Modern Professional, (co-authored with Tom Hopkins, Brian Tracy and Stephen M.R. Covey) to share my role models with him. I have three. Joann Roth Oseary, President of Someone’s In the Kitchen, because she taught me that while most people think about how to hold onto everything, her philosophy is how to share everything. And, she does…and is one of the most caring, giving human beings I know, the first to always give to others. Another is John Daly, President of John Daly Inc. and The Key Class, who is my personal cheerleader and inspiration. He has taught me how to be a selfless friend because that is what he is himself. He values humanity above all else. The third is my son, Jon, who has taught me about commitment. He is a devoted son, husband, and father, unwavering in his standards and ethics.
It is important to take what I’ve learned from these role models and everyone I’ve met along the path of my life and pass on what I’ve learned and share with others so that they won’t make the same mistakes that I did. Perhaps they’ll make other mistakes, but at least it won’t be from not having a formalized industry, books, university education, or seasoned professionals who are willing to take them under their wings. More importantly (I hope), I want to pass on what I’ve learned about survival. All these in one form or another are what all my writings and teaching are about.
When I started my career in the event industry in the early 1970s, there were no mentors, no classes, no books and no event history to follow. There was none of that. It was all trial and error. That’s part of the reason I wrote Reflections of a Wallflower – Lessons in Business, Lessons in Life. I wanted to share how the lessons I had learned in my personal life helped shape my business and vice versa!
Why Is Education in This or Any Industry Important?
“Let us never be betrayed into saying we have finished our education; because that would mean we had stopped growing.” –Julia H. Gulliver
I don’t ever want to stop growing, And I want to impart the value of education to all those I meet, too. Through the evolution of technology, the art of events has continued to evolve, now at a lightening rate. Think about it. Where once our clients wanted us to get them some entertainment and a few simple decorations, we morphed into producing elaborate themes, more elaborate marketing events and marketing strategies, then experiential events and now hybrid events and who can even imagine what’s next?
Learning from those who have been there and done that is essential…not just for novices but for seasoned professionals and especially pioneers like me. I’m learning how to work with an entirely new generation of people with different ways of approaching their careers and business communication and who understand the new technologies and methods of communication better than I do. The learning never stops. So as they can learn from me, I can learn just as much of value from them.
To those in the events industry, I welcome you to learn from my adventures. But, what other subjects would I advise you to thoroughly immerse yourself in other than all the latest and greatest technology and methodology for events? I’ll repeat some information I shared in Stepping Stones to Success – Experts Share Strategies for Mastering Business, Life & Relationships co-authored with Deepak Chopra, Jack Canfield and Dr. Denis Waitley. First, take a class in psychology. Psychology teaches people about skillful communication, and this will lead you to a better understanding of clients, vendors and co-workers. This is where you can realize your goals through win-win situations. I think most people are reactors, and as a result they don’t really get what they want.
If I could teach only one skill to anybody, it would be creative listening. Really listening to other people is the greatest tool on the way to success. Think of what can be accomplished if you really understand what someone else is saying, clarifying what they want, and then finding a way to deliver it. It’s not curriculum skill; and it takes great practice, which can start right at home or in your office. In the words of Larry King, “I never learned anything while I was talking.” I would also include creative writing, another communication skill that can be so expressive. Though long-winded proposals are a thing of the past, creatively expressing your concepts, even in short passages or bullet points, is an acquired skill that takes practice.
Other topics? Social media communication. (That’s something I personally need to study). International protocol, international communications, and how to deal with other cultures. As we expand our world and businesses, we have to realize it’s not just our way we have to respect, but we have to be open to other ways of thinking. We have to understand and respect everyone, and I think that’s an eye-opener.
Speaking of respect, I want to add something that came to mind from my latest book, Mastering the Art of Success, co-authored with Mark Victor Hansen, Jack Canfield and Les Brown. Everyone should brush up on personal integrity and ethics. As I said in the book, they are 100 percent of our business. To me, the most important thing in life is honesty and integrity and a sense of great ethics that never vary, no matter what is asked of you. It can be tempting sometimes to just tell a little white lie here and there to make things “easier.” I don’t believe in that. So, for myself and everybody around me, including my team, I would never consider myself a business success if integrity, ethics and honesty faltered – ever.
I hope you are “listening” to what you are reading. Life-long learning is invaluable to both your personal and professional success. Never stop growing!
Until Next Time,
Andrea
Another book by Andrea: Yes You Can! Reaching Your Potential While Achieving Greatness was co-authored with Dr. Warren Bennis and Jim Rohn.
Andrea’s Seminars: Special Events A-Z; Creativity; The Profitability of Doing Business; Creative Writing; Risk Management; Speed Pitching; Stress Management; Anatomy of an Event; and Working Globally.
April 11, 2011
How a Wallflower Learned to Network
I'm the ultimate wallflower. I barrel through meeting strangers most of the time. There's probably nothing that makes me more uncomfortable than walking into a room full of people I don't know. Many of my friends are great at this. I'm not. I am in terror of such situations and would rather go home (or to my hotel room) and watch Law and Order reruns. But I don't. I strike out and shake hands, introduce myself and try to engage. I've been rewarded time and again. So, it should come more easily for me now. But it doesn't.
I've come to the realization that there could be several reasons why that crowded room might not seem friendlier. Perhaps the other people in the room feel as I do and are just waiting for me to make the first move?
Maybe a different culture might consider it rude to make the first move? This came to light when I attended a conference in Goa, India. I arrived at the first welcome reception, and, of course, the only person I had previously met had not yet arrived. As I gazed around the room, I felt that old familiar oh, no, now what sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Absolutely no one made a move to greet me. They knew I was the foreign guest speaker as I was the only person in the room who wasn't Indian. So, I walked over to the closest person, offered my hand and introduced myself. Immediately the group welcomed me; we exchanged cards, and conversation was initiated as I started asking the group to help me with thoughts for my keynote the next day. I excused myself after awhile and approached other groups with the same results. Over the next days at the conference, everyone was friendly, approachable and welcoming. Relationships continued to build, and by the time I left for home (not having watched a single Law and Order episode), I had 85 new friends. It was a fantastic experience.
I had given myself permission to make the first move, not even knowing if that was right or wrong.
Think about it. How often do we need to offer permission? Please join me for dinner. May I sit next to you at the meeting? May I introduce you to some people here that I know?. These are invitations to a relationship - a hospitable extension that gives you permission to extend yourself and that gives someone else permission to join you.
With all that said, I'm still terrorized by a room of strangers, but when I think of the benefits of diving into the situation, they are infinite. Next time you're at a conference, meeting or social gathering, offer permission. I know I will.
I've come to the realization that there could be several reasons why that crowded room might not seem friendlier. Perhaps the other people in the room feel as I do and are just waiting for me to make the first move?
Maybe a different culture might consider it rude to make the first move? This came to light when I attended a conference in Goa, India. I arrived at the first welcome reception, and, of course, the only person I had previously met had not yet arrived. As I gazed around the room, I felt that old familiar oh, no, now what sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Absolutely no one made a move to greet me. They knew I was the foreign guest speaker as I was the only person in the room who wasn't Indian. So, I walked over to the closest person, offered my hand and introduced myself. Immediately the group welcomed me; we exchanged cards, and conversation was initiated as I started asking the group to help me with thoughts for my keynote the next day. I excused myself after awhile and approached other groups with the same results. Over the next days at the conference, everyone was friendly, approachable and welcoming. Relationships continued to build, and by the time I left for home (not having watched a single Law and Order episode), I had 85 new friends. It was a fantastic experience.
I had given myself permission to make the first move, not even knowing if that was right or wrong.
Think about it. How often do we need to offer permission? Please join me for dinner. May I sit next to you at the meeting? May I introduce you to some people here that I know?. These are invitations to a relationship - a hospitable extension that gives you permission to extend yourself and that gives someone else permission to join you.
With all that said, I'm still terrorized by a room of strangers, but when I think of the benefits of diving into the situation, they are infinite. Next time you're at a conference, meeting or social gathering, offer permission. I know I will.
March 11, 2011
Reinvention: How I Became a Hot, Sexy Grandma
I was 59 years old when I discovered that my husband was a dog. I filed for divorce and felt very sorry for myself. For a week. Then I started thinking about what I needed to do to change my life and make it what I wanted it to be. I knew I wanted to be happy, successful and positive. I'd spent enough time “stuck” and feeling fairly worthless in my domestic situation. Fortunately, and YES, I mean “fortunately,” my husband made it possible for me to take action and get out of a very unhealthy and negative marriage.
While I was soul-searching, a friend of mine had gastric bypass surgery and went from tubby to svelte, so I was inspired to investigate. My mantra--for once in my life I wanted someone to say, “She has a really good figure.” Honestly, that meant more to me than good health. But, let's face it girls, we all want that. After all, I had just shed 240 pounds of excess weight (my husband), and it was time to shed some more.
Exercise you say? Well, I had been raised by my European princess of a mother to believe that exercise was the work of the devil and that knitting, sewing, and particularly shopping would provide all the exercise I would ever need. And oh yes, cooking fabulous food and consuming it came in a close second to shopping. So I never did a sit up, a push up, nor rode bikes or took long walks. I sat and read. My eyeballs exercised instead of the rest of me.
So, I had the surgery. Fully committed to success, I lost almost 100 pounds. Of course that meant a lot of flabby skin, so I followed the bypass with additional surgery to rid the excess.
Losing the weight was a lot of work. The surgery was not the automatic panacea. I still craved every delicious morsel in which I had always indulged. I still loved to cook. I still liked to eat. Drinking was never big on my list, so that wasn’t a problem. After the surgery, I started with liquids, tablespoons of clear liquid only, progressed to more substantial liquids like soups, then to small portions of mush (mashed potatoes, pureed veggies) and finally to tiny child-sized portions of normal but bland food. Now I can eat whatever I like (almost), though it is an every day struggle not to overeat and put all the weight back. It’s just that when I do gain a few pounds I make sure I also take them off.
My closet demands this.
I also broke my old pattern and joined “Curves for Women” and exercised every day, seven days a week if I could. At first, I would often try to avoid it and sometimes laid in bed arguing about whether to get up and go to the gym or not, but ultimately I went. As my reward for going, I would allow myself my favorite triple grande, non-fat latte from my beloved Starbucks. Only one. If I exercised first. Mind games, but they worked.
So how do I now see myself? I walk by a mirror and sometimes it’s hard to know it’s me. Am I confident? Yes, absolutely. My wardrobe would rival Heidi Klum for style. I love wearing my size six designer clothes. (I was a size 22 before the bypass.) Now, if you didn’t see me from the front you might think I was a teenager. I am shapely. Unfortunately it’s hard to talk to people without turning around and facing them, so my age still shows. But the fact that I’m in good shape, muscular (I now also do weight training), have stamina and have a great positive outlook shows in all that I do. I can even keep up with the youngsters, including my grandchildren.
It's one of the things that contributes to my happiness. There is no longer any negativity in my day-to-day life. I get up, look in the mirror (after make up, before that I still might be devastated) and realize a pretty cool old lady is looking back at me. I head to the gym, then to Starbucks and then off to enjoy my day, knowing I look good, feel good, and have the energy to take on the world.
Reinvention? I took a fat, unhappy, rapidly aging, tired old woman and turned her into a pretty hot and sexy grandma.
What about you? Do you have a reinvention story to share? Let me know.
Andrea
While I was soul-searching, a friend of mine had gastric bypass surgery and went from tubby to svelte, so I was inspired to investigate. My mantra--for once in my life I wanted someone to say, “She has a really good figure.” Honestly, that meant more to me than good health. But, let's face it girls, we all want that. After all, I had just shed 240 pounds of excess weight (my husband), and it was time to shed some more.
Exercise you say? Well, I had been raised by my European princess of a mother to believe that exercise was the work of the devil and that knitting, sewing, and particularly shopping would provide all the exercise I would ever need. And oh yes, cooking fabulous food and consuming it came in a close second to shopping. So I never did a sit up, a push up, nor rode bikes or took long walks. I sat and read. My eyeballs exercised instead of the rest of me.
So, I had the surgery. Fully committed to success, I lost almost 100 pounds. Of course that meant a lot of flabby skin, so I followed the bypass with additional surgery to rid the excess.
Losing the weight was a lot of work. The surgery was not the automatic panacea. I still craved every delicious morsel in which I had always indulged. I still loved to cook. I still liked to eat. Drinking was never big on my list, so that wasn’t a problem. After the surgery, I started with liquids, tablespoons of clear liquid only, progressed to more substantial liquids like soups, then to small portions of mush (mashed potatoes, pureed veggies) and finally to tiny child-sized portions of normal but bland food. Now I can eat whatever I like (almost), though it is an every day struggle not to overeat and put all the weight back. It’s just that when I do gain a few pounds I make sure I also take them off.
My closet demands this.
I also broke my old pattern and joined “Curves for Women” and exercised every day, seven days a week if I could. At first, I would often try to avoid it and sometimes laid in bed arguing about whether to get up and go to the gym or not, but ultimately I went. As my reward for going, I would allow myself my favorite triple grande, non-fat latte from my beloved Starbucks. Only one. If I exercised first. Mind games, but they worked.
So how do I now see myself? I walk by a mirror and sometimes it’s hard to know it’s me. Am I confident? Yes, absolutely. My wardrobe would rival Heidi Klum for style. I love wearing my size six designer clothes. (I was a size 22 before the bypass.) Now, if you didn’t see me from the front you might think I was a teenager. I am shapely. Unfortunately it’s hard to talk to people without turning around and facing them, so my age still shows. But the fact that I’m in good shape, muscular (I now also do weight training), have stamina and have a great positive outlook shows in all that I do. I can even keep up with the youngsters, including my grandchildren.
It's one of the things that contributes to my happiness. There is no longer any negativity in my day-to-day life. I get up, look in the mirror (after make up, before that I still might be devastated) and realize a pretty cool old lady is looking back at me. I head to the gym, then to Starbucks and then off to enjoy my day, knowing I look good, feel good, and have the energy to take on the world.
Reinvention? I took a fat, unhappy, rapidly aging, tired old woman and turned her into a pretty hot and sexy grandma.
What about you? Do you have a reinvention story to share? Let me know.
Andrea
February 9, 2011
I'm Resolving...
So how are we all liking 2011 so far? What are your resolutions or are you resolving that you won't make any? Personally I've resolved to smell the roses (to be very trite) and take the time to do something that I love. I'm going to write another book and it won't be autobiographical or business oriented. I might never publish, but I loved the creation and so I'm going to do it again. To me it's an adventure into my own head and spirit and I'm going to enjoy every second of it. What do YOU enjoy doing? Please share!
Andrea
Andrea
January 12, 2011
Join Me in Making Our One World Come Closer
I was invited on a fam to South Africa and one of our in-between-safari stops was to a private pre-school sponsored by Walthers DMC. Walthers along with some corporate sponsorship has built some classrooms and there are some toilets, but without running water to flush or wash hands. There are minimal desks, and one computer for the management, but they are without books, stationery (writing paper), pencils, or real learning tools. They are without a lot of other things we very much take for granted. There are also many orphans who this school supports and educates and they need, well...everything.
Thus, my request. Would you be willing to work with me on providing some small elements to make this a better world for these hundreds of students now and for the future. If everyone who reads this would contribute even $5, so much could be done for them. If you are an individual with a child that has grown out of its clothes, would you consider boxing them up and sending them to me to ship?
Money, clothing, books, educational toys, crayons...all needed.
I hope you will join me in making our one world come closer. You can send things or money to me (and I will collect and send from all of us), or you can send to daryl@walthers.co.za who has an account set up for the school or you can email the school direct, and I will include more information on them below:
The school email address is sam-nzima-educentre@lightmail.co.za Ayah is the headmistress. The school is currently known as Sam Nzima Educare Centre,but with the expansion (the new classrooms we built and the new high school up the road) the education department has allocated a new name Ezweni Combined School which is what it will be known as in future.
Contact me at amichaels@extraordinaryevents.net if you can help!
Thanks for just considering it.
All the Best,
Andrea
Thus, my request. Would you be willing to work with me on providing some small elements to make this a better world for these hundreds of students now and for the future. If everyone who reads this would contribute even $5, so much could be done for them. If you are an individual with a child that has grown out of its clothes, would you consider boxing them up and sending them to me to ship?
Money, clothing, books, educational toys, crayons...all needed.
I hope you will join me in making our one world come closer. You can send things or money to me (and I will collect and send from all of us), or you can send to daryl@walthers.co.za who has an account set up for the school or you can email the school direct, and I will include more information on them below:
The school email address is sam-nzima-educentre@lightmail.co.za Ayah is the headmistress. The school is currently known as Sam Nzima Educare Centre,but with the expansion (the new classrooms we built and the new high school up the road) the education department has allocated a new name Ezweni Combined School which is what it will be known as in future.
Contact me at amichaels@extraordinaryevents.net if you can help!
Thanks for just considering it.
All the Best,
Andrea
August 2, 2010
Embarrassing Moment Handled with Humor
I used to live in Acton, a solid hour from Los Angeles. Laguna Niguel is about 90 minutes away from Los Angeles. Got the picture? I was bidding on a job for SmithKline Pharmaceutical taking place in Laguna, and I was asked to drive down to the hotel for a 9:00 a.m. meeting to show them my capabilities. By the end of the day, I showed them much more. But more about that in a bit. Do the math. I had to leave EARLY.
I made some coffee and headed out with a mug-to-go accompanying me. There was traffic. Three-and-a-half hours later (yes, I left very early so I was on time), I arrived and ran not for the meeting but for the ladies' room. Whew, what a relief!
I gathered up my portfolio and whisked myself through the entire hotel to the meeting room and greeted everyone. They smiled, I thought, indulgently. Little did I know.
I gave my capabilities presentation, respectful of my allotted time slot. When I ended and thanked everyone, my contact looked at me and said, "Andrea, do you realize that your skirt in back is tucked into the waistband of your panty hose?" And, folks, all I was wearing beneath my skirt was pantyhose. The folks in the hotel lobby got quite a show.
I replied, "Well, now you've seen my best side," and straightened out my skirt. They laughed, and the client said, "You've got the job. If you can handle this situation so calmly and with humor, you can handle anything."
The Lesson - Even when you embarrass yourself, don’t let it rattle you. People will admire you for it.
Please share one of your embarrassing moments and how you handled it with me.
I made some coffee and headed out with a mug-to-go accompanying me. There was traffic. Three-and-a-half hours later (yes, I left very early so I was on time), I arrived and ran not for the meeting but for the ladies' room. Whew, what a relief!
I gathered up my portfolio and whisked myself through the entire hotel to the meeting room and greeted everyone. They smiled, I thought, indulgently. Little did I know.
I gave my capabilities presentation, respectful of my allotted time slot. When I ended and thanked everyone, my contact looked at me and said, "Andrea, do you realize that your skirt in back is tucked into the waistband of your panty hose?" And, folks, all I was wearing beneath my skirt was pantyhose. The folks in the hotel lobby got quite a show.
I replied, "Well, now you've seen my best side," and straightened out my skirt. They laughed, and the client said, "You've got the job. If you can handle this situation so calmly and with humor, you can handle anything."
The Lesson - Even when you embarrass yourself, don’t let it rattle you. People will admire you for it.
Please share one of your embarrassing moments and how you handled it with me.
July 29, 2010
Reflections of a Successful Wallflower - Lessons in Business; Lessons in Life
Okay, so I've written a book. It's about my life and the lessons I've learned from relationships, experiences and my career. Some reviews say that it can only be compared to reading my diaries. I LOVE to tell stories. Let me tell you one about one of my deep, dark secrets. I'm a big wallflower. And that's how I came up with the title of my book.
It's ironic because people are afraid of me. That’s what I keep hearing. And it amazes me. Lurking inside this “fearsome” persona is a shy wallflower who has to force herself to talk to a stranger, enter a cocktail party and of course never EVER be present where there’s dancing. After all, no one will ever ask ME to dance. Slack-jawed wonderment or disbelief has been the reaction whenever I’ve shared this with anyone. They see aloof. I see and feel frightened and intimidated.Why?
Oh, there are SO many reasons. I was “abandoned” by my mother in my early childhood, or at least that was my perception of what happened to me. Well, that creates a feeling of worthlessness. Then a few years later my family moved to Burbank, California, a cultural desert in the 1950s where I was the outcast … more worthlessness. And then there was a family environment where I was very secondary and was to be neither seen nor heard except when appropriate … again, my perception. Being one of the only Jewish kids in Burbank, there was no one to date, so school dances were horrid for me … no one asked. I matured early (tall and buxom and dressed like a European countess by my mother) and thus was not one of the popular ones.
I learned to be an overachiever … anything to get noticed. I was the good and quiet one. But what I wanted was to be popular. I wanted a full dance card, not to sit out every dance feeling desolate and unwanted.
And so, introverted to the max, I retreated a lot into myself. Yes, I excelled in class. Yes, I had a lot of great friends. And I put on a great front. But inside I was the eternal reject. Who would want me?
That brings me to now and the title. I’ve overcome, but inside, the wallflower is very much a part of my psyche.
Have you had a similar experience? Do you feel insecure at times? Being that way made me an overachiever as I've mentioned. Share your experiences with me. Tell me how you feel about it.
It's ironic because people are afraid of me. That’s what I keep hearing. And it amazes me. Lurking inside this “fearsome” persona is a shy wallflower who has to force herself to talk to a stranger, enter a cocktail party and of course never EVER be present where there’s dancing. After all, no one will ever ask ME to dance. Slack-jawed wonderment or disbelief has been the reaction whenever I’ve shared this with anyone. They see aloof. I see and feel frightened and intimidated.Why?
Oh, there are SO many reasons. I was “abandoned” by my mother in my early childhood, or at least that was my perception of what happened to me. Well, that creates a feeling of worthlessness. Then a few years later my family moved to Burbank, California, a cultural desert in the 1950s where I was the outcast … more worthlessness. And then there was a family environment where I was very secondary and was to be neither seen nor heard except when appropriate … again, my perception. Being one of the only Jewish kids in Burbank, there was no one to date, so school dances were horrid for me … no one asked. I matured early (tall and buxom and dressed like a European countess by my mother) and thus was not one of the popular ones.
I learned to be an overachiever … anything to get noticed. I was the good and quiet one. But what I wanted was to be popular. I wanted a full dance card, not to sit out every dance feeling desolate and unwanted.
And so, introverted to the max, I retreated a lot into myself. Yes, I excelled in class. Yes, I had a lot of great friends. And I put on a great front. But inside I was the eternal reject. Who would want me?
That brings me to now and the title. I’ve overcome, but inside, the wallflower is very much a part of my psyche.
Have you had a similar experience? Do you feel insecure at times? Being that way made me an overachiever as I've mentioned. Share your experiences with me. Tell me how you feel about it.
