'I'dea-licious: April 2008

Dear friends --

You are making so many interesting, thought-provoking comments, I'd like to ensure you receive your proper due.  So, without further ado, here's what you say and do. 

Thanks for being so 'I'dea-licious!

Fielding a 'dare to dream' team
Love this sort of discussion about the 'nuts and bolts' of dream building!!!  Melanie Mauer

Thank you Melanie.  I hadn't really considered writing more about how-to 'do' our dreams.  It's a great suggestion.  Will think on this.

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Ways to additionally compensate a member of your Dare to Dream Team are a) write a recommendation for them on their LinkedIn page or website or b) offer to serve as a reference.  Janna Taylor

I like Janna's practical idea.  Writing a recommendation takes some effort, but what a way to let someone know you appreciate their work. It can also fall into the category of 'barter' which women tend to do marvelously well -- especially 'stay-at-home moms' (e.g. for my friend Kathleen, growing up, there were eight children, dad was just out of law school:  for her mother, barter was a beautiful thing!)

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Collaborations are great because they bring a fresh perspective.  I am learning that I cannot do everything (i.e. I need help.) and to trust my instincts on who I bring to my collaborative table.

As an architect, Erinn collaborates on a daily basis.  And whether we realize it, I think we all do  Who are you collaborating with?  Whose fresh perspective (and quite possibly diametrically opposed) can you invite into your life?

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dare to dreamgirl:  Jessica Gooley
Congrats [Jessica]!  Your darling animals [Belly Button Bunch] are worthy of promotion...I will feature on my blog soon.   Dana King

Kudos to Dana for her systergy. Dana not only provided advice, she supported Jessica by posting about the Belly Button Bunch on her blog.   For another lovely example of systergy, take a look at Macy's blog.      

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Getting in the game
When you are playing the game you are always a winner!  Barbara Torris

Great point Barbara.  I think that sometimes we are so concerned about playing the game perfectly that we fail to show up.  And yet when we show up, and suit up, some amazing things can happen.  Remember the 'what if' game.  What if you hadn't gone to that one event you almost didn't go to?

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What is your dream? 
Word of caution:  Trust is a key element. Only engage those whom you trust can offer objective, constructive criticism. And you must trust yourself to handle feedback without feeling judged.   Anna Giraldo-Kerr

Thank you Anna.   Trust is so important isn't it?  Trust that they will give constructive advice AND trust that they care about us.  The Simon, Paula, Randy archetypes come to mind.

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When we say 'no'
In Peggy's April 15 post, she writes "some times we seek validation by being needed by others", which leads us to say 'yes', when we would really prefer to say 'no'. 

I continue to be fascinated by the words 'yes' and 'no', they are such powerful, powerful words.  Have any of you conducted the experiment of saying 'no' for a day, considering what your 'no's meant you were saying 'yes' to? 

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American Idol:  Which judge are you?
Note that Simon has been loved OVER TIME, his value was not seen in the first episode of the first season...Do we give the "Simon's" in our life a chance for continued feedback or do we shut them off once they deliver the first "harsh" news?   Stacey Petrey

Have there been people in our lives that we didn't appreciate immediately, but because we were stuck with them (by choice or unavoidable circumstance) they have come to be among our most trusted advisors?  For those of us who are 'Simon-like', what are we doing to ensure that feedback is delivered in a way that it can actually be heard?

Thank you again to each of you for your comments both on and off-line! Keep 'em coming!

Comments

[Maria Carr]

All those marvelous ideas created a wonderful web of enlightenment for me.