HappyVentures

I love the feeling of starting a new business or project. Some describe it as a "honeymoon period" where everything seems possible and great outcomes seem so achievable. And then after a little while, things become a bit "same ol', same ol'", you get a few knockbacks, some of your marketing doesn't work as expected, you lose a client or two or three, someone else opens up next door offering the same product or service for a lower price, and you realise the reality of owning a business can sometimes be a little different from your original plan.

It's at this point that you have a choice. Accept things as they are and just plug on according to plan. Or, tap into what got you here in the first place: the vision, the energy, the passion of your business. Instead of telling yourself that you've got to do it the way it's always been done (because that's what worked in 1997), how about asking what you could do? Step into the possible. Have a look around at all the variations rather than the black and white version of events. You never know who or what you may find...

This is one of the coolest things I've seen this year... For those of you who work from home like me, you'd know that little itching feeling that visits occasionally which says "I've just got to get a different perspective". So you go for a walk, put the washing on, or make your 30th cup of tea for the day. Some days that's just not enough and you start daydreaming about having an "office to go to" where you could stand around the mythical water cooler and talk about the tv show (you didn't watch last night). Often my "office fantasy" hits me when I wish I had a nice central location to see clients - rather than coffee shops and parks and ....

Well, let me introduce the latest home for the virtual worker ... Being Spaces. Imagine a place you could go to write or work where there's fresh coffee, internet access, comfy couches, consultation rooms and real live people who you can talk to. These "commercial living-rooms" are popping up all around the world meeting the need for a place to work that provides resources and a social environment to alleviate the isolation that working from home can lead to. (You can read more about Being Spaces at Springwise.)

Now what entrepreneurial genius is going to get some rolling on the Sunshine Coast? Come on, it'd be easy, and extremely profitable. I'd like one at Noosa thanks...

Did you see the recent highly publicised study (by researchers from UQ) that found caffeine increases the likelihood of you being persuaded? Apparently, those who had ingested our favourite stimulant were more likely to be influenced to change their attitudes. When I was in Brisbane last week, I was overwhelmed by the number of coffee shops/bars in the city. It seemed that every second space sold coffee. I wonder what effect it is having on workplaces. Coffee anyone? My shout. ;))

You've probably received PDF (Portable Document File) formatted files in your internet travels. It's a very popular format for downloadable forms, manuals and, increasingly, ebooks. But did you realise that you can easily create your own PDFs?

All you need is a PDF writer. There are heaps around from the original Adobe Acrobat to many freeware programs. My favourite is PDF995. I love its simplicity. All you do is install it and to create a PDF of your documents and pictures, you just select Print and choose PDF995 from your printer options (instead of your default printer). Too easy. And you never have to go through the "I couldn't read your document" tango ever again.

Those of you who read my personal ezine, The Cows Say Hello, will already know that I'm happy as a clam about becoming a contributor to the online magazine, Flying Solo, and its unexpected impact on my Google rankings... Well, my first article for FS on Business Action Groups, evolved from a Mastermind group I'm part of and also, a project I did last year as part of my studies. The project looked at the needs of self-employed women on the coast and one of the things that came up was women business owners' desire to have a space to talk frankly about their businesses, plus get a different perspective and support (emotional as well as instrumental) from their peers. Through working with my own coach and Mastermind group I feel I have these things in spades, but I realised that many of you don't. My writing of the article, I suppose, is my gentle way to say "Come on guys. You don't need to do this on your own." You can read the first BAG article here. Part two of the article (which outlines how to set up your very own Business Action Group) gets published at Flying Solo on the 28th July.

Hear ye! Hear ye! I hereby announce the inaugural Do Nothing Day to be held on Friday 4 August 2006. This is my very own take on Small Business Week in Queensland (30 July to 5 August) and it addresses what I see as a major contributor to our stressed out lives: The Cult of Busy-ness. This is the belief we have that if we aren't busy then we aren't working. Piffle. I've never been so "productive" as when I recently cut my work hours (more of that next issue).

So, are you ready for the challenge of truly doing nothing? No emails, no followup phone calls, no business writing, no appointments, no schedule, nothing, zip, zero.

You don't believe me that it's a challenge to get up in the morning and break from your usual schedule? [Insert evil laugh] And yet, if you work for yourself in a dynamic market then it's essential that you regularly set aside a "creative space" where the truly innovative ways to approach your business can emerge. Think of it as clearing your mental and emotional desk so that you can work effectively.

So, what is one permitted to do on Do Nothing Day? Not much. The only real rule is Everything must be spontaneous. So no master planning the week before to catchup with friends, climb a mountain or see a movie. The beauty of the day is that it's unscheduled so whatever you feel like doing, you do. If you feel like climbing the mountain, sure, let it happen. If you wish to become of a Master of Do Nothing then try sitting in silence for 10, 30, 60 minutes and see what emerges. Or how about exploring what truly sustains you in your life and work... Or read that book that's been sitting beside your bed for two years. But no planning: spontaneous, okay?

Email me if you consider non-participating, and those who successfully get to midnight on the 4th August without opening their diary may even get a Certificate of Doing Nothing for their non-effort.

As the Buddhists say: Don't just do something. Sit there.

Sunshine Coast
women entrepreneurs connect
(w.e. connect sunshine coast)
Are you a self-employed woman on the coast who would like to connect with others in a friendly and informal environment. We're having an impromptu meeting this Friday, 28th July 2006 at Mooloolaba from 2.00pm to 3.00pm. If you're interested or would like to go on the announcement list, drop me a line trish@worklifedesign.com.au or call 07 5485 1811

Coach Meet
Calling all coaches on the Sunshine Coast... Come meet other coaches on the coast, share resources, techniques, experiences, knowledge, and more. Next meet is on Friday 28th July, 2006 from 3.00pm to 4.30pm at Mooloolaba. Call Trish on 07 5485 1811 to find out more.

Practitioners: A Space to Live and Work Available
Male or Female to share multi level complex
Living and/or Consulting, central location, suit Practioner.
Maximum growth area - Nambour.
Very reasonable rent, choose your own workdays.
Associated with new charity for children.
Please phone Anna on 54471273 or 0413699870

That's all for this month. Hope you enjoyed our first issue of Happy Ventures. If you would like to receive Happy Ventures next month (I have so much excellent stuff to share with you... from the poster child of Happy Ventures to the latest research from the newly emerging field of Positive Psychology) just go to the subscription page. Have a wonderful rest of the month and don't forget... enjoy your business.
Cheers
Trish

happy ventures is for business owners who realise a successful business is not only reflected by your financial bottomline but also by how much you enjoy what you do. happy ventures is published monthly by Trish Weston and unless otherwise attributed, everything is her opinion. She'll occasionally back something up with evidence and research, but only if it improves the story. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please feel free to email her.

If you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe to happy ventures, just go to http://www.worklifedesign.com.au/ezines.htm