This was a recent blog post from Seth Godin:

This was sort of shocking, at least to me:

I was talking to a religious leader, someone who runs a congregation. She made it clear to me that on many days, it’s just a job. A job like any other, you show up, you go through the motions, you get paid.

I guess we find this disturbing because spiritual work should be real, not faked.

But isn’t your work spiritual?

I know doctors, lawyers, waiters and insurance brokers who are honestly and truly passionate about what they do. They view it as an art form, a calling, and an important (no, an essential) thing worth doing.

In fact, I don’t think there’s a relationship between what you do and how important you think the work is. I think there’s a relationship between who you are and how important you think the work is.

Life’s too short to phone it in.

It is interesting that he points this out. I myself have had those days where I felt like it was just a job. That was when I knew I had to change my focus. I consider myself to have career ADD. Was never happy with the things I was doing. I always knew I was capable of much more. My husband, on more than one occasion, has asked me “If money were not an object, what would you do all day?”

My answer has changed over the years, and has finally evolved in what I am today, but where are you on this path? Are you phoning it in or are you really passionate about what you do? If you used to be, what has changed? What can YOU change to get back to that passion?

I just thought I would blog on this. I have my days of wanting to phone it in – I think everyone does. But when that happens, I will remember this post and look to find where my passion went. I hope you do too.

Testing my new skills.

So for those of you following me, you may have noticed I have not posted in a while. Been busy writing my proposal and researching all things book writing, publishing, etc. My proposal is off to five publishing houses with already two turning me down. They believe there is not a big enough market for this subject.

Really?

What do you mean? Do you not know that this country was founded on people starting businesses in their basements with their spouse or family member? Seventy-six percent of current businesses today are owned by couples or family members. And yes…it is hard. Sometimes intolerable, but we do it. I cannot imagine why someone would think not enough people would be interested in this topic.

I am not giving up. You will find me in an ebook or something. I feel that my points are valid and useful to the couplepreneurs out there in the world. Log on to my online community and join the revolution!

www.marriageandbusiness.com

Okay, so some of you may know that I am in the process of writing a book on running a business with your spouse. Let me tell you, every day can be a challenge. For the record, I have been running a business with my spouse for 7 years, 2 months, 21 days and 14 hours and counting and can tell you without hesitation, the success is based entirely on communication. Chaos ensues whenever it is not handled properly, facts we are still learning to this day. It is so easy to get caught up in the busy going ons of the day and forget. So what do you do?

I recommend a company meeting – even if you are a company of two. We used to do it, then stopped, then started and on and on and on. What I am noticing is when we neglect it, we encounter a shame spiral of not getting things done and other tasks slipping through the cracks. Don’t let this happen to you. Keep the communication open with your business partner. You will profit and prosper from it.

I was forwarded a link to Bea Field’s blog today. Very inspiring to read and incredibly helpful. It was about the “23 Marketing Strategies That Can Make You More Money During a Down Economy.” She polled 30 professionals that she knows are doing well and point blank asked them what they are doing. Nothing earth shattering – but effective. I would like to point out how many references were made to good old fashioned networking. It is still and always will be about creating the relationship with your clients. I encourage you to read her post and implement whatever strategy you wish today. But make sure it forms a relationship.

Bea Fields Blog

I had a great conversation with John Suarez, Area Director for the St. Louis, Metro East region of BNI. I myself am a former BNI member and my husband still it. I am pleased to post this recording. BNI is a great tool to market your business, especially in tough economic times like we are in now. I sincerely hope you listen if you are new to BNI and would like to learn more.

And thanks again John for being on the call.

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For more information on BNI nationwide, click here

I had a great conversation with Donna Gamache, Executive Managing Director of the St. Louis, MO and St. Charles, MO chapters of eWomenNetwork. What an amazing organization and a wonderful person as well. What is interesting is the dynamic of this company. Its main rule is one every networker should adopt – give first. Listen at the link below. And check out your local eWomenNetwork chapter. To find them, click here.

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For those of you that don’t know, I am in the process of writing a book on how married couples run a business together. I am in the process of interviewing people for my book and I just had to share what a cool interview I had today – and a good tip for business owners. My interviewee shared with me today that he has kept a journal, and still does, since he started his business. For the last seven years he has noted the ups and downs. He refers to it when he gets frustrated to remind himself how far he has come. His grandfather also had one and he mentioned how remarkable the similarities are from 1945 compared to now. 

It has inspired me to do the same. I am already seven years in, but that doesn’t mean I can’t start now. I challenge you to do the same.