December 2004
Inspiration on careers, networking, writing and more

In this issue:
Editorial: Stick your neck out
News You Can Use: Selling articles and more WRITING OPPORTUNITIES
about VIETNAM and PORTUGAL
Your feedback: You loved last month’s Inspirer
What’s on: A foretaste of 2005

Stick your neck out
At the turn of the century my Great Grandfather Joe stuck his neck out and that was the end of him. He was a train driver, and he stuck his head out of the window when the train was approaching a tunnel. Not everyone has a Great Grandfather who has been quite such a tragic example of reasons not to do something risky, but nevertheless many of us do live in fear of making a mistake or being made a fool.

Yet there are times when sticking our necks out is exactly what we should be doing. There are times when taking a risk or being different pays dividends.

I remember the first time I ever gave a presentation. It was in Norway in 1997. I had been asked to speak about portable careers and was terrified of stumbling over my words or boring the audience. I realised that one way to get ahead in business was to be visible, to be remembered. So I decided that I would wear a bright red and gold Bedouin lady’s outfit to my talk. My talk went so well that I made a career out of speaking and everyone remembered me. Oddly enough, wearing that outfit made me much braver.

Then, last month, I had an Aha moment. I remembered how I had always loved to write poetry but realised that I had stopped doing it because I it was unlikely to make me rich. So, thinking of the Bedouin lady incident, and how important it is to be memorable, I decided to stick my neck out and do my next presentation in rhyme. That occasion was last week, when I was a Ten Minute Hero at Gary Foster’s GONG event (for those of you not in the know, that stands for Gary Outrageous’s Networking Group http://www.garyoutrageous.com <http://www.garyoutrageous.com/> ). I had ten minutes to make an impression:

I’ve just ten minutes, which isn’t long
To talk to you at Gary’s GONG.
So here we go,

my name is Jo,
And if I were a stick of rock
The word writer’d go from base to top.
Though poetry is not my game
It matters to me much the same
For words are ultimate to me
And feed my creativity.
And so on .. .

I was brave. I did something different. I could have regretted it . . . but I didn’t. Because even if I had been rubbish (and feedback says I wasn’t) I will have been remembered.

I learned again that STICKING YOUR NECK OUT MAKES YOU TALLER.

What will you do?

News You Can Use
Budding writers out there – have you tried the Synopsit website? It is at http://ww.synopsit.co.uk <http://ww.synopsit.co.uk/> and is the place where editors find writers and writers find editors. Only today I learned of a number of great opportunities for a government funded project.

And thank you all so much for responding regarding the Costa Rica writing project. My client has now found someone.

If any of you could write about Vietnam or Portugal by the 1st of April (that’s 30,000 words for £1000) please get in touch.

Your Feedback
Last month I wrote about fear and how life is too short to put things off. I was, of course, referring to our move to The Netherlands at the end of this month. Here are just some of your replies:

Hi Jo, what a moving yet refreshing letter, as usual... and full of hope and energy, may be more than usual.
Michele Thorel
Paris

You know Jo - I really don't think it such a great deal to move - perhaps that is because I have done it so many times - by the age of 14 I had moved 14 times band a couple of those I had been in one place for two years. There is a bit of paperwork involved these days - but so what? As to the kids - they will get over it - I don't admire parents who spend their lives being dictated to by the desires (no - it is not needs) of family members - parents are supposed to be leaders - so lead the way!

The most exciting part is meeting new people, experiencing new things, meeting new challenges - it is not until we get out of our comfort zone do we really enjoy life - so try hard to make sure the kids see it that way too - but let them have their miseries first.

I have just moved to a country town about 100k out of the city - didn't mean much to me except the enjoyment of it all - even though I had been ill for two months prior so had to get some help to pack and I have to have a hip replaced next month - so wasn't as agile as I would have liked. But my elderly Mum and hubby (who had never lived outside of Melbourne) - it was a bit of a challenge - but we all love it - even my husband and eldest son who still have to commute to Melbourne for work.
Barb
Barbara Gabogrecan
Managing Director
Micro Biz Navigator , Australia

Jo congratulations I am a big believer in feel the fear but do it anyway, perhaps I just live without too much regard for the future, but on the bad days when you wonder why you did it, just read your own inspirer.
Good Luck
Jill Wilkinson, England

Hi Jo
All the best with your move. Remember, God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. Perhaps you feel that strength comes from within. I have always felt it came from outwith my own capabilities. Whatever you believe it reiterates the carpe diem attitude to life.
Regards
Sheila Young, Scotland

Hi Jo:
Good for you! I understand how scary it is to make that decision. It’s so much easier to just sit and wait, believing that what’s best for everyone.

The wake up calls come from strange places – mine came from a historian, a pastor who was bringing to the attention of his congregation what has happened time and time again throughout history. He challenged us all to look back over our own lifetime and to see if there was a pattern, a cycle that might be causing us to repeat ourselves without really learning from our past.

I’ve been writing a book – it’s called Cycles and when I re-read it – I recognized that I haven’t learned from my past – I’ve just made the same mistakes over and over again! It really started me thinking and if I’m not mistaken – there will be some major changes in my life over the next few months. I’ll share them with you as they unfold……….
Keep in touch Jo.
Donna Messer, Canada

Hey there Jo
Keep on walking the talk .. as it IS inspiring!
Alexis Garnaut-Miller, England

Hi Jo
How are you? Yesterday I read of your plans to move to Amsterdam from your Monthly Inspirer. Scary but exciting!!
GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!! Aren't the best moments the ones we live outside our comfort barriers?
Best wishes
Emma
Emma Bird, Sardinia
Weaveaweb & Iweaveaweb2

Ho Jo
I have been inspired by much of your writing, but your words about your move and the reasons behind it are in a different league. Congratulations for having the courage to make the changes and thanks for sharing them with us.
Val Plummer, England

Hi Jo
First of all let me wish you every happiness and success in your decision to re-locate to the Netherlands. It must have taken a great deal of courage to do it but, like you, I believe in 'seize the day' - and the older I get the more confirmed I am in this philosophy. So, well done and good luck.
Warm regards
Nadine Kazerounian

Hello Jo,
Enjoyed your text on Fear. For me it's not fear of doing something or not.... it's fear of not knowing what to do.
FYI, had you heard the meaning of FEAR? F E A R stands for: Forget (polite for the other F word)
Everything
And
Run!

Good luck in your expat assignment and welcome to the Netherlands; you'll find a lot to write about here.
Carol
Carol McKenna Fort, the Netherlands

WHAT’S ON IN 2005
Here’\s just a taster to show you I wont be standing still . .

10th February
Grow Your Own Networks
WiRE conference, Newport, Shropshire

24/25th February
A Career in Your Suitcase
Expat Conference, Oulu, Finland

8th April
Write Your Passion
The Warehouse, Leidschendam, The Netherlands