weston culture » social

What. A. Week.

trish — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:27:54 +0000

It’s a rare event for me to be lost for words but this week has been so intense, I can’t even write about it yet. Here’s the synopsis – and I hope to get back to fill in the details later.

The week begins with a hissy-fit meltdown brought on by neglect of self-care. Mucho meditation later, all is good.
Diary is covered with red dots (clients)
Invitation to do retreats
Invitation to lecture in South America
An article I wrote a year ago gets published in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph
I get interviewed about said article on radio 2UE
Confab conference line falls over – 2 hours of rescheduling and re-writing guidelines for new system
Frabulous movie night catchup with the girls (always better when wearing 3d glasses)
Ping pong and drinkies with the noosa chicks (perhaps 3d glasses may have improved my game)
Much laughter
Lots of great wine

And, now, ready to start again…

This (Blogless) Life

This (Blogless) Life

trish — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 23:56:32 +0000

It’s very sad but I think my relationship to blogging has entered the “old friend” realm. You know, the one where “we really must catch up” is something that’s said with much feeling and good intention but rarely followed through.

You may have noticed that the blog posts at WestonCulture have become few and far between over the last few months. Yes, it was intentional. My writing had all got a bit “spit out the words and publish” and I didn’t feel I was writing (or posting) what was most important. I was carried away in the inanity of the online world.

While still enamoured of online inanity, I have relegated such things to their rightful place: Twitter. Interestingly, that has created more conversations than my blogging. People really seem to read and respond to those 140 character missives.

But alas, there are some things that require more than a pithy pun or trite sentence, and I intend to get the longer writing happening again. Whether I post it or not is a different story…

So what’s happening in the land of WestonCulture?

Lots.

An Affordable Coaching Program For All?

Rather than spending hours writing blog posts that no one reads, I’ve been developing a new coaching program. Yes, surprise surprise, coaching has lured me back. I’m developing it with other coaches and it’s quite possibly the most radical step I’ve taken in my coaching practice: Making high quality coaching affordable to anyone who needs it. Launch is imminent so I will keep you posted.

Noosa Soloists

On other fronts, I’ve started a group for solo business owners in my area. I’m not sure where it’s going but I am connecting with some lovely people (all of whom are women, interestingly…). Just goes to show you that business doesn’t have to be hard-nosed and dull. There are no suits and briefcases at the Noosa Soloist meetups, just talented people passionate about what they do.

Noosa Women

I’ve also started a social group for GLBT women in the Noosa area. Again, I’m getting a chance to meet more of “my people” locally. While I do have a bunch of dyke friends where I live, it took years to cultivate, and is teeny tiny compared with my network in the city. Leaving the “ghetto” of a big city queer culture to go live in paradise is often bittersweet. I get to live in this beautiful peaceful place, but it’s a challenge to find people who share my values, interests, or life experience. I know I’m not alone. I’ve spoken to many who have sea/tree-changed (gay and straight) who say the hardest thing is rebuilding social networks. So, seeing as no one was going to do it for me, I’ve decided to do it myself… There’s so much more to say on this but perhaps I’ll leave it for an article…

Being Home. Doing Nothing. Talking to cows.

The last few months have also seen a lot of travelling. Two trips out west and a lot of time working in Brisbane have made life very full. So much so that I’ve really appreciated being home when I’m here. And that’s a very nice feeling.

I’ve watched way too much tv recently. I have been totally addicted to Grand Designs (all 9 seasons and extras!) and Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations. Hmmm, I wonder what that’s saying?!

I swear, it’s all research.

And music! So much great music is flowing over the itunes airwaves at the moment. I’ve been listening to a fair bit of UK Top 40 (pop), trashy dance comps, and the latest releases from La Roux, Florence and the Machine, Sarah Blasko and Black Eyed Peas.

Anyway, must be off and get through some of my Monday morning madness. Have a brilliant week and don’t forget to say hi if you’re in the neighbourhood.

Good karma job hunting: Connecting with the hidden job market

trish — Sat, 09 May 2009 02:34:12 +0000

Tapping the “hidden job market” is an oft-mentioned strategy touted by employment experts advising how to find your ideal work.

If you’ve been looking for a job recently, you’ll know that relying on the newspapers or job sites for finding out about job opportunities doesn’t turn up many “woo hoo” jobs. At the other end, if you’ve ever looked for staff, you’ll know that advertising can be costly and often, unproductive. So how do you tap into something that everyone acknowledges is hidden?

It’s all about connections. At the moment we are inundated with new ways to connect with others. Word of mouth, or buzz, is just a Facebook or Twitter update away. But is anyone using this new accessibility to connection to match those who need staff with those who need work?

A philanthropic venture called Karmic Leads is giving job hunters and employers an alternative place to connect. And it’s not just a service to hook you up with “jobs” but includes matching for mentoring, speaking, and board positions.

I love this idea. It’s sort of like a Craigslist for work and it goes beyond the “9to5, full-time, employee” work model.

I have no idea how they are making money from it – as it is apparently a no-cost service – but I assume it is being approached with long-term goals. While the site doesn’t mention any other services, I would imagine that reciprocity would be at work. Those who use the job connections service would be likely to pay-it-forward by perhaps using one of the parent company’s other services. There are lots of possibilities to make this one work, if only for the database and connections it makes for Karmic Leads.

I’m not aware of any similar local sites but it would be a very timely business opportunity for someone who likes to connect with others. And it would get us a step closer to making the real job market visible.

I wonder if I know anyone who would be up for the job?

:: Thanks to Triple Pundit for the lead. ::