Your Biggest Fan

11 Tuesday Feb 2014

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biggest fan, encouragement, giving, pay it forward, success, superhero, supporter

Ever have someone that thinks you’re awesome?! Usually our parents fall into this category, but I want you to think about someone who isn’t related to you. And while a best friend might qualify, I’d like you to think even beyond them.

I’m talking about someone that does more than support you or encourage you, but they go out of their way to help you find success. They offer to make introductions, or talk about your talents when you’re not in the room, and they just generally think you’re so great that they want everyone else to know the same. What is even more spectacular is when you randomly meet someone and they take to you in a way that you know that they could fall into your fan category. It makes you blush and giggle inside with childhood excitement.

I call these fabulous people “Your Biggest Fans”.

And so I would like you to think about how you can become someone’s biggest fan and here is why …

Having someone who isn’t related to you, or isn’t already connected in a deep way to you, stand on a proverbial mountain top to tell the world how great you are, is simply one of the best and most encouraging feelings that exist. It’s like having your very own superhero who helps you when you’re in need and guides you to success. And if you are someone’s biggest fan, then hopefully they will apply the Pay it Forward model, and be someone else’s biggest fan as well. And if that happens often enough, then I think we’ll have started a small movement to make the world a better, happier place.

If you have someone in your life today that is your biggest fan, I encourage you to offer a random act of kindness and thank them for being there for you. And in the same breath, think about someone that you know and think is just great and consider being their advocate in a way that would make them blush and giggle with happiness.

To all of you, who have been someone’s biggest fan, thank you!!

And to those people who have been mine, I am eternally grateful.

You Never Know

06 Thursday Feb 2014

Posted by Joanne Fedeyko in Business, Family, Inspiration

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conference, friends, giving back, startup grind, unconference, VC

It’s hard to know what the outcome will be of anything you do. You could wake up super excited for no reason at all and have the best day of your life … or it could be the worst day without rhyme or reason. On any given day we have no idea what will happen – who we will meet – what events will occur … or if we will make a meaningful impact on someone or something through the course of the day. And that should be something that we all embrace versus fear. Easier said than done, right?! … I know!

The conference that I just attended was unlike any other conference for one small but critical reason – the founder made the simple act of giving back to other attendees a core part of how everyone interacted. Instead of the “Hi I am so-and-so and I do such-and-such … what about you?” … and then the “boring, exactly-the-same-response” in return type of dialogue … the conversations went like this “Tell me your story …. how can I help you?”. And that simple question changed the landscape of the entire event.

Instead of putting your head down and walking past people, everyone looked you in the eye and said hello – and then stopped – and a meaningful conversation followed. Crazy, right?!

Now, not all connections will bring life-stopping change to the world, but I have to say that out of everyone that I met in 2.5 days, probably a solid 80% provided me with something of value. Such as ….

– I met a VC that is now trying to help connect me to the right company to find a job — thank you Dave!! You’re amazing!

– I met a fellow Canadian who is looking for some running routes around the city, to which I would be more than happy to share my favorite spots with Nathan (coming soon via LinkedIn my friend)

– I met Pete (who recognized me from my Twitter profile because I re-tweeted him the day before) who is originally from London and is now living in Whistler doing something really neat with 360 degree video … was introduced to that same VC mentioned above and who knows where that will lead! Good luck Pete! Not to mention that I now know someone who lives in Whistler! ha ha

– I got to interact with loads of young, spirited, bright-eyed 20-something year olds that have the ideas and enthusiasm to one day be ON the stage at these events in a few years — so I will be able to say “remember when we met and we laughed so hard at the whatchamacallit” — Girolama, what fun!! I look forward to your return trip in March!

… My point is that while we wake up and we go about our day with either hope or perhaps on some days, let’s admit it, a little despair … we never (ever) really know where the day will take us. We have to be open to all of the possibilities. We surely won’t see or experience change by living in our typical box — keeping our head down as we pass the new hire at the water cooler or stranger in the line at Starbucks .. so try to take the “give something back” approach and look to each person you encounter today with the concept of helping him or her along their journey. You might be pleasantly surprised with where it will lead you.

And by the way .. you can apply this to your personal life and not just work. Weaving this concept into your daily life with those that mean the most to you will have profound effects on the relationships with each person in your inner circle.

A final shout out to Mia, Elissa, Adam (Dr. Love), Thomas, Girolama and Silke — thanks for a very fun evening. See you at Startup Grind 2015!

Mediocrity Is Not An Option

05 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by Joanne Fedeyko in Business, Inspiration

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Tags

conference, entrepreneurs, inspiration, mc hammer, mediocrity, method product, rap music, Silicon Valley, startup, startup grind

This week I have the privilege of attending an entrepreneur conference here in the Silicon Valley called Startup Grind. After about 14 hours of speakers, networking and sometimes a sheer overload of inspiration (hard to believe but true), I’m reminded of a phrase I heard (and have tried to live by) many years ago — mediocrity is not an option. And it surely is no destination!

I’m humbled to live in an area where there is such amazing talent, inspiration and knowledge — and I’m thrilled that I get to learn from, and meet, so many people that have a sincere passion to change the world. It might be with a healthcare product — or the arts — or it could be with an idea that they haven’t thought of yet … it actually doesn’t matter because their desire is contagious. And I love that. When I’m in the room with my notebook in hand, and Twitter update formulating in my head, I feel like I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Even though I’m not on stage enthralling the audience with my audacious product that scaled to a billion users overnight (yet – ha ha), it still feels like I’m in the exact right place in my life right now.

We should never (ever) settle for anything less than our heart desires, or that which our dreams create. Mediocrity is really not an option – not when we have the world at our fingertips and access to so much inspiration all around us.

If your passion isn’t startup entrepreneurism, that’s Ok — you have another passion and that is what you need to feed. And if you don’t know what your passion is, that is OK as well – you can find it. Do this exercise each day until you find something that moves you — wake up every morning 10 minutes before your alarm typically goes off and grab a pen and a blank piece of paper and complete the following:

“If I could do anything that I wanted to do today, be anything I wanted to be … I would _______”. And don’t put sleep in or take a long bath … while those are noble aspirations, think about what really moves your heart and what you’re naturally attracted to that may or may not be getting attention on a daily basis. Do this every day and I promise you, clarity will come.

For there is a whole life ahead of us — so read carefully when I write (as quote from Rose Tremain) — “Life is not a dress rehearsal!”

People – let’s get inspired! Let’s not accept mediocrity, or as my new Startup Grind friend, and one day future billionaire Thomas Griffin wrote, “do not accept tasteless mediocrity” which sounds way more savvy and 21st century.

MC Hammer on the Startup Grind Stage !!

Method Co-Founder Eric Ryan with the best presentation of the day!

Method Co-Founder Eric Ryan with the funniest presentation of the day!

A Teachable Moment

04 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by Joanne Fedeyko in Family, Inspiration

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children, education, teachable moments, teaching youth, webinars

The other day as my stepdaughter was (impatiently) waiting to leave for volleyball practice I had her help me finish addressing some envelopes for a nonprofit project. At the same time I was (attempting) to listen to an online webinar as I am taking every chance I can to learn these days. It wasn’t a fantastic webinar but I was committed nonetheless.

As Florencia was putting stamps on the letters she started to ask me questions. What were the letters in the envelopes about? How do the letters get to the person? Is it free to mail a letter? How much does it cost? Questions that were cute and made me giggle … but could have also been a little annoying at the same time because like I said, I was trying to be engaged with the webinar.

Thankfully I let the cute part overrule the potentially annoying part and I instead had the chance to educate my stepdaughter on the act of giving (the letters were tax receipts for a nonprofit I have been involved with) … and the value of things (both monetarily — as in “how much does a stamp cost” and how it costs more to send a letter outside of the country — and on the non-monetary side such as why people donate their hard earned money to charities).

I closed my laptop as we finished sealing and stamping the envelopes and soon after it was time to go to volleyball practice. Florencia probably never gave our conversation another thought but I had the biggest grin on my face for the rest of the day. I felt grateful that I took a few moments to teach instead of be taught. In the end I learned more that day from the discussion with Florencia then I ever could have learned from a webinar.

Sometimes it’s important to let go of what we’re doing and embrace the world that is right in front of us.

50K (or 31.07 Miles) of Relentlessly Moving Forward

30 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by Joanne Fedeyko in Health & Exercise, Inspiration

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50K, first marathon, learning to run, leukemia and lymphoma, lost souls ultra, marathons, running, team in training, ultra running, way too cool

I started Being Superwoman to inspire others to be their most audacious self — to dream big — and to find that inner hero who can help them accomplish anything they set their mind to do.

When I was about 25 yo a few friends that I worked at a construction company in Edmonton, Alberta, were going out for a run after work. This group would get together and run races on the weekends and have fabulous stories to tell Monday morning. Curiosity piqued my interest and so I decided I would try out this running thing … and wouldn’t you know it … I could barely run around my block!!

I didn’t let my first step limit me from continuing and so I kept up with the running and soon I was up to three miles … which is where I stayed for a good number of years. Always a three mile run. Never a fast run … and never any greater distance (or thought of anything greater). That was until my friend Dianna invited me to complete a marathon with Team in Training. Because I’m adventurous I signed up and completed my first marathon in December 2001. This marked the beginning of my passion for running.

I kept running … in the mornings at 5:30 am with my friend Jeanmarie to the bottom of the Golden Gate Bridge … on weekends at half marathons or 10Ks … and in the evenings at a track workout where I learned the real reason why I run (to drink beer afterwards!).

Then something happened. I stumbled upon people doing Ultra Marathons (which means any distance greater than a marathon – could be a 50K, 50 Miles, 100 Miles!) … and I was like “I am never doing that!!” …. Until, you guessed it, one day I got inspired by my friends at the Tuesday night track workout telling amazing stories of their weekend running adventures. So in 2010 I completed my first Ultra Marathon … the Way Too Cool 50K run in Cool, California … in 7 hours and 24 minutes! I told you I wasn’t a fast runner!

Last year I ended up with a new title “injured runner” and had surgery for a meniscus tear. I also had a whole bunch of other life changing events so 2013 turned into a year without running. I’ve missed it dearly — I’ve missed my friends and their stories, and I’ve missed being inspired. So I’m now a regular at the gym to rebuild some muscle strength, and I’m finally back on the trails to build up the mileage again. And yesterday on my 2-mile run I found myself smiling because I was back doing something that was so authentically me.

Oh and I also signed up for the Lost Soul Ultra (50K distance) in September of this year because after all, I like big audacious goals. And I need a goal to keep me pointed in the right direction.

What is your passion? And are you being bold enough? Audacious enough? Where might a run around your block take you??

My 2-mile run … It doesn’t look like much, but it was everything!

That All Important Chance

29 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by Joanne Fedeyko in Business, Inspiration

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American Idol, delancey street, hope

There is pretty much only one reality TV show that I watch and that is American Idol. As I began watching the auditions a consistent theme came to mind — Sometimes, in order for us to achieve greatness, it begins with someone giving us that all important chance.

Almost all of the participants (the good ones at least — not the ones there for their 12 seconds of fame) ask the judges to “give them a chance” — the break that they need to prove themselves. Regardless of their story (and some of them break your heart) … to some degree, I am rooting for them because I love it when people make the most of the chance their given.

Right now I am looking to make a career change and I wish I could stand in front of every HR professional, founder or recruiter and say “just give me a chance – I will prove myself in Hollywood” … Okay, I would drop the Hollywood part but you know what I mean.

There are people out there that have a lifetime of chances to give. My dad is one of those people. He has always wanted to help the underdog. And recently a good friend of mine told me a story of a construction company that only hires inexperienced people – he has personally taken on the role of helping others in his industry gain experience. Her husband started out that way and today is an extremely successful business owner. Nonprofits such the Delancey Street Foundation exist for the single purpose of giving. Delancey Street gives ex-convicts and ex-addicts a chance to learn a skill, build confidence and become contributing members of our community. And for over 40 years they have been developing a model of social entrepreneurship, education, rehabilitation and change that is exciting and full of hope.

Maybe we should ask for that chance more often? Who knows where it will lead or how history will change if the person on the other side of the conversation says “Yes!!” … or in American Idol’s case … “you’re going to Hollywood!!!”.

Need to Get “Unstuck”?

16 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by Joanne Fedeyko in Organization

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unstuck

I’m not sure why finding the free Unstuck iPad App surprises me but I guess even with today’s rapid technological advances and interest in the latest flavors of things like SnapChat and Jelly … finding an App that “helps” you just sort of blew my mind.

Unstuck (and I quote from their website) “is a new in-the-moment approach to personal growth for anyone who wants to live better every day. Combining personalized digital tools with tips and know-how from a community of other people facing stuck moments, Unstuck makes it easy to get on-demand coaching whenever you need it.”

Now isn’t that pretty cool?! Think about it … who HASN’T been “stuck” at some point in their life … helpless relationship, unfulfilling job, unhappy roommate, unreasonable requests from children …. So it’s perfect!

And I have to admit .. I tried it on for size, and it’s way cooler than I expected.

So now .. when you’re like “err … can’t seem to ‘blank’ today” … reach for the Unstuck App and find a solution! … instead of fretting about the problem …

Personal Board of Directors

14 Tuesday Jan 2014

Posted by Joanne Fedeyko in Organization

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Board of Directors

A few years back I came across this idea about a Personal Board of Directors. I have run nonprofit organizations in the past and have sat on a few Boards over the years so I am familiar with the roles that board members play. I also know the amazing talent that they bring to help with the success of the organization. And this is a really great concept to apply to your personal life! Here is how:

Think about two categories:

1st Category – The people that you have in your life right now that add value or happiness. Like the hair dresser who always makes you feel like a princess when you leave her salon! Or the friend that you can count on to always pick up your kids from school if you’re running late. Create a list of other “rocks” that you have in your life right now.

2nd Category – The talents that you need or want to have in your life but they are missing at the moment. It could be a really great tax accountant because every year you freak out in January just thinking about April 15th. Or maybe it’s time for a new stylist or other beauty care specialist. Make a list of who or what is missing.

Now combine the two categories and list out who is already on your personal Board of Directors (but you might not have called them that until now), and who you can add in for the missing positions. Feel free to actually write out a list and keep it somewhere that you can refer back to from time to time – to either calm you down in a moment of crisis, or to change up or make additions or subtractions.

Depending upon what is going in your life, your personal Board will look different for everyone. If you’re a working mom you’ll have friends, family and other parents that make up the village it takes to raise a family. If you’re single then you will want people surrounding you that help create the life experiences that you’re interested in at this time. Here are some of the roles that I have had, or have currently, on my personal Board of Directors to give you some food for thought.

Running Friend and Running Group – Because I’m a big runner I am blessed to have a group of friends with whom I can catch a run with almost any day of the week. Some of the people within the group I know I can personally count on for a 20-mile training run or to cheer me on at the finish line. This group of friends are my rock more often than not.

Best Friend – Of course we all need someone that will answer our phone call whether it is 12 pm or 2 am … that friend that will always listen, never judge and tell you “this too shall pass”. She/he might also be the one that will meet you out for a glass of wine or shot of tequila when it’s been “one of those kind of days”. This person is critical to my sanity, and thankfully I do have a few of them.

Accountant – Even though I am an Accountant by education and hold a CMA designation, I still need and want the advice of someone who is practicing it on a daily basis. Yes I have to pay him a few hundred dollars for filling in forms that I could do myself – but he calms my nerves just knowing that he’s doing it correctly and my job is only to provide him with the details – he’ll take care of the rest. That is priceless for me.

Beauty Peeps – While I am by no means a fashionista, or spend a tonne of time on the esthetics of myself, I do have a hair stylist and spoil myself with massages and facials and such on a somewhat regular basis. Someone told me once that we listen diligently to the “change oil” reminder on our cars and see our mechanic when needed yet we ignore all signs of taking care of ourselves. So I have my several people or places I go when I sense the proverbial “change oil” reminder coming on.

Mentor / Coach / Therapist – Some people consider it weak to work with a therapist, but personally I feel we ALL need a therapist of some form in our lives. So whatever advice you seek – be it a career mentor, life coach or good ole fashion therapist – I’ve had them surround me for decades now, and I trust that this role will always be filled on my own personal Board.

So who do you have? Who is missing? What or who do you need in your life right now to calm you down, inspire you, or give you a good ole kick in the pants? Please share any creative roles that you’ve come up with or that work for you. And good luck with the recruitment for your own personal Board of Directors!

New Year – New You

10 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by Joanne Fedeyko in Inspiration

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George Eliot

There is a quote by George Eliot that I love and live by:

“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”

While it’s often true that we wish we would have made that critical decision “BEFORE” … be it to start saving money, exercise regularly, be a better friend or spouse, spend quality time with your kids [insert your own ‘want’ here] … the reality is that it’s still better to start TODAY than to wait another moment.

So whatever it is for you that you’d love to have in your life … try it on for size TODAY. Pretty soon you’ll look back and be glad that you made the change when you did and decided to not waste another moment wishing you had.