4 Simple Strategies Saved My Life

The last 6 months have been a time of tremendous change in my life. Heck, this whole year has been a roller coaster, but especially the last half of 2008.

Things have been so crazy, and stressful, and frantic, and exciting, that my doctor told me I needed to lighten my stress load before I became another family statistic.

So I got cast in a musical, created a new direct sales training course with my good friend Ruth Fuersten, and agreed to help a friend create a website for a local comic and entertainment publication that's being born in my home town.

And I didn't break a sweat. Well, okay, I sweat a lot during the musical, but that was because it was hot on the stage under all those lights.

I've lost 15 pounds (and counting). I feel less stressed most days (remember, I've got 2 kids!). And I have never felt better about my business and financial future.

Why? I'm building better customers. My businesses now revolve around me, instead of revolving my businesses around my frustomers - those frustrating customers that seemed to exist oly to make my life more difficult.

So I finally said "ta ta" in 4 simple steps.

Wanna know the steps?

I'm sharing them FREE of charge on a call this Monday night. I'm not holding anything back, either. You'll not only hear from me, but two of my "guinea pigs" that I've already shared this process with. They'll be telling you how it's helped them. And if it will help us, I know can help you, too.

Clear away the "frustomers" in your life. It could save your life, too!

Overture... Curtain lights... Chicago!

So in my mad ramblings, I don't talk too much about my personal life. I figure there's more important stuff going on in the world besides me.

But today, I'm sharing pictures from a recent birthday party.

What makes this party so unique is that the attendees were, for the most part, cast member from a local production of the musical, Chicago.

One cast member, Aaron, celebrated his 20th birthday and invited all of us cast folk to join in the soiree. He's the Blonde in that first picture, standing next to Anthony.

It was such a blast to see the cast reunite for something like this. We spent a few months together working our BUTTS off for this production. Choreography was tough - at least for locals that haven't had a dance class in eons. Music was challenging, but we were blessed with some very talented cast members that could out-sing some of the greats on the karaoke stage - and some of us really tried, believe me.

So we ate, drank and had pickles - it's a tradition, the pickles. You'll have to ask me about it sometime.

But why is this in a Marketing Blog, you ask? Well, a couple of reasons. This blog also doubles as an occasionally personal blog (deal with it), and because it emphasizes what a good story (Chicago), a loyal customer base (the cast and crew), and a powerful product (Vertigo Theatrics) can bring about.

Ted, the guy that runs the show over there, is really a humble giant of a guy. In our many conversations, one of the things that he's touched on is the fear that he's not making a difference in the lives of people in our area. Now I've worked with Ted on several other productions where the cast and crew become close in an almost magical way, but he always wrote it off as a fluke. Well, I think the third time's not a coincidence: it's what makes a good theater company GREAT:

Jen and Steve, to my knowledge, have never done a show together before. This show stretched Steve in a leading role. Jen had to dig deep for some amazing choreography. This show really brought them together and gave them a new "thing to do" as husband and wife.

New friendships were forged - some of which transformed lives. People came to this show with broken pieces, and somehow, through the power of theater, shared trials and a good belly laugh, they found themselves on the mend.

Super HEROES came to the rescue. Anthony's folks gave us an amazing set, and raised the bar for all of Ted's future productions. And don't get me started on the amazing job Barb did on the costumes. Selfless giving. Yeah, they'll say it was because they wanted Anthony's first production to be spectacular, but few people give of themselves that way for total strangers - even if their kid is involved. And the tireless day-in, day-out work of Ted's "better half", Jacque is a testament to the passion they both have for this community.

And me? I just took it all in. Making notes so that Ted couldn't backpedal on this one. There was so much joy in a room that never would have been there if it weren't for companies like this, productions like this, and people like Ted and Jacque who found a passion and nurtured it with "Class".

There were others in this cast of characters that didn't hang around long enough to pose, and others still that couldn't make it to this seemingly simple birthday party.
But this was a party unlike most. This was a cast of strangers that became friends for a time, who reunited for one of their own to celebrate, remember, and be grateful. These people have their own paths in life and will take new directions now that the show is over.

But I think it's safe to say we were ALL transformed by what a little passion can do.
THANKS, TED! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY AARON!

No I didn't fall in a hole...

I've been absolutely swamped with a plethora of new activities to keep me occupied. My eldest is back in school - and already on his first suspension today. Oy.

We just finished Chicago, the musical to RAVE reviews and a sold out house. I ended up doing TRIPLE duty on this show. I had originally signed on to play the role of Matron Momma Morton (yes, the Queen Latifah role, but please do not compare!) and help out as vocal coach for the show. About a week before opening, I was also asked to take over as BAND DIRECTOR.

Talk about a humbling experience. I haven't directed an instrumental ensemble since my college days. For those of you that think you just wave your arms and music comes out, well, you're partly right.

I was put in front of some of the best musicians our town has to offer - and to direct Kander and Ebb is no small feat - but with a 5 piece ensemble - and at least ONE of them is a band director himself in real life - and did I mention they were all guys?

Yeah, I felt a wee bit intimidated. I mean, the drummer has played with some of the biggest names in modern rock and roll history. The sax player has more years experience than I have been living on this little rock. And did I mention the trumpeter is classically trained and is the high school band director in a Flint Suburb?

My palms weren't just sweaty because it was hot on that stage.

Opening night was more of a trial by fire for me than anything else I've experienced in my life. In my two (Count 'em TWO) conducting classes I had at college - only ONE was for instrumental music - I was taught the very rudimentary basics of conducting:

1. Mark the score for changes in tempo, key, mood, etc.
2. Analyze the music to know what's going on where (see #1 if you're unclear)
3. Note any cues
4. Practice conducting the music BEFORE your do it in front of your ensemble.

Well, I could pretty much scrap #4 because I had to jump right in on a dress rehearsal. Being part of the musical already was helpful because I already knew some of the music, but the incidental, between scene music (walk-offs, etc) I had never heard before, and well, let's just say I'm not the world's greatest sight-reader.

So I over counted, gave too many prep beats, and tried to be OVER helpful with my band. Some of the guys didn't mind, but I could tell there was a bit of derision in the ranks.

The whole show was cues - and with actors sometimes coming in on time and sometimes not, it was a new arrangement every night.

And we pulled it off to thunderous applause every single night.

But the guys who deserve the applause sat behind that bandstand. I waved my arms, and THEY made me look good.

And now that it's over, I'm glad - and I'm gonna miss 'em.

Tom, Frank (and Glenn for one night only), Larry, Gary and Chris: Y'all rock. Thanks for helpin' a girl overcome herself.

But next time, I want more notice.