"Leap, and the net will appear."
— American naturalist John Burroughs
That was the opening quote when I started the Leaping Woman blog on October 26, 2007. I had quit my job after 26 years in the computing industry, and volunteered for a service year with a nonprofit. I chose the Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology (ABI) because I had benefited from its programs over the years and because I believe in its mission: to improve technology by involving more women at all stages, and to improve the lives of the world's women through technology.
I had no idea what I'd do after that service year. The quote served as a mantra, warding off any fear about the future. Everything was open to exploration; everything was an option; even as I knew at that some point I'd have to start thinking about that next paying job.
The net began materializing when one of ABI's staff moved on to a new position. I volunteered to cover the online communities work she'd been doing, until the dust settled. Everything I'd been exploring, reading up on and playing with online suddenly was of practical daily use. I learned to use social networking tools with funny names that made my friends say, "Huh?" I started to form a vision, and come up with new ideas to try. I bounced out of bed in the morning, looking forward to the day's work. And I started talking with the staff about joining their team.
"Leap, and the net will appear. " On March 3, 2008 I became an employee of the Anita Borg Institute. Leaping Woman has landed, and with a big smile on her face.
Readers of this blog are already aware that as my involvement with ABI has increased, my activity on this blog has decreased. I expect to do most of my writing now on the ABI website. Thank you for reading the Leaping Woman blog. And thanks for all of your support while I made that leap. One more quote, before I go:
"All that is necessary to break the spell of inertia and frustration is this: Act as if it were impossible to fail."
— poet Dorothea Brande
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Comfort Karma
"As long as you derive inner help and comfort from anything, keep it."
— Mahatma Gandhi
Just take "10 minutes" requires a bit of explanation. This wise woman's method was to give herself ten minutes to wallow in whatever she was feeling, and then move on. If I recall correctly, she may have even set a timer. I've since heard others recommend this method.
Years before that Success workshop, another group of women had offered their advice on how to get through a difficult transition in my life. One said, "Make a list of things you can do when you're wide awake at 4:00 in the morning." On the next occurrence of such a night, the first thing I did was sit down and draft that list of things I could do in the middle of the night. Then I picked an item off the list and did that until I'd calmed down enough to get some sleep.
Another said, "Make a list of friends you can call at 4:00 in the morning." Some of them offered to be on that list. I never actually called anyone at 4:00 in the morning, but knowing I could helped me through some very rough nights. It was so helpful to me that I've made the same offer in return and to others. Call it comfort karma.
That transition was completed and the paper with the list is long gone. But I have saved the How to Break Out of a Downward Spiral list for years. Partly because it's comforting just knowing that I have such a list. Partly to share with others in need, which I have on more than one occasion.
To use the list, it helps to think of the unwritten first and last items on it:
— Mahatma Gandhi
We've just finished day one of ABI's TechLeaders: Power and Influence workshop featuring the fabulous Jo Miller, CEO of Women’s Leadership Coaching. I'm so energized by the great group of women, the amazing collective wisdom in the room, and the generosity with which it is shared. One of my conversations at the reception this evening turned to the subject of how to get yourself — or a friend — out of a funk. That reminded me of this list we brainstormed in a Success for Women workshop at a former employer:
- Brainstorm alternatives
- Find support
- Consider the worst possible outcome: How realistic is it?
- Recognize that you are stuck
- Persistence
- Take baby steps, and own each success
- Take away the safety net
- Address fear and get it over with
- Take action
- Just take "10 minutes"
- Know yourself and your priorities
Just take "10 minutes" requires a bit of explanation. This wise woman's method was to give herself ten minutes to wallow in whatever she was feeling, and then move on. If I recall correctly, she may have even set a timer. I've since heard others recommend this method.
Years before that Success workshop, another group of women had offered their advice on how to get through a difficult transition in my life. One said, "Make a list of things you can do when you're wide awake at 4:00 in the morning." On the next occurrence of such a night, the first thing I did was sit down and draft that list of things I could do in the middle of the night. Then I picked an item off the list and did that until I'd calmed down enough to get some sleep.
Another said, "Make a list of friends you can call at 4:00 in the morning." Some of them offered to be on that list. I never actually called anyone at 4:00 in the morning, but knowing I could helped me through some very rough nights. It was so helpful to me that I've made the same offer in return and to others. Call it comfort karma.
That transition was completed and the paper with the list is long gone. But I have saved the How to Break Out of a Downward Spiral list for years. Partly because it's comforting just knowing that I have such a list. Partly to share with others in need, which I have on more than one occasion.
To use the list, it helps to think of the unwritten first and last items on it:
1. Remember to look at your How to Break Out of a Downward Spiral list.
...
n. What else could go on this list?
Friday, February 15, 2008
There is no cure
"If you can't be a good example, you'll just have to be a horrible warning."
— Catherine Aird
Recently I confessed that I've been untrue to my blog. I've been off gallivanting with Twitter, Facebook, SecondLife, and more, while my poor blog sits with the wind howling through the gaping holes between posts. Half-written entries sit twiddling their thumbs awaiting cleanup and completion. A draft I call the Quote Silo sits jam-packed with quotations at the ready — selected for topics I thought I might blog — longing for their soul mates. And while I haven't exactly fallen into the depths of blogging decrepitude, periodically it occurs to me that I should blog more often, as a record for myself and interested others of what I've been up to since I made the leap. After all, I haven't actually landed yet.
But there is simply so much to explore! There are identities to try on, ideas to try out, more logins and passwords than I ever wanted, and so much to read. I love the reading and the learning and I find myself following link after link and the time simply passes. KJ and I recently read a short and hilarious little book called An Uncommon Reader. The premise: what would happen if the Queen of England suddenly became a voracious reader? I'm doing my own version (except I'm not a queen etc. etc.).
Now the purists among my friends will argue that web surfing is not the same as Reading Books, and I won't argue with them. But I'll close with another quote.
"The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity."
— Dorothy Parker
— Catherine Aird
Recently I confessed that I've been untrue to my blog. I've been off gallivanting with Twitter, Facebook, SecondLife, and more, while my poor blog sits with the wind howling through the gaping holes between posts. Half-written entries sit twiddling their thumbs awaiting cleanup and completion. A draft I call the Quote Silo sits jam-packed with quotations at the ready — selected for topics I thought I might blog — longing for their soul mates. And while I haven't exactly fallen into the depths of blogging decrepitude, periodically it occurs to me that I should blog more often, as a record for myself and interested others of what I've been up to since I made the leap. After all, I haven't actually landed yet.
But there is simply so much to explore! There are identities to try on, ideas to try out, more logins and passwords than I ever wanted, and so much to read. I love the reading and the learning and I find myself following link after link and the time simply passes. KJ and I recently read a short and hilarious little book called An Uncommon Reader. The premise: what would happen if the Queen of England suddenly became a voracious reader? I'm doing my own version (except I'm not a queen etc. etc.).
Now the purists among my friends will argue that web surfing is not the same as Reading Books, and I won't argue with them. But I'll close with another quote.
"The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity."
— Dorothy Parker
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