What do I do?
Hello self-serving subject matter. This blog is all about me. And ironically, it's an effort to be sure my community understands exactly what it is I do, in spite of the fact that I often say what we do is less important than what we are. What I am becomes evident spending much time with a person or her writing. What is not revealed within that context is that I am...for hire! I do...stuff! And I'm good at it. So here's a list, in no particular order of what you, or a group you know, might want to hire me to do...
- I speak. Primarily, I speak on topics designed to help individuals and groups develop better relationships. Improved interpersonal relationships lead to improved organizational cultures, increased productivity, greater harmony in homes and eventually, improved communities. I have spoken to educators, non-profit groups, regional leadership gatherings, corporations, church groups, engineering teams, women's retreats, a variety of associations and more. I deliver keynotes, workshops, break out sessions, commencement addresses, sermons and I also emcee events.
- I consult. Every speaker says he or she tailors his or her message to meet the needs of the client organization. Because of my 20+ years experience in communication and marketing, I can bring a depth to that process that is unusual. Through working to understand the communication or cultural challenges facing an organization, I can craft a message that meets specific needs and supports organizational strategy. I also can identify ways existing resources can be used to support the message, so the momentum gained by a great keynote or in a tremendous retreat isn't lost the minute the Blackberries and iPhones are turned back on. I also help organizations evaluate their communication channels and methods independent of speaking engagements. I love strategic communication and helping clients understand how to make the tools at their disposal work even more effectively.
- I facilitate. Board planning sessions, annual meetings and retreats, committee work...there are times an outside perspective can liberate a group to take its discussion to the next level. I can help plan the meeting and offer a facilitator's report. Strategic planning (including interviews with key stakeholders, resource analysis and projection, etc.) is a skill I possess, but I prefer to call in the big dogs of strategic implementation, like my friend, Cathy Eckstein.
- I write. I am the author of a book, Blooming Where You're Planted. You can buy the book and give it to friends who don't read blogs. It's not a book one reads to find out how it ends (although, evidently, there are some who have) but it has been reported to offer an occasional dose of insight that was just what the reader needed at the time. I'm not very good at talking about the book. I'm waiting to write the "big" book...then I'll say I'm an author. Then, last night, a friend said, "Mimi, I love your book and I'm a very smart person. Don't make me feel bad for loving your book." Gulp. So please, feel free to buy and read my book.
- I network. I love connecting people and I am happy to work with individuals or companies who need just the right expert, because chances are, I know one!
- I don't know. I used this phrase several times in a meeting over coffee yesterday morning, and my wise acquaintance called me on it. I guess it might sound weak, or as if I don't have a sense of direction. But the fact is, I don't know all that I can or should do. I think there is something that works through me—not because of me—that I deliver in away that resonates with people. And it think that something is part of the thing that might change the world. I truly don't know. But I want to get started. I have things to do. And I have things to be. I hope from both, goodness grows.
Posted by Mimi Meredith at 2/2/2010 10:11 AM 
Categories: Mimi's Musing
Tags: Workshop Leader Author Professional Speaker Idea Catalyst Nurturer Consultant Facilitator
Categories: Mimi's Musing
Tags: Workshop Leader Author Professional Speaker Idea Catalyst Nurturer Consultant Facilitator
Well, if I ever doubted that we were kindred spirits (which I didn't...), there's no doubt now after reading #6 above (not that I wasn't VERY interested and impressed with the rest too). I STILL don't know what I want to be or do when I grow up, and I'm a lot older than you are! You can't imagine how refreshing it is to "hear" you say it out loud. That took guts.
But don't you think that lack of "knowing" is part of what makes life an interesting journey? ...even though sometimes I long for more clarity. And if we believe in a higher power, we expect to receive guidance and it's NEVER doled out for me more than a very little at a time...with gaps in between
Mimi, don't you think there are THOUSANDS of women --perhaps men too -- out there who feel this way too but don't have the courage to admit it? Or haven't identified that yearning? How can we reach them? How can we help them unleash their -- and our -- true potential? How can we maintain that balance between wanting to plan and set goals and know where we're going with the patience of waiting and preparing and listening for the still small voice that tells us when the time is right for us to act? If we can come up with good teaching/training for people to help them maintain this balance, I think there might well be a hunger for it.
I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about this. Let's brainstorm!
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I ask myself these questions all the time, Elizabeth! Particularly, how do I harness the energy and ambition to move forward with my dreams while leaving space to hear the Still Small Voice.
I think we operate under the assumption that we have to have certain things...the right degree, the right web site, the right number of twitter followers or facebook fans, and then we'll be legitimate and can launch our dreams. Preparation is vital, but sometimes preparation and anticipation paralyze. We have to just shout to ourselves "Go!" And jump! You're enough and you have more than enough to share. And if we're paying attention, we will always be ready to lift one another up when we fail and to say, "Good try! Bet you learned something that will make the next jump even better!"
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