Changing Course Newsletter: Issue 260

In the Life

The last few weeks in western Massachusetts can be summed up in one word – RAIN!

It's been rain, rain, followed by more rain. Yes, it's been dreary. But just as in life, more often than not there is a silver lining.

For starters, all that rain has made everything so lush! "Lush" is one of those fabulous sounding words that seems so perfectly suited to its meaning.

Rain also brings out the natural beauty and texture of stones. A stone you'd never notice when dry positively glistens when it's wet.

And if you've been to my house you know I'm a compulsive rock hound.

For the last five years or so, I've been dragging home rocks of all sizes. Some are from local streams, including the brook that runs in front of my house.

Other rocks have come from as far away as Arizona, California, and Vermont. (More than one ticketing agent has said, "What do you have in this suitcase – rocks?")

The purpose of all this collecting was to ultimately have enough to build a dry stone wall along the walkway to my front door.

I was inspired by a 2007 segment on CBS Sunday Morning about Martha's Vineyard "stone artist" Lew French. It took him a year to build a three-story wall and one of his more ambitious jobs cost his client $300,000.

I'm not the only one fascinated by dry stone walls. Another resident of Martha's Vineyard named Mariana Cook became so hooked that she put together a book called "Stone Walls: Personal Boundaries."

The book combines essays by farmers, historians and an archaeologist to explore the history of dry stone walls in different countries. It's also an inspiring example of what can come out of following a passion – in Cook's being featured in the New York Times.

So after admiring the remarkable images in Lew's book Stone by Design for the last five years, at long last, and with considerable help from my friend Tina, I finally got a solid running start on building my own dry stone wall.

This shot was snapped just after a heavy rain.

There's still a lot of work to be done before I come even remotely close to the artistry of Lew French. But then I've got the rest of my life to perfect my wall… And for now I'm loving every minute of it.

What do you love to do?

Finally a special thanks to all of my friends and family who joined me this past week for my first book reading at Barnes & Noble in Holyoke Massachusetts. Your support means so much to me!

Signs, Signs, Everywhere the Signs: How Everyday Signs Can Help You Change Course or Careers

On a recent trip to nearby Northampton, Massachusetts, I saw some signs that offered invaluable lessons to anyone in the process of making a leap from having a boss to being their own boss.

From these signs I pulled three key components that can help guide you on your own career change path.

This sandwich sign on the sidewalk in front of the massage practice of Patty Gate stopped me in my tracks. There's a lot to love about this small sign.

First, it offers an irresistible offer in the form of a free massage. Obviously she's just starting out if she's willing to give up immediate income on the hopes that she'll gain loyal customers that will book again and again. It also speaks volumes about Patty and the confidence she has in her work.

So the first key take away is to consider how you present yourself as a business owner. Is it as bold and confident (and therefore trustworthy) like Patty? OR as meek and hesitant (which could cause others to think twice about hiring you).

Then there's the testimonial: "Best Massage Therapist." At first glance, I assumed that this was a designation she received from the local newspaper called The Valley Advocate, in which every year people vote on the best restaurant, the home builder, the best place to get a hair cut, etc.

Notice Patty didn't wait around to collect a dozen quotes from customers to claim her status as Best Massage Therapist, nor is she waiting around for someone to crown her the best.

Instead, Patty took matters into her own hands and boldly crowned herself the best in the biz! Go Patty!

Poster and flyer distribution may not be Amy's -- or anybody else's, for that matter -- "calling." But this resourceful woman has definitely found a need that she can be paid to fill.

Years ago I put on public seminars. So I know how time consuming it was to schlep around town hanging posters in windows and in bulletin boards. Clearly this kind of business wouldn't work well everywhere but there's a definite need in a college town like Northampton and or nearby Amherst Massachusetts.

Plus I love the message. She lets her potential customers know that not only is she quick as a bunny but that this is a professional poster and flyer distribution!

So look around the world around you for a problem or a need. Then think about how you can solve or fill it.

Even if it's not your full-time gig or your "dream business," there are always interesting ways to pay the bills while you work on changing course in your career and/or to generate that extra income to fund the business that truly is your calling!

Finally, check out the stairs that lead to the side entrance of the Northampton Quaker Meeting House On each stair is a word representative of what Quakers stand for.

Whether you already have a small venture or you're still in the planning phase, take time to think about what your business does or will stand for.

Then use those values to guide you as you make those all important business decisions.

Take a few moments to make a list now…and then I'll share a few of mine with you.

For me, it's things like perseverance, hard work, integrity, compassion, customer service, curiosity, and inclusion.

Ready to change course? Guidance comes in many forms. Signs -- literally and figuratively -- are all around you; you just need to pay attention.

For the next few weeks I invite you to take notice of what the signs around you are telling you. Think about how they can inform your own quest to change course. Then share your thoughts and insights on my blog.

Profiting From Your Passions^(R) expert Valerie Young abandoned her corporate cubicle to become the Dreamer in Residence at ChangingCourse.com offering resources for people who want to work at what they love. Her career change tips have been cited in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today Weekend, More, Kiplinger's, Woman's Day, and elsewhere and on-line at MSN, CareerBuilder, and iVillage.com. Valerie is also the author of The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It with Crown Publishing/Random House.