Posts from — March 2007

One of the privileges of starting canvas is the opportunity to meet with many interesting people, including those whose aim is to work with the magazine in some way. Recently, we met with two such people and I was pleased to hear that they described canvas’ “role” in the community as vital.

In talking we learned that our visitors were currently on a path of life and career reassessment and that they were hoping to apply the lessons they learned about personal/professional fulfillment to a relationship with canvas. They talked about the way we may be able to help them in their life journeys based on the essence of what they sense about us through the pages of the magazine and website.

Many of the people I’ve met through canvas have been unbelievable individuals. When we launched the magazine, I knew the mindset of the audience with which we were trying to connect but I’ve still been impressed with the passion and conviction of the people I’ve met through this endeavor.

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The other day I had lunch with a client, who is also my friend, along with one of his associates. We were talking about the things that mentally block each of us, as individuals. I shared with them that I have trouble accepting success and at times it’s an inhibitor for me. We talked about how this is common for many people.

This has been on my mind lately because the success of canvas with readers has been overwhelming and beyond anything we would have imagined at this stage. Although I relish the feedback we’ve gotten and occasionally mist up when people tell me the positive impact the magazine is making, I still struggle to deal with our success. As we become more established and well-known, the demands on us are increasing and we’re faced with the daily challenge of accomplishing everything ‘re already committed to while meeting these new demands in order to be even more successful.

In my previous corporate life it was easier; I basically sacrificed my personal balance for the good of the company–and detriment of my family. Despite my sacrifices, I still rarely accepted my success. I was always said I’m was just doing my job.

Today I’m trying to balance both success and family, even declining invites to events that I’m sure might have furthered the goals of canvas sooner. Often they also happen to be events I’d enjoy attending. But I’ve committed not to repeat my past behavior.

I guess I’m old enough now to realize the ability to live a balanced might actually further our success rather than hinder it.

Still I wonder what blocks many of us from getting to this realization. In my last blog post I talked about the labels we get early in life, perhaps these labels are part of the problem.,. Or is it something else? I once worked for a guy who talked about a lobster pot and the lobsters trying to crawl out being pulled back in by the others to die along side them. Maybe that’s an analogy for us all. Are we all afraid that if we try to climb out someone will pull us back in?

I don’t know the answer right now, but I know we’d all be better off just accepting life as it comes, not worrying about how we’re labeled or whether we’ll get pulled under,. It would be far better to just try and live in the moment and enjoy the ride. One of my associates tells me when I learn to just accept, whatever it is life hands me, life will be that much easier.

I’m trying–and along the way hope to enjoy our success.