The Sense of Loss
What a great discussion we had last night at the May Evening Cafe! This was the second monthly Evening Cafe on Age-Related Changes & Setting New Priorities.
The theme for this meeting was the “sense of loss”. While the circumstances were different for each of us there was a commonality of feelings. The loss of valuable relationships was the main underlying theme. Whether through death or illness of a loved one, the loss is felt deeply and we each will need to compensate in some fashion. That’s totally normal. The objective is to make the compensation as positive as possible in order maintain a sense of control in our own lives. Mary shared some of the things she is doing and is an inspiration for us all.
I know how hard it is to experience loss because I’ve been through it too. What I have learned and have come to embrace is that change and loss are an inevitable part of life. Without sounding too philosophical, I find it has helped me to identify areas of my life that could be developed. I have come a long way from being that burnt-out workaholic trying to make up for losses in my life. My business is on a new path with those in their “platinum years”, I have love in my life again, and I’ve expanded my inner circle to include wonderful people like you. I feel blessed and honored.
I always encourage group members to follow-up with anyone from the group if they are so inclined. That’s part of what the Café’s are about…making new friends, sharing experiences and offering support.
Irene Ankner has graciously offered her loft (123 E. 54th St., #2C) for our next Evening Café which will be Thursday, June 23rd at a new time, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Our theme will be “body image”. And please plan to join us for our June 6th Morning Café from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. That will be at our regular location, the Bluebell Café, 293 Third Ave. The theme for June 6th will be “challenges of the 60+ entrepreneur”. Please send your RSVP now for either of those to marian@primestrategies.com with the Subject as the Cafe and the date.
Business Community: A Closer Look
One of the phenomena I’ve observed in producing and hosting the Small Business Summit, over the past 5 years is the business community that has built up around this activity. We have a number of loyal sponsors who have come back year after year to support our efforts and take advantage of the growing small business community interested in business and technology.
At the Summit you get to reconnect with old friends and have the opportunity to make new ones. We have heard time after time that great new business connections are made at the Summit each year. That’s the bottom line value of the Summit. I hope you will join me at this year’s Summit and experience what I’m talking about.
The Summit is an example of an Informal community; people in a variety of tech and other businesses who come together annually to be updated on technology for small business, make new connections and reconnect with old friends.
As I see it there are three types of business communities:
Informal – There is no structure. You come together with others for a variety of business-related purposes. You often see the same people at different events and you begin to gain a level of recognition by your sheer frequency of presence. If you participate in a visible way, your recognition and reputation will grow quickly. Social networks are an informal community.
Formal – These are communities organized for specific purposes, industries, connections and more. The value for most small businesses is being able to use these communities as connections for information, resources, education, networking and growing their business. Here you have the opportunity to contribute in a more structured way. You can serve on committees, help at events, organize programs, etc.
Personal – Then there is your own personal business community; those you do business with, look to for expertise, obtain services and resources from. The more you make yourself available to the members of your community the faster your connections will grow.
Chances are you are a member of all three.
Know why you have become part of any community. Then participate at the right level to fulfill your intent.
And what they say is true; you do get out of your community what you put into it. Participation at an appropriate level for you is where you will get the most value.
NOTE: Stay tuned to learn about the new structure I have created to organize the small business leader community, BizLeaders Network, being introduced at Small Business Summit 2010.