Words on the Page

Monthly Assessment: February 2012

Posted on by lwidmer

Happy Leap Day! It feels good to have one extra day in the year, especially with a full workload. What are you doing for Leap Day? I’m currently pumped up with antibiotics and eager to get back to feeling 100 percent. Lingering infections are just a pain in the neck (and back and arms and…

The Very Limited Offer

Posted on by lwidmer

Even feeling like I’d been pushed through a sieve, I managed to get a good deal finished yesterday. I drafted a client newsletter, got an article to a point where I need only drop in one more quote, and wrote the first draft of the 31 Days to Trade Magazine Profits webinar. I still feel…

Monday, Monday….

Posted on by lwidmer

Head on over to John Soare’s Productive Writers blog for his interview with me and a review of my e-book, Marketing 365. Thanks, John! You’re one of my absolute favorites, too. 🙂 For once, I’m rather glad the weekend is over. I spent much of yesterday fighting off an excruciating headache. It’s amazing how closely…

With a Little Help From My Friends

Posted on by lwidmer

Today is going to be nutso busy. I got an call from a friend in crisis, who needs backup on a project ASAP, plus I have a meeting that will take up most of the day (and one I’m looking forward to in order to escape the madness). I feel like I’m earning a vacation…

Are You Partner-Worthy?

Posted on by lwidmer

Pretty good day yesterday. I worked through another section of my article, lined up a few more interviews, had a conference call, and handled a few small client items. I got some marketing in, but not as much as I’d have liked. The conference call was with dear chum Anne Wayman and another writer who’s…

The Posse Clause

Posted on by lwidmer

Yesterday was one of those one step forward, two steps back days. I had the entire day to write, or so I thought. However, phone calls, emails, and various oddities kept cropping up. I did get some work done on an article, but I felt like I was being dragged through the day backwards and…

When There’s No More Demand…

Posted on by lwidmer

Yesterday was blessedly slower than most of last week. I managed to get two interviews done, review a client proposal, and work on a side project. Appointments on my very full calendar vaporized. I was somewhat glad for it, though each postponed appointment does have to be rescheduled. Another day. Good friend and writing chum…

Putting “Free”dom In Freelance

Posted on by lwidmer

Thanks to chum Cathy Miller for reviewing Marketing 365 over on her Simply Stated Business blog! I appreciate the review! How was the weekend? Mine was a mixture of lethargy and laziness – in general, pretty darned good. We had his office party on Saturday where I had the chance to really chat up some…

Giving Voice to the Voiceless

Posted on by lwidmer

Hop on over to Newton Ideas for a review of my Marketing 365 ebook. Yesterday was upheaval much of the day. I was still feeling under the weather thanks to an intestinal infection, so I was intent on taking it slow. Unfortunately, too many things conspired to keep that from happening. I was chipping away…

Agreeable Disagreements

Posted on by lwidmer

Yesterday was a wad of busy wrapped inside a shell of chaos. I got plenty accomplished, but there’s plenty more awaiting. I’m busy working on an emergency project today, plus I’m fighting off an infection that may require a doctor’s visit. I have no time for that, so it may wait until tomorrow. I’ve been…

Cathy Miller

I know what you mean about certain topics you just stay away from. I think a lot of my current feelings about the whole raging debate thing is my *ahem* seasoned status. 🙂

The older I get, the more I focus on the amount of energy it takes to engage in verbal warfare. If I figure it's too much wasted energy, I employ your last tactic.

When it comes to clients, that's a different story. One of the simplest, most effective solutions I have found to diffuse an escalating problem is to pick up the phone. Fortunately, I have not had too many occasions where I could sense the emotions getting worked up. But, when I have and I picked up the phone and calmly (as you note, Lori-taken the emotion out of it), it has totally calmed things down.

Paula

I guess I was born with diplomatic tendencies. While I can argue a point I'm totally certain of, I always keep a sense of humor and try to see the other person's point of view.

Your last point is crucial, Lori. The main reason most people get argumentative and nasty is to get you riled up enough that they drag you down to their playground so they can kick sand in your eyes. Guess what? If you don't allow yourself to be lured down, the sand can't hurt you.

The one thing bullies hate most of all is when their tactics don't work. They don't know how to react to a smile – or laughter.

Lori

Cathy, I was thinking about the different people in my life and what I will/won't discuss with them. With my siblings, I won't talk politics (or anyone else, for that matter). Some relatives aren't going to hear my views on gay marriage. Others won't hear what I think about women's reproductive issues. It's just avoiding those hot-button issues, and especially doing so when it's not one-on-one.

Only once did the phone make it worse for me, and that was with the client who was intent on NOT paying me. His motivation was to hang all sorts of ills on my shoulders, use guilt, etc. to avoid that bill. That's when I wisely moved it back to email. That paper trail saved my butt.

Paula, so very true. I will not engage. I don't defend myself either unless it's so offensive that it can't be overlooked. I know someone who insists on pointing out things I do that she thinks are ridiculous. I know it's some really bizarre form of jealousy – she's openly said so on occasion. I can't – and won't – be party to her demons.

Cathy Miller

Good point about the paper trail, Lori. Fortunately, I have not had payment arguments-she says VERY LOUDLY knocking on wood. 🙂

And I live every day with sealed lips on many of those same issues you describe. I can't tell you how much I abhor politics-oops, I said that word. 😉

Lori

LOL! Cathy, I try not to say the word, either. It's just not worth it.

I've learned to move it to paper. I'd heard such horror stories that I figured having a written account somewhere was a good idea.

EP

I think its sad how nobody wants to discuss anything anymore, how everything has to get crazy and personal and turn into a fight after just a few minutes. I think the medium (the Internet) has contributed to this but I'm not really sure why. Is it just the anonymity? Maybe it's the speed. Nobody has the time (or wants to take the time) to think about what they say anymore. Before they say it, I mean.

Lori

EP, I think you've hit on the top reasons why, actually. Anonymity, speed, and brains now hard-wired to react instantly.

Jennifer Williamson

Ah, this is the worst! I hate conflict and if this happens in a professional context, I generally won't ever work with that person again–it's just way too unpleasant.

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