Tag: Remote Year

Posted on

Back to Reality…

There is nothing more affirming than when the US Immigration official hands you your passport and says..

Welcome home, Ms Kohler…

After 4 months in Europe, calling Belgrade, Lisbon, Prague, Munich, Salzburg and Sofia home; I’m back in America. Home.

Ah, home.. time to recalibrate, take in the experience and ensure that I take all this quality growth and help transform my life. Without getting too philosophical and morose, we all do know that America (maybe the world too) is going through seismic changes in what we do, how we work, our infrastructure and our culture. Rather than acquiesce to accepting that manic corporate behavior is the norm and the only way to make a living, I jumped at dipping my toe into the nomadic pool with Remote Year’s pilot summer program. Now that it’s over (deep sigh), I’ve come back with an invigorated spirit. I can claim that my creativity has been jolted, expanded and awakened. OK, it was awesome… Here’s why

1- Discover your personal resiliency. Constant travel is not easy. Long term travel is not vacation. There are all sorts of quirky experiences that occur that can set you on your heels. You learn to take them in stride and as trite as it sounds.. roll with it.. Sometimes the outcome is totally unexpected and can be far better than ever anticipated. If you open yourself to the possibilities. It’s also comforting to know that a jaded bureaucrat in Eastern Europe is essentially the same as the jaded bureaucrat at the Florida DMV.
2- You too can live with 23kg of possessions (50.6 pounds). Yes, I did travel for 4 months with 1 suitcase weighing in at 23 kg. I did have a computer bag and a carry on (under 8 kg, just in case my luggage was lost. This would give me 3 days of clothes and ziplock bag of toiletries). You become incredibly discerning in your wardrobe choices, realizing how much you’ve spent in the past on clothing and what you really need vs. want. Less does give you more. Oh, and shoes are really, really heavy. When in doubt, wear black. Chic, utility and you can clean it together.
3– Living in the city center is great! There is a vibrancy of living in the middle of everything that is highly energizing. You find yourself an instant part of a neighborhood. People are curious about you and within a week there are smiles and interaction. You become part of the daily flow. It’s alluring and very special.
4- There is life without TV.. but I also need more Internet! Yes, a contradiction… but, I found that when you enter a new community you should be out exploring not watching TV. As a result, you walk more get more fresh air, talk to people and don’t need to sit mindlessly watching stories of people living better or worse lives, being pandered to buy products you don’t need and discovering that your life is lesser than because of overt marketing. No, thanks. Yet on the Internet side, having access to the worlds information at a few clicks has enhanced my experience. I am now completely dependent on my mobile device. Google Maps and Translate have made navigating Eastern Europe and the Cyrillic alphabet a non-issue. Data is a wonderful thing.
5- In-season, fresh food is amazing! I was pleasantly surprised to find that everywhere I stayed this summer had abundant fresh produce. Farmer’s markets or pop-up stands are prevalent. The food is fresh, incredibly flavorful and plain delicious. I made meals from a fresh succulent tomato and few sprigs of basil.
6- Our lives are completely overstimulated. Imagine that everyone around you speaks a language you do not understand. This quickly diminishes your distraction. You have no idea what they are talking about as a result you find yourself insulated in a bubble of sorts. It’s very weird, but it does help with focus. Living this way was somewhat meditative at times. You start to realize how much noise you process as soon as you are back in your own environment.
7- Do I really need a car? I had not driven for four months other than a side trip (It was on the German Autobahn which if you must drive, is the only way to drive!). Living in a city center promotes walking and mass transit. I found that I enjoyed my walking commute. It gave me an essential pause from home-to-work and got me sufficient daily exercise. You get sensible walking shoes and an umbrella. It worked.
8- Street Art! I loved the visual impact of the local street art. Each destination delivered. In an Instagram age, what a better way to promote your city than street art. There also should be a call out to the city gardens, statuary and green spaces that punctuated every city. Each was captivating. I took over 4500 pictures! Most of my art images are outdoor murals, not curated museum pieces. I’d like to include street music in the same. I’ll never forget a cellist on Sofia’s pedestrian street, attacking AC/DC’s Back in Black with the verve of Rachmaninoff. Perfection
9- Cool people are everywhere… I knew I would meet people on Remote Year. I was pleasantly surprised to also meet and befriend locals and expats. After a certain point in life, it is very difficult to meet new people. The opportunity to make new friends diminishes. This was the highlight of my experience.
10- My work opportunity expanded. I developed two separate business streams that are gaining momentum and traction. Big difference than my corporate resume. This is the point where to demonstrate that I fully understand marketing process, I will refer this as the final step that brings feedback to the first step.. Discover your personal resiliency. A year ago, I would have led any work-life discussion with work. I’ve turned the corner, where life finally leads and work fuels it. I guess I am trainable.

Net- If you get the opportunity to work offshore for 4-months, take it.

You will not regret it. It will be challenging at times, but there is real growth there. The benefits are huge. I re-discovered my abilities, expanded my tapestry of experiences and believe that my work has never been better. I’ve met wonderful, talented, funny and caring people that have enriched my heart and nourished my soul. I dream big again.

It’s interesting when the physical workplace barriers are removed. You become free range and suddenly the possibilities are endless. Embrace it, see the world and discover.

Thank y’all for sharing my journey, look forward to seeing you on the road. I’m thinking Australia, Thailand or Bali for the next rev.. any recommendations?

Posted on

Finishing the summer in Sofia!

Summer is starting to wind down on Remote Year…sigh… This is stop 4 on my work from Europe summer tour and I’m smack in the middle of Sofia (Bulgaria)! Hard to believe it’s coming to an end, but first let me tell y’all about Sofia

Cathedral of St Alexandar Nevski

For the uninitiated, Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria (sits on the Balkan peninsula with Greece and Turkey to the south). This month I have a smart and highly-sometimes-efficient flat step away from the pedestrian Vitosha Boulevard, the entrance is tucked between a jewelry store specializing in sterling and stylish women’s boutique (all my basic needs). You have to precisely know where you’re going to gain access: unassuming and incredibly convenient. Most of the accommodations I’ve had in Eastern Europe have had very utility entrances. These are not known for curb appeal. There are no flower pots, colorful awnings or even doormats.  I like the obscurity. The pull is not the exterior, it’s the reveal inside. My unit does not disappoint. I have the consummate water closet (WC).. yes, all three basic pieces of plumbing are in one unit (you are allowed to laugh). Admittedly, shaving legs has never been easier and it is a challenge to keep the toilet tissue dry, enough said!  My kitchen is new, compact and ergonomically designed. I do believe that IKEA has had a hand in the layout and is in evidence with their basic kitchen dishes, cookware and cutlery. Essentially, IKEA has outfitted every apartment I’ve had this summer. They appear to be part of the overarching continuity. I am convinced that I’m one step away from actually living in the IKEA showroom. It’s sleek, affordable and vastly comfortable. I’m a fan. Oh, and I have a single unit that is both a washer and dryer. It does take absolutely forever to complete a full cycle, yet.. incredibly efficient. I’m sold on the compactness of these apartments. They completely serve all my needs, have ample room, tons of accessible storage and the city access is incredible. I’m living in about 400 sq ft and really liking it. Go figure!

 I discovered that I adore European café life and this month continues to deliver. The Vitosha Boulevard expanse is reminiscent of Barcelona’s Las Ramblas; it’s peppered with cafes, restaurants, gelato stands and excellent people watching. People are out from early morning to the wee hours (maybe they never go home), walking, socializing (and yes, there might be some serious drinking), enjoying the last days of summer. It’s a very special place. You can buy a draught glass of wine (that’s what they call it: draught wine. it’s wine by the glass and there is usually just one or two available) or experiment with the extensive varieties of bottled product. Local wines are tasty and rather inexpensive. Buy the bottle or two! (Remember, it’s a pedestrian street… no driving).  Bulgarian cuisine is a mix of meat, fresh fish (mostly trout), meat, hearty helpings of grilled potatoes, meat and salads.. specialty being the Shopska (tomato, cucumber, onion and heaps of local white feta cheese- recipe attached for fun). Fun moment: I’ve learned to bone my Trout, while dining at restaurant that caught the fish from the adjacent brook (doesn’t get much fresher than brook-to-table). Bulgarian yogurt is sheep or goat milk based and challenges Greek style (watch out Chiobani). Fresh produce stands are very popular even in the city. It’s been a treat to get this fresh of food daily. Oh, and if anyone is to offer you Bulgarian Tard.. you must try it.. This month in keeping with learning to cook something new and local, I got to attend a vegan dessert workshop and I’ve got several new recipes for pastry infused with Bulgarian rose oil… amazing.

National Theater on the way to work!

Ok, I’ve got a great apartment in the best location.. the icing for this month is my walking commute. I get to saunter down Vitosha (remember pedestrian street), cross over into a beautiful city park that houses the National Theater, series of fountains and historic statues, past the opulent Cathedral Saint Alexandar Nevski, then there’s a zig-zag through some funky construction (pedestrians and workers do mingle together in the construction zone. It’s odd to me, yet works for them. Be sure to watch your step. It is your responsibility to make sure you don’t get hurt)  to the office. It’s a treat and I am thoroughly enjoying the 20 minutes it takes to segue from home to work. Work is a fully tricked out facility including an expresso machine and a calming courtyard.  Here’s the secret, you can work for a few hours then take a break and go to the National Art Gallery to get inspired. There are also local artists with their wares for sale in the park next to the cathedral. Imagine the chance to discover the next great Bulgarian Expressionist!

Rila Monastery, a UNESCO site about a hour drive outside Sofia and worth the trip

Bulgaria… It is a little gritty, rough around the edges, yet alluring at the same time. The mountains are beautiful and offer a nice respite from busy city life. You are an inexpensive cab ride to a trailhead from the city center. There’s a definite deference to nature: hiking, natural springs and an expansive landscape. I’ve seen stunning sunrises, sunsets and the fabulous Corn Moon rise over the city. There are abundant fields just outside the city of sunflowers currently in seed, yet there are a few late bloomers (aren’t we all?) to give you an inkling of how lush and dramatic the yellow color was a month ago. Sunflowers are grown not only for their beauty but for cooking oil and bio fuels. The other cash crop is the elusive and aromatic Bulgarian rose. These are harvested in the midlands in June and offers a bounty of essentials oils that are the basis for their booming cosmetic, perfume and confection segments.

It’s getting close to going home time!

As my journey winds down, there will be more on this crazy concept of nomad working, being on the fringe while living abroad, expanding your viewpoints and my personal favorite: learning to live with less!  Thanks for coming along for the ride. I’ve enjoying having you.  

-C

Posted on

This American’s viewpoint from Prague

I am an American living in Europe this summer. I do have a posting-in-progress that slides down the sugary chute of the delights of Prague. How wonderful it is to not be in a hurry to take in everything she has to offer: wide variety of ornate architecture, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, St Vitas’ Cathedral juxtaposed with Gehry’s Dancing House and the magical art installations of David Cerny The Rotating Kafka Head is my favorite.

I would be remiss. Yes, I am thoroughly enjoying myself and discovered, explored more than ever. There are two things that happened during my time here and a side trip to Germany that rattled me and are worthy of introduction, introspection and discussion.

The first was on a Prague overview tour. An extremely knowledgeable guide named Marcus stopped the group and pointed to the sidewalk stones and a small plaque dropped in the pavement. He brought our attention to my first exposure to “Stolperstein” and the Stolperstein project. This plaque is the size of a small cobblestone and was engraved.. “Heir wohnt…”, which is German for “Here lived”. The balance of the passage was a woman’s name, birthdate, the day she was taken from her home by the Gestapo (The Nazi brand of Secret State Police), where she was interned and when she died. Yes, this was a commemorative stone to a Holocaust victim. It does cause you to pause. It is a very simple, yet powerful reminder of the atrocities of the Nazi Regime. It is her remembrance: her tombstone, her memorial. It is about her.  

This project spearheaded by German artist, Gunter Demnig was started in 1996. The Stolperstein, or stumbling stones memorializes people who were persecuted by the Nazis between 1933 to 1945: Jews, Roma, Political dissidents, homosexuals, anyone deemed “asocial”.

Since then, I have seen several additional Stolpersteine in Prague, Germany and Salzburg, Austria. I am compelled to stop, read each one and say a short prayer to honor them. You wonder who they were, how they felt and how terrified they must have been. It a pervasive memorial, you never know when you are going to find one, or stumble up.. it will disrupt your train of thought and make you wonder about man’s inhumanity toward man, the premise of hatred and the perishable nature of life. It’s a humbling experience and a very timely one.

Instance 2 was on the surreal side. I was touring southern Germany and Salzburg last weekend with my daughter. We did the obligatory castle tours, hiked in the mountains and ate the most incredible Schnitzel with potatoes!  Last Sunday morning, we woke to news of the march in Charlottesville and the death of a young woman, Heather Heyer. The frightening part of this was the images on TV.. were of Americans holding Nazi flags and giving the Heil salute. The commentary was in German and it was not flattering. We looked at each other in complete disbelief. Is this America? This can’t be true. We quickly started to look for US news outlets, CNN and the BBC for clarity. It was true. This was America.

From my offshore view, I am afraid. Not by living in a foreign country, not about influx of middle eastern refugees; I am afraid of America. We are watching you unravel. This is not who we are. We are becoming who my father and his generation fought to defeat. Overt Nazi symbols in today’s America? Hate is now protected speech? No! This is not right, this is not good.  Take a careful look, America is becoming the monster.

I send my condolences to the family of Heather Heyer. I did not know her, as I never knew the people commemorated with the Stolpersteine I’ve seen; yet they are strangely intertwined. It is tragedy.

I beg you, America not to be silent. I beg you, America to resist. I am.

Posted on

A very Foo Fighters Birthday

 I’m learning to walk again! Thank you, Dave Grohl..

Tomorrow I’ll be coming to the end of another path around the sun. As with most women of a certain age, I have a love-hate relationship with my birthday; somehow this one is just a little special. Last year was a significant milestone. I spent it as a newly laid off corporate casualty and owning a fabulous Eames Lounge Chair that I had custom made for the big occasion (note: I bought this chair before I learned of my pending unemployment. It was non-refundable). Sucks to be me. It was a bittersweet day culminated in a huge slice of Bahama Breeze’s fresh Key Lime Pie and a spectacular sunset over the Tampa Bay causeway. Acutally… it doesn’t suck to be me.. Happy Birthday, girl…

This year I’m so far removed from Florida, my bodacious chair and corporate America, celebrating with my beautiful daughter while I continue my nomad journey in Prague. You see, this year has been one of those amazing transition years that initially appeared to be a calamitous chute, when in fact it was a golden ladder in disguise… And how does Dave Grohl play into this?

I love this song.. Walk.. Foo Fighters.. seems to be perfectly anthemic and necessary to for anyone that is trying to get their footing again or maybe find it in the first place. It’s about discovery, courage and chutzpah. (I invite you to add it to your “SJGR” Playlist). I play this song non-stop. It motivates me. It inspires me. It makes me want to get up when I think I can’t anymore.  This year, I have been determined not to have me or my life defined by negativity, past events or people. I wanted this chapter of my life to start from a position of strength, not dread.  Perhaps I have gone to extraordinary lengths to clean out the bad juju, yet it seems to be my perfect remedy.  Learning to Walk again..

My new nomad life has stretched my creativity, knocked down my reservations and paved the way to a whole new sense of discovery. I’ve found it enlightening to be physically out of my normal environment, forced to navigate a new city, currency, language, measurement system (and btw- just why isn’t the US using the metric system?), transit system and literally maintain balance on cobblestone sidewalks. You need to think, not react. It can be daunting and unforgiving. There is also a huge sense of accomplishment when you can solo a subway, make change quickly and do currency conversions unassisted (thank you, Google.. I’ve got this one). It’s like I’m playing the “Amazing Race” against myself and some days you win, some days.. well, not so much, but still learning to walk again… You can’t run, if you can’t walk.

This year has taught me that I am still continually learning. I’m learning to have patience with myself. I’m learning to be less busy and more mindful. I’m learning to be attuned to my environment. I’m learning to love me for who I am now. Quite a bit for one year, don’t you think?

It’s my birthday. I’m walking upright and starting a whole new lap around the sun. I can’t wait to see what is in store.


Dave, take us out… Walk- Foo Fighters

 

 

 

Posted on

I am a Poser!

 

I am a poser. I’ve studied yoga and now Pilates for a combined 20 years. The more I study, the more I start to under the concept of practice and am humbled by the body of work that require precision, repetition and respect.

I am a poser. I have discovered that the repetition brings me comfort. I realize that the practice gives me the illusion of mastery, while humbling me to my personal limitations.

I am a poser… On the other side of the definition. I wonder what in my life is illusion… the other darker poser. What’s real or veneer? And like to consider that we are all posers, a Janus (albeit a friendly one) to some degree.

I have been a yoga poser for a while. I am a relatively new Pilates Poser. I came to Pilates two years ago as a sick woman. I was gently embraced by a beautiful instructor (Kristin) through who’s tenderness and precision helped me rediscovered myself.

Here’s the back story….

One day three years ago, I was crippled with painful peripheral neuropathy. Meaning I had severe pain in my hands and feet. My beautiful stiletto heels were now the enemy and I could barely open a door knob without winching. I was starting to believe that I was entering the “SJGR” (sh*t just got real) stage of life when you start to decline in the sad part of life. The sad part is one that limits your mobility and is starts to evolve around pain, pain mitigation, doctors, medications and the overarching bad mood associated with pain (I learned this is why many older people seem cranky; they hurt.. so be nice. It is horrible to feel bad all the time). Through a series of well-meaning friends and recommendations, I broke free of the doctor-medicine-pain cycle. My diagnosis went from Multiple Sclerosis to Lupus, RA and then the vague Fibromyalgia. Then something amazing happened, I found a holistic physician who tested me for a wide range of maladies and then the puzzle started to come together. I had a series of food allergies and intolerances and I had off-the-charts levels of aspartame in my system. It appears I was being not-so-slowly poisoned by my quest for weight loss and sugar control. The prescription was rather basic: natural foods only. Then there was the elimination of wheat, wheat gluten, dairy, sugar, white flour and anything processed. Seems a bit extreme, yet when you are getting progressively sicker; you will try the treatment. I was warned that the first several weeks would be hard. It is compared to a detox. They were right. The first 2 weeks, I felt like I had the flu. My joints hurt. My head hurt. I was tired. Then around day 15, when I was ready to quit; I felt amazing. I woke up feeling renewed. My feet and hands hurt, but they did not throb. My headache dissipated and my mood was happy (not completely giddy) but much more palpable than feel constantly bitchy (cite: nasty resting bitch face).

At the cornerstone of my comeback was Pilates. When your feet and hands hurt you stop doing things that might aggravate the condition, including my beloved yoga. You stop exercising. You use movement with caution, I was continually anxious that my fingers would seize up while typing. Now this affects how I make my living, my fingers would hurt while I typed. I could not feel the tips, yet pain would radiate through my hands and arms. This was incredibly difficult for me. I was an elite athlete in my youth. Exercise and training is part of my DNA and discipline. I work out, but not anymore. Damn you, SJGR!  Through research and conversation, I found Pilates does not depend on verticality. It employs a variety of non-load bearing equipment: reformer, Cadillac, chair, barrel that give you full range of motion workouts without extremity stress. My quest for a Pilates experience became borderline religious. It healed me. I was looking for a miracle and not afraid to do the work. I came to my instruction journey bloated, overweight, sore and rigid. I was also afraid. Was this the beginning of the end? SJGR, again and again. Was it time to accept it, or fight. Fight for strength, courage and to regain physical ability. I wanted to become a poser. I desperately wanted my flexibility back. I wanted exercise. I wanted to be vertical.  

My journey started in private. Private sessions to focus on the basics. Focus on my ability not inability to move. I embraced my instruction, learned to breath in rhythm of the motion and equipment, allowed the equipment to support me and regained trust in myself. It was a means to gain ballast, balance and became a life mantra.

Slowly the weight started to melt, my range of motion increased and my confidence started to gain positive momentum. The equipment was not intimating it became a gentle net of support. I was kindly supported with Kristin’s expert instruction and lovingly encouraged to push my sore body. I discovered a renewed resiliency.

Yes, I’m now a poser. I was all ready to join the SJGR club, to acquiesce being on the decline. It wasn’t my age that was making me sick.  I was made ill through the excesses of a successful modern life.. too much, too many chemicals, not enough fresh, clean food. I got better through a complete food overhaul and by embracing Pilates.

Today, I am vertical: very, very vertical. I have excellent range of motion and walk an average of 7 miles daily. This summer I am travelling Europe as part of the Remote Year program. In each city, I seek out private Pilates studios to continue to study. It has become my foundation to a highly dynamic program.

 In Belgrade, I was treated to an advanced studio with focus on personalized progression. In my first session, I stopped with an exercise prior to the queue. I did eight repetitions. The instructor in her abrupt manner (for the full effect – muster your best Eastern European accent) called me out with, ‘there’s nothing wrong with your body, you need to do a few more..’. Initially I was startled and a tad pissed off. Then I realized she did not know my journey, she only saw me today. I was holding back, because of my own fear not because of my ability. She saw someone strong. It was then that I realized this was a gift. I am capable. I am still an athlete. Tears welled in my ears and do every time I think of this moment.  At this very moment, I knew I wasn’t sick any more. Fuck the SJGR club. At this moment, I had the strength, confidence and mettle of the 16 year old skater I was that just landed her first flawless double axel. It was and still feels awesome.  I was back. I was fucking back.

Yes, I am a poser. Now that I’m In Lisbon (new month/new city), my instructor started our relationship with an evaluation. Through her 12 point program, I ranked highest in 9 areas with 3 requiring improvement (damn you, side plank). She is a former professional classical ballet dancer that moves effortless through space with a gliding natural gait. I think she levitates.  Her approach is stylistic with an elegant approach but not lacking in strength. Her studio is perched atop a narrow cobblestone street in old town Lisbon. It is a workout to get there and so worth the effort.

As a newly minted and re-focused poser.. I’m finding that I will seek out those who will help me grow my practice, enhance my form. There is no competitive Pilates. It’s all about you and your journey. There is no gold medal. This is about a personal path. It’s about skill building, discipline, vitality and individual growth. This is not something you can buy, you must earn it. There is something vastly satisfying in individual accomplishment. No one needs to know my journey. I guess you do now. You will not see pictures of me in my finest lululemon garb doing planks (but if I could master the side plank, then maybe I’d entertain showing off) on the Portugal cliffs. But I am not ready for the SJGR club. Never ever, ever give up! Own your destiny.. Strike a pose…

 P.S… I’m toying with the idea of writing about my entire journey.. diagnosis, minimalism, regaining equilibrium post-divorce, post- corporate career and facing the downside of being middle aged. It’s a very exciting and challenging time like reverse teen years. Let me know if you think that would be interesting too. I’m not looking to do a vanity piece, more of an instruction manual, because I feel like I’m discovering this on my own. There are no role models, we’re inventing this as we’re going! It could be fun.

Posted on

Making Work Great Again… in Lisbon

 

Lisbon Cityscape

Making Work Great Again… in Lisbon

Starting month 2 brings an assortment of new experiences and challenges. Unfortunately, the shiny patina of a new experience starts to wear off. The seemingly predictable rhythm of the every day starts to set in, but to really throw you off and keep you paying attention, you change locations. We packed up the whole gypsy caravan and moved from Belgrade to Lisbon. With this there’s a litany of detail that causes you to engage way past your comfort zone. The basic changes of even knowing where you are in relation to others or the locale becomes exaggerated, there’s new keys and new apartment, new trash rules and a new grocery store to navigate. Quick side trip: For those of you that know the detailed layout of your local Publix (or Kroger, Safeway) there’s something that’s extremely telling on how people live by the way their grocery store is laid out. Lisbon is no exception. You notice a sweeping array of fresh fruit, vegetables and then there’s the cod bunker (yes, cod..the fish) These folks are sold on the power of salted cod. This display takes up a large portion of real estate between the melons and meat. Cod.. it’s a huge part of Portuguese cuisine and they love it. Love it or hate it, it’s a dominate force. Oh, and I’m liking it.

Then there’s the streets. The old town section is laid out in a crazy random maze, that is actually planned chaos. The Moors used this as a tactic to make it almost impossible for anyone invading to make a straight shot to the castle. It is a bona fide design point, as I am told. The streets are meticulous covered in limestone cobblestone that contingent on where you are in town can be literally peppered with basalt (black stone) laid out in the most captivating and intricate designs. The cityscape can be vertical in places adding to a challenging walk. It’s not unusual to have a stepped or terraced feature in a sidewalk to support navigating your daily walk. Yes.. It is a vertical city, giving your glutes an amazing workout. Be prepared, this is a five-star-sensible-shoe town. Think mountain goat precision balancing acts. Yet you start to notice that local women do navigate in high heels and even higher wedges..very impressive!   

The first day of my work commute, one of Lisbon’s famous yellow trolley traversed the street right as I turned the corner to walk up the street. It looked like a movie scene or an animated postcard that I just happened to witness. I did stop just to take it all in.. the sights, the trolley sounds, the narrowness of the streets and people just going about their everyday. This was also my new everyday. WOW! thank you, Remote Year.  

Realizing that  basic living logistical challenges is the cost of changing locations, it elevates you about two levels . While stretching, you get to absorb, breath it in and allow yourself to experience the sheer panic and beauty of a change of venue. It makes you feel alive. It energizes your creativity. You see new things with tired eyes and suddenly it’s effervescent.

Lisbon’s history and culture are deep and as American’s we have had exposure to the great discoveries of Prince Henry the Navigator and the explorations of Vasco de Gama. Portuguese is the 6th most spoken language in the world. There is a respectful beauty of the old city’s cityscape: tiled buildings, red clay tiled roofs, punctuated with the omnipresent cobblestones, street art, musical interludes of traditional Fado and lyrical guitars. This is a seriously magical place.

Most tourists stay a week, checking off their Bucket List items. When you stay longer, you take time to visit with your local barista (Mine is originally from Ireland and she makes an extraordinary Almond milk latte), buy cherries from a local grocery at the bottom of your terrace and take a long walk after dinner because there’s so much to see and do. You start to use words like terrace, cobblestone and trolley on a regular basis. Somehow there’s a funky juxtaposition of this beautiful simpler life overlaid with the virtual nature of digital working; technology has enhanced my life.

Yes, there can be pangs of extreme Heimweh… of home sickness. I am missing my Florida life. I miss my beautiful daughter and friends.  A benefit of a digital life is everyone is a simple keystroke away. It’s very easy to send them digital postcards, ensuring that they are part of this precious and precarious journey…real-time. By the way, I ate grilled Sardines for my Sunday dinner while watching the world beach soccer championships (yes, this is a real thing.. go figure!) while sipping a particularly crisp vino verde on the most incredible beach, Nazare.. where you can watch the sunset over the Atlantic (I’ll give you Floridians a moment to process)

Wish y’all were here too.. Smile– – I’m determined to Make Work Great Again.. one blog post at a time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on

Happy 4th of July from Lisbon

 

As an American temporarily living outside the country, the thought of celebrating 4th of July is a bit melancholic… I love the 4th.. it’s one of my favorite holidays. It’s the quintessential lazy day. There are no presents required, usually entailing a party and there just might be some BBQ (OK.. maybe fried chicken, fried okra and potato salad)  involved. It’s a soft national holiday, perhaps no work and it ends with a full concert (preferably the Boston Pops.. and the 1812 Overture.. it’s the cannons and carillon and when the last cannon goes off) and a brilliant display of fireworks (note: my love is of choreographed fireworks displays, not firecrackers or errant bottle rockets that we all know terrify dogs and hurt returning veterans, be smart…OK?) illuminates the night sky. It is dazzling and it is oh, so American. Fireworks !!! Oh, and everyone in America celebrates it. It’s one of the few holidays we have that are inclusive of our entire citizenry. This year July 4 is a normal weekday in Lisbon.. no red-white-blue bunting, perhaps a picnic, but no patriotic displays. Perhaps that’s perfect punctuation for our country today. America’s in a funk too.. ☹

I’m wondering if this year marks the official start of America’s midlife crisis; that delightful time when you realize that you are not living up to you perceived potential, your life is good but lackluster, your prospects are limited and perhaps your cutest and thinnest years are past (oops, sorry.. that’s me) .. Humm, America… so what did you do..? You bought a seemingly shiny sportscar that you think makes you look cool and rich. The interesting thing about it is you don’t, we’d don’t and it’s time to take a good long look in our societal mirror and make some improvements. Yes.. we, the people…

If the premise is to Make America Great Again… perhaps America needs a bit of a midlife make over:  go on a diet, eliminate the bloat, reexamine your values and determine what it is that you want to be when you grow up. We have had an excellent run. It seems like we’re arching on the trendline and starting to decline. As a member of the Boomer generation, I and we all know what this means. Our supposed way of life is compromised, retirement was pending and we’re not as relevant as we think we should be. There’s an interesting thing that happens when you don’t stay hungry, the world starts catching up and in our case, we are being eclipsed. Our way is no longer the preferred way, business and much of manufacturing has morphed into an international digital culture. If you are not current, you are toast. After spending last month in Belgrade, I realized that America needs to get out of her funk. We have not had a war on our soil for centuries (was it the War of 1812?). Our cities have not been bombed, except for Sept 11. Our shores are safe. Instead of celebrating our good fortune, we have become isolated, xenophobic and narrow minded. Oh and I’m finding the world doesn’t care about us as much as we think they do. They care when we act stupid, bully, nation build, nation destroy and subvert their ways. There was a time when most of the world wanted what America had. This is no longer the case, sometimes they see our society as shallow, vapid and completely consumer consumption and work driven.  They see and hear that we want a wall put up to keep the Mexicans out (Ask any German about the effects of a walled society). Our problems are big (cite healthcare, new job creation, et al) and  symbolic landscaping walls aren’t the start of the remedy. It’s décor, when we need our foundation fixed. We need some serious help and I’m betting on America. We can do this.

The premise of our America is amazing. We’re a patchwork of diversity that sometimes works, sometimes resists and always surprises. We are in desperate need of a middle-aged makeover, NOT gratuitous plastic surgery and certainly not décor. We must do the big work the kind of work that starts with our core values coupled with slow and steady improvement. We all must be rowing in the same direction toward the same goals. This is the kind of work that you must earn, not buy and we must do it together. We are slow, fat and privileged. Saying Make America Great Again is repeating a marketing slogan, it does not even come close to the level of complexity, commitment and work required to regain our world stature. No one is going to give it to us. We, the people must do it.

On this 4th of July, I ask you: Are you willing to do the work?

 From Lisbon.. Wishing y’all a wonderful 4th.  Enjoy your friends, family, good food and the fireworks displays ! We’re going to have a lot of work to do to turn this sideshow around. I hope you’re up to it.

 As Kate Smith used to belt out in the World War II era… God Bless America, my home sweet home.. (yes, this is very dated..but you MUST view it.)

 

 

Posted on

Bye, bye Belgrade… Part 1

Bye, Bye Belgrade… Part 1

I have to admit, I tried to have no expectations about Belgrade when I first arrived. I did get the obligatory DK Eyewitness tour book for Serbia and looked up the Top 10 things to see on Trip Advisor. It did not overwhelm. My base line was simple: post Tito, post-Soviet, non-EU, issues with Kosovo and Bosnia. Serbia sits precariously on the Balkan Peninsula with Belgrade perched at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers. It’s as if it is the goodbye point to the west and a hand shake over to the East. They have been invaded, occupied and are now in yet another cycle of recovery. What I discovered is a remarkable gem on the ascent of change with an eye on their future, challenged by geopolitical change and steeped in artful expression. I’m bullish on Belgrade, it’s stolen my heart.

Belgrade has taught me…

1- Resiliency – – this city has been destroyed over 40 times and it gets up every time. Did you know Belgrade was bombed by NATO in the 1990’s? I do not believe I have met any contemporaries that lived in wartime. Bombs falling from the sky interrupting their play, only to continue after the raid ended. My country has never been bombed by a foreign power (Pearl Harbor exception and that was a military installation in 1940) and I have never lived in a war zone. My country hasn’t been invaded, dictated or lived through regime changes (although current events might question our feeling). We have always been free.
2- To enjoy my journey – You do not have to be in a hurry to be productive. I have not driven a car in a month. When you walk, taxi, bike everywhere there is no need to own a car, have a garage, car insurance, buy gas. You are also limited to where your foot power can take you. I’ve walked an average of 6 miles a day. This isn’t treadmill or gym induced, it’s free range – -fresh air
3- I really, really have to want/need something to buy it. There are two threads here. When you know you only get 22 Kg baggage limit, you stick to it (and worthy of an overall post.. learning to live in a 22-kg limit). Next because there is no driving, this means if you buy something you have to carry it. Carry it from the store to your apartment. You really think about what you buy when you must hold it for a half mile and climb over 125 combined stairs to arrive at your destination
4- Wear sensible shoes!  I thought I would never say this.. wearing sensible shoes to me is the kiss of death.. once you go sensible, you’ll never teeter on stilettos again. This might be true, but I’m all about the safety and balance sensible shoes provide. The Belgrade cityscape terrain is uneven, the streets are wonky and there are random utility pipes sticking out of the pavement. You must be aware of where you walk. It appears that people take responsibility for their walking too. There must not be a series of litigious lawyers preying and praying for pedestrian mishaps and ensuring law suits.
5- I enjoy my walking commute. There’s a very pleasant zen aspect to it. It gives me time to connect with the day, weather and fellow workers and helps me decompress from a work day. It’s an excellent transition and I have not seen one person with sidewalk rage.. Breathe in.. gently exhale.. repeat
6- I want more café life. There are numerous outdoor platforms pepper along the streets inviting people in for coffee or cocktails. People visit, they talk, they enjoy each other. I like this. It gets you out, about and laughing. The only downside is smoking.. we (Americans) don’t do it, we don’t enjoy it and second-hand smoke is everywhere. Stinky ☹
7- I do not need TV in my life. I believe the noise level of US events is making us all overly anxious, intolerant and unhappy. I like to blame it on the newsmakers, 24/7 news coverage and the ensuing commentary surrounding it. It’s a poisonous ecosystem. Not only from a news vantage but from a consumer aspect. I am not bombarded with messages designed to make me feel bad, unattractive or undesirable because I do not buy a product or watch a certain show. There is a certain calm that happens when the screaming stops. Now, I have not actively embraced local politics (and there are numerous issues big and small). I have gone apolitical; it’s a conscious temporary decision. And when you see a US ad dubbed in Serbian, it becomes very clear how ridiculous advertising is. I believe I needed a little venting.
8- We all need to take a social media break! We have upped the corporate marketing messaging construct from buy-this-product to making ourselves affected by sometimes self-inflected negativity. Be authentic and don’t compare. Be present in the world, connect with real people and use social media for good… 😊
9- Google has flattened the world. Travel has become much easier due to Maps, Translate and Search. Thank you, Google. You can ‘drop a pin’ anywhere and find people, places and taxis. My phone does speak better Serbian than I ever will while calculating currency conversions and Celsius temperatures simultaneously. It delights me. I had been wary of this part of the world mainly due to the Cyrillic alphabet (daunting). I have not encountered any situation that I could not navigate with my mobile device. And when in doubt, speak in emoji.
10- My phone is no longer a phone.. it has officially transformed to a full mobile device. It started out in the 90’s as a phone, evolved to allowing me to text.. it used to take 3 clicks to get to an “S” so you had to be really committed to text “a**hole”.. then lastly it morphed into an app station. With the adoption of the app culture, my device is now for data followed by text and yes, I can make a phone call on it. It’s a complete reverse. I’m travelling almost effortlessly with my mobile device securing a SIM card in each location at a minimal cost. I wonder if I’ll continue this when I go back.

There are a few more areas that almost demand mention, but it will have to wait. Oh, Belgrade’s taught me to be patient too. Back to work. When was the last time, you paused to reflect on your workday and really enjoyed it too?

I know… that’s the beauty of this experience.

There’s more to tell about Belgrade… the murals, music and lifestyle. I found a killer Pilates studio that took my practice to a higher level while helping me navigate living here. And I love that I can get an excellent dinner with wine for about $12 (a lot of wine) Sad to say, I only have 6 more days then we pack up and move the show to Lisbon for July. Yes, it really is as much fun as it seems. Best summer ever!

Posted on

The Trampoline Effect: Summer Career Hurricane Season

Preamble: When I posted  Leap and the Net will appear… my good friend, David Hance commented that he views it less a net and more as a trampoline. I loved it! It takes something that we might see with dread or fear and elevates it to exhilaration and maybe even a fun challenge. I embrace it and will go forward reference: Leap and the trampoline will elevate you… I’m calling it the Trampoline Effect! (See notes way below)

Since it is the beginning of summer, there’s all sorts of anticipation and nostalgia for the season.. seaside vacations, barbeques, no school for the kids, watermelon, lightening bugs and maybe a work slowdown.

It might be the perfect time to take advantage of the summertime work slowdown to get yourself prepared and ready for your next career rev too. Here’s a very simple outline to take advantage of the potential slower work pace and get serious about you. It’s a career prep list like the hurricane preparedness we do in Florida and we all know how much we all love lists!  

It’s Summer Hurricane Season

Living in Florida has all kinds of perks, hurricane season isn’t one of them. Hurricanes are wily, unpredictable forces of nature that when they hit can be devastating. Preparing for one acknowledges that you may have an electric outage, welcome water into your home and potentially have everything you own destroyed in a short period of time, kind of like a job loss only wetter.

 I’ve lived in Florida long enough to know that a hurricane is going to hit, it’s just a matter of when. How you deal with disaster is up to you. There’s the sky-is-falling or Chicken Little approach (buy beer-wine-pizza-toilet paper because Jim Cantore from the Weather Channel is in town and we’re all going die), the in-denialists (we haven’t had a direct hit since 1923!) and then there’s the hard-core pragmatist (think more Boy/Girl Scout: be prepared) . You may enjoy the drama of uncertainty. I applaud your approach and decision. For those of us who don’t, I offer you the trampoline effect (thanks, David!)..

If you accept that everything is in flux now, how are you going to weather this potential storm? Here’s my hurricane list on how to get trampoline lift and not be completely washed up..

Summer Career Hurricane Preparedness List…

Total Investment Time: minimum of 4 hours (your mileage may vary)

1.       Let’s start. Pause for more than a moment. I know.. let’s stop before starting when you’re all ready to start, bait and switch ! This is important stuff. Schedule a half day to examine what you are doing for a living now and what you would like to do. Be brutally honest, if what you are doing now is working. Congratulations! No need to read further, pat yourself on the back and put a reminder on your calendar to do this work again in August. Because this analysis/reflection work should never end. Employers like people who are curious, lifelong learners. It means you are flexible and adaptable to new challenges. For those of us who need constant reevaluation, the pause helps to frame our approach. Get post-it notes, markers for the very visual, or use project board software and brainstorm. There is no right answer, this is all about you. I would allot 2-3 hours of uninterrupted time for this segment. Unplug yourself from everything (yes, everything) but your thoughts. This work is your baseline.

2.       Create your skills inventory. Every job application I’ve filled out in the past year requires some sort of introspection of your assets. Based on your brainstorm session, do you have the skills the hiring companies are requesting? Are you relevant in today’s mobile economy? This is going to determine your skills gap.  This part of the exercise should take no longer than an hour depending on the deep of your direction.

3.       What is missing from your skills list?  This is called the skills gap (there’s a link at the end to some additional background and tools for you to use). This is the gap between the skills you have today and the desired state, your future. You can find this by scanning open positions in your field from companies you think match your work ethos. You will be surprised how easily the key verbs and descriptions emerge.  In my world, it was a desire to become a digital marketing expert. I know I can manage the business, create compelling strategies, give direction to creative agencies/vendors, but could I still do?  Did my work style map to today’s way of working? I focused on my biggest gap: digital analytics. This is an area that I’ve managed, but haven’t done. It was a perfect starting point. My roadmap focuses on the science of marketing: digital platforms, aggregation, distribution, tools and content creation. Reflect on if the verbs/descriptions accurately depict your skills are they present in your resume/CV and your LinkedIn profile? Make sure your digital work presence is always current (there are eyes watching). Your skills gap may be a small refinement on your existing capabilities (kudos for keeping up and staying focused!) or if you decided on a big, life defining swing; you may need a complete overhaul (super kudos to you too for making the commitment!). Time in this segment is completely contingent on the breadth and scope of change desired.

4.      Assign to each skill category a way to gain knowledge and subsequent expertise. I found that finding this information is much easier than it’s ever been. Starting point is any web search engine for the skill of your choice. There is a plethora of resources available. You need to determine what level of skill you need/want to succeed at skill mastery. Do you want a working knowledge ? Then everything you want may be available on YouTube.. Do you need deeper knowledge, then take a more programmatic approach, start with Coursera, Khan Academy. Many online firms offer free survey audit courses through and including paid-for certifications. If you still need deeper skills, do you have the time and resources to go back to school? Consider for-profit training firms, community colleges and full university degree programs. Do your research, evaluate your skills inventory and decide what level of time and financial investment you need to make. This is the area that is going to take the most effort, reflection and time. Do not short change yourself.

5.       Feedback. I like to always include an evaluation loop in planning. This is where you vet your plan to others ensure that you’re going in the desired direction. Personally, I have a few friends and former work acquaintances that I refer to as my Board of Directors. I found early in my career that one mentor was never enough. Although I deeply respected his opinion; I always found that I needed more insight. In my world, this has worked. These are people whose opinion you trust. You are not leaning on them to make your decision, you value their input. Be aware when you do ask for someone’s opinion, you must be prepared for the feedback. It might sting. It is like when someone calls your baby ugly (ouch!) You do want candid feedback. There are so many added pluses to this approach including: idea validation, direction support, additional obstacles you may not have anticipated, objection resolution. It can be a huge confidence booster or make you want to re-think your entire approach. Remember, you decide the final outcome.. but decide and keep moving.

6.       Create a highly targeted action plan on what, how, how long it will take you to get the plan done. Take each skill and break it down

a.       What level of mastery you want to accomplish (Awareness-to-Mastery)  

b.       Where you are going to get the skills (YouTube,Certifications or University degree)

c.       How long will it take (Can you do this immediately, need testing to secure space,     formal application process?) 

d.       Are there any obstacles to holding you back? 

e.       Determine your time milestones (Simple as a calendar entry to MS Project Plan) 

f.        Hold yourself accountable.

 Career uncertainty is our new reality.  You must ensure that you keep your skills fresh to be relevant in our ever changing mobile, digital economy. It’s on you, no one is going to do this for you. This not only includes precise technical aspects of your profession (the what) but how you approach it from a process vantage and problem solving method (think more sophisticated analytics less  x-y spreadsheet). Make sure you don’t get hit by the hurricane; or if you do be prepared. I think this will explain why I always travel with extra batteries, tuna in pouches and cocktail wieners (because everyone needs a good cocktail wiener during a disaster, it makes them smile).

Promise me to give your summer trampoline lift? Get prepared and use the time to get skilled! You’ll position yourself for success and have something to tell everyone after Labor Day what you did on your summer vacation. Have fun, be brilliant and as I always tell my daughter: fulfill your destiny.

 

Post Notes:

1.       Official Florida Hurricane Preparedness List

2.       Project Management templates – free and fee

3.       Take a look at Mindtools for gap analysis overview and tools

4.       Dang, there is a real thing called The Trampoline Effect.. perhaps ours should be the Hance Trampoline Effect going forward. So much for thinking we cornered the market on something potentially marketable.. oy! Next time.

Posted on

Nailing it in Belgrade

Let me tell you that when you take yourself out of your regular environment and are thrown into a completely different locale, stuff starts to happen.. It’s called change. If you leave yourself open to the possibilities, you can find magic in the mundane.

Somewhere around week 3, you start to realize that almost everything you do is different than you do in your home environment. When you vacation, it’s fun.. it’s part of the cool part of going somewhere new. When you start to call someplace  a temporary home, there’s all sorts of things you start to need or want to make your life comfortable. For me.. it was time to get a manicure. Well, this became an immediate emergency and obsession on so many levels. I thought the sky was falling ! Where the hell am I going to get my nails done in Belgrade? (As if the rotation of the earth depended on my nails!)  In the US, we are accustomed to a wide variety of inexpensive, fast nail options. It’s as if there  is a requirement that at least one nail salon be in any strip mall.  I discovered (my extensive research is thanks to Google) that there were 7 standalone nail salons, a 3 day spas offering nail services in a 5 mile radius of my home. It’s no secret that most of the standalone nail salons are foreign owned and operated. It’s part of our community fabric and the entry point to the economy. Your interaction with them is easy: you show up, they do your nails, you pay them, the next person gets in the chair. In masterful supply chain execution, regardless of how many people are in the salon; there always seems to be someone who can service your need immediately. This makes it almost a fast food commodity… McChair 2 is waiting and supersize me. 

Here in Belgrade, the nail salon is considered a value added service. You have to find someone, who knows someone to get you access to the most skilled technician. There is not a nail salon on every corner. Cleverly, I asked my new Pilates friends who does the best nails. They all gave me the same answer ending with… it may take some time to get an appointment. I immediately got on Google to search for them, eureka!.. a Facebook page.. The digital hunt starts: Liking their page, then requesting via messenger for an appointment.. Starting off..’ my apologies, I do not speak Serbian’… then getting a cryptic reply.. two new vacancies, you must reply immediately. Not knowing if it was a regular direct Serbian response or the person’s English; I responded not quite immediately. My response was too late! These people are relentless. This is serious. Game on. I then asked for the next available, it was 3 days out. This may not seem like much, but remember… I’m used to having 10 options at my chipped nail fingertips. I took the appointment, got Maps to take me within steps of the well-hidden secret entrance (seems to be a prevailing theme in Serbia… how can we disguise the entrance game..?)     I rang the security bell, and was promptly greeted by a well-groomed woman wearing a white medical coat embroidered with the salon logo. I was in the inner sanctum! She seated me, gave me beverage  (a nice chilled beverage, might I add) and got the process going. My appointment was at 2:30 and I was in the chair at 2:29. My technician got her tools and space prepped and laid out 20 color wheels, each with 19 different hues for me to select. This must be color heaven! We decided that my summer emergency demands a bright color and a punched up hue of magenta was selected. She commented on the quality of my prior manicure and wanted to know if it was ‘executed’ locally… Made me smile. It was ‘executed’ all right.  Remember I said I was in full-on nail emergency, I was looking all chipped and snaggle-nailed. I needed an expert.

The process of polish removing, cuticle shaping and nail filing is boring.. but she had a rhythm to her work that kept me engaged with the process and even liking being there. Her polish application was extraordinary precise. It was also kind of funny, but the background suspended TV had a US episode of “Big RV’s”; focused on Americans buying RV’s for family vacations. Hearing it dubbed in Serbian was telling in a bad way like looking in to us from the outside (and it wasn’t pretty)… My whole nail extravaganza lasted an hour and half and there was chilled Serbian wine!

This was not a trivial outing. It was an experience, a nice experience. The atmosphere in the salon was communal, these people liked each other. They liked working together and they enjoyed their customers. I wasn’t just sitting in McChair 2. All of this for $15.. Did I mention the chilled Serbian wine too?  While there, I got the follow-on manicure appointment, booked a pedicure and got myself in queue for a facial. I might end up spending a day there in the hidden retreat behind the buzzer door.

I do declare: this is the best manicure I have every had! I’m giddy over it. It makes me happy. It’s another instance of finding magic in the ordinary, Belgrade style. This is city of contrast, grit and artistry at every turn.. even in the nail salon. I am smitten.

 End Note:

The New York Times did an interesting expose the state of US Nail Salons. It’s a good read. Makes you look at supply-demand and fair wages in a whole different light.