The Creativity Yenta™ Just your average sexy force of nature!™: On the sunny side of the street

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

On the sunny side of the street

I did a quick session this am with an old friend/client--so old that she can call me bossy, and I just sort of chuckle. So old that I remember hanging out with her when we were in 3rd grade, giggling and reading back issues of People magazine and being stupid...--and the best part of helping her, was getting to re-experience her sunny, upbeat, optimism.
Did that make some of you choke on your bile? I don't blame you. I do adore snotty humor and love me some snark, there's a reason why The Onion makes me chortle out loud on the subway, but I also have tremendous respect for people who can truly see the glass (of life) as half-full. (Oh, that sounded like a bad 1990s emo girl group lyric...)
My friend is in the process of receiving her master's degree, she has three (gorgeous) kids, her husband is also getting his bachelor's...but. But, in the mean time, she needs a job and is probably going to have to work at Home Depot. Her attitude? "Oh, well, there's a lot of contractors who go to Home Depot, so I'll just be helpful and maybe one of them will need an extra hand."
Maybe it's just because I'm a naturally cranky person--I threw phones at people in TV news because they deserved it not because I wanted to...though, okay, I also really wanted to. Ha!--but I was really impressed by her joyful spirit. Because, dear Reader: she's right. She gets it. She understands that networking is a constant ebb and flow, that you never know where you'll meet someone who can change your life...so why not meet them as you help them choose the perfect faucet? And why not allow yourself to think that you can change your life, instead of luxuriating in misery?
What my friend really gets is that attitude is everything. I don't know about you, but given the horrible state of customer "service" nowadays, I've been known to praise people to their managers for being (basically) competent. When the chick at the Gap, for example, takes the time to do her job, and is even pleasant, I want to treat her to a pedicure.
What I'm trying to say is: my friend will be fine. No, she'll be great: she's got the right attitude and she sees that opportunities are everywhere...

No comments:

What The 99% Thinks:

"Carlota Zimmerman (Indiana Law ’07) is one of those students who goes on to inspire and teach the teacher. Carlota is an artist who relentlessly pulls on the strings of honesty and creativity. This choice requires tremendous courage, character and persistence. Through her writing, coaching and creativity endeavors, Carlota has a knack of helping us ask the hard, existential questions about our own settled worldview, all the while making us laugh. How do we really feel? Are we playing it too safe? Are we proud of the compromises and tradeoffs we are making? As someone teaching in a law school, I think these are the right questions, at least to live a full and meaningful life. I look forward to learning more."

-- Professor William D. Henderson, Indiana University Maurer School of Law.

“Carlota keeps it real! She is simply awesome! She wants her clients to succeed in reaching their full potential, as this is seen through her passion and enthusiasm. In seeing all Carlota has achieved and created for herself, she inspires me to want the same for myself. Carlota allows you to open up about how you feel, and where you want to be. She provides great insight and honest critique meant to bring out the best in you. We are all capable of reaching out fullest potential, but sometimes we need that extra push to realize it. Carlota is that push, and sometimes a good kick in the ass!” -Aaron Schane

"You probably knew this, but I'm going to share anyway: you own the market on this creativity yenta-ness. My Yiddish sucks, and when I Googled this, it's all you. Damn woman!" -Jessica Reagan

"...one of the snappiest-written blogs out there!"-Alison Potvin, http://www.kiva.org/lender/alisonpotvin

“Carlota is quite the unique professional trainer and coach. It would be unfair to pigeon-hole Carlota as a “Career Coach” as she inspires people (clients and friends alike) to achieve their optimal results whether that correlates to business or non-business objectives. Carlota possesses a diversified background in the news and entertainment business as well as being a published playwright and the holder of a Law degree. These traits contribute to her success in motivating people to achieve their best. All in all, Carlota cares and thus comes highly recommended.” -Phil Z.

Karin Torres: "So, I was offered an exciting gig and was asked to let them know, 'how I wanted to be compensated.' Just what everyone wants to hear, right? However, there were a lot of factors involved...and I knew I only had one chance to get it right. Immediately I thought of my friend Carlota Zimmerman. I knew she had the experience, giftings and professional know-how to assess all of those factors. More importantly, I knew that she would have my best interests at heart-not allowing me to sell myself short, but also keeping me focused on where I might need to sacrifice to get future business. In short...she helped me come to a decision that I am comfortable and confident about. We all need to draw from each other's experience, abilities and gifting to find new creative ways to make it in this economy. I needed a professional sounding board and specialized guidance...she was the first person I thought of."

"As a freelancer/small business owner, it can be overwhelming trying to get your information out there...especially when you have a very limited advertising budget. Carlota literally held my hand and guided me through the world of social networking, teaching me how to use this technology to promote my business....She is more than just a creativity coach, she has become an inspiration and a friend. If you value your business/career, you should consider hiring her." -Margie Bresciani, www.margiemakeup.com

"I have never known such great devotion to make the most out of any situation. No matter the circumstances, there is always the desire to move forward in anything and get the best out of every person. Faithfulness, commitment, persistence, endurance and even a sense of fun are always present. But enough about The Kitten: Carlota is great. In all seriousness, Carlota's mentoring and coaching have been an invaluable help for us. We cannot say enough about how helpful she has been and we would gladly recommend her career coaching services to everyone. Thank you again, Carlota." Dom Travano

"You effin' ROCK!" -Kalleen H.

The Creativity Yenta™ Just your average sexy force of nature!™

Pages

Email me!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

On the sunny side of the street

No comments:

Post a Comment

Blog Archive