This article originally appeared in The Chicago Tribune May 10, 2009 by Gregory Karp When he was 28, J.D. Roth had a friend who offered him an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: They would take a five-month trip together to see Thailand, India, Israel, Egypt and other far-flung places. Roth had to say no. He had spent all the money he earned since graduating college, and more. He had lots of stuff–and was $20,000 in debt. By contrast, Roth’s friend Paul lived frugally with few belongings and had significant savings. Paul had the freedom to take the trip of a lifetime. “I realized then, `Aha!’ Paul was making choices that gave him flexibility later on,” said Roth, who now blogs about his financial life at GetRichSlowly.org. “I didn’t have any flexibility. I couldn’t afford to take the time away from work. The world opens up to you if you can… Read More
Life
Mr. Duffy's Body – Somatics in the 21st Century
I have just completed my training at the Strozzi Institute in Petaluma, CA and am now a Certified Somatic Coach through the Strozzi Institute. What this means is that I am folding this learning and way of approaching the complexities of life into my work with clients. The somatic sensibility I have developed deepens my way of listening to, and seeing, my clients and assisting them to move forward into the life they create for themselves. Richard Strozzi’s article here gives you a taste of the somatic perspective. Mr. Duffy’s Body – Somatics in the 21st Century By Richard Strozzi-Heckler, Ph.D. Recently skimming through my daughter’s books for her World Literature class I came across James Joyce’s epic novel, Ulysses. Remembering what is required to engage with Joyce’s dense prose I forged ahead anyway and came across a certain Mr. Duffy who “lived a short distance from his… Read More
May 2009 Newsletter
Daisy Swan & Associates – May 2009 Newsletter What’s Inside: Welcome & Introduction, by Daisy Swan, MA, CPCC: The Los Angeles Career Counselor & Coach How about some good news? The Truth. (Ready?) Where is Your ‘Third Place’ These Days? Books and Other Resources Welcome & Introduction, by Daisy Swan, MA, CPCC: The Los Angeles Career Counselor & Coach Hello Readers, I want to thank the many of you who gave me feedback on my last newsletter. It makes me really happy to hear that people appreciate what I have to offer and that you find these newsletters helpful or inspiring. If you ever think of something that you’d like to hear more about, or have questions, I hope that you’ll let me know; I’ll do what I can to address these questions or topics in the future. I also want to thank all of… Read More
Raising Bill Gates
This article originally appeared in The Wall Street Journal April 25, 2009 by Robert A. Guth For all of us parents out there…we just never know what will happen, right? SEATTLE — Spend time with the family of Bill Gates, and eventually someone will mention the water incident. The future software mogul was a headstrong 12-year-old and was having a particularly nasty argument with his mother at the dinner table. Fed up, his father threw a glass of cold water in the boy’s face. “Thanks for the shower,” the young Mr. Gates snapped. The incident lives in Gates family lore not just for its drama but also because it was a rare time that Bill Gates Sr., father of his famous namesake, lost his cool. The argument presaged a turning point in the life of a tempestuous boy that would set him on course to become the Bill… Read More
To Jeopardy! winner, Trebek’s no Helmholz
This interview originally appeared in the University of Chicago Magazine’s blog UChiBLOGo (http://uchiblogo.uchicago.edu). Here’s another option if you’ve got some time! In December 2007 Dan Pawson, JD’06, began a nine-game winning streak on Jeopardy! He returned in January to participate in the 2009 Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions, which aired in March. Although Pawson was happy to discuss his new fame, we don’t recommend mentioning the articles of the Constitution. Especially you, Professor Helmholz. How did you get on the show? Pawson: “I got on the show by taking the online test in January 2007. If you pass and they pick you, you go to a regional in-person audition, which happened for me in May 2007. Then I got the call to come on in August.” What kind of preparation did you do before a show? Pawson: “I don’t have any great mental-stimulation techniques right before a game, but… Read More
Work, learn, work
It’s staggering how much there is to learn these days, isn’t it? Are you overwhelmed from working so hard to stay on top of everything you do? While trying to wrap your mind around what’s happening in the world and with technology? Personally I go from overwhelm to excitement from hour to hour. One of the ways I get out of overwhelm is to attend an event or program where I get real information about some aspect of the changing landscape of commerce. Today I attended a National Association of Women Business Owners co-sponsored event featuring Bill Allen from the LA Economic Development Corporation. It was fascinating to hear about the misconceptions and lack of communication that has resulted in a lack of economic development for LA and it’s very diverse population. Did you know that the film industry is not the biggest industry here? Did you know that because… Read More
In recession, more parents 'slowly' spend quality time with their kids
This article originally appeared in New Jersey News April 19,2009 By CARRIE STETLER There are some hidden benefits that adults and kids are reaping from this economic situation…. Last year, Dana Slomkowski fer ried her preschoolers to horseback riding lessons, gymnastics and dance class. On errands to the store, she routinely bought small toys. If her 4-year-old daughter decided to wear only dresses, Slom kowski bought more dresses. But life for the Slomkowskis has changed since the recession. Now, the children have one activity each. Gone are pricey vacations and long day trips. And if daughter Rory wants a new dress, she raids her piggy bank. At first, Slomkowski felt guilty about the cutbacks. But now, she believes, her family is better off. “We have more time, we talk. We may not go anywhere, but at least we’re all home together. Now I’m big on, ‘go outside and… Read More
Savvy Schools
This article originally appeared in The Wall Street Journal April 17,2009 By KELLY GREENE Ted English, age 62, a restaurant owner in Rapid City, S.D., had been thinking about changing careers, perhaps taking a job in travel or tourism. Last winter, a local community college opened a door. The school, Western Dakota Technical Institute, had developed a program to train older adults to work as interpretive rangers in national parks. The course included visits to Mount Rushmore and several other sites. Mr. English quickly signed up. “Being a history buff, this is great,” he says. The humble community college is turning out to be one of the best resources for older adults seeking new directions — and new jobs — in later life. From coast to coast, two-year public institutions are streamlining existing training programs and designing new ones to help people approaching retirement or facing midlife layoffs. Read More
Cupcakes and Cattle Breeding: Teens Turn to Summer Start-Ups
This article originally appeared in The Wall Street Journal April 15,2009 By SUE SHELLENBARGER Lexie Oliver, 16, has been trying for weeks to get a summer job, to earn spending money and to feel productive. But the search has proven “really difficult,” says the Gainesville, Fla., high-school sophomore. After applying at numerous retailers and getting turned down, Ms. Oliver has made a decision: If she wants a job this summer, she figures she’ll have to create her own. She’s already working on starting a handmade jewelry business, finding materials, tapping a friend to build a Web site and asking relatives for help marketing her wares. Faced with the darkest summer-job market since the government began collecting data after World War II, a growing number of teens are turning to entrepreneurship. The government’s $1.2 billion youth jobs program is expected to make barely a dent in overall teen joblessness… Read More
Twelve Years Down the Drain
This article originally appeared in The Wall Street Journal April 9,2009 By Elizabeth Wurtzel The credit crisis has cost us a dozen years’ wealth in a matter of months. Anyone who toils in the legal-industrial complex — better known as Big Law — should be able to tell you how we got here. Corporate attorneys like me, even those with the eyesight and insight of Mr. Magoo, all should have been able to see this financial collapse coming. The market has lost a dozen years worth of wealth in a matter of months. Millions of hours of manpower put in by investment bankers on Wall Street and the lawyers who enabled them — the kind that brought home those bright shiny bonuses that are now causing a populist uprising in the hinterlands — have been wasted away by what is kindly called the credit crisis. And whatever lessons… Read More
