Big, crazy changes. Afoot.
Every once in a while I get hit by a wild and reckless burst of inspiration and come to the conclusion that — hey, what the heck — wouldn’t it be fun to totally restructure my entire business?
I honestly don’t know where I get the “fun” part, because it seriously almost never is. But, you know me, taking apart the old to make room for the new is kind of my thing.
Me and Shiva, god of destruction deconstruction. We’re like this.
Anyway …
Anyway, what’s really fun (by which I mean terrifying) is when I come up with something that goes way, way against the grain of all the stuff my old business mentor used to say, and also against a lot of the conventional wisdom that I’ve run into in the … well, conventional circles that I travel in.
Right. That would be why it’s called conventional wisdom. Which might go some way towards explaining why it bores the hell out of me.
Point being, I can tell by the way I feel both gleefully excited and shaking-in-my-boots scared at exactly the same time, that my wacky plan is absolutely the right thing to do.
So here’s what I’ve been processing for the past several months.
The plan.
I’m dropping most of my clients.*
*No, no, not YOU! If we already have sessions set up and you haven’t heard anything from me, then we’re fine. Promise. This isn’t a Dear John post or anything. That would just be mean.
Also, I’ve totally done away with my six month one-on-one coaching program.
And both of my three month group training programs.
All gone.
What I’m doing instead, now that I’ve (ahem) thoroughly scrapped all my primary sources of income, is following my heart.
Which means — as it turns out — devoting my energy to building a safe place where the people I love can go to work on their stuff, get support and encouragement, and practice getting better at the things I teach here.
Which has grown into this new Next Big Thing I’ve been talking about.
A fun, safe, cozy, supportive online biggification community.
It’s for my people. And for me and my duck.
Yes, it has a name now …
At The Kitchen Table With Havi & Selma.
And this is where I’ll be hanging out now when I’m not here.
Anyone who applies and gets in will get the chance to work with me and a bunch of other smart, creative, slightly oddball people on getting destuckified and putting their cool thing out there to the world.
I’ll be teaching oh, everything I know about biggified stuff like non-icky marketing, copywriting, making monies and so on (but in the most accessible, not-scary way possible) and also about this whole self-work “taking apart your habits to build better ones” thing that we do here.
And there will be a generous, loving canopy of peace for you to come in under and hide out with me. And with my duck, of course.
And that’s pretty much it.
A few people will still get to work with me one-on-one in 2009 … I’ll make a small number of six-session packages available (as an extra-help option) to those of you who are Kitchening it up with me.
Theoretically, you’ll also still be able to grab a one-off consultation with me if you aren’t at the Kitchen Table and you absolutely insist on it, but you really shouldn’t — my hourly rate is going up to $375.
And if that doesn’t cut down the two-month waiting list, I’ll just have to re-think things again.
As far as I’m concerned, this coming year for me is all about 1. taking care of myself and resting up, and 2. coming out with some fantastic — and possibly slightly bizarre — new products and mini-courses, which the people in the Kitchen Table are going to test-drive for me.
You can peek at the pretty, pretty facade if you like …
Or you can go straight to the “hey, here’s where you sign up” page, if you’re interested.
And of course, I’ll still be here!
If you’re not into the whole Kitchen Table thing, we’ll keep hanging out here and that will be awesome. In fact, I’ll actually probably be here even more, since several more hours will be magically added to my day.
So all in all — it’s pretty much good news for everyone.
And if you’re looking for me the rest of the time, I’ll be in the Kitchen. At the table.*
*Maybe you’ll be there too! I’ll make you a snack! And either way, I’ll be right here tomorrow for the next installment of Blogging Therapy. See you then.
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I’m very sad that I can’t afford to do it right now, as schmoozing at the kitchen table with Havi and Selma would be a wonderful treat for 2009. But I am very excited that you’re doing it, and making the Big Changes!
And also I love the way you juxtapose ‘fun’ and ‘terrifying’. I’ve just finished reading Barbara Ringsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible, and one of the characters remarks at one point that the difference between exhilaration and terror lies only in the spelling – the two feel very similar indeed.
Joely Blacks last blog post..Welcome to the Big Scary
Let me in! Let me in! (this is me, banging down the door to your kitchen… :P). Applying now. Can’t wait to see how it takes shape.
Eileens last blog post..“Suggestion” #3: Shiva Nata
“Your people” – gosh, that term just makes me…..oh wait, I’m not getting all sappy. Nope. Won’t do it.
I love, love, LOVE watching people do new cool things. It’s so awesome!
This Kitchen Table thing is so going to rock…..clearly.
😉
All the best!
deb
Deb Owens last blog post..POD: picture of the day
Very very cool. I love the name. Well, and the whole idea but the name just says so much about the feel of the thing.
JoVEs last blog post..Sustainable Urban Living
Havi,
Am so super excited about this! I think this is an awesome biggification move that can benefit your people more than ever! Yay!
I’m bummed that I just bought insurance (boo, reality) but am trusting that if I’m supposed to be a part of this awesome adventure, I’ll be provided with the means (that’s some yoga-fied calmness, thanks to my Non-sucky Yoga DVD!)
Taras last blog post..New New
Havi, I’m so incredibly excited for you! And in awe of your courage, creativity and willingness to follow your heart wherever it leads you. Your Kitchen Table forum sounds wonderfully right, for you and for your Right People. I hope to be part of it.
Love and hugs,
Hiro
Hiro Bogas last blog post..Creative Connection: Where’s Your Muse When the Baby’s Spitting Up at 3 am?
Wow, good for you, Havi! (isn’t it funny how we can get congratulated on doing things that our accountants (if we have one) would freak out about?)
I’m a big believer in following one’s heart, even if it doesn’t make immediate, obvious sense. Sometimes, the logic lies deeper.
Adam Kayces last blog post..Just you. Just me.
I want in! I need to talk to my husband and see if we can swing the money, so soon after Christmas and all, but I want in!!
Can I just say, wow?
I didn’t guess you would change your business model so radically! Way to show everyone how it’s done! Pretty gutsy.
Oh, and The Kitchen Table? FABULOUS.
Maryann Devines last blog post..Who Can Be an Arts Marketer?
Woohoo, Havi!
Congratulations! Very, very cool!
I’ll say I kinda suspected this might be the direction you were going in – and I think it’s very exciting.
Yippee!
Very exciting ~ !
Can’t wait to meet all the wonderful people you’re bringing together around the table.
Funny, as I read the comments here, I was thinking about Tara and Carole’s words. This sort of place seems like insurance for my mind and my business, and a Christmas present to myself… just about a dollar a day for a wealth of possibilities = priceless. And I’m SO NOT a “joiner” but just can’t pass this up. Thanks!
(Now to get my back-to-work ‘ketchup’ done and stay offline until I do… man, tough love is hard to self-apply ~ HA!)
Havi:
Well, thank goodness that I don’t have to wait any longer to find out what this new thing is. I’m not surprised about the form of the new thing but you totally whipped my head around by your radical change of your old structure.
Goodness, girl, but you are an inspiration. And gutsy. People tell me that I’m bold, but you’ve got me licked by a mile! There’s some stuff that I’ve been doing that just doesn’t have the energy it used to and I’ve been scared to just let it go. But now I’m saying to myself “Why the hell not!”
And I am SOOOOO glad ( as you well know) that you are taking care of yourself this way. I’ve been the teensiest bit worried but now I can relax. Thanks for that (-:
And in…. yes… OF COURSE I’m in! It will be way, way fun to follow you and Selma around and see where you take us.
Lots of love,
Chris
chris zydels last blog post..The ART OF INNER CLUTTER CLEARING: MAKING ROOM FOR WHO YOU REALLY ARE
PS I know that you will be in the kitchen, so does that mean there will be FOODS??? (-:
chris zydels last blog post..The ART OF INNER CLUTTER CLEARING: MAKING ROOM FOR WHO YOU REALLY ARE
I so appreciate all the warmth and encouragement and general cheering. It really helps knowing that you’re all happy for me.
Also, a TON of people have been asking for payment options, so I’m talking it over with Marissa and Peggy (my two wonderful assistants) and we’re trying to figure something out.
@Chris – of *course* there will be foods. FOODS! Cheese and crackers? Milk and cookies? Crumbs for the member mice?
I’m a yiddische mama so I’ll have to be feeding people pretty much all the time. Eat eat!
But then I’m also a health nut so there will probably be lots of that too. We’re going to have a whole internal program on “getting around to maybe eventually liking our bodies” where we’ll take on icky words like “exercise”, and come up with a Take Care Of Ourselves sort of program.
Anyway, FUN. So glad you’ll be there.
@
Oh! SKAWEEE on the payment plan option.
At some point… can we discuss what to do when your To Do list is so ginormous and there’s so much to do you want to cry when you think about it?
I love love LOVE being an artsy soul entrepreneur… but oh my goddess it is kicking my ass. Something about being “on the ball” all the time – not sure if this is just an Australian expression or not. But you know… having all my shiz together, getting all the gorgeous stuff done, and still being happy and peaceful in the process.
I wanna stay my happy hippy self AND be a successful goddess business-woman.
Meanwhile, there is a bag of freshly picked organic plums on my desk from a friend. Anyone want some?
Off for a cup of tea,
Blessings,
Leonie
Havi, Havi, Havi!!!
Do you have to go do something like this? And on top of doing it, give it a name like that? I am so wanting to be in your kitchen, but I have money “issues…”
So, congratulations and time for me to start saving.
Sanders
Sign me up. Havi, Selma, the morning coffee – a package (and no Starbucks or Seattle’s Best, pleez).
You’re moving so fast, can you still say you’re unstufficating? Seems the noozletter just went and the – whoosh – there goes the blog. Not stuck for long, that’s for sure.
Anyway, I hope I can be part of the KT even though I don’t really like blogging (although I do check out some of the websites/blogs you recommend). Maybe I can bring the coffee cake instead. Isn’t that what the lil’ old ladies do?
xoxoxox Nancy
(Ack! Where do I sign up? It’s hard being a fossil.)
@Nancy – Funny fossil lady! I was just about to give you the Kitchen Table link, but I see you already found it because you signed up before I was able to get in here! Yay.
You totally don’t have to like blogging. We’re just going to be working on the usual self-work process only going way deeper with it and practicing neat things.
Coffee cake is always welcome at the Kitchen Table! And I’d hardly call you a lil’ old lady, having seen you Shiva Nata it up like mad in my Berkeley classes …
@Sanders – Ohhhhhh … whenever you get there it will be wonderful. And we will record/document most of what happens there so you’ll be able to absorb stuff that you miss.
And the first quarter our theme is MONEY and having a healthy, happy relationship with it, so there will be lots of good stuff for you to catch up on (if you feel like it) when it’s the right time.
We’ll keep your seat warm!
@Leonie – Yes to the organic plums! And yes to talking about all that stuff. Here for sure. And also at the Table (we have some hardcore mindful time management experts in there). We all go through that “I love my business but when will it stop beating me up” thing, so definitely!