Category Archives: Karens Notes

Vulnerability: showing up in weakness when you can’t control the outcome

Vulnerability: showing up in weakness when you can’t control the outcome

I’m on holiday on the Isle of Mull (my favourite island of them all).  So, instead of a Note this week, I’m going to suggest you watch the “Call to Courage” by Brene Brown, on Netflix.  I watched it last week – and I tried to watch it whilst doing other things. Ironing, sketchnoting, emails,

I need both accountability AND deadlines to get stuff done (and relationship)

I need both accountability AND deadlines to get stuff done (and relationship)

I get stuff done on deadline. But only when the deadline involves other people. Deadlines work for me because I care about other people. Sometimes to the exclusion of myself, which i’m working on, but I really hate letting people down.  If I say I’ll send something Friday, it may be midnight, but I’ll get

A story about great leggings, and how simply having a good product isn’t enough

A story about great leggings, and how simply having a good product isn’t enough

My new favourite leggings are from a company called Sweaty Betty.  I like what they make, but that isn’t all, and it’s not enough.  I like what they say in their marketing, and who they are, and the way they interact with me as a human (not simply a “buyer”). A few weeks ago they

I’ve been talking about this for ages. How could they not know about it?

They ask you answer marcus sheridan

People hear things when they are ready to hear them.  This is a little story about someone who recommended a book to me….which I’ve been recommending to, like, everyone all the time everywhere. I thought.  It’s Saturday morning. My friend James texts me something he’s been thinking about, so i ring him and we chat

Accountants are creative too (no, not the illegal kind)

Accountants are creative too (no, not the illegal kind)

I’ve been thinking for a long time about the creativity of accountants (the good kind).  In the past, i would say most accountants wouldn’t consider themselves creative. That word is for artists, photographers, writers, graphic designers. People who do creative-y things.  But where does that impression come from? Why is it we think some people

Crush it? Hustle? Work harder? Rest.

Crush it? Hustle? Work harder? Rest.

The answer to being more productive may not be more work.  It may be rest.  I know the value of hard work: and I really enjoy it. I love being a business owner and I’m even grateful for finding the line between business and personal to be rather blurry. That’s ok by me.  There are

The more healthy i am, the more healthy my business is.

The more healthy i am, the more healthy my business is.

The more healthy i am, the more healthy my business is. Last week i met with my accountant and we looked at the numbers for june (and July so far).  It was notable the increase in sales (and related profitability) of the business for the past few months. Specifically the last 14 weeks.  For those

Holiday Expectations: Will you “use” the time, or let it go by?

Holiday Expectations: Will you “use” the time, or let it go by?

Holiday can be hard to think about when you’re feeling a bit swamped.  You want it and are excited about it; you need it; but you may also be tempted to make sure you “use” your holiday time for thinking about the business. Planning. Writing some content.  Actually having headspace seems like a huge opportunity.

When you meet people “in person”, the conversation changes

When you meet people “in person”, the conversation changes

I set up my business as a 100% remote, virtual business.  I did this for efficiency reasons, for a lifestyle choice. I wanted to work from home. Have flexibility. Be able to go where I wanted to go and not be bound by an office.  Also, I don’t really work well in an office (I

The personal element has the greatest impact

The personal element has the greatest impact

“You need to have the machine, and you also need the human element.”  My friend and fellow business owner Paul said that to me when we were meeting over breakfast.  We were talking about the Accelerator course we deliver for accountants. I created it several years ago and it’s gone through a few iterations, but