February President’s Message

By: Tonya Tiggett, NAWBO Columbus President

There’s a running joke between my friend Beth Alloway of Huntington and I that I will always recommend a book during a conversation or presentation.  Well, true to form, I’ll recommend two inspiring and thought-provoking books in this month’s message; both are focused around the topic of “wooing” and creativity.  Maybe I just like the word “woo” because it’s in my top 5 Strength’s Finder. At any rate, there is an attraction to “wooing” because it represents possibility, hope, opportunity, and a law of attraction ultimately being fulfilled.  

The latter topic of “creativity” drives most of us entrepreneurs and is one which I hope gives you some interesting perspective on the business you’ve created, the business you are in the process of creating, or your role within the company that employs you.  

A few years ago I read Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, and it’s still one of the most inspirational books I’ve read to ignite your creativity.  She urged us as the reader to date (as in court) our ideas and our creativity in our career calling. She meant literally showing up as our best to take on the privilege of doing what we get to do, and in creating the life we deeply desire to live.  

Think of it this way:  

When we’re single and seeking a partner, we typically put in more effort with ourselves and our relationships, going to greater lengths to tend to our appearance, our interactions with our potential partner, and our outward behaviors.  

Why not do this with our career as it relates to tapping into the best of who we are and what we have to offer ourselves and to others? In other words, “woo” on a daily basis what we wish to create.

This same premise surfaced again as I was reading the last few pages of The Joy of Genius yesterday (thank you NAWBO member Donna Musilli for this wonderful gift!).  Author Gay Hendrick’s, who has coined the phrase “Zone of Genius” which I mentioned in last month’s message, issued the following advice:

“Think of your creativity like you think of a beloved partner…When you are wooing a beloved, you make time for him or her.  You make space so you can be together free of distraction. You do this out of the honor and respect you feel for your beloved… Your most valuable asset is hidden in plain sight, in the innate genius that is yours to cultivate.  If you want to bring it forth on an ongoing basis to nurture your whole life, you need to make space for your creativity and be rigorous about dedicating time to it.”

Finally, as many of you know, I’m all about celebrating.  Ironically, while I love celebrating everyone else, I’ve realized that I don’t celebrate enough my very own creativity, and I’m not wooing my creative calling as I could be.  Each of us has such a privilege to do what we do every day, and I’m determined to make this year one in which I woo my creative calling more than ever and dedicate time to do this.  This means being more laser focused upon the best relationships, projects, and tasks that lead to this creative calling. I’m excited to rekindle my creative relationship with the business I’ve built.  What about you?

What will you do this month and throughout this year to “woo” your creative calling in the amazing business you’ve built, or the incredible company for which you work?  I would love to know how you will do this so we can trade and share our best practices and celebrate together.

In this month of love, just know we at NAWBO Columbus love having you as a partner in our respective journeys.  Wishing you an amazing, creative month of success, joy, and fun in “wooing” your best life.

Tonya