Learning to Fly


I was planning to write one of those typical messages about getting back into a business mindset now that Labor Day is in the rearview and we’re heading into the busiest time of year for many of us.

But, when I sit down to write, I don’t feel the usual back-to-school energy that’s typical for me during the first week of September.

Instead, I’m reflecting on my mixed bag of a summer and wishing it weren’t, in everything but name, over.

I had such momentum coming into the season and then life kind of sidelined me.

My mom got sick, needed surgery, got better, and then worse again with a new issue.

All told, I probably spent less than a month of summer in my own home and less than that able to focus on my own things.

Many of the goals I set for myself back in May are still just that, goals, with very little headway achieved.

But then, I think about something that happened, which probably wouldn’t have if I hadn’t been caring for my mom and gone so much of the time.

Pigeons built a nest in the shadow of my lounge chair on my terrace.

Each time I came home in June, I tracked the progress of the eggs and am grateful I was there in July to witness first one then the other squab hatch.

For the next several weeks, the babies grow bigger and braver, exploring more of my terrace. They learn to hop onto surfaces and then onto my railing.

One day early in August, I watch the larger, older squab take flight. The littler squab takes longer to test its wings. It flaps about but doesn’t leave the safety of its perch. It cries and coos and hops around seemingly working up its nerve.

Then, one day, without ceremony or complaint with a big stretch of its wings it flies away, too.

This is life, I think. Amazing!

Sometimes we’re like the first-born pigeon, we spread our wings and fly without hesitation, without setback. Things feel easy and natural. We are unstoppable.

If you're feeling like this, yay you!

Sometimes, however, we need time and courage to propel us forward, to push us from survival mode to flying high and thriving.

If you can relate, feel free to reach out to me for a sympathetic ear and some support.

Until next time,

PS - If you missed it, last week I cried Help! I Need Somebody.


Lauren is such an incredible coach for established and emerging entrepreneurs. She mixes heart with wisdom and tailors her approach for wherever you are in your journey. So many breakthroughs and things to incorporate going forward. It was truly an honor to learn from her!
Vinny Anand, Co-Founder, FortyLove

Your success is our strategy!

Update your profile.

No longer want to receive my newsletter but don't want to miss my special offers and announcements? Click here.
To completely unsubscribe from all future communications, please opt out below.

Easily Said & Done

I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?

Read more from Easily Said & Done
Title: An Ounce of Prevention; subtitle: Can really save your bacon

Hi Reader, Last week we had the first tornado warning in Manhattan and the second in New York City that I can recall. There was horrible air quality from the Canadian wildfires as well as torrential rains with their accompanying flood warnings the week before. Right now, Spain and France are suffering devastating wildfires and heat waves. I've written before about disaster preparedness, but I really want to drive home the need to think about and plan for the potential impact of natural or...

Title: When AI Actually Works; Subtitle: It's a transformation tool

I promised I'd share some AI wins after bashing on it for the last couple of months, so here goes. An old client of mine runs a wine shop in Brooklyn. She's got some help but she's largely a one-woman show. She's been using Monday's AI features to help her analyze and manage her inventory and understand seasonal sales trends to purchase more smartly. She had to level up her investment and hire someone to help her set up the AI agents she needs but feels it's been money well-spent. Another one...

Title: When the Pope Speaks...; Subtitle: Are the right people listening?

There are lots of thoughts spinning around in my brain at any given moment. Maybe you can relate. We're kind of living in whirlwind times where information is coming at us incessantly; it's like being caught up in a tornado. There's just no way to catch your breath and really marinate on anything for too long. So here are a few things I'm trying to give a little bit more thought and attention to these days: What impact will Pope Leo's AI encyclical have on governments, tech leaders, and...