Dear Melissa,

Deliciously quiet Labor Day Weekend . . . I rarely, if ever, travel on long weekends as it is too often needed time to get caught up on loose ends (do those every get truly completed?), and decompress from busy weeks. And, of course, there is always the traffic jam coming and going, that I love to avoid. This weekend I got a client's new home (their fourth with me) just about done in a mere Saturday! (Hey, when you know folks that well, it really can streamline the process.) Did the requisite bill paying and filing, and enjoyed my garden. Hope you had a restful and relaxing long weekend or maybe took the week!

Lessons from The Sound of Music. . . what a treat to watch this old favorite again on AMC. It reaffirmed the value of patience and not playing by the rules and the magic that truly happens when you follow your heart. This is a wonderful story with powerful lessons about family, soulmates, and homeland. Have another look!

All in time . . . I've learned repeatedly in this life that often all that we need and want to know will come to us in time, but not if we push, not if we pull, and not if we demand. Yes, there are back door methods and behind closed door techniques to find out lots and sometimes those are necessary (most often if you have this level of intuitive mistrust, you don't need to be involved anyway . . . hmm ever dated a spy?) But, more often than not, if we just relax and give it time (whether it is a business relationship, a personal connection, or a family tie) all will become clear. People are not like books and we can't simply read each chapter to a satisfying conclusion. They are more like a stack of treasure maps with new directions, tangents, portals, and keys being added continually. Happy hunting!

Live Well and By Design,
MG

"Mistakes are like portals of discovery."
~ James Joyce

The Art of Getting It Done

To truly master delegating you have to be attached only to the outcome and not to how it is accomplished. I remember in grade school getting extra points if I showed my calculations, and while necessary in accounting and record keeping, in most of life it isn't how you get there, but that you get there. Whenever I've hired design assistance, I show them my way and then explain that if they have a better way or way they prefer that is fine, as long as they get the desired result.

With contractors it goes a step further. I am not the expert in what they do, they are. I trust my contractors to get the job done successfully and I don't stand over their shoulder while they are doing it. I recently had 9 windows replaced (yahoo! I finally did it) and trusted Plymart to get the job done. In both installations (doors and windows) I left a key and was gone during the installation. I arrived home to find my house newly sealed up with the perfect window as ordered and reduced HVAC bills (my old ones were single pane and leaking!)

I do the same thing with installations of furniture. While typically I am on site, I have found that if I watch every move, it only adds to everyone's stress and in the event of a challenge all will be made right. I had a client once that during an installation of bedroom furniture being moved upstairs with three strong guys, she cursed them every step of the way. I was mortified having never experienced this grossly unprofessional, unnecessary, and horribly rude behavior ever before. It didn't make things go faster, and really left a bad taste all the way around (I let the client go a bit later in the project.)

Guide and direct is my motto and mantra, leave the dictatorships to the politicos!

The Right Benchmarks for Your Right Success

Are you competitive? I am, always have been. In fact, I learned long ago that if I couldn't do something well, I wouldn't do it at all. Of course this led to me missing out on things, and as I've grown wiser, I've relaxed a whole lot (some of you will smile to read that.) But recently I've had a couple of friends' company's land in the Inc. Fastest Growing. That is a real coup and very impressive. And my first thought was not congratulations, but instead why not me? Until I realized that that has never been and is not now, my intention. I've never wanted to manage people and prefer a virtual office with a talented team at my disposal on an as needed project basis. I am a coordinator and big picture creator, instead of a manager!

How many of us measure ourselves against inappropriate benchmarks just because someone else we know has gotten there. Do you want an Emmy, but aren't a TV actor? Maybe you want a cotY award, but aren't a contractor (yeah, I know you thought it was fashion, no it is Contractor of the Year.) Decide what your real intention is with your business and determine the most suitable benchmarks, awards, and recognition from there.

Winning awards takes work. It means presenting your accomplishments, often filling out lengthy applications and submitting your business to outside scrutiny. It isn't for everyone. It can help grow your business, but there are no guarantees. It is also typically subjective judging by a panel, rarely strictly a numbers decision. Does it add credibility, absolutely! Is the award or recognition, industry based or consumer based? Who is your market and what will this gain you beyond a warm fuzzy feeling and a statue or plaque to display? Most importantly is this a benchmark that you wanted, makes sense, and fits your business growth?

Know your talents, define your market, serve your niche, and measure your success in terms that matter to you and are realistic in your market.

*** *** ***

Want to Use an Article from this Newsletter in Your E-zine or Website?
Simply include the text here, with a link to www.melissagalt.com . Online entrepreneur Melissa Galt, "The Lifestyle Diva," publishes “Design Destinations” a monthly ezine with 1500+ subscribers. If you're ready to jump-start your life, create comfortable and personal home interiors, define your personal image and style, plan exciting travel and adventure, develop the career of your dreams, and pursue your past times and passionate pursuits, learn how now at www.melissagalt.com

Nan Fine Thai Dining - Atlanta, GA

Having had only limited experience with Thai Dining in Atlanta, this was a refreshing change of pace. The atmosphere is truly Thai in feeling (rather than Chinese tortured) with towering columns in gold and red at the four corners of the intimate central dining area. We were invited to get comfortable on built in sofas (less structured than the usual banquette) complete with silk pillows. The mood is decidedly romantic and cozy despite the 20' ceiling. Menus are in black and gold to mimic the four panel screen at the front entry. I'm a sucker for Zen Elegance and they've done it up in spades.

Nan Fine Thai Dining
1350 Spring Street
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-870-9933
www.nanfinedining.com

This is a remake of a French film I had previously seen and loved. I do think the French did a better job, more character development and plot depth but then most American audiences prefer shallower film experiences and focus on the star power. Zeta-Jones is appropriately distant and unifocused as the chef of a celebrated NY restaurant. When her sister and niece are in a car wreck on their way to visit and her sister dies, she is appointed guardian to her niece. Clearly her grown up life doesn't suit the school age Zoe and it is up to the playfulness of Eckhart's Nick to reconnect Zoe to her new life. Eckhart is a total scene stealer. No matter how unshaven, he is dreamy! Not sure what the appeal with Zeta-Jones's Kate is, while she is lovely to look at, she has the warmth of a snow pea. Nick is a delightful romantic, sensitive to the needs of all, and wonderfully grounded. I'll see anything with Eckhart as I truly feel is has an amazing breadth of talent. Breslin is going to go far if she doesn't burn out in childhood. Clarkson was an excellent casting choice as foil to Zeta-Jones.

September 2007

Virgo energy pervades the scene this month so 'all things Virgo' attract you! If you are decorating, your colors of choice are light blues, yellow-greens and creams. Virgo being the most logical and meticulous of all twelve signs gives all of us the desire to create order out of any chaos! A desire to make our space neat and precise makes us want to clean out closets and throw out 'stuff'! Shelves for organization are a must, but you also enjoy vintage pieces, light wood and glass accents. Talk to your decorator about how to organize!!