Happy Virtual Birthday To Me

When I thought about all the ways I could possibly celebrate my upcoming 50th birthday – big blow out party, inspiring foreign travel, expensive jewelry, a weekend in a double-wide – it occurred to me that I could never, possibly gather all the people I love and who make me laugh in one space.

Friends far afield does not a party make.

Unless.

Unless I did a Virtual Birthday Party!  Via teleconference!  And invited everyone to call in and give me advice about turning fifty!

So, it’s on.  Please plan to join me on Monday, March 22nd, at 2pm EDT – dial (703) 344-2171 and enter Conference ID: 520811#.

Just in case no one calls in (the worst nightmare of any hostess), I have asked these friends to dial in throughout the hour to dispense kindly (and perhaps barbed) advice, direction and commentary for this next phase of my life:

Pam Slim, sister-by-choice, author of Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur and my business partner on Kick Ass Mentoring and Career Invention.

Patti Digh, author of Life Is a Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful, and Live Intentionally, wry and inspiring observer at  37days.com

Jeannette Maw, the Good Vibe Coach, author of a number of great books on attracting what you want… and my partner on our monthly Conversation program.

Jen Louden, Comfort Queen, chatelaine of The Comfort Cafe, lovely person, and author of wonderful books and programs for women.

Hiro Boga, the Flourishing Muse and one of the finest writers and kindest souls I know.

Liz Lynch, networking pro and author of Smart Networking: Attract a Following In Person and Online, who always seems to find time to laugh at my jokes. Bless her.

Debbie Phillips, Woman On Fire, and author of Women on Fire: 20 Inspiring Women Share Their Life Secrets (and Save You Years of Struggle!). Debbie generously talked to a newbie coach (me) one afternoon many years ago, and set me on a path I love.

Cady Coleman, NASA astronaut and friend since 7th grade.  Cady is due to go up for her third space mission this December – to the International Space Station for a three month stay. Having seen the Earth from space, maybe Cady will help me put this birthday into a really big context.

Of course, there’s you.

I really want to talk to you.  So please plan to call in – and I’ll mingle and talk to as many folks as I possibly can. Just like an in-person party.

Believe me: Your presence is the greatest gift I’ll receive.

Your Wish Is My Command

Big happy thanks to each of you who took the time to answer my short survey this week. There’s still time if you’d like to give me your thoughts, so click here to go to the survey.

I learned a lot from you all.

First, more of you would like an opportunity to work with me.

You’d like lower cost programs, designed to help you with your career or your business.

You’d like self-paced programs.

You’d like to see me collaborate more.

Which is really cool, because that’s the same stuff I’ve been thinking about.

So, let me make two announcements which will go right to the heart of the matter.

First, a very low-cost/high reward opportunity. You may remember the November free call where I talked with my friend, Good Vibe Coach Jeannette Maw, about aligning values, priorities and intentions. It was one of the most downloaded classes either Jeannette or I have ever seen. So, we figured, hey, why not do more of that?

We’ve decided to do a monthly conversation on a subject of interest – the first one will be on that perennial Big Issue: money. If you want to listen live and have the chance to ask questions, it’s a monthly subscription of only $9. And, you’ll get the recording, too. If you just want the recording, it’s $5. Simple. Easy. Fun. Want to sign up? Go right to: Listen In On Michele and Jeannette.

Second, so many of you are in the place where you need to reinvent your lives… You’re looking at a Second Act that may just change your life, and it’s kind of scary and there’s no roadmap and how’s it all going to work out? Good news, I can help you there.

My friend, author Mary Beth Sammons, wrote the best-selling Second Acts That Change Lives: Making A Difference In The World.  We’ve adapted the material from her book – and added tools and tactics from my coaching practice – to create a fabulous month-long telecourse will to help turn the “someday I’d love to” into “today I will”. For more information, check out: Second Acts That Change Your Life.

And, because we know many of you want to launch your second act by writing a blog… we’re offering two classes on blogging. Mary Beth is a fantastic editor and writer – she was a columnist at the Chicago Tribune and has written for magazines, and online outlets like MORE.com, CarePages.com, and BettyConfidential.com. She’s a pro and I’m happy to partner with her. Info on the blog classes can also be found at Second Acts That Change Your Life.

One more thing I’m working on in response to your requests – I’m preparing some workbooks for you to help you solve issues you face in your career. How to deal with difficult people. How to do a job search. How to ace an interview. How to get clear. How to really know what it is you want. I’ll be rolling these out as soon as I complete them. Stay tuned for more information, willya?

Bottom line: I am so grateful for each of you who read what I write and take the time to tell me what it is that you really want. I promise I will do my best to deliver. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll create some stuff that will surprise you, delight you and make you think.

Oh, and get you to a very happy, purposeful life, too.