Life's Negotiations

I spent most of 2009 lying to everyone, including myself.

From lies to "protect" my loved ones from what I believed they didn't want to know, to putting a positive spin on everything lest I be judged (while all along I was the one judging myself).

Trust me: it's lonely caught in a vortex of denial and avoidance.

I coach individuals and businesses on getting what you want and removing obstacles along the way. Because my background is in public relations, one of the topics we often cover is how to express yourself.

In your personal life, this can translate into asking for a promotion.

If you're in business, it is how you attract and keep customers. Your mission statement. Your website.

Remember your wedding day..the day you moved in together..laying around being in love? At some point, a formal partnership is added to the mix. Now you're deciding on distribution of labor around the house, and opening (gulp) a joint checking account.

The first topic under negotiating companionship came from the New York Times yesterday, (He Cooks. She Stews. It’s Love.) It's a funny story about alpha cooks in the kitchen and the betas who love and must endure them.

Reading this reminded me of my own kitchen (my poor husband-cum-sous chef). The article's worth a good chuckle or two of acknowledgment and embarrassment, especially if any of you are like me, attempting to rise above the Hungry Man frozen dinner, and in the process bringing stress to an otherwise relaxing, creative undertaking.