Picture
No, I am not talking about giving the HR department something to come talk to you about.  I am talking about what would it look like to flirt with your business goals and objectives, potential clients, and even collaborators.

Mary Boiselle from Seattle's Ace of Dates recently wrote an article on flirting do's and don'ts and as I read it I couldn't help but to think about how much fun it is to flirt with life.  The I wondered what that would look like if we flirting in our businesses...hmmmm- sounds fun, right?!

In flirting with someone, we all know to catch their eye.  Mary suggests to connect your eyes with someone and if they hold eye contact that they are interested- this holds true for your business affairs as well.  I'm not saying that we should attract our next client by locking and holding a smoldering look for them across the conference room, but instead make sure that when you are in a meeting with someone (even if just coffee), make sure that they know that you are interested by maintaining eye contact.  If it is a project or idea this will be a bit conceptual.  Try looking at the project and imagine it looking right back at you with all that it is and all that it is not...hold that gaze...are you still interested?

Now lean in- get closer to them.  I couldn't have said it any better "Lean in toward the object of your desire".  In our businesses, we get that everything is personal.  By leaning in, we make it even more so.   If leaning into an idea, you get to check it out a bit before jumping in.  Gazing at it... checking it out... do I wanna?  I mean, I know that I could.  It could be fun.  I wonder where this could go.

We all know when a smile is real or not.  When there are smiles at the meeting table- and not those "It's been great having this opportunity to speak with you" but thinking "Damn, I gotta get out of here" smiles, you know that you are headed in the right direction. 

And if you are smiling even after leaning into that business idea and googling at each other- GO TO THE NEXT LEVEL, BABY!  Have some fun and give the world something to talk about.

Pay attention to Mary's Flirting Don'ts- they can destroy whatever possibility that was there for that business opportunity despite whatever intentions that you may have.

*Note- if in doubt, try Integrity.  

Mary Boiselle is the founder of The Ace of Dates located in Seattle, WA.  The Ace of Dates supports you in carrying out any date to perfection – whether an ordinary Tuesday night, or a big anniversary or event. 
 
 
Sometimes we have to listen beyond the words to get what is being communicated.  And this particular insight that was communicated has been what has put me in action.

Here I sit, creating content for the website and my mind is always running possibilities for process and policies in the background.  As usual, my very diverse music collection is set to Random on the media player.

We all very well know that music has a way of stirring up memories and ways of being.  Certain music can take us right back to a particular time and place, and it can also brings out the calming qualities that we have while others bring out the nose to the grind stone let's get this thing done mentality- today I need to be in the latter.  Next song that plays on this professional, Edmonds Band Booster Mom's media player: Don't Take Me For Granted by Social Distortion.  Perfect timing.

I’m your worn in leather jacket
I’m the volume in your fu@%^$ up teenage band
A Pack of smokes and a six pack
I’m the dreams you had walkin’ down the railroad tracks
You and me

I’m your first taste of romance
I’m your first broken heart on a Saturday night
Guys like us ain’t got no chance
But I’m the thing that keeps you and me alive
But not forever

Chorus:
So take me down the road
Take me to the show
It’s something to believe in
That no one else knows
But don’t take me for granted

I’m the blood on your guitar
I’m that wave you caught back in 1975
I’m as strong as a thousand armies
I’m as soft as a petal on a long stem rose
I am love

So take me down the road
Take me to the show
It’s something to believe in
That no one else knows
But don’t take me for granted
I’m with you when you’re born
You can take me when you die
With all the reasons why
But don’t take me for granted

No one knows
Don’t take me for granted

For me, I hear in this song that love creates possibility- that love can look many different ways- it can have you act outside of your preconceived boundaries- it is ever present (even when you rather it wasn't)- it is something of nostalgia and something to live into- but don't take it for granted.

I'm going to let Mr. Mike Ness and the boys remind me to follow my heart and be bigger than I know myself to be... in the name of all that I love.  Thanks guys!