Tales from the EDGE™
By Pam Sherman | August 26, 2007
The Suburban Outlaw™ blogs about life in the cornfield and living on the EDGE™.
Outlaw Zen.
By Pam Sherman | March 8, 2010
I returned last week from a conference in Barcelona to jump right into coaching 7 little girls in their final week of their Odyssey of the Mind creative problem solving competition, supporting my son’s performances as the King in the middle school production of the “King and I,” spending the day at the Odyssey of the Mind competition, writing three proposals for new clients, working for existing clients, and writing my May/June column. And did I mention my mother and sister-in-law came to visit and stay with us this weekend? By Sunday I was speaking in tongues. I didn’t just take a nap I think I actually passed out. Someone asked me in the thick of things this week, “how do you find the energy?” I think you just do. The energy to accomplish your work and to support your family is non-negotiable. You just do it. You might get cranky and you might even decide not to make the dinner but to bring it in. But I find when I just put my head down and do what needs to get done - somehow miraculously it gets done and oddly it energizes me. Everyone these days is looking for balance. I believe when you stop searching for balance and instead just to do the task before you - it’s amazing how balanced you feel as a result. In my play “Pumping Josey” the character stresses about how to pursue her dreams while dealing with all the mundane errands of life. And she is answered by her dead friend, “You don’t need to have it all every day just have a day that’s all.” Not every day is momentous. Sometimes the days are just days. But to me having it all, is recognizing that a life is made up of all those days and realizing that you are doing something with each of them, even if it’s just one thing - like the laundry (oh yea, I did that Sunday too). Balance, comes from recognizing that today is just a day.
Where you Going? Barcelona. Oh. (as seen on www.herrochester.com).
By Pam Sherman | February 19, 2010
I can’t get that song from the musical “Company” out of my head as I pack for Barcelona to speak at the Young Presidents’ Organization Global Leadership Conference. I’m thick in the planning of what to wear, how to pack (leanly), and what materials I need to take. But as I busy myself with what to put in the suitcase, I also am excited for what will come home with me - the learning and connections made when 1,500 leaders gather to think about how they can make a difference in the world around them. The organization is celebrating 60 years starting this year and to think it was all started here in Rochester, New York by Ray Hickock of the Hickock Belt Company. He created this grassroots global organization, now with over 15,000 members, without the internet, no blogging, no twitter - just old fashioned connections one person at a time. This year I’ll share how life lived in a cornfield and behind a picket fence can widen your horizons in ways you can’t imagine. And how global connections are still made one friend at a time. I can’t wait to take in the sights and sounds of Barcelona and to share them with you upon my return. But as always, the best part about traveling is knowing my family is waiting in the cornfield for my return.
“My Thoughts Are My Reality” Also seen on www.herrochester.com
By Pam Sherman | February 10, 2010
I want to tell you about my friend. My friend from Casablanca, Morocco. My friend, is a mother of four, executive, advocate and fundraiser. And she does it all from a wheel chair. When her two oldest children were young she and her husband took a trip to Costa Rica. Riding bikes in a remote area, she took a fall and said to her husband, “I can’t get up.” It was in that moment she knew she would never walk. She endured a harrowing transport back to civilization. They told her she might not live let alone walk. But the whole time she knew she would survive. Upon reaching a hospital in the city, her husband asked if she needed anything. “Yes, a souvenir - I missed my vacation.” With this kind of grit and sense of humor she continued her journey in Rochester, Minnesota at the Mayo Clinic as there was no rehab facility in all of North Africa that could support her injury. Her next mission, she told her husband, “We will have two more children.” She said this before even getting out of the hospital. Why? They always wanted a big family and she wasn’t going to let her injury stop her. Her next mission? Build a proper rehab facility in Morocco so that no one else would have to do their recovery away from home. After 6 months in Minnesota and Paris she returned to Morocco and contacted the only disability rights group in Morocco and said, “We are going to raise enough money to build a rehab facility.” They did - the Noor Center for Rehabilitation in Casablanca. Oh, and those children she vowed to have: are now 15 and 12. A highlight of my trip to Morocco was the chance to take a tour of this facility. It was amazing. My thoughts are my reality. Try it.
Under the Moroccan Sun (as also seen on www.herrochester.com
By Pam Sherman | January 31, 2010
Now that I’m settled back into snowy Rochester and over the jet lag I’m ready to write about my trip to Morocco. Every time I open my cabinets filled with spices from the spice souk I’m transported back. I traveled to Morocco to teach my Backstage Secrets for Presenting course to CEO’s and their spouses in Casablanca. Little did I know all that I would learn in the journey. Morocco is an amazing country at the cross-roads of two continents and influenced by the French occupancy as well as the Berber tribes. But also influenced by AMERICAN Culture and not always in the best way. We got off the plane and were greeted by huge billboards of none other than…THE DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES shilling American style McMansions in the suburbs of Casablanca. And here I thought the audience wouldn’t know what a Suburban Outlaw was (the name was actually borne of my disdain for the term itself). Those billboards aside, the city of Casablanca by the sea is replete with gorgeous art deco architecture, houses that are painted bright colors, and the third largest mosque in the world built on the coast line to accommodate 25,000 people. We walked through the souks (guided by a wonderful cabbie whose son lives in Quebec!) and discovered places that the tourists wouldn’t normally get to see. We also visited a rehab hospital (the only one in North Africa) built by a remarkable woman, Amina Slaoui who I have come to know and love. Next up, her inspiring story and how one person can change the world around them. I know what I learned and experienced on this trip will influence me for a long time. But the most important lesson: get out of your comfort zone, in whatever way you can, you never know what you will learn and how you will change from it unless you do.
By Pam Sherman | January 24, 2010
Before the Parade Passes By
By Pam Sherman | January 24, 2010
Last week I was winging my way back from an incredible trip to Madrid and Morocco. I was engaged to speak at the Young Presidents’ Organization Chapter in Casablanca. I taught my Backstage Secrets for Great Presentations to a group of CEO’s and spouses. It was an amazing experience (more to come on Morocco). But my trip started with a two day visit to Madrid. The plane was going there any way, and I’d never been, so I got off the plane. And am I glad I did. It was a snowy day. Rare for Madrid. There was a holiday spirit in the air as the school’s were closed and kids were running through the parks throwing snow balls. The winter wonderland didn’t stop my companion and I from taking in the city. It was bright and sunny and cold (we’re hearty Rochesterarians we can take it). At one point we decided to get off the bus and walk around the Royal Palace. All of a sudden a marching band came out of one end of the palace and to the glaring trumpets marched right into another door. The crowds stopped and watched. I assumed it was a daily occurrence and asked one of the guards about the band. Apparently, it never happens. Only rarely, for example when a new ambassador is being accepted to the court -which is what was happening on that day. What if we hadn’t gotten off the bus, forget the bus, how about the plane? Getting off the plane yielded a magical day. A magical two days, as the next day while it poured and poured rain we slowly took in the Prado and all the beauty of the art inside. All of this serves to remind me, of the art we have inside. The parades we miss when we don’t stop and take it in. I keep thinking of Babs in Hello Dolly - an iconic song for a reason. Where are you going to stop today that might yield your own marching band? You never know.
Kodak Is Talking to Suburban Outlaws All About Technology
By Pam Sherman | January 20, 2010
I’ve just returned from an amazing two weeks of travel to Las Vegas, Madrid and Morocco. I met Suburban Outlaws at every turn and learned so much from them and from my travels.First I was proud to be asked to be a panelist for Kodak’s booth at the Consumer Electronics Show as a blogger and writer to discuss women and technology. Kodak assembled an amazing group of businesspeople, writer, and commentators to talk about technology and our lives. You can visit You Tube to see all the panels and to learn about Kodak at CES- an amazing show and booth.I was on two panels, “It’s All About KISS” and “Help! My Mom Friended Me On Facebook.” Check it out (on one I’m with the Jill Zarin one of the “Real Housewives of New York” LOVE HER!)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSeB2tlTG88&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=9FA803520FF18F3A andhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAKNyDXScs4&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=9FA803520FF18F3ANext up my travels in Morocco!
2010 Show me what you got.
By Pam Sherman | January 3, 2010
2010 has arrived. A lot of people were happy to see 2009 end. I was not one of them. 2009 was a seminal year for this Suburban Outlaw. My book was published, my dream of interviewing Jai Pausch at our YPO conference was realized, my business working with business leaders on their presentations and content development blossomed, our son was bar mitzvahed, our daughter’s creativity shined, and we celebrated our 25th anniversary. Was it a challenging year in business? Yes. But perspective, and keeping the head down to hard work, as well as “making it work” helped us to weather the storm. I realize after 2009 that when I say out loud what I want it makes my goals more attainable. I realize after 2009 that the old notion of “nose to the grindstone” has real meaning and value. I realize after 2009 that good things are always around us. how can 2010 Top That? Ok 2010 What you got? I can’t wait.For 2010: You can now follow me on Twitter @suburbanoutlaw and join the Suburban Outlaw Fan Page on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Suburban-Outlaw/185616912257?ref=ts Finally, I’ll be at the Consumer Electronics Show this week Thurs/Friday for Kodak at the K-Zone talking about Technology and the Facebook Generation. See you in the social media ethersphere!
The Day After….
By Pam Sherman | December 27, 2009
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