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Time Well SpentTM
~ Collaborative RePurpose Center ~
Pre-Launch Update ~ September 2008 |
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Contact Info |
Nancy Gallant
Founder/Director
Temporary Office Location
89 Turnpike Road
Ipswich, MA 01938
In-Office Hours
Tuesdays and Fridays
9am-2pm
and By Appointment
Cellphone
617.548.6340
E-Mail
timewellspent
ATcomcastDOTnet
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DeClutter For Good
Drop-Off Info
Check the lists of items we are looking for
Time Well Spent
and to arrange a drop-off. Sorry but no surprise drop-off visits! |
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Hello (Contact First Name),
A special welcome to those of you receiving my monthly e-newsletter for the first time! I've just recently expanded my email list, widening my circle of contacts and increasing the possibilities at Time Well Spent by reaching so many like-minded folks whom I have met throughout this pre-launch journey. To read more about the different types of contacts I've made, go to the Welcome Post on my blog.
Of course, I am also thrilled to extend a warm "Welcome Back" greeting to my original 100, those friends, family members and community neighbors who have been receiving my updates since that first, life-changing e-newsletter (for me, that is!) sent way back in April (seems longer ago than that!). Thanks for following my progress, and thanks, in advance, for your continued support.
This month, I am pleased to share with all of my contacts, new and old, the latest updates concerning my start-up plans and the variety of opportunities you might find that suit your needs and interests. I am particularly excited to announce Time Well Spent's first Donation Opportunity Weekend, September 21st, highlighted below and described in more detail on my blog.
Whether you are new to the e-newsletter or you've been with me since the beginning, there's lots of Decluttering For Good and Repurposing With Purpose to be done and many ideas and opportunities to share along the way. Are you in? Curious? Confused? Read on...
It's sure to be Time Well Spent!
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| On Your Mark? Not Quite Ready to DeClutter? That's OK! GO! |
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Along with ongoing activities (like repurposed items to make and to buy, constant recycling, idea-sharing, reading, co-working and the like), there will be a calendar-driven aspect to the overall mix of things to do at Time Well Spent. An anchor activity consistently scheduled for the third weekend of every month will be the "Donation Opportunity Weekend."
Ready or not, it's September and it's time to take the first big step on these calendar-driven events. I'm into "action while planning" and not waiting for all things to be perfect. Action while planning allows for real-world testing of ideas and plans for products and services, thus allowing for changes to be made early on and needs to be met more successfully. Aiming for absolute perfection is unrealistic and over-rated, causing unhealthy stress and inhibiting real progress. Clearly, these are concepts I'm embracing as this month's " weekend" event is just one-day long! Not a problem...We'll work out the bugs along the way and we'll DeClutter for Good sooner rather than later! Here's the basic plan with more details on the blog post...
For Whom? Local Children in Need
Newborn to Pre-Teen
With Whom? Cradles to Crayons
What? Gently-Used Clothing, Toys, Books,
Shoes, Baby Equipment and more
When? September 21st
Where? TBA-Location Needed for One Day-Anybody?
(the specifics will be sent to local contacts)
Why? It's an easy way to make a difference
in the life of a child and a great reason
to declutter at home... Why not??!!!!
Cradles to Crayons (C2C) is a Boston-based, relatively new, non-profit organization recognized for their good business sense and their good work. C2C works with area organizations to get donated items directly to those in need. According to Cradles to Crayons' recommended donation list, the used items they accept include clothing, shoes, books, baby supplies, equipment and toys, all in "good enough for your own child" condition. Refer to their site for the full list, including more details of acceptable and unacceptable items. Note that the recommended donation list includes many new/unused items, too, like socks and underwear, arts and crafts, hygiene products and school supplies. I'd be happy to pass those along to Cradles to Crayons with the decluttered donations.
One last thought: This is a great activity to get the kids involved with, going through their own things with the thought of donating to other local kids in need, visiting the Cradles to Crayons website together and learning about other ways to help out. Their website is great and provides info on a number of different opportunities to get even more involved at Cradles to Crayons. I'll be spending a Saturday at their "factory" very soon, along with fellow members of the Bentley Women's Alumnae Chapter, and I'll be sure to blog all about it.
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| Help! "It Never Hurts to Ask" ~ So Why is it so Hard? |
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I've been learning and thinking a great deal about the psychology and the philosophy regarding "asking for help." I even have a half-written post in my blog drafts on the topic (bet you can't wait for that one!). For this e-newsletter, I'll cut to the chase...Know that my requests come from a place of authentic intention to be a catalyst for worthwhile change, positively impacting not only the recipient of the help but also the giver. I think it's great when it's actually hard to distinguish between the helper and the helpee. Those who know me know what a fan I am of Win-Win (and, indeed, Win-Win-Win) scenarios. It's a proven fact that helping others makes people happy! Feeling needed, a sense of purpose, does wonders for a person's sense of self worth as well.
Okay, here goes, I'm asking for help! Please check out my Wish List Page that provides a run-down of special skills, things, resources and contacts I need to get Time Well Spent successfully to its launch point. Keep in mind your friends, family and business contacts who might find just the opportunity to help that they were looking for, even if they didn't know it! Just that one moment in time spent checking my list could change someone's life...perhaps your life!
At Time Well Spent, there's so much to do that there really will be something for everyone. That said, the biggest obstacle lies in effectively sharing this "crazy new idea" that I have ~ an idea that's just crazy enough to work, just crazy enough to really make a difference! Please check out the Help Spread the Word Page and ask yourself how you might help spread the word about my purpose-driven business concept.
Okay, consider yourself asked! Questions before you commit? That's understandable, just ask!!!
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Bonus Blog Highlights ~ To Read or Not To Read, You Decide... |
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A review for some and more new info for others, here are several key posts about me and my plans for Time Well Spent, as well as a few posts that stand out to me as memorable or meaningful in one way or another. Disclaimer: My personal blog is the temporary cyber-home for the business, so organization and ease of use are not, repeat not, exactly key features. These posts should serve to highlight the facts and the feelings, the brains and the heart, behind my new concept. There's a learning curve, but complex, multi-step learning is good for the mind, so don't be surprised if at first you don't fully "get it"...You aren't alone! I get it and I'm sharing it a bit at a time. Trust me ~ It's sure to be, you guessed it, Time Well Spent!
What's in a Name? Promise, Expectation, Inspiration. This is the post in which I announced the business name, Time Well Spent, and my intention behind it...
About Me & My Mission In a nutshell, this page gives only a glimpse of the full mission. As far as passion for my mission, it's chock full of that!
The Layout and Use of Space Providing the most comprehensive overview of Time Well Spent to date, this is a lengthy page. It's the closest thing to taking a tour of a place that exists only in my mind's eye. Pay attention and keep up with the group! Like what you find? There are links to posts with more details about The Workshop and The Sharing & Learning Space.
ReThink Everything Recycling, as a solution to environmental concerns, is just the tip of the "green iceberg," which apparently is indeed melting. For all of you reading this who share a fondness for this planet we call home, or a fondness for the kids to whom we will leave it, it's time to ReThink Everything. No panic. No gloom and doom. Think of this as an inspired and empowered opportunity to be a changemaker, providing the healthy sustainable future we all want for generations to come. Increasing awareness is the first step.
Cousin Maura Walking the Walk in Honduras I wrote this post around the time I officially started calling Sharing My Castle in the Clouds my personal blog, allowing me the freedom to write extra-long posts about whatever I want without feeling stress of the business side (yeah, I'm doing real well on the brevity thing, ya'think?). Ultimately, there will be a to-the-point, highly effective Time Well Spent website. In the meantime, keep checking my blog to read my latest musings or learn about someone special like my cousin, a great example of a person leading an authentic, purpose-driven life, true to herself and to her values.
Planet Green Too tired to read about doing good and/or going green. Need a break from the laptop? Just go to Planet Green (locally it's Comcast 233) and you are sure to be inspired. Watch for hometown guys Steve Thomas (formerly of This Old House), Tom Bergeron and Jay Leno. If you know them, are you willing to introduce me? Just thought I'd ask!
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If you are still reading, you deserve extra thanks... Email me a reply and I'll give you 50 Bonus Clutter Credits just for making it this far (what power!!). Thanks again for checking out my e-newsletter, any or all of the blog posts and links, or for just scanning the headlines and turning on Planet Green. Thanks, too, for any and all support that helps bring Time Well Spent closer to its official launch. Funny, I could swear I'm already running a business... Here's to getting it officially launched sooner rather than later... Time's a-wasting! And, you should know by now
how I feel about waste and wasted time!
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Putting Purpose Into Our Present Lives
As We RePurpose Rescued Treasures From the Past
Serving as a Catalyst to Building a Brighter Future
For Ourselves & Our Families
Our Fellow Man and Our Mother Earth
(I know...too long...I'm working on it...)
Time Well Spent TM | | |
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