Lisa Gerber

Advance your idea from concept to reality

  • About
  • Programs
    • Coaching
    • Creative collaboration
    • Storytelling Workshops
    • Storytelling for Nonprofits
  • Speaking
  • Book
  • Free
    • Blog
    • Podcast
    • Video
    • Upcoming Events
  • Connect

The Grass is Greener Underfoot

October 1, 2012 by Lisa Gerber 42 Comments

Today is my first day back as the owner of Big Leap Creative and I am rather giddy with excitement.

I’ve left this blog highly neglected during my time as chief content officer at Spin Sucks and I make no apologies for it. That was a great adventure; and one where I learned a ton.

As my very close friend Adora advised back in 2010 when I made the decision to pick up and move to Chicago for a year:

“Even if things don’t go as planned, it will, at a minimum open new doors.”

And she couldn’t be more right. The skills, the lessons, and my new friends and colleagues all bring a lot of opportunity to my business.

I started BLC in 2004, mostly out of necessity, because I left my ski resort job and didn’t have other job opportunities in the community. I wasn’t about to leave Sandpoint because I love it here, and I was with my boyfriend at the time, who has since become my husband.

I always knew BLC wasn’t done which is why I never did away with the website. But now, I am re-launching out of love and passion; not necessity. And I know this is a better reason.

What’s Next

I’m going to take some downtime in October to create the vision and the plan for the reinvented Big Leap Creative; and to focus on business development. (<— Um, yeah. That.)

We’ll be traveling back east to visit family, and I’ll be writing away, running, and mountain biking. I’ll have more time to work on my husband’s winery marketing which I’ve badly neglected.

Most importantly, I’m going to stop looking at the grass on the other side thinking its greener. It’s either the glasses I’m wearing, or the angle at which I’m looking at, because, dammit, the grass that I’m standing on looks pretty darn green to me!

While I’m working on that vision, I’ll also be thinking about this blog which will be on its beautiful new site in one month. Just what the world needs  – another digital marketing blog, so I’ll be finding a way to contribute my unique voice in the space.

It might have to do with running up and down mountains to find clarity and balance in life. It might be about owning and growing a business. It will most definitely be about marketing using the latest technology.

But also? It might grapple with being an ambitious person who struggles to conquer anxiety on a regular basis. Things aren’t always what they appear to be and as I chat offline with friends and colleagues, I begin to realize I’m not alone here. I’ll be the first to admit there has been more than one Monday morning where I’ve watched my Facebook feed with a sinking feeling thinking I’m the only one who isn’t ready to “take on Monday with a fierce roar.”

I’d like to pledge to share the good and the bad of being in business and trying to find that emerald grass even if it means I have to put on my green lenses to make it so.

And one last thing! If you’re in the Inland Northwest, I’ll be speaking on Friday on using technology to shape marketing strategy. The details are here, and I hope to see you there.

Thanks to Jarrah’s Jungle for the photo.

[ssba]

Filed Under: Take a Big Leap Tagged With: Big Leap Creative, digital marketing, grass is greener

About Lisa Gerber

Lisa Gerber advises purpose-driven leaders on how to effectively use the power of storytelling and communication to influence action and bring ideas to life. She guides non-profits and individuals through the digital maze of constantly changing tools to build discovery, loyalty, and ultimately help them achieve their own big leaps. If you like what you read, contact us for more or to subscribe.

Comments

  1. EricaAllison says

    October 1, 2012 at 7:30 am

    yay, Lisa!!! Go get ’em and yes, the grass you’re standing on looks pretty darn green to me, too. I can’t wait to see what you write here. Maybe it will inspire me to jump back on my own blog and write a post or two.  Hmm, soulati would be so ecstatic about that!
     

    Reply
  2. BobReed says

    October 1, 2012 at 7:34 am

    Dance on that grass, Lisa! Huzzah!

    Reply
  3. belllindsay says

    October 1, 2012 at 7:49 am

    Woo-hoo!! Congrats!!! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Sean McGinnis says

    October 1, 2012 at 7:54 am

    I’m so looking forward to seeing what’s next!

    Reply
  5. jennimacdonald says

    October 1, 2012 at 7:54 am

    Congrats Lisa, I’m extremely excited to watch you conquer this journey.

    Reply
  6. CristerDelaCruz says

    October 1, 2012 at 8:15 am

    Woo hoo! So proud of you missy! Miss you! 

    Reply
  7. KDillabough says

    October 1, 2012 at 8:27 am

    Huge congrats to you Lisa:) And one day we’ll have to discuss that “balance” thing. I’m all about embracing imbalance and taking action. Life’s a rockin’ roller coaster, full of ups and downs and I say: the only time we’re balanced is when we’re dead and gone. So embrace the imbalance of it all, and enjoy the ride! Cheers! Kaarina

    Reply
  8. ginidietrich says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:11 am

    Well, I’d by lying if I didn’t say this isn’t bittersweet to me. We did what we could to launch Spin Sucks Pro… and most of it not launching on time was out of our control. This year you stepped up to help with client work, while we made enough money to switch development firms and for that I will always be grateful. Have fun with that biz dev thing! xoxo

    Reply
  9. Neicolec says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:36 am

    Excited for you, Lisa. Given the great work you did for Gini, I think you are destined for success. Good luck!

    Reply
  10. manamica says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:48 am

    Congrats! Can’t wait to read all the new posts! 

    Reply
  11. jeanniecw says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:53 am

    Onward! Congrats!

    Reply
  12. Lisa Gerber says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:22 am

     @EricaAllison  soulati Thanks, Erica – and you are an inspiration to me, with all you do AND kids. 🙂 One thing I’ve decided is to never feel guilty about not blogging or pressure to do so. Hopefully, you feel the same. 

    Reply
  13. Lisa Gerber says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:27 am

     @BobReed No one wants to see me dance. Trust me. 🙂 Thanks, Bob. I’ll see you back in CA, as an owner again. 

    Reply
  14. Lisa Gerber says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:27 am

     @belllindsay And to you, ma’am, and now to Drew as well!! W00T! Everything is looking up, baby!

    Reply
  15. Lisa Gerber says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:28 am

     @Sean McGinnis Thank you sir, and I from you as well, dontcha know.

    Reply
  16. Lisa Gerber says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:29 am

     @jennimacdonald Thank you thank you! You’ve been a good friend along the way – and I love that our paths crossed if only for a few minutes in Seattle. 🙂 

    Reply
  17. Lisa Gerber says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:30 am

     @CristerDelaCruz I miss you, too. I’ll connect with you privately – we’ll be in DC very briefly. Maybe we can get a drink!

    Reply
  18. Lisa Gerber says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:32 am

     @KDillabough See? You’re so right, which is why I titled this the way I did. Sometimes we need to stop worrying about what we’re missing, and enjoy what we’re doing. I once was a ski columnist, and I interviewed a girl who said she had a mental illness, that she could never enjoy a powder day because she was always worried the snow was better on a different run. LOL. 
    And I’ll connect with you about connecting. 🙂 I agree, and thanks for your words of support. 

    Reply
  19. Lisa Gerber says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:34 am

     @ginidietrich Sigh. I know. You and I have an expression for that, which I can’t say here, because I don’t think I’ll have F bombs on this blog either. But you know what I’m thinking. (About SSP)
    And I’m a big believer in things happening for a reason. It was an awesome adventure, for which I have no regrets, and only took back a ton of lessons. (not learnings. not learnings. not learnings)

    Reply
  20. Lisa Gerber says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:35 am

     @Neicolec Thanks, Neicole. I really appreciate that. 🙂 

    Reply
  21. Lisa Gerber says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:36 am

     @manamica I’m all ready – I just can’t wait to have my shiny new site. I’m sad we won’t get to hang out! We were just getting started!!!!! 

    Reply
  22. Lisa Gerber says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:37 am

     @jeanniecw Here we go!

    Reply
  23. Anthony_Rodriguez says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:42 am

    Good luck on the new/renewed business venture!

    Reply
  24. higginbomb says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:56 am

    Good luck, Lisa! I’m looking forward to reading the new stuff…

    Reply
  25. lauraclick says

    October 1, 2012 at 11:05 am

    Congrats on day one! I remember that feeling I had a mere 8 months ago! Best of luck on the new adventure. I can’t wait to see what you’ve got up your sleeves!

    Reply
  26. AmyPattiAdams says

    October 1, 2012 at 11:09 am

    New adventures await and I can’t wait to subscribe to the RSS feed!

    Reply
  27. KDillabough says

    October 1, 2012 at 11:25 am

     @Lisa Gerber Enjoy family, writing, mountain biking, running…take in the scenery, pause and refresh for all the great things to come. And on that note…I look forward to connecting, at your convenience. I have some ideas in store:) Cheers! Kaarina

    Reply
  28. HeatherTweedy says

    October 1, 2012 at 11:44 am

    If the new digital marketing blog is yours, then it will be a welcome addition to the bunch.  Can’t wait to see the redesign.  

    Reply
  29. yvettepistorio says

    October 1, 2012 at 1:02 pm

    What everyone else said…congrats and can’t wait to read more blog posts of yours 🙂

    Reply
  30. hackmanj says

    October 1, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    Hi Lisa! I am very excited for you. You have a unique voice and a great perspective. It is going to be exciting to see where this new chapter in life takes you.
     
    I know you will continue to make me laugh and appreciate the simpler things in life like a good trail, good friends or even just a good view from a deck in the mountains. 
     
    #golisa

    Reply
  31. Lisa Gerber says

    October 1, 2012 at 3:59 pm

     @Anthony_Rodriguez Thank you very much! looking forward to it. 

    Reply
  32. Lisa Gerber says

    October 1, 2012 at 3:59 pm

     @lauraclick You only started 8 months ago? Seriously? and then what happened after that feeling? All downhill? LOL!

    Reply
  33. Lisa Gerber says

    October 1, 2012 at 4:00 pm

     @AmyPattiAdams Awww, thanks, Amy! I’m going to miss our happy wine hours. We’ll have to conspire to meet places again. 

    Reply
  34. Lisa Gerber says

    October 1, 2012 at 4:01 pm

     @HeatherTweedy I can’t wait either, and thank you for the awesome compliment!

    Reply
  35. Lisa Gerber says

    October 1, 2012 at 4:01 pm

     @yvettepistorio Man, I’m really setting myself up here, aren’t I? I’ll write my blog posts, I’ll write my blog posts. 🙂

    Reply
  36. Lisa Gerber says

    October 1, 2012 at 4:04 pm

     @hackmanj best hashtag ever. Not as good as #GoJoe, now that I think of it….. and thank you very much for that. 

    Reply
  37. lauraclick says

    October 1, 2012 at 5:27 pm

     @Lisa Gerber I started two years ago while working a day job and then quit the day job to go consulting full time in February.  It was something I had been working toward for a long time and it was exhilarating to finally make it happen!
     
    It’s not all downhill – just different. You overcome one hurdle of making the leap and then you encounter new and different challenges. All very good though. 🙂 You’ll do great!

    Reply
  38. belllindsay says

    October 2, 2012 at 3:31 am

     @Lisa Gerber I know!!! So exciting. It’s been a great month on the job/career move front for so many people I know. Something in the air, methinks! 😀 

    Reply
  39. yvettepistorio says

    October 2, 2012 at 4:43 am

     @Lisa Gerber If you want I can bug you if you aren’t writing them at least 3 times a week 😉

    Reply
  40. Marcus_Sheridan says

    October 2, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    This post made me smile big Lisa. I knew you were a good writer, but the “feel” to this post is the exact reason why I bother to open emails in the first place—because I want to be moved and touched.
     
    For whatever reason, I’m not moved too much online these days, but this one was golden.
     
    Thank You. 🙂
     
    Marcus

    Reply
  41. Lisa Gerber says

    October 3, 2012 at 8:49 am

     @Marcus_Sheridan Marcus, your comment means a lot to me. Thank you. 

    Reply
  42. Lisa Gerber says

    October 5, 2012 at 6:44 pm

    @lauraclick  @Lisa Gerber Oh – I’m super late in responding to you but that takes sooooo much work to start a business while you’re working another job. It must have been really nice when you were able to leave, and I bet your growth started to increase after you did! But I get it – you have to get to a certain point before you can jump ship. 
     
    I do love it – I did it for 7 years. was happy to have a change, and now I’m excited to get back into it. 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay in Touch

Sign up for our newsletter / podcast to get emails of great stories like this.

Categories

  • A Walk in the Woods
  • Blog posts
  • Breaking Trail Podcast
  • Communications
  • Content
  • Entrepreneur
  • Social media
  • Strategy
  • Take a Big Leap

Search this site

Amazing Things My Clients Say

You’ll notice I cc’d only you because I trust you not say something stupid.
Un-named Client B
You are worth every penny we haven’t paid you yet.
Un-named Client A

What Others Are Saying

Thanks to Danny Brown for listing Lisa as a top 5 blogger to watch in 2013:

I first got to know Lisa Gerber from working with her when she was part of Arment Dietrich, and I knew then that she was a smart cookie… Her blog (has) become a staple part of my reading diet.

Copyright © 2015 Big Leap Creative · PO Box 1884, Sandpoint ID 83864 · 208.290.2525