September 22, 2006

Breathing is very important, when you pay attention to it. It's the only thing that will heal your heart and your autonomic nervous system, which is why so many people tell you (when facing stressful or exciting situations) to breathe.  But I digress.

This morning I was sitting in a Starbucks, waiting for my chai, listening to their music when Breathe (2AM) by Anna Nalick came on.  For heaven's sake, I started to cry...  And, in doing so, realized (at 8 o'clock something on a sunny Friday morning) that I'm exhausted.

"2 a.m. and I'm still awake writing this song
If I get it all down on paper it's no longer inside of me threaten' the life it belongs to."

You see, I'm leaving Marqui. On October 1, I will no longer be working at company I helped build. I discovered that on Monday. The business reasons are sound.  I'd have made that decision myself.  (Check out the Portland Business Journal on Monday for the story...)

My biggest concern?  Who will mind Marqui's World?  I don't know yet who'll take the blogging baton from me - I hope to find out soon.

"And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary screamin' out aloud
And I know that you'll use them however you want to."

I will continue to blog (coming soon), and next month, for Marqui, I will speak about blogging at the Blog Business Summit and train others how to blog at the Advanced Learning Institute's Blogging and Podcasting conference. 

But the blog I built from scratch will belong to someone else in one short week.  I will miss it.  Honestly, I will.  Because of the friends I've made, subjects I've written about, discussions it has enabled.  I will miss you.

"No one can find the rewind button now
Sing it if you understand...yeah breathe
Just breathe, oh... breathe..."

Posted by at September 22, 2006

Comments

Mag email - www.serioussoft.com

Keep breathing, though.

Tyler H. email -

Janet, thank you for this post. Something that many people (including myself) find themselves doing is relating songs to current feelings. (If you want to cheer up, or just feel like you aren't alone, listen to John Mayer - The Heart of Life). Congratulations on what you have built and do not forget that. As a college student in his last year, it is nice to see someone as successful as you showing/writing your emotions and letting us know how you feel. Good luck on your newest adventure and remember to breathe!

Amy email -

You are not alone out there! I have found myself relating to this song for very similar reasons. It is tough to leave something that you have put so much of your time and effort into for so many years. It becomes your own, just like a child that you have raised. You are constantly worried about who will fill your shoes and if they will do things with as much care and precision as you have. And most of all, you wonder if you will even be able to fully give up the work to someone else at all! But that is just how the business works. You learn how to do something and you make it great. Then you pass it on to those that follow you so that they may learn from your mistakes and improve upon it. Then, they too, will move on and pass it down to the next in line and so on. So don't look at this as leaving your "baby" behind, see it as giving it an opportunity to grow and mature further so that it may reach its full potential! Thank you so much for your participation in the blogisphere and please keep us updated on your new blog so that we may continue to follow in your footsteps! Good luck!

Sarah email -

Leaving the company that you helped build can't possibly be an easy task. Your emotions and exhaustion are understandable.

You are leaving a company that has been somewhat like a child to you, and you're probably afraid that it will fall apart without you there to continue raising it.

But do not worry. I am an Auburn University public relations student, and in my classes we are learning how to navigate in the blog world. Students are required to blog weekly, and we are even posting our blogs on our own site at www.loveliestvillage.org.

Maybe this doesn't matter to you at all, but I hope that you are comforted by the idea that future PR practitioners are becoming familiar with the blogosphere. Even though we're still learning, and we still have to get our hands on those diplomas, Auburn public relations graduates will be completely prepared to participate in the new requirements of the job field, especially blogging.

Good luck on your career move, and have faith that there are students who will one day be able to nurture the baby you're leaving behind!

Sarah email -

Leaving the company that you helped build can't possibly be an easy task. Your emotions and exhaustion are understandable.

You are leaving a company that has been somewhat like a child to you, and you're probably afraid that it will fall apart without you there to continue raising it.

But do not worry. I am an Auburn University public relations student, and in my classes we are learning how to navigate in the blog world. Students are required to blog weekly, and we are even posting our blogs on our own site at www. loveliestvillage.org.

Maybe this doesn't matter to you at all, but I hope that you are comforted by the idea that future PR practitioners are becoming familiar with the blogosphere. Even though we're still learning, and we still have to get our hands on those diplomas, Auburn public relations graduates will be completely prepared to participate in the new requirements of the job field, especially blogging.

Good luck on your career move, and have faith that there are students who will one day be able to nurture the baby you're leaving behind!

Tara email -

Well said, Janet. I also had an extremely hard time saying goodbye to Marqui's World. I really hope someone else at the company steps up and takes over...but as you mention above, that might be hard to deal with too. Of course, at least we can sit back and smile knowing we set the bar pretty darn high. ;-)

Irma email - www.greendesignpro.com/

Janet,

Does marqui have a future? That's very sad to see you leaving and I doubt that someone will be able to breathe new life into marqui.com/blog ...

Max email - www.sciencehomehelp.com/

Wonderful post. I didn't know about cost of attention to the breathe. Thank you

Virginia email -

Wow, leaving something that you helped to create? That is ruff. Many congratulations should be given on your behalf for making this blog so great and becoming so successful in the blogoshpere. When I read the title of your latest blog, what followed wasn’t at all what I thought it would be. I was so excited to see that you related your experiences to this awesome song. I love this song and often sing it at the top of my lungs in the shower. Anna Nalick has been able to capture a feeling of uneasiness that all of us have felt at one point in our lives. I think moving on is scary, but think of all the possibilities that lie before you. You took this site and turned it into something great, what will you take on now and do just the same? Best of luck with the future, and keep singing.

Janet email - www.marqui.com

I am grateful for the outpouring of support. And I'm happy to say that John Lyotier, Marqui's new Director of Marketing, will pick up the blogging torch for Marqui's World. John tells me he has four personal blogs already, so I'm sure he'll be a great new addition to this world.

As for me, I absolutely WILL keep singing. And I am looking forward to a beautiful future for me, and for Marqui.

Liclz email -

It is great to see a corporate blog being open and honest - this also will reflect positively on the company.

Most, if not almost all, corporate blogs are terribly boring and bland.

This post had heart and will gain support.

Most of the other posts to this blog are, of course, wrapped in marketing speak that would have minimal interest to most potential readers - how many potential buyers would have the time to read the blog? And if they did have the time would any of the material be of interest to them?

Hayley email -

This is the strangest coincidence that I came across your blog today! The other day I was pumping fuel into my gas-guzzler Tahoe and the same song by Nalick- "Breathe" came on the radio. Taking into consideration that my example is nothing like yours, but I just started busting out laughing because as I was pumping gas she was singing to Breathe- I guess it's just one of those moments where you had to be there. :) Anyways, there is a connection between us on those same feelings that you are feeling. Lately everything seems to be unraveling and developing into something that doesn't need me anymore- four older brothers who are ALL getting married, my friends moving off, sick grandparents and here I am trying to figure out what to do with my life when I graduate. It is sad that you are leaving Marqui, but you have built it upon a strong foundation and trust that it will continue to be a success. These days that's how you have to approach almost every aspect of life- pursuing while trusting and hoping. Good luck with your future and thanks for all that you do!

Hayley email -

This is the strangest coincidence that I came across your blog today! The other day I was pumping fuel into my gas-guzzler Tahoe and the same song by Nalick- "Breathe" came on the radio. Taking into consideration that my example is nothing like yours, but I just started busting out laughing because as I was pumping gas she was singing to Breathe- I guess it's just one of those moments where you had to be there. :) Anyways, there is a connection between us on those same feelings that you are feeling. Lately everything seems to be unraveling and developing into something that doesn't need me anymore- four older brothers who are ALL getting married, my friends moving off, sick grandparents and here I am trying to figure out what to do with my life when I graduate. It is sad that you are leaving Marqui, but you have built it upon a strong foundation and trust that it will continue to be a success. These days that's how you have to approach almost every aspect of life- pursuing while trusting and hoping. Good luck with your future and thanks for all that you do!

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