Brazen Careerist founder and CEO, Penelope Trunk posted this the other day and I started thinking about, well, me.  I've been reading Trunk for over 10 years and have always appreciated her honesty.  She puts ALL her business out there for people to read, including the fact that she has Asperger Syndrome. Still, part of her personal brand states that if you don't like what she says, you don't have to read it and I agree with that.

In that recent posting, Trunk was talking about her appreciation for time alone in that it allows her to examine her strengths and weaknesses. She enjoys her solitude and feels she isn't good in meetings.  I thought about it and I like being alone too, but for totally different reasons.  I'm always running a meeting or gleefully holding court.  I like being around people- lots of people- and running my mouth, (professionally that is). So my alone time is precious and I treat is as a refuge for recharging.

Trunk's posting also reminded me of a Knowledgewebb chat last month.  I was talking about going to meetups and building a network and someone admitted they have a very difficult time walking in and talking to people they don't know.  My advice was to bring a friend- a "wingman/woman" to the event- who understands their role in helping you meet people in a professional setting.  If you are working independently and especially at home, you have to get out of your office, out of your home, away from the computer (a smartphone can be a nice back up if needed) and have real conversations.

I think Penelope Trunk knows this and forces herself to get out of the house, which is a farm near Madison, Wisconsin.  Still, she has overcome illness by building a company that is highly recognized and followed.  

What keeps you from doing the same?

Don't be afraid to follow.  Just be very particular about who plays the lead. 

*Chantal de la Rionda edits this blog