The Real Story Behind The Shrinking Violet
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Visibility. It’s the word that makes my heart sink to my feet. The bane of my life, it haunts me.
I wonder why I find it so hard to be seen. And, from the outside looking in, others appear to find it much easier.
My husband, Chris is great at promoting himself and the work we do at the Blind Woodturner. He shares his story, without hesitation, in a way that is compelling. Ironically, in the early days, I coached him on how to put his head above the parapet!
people will conclude you do nothing if they have no idea what you do!
I’ve been a shrinking violet for much of my life. I’m practical and pragmatic. I get the job done without fanfare. Dependable and reliable, that’s me.
I was inspired this week by Patricia Ross. Now 83, I suspect she’s the type of woman I would like to be, both now and at her age. Like two of our friends, Annie and Jennifer, also octogenarians, feisty, with extraordinary stories, and still devouring life with both hands.
Reading Patricia’s article made me want to write my own version. So, here it is.
about the real me
I’m 58. I’ve managed people, products and projects, living and working in London, Paris, Amsterdam and Manchester. My big love is technology and anything geeky. My second, speaking French.
I was an only one, born in Manchester. My Mum was a medical secretary and my Dad an electrical engineer. My Mum really wanted me to be a doctor. That was never part of my plan.
At 18, I moved to London to study French. I spent a magical year in Paris at the Sorbonne, emerged with a DAFA (Diplôme Approfondi de Français des Affaires), and having met Bill Murray. My dissertation was about the marketing of Coca-Cola, then approaching its 100th anniversary, and provided the research for an article published in Madame Figaro.
