How I turned my dream to share tree reading with the world into a mobile app.

Early in the year I went to lunch with my daughter and I told her I was interested in making a Tree Reading application.  Almost instinctively, without realizing the effect of her words, she replied, “Mom you don’t even know what an app is.”  While she wasn’t too far off, I thought I deserved more credit. Still later, when I discussed my idea with friends they replied in a similar, all too familiar exclamation of disbelief – “Why?!” By this point, truthfully, my resolve was shaken.   Maybe my idea was nuts?

… Brushing off the negative voices that told me otherwise, I quickly reasoned it wouldn’t be the first time I took a risk and I determined to trek onward.

My initial Google search for an American Application Development company eventually led me to a short list of numbers to call. I set out to hire an American company because I have trouble understanding dialects, and I began dialing. Little did I know, in the spirit of a live and learn attitude, I hired an American salesman representing an entire software development team in India.

Once I had the contract signed, I was ready to share my vision and create the app. – or so I thought.  With a history of only playing Words with Friends and the absence of any prototype tree reading app. to come before me, I began a rollercoaster ride. The process turned out to be more involved than I had anticipated, and as I learned more, the requirements to make it function kept evolving. It only made it tougher that my development team was across the world, in a different time zone, and they preferred e-mail correspondence to the simplicity of a phone call.

In periods of high frustration (I will not lie), I thought of my early doubters with nostalgia.  The stress of not knowing how to achieve what I wanted and not having somebody that was computer savvy to help propel me to the next task was tough.  It felt like every time I arrived to some of level of clarity, I had to battle ten obstacles in order to bring it to fruition.

Still, somehow, it all got done! Draw me a Tree launched in early December, and I am so proud to share my tree reading technique as a mobile application with the world.  Now, anyone can start a great conversation and learn about another person from a tree drawing.  It is so wonderful to receive so much wonderful positive feedback now that I have finished the app. I am proud that I followed my dream.

Even a low-tech person trying to navigate a high-tech world, should never give up on his/her vision. Though I was certainly challenged during this process, I can honestly say I would do it all again tomorrow… and I am.  With Draw Me A Tree: Social Fun operating and available for purchase on itunes and the android marketplace, I am now putting my efforts towards the next installment of Draw Me a Tree.  My Stress Management version will also be available for purchase soon, and after that, I will be releasing a Professional version.  In the process of living, learning, doing (a practice I am very much familiar), I invite you to check out my app.

 

No Middle Ground….

How many times have you heard the phrase, “it’s not so black or white”? Often times in life we’re faced with difficult decisions that have us split right down the middle. If those decisions define us, we may find ourselves drawing a tree that resembles a fork in the road.

Some people draw the two sides of a tree, and they leave out the connection in the middle. A person who draws this type of tree has a deep fork that starts at the base of the trunk (or makes no attempt at connecting the right and left sides of the tree) tends to be hindered by black or white thinking. Depending on how severe the split is, these people may currently be having trouble working through a difficult decision in a constructive, efficient, and fulfilling way.

A common theme in people who draw this type of tree, and a possible cause (or effect depending on how you view it), is a perceived lack of emotional support. They may feel they are alone. When a person is so wrapped up in their decisions, isolation can set in. As a result, they play it safe, not wanting to ruffle any feathers or do anything too risky.  Because of this they feel “stuck”.

Rather than getting the safety they so desire, they often experience a hindered sense of self-expression and self-worth. Taking it one step further, our brains have a right and left hemisphere which are each responsible for different tasks. While it’s true that without them individually we would experience a lack of function, we can’t forget about the extreme importance of the corpus callosum, the central mass of the brain that connects them. Ultimately, we depend on how well the two sides communicate and negotiate with one another. Simply speaking, we really need the part in the middle. So if you spend all your time at a fork in the road…what happens to the middle?

To answer that question, we need to look at why we get split by tough decisions in the first place. The middle can be a bit murky. It’s easy to get lost there. When we’re really deep in the thick of it, it can be hard to see where we came from and that, my friends, is a scary place for anyone. It’s in this very terrain that we actually discover ourselves. Great leaders are defined by their methods. We admire people by how they stand up for things, not necessarily what they stand for. People with a fork in their tree find, more often than not, that they stand for nothing.

If this is you, you need to take the first step. You need to build a support system. No man is an island. This sense of support is paramount to finding your middle ground and connection. The support system will encourage and guide you.  If you really feel you have no one, consider joining a local club or internet community. Of course, we can (and should) also be able to stand for ourselves. With methods such as hypnosis therapy, yoga, and meditation, we can build strength enough to begin to be our own support system. We live in a world of resources and that can be a blessing. Of course, it can also be a curse because it can keep us separated. So if you find that you’re overwhelmed by all these options, start small by choosing one task upon which to build your support system.

The second step is to make a choice. You can’t move forward while you’re busy choosing right or left. If you’re wrong, no one will care? After all, no one has all the answers.

I can list plenty of sayings and colloquialisms here to reiterate the importance of failing and taking risks, but you know them all. Just focus on taking small steps and asking for help should you find that you need it. Soon you’ll find that you’re building confidence in yourself and your decision making. It will get easier. Not only will you stop shying away from the middle ground or a difficult decision, but you’ll be challenging the world to “bring it on”!

Your risks and tasks will no longer be just to get out for a half an hour, or to speak to your boss about that promotion, or to tell your teenager that you really don’t agree with the drugs or drinking, but you’ll create the possibility of being an inspiration that others will look to for support and guidance.

You’re not alone, we all find ourselves split at one time or another. So go ahead, make a decision. Dare to connect and while you’re at it, you’ll inspire others to move forward too.

 

 

 

 

A Tree with Many Branches

 There are all types of trees in a forest. Some have but a few branches while others are inundated with new growth. The latter is where I find myself on my road to spread tree reading to the world. At this very moment, let’s take inventory of the many branches my tree is nourishing.

For starters, we are breaking ground with my smart phone application, or “tree reading app” as I’ll refer to it from now on. The first ever tree reading software platform is in its final stages of production! I am so thrilled to open tree reading up to the world of technology, and soon you’ll be able to own it on any iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

Next, I am working on updating my tree reading starter kit. For those of you that already have one, you know how incredibly handy this simple tool can be. Carry around your tree reading pen and pad in your bag or briefcase, keep it in your office, and you’re instantly transformed into an intuitive dendrographologist, (say that three times fast), guaranteed to impress (almost) anyone. For those of you that don’t yet have one or are looking to update your kit, STAY TUNED, we’re looking to have it finished soon, at which point it will be featured on My9 News in New York.

Finally, while the tree reading kit and app will explain absolutely everything you need to know about tree reading, learning is always better in groups. That’s why, after multiple requests, I will be starting monthly tree reading workshops in the tri-state area.  That’s right, sign up for one of these and you’ll be able to learn tree reading directly from me!

Special Opportunity Alert

I am only one person and if I want to spread this to the masses, I’m going to need some help. So, If you are interested in becoming a tree reading master, starting your own tree reading business, and learning how to teach the work shops on your own…please contact me (insert link to email here).

I am not kidding about spreading tree reading. It’s simple, it’s easy and it WORKS!  As I work to build a firm foundation and strong sub-branches, stay up-to-date on all of my products and releases right here.

Remember, trees never lie! Spread the truth!