Blogs and blogging

Those that know me know that I suggest everyone should have their own blog and secondly need to blog. Those that don't know me personally can take the previous sentence and apply it please.

So who reads these things? An interesting question. A year ago I was contacted by the editor of Marie Claire magazine. She mentioned that she had been reading my blog and wanted to talk. We talked.

You say "SO". I had never heard of Marie Claire magazine before. Why would they be reading my blog? This pointed out to me that people do use the Internet for research, and they are constantly searching today. I would have never guessed that they were looking at me. It also allowed them to inform me of another periodically.

Today as I opened up my blog I found a note to me suggesting I write new articles and not recycle older ones. They suggested it in a positive manner and I took it to heart.

We never know who will find us or if it will be of value. Part of that depends on how you define value.

So why blog: It forces us to write and improve our writing skills, always a good thing. It exposes us to be found by some we'd never expect.

Your networking calendar

Did you plan and fill your networking calendar for January? If not you have another chance for February now. You will find out from the successful hunters that they include several networking events each week. There are numerous resources to find them. Just ask, fill in your calendar and get busy.

Where are all the opportunities ?

A common question with variable answers. It is a question that has been asked for decades. One needs to remember that it isn't like going to the mall to find that opportunity.
You job is to research and come up with position that you would love to do. As long as it makes money for the company it is viable.

That is another reason to network with your colleagues, you can bounce the ideas off them. They may have ideas or contacts for you, the process is never ending actually. Sometimes just change your position and think about making your own position.

It's a new year, go for it!

It's 2010

Wow! Seems just like yesterday we were lamenting over "Y2K". Now it is 10 years later and we have had at least two major downturns in the job market. Actually three. If we go back in history we find many downturns and each was followed by a recovery. Did it happen automatically? Of course not.
Someone got busy and improved an idea. Someone invested their hard earned money into a new venture. One crisis spawns another new idea. And so it goes. A major difference is the time frame it happens. Some longer than others.
As you go about your hunt why not be on the lookout for ways companies can improve, expand and/or make more profits. You never know what you could spark.

Being on time and showing up

Have you ever had someone not show up for a scheduled appointment? Worse yet have you ever failed to show up? Being late is bad enough but not showing is the worst. Over the years I have found to hold my judgement because once in a while there was a legitimate reason.

If we do our work right we should be able to contact our appointment if it appears we may be late because of cell phones. It is just common courtesy to apprise them of our lateness so they know whether or not you plan to show up.

Just let people know!

There is a young man that scheduled three appts. with me and either cancelled at the last minute or no showed. A few months later we crossed paths in a networking event. He approached me and began talking. He wound up totally apologizing and said he has heard from others that he wasn't too reliable. From there he went on to ask if we could try again to meet. I agreed and he would let me know via e-mail.

He made contact, we tossed dates and times back and forth and arrived at an agreeable time and day. On the assigned day I showed up ahead of time and proceeded to wait. After 30 minutes he is a no show. I'll hold my judgement as there was no e-mail or phone call to me.

My gut feel is he just isn't ready to really get busy.

Bottom line, communicate and don't miss appointments.

Social Media

Are you utilizing it yet? Is it overwhelming, daunting or of no value to you? Who wants to know what you had for lunch or worse yet them telling you what they bought at the store.
There are numerous stories of wasteful energy and time about this phenomena. Yet the facts are that it is around to stay. If that doesn't put a knot in your shorts then consider that as you are reading this they are working on new and better ways to use it.

The point here is to get yourself familiar with this new craze, learn how it works and become participative so you will survive the latest and newest way of doing business.

Opportunities or Obstacles ?

In my travels, networking and meetings some people will tell me about the obstacles for them in achieving their goals. When we start with a negative outlook it pretty much stays there. Attitude is incumbent on you being successful. When you can set your mind to look at the positive, think in the positive all of a sudden you feel better and even become successful faster.

Sound too simple? Remember that this isn't just an instant gratification exercise. Sometimes it can be faster than others. When you find yourself depressed, down and/or in the funk find someone who has a positive attitude. Share with them your feelings.

Like Mom used to say, people in other parts of the world are far worse off than you are.