Does Your Social Network Profile Attract Friends?

Posted on October 28th, 2009 in Critical Thiking, Marketing Tips, Skills Training, Recent Posts by Laurie

One quick tip that was shared with me and I’d like to pass along in case You missed it: Many Networkers use social networking as a means to meet others and/or reach out to let others know who they are and what their interests are.

This makes good sense!

You’ve heard that First Impressions count? Well, some may not have thought of this but Your PROFILE on these social sites is the first representation of Who You Are. Ever give consideration to what impression Your making with the information You have on Your Profiles?

It’s a good idea to critically look over Your information with an objective eye; look as a new friend would that You invited to join Your circle of friends. Is it attractive? Do You share Your likes and interests, Your Favorite Books, Favorite quotes, your phone number? Especially your phone number if You’re hoping for business.

Ask: Does Your PROFILE reflect who YOU are?

And the same goes for Your website. Are You showing Your website on Your profile so others can see if You have a service they can use? Its disappointing when searching to expand Your circle of influence and run across so many profiles revealing absolutely nothing to identify with or anything that would encourage a conversation, or better yet a relationship. Makes me wonder how many have given a pass to a friendship request for lack of information.

Finally, put up a picture! A faceless Profile with little or no information is the least friendly profile in social networking. People want to see Who You Are as well as know a bit about you! A non-entity is just that - nothing.

So the tip for today is to make sure You’ve made Your Profile attractive to others! As You build relationships with people, they will go to Your info page and read more about WHO YOU ARE!

Ultimately, isn’t that the whole point?

How Do You Eat a Bear?

Posted on October 28th, 2009 in Critical Thiking, Self Development, Skills Training, Personal Development, Recent Posts by Laurie

“A young woman of old surrounded by a population of giants responds to a comment made by her Priest of all the changes she’ll have to make in order to get along and fit in.

She wonders back, “Father, have you considered it just might be the others making all these changes?“

“I fear you’ve set yourself an impossible goal,” he chuckled.

“How impossible?” she asked.  “As impossible as my eating a giant Bear by myself?  I could do it you know.”

The Priest, appreciating a good sense of humor, responds with a smile, “How?”

“I can, Father,” the young woman replies, “One Bite At A Time!”

Today I was reminded of this small segment in a book while I paced from room to room surveying all the unfinished tasks and projects and goals I had set for myself from the day before.   I’m ok with not completing my entire “wish” list of tasks but yesterdays efforts seemed less than desirable as I was caught up in my families dramas, needs and distractions.

Intellectually, I know the importance of being organized, planning out the day before I begin it (maybe the night before even) and sticking to the Plan.  Life, though, always seems to throw a curve ball into my “good intentions.”

I’ve repeatedly drummed the importance of my purpose at home to my family. I stress the need for time, space and lack of interruption to accomplish my desire for a livelihood from home.  I haven’t made much of a dent in their understanding.

This mornings drama of searching for a coveted hoodie, seemed an extension of the day before.  It’s my tendency to look and search for something until I find it (this can take days, months, years until I get it into my head the item is truly lost; I know, it‘s a shortcoming I can‘t seem to overcome).

It took me a moment but I became consciously aware that I myself added to the drama and distracted myself by involving my energy along with my daughters.  I allowed myself to get distracted from my purpose.

Ok, enough!

It was then I then remembered being impressed with the above.  Ahh, that put a bit of focused perspective on the day.  In order for change to happen, I have to be a part of the Change!

I stopped searching high and low for the hoodie and declared that I would not make a lunch I specifically reminded someone to prepare the night before.  Today I took a bite out of the Bear enabling the change I wish to accomplish.

There is always going to be interruptions and distractions, that’s a given!  But as is my tendency, I can persistently focus my energy in searching for those Changes I seek!  As far as that mountain of tasks I desire to accomplish? Maybe I wont get everything done in one day, but I can consistently chew through them “One Bite At A Time.”