I'm Obsessed with Networking

I’m obsessed with networking. My obsession has been strengthened by the successes I have achieved in life. Everything I have achieved has been because of good ol'fashioned networking. A lot of people see the word ‘networking’ as another business term.  A term that is overused and misunderstood. I see it as a term that can change the direction of your life for the better. Let me show you. What if we replaced networking with another word? Let’s try it…

I got an internship from attending an old teacher’s retirement party. I got a job from showing up to social events and connecting with people within my company. I got a staff position at USA Ultimate by playing and attending ultimate events in Indy. I got a board member position at NAHU because I volunteered to play at several golf outings. 

Attending, show up to, connecting, playing, volunteered. These are all words that can be interchangeable with the word networking. It means being in the right place at the right time, having a good time, and branching out of your comfort zone. It doesn’t have to be entering a room full of suit-wearing gents with name tags and lame ties. In fact, it should never be that.

Networking is only worth your while if you do it right. Here are some things you need to know about networking to help you succeed.

1. Bring a business card. Wherever you go. Work, play, travel. Networking is being in the right place at the right time, and sometimes that place and time is unplanned.
2. Murder people with kindness. Make a very good first impression so they want to contact you. Business people are constantly looking to expand their knowledge base. If you seem fun, enthusiastic, and creative, you will be a hot commodity..        
3. Don’t just tell people what you do. Tell people what you do, why you do it, and what you want to do in the future. Your innovative mind-set will inspire and motivate.
4. Stay in touch. Relationship maintenance takes practice, but it is the KEY to good networking. Following up with someone who you had a spark with could be the difference between a $40,000 annual income, and a six-digit income.

Whatever you are doing now in life, whether it is work or play, there are always opportunities to grow and enhance your knowledge and leverage your self-worth. You are the only thing that is in the way of success. So move out of your own way and go meet the people who will help you move on up.

Good luck and cheers to the best!

Find Your Niche

We all have something we are good at and that we enjoy doing. You might not be necessary PROUD at what you are good at, but I know that is something you can do better than me. Like remember The Three Stooges names, or when Lance Armstrong landed on the moon (you don't want to be on my trivia team), or what 34 x 5 is. That... I can't help you with. Find out what you are good at, and do it, all the time. It is what will bring success into your life without even trying.

Seriously you won't even have to try...

I guess we should clarify what I am talking about when I say "try". Let me give you an example:

Mark, a logistics manager is tired and unmotivated, but still has a spreadsheet to fill out and submit in a two hour-deadline. His gears are turning and cranking, but for someone reason the work just does not get lighter or easier.... THAT is trying.

Jenny, a sports writer out of Boston is happy, excited, and passionate about gathering information and content to schedule next month's campaign... that is doing work WITHOUT trying.

The difference between these two situations is Jenny actually wants to do her work.

So how do you make a career with something that you are good at and you love? Well... just start doing it. If you love to paint - paint. Sell your paintings in the closest local fashion store. If you love to write - write. Sign up for Adsense on Google and get paid for the ads they put on your blog. If you want to run - run. Set up a free account on www.gifttool.com and accept donations to fund your annual half marathon.

My niche is social media marketing. I knew out of college that I wanted to work in social media. A lot of people kept asking me how I was going to make money hanging out on Facebook and Twitter all day. You may be wondering that too. But I am doing it.

There are ways you can succeed doing what you love. You just have to start doing it. But before you quit your job and start your new life you always dreamed of, make sure you have a plan. Make sure you have a plan B in case your first plans falls through. Having a plan is essential in moving forward in your new career in what you love.

Good luck and enjoy doing what you love!

I Am Now a Juicer

Today is my birthday. My boyfriend told me last Friday...

I am giving you your birthday gifts on Sunday, and I can't tell you why, but I know you will thank me.

The day he told me this I was already wickedly excited over a package I received in the mail from my mother and sister. Literally everything could possibly ask for was in it scarf, nail polish, jewelry, jewelry stands, cocktail napkins. I am easy to shop for, or just easy to please. Either way I was stoked. JJ also filled my flower vase with roses and filled my belly with dark chocolate. You would think it was Valentines Day! Nonetheless, good boyfriend. After work we golfed 18 and played exponentially better than when I started at the beginning of the summer. It was very rewarding to see some improvement after months of practice.

Friday night we stayed in and spent some quality time as a couple. We do this a lot, but for some reason it always feels like a reward when we get to stay home and do nothing knowing we get to sleep in. Plus we were planning to go HAM Saturday. JJ had gotten tickets to the German Festival downtown Indianapolis. We hung with friends and drank beer. Then we had tacos and tequila for dinner. Nap. HAM. The night flew by into the next morning where we wallowed in pain and had no appetite for solid food. Hangover.

We unwillingly drove a half hour north to celebrate my birthday with JJ's loving family and surprised me with all of my favorite things. All of the seasons of HIMYM and Modern Family were neatly wrapped in Justin Bieber wrapping paper. Boss gifts. Beneath the smaller DVD sized gifts lied one large heavy box. IT WAS A JUICER. My jaw dropped and I gave JJ a look of disbelief. No one in the room but JJ would have any idea that this was something I was into. In fact, they were all put-off by my excitement. They see green drinks and run. JJ had planned to give me the juicer on Sunday so we could juice our hangovers to death. Great plan! We ended up just throwing a shit ton of apples in the juicer and felt the apple-istic vitamins do their magic.

I have always considered myself part of the community that loves recipes and juicing and healthy eating, but I have never had the tools. All I do is cook a lot and make smoothies. Now I officially have the stamp of approval. I think I can truly be called a health nut.

Although juicing diets are absolutely and positively fads, that is not the point of my wannabe juicing instincts. Juicing unlocks another door to a radiant, energetic life, and truly optimal health. A juicer is an opportunity to add more of a variety to my diet which concludes in a healthier lifestyle.  The healing properties of juicing is undeniable if used correctly. Not only will juicing facilitate weight loss, increased energy levels, strengthened immunity, strong bones and a glowing complexion, it may also reduce chances of heart disease, cancer and strokes, three of the leading causes of death. In a way, my boyfriend has given me life for my birthday. Keep your eyes peeled for fun recipes and possible juice remedies. I am now a juicer!

http://www.livinggreensjuice.com/Benefits-of-Juicing-s/1824.htm

Ruts

I know some of the personalities who read inspirational/motivational blogs, because I am one of those people. You are always on, always happy in a group of people, someone that friends turn to in a time of need, someone who stays strong when others aren't. I get it. I want to think I am the person who will end everyone's struggles as we know it.

But take a breath, and unload the pressure. You don't always have to be turned up full throttle. And when you aren't, that's okay. It's life.

When you are not at your peak, feeling down, looking for places or people to turn to, what do you do to pull yourself out of a rut? I know some of you individuals are afraid to turn to friends like some friends have turned to you, because we are the "strong ones". Haha. You know what?

We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot. -- Eleanor Roosevelt

Ruts happen. There would be no highs if there weren't lows. But right now that you are at a low, there are things you can practice to conserve time and energy. People always say "happiness is a choice", but sometimes daily emotions, thoughts, and hormones can take the reigns without warning. When this happens your emotions can be a real buzz kill to your constant happy vibe. So face it. Turn inward and find the cause of the issue and talk to someone about it. Grab the bull by the horns and fight it until you win. Because you will win. You are human and you are more clever than a bull!

When I feel low, there are some things that help me when I don't have a friend (FRIENDS ALWAYS FIRST)

• Watching a sappy love story and crying is always a good outlet
• Blogging
• Shopping at TJ Maxx is therapeutic (so many fun things to look at, and for so cheap!)
• Working out
• Yoga
• Go out for a drink - even alone is fine
• Create something you can be proud of
• Do a chore you have been putting off
• Plan a vacation

How do you escape your ruts? If you haven't figured it out yet, I recommend one of my "go'tos" to get myself back on the ground quickly and efficiently.

Power up my friends and find your peak (in good time)!

Pay It Forward

A pleasant gift from a friend reminds me how good it feels to be reminded someone cares. Especially a gift with good advice. Paying it forward today.

Creativity and Positivity are Related

CPR

Creativity and Positivity are Related.

Most people think a job in the insurance industry is boring. For me, it is an opportunity. The insurance world is a completely untapped resource. No one uses social media. No one uses marketing tools. No one makes videos or infographics. Applying creativity to my job as an Account Executive in an insurance company not only makes things fun, new, and exciting, but it develops a whirlwind of positivity that flow in and out my business, and my personal life.

 

My clients love it, and I have fun doing it. It keeps me social, active, and creative, which then feeds my positive vibe. Creating a video is VERY easy. The exhilaration in front of a camera is way more effective than a cup of coffee. I hope you all have the ability to take the next step to enhance your product or service. Check out my new video below! Production and edits by Candidio.

Not a Waste of Time

Many people, especially the older crowd, think that production comes from long hours of work. They think the longer they sit at their desk, the more work will be done. Our generation is realizing that that is completely and totally and undoubtedly false. Time isn't the key factor it. In order to keep ourselves energized, motivated, and productive, rewarding ourselves with breaks and physical activity within the work place will take a company to a whole new level. A whole new level of production!

So what might someone who encourages sitting at their desk think is a waste of time?

• 10 minute walk
• listening to music
• personal phone calls
• shopping
• hanging with co-workers
• standing and stretching at your desk
• Facebook/Twitter/Social Media
• Working out during a work day
• coming in later and/or leaving earlier
• vacation

Now some of these are for the extreme "sitting" individual. For anyone who thinks vacation is a waste of time - I hope I never meet them. Because they are probably an ass hole. But these things above are thought to be a waste of time for some people nonetheless.

So how do you prove them wrong?

Get out, get active, walk around, make some noise, throw a wrench in it. Challenge people's decisions, challenge the physical aspect of your work place. Ad standing desks. Challenge a coworker to a cycling class at lunch. USE your time, instead of wasting it by sitting at your desk and becoming unproductive. Show that what our workplace needs is a healthy and active atmosphere to keep our spirits high and motivation revved.

Power to Production!