Showing posts with label social media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label social media. Show all posts

I. Would you know who your tribe is online?

Artist:  Lars Tunebo SOURCE


written by 
Jeannette Marshall
@optioneerJM


I know I've touched on the advantages of knowing who your tribe is online.

That is probably when I started paying closer attention to the numbers.

Last week I shared who the typical follower of mine is based on the intelligence and data information capture it gives me for free so that I keep looking at it, and perhaps subconsciously have a pretty good grasp of who they are.  I've written with oodles of gratitude posts, thanking those for their educating me, supporting me and joined in the spirit of discovery together.  Intent on being uplifting, sharing advice, stopping bad things from happening, talk a lot when there are bad things happening.


After all the hoopla over the Las Vegas shooting this past week, and rightly so, there should be a lot of outrage, empathy, and plain humble prayers for anyone who was impact to speak up against it.

So I watch the news and in between tasks read a bunch of numbers.    Something set me off to blog about demographics and how many generations are distinguished by the world in which they were growing up in, the environment surrounding them, both threats and celebrations.   To evolve into YUPPYdom on Word Press - what an engaged group!  People who like blogging, like reading other's blogs and then have discussions based on something that grasps either party.  Very cool and productive.  Often hanging close in more and more platforms.  

It is really magical REALLY

By observing the analytics that I am getting from my active participation on Linked In, Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, Pinterest, Google Plus, InstaGRAM, Quora, I am getting a much better sense of who my online tribe is.

I have a number of folders on Desktop that I keep things organized, one being BLOG, others may be QUOTES, I have a FAMILY one and you get my meaning.  It shouldn't be surprising that I have my OUTLOOK organized and color coded with appointment types identified with colors.  Then I have rules running to nicely place emails in the number of file folders on there.

I am organized in some ways.

The only downside is seeing blogs that go into DRAFT mode, and I know I looking for the right push to right about it.  I've discovered that I'm pretty stubborn about it.  

I treat this optioneerJM blog 
as the business side of my brain.  Talking about sales, business operations, leadership and sprinkle in things that I've discovered on social medias.

The best interest to be talking about is MENTAL HEALTH.  That is my personal opinion and there is more evidence of it becoming a louder conversation.  The beat of the drum of causes is pretty loud on social media.

I'm mulling over in my mind, how I am going to use these numbers to tell a story about who I am and the tribe that I hang out with online.  It isn't that hard for some of it when you see someone you mutually share with someone a post or Tweet that you're both in.  I can attest strongly that you mindset and vibe is really going to attract your tribe online.  It can become a powerful tool and a marketing machine on steroids.

Since the beginning of the web and further along as social media emerged - you were no longer just clicking and moving your mouse around alone.  You were scanning something from someone you connect with and go read that.  

There has to be discipline for the amount of time you are going to spend online.  It has to be delegated to times that you would instead be flipping channels, or like in my case, the Hunkster Hubster has fallen asleep on the couch, sated from watching a classic 1963 Plymouth something restored.  To be sure, he has his tinker toy in the garage:  1964 Ford Ranchero.  No, we do not have extra money.  It is more like a car flip:  investing in a car, going the distance, letting someone else take it over to go further, and money exchanges hands.  It happened once.




Now after that very long meandering intro, I will show you where many of my creative, techie, smart, savvy, inspiring, funny, educational, hobby, interests are all nicely laid out in a bow:  on Pinterest.  I don't think I had numbers even 7 years ago, and the analytics are slowly coming out now.

I did write about data too.  There is a race on for information.  It is at an "almost at all cost" dire situation that is floating out there and worrying some companies:  everyone wants to gather and accumulate the most data.  There is a corporate technology cloud competition on fiercely aggressive.  Well, those that want to win the data race.  So they can sell a service to host that data, which is information.

Imagine having 48 hours notice that your mother-in-law is coming to visit you for 2 weeks to help you around the house (insert father-in-law for handyman chores, this is not a gender example) -- you panic.  You kick dust under the bed, and shine everything up in the shortest quickest way, squeeze everything into bulging closets and drawers ... the inevitable drunk drawer in every room.

So a person who likes numbers, adores them, I am seeing some fruits of sharing the numbers:  I am letting people get to know me.  The numbers from the sites show you hangs out with you virtually (clicks on something or tweets at you, like an image, write a comment, reshare ... you know what we do, I know!) 


ARTIST:  Wlad Safronow SOURCE

A lot of discussion goes on around the web, producing new best lists of new opinions on the same things and then some things that are really the best based on what they do, how they communicate, whether people want to be connected with you.  Some are the tricksters who add you then delete you afterwards.

I read every bio for every invite that I get online.  I am not dissuaded if they have a small following, I will scan their first few tweets:  what do they have PINNED to their Twitter profile (you MUST do this to show you know a little bit about what you are doing on there).

People like to follow winners.  Has that changed at all really from centuries ago?  I don't think so.  What has changed is the large reaches in the globe, to the noblest craft, gift, creation, music, writing, humor, takes on life ... that can be scooped up and scoped out.

Like my organizational calendar style, being color coded.  A bad habit that drives my husband a bit wild, is surf in the evening, click on 4 articles at most, to be hosted in my web browser.  I put my computer quietly to sleep and tuck it in, turn off the connection and put it to sleep.  So when I wake up, with my coffee, before I leave for work or appointments, I have read those 4 stories.  They can be from different platforms.

Usually I wander around Linked In as I seemingly gravitate towards business oriented stories.  I tend to be more about wandering around photography, quotes, creative elements in the evenings.  Sometimes I let it hang out with a blog.

There are so many more things that I want to try to do or experiment on.  One place that I know it is kept off site is on all places:  Pinterest.  Granted, I can skim around then and rePIN great stuff that catches my eye.  But it is my greatest offline folder organization system.  

Admittedly, when I first went on PINTEREST, I wanted to show off things that I liked, my taste in whatever.  If you look at the numbers that are shown statistically for Pinterest, this is what I found, effective this 5th day of October 2017:

This is what I asked GOOGLE:
What are the highest rated social media platform as of October 5 2017 users and data available?


Top Social
 Media Demographics
SOURCE



Be true to yourself



To pave the way 
whether it be sales or social media, the most credible authenticity finds warmth in an environment of nurture, nature and self-reflection.



Speak from the heart
is what I was often told, or reinforced continuously and consistently for the 10 years I was a devotee of Toastmasters' International.  The organization founded by the original Dale Carnegie, the master storyteller and wisdom dispenser.  



Whenever planned properly
wrote appropriately and prepared diligently, I could do a speech worthy of any TED TALKS program.  

I practiced and applied
what I was learning while pushing myself beyond my comfort zone.  Yes, I got cold feet more than a few times at a competition, unless I was the Area Governor, tasked with chairing and hosting the event surrounded by gifted orators.



I watched some take a leap
into the land of circuit speaking::... more commonly a target by the online influence set ::... as a keynote spokesperson at a global event.

A goal earned on my own steam
where I don't capitalize on anyone to build my reputation [ aka Guy Kawasaki for working "for" Steve Jobs ~ NOTE:  "with" was backspaced and deleted.



Developing a cynicism
that comes with age.  The right that you earn to be convincing, worthy of another's attention.   Of the high-end business traveler sect.  Which is a essentially a potpourri of information, credible education, and knowledge expounding in abundance.

Credibility is your's to grasp and gain
because if you are true to yourself, your likewise magnet to attract the like minded, developing your own tribe, of whom you warmly and safely belong.

Nobody likes impostors
from any historical reference in mind.  Held in contempt with the most devious and devil, shown as a weakness.



Where humility and humanity reign
in harmony with creating a universe of security, safety, love and peace.  When you are true to yourself, you can float into the essence of what makes you breath.


I really love this image:  
[ on a quest to discover the artist ] ::....





FORECASTING revitalization and SOCIAL MEDIA thought provocation





I was wandering around social media, as I often do.  Living a country song in real life:  married to a Hunkster Hubster, my faithful companion Buddy [my Border Collie]; a productive week of sorts [battle my demon of "anxiety" caused by the realization that BULLYING is alive and well in some toxic corporate cultures that are so cloaked in manipulation and a play on words, causing it to be very difficult to prove::... EUREKA!  After a great deal of reading, researching on a potpourri of organizations, help associations, evaluations, discussions and distinguishable by authentication by psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists or medical practitioners ] they all basically agree that IF YOU THINK YOU ARE/HAVE BEEN BULLIED you likely are/have. ]

Take a look at this YouTube post by my content source favorite:  MASHABLE [which I reSHARE their content on Twitter faithfully, with never an acknow- ledgement of even a #RT never mind a #ThankYou hashtag on the feed.  Once, I had someone who was very observant that I tended to share @Mashable content consistently asked whether I belonged to Mashable.com or an affiliate of a compensated kind:  aka Brand Ambassador ].  


HEREIN is my comment, nestled among three really stupid ones ::... which makes me ponder if only gamers pay attention to Mashable.  Here I am a white, 50something, Canadian, Lady [how unique can one get on Social Media eh?] a solid follower of Mashable's since I can't remember when?  Likely, far at the beginning when I just grooved to the beat of their vibes from their posts:  unique, coolio, informative, positive or bizarre [pick your own perception of this really cool e-zine online!! ].  It is my intent to become a Brand Ambassador of sorts:  which usually include:

  1.  Informative, helpful, unique, inspiring, bizarre content under one umbrella
  2.  A cache of intellectually stimulating content
  3. Attractive to a distinct, talented crew of writers, assemblers and ensemble 
  4. Provides a wealth of information to sop up and absorb
  5. Has created a groove and a beat that resounds among a hipster or yuppy
  6. Is unrelated to race, country, politic, faith, color, educated or economics
  7. Has the gift of the spirit of sharing by creating share-friendly buzz
  8. Is more about the name "Mashable" than any singular contributor, artist, writer, innovator, video, mainstream oriented - NOT - material
  9. Eye catching wording or visuals, it begs to be clicked on 
  10.  Appeals to the curious, knowledge junkies, innovative, creative types.


Have a look with my comment after you take a look at the video link:




Brilliant!!  [ HEY! Who are the Bozos commenting here? ] I noticed the clear tribute to Hyatt which is signifying that this was "sponsored by" Hyatt ::.... which in social media terms means:  "PAID for by" .... I think that authenticity and credibility would go a far longer way if every Brand Ambassador, Blog, Website or Social Media Brand [ think:  instaGRAM as what I consider "the universal endorsement" social media site ] ::.... if it was REQUIRED to show in Profile that u are paid by a Brand 4 what U tweet or share.  


Another gem I uncovered while letting the content follow through on the headline after garnering a click:





It's no wonder the most prolific personalities or brands online are actively followed and sought.  There is so much abundance of information that allows you to discover a deeper insight to your own being by what attracts you and then ultimately you attract in kind.  




A giving bunch who belong to the inner sanctuary of the giving kind.  Not of financial means, more often abundance thin by monetary value but rich beyond imagination by having something in common:  helping others or helping the world become a better place.  

By observing your own stats with some sort of frequency, if not any kind of regularity, you can reach and get in touch with what others want to hear from you about.  Mine have been sitting there as plain as day or the sparkle of sunshine.  Understanding what it means is a great discovery.




Take a look at the numbers.  My consistent mass hails from Brazil.  Maybe a sign that this is the place where my soul aligns.  Or, if more pragmatic, objective observation is where you're inclined, the simple fact that Google's blogspot features easily translation, that removes restriction of reach by language distinction.




Brazil loves and keeps on giving the love to "Build a 30-60-90 Day Plan".  More instructional than philosophical, it lays out how to do just that.  Even to this day, Google is often my best online friend.  As it gets to know me, successful results abound.  Closer to what I have had in mind then my mind knew.




Taking a queue from my faithful crowd:  what is the content they most enjoy or find of value?  The ingredients to a successful sales path.  Less philosophizing and more educational.  You have a feel for what you are looking for whenever you are creating the content, the report, the analysis, the research, yet until you see it emerge does it create a spotlight.

I will proceed in the coming days on writing a more instructional blog on how to forecast accurately and consistently ::.... primarily geared towards the sales professional or those that aspire to be.




MIND your business

If you have any online profiles under assumed names, pseudonyms, professional ID, identity, personal name, you are responsible for the impression that it gives.  




I certainly have many facets to my personality, as do most of us.  Therefore, I write prolifically now on different topics that I am fond of or digging for more knowledge on, wanting to express myself on.  Here, on optioneerJM, my first blog, I've dappled in social media along with my tips on sales and leadership examples.  I had someone [that is not an online person or personality, just a very good lady] read my MEANDERINGSabout blog first [ weird part is she said she found it via LINKED IN which is connected to optioneerJM].  Her words of advice seemed to indicate that I was a bit of a crackpot.  Now, she is an esteemed professional, not someone whom would be called a friend.  




That sucked.  I was a little bummed out about it to be honest.  Now, after four days off work, spending the better part of the day at Kananaskis Park, just 45 minutes from Calgary, after a hearty breakfast by 9:30am at The Chuckwagon Restaurant [ featured in "You gotta eat here" realized once we were there!].  I went with my beautiful, talented daughter whom I shall not name and whom I am ABSOLUTELY forbidden to show photos of ANYWHERE.  It's this promise that I have such a hard time keeping, but I'm doing pretty well, no slip ups accounted for [ just confirmed spies of her's that keep on eye on me on all the social networks that she has since BLOCKED me EVERYWHERE.




A Virginia G. "Brain Fart"
Virginia was the most polished, professional businesswoman I've ever worked for.  That would include my first sales manager and my former colleague who is now the CEO of a very favorite institution.  Out of all the questions ever posed to me, she was the "Barbara Walters" of my life.  She could ask a question in such a way that you could never not answer, but want to answer in a very concise, articulate way.  Because she represented the same.  She had survived this extraordinary brain decease that very few survive.  The fallout was one eye askew.  It danced when she laughed but it peered right through you when she looked at you and asked you a question.  Now that IS an art!  Some of my best teachings and guidance came from Virginia.  She WAS the art behind the deal.  She made it masterfully simple.  Being able to ask a question that was concise and got to the heart of the matter.  She had boundaries, was relatively private [ if that is possible living and ongoing renovation of a historical heritage site in Edmonton, while centralized career revolved around Vancouver ].  Yet she had the uncanny ability to ask a question that was borderline ethical while said in a caring manner.  I may describe myself as inquisitive, flexible and willing to look at a number of situations but when my homework is done, I'm steadfast in my opinion formed by dedicated research and knowledge quest.  However, when Virginia G. asked a question, it was said with an authority that couldn't be missed, communicating non-vocally, that she expected an immediate answer.  Her bullshit meter on high alert.  You knew that, so you didn't even bother to try rolling any excuses out or avoid your own blame.  Accountability with an iron fist and a feather touch.  Thank you notes were always personally penned in her beautiful, flowing, script handwriting.  When you got one, you knew you had earned it.  Out of all the people I've known in my life, Virginia G. would be the last person one would think of where the term "brain fart" originated from.  That were she.  I use it often.  

It means I don't take myself too seriously even though I sound firm and attached to my pride at times, I'm considered too personable by my immediate family.  Where my daughter asked me at one point today:  "why are you so trusting with people and start talking with strangers?"




It would seem that she got the Virginia GIFT.  Me taking the question, absorbing it and turning it around to examine all the sides.  Wanting to come up with a perfectly logical succinct response.  What a great question.  I'll have to mull it over and give it some time to ponder, reflect and figure out the reason.  It's not just a matter of not being shy.  There's something more.  




Up up and away ... to the top ... of social media

Jeannette Marshall
Jeannette Marshall, Google Analytics Certification Exam


BE LEGIT
Growing followers is a work in progress.
There is no magical formula. There are no short cuts [other than tools that help manage and improve engagement with your followers].
PICK A TOPIC
that you live. Whether it is photography, mechanic who fixes up cars, a plumber or whatever. Everyone has interests that make themselves unique. Pick yours, then it becomes easy to find images, quotes, articles to share on any of your social media profiles.
YOU’LL BE AMAZED
by the biblical proportions you will grow …. as in you will reap what you sow.
REAP WHAT YOU SOW
Is not unlike farming. What you dig in or drop into becomes your hype or vibe, soon attracting a following of others with same interests.
USE HASHTAGS
Or go looking for them for the interest that you are going to be enthusiastic and opinionated about. If you love something that passionately, feel that strongly about whatever that is, it is likely you will rise to the top.
THE BOTTOM OF THE HEAP
Gets further and further from the top, and far, far, below. Your clicks, your tricks, will lend yourself towards that pocket of karma.
RISE TO THE TOP
By being inspirational, helpful or knowledgeable, you will likely ascend to the top. Eventually, even, perhaps, be referenced by others as an “EXPERT” about something.

NEVER stop asking a lot of questions

would be the advice I would give to my 20-year-old self.

I am going to explore this awesome question that I just heard today.  For about one minute as the other half was flipping through the channels, like he's warming up for that imaginary battlefield game he likes to play.  Flex those fingers and press those thumbs to the beat of your favorite song.  


SOURCE

What advice would you give your 20 year old self? 


I can grapple with myself 
as much as I'd like and that would be the thing that I would tell my 20YOS (abbreviation for 20 year old self), never stop asking a lot of questions.  It is part of the wisdom I can say that I have 30 odd years later.  The difference between good and great is the ability to ask insightful questions.   The other one is to believe in PEOPLE.   I'd like to share my own discovery that becomes a tidy parcel within wisdom.

The person who comes to mind?
I think of Barbara Walters.  I think most, if not all of the greats, emulated Barbara Walters who is the benchmark of interviewing PEOPLE everywhere.  Carve away the personas, politicians, musicians, artists, directors, entrepreneurs, athletes and we all end up the same:  we're PEOPLE.  All of us.  Shed the religion, color, race, country, city, rural, occupations, preoccupations, interests, bias, knowledge, truths, sovereignty.  You.  One of the PEOPLE.  No better than the next, exactly the same.


SOURCE

What makes us different, 
as in our DNA, is our characteristics that make up our personality which evolve by our traits.    What your traits are are steered by you based on the attention you may give it.  If you want to go into the gutter (PORN, RACISM, VIOLENCE) it is because you didn't keep that trait at bay, you continued to explore it, specify an interest level, and even perhaps it evolves into a really bad thing.  You are untrustworthy, not loyal, lean towards meanness, belittle, shuck others aside ... regardless of method.  

I would tell my 2YOS to stray away from those who want to drag you into a deep dark hole with them.  Don't feel sorry for them, as you may ought to do.  Don't even acknowledge them.  Not the slightest hook to snag your attention, however briefly.



These three traits I would suggest are worth considering honing in on:


  • Ask a lot of questions, every time, every situation, every where.  Once you establish it firmly as part of the core of who you are, you will continue to expand and ask even greater questions.  Others may even be amazed at the quickness and sharpness to ask a question just as it is entering others' radar.  It blips, and then before processing, be the person who asks a question that captures what everyone could be barely registering, never mind thinking.  It can return at a later time.  Removed from the message other than it appearing like a puff of smoke:  that was a great question because it required an answer that was more in depth and detailed.
  • Secondly, be aware of people.  Be open to new people, different people, in different situations, different backgrounds (whether economic, intellect or standing).  Find a way out of the aversion to odor, or behavior that is distracting, so as to be able to hear them.    I could have more easily suggested to pay closer attention or just simply listen but I didn't.  To make a point.  
  • Be your own person or personality.  Stick to your values, don't let anyone intimidate you, bully you, make you feel inferior in any way.  Gender is even stripped away so that you can be the person from the inside out.  Starting on the inside first.  Completing the outside is the easy part.  Understand your style or karma or aura you exude.  Don't try to hold back or allow others to censor you.  Any person [ whether friend, family, employer or place ] who wants to encourage you will not make you feel like you should hold back nor be told to be quiet [ whether written or vocal ].  


Don't let anyone try to squash that personality and enthusiasm for the continuous journey you are on.  

You won't be able to sell anything.  Your company, your case, your qualifications, your institution, your cause, your view, your anything will not be able to sell anything unless you can learn how to ask the right questions.

For example.  You are the CEO of your company and you are rubbing elbows with your colleagues and staff while selling your company's product or service.  It is pretty hard not to.  Especially since you probably got the job based on your charisma, leadership essence, confidence, vision.  

I wrote a while ago ..... I'll have to look it back up and link it here ] INSERT LINK [ ... about not working IN the business but work ON the business if you are its OWNER< CEO<PRESIDENT.  Well it is not exclusive, but the point is for anyone who has to sell anything.

If you are a sales representative >> you NEED to work on YOUR business!
What is that business?  We'll get to that later on.

In order to sell anything to anyone, you have to be able to ask great questions.  Those great questions will catapult you at the center of the PERSON [ views, criteria, influence, bias, desires, needs, headaches ].  By understanding the PERSON in front of you:  your parent as you ask for an increase in the university fund;  the sales rep who is asking his potential customer for the order; the CEO who is asking the Board for something to be approved.

If you've asked the right questions, it will magically be staring right at you.  The OASIS of sold!   When you can formulate, practice, evaluate a series of questions to ask that first important first impression meeting, to ask of your audience, hopefully of one as it is far easier.  [ You may need to assess why you are meeting in front of a group ... that's a red flag.  It usually means that the audience doesn't have enough confidence in themselves or have become so rigid that they've lost the ability of sensing instinct, gut feeling, seeing expression.



Five Questions?
Come up with a list of five questions that you want to ask your next prospect [remember, that prospect does not have to be a SALES call or situation].  Then, make it a practice to have five questions written down before any sit down for a meeting, a review, an interview, a report, a presentation.  Spend 10 minutes looking through the web page [ I realize that I should write about that now:  how to review a company's website and grasp their culture, their vibe, their engagement with visitors ] so that you can come up with five questions.

An INVESTOR
Think of yourself as an investor.  Yes, that sounds backwards when you think that you don't have the money to buy even "a share" in this company, just ignore that and transcend yourself.  Ask yourself:  "would you buy shares in this company?".

If you are attuned to selling to people, you will want to invest in them just as much as they will want to purchase or give you whatever it is you are asking for.   That is called evening the playing field.  Remember what I said before?  PEOPLE are the same except for how they BUY things.  



BUY THINGS
can be just the same as buying into things.  Do you buy into this opinion or that show or that writing or philosophy?  See, we are all BUYERS and there are sparks that initiate the action to buy.  

If you are not attuned to PEOPLE you won't get as far.  You will have to meet more and more and more PEOPLE to get into your zone.  Then again, as you meet more and more PEOPLE in whatever situation FIVE QUESTIONS imagine what will unfold.  

If you like to cut corners, you probably didn't even last to the finish of this post.  Unless it benefits you immediately [ can you copy, plagiarize or imitate this?] you are long gone.  Those are probably the less honest type of sales anyhow and they won't jive with my philosophy derived from my traits.



DISCIPLINE
is a trait or characteristic.  Which does it mean is which.  It is both an adverb I think and a verb in English, as in a thing or noun rather than an action.

In order to have a DISCIPLINEd PERSONality, you will have had to hone your traits to come up with the right ingredients for your own unique PERSON.  I am wondering somewhat if I have ADD or attention deficit disorder.  Someone with a psychological background I was [here it is again] asking more insightful questions asked me if that were a possibility.    Not as an assessment, nothing like that, simply generated from a conversation.  

Examine your own traits.  What are your leanings?  What gains your interest quicker than others?  Explore the maybe and the why.  

   




The 7 year itch



Alas, it has been seven years
 since I began blogging.  It has been a learning curve of the creative, expressive kind.  That's okay since I'm a self-described "knowledge junkie".

I've had fans and cheerleaders, supporters and mentors to which I owe a lot.  They are patient with me.  Some read faithfully.  I know because although I rarely have comments, the readership spikes show on the stats.  

346,000 page views over 7 years
doesn't seem like that many when you consider the many blogs that exceed that in a day.  I will take what I can and I appreciate every single view counted.  I like to check what posts gain the most traction and it seems that when I blog about sales or business there is the most attraction.  You can see which ones are popular because I leverage the tools that Google's Blogspot affords me:  on sales.

It seems cool on the one hand that one of my blogs has gained a nice following.  Rewarding to see how others it resonates with.  In all cases, I write from experience to help others navigate the waters on sales and then some on social media.

In neither case do I propose that I am an expert.  For hardly can anyone acclaim expertise and shout it from the rooftop of posts, shares, retweets in order for it to become so.  Nor is my name noted on any list of experts on any one topic.  

If you look at the average person starting out on social media or blogging, it seems a daunting task to attract a few followers, never mind thousands.  I appreciate every single one.  Sincerely.  Heartfelt.

One reader or one page view is a celebration in itself.  If they return, then a happy dance should be done.  If I've helped one person think differently about sales, leadership or social media and improve results, then mission accomplished.

Depending on the perspective of who you are, you extrapolate opinion on the writer or the message.  Even if you don't have a compelling temptation to comment, if it crosses your sphere in a way that you want to share it, then that is a gift.

One of the things that I have done over the past seven years is continuously try new things, experiment, stretch my imagination or be inspired to share more.  

However, I don't have the luxury of writing or being a social media person online as a means of earning a living.  But it makes living worthwhile when what you write does help someone else gain a new perspective or try things a little differently.

I suppose on the one hand, I scaled back on writing about sales because I'm not actively working in the sales field.  Then I remind myself that social media is all about selling yourself,  every time, every click, every post.    Selling one's self is far more challenging than selling for an organization, a service, or a product.  Increased activity can smooth over gaps and improve results.  Unfortunately, I haven't always applied that theory to my own blogging.

I allowed myself to become scattered, or scatter what I write about under different umbrellas.  I've even gone so far as to create a website www.graFX.online which hardly appeases me since it isn't the finished product I foresee nor the resource I've imagined.

Sometimes it is far more difficult to examine one's own short-comings than it is to opine about someone else.  In the world of social media, having an opinion is a common ground that is either shared or ignored.

I've supported some pretty cool ventures by those whom I've connected virtually with over the years.  I've cheered on some great initiatives by others that seem to springboard them to success.  Not because of me.  Perhaps a few ideas percolated after our interactions, or new adventures sprung from sprinkled ideas, conversations, reading.  I'm amazed and proud of some of the great things that have happened to some pretty amazing people.  Not because of me, that is for sure.  Yet by our association, I lent witness to their climb to successfully reaching a pinnacle of their own doing.

I do hope that some of it has rubbed off on me.  Learning from others who try new things or stay on track, on message, while trying different approaches.

I scaled back on writing about sales most likely because I couldn't define the road I was on or where I wanted it to take me.  I couldn't see myself being where I've sat in the audience myself before, listening to a key note address at a conference, sales celebration, or networking event.  

Ironically, I could probably do it.  After all, I spent 10 years learning the trade of public speaking, testing myself, stretching my comfort zone.  

Maybe I haven't believed in myself enough, even though on paper denoting awards and recognition, the proof has been there.  I've chalked it up to not being pretty enough, or young enough to take a step in that direction.

Maybe I've expected a golden glow of a halo to surround me in a way that would attract the right person or company who would see some gift or talent that could be maximized, nurtured or expanded.  

Certainly, many women, particularly, freeze at attracting too much attention or wonder if any attention is a good thing.   

Being a wife, mother doesn't always springboard someone to traveling around the world and creating an identity that compels others to invite you to speak, teach or train others, or even give advice to help others travel the road less traveled.  

I for one can tell you that nothing happens over night.  I can almost take a step back and objectively ponder some of the better habits I formed in order to do well in sales.

I can safely say that I got turned off creating any label to myself that glimpse what I see others projects.  I see people who never had to cold call, set up seminars and talks on cold calling.  

The definitions in sales are sometimes subjective, often ambiguous and selective by those adopting best practices or paying to hear or read what someone else professes to be the holy grail in magically being able to transform their lives by becoming a sales superstar.

From my standpoint, the ones who become the best sales keynote speakers, are the best at selling themselves, not necessarily at sales.  Sure, you have to have a story to tell that sells others to think that mere moments with them will shed light on bypassing any self-limiting dialogue with themselves to becoming so confident in the story telling and the charisma to tell a story, transcends the optics of the claims being made.

I've seen someone whom I recruited into Toastmasters become a well spoken conveyor of sales wisdom.  A sticky name or created catch-phrase claimed as a new, amazing way to catapult past so many others if they just follow their path.  That person is able to sell themselves, put action to vision that so many others cannot.

I've seen someone else who really was placed in a plum assignment in sales, not by pure sales stamina or savvy, but by shear personality, cuteness, booming laughter, or a number of many characteristics we were attracted to on the elementary recess playground or the cool high school crowd.  Not necessarily, were they that then, they clearly climbed from the chaos of learning to the maturity of believing in themselves.

I've had some pretty amazing supporters and mentors in my 30 some years of working.  I can name drop some recognized people with skillful talent.  I've ridden on their coat tails or participated on the sidelines to cheer them on.

Sadly, most people find a lot of different sponsors, supporters as they climb the ladder.  More often, they then shed the ones from the bottom rung.  Being one of the left behinds is sometimes hurtful, unless you're the one who put the distance there yourself, whether by actions or decision.

Belief in one's self is a hard thing to do.  Most people take a lot of knocks.  The very best have more than most, can dust themselves off, learn from it, and move on to the next step.

One step forward, two steps back
is not always a bad thing.  The distance in the step forward can usually amount to a greater achievement than the two steps back.

We learn from our mistakes
or our mistakes burn us.  Out.  Pulling one's self out of the ashes of disappointment is no easy feat.  

Humility and humbleness
do not go hand in hand with confidence in a society based on the thermometer of wealth or acclaim.  People tend to want to hitch a ride on the rising star.  They are quick to jump ship as they smell pending failure.   Others prefer to disassociate themselves with anyone that may hold them back or slow them down.

Often perceived success
outweighs value.   Value is determined by philosophy and beliefs, often aligned by economic fruits.  

What can you do for me
seems to be more important than what can I do for you.  If you can give your time, your support, your skills, does not protect you from falling to the wayside to others that can provide value by means of boosting an ego or forking over money.

There are a number of things I've learned from these seven years on social media and writing about sales that carry the identical message:  you can't cut corners, there are no shortcuts, and quality takes time.

In sales as in life
you usually have to depend on your own stamina, ability to stay motivated, focused, and inspire yourself with the right messages.  

Nobody else will dust you off
or kick you in the pants to keep you moving forward.  Who you surround yourself with communicates a lot about how you see yourself as a person.  

These days I see myself lucky to have some fairly amazing people around me.  Some are family, some are friends, while others are almost strangers if it weren't a connection in a virtual world.

Perseverance, belief, continuing on
is only something you, yourself, can do.  Others can help with their support, their words, their cheer.  People have a tendency to evacuate when they see a storm on the horizon.  No less when you stop believing in yourself.

People like to cheer on winners
and stay clear of defeatist attitudes.  Sometimes low morals, low morality, unfolds and doesn't seem to inhibit the message or discredit the messenger.  

Accountability resides in your own head space
with reminders close by on which road you travel.  I've chosen to mostly travel with integrity, honesty and consistency.

That is why I was able to sell and achieve results.  Not by snazzy language or schemes to move around the basics.  Yes, I still see lots of that going on, outside of my control.  I have to be thankful that at least I have learned enough to identify such trespasses.  It isn't for me to identify or cry out when corners are cut or untruths help others to go farther.

I should at least have the wisdom to know that those who get by on lies or dishonesty, eventually get caught on to or caught up with.  It is a short and quick path.  Not usually long serving or life long.

I will continue to write and continue to experiment.  I will endeavor to be honest and to help others without any credit on my contribution.  That becomes frustrating and usually unrealized.    Regardless, I will continue to be proud of the ones I've helped along the way, and ignore whether I'm thanked or not.  That is part of growing and growing up.  Being accountable for one's own actions over preference to being recognized as a positive conduit that others have learned from.  

Eventually, the right results will speak for themselves.  As in sales, I did find out.  By working hard and keeping a mirror close for my own self-examination, rather than allowing others to diffuse my abilities in order to make themselves be better known, better recognized or considered more successful.  

I have to believe in what I am capable of and not allow what others may have done to me, deviously or innocently, to try to knock me down.

Some bounce back stronger than others.  Others are knocked a few more times than most.  Maintaining a fine balance of optimism, convictions, ethics is a far steeper path to follow.  Yet it can be far more rewarding.





Good grief:: I need website relief!




Ideas that stick
Being able to come up with ideas and being able to implement and execute are two completely different worlds, rare do they meet other than through collaboration and cooperation between two total polar opposites.

Imagineers
Are few and far between.  The true legends, in my opinion, are Walt Disney and Steve Jobs.  Then there are so many others that come to mind when this thought occurs.  They are able to combine BOTH the talent of the creative sphere while wildly ground by logic and purpose by which they can tenaciously execute.

Character
Is the innate inner core of their psyche.  It isn't inherited or taught.  It is almost as unique as DNA.  It can be the byproduct of your upbringing, your values (real, historical, current beliefs), morality, charisma, intuitiveness, academia, inventor, and on and on are unique elements to which each individual has which makes them unique.

Uniqueness
Is the final product, the birth of your custom variable combination of characteristic attributes in varying degrees or percentages.  To arrive at you, me, and any one person on earth.  

Mannerisms
Is the fashion in which you convey your message.  By expression, by tone or by emphasis whether by vocal or physical movements or facial reflection.  

Website 
A domain has been set aside, settled upon, which will require some attention.  That's the fun part of creating a vision.  I may be sweating the small stuff when I know in my heart it will convey who I am and satisfy my thirst to help others .... as I've said, maybe not recognizable, to help others move beyond average to remarkable.  My website will have this goal.

Unfolding
Good thing I did map out on a spreadsheet some categories and elements that I want to include on my website.  This isn't anything that anyone can make decisions on more importantly online as managing the brand of which is you.  That becomes a far more daunting task.  

Proof
Will be in the pudding if your website can reflect a really strong sense of who you are.  When we think of the world in terms of billions of people, times that exponentially by the number of clicks online.  

Footprint
You can leave behind.  Your gift to the world by sharing that gift, should be considered when you think that all would be needed is ongoing website hosting support, indefinitely, to which you can leave a legacy.  Your art, your head for business, your eye on graphics, your talent in writing and story telling or illustrations or photographic mastery.

Importance
Of creating a website should be considered really important to your brand and your image.  It is what you are paid for by your shareholders, advertisers, or consumers.  

Image
Is not everything.  Yet sometimes it settles so many things.  Think of some of the greatest minds such as Stephen Hawking and you quickly forget the vessel or body to which that mind has been entrusted to, increases in importance when you consider just that.

Consistency
In what you portray.  Not who you want to become, but real to who you are, growing in steps with a journey of knowledge insight and amassed intelligence along the way, while holding dear to your core character.  If it quality you want to be, then quality should be what you are looking at, appreciation for the world and animal kingdom beauty, not a sexy pout that may as well be in a cage instead of animals who did not decide that they wanted to be the object of oogles and googles and egos and upkeep, because the outer side our bodies can magnify our importance towards physical beauty, yet the best character evolution comes from surrounding oneself in a universe they want to be absorbed in.

Dreaming or scheming
Either can be fleeting (oh, a rhyme, lol).  Create real goals that are realistic and achievable.  Just remember that upon each step on the ladder of progress, the ladder goes up another rung at the top.  The weight can be lifted as your feel closer to your dreams meeting with reality.

Integrity, honesty, commitment
Are qualities that you demand of anyone before you give your trust.  Then that should be a larger hiccup or hurdle in your growth.  If you fail at honesty, integrity, then you will lose sight of any commitment or it deteriorates or rots when lacking the ability to build trust.  

Trust begets loyalty
You only create an atmosphere that welcomes loyalty.  Loyalty is the reward for that dedication towards building and earning trust.  

Decisions will be made
Some are easier than others.  Distinguishable similarly to a color scheme or room lighting selection.  Hardships aside.  Those will test your commitment.  Decisions can result in mistakes but tenacity within character can withstand and rebound from setbacks.  




Inspire others
Is something that only a fragment of our world truly earn:  to be inspired by.  We think of Gandhi or Nelson Mandela in the very small club.  As examples.

 Leave a small footprint, a tiny dent in our world.  Leave it a better place for others to learn from and aspire to, with purpose, and understanding that usually it comes long after hard work.


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