The Educated Emotion

Many people have asked me how did get this or that opportunity over the years. My answer is always the same: # volunteer . Sometimes people ask about volunteer opportunities and others just blow off what I just said like I am being "extra" or flippant. But, it's the truth. Volunteering is how I access information about opportunities both paid and otherwise, connect with new people, develop relationships with old acquaintances, and express my care about the things I am most passionate about in the community.  Through volunteering (directly or indirectly), I have received jobs, clients, real friends, business partners, furniture, my home, event tickets, and a couple trips. I am not saying that anyone should begin volunteering to see what tangibles he or she can accumulate, but I am saying that the shift in mindset one takes to be a doer...a part of a team no matter what his or her credentials might be, can help shape a leader that is respected and valued within the commu...

Who's your favorite hero? Is it Superman? Or, someone more like Clark Kent (faithful and hardworking). For all the names you just rattled off inside your head, I know one that probably didn't come up: your own. It'd be pretty silly, in fact.  Imagine you are at a networking event and the introductory question for the ice breaker exercise was "name a hero". Can you imagine the reaction you would receive if you answered, "me, I am my hero."? If we are on the same page right now, think about your online communication. Who is the hero every morning on your Facebook post? Are your connections sinking and drowning in a stream of self-praise on Linked In ? Who is the real winner of your so-called customer appreciation? If your fans are not the true heroes for most of your online communication, you might be losing fans and customers at the same time.  No worries, however. It is very easy to slip into a "me" focus as you try to express ...

A couple weeks ago, I posted a podcast of an interview performed by Christy Haussler: The Educated Emotion: Les Go Social Podcast Interview - The Secret Ingre... : Photo By Dwight Burdette [ CC-BY-3.0 ],  via Wikimedia Commons I was recently interviewed by Christy Haussler, of Brick and Mortar Rep... I received a few reader responses, both on the blog and on other social media. One, in particular, was about ways to begin utilizing Facebook as a professional networking tool - even before you create a page. View the reader response, and my reply, below: henry brown 1 week ago   -   Shared publicly Very great podcast and information, it was very helpful with some insight that I needed. Tell me.... What are some of the best ways, that you think of course. How Facebook can be used as a "Social Utility "?   1  ·  Reply Leslie McGraw 1 week ago Hi Henry. T...

Ann Arbor, Michigan has made it to the top of many lists as the best place to live for women, bicyclists, and even dating. Recently, Ann Arbor has made it to the top of a not-so-noble list: The Laziest Cities list.  My first reaction was that of disbelief. But, then I read how the list was derived. For instance, locals like to begin their day at an average time of 8:17 a.m., which is later than most cities in the United States. My guess is that Ann Arbor's appearance on this list is a byproduct for some of the other lists it has topped. Locals like to carpool, bike, walk, and jog to work. Also, there is a lot of support for the arts. Between 2004 and 2005 I witnessed thousands of people lose their jobs and careers after a major pharmaceutical company left town. The estimated loss to the local arts community was nearly $400,000. This is a combination of the loss in funding directly given by the company as well as the decrease in highly paid professionals with time and...

Photo By Dwight Burdette [ CC-BY-3.0 ],  via Wikimedia Commons I was recently interviewed by Christy Haussler, of Brick and Mortar Reporter , for my first podcast ever. The notes are posted on her page , but to hear what I think is the single-most ingredient to a successful social media marketing plan, listen here  and post it in the comments (and there just may be a little reward in store for doing so): Post by Brick and Mortar Reporter Podcast .

RECAP FROM LAST WEEK'S POST ON REFLECTION: The important thing is to incorporate what we see going on behind us into our decision making, while maintaining our focus and speed moving ahead. That is the beauty of taking time to reflect on your business performance even when you are doing okay --you can focus on your strengths and build up your weaknesses. Get over it, people. Monday morning, with all its tricks and detours, comes each and every week. And, as an entrepreneur, I can attest to how Mondays never get better. Even with an alternative schedule, Monday morning still finds me. All Who Wander Are Not Lost I am a wanderer. I don't even expect my to do list to be touched Monday morning. Not that it doesn't; I just don't beat myself up about spending a couple hours reading and "listening" online. In my parallel universe, where I live as a writer, it is important to wander to find future readers and build community. Performance and Change Facilita...

This February marks two years since Whitney Houston died and fans are still mourning. We start each day looking at our reflection in the mirror. That reflection is powerful. In a glance, we make an assessment of our appearance and what we have to offer, what we may be able to change right now (like tucking in a shirt or smoothing a collick), what we may be able to enhance now (such as lip colour or adding jewelry), and what we can improve upon over time (such as weight loss or reducing acne).   Later, we drive to our destination using the reflection in the rear view mirrors to help us make decisions on how to move forward and stay safe. This month marks two years since Whitney Houston's  untimely death . So many positive interviews, quotes, and contributions have been unearthed since her death that I can't help but wonder what would have happened if her last days had been brightened with some of the encouragement, compassion, and perspective on her life that was shar...