Expanding Your Watering Hole
Make Yourself Do the Ask
I speak a lot about making sure you have a posse, or a watering hole worth your time, or a network that inspires and provides you with what you need to be your best self. A lot. It's a core belief that you are who you surround yourself with, and that you must be a giver and a receiver, the first of which is easier for me. It's not about the number of people, it's about the right people. Knowing who they are and what they bring to the table, so you can call on them when needed.
The hardest part, which I now realize is key to making sure your posse is all that you deserve it to be, is doing the ask.
Doing the ask.
Asking for what you need, from those who you are not sure will say yes.
Reaching beyond your present circumstances to go get that which will take you to the next level. Higher than you presently sit.
It calls for going outside your comfort zone.
They could say no.
What if they think you were out of line in asking?
Well, no one dies from those outcomes.
Steve Jobs used to like to tell the story about calling Hewlett-Packard's president, Bill Hewlett, and asking for some parts he needed for something he was building. Not only did he get the parts, but he also got an internship.
Jobs said he never found anyone who didn't respond when he called, and while later in his life, that makes total sense, when he was twelve, it magnified the adage, 'nothing ventured, nothing gained.'
Do the ask. Do it early. Do your homework around who to ask. Make sure there is a connection that makes the ask a fit.
We are all building something. A business. A career. If you stay within the confines of your present circle, you will not soar to your highest self.
Figure out what you need. Figure out who can help you. Do the ask. Maybe even one ask a day, like taking your vitamins.
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Social Media Tips
Your October Social Media
Planning your October social media uploads? Thanks to our friends at Brandwatch, the list below will give you some of the dates to consider.
That being said, here is the thing about getting on the social media 'holiday date' bandwagon. It's a saturated market. No one is going to really care about your acknowledgement of something or other. We are starting to look at themes for months rather than following the dates that others rely on.
Our themes for October?
Fall. Leaves changing colors, and those amazing colors of fall. Cooler temperatures. Warmth. Sweater weather (trust us and watch the video below for a giggle). Fourth quarter reviews.
October Social Media Holidays
The month of October Global Diversity Awareness Month #GlobalDiversityAwarenessMonth October 1. International Coffee Day #CoffeeDay #InternationalCoffeeDay October 1. World Vegetarian Day #WorldVegetarianDay October 2. International Day of Nonviolence #InternationalDayOfNonviolence October 3. National Techies Day #TechiesDay October 4. National Taco Day #NationalTacoDay October 4. World Animal Day #WorldAnimalDay October 5. World Teachers Day #WorldTeachersDay October 6. World Smile Day #WorldSmileDay October 8. World Octopus Day #WorldOctopusDay October 10. World Mental Health Day #WorldMentalHeathDay October 12. World Sight Day #WorldSightDay October 14. National Dessert Day #DessertDay October 15. Global Handwashing Day #GlobalHandwashingDay October 16. Bosses Day #BossesDay October 16. World Food Day #FoodDay October 24. United Nations Day #UNDay October 25. Greasy Foods Day #GreasyFoodsDay October 30. Checklist Day #ChecklistDay October 31. Halloween #Halloween
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A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Our team recently put together a card for our managing partner, Christine, using a fabulous photo she took years ago. We took this high-res photo and are having it printed on very high-end stock. Voilà, we have a card.
Do you have an image that represents your brand or yourself? We'd be happy to help you create a card that you could send out whether it's around a certain holiday or just acts as a reminder to your posse that you're around. Just reach out to Frances!
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A Reminder to Take Your Time
Old school. On a recent trip to Charlottesville, Virginia, I was mesmerized watching this woman (she must have strong arms!) changing the marquee; one letter at a time. No rush. In the time of computer driven shortcuts, pick something, one thing, and do it old school. Just because. If you have a minute (you do!), take it to watch this particular task.