So Many Things To Be Thankful For!

There are so many things in life to be thankful for but I'm most thankful when I'm with my family.  When they are not around I miss them terribly.  Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays.  The main reason is because I'm with family.  This year we went down to South Carolina over my brother-in-laws to all meet up as many of as we could.  It was nice to see Robert and Kristine again.  One of the neatest thing when we are all together is the laughter.  And watching my kids and seeing how much they love each other.  Knowing this gives me so much comfort.  What are you most thankful for in November?

In Jesus!

Sometimes you have to spend time thinking who you are in Jesus.  I did this exercise today at lunch event that reminded me of who I am in Jesus.  I am enough.

Thank

You

Jesus!

Social Media And Sunsets

Lately, I’ve been sharing a lot on implementing the right strategy for your business with social media.  One of the biggest things you want to do with your social media strategy is make a lasting impression.  This is why I have named this blogpost “Social Media Strategy and Sunsets”!  Now I know this is stretching it but there have been many sunsets that will be forever remembered in my memories, mostly on beaches, some in Arizona and my latest in South Carolina.  So my question to you is how are you doing with making a lasting impression with Social Media?  Here are three strategic ways to “wow”  your people that you’re trying to reach with social media.

1. Give them information that they don’t already know that will help them!  Talk about making a lasting impression.  If you help solve their problem.  They will love you forever.  Also they will keep coming back to see what else you are saying.
2. Always post quality pictures with great quotes!  Post pictures that are pleasing to the eyes that will encourage your fans to read the quote too.  There is nothing like a picture perfect sunset and there is nothing like a picture with with words!
3. Listen to what your customers and connections are saying and get them to talk more!  The engagement that happens on your social media platforms will get you known in a big way.  That perfect sunset that we have all seen and we continue to talk about is the  way we should encourage people to talk about our products or services.

It’s funny but you know that perfect old western movie where they ride off into the sunset, the ending to your social media strategy should always be about serving your audience more!  No doubt about it you want your fans to be totally impressed with everything you do!  Drop me a line below and let me know what you do to make lasting impressions!

My Mom On Her 87 Birthday!

My mom is the coolest lady ever. She still does so many things to make me smile.  

My only prayer is that she would have more energy and be as vibrant as she used to be.  

Not everyday is a happy moment!

Yesterday we set up for a memorial for my friend Joey's wife Wendy.  Joey asked us to set up these batteries on a railing.  When I asked him what they were used for it was to keep Wendy alive for the last several months.  With each battery that I placed, there were many silent tears falling from my eyes.

Today we will celebrate the life of Wendy with Joseph Cardamone and family.  We lost her to Cancer, she will be remembered by those who knew her. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends! My thoughts at this time are that I'm very grateful for her life and how much she loved Joey and her children! She was a great mom & wife & sister & sister in - law and friend!

Nothing can beat that smile on Joey's face when he was with her.

Keeping It Real On Social Media!

Every time I go on to Facebook the friends I’m connected with are doing amazing things. I always am fascinated by the image that we portray on social media! Then last week a good friend of mine posted this post on facebook. “I promised a friend that I would tell the truth more on facebook. That I would work harder at “keeping it real.” Here’s chapter one in that storybook. http://silvermine.blogspot.com/2014/05/keeping-it-real.html “ My friend Gail always keeps it real, but she really puts it out there by making a promise. This is what I love about my friends they really challenge me.
Then a good family friend of mine posted this, “We have officially transferred to Hospice care. No more chemo. Wendy will be able to continue her nutrition bag, for which we are very grateful. There is no time frame, other than “one day at a time sweet Jesus…”  Talk about being real.
Then a colleague of mine lost a family pet earlier last week and took time in the beginning part of her membership call to be candid about keeping it real.
Those three messages were a challenge on keeping it more real in my life and on social media.  You see it’s easy to post the happy stuff. Graduations, proms, family events and great milestones and occasions should be shared with our friends and family. In fact I was at a family gathering this weekend where a cousin told me she only posts happy things. I thought that was great! Now, I am not advocating that we should post all the bad things that happen to us.   That would not be good, but every once in a while we should get more vulnerable.  Share something you are going through so others can support you and identify with you.
I post so much content on facebook, and to the best of my ability I keep it real. I don’t try to give the appearance of a fairytale life. I share with my friends and my family and my colleagues a life of laughter, love and growth. I share the fun I have and the struggles in my life.   I laugh and I cry and I bleed like everyone else. I’m not perfect and I make mistakes. And in the midst of this journey, we face some circumstances we would not wish on anyone, like friends having cancer, accidents that happen, things like hurt and pain caused by others. When this stuff happens to us, love is so much stronger, Gods love is stronger.   When we share and when we are real we can help others in life.   Oh, how we all need each other to keep it real! I would love to hear how you keep it real on social media. Drop me a line.

Out Of Africa (PT 2)

When I got to the conference center in Nairobi, Kenya in East Africa to teach, I never know what to expect. Will we have our usual translator? Will there be someone there to translate for us? Will we connect? Will I like her? Immediately I saw some familiar faces and I saw Patricia who translated for us last year. I love Patricia. She is like my twin in Nairobi. We have the same amount of children and we get along and she makes me laugh. She was so touched that Lisa who co taught with me and I returned. She was sad that she would not be able to translate all week for us. Who would do it?
It was mid afternoon on Monday and I was starting to get a bit concerned that some of the other translators were not at the conference and the other leaders did not want to do it. You could tell. And then this women stepped up out of nowhere. I had never met her before. She spoke great English. Her name was Elizabeth. I loved her spunk and her genuineness. And she was also very wise. She shared too, always asking us permission but it was so good.
She shared that she was a teacher in school. She shared that she never married and never had children. Then she shared that she was Emanuel’s mom. Emanuel is shy, talented man at Lifeway who does all the IT and communications. He also is a great worship leader. That is when I put two and two together. When Emanuel was a little boy he lost his parents and family when he was small and he ended up in Nairobi. And Elizabeth took him and many other children and invested in their lives.  In fact, there was women that were at the conference that she helped and nurtured and mentored when they were smaller.  What a legacy!
As we worked closely throughout the week, I got to know Elizabeth and I could see how God gave her an incredible ministry. So many have been under her care as students and she made a difference in the circumstances she was in and became a mother to the motherless.   I was touched.
There is this commercial that used to be on TV that said "Reach Out And Touch Someone".  I don't know most of your circumstances, but I do know that when you put your heart into reaching out to some who needs it, you make all the difference in the world and in their individual lives.  Here is to making a difference one person at a time!

Out of Africa (PT 1)

This week I took the road less traveled on. Once again I stepped out into the unknown. I went to Nairobi and did some training to women in leadership and I was wrecked. I learned how thankful I am that I had the opportunity to give back in such and extraordinarily way. If you would of have asked me 5 years ago would I ever even thought of traveling to Africa. I would have said you are crazy! All I did is say, “yes” and I did it. It has changed me in every way. In fact there has been many roads I have been traveling on. Very contrary to the popular paths I did once before.The bottom line is spending a week helping others is the greatest road I have ever taken. The highlight of that week was being able to mentor a girl named Penenina. She was so eager to learn. In sharing with her and teaching her, I learned things about myself.
She was leader working with her husband who is a pastor in the Geomungo slum in Nairobi, Kenya in East Africa. This is where the poorest of poor live.  This is not a popular thing to do among African women but she decided to take the road less traveled on.
Robert Frost talked about taking the road less traveled and about how we can make “all the difference” in life. We all come to crossroads throughout our lives and eventually we have to make a choice to travel down one. My question to you is will you dare to take that road into the unknown, where the trail isn’t clear and the risks may be great?
That question is question that I have been asking myself everyday because I started down a path that many times I find my self alone and there is no one to ask directions. Here’s the thing, I would never turn back from the path I’m on now. I love it.
Successful entrepreneurs know that the scariest part of taking action is the very first step. When one comes to a fork in the road, it’s the choice to step away from the familiar path, well worn by the footsteps of others that can require the most courage. You have got to have some courage.
 Okay gotta run. Jot me a note below and tell me about your road that you are taking.

MAKING THE MOST OF OPPORTUNITY!

A week and a half ago I had the opportunity to take advantage of a VIP day with my Business/Life Coach, Michelle Weimer  in Colorado Springs. It was amazing.  I learned so much about me and what was important to me.  I also got really clear on whom I was serving and my ideal clients with my social media business.  We also worked on a launch I’m going to be working on for this year in business.  Pretty cool! Huh!
I really believe because I stepped out of my comfort zone in many ways for that one day it paved the way for some wonderful opportunities.  Since that day, I have closed business, a speaking gig and I’m running smoothly with a Virtual Event I’m hosting with over 20 speakers that will air at the end of the month.
There is a great quote by Milton Berle that says  “If opportunity does not knock, then build a door” I love this quote because it is basically saying that don’t wait around and wait for opportunity, go out and work and build a door so when it does come you are prepared to open it.  At least this is what it means to me.  You have to get out there and make your own opportunities.  You have to build that door!
So my question is this are you making your own opportunities?
I believe one of the biggest opportunities out there for the small business is Social Media.  The problem is most of us are missing it.
I would like to share with you 3 opportunities for you create when using social media.
The first opportunity that is right in front of you is listen first and then engage! I believe if you will listen you find an opportunity somewhere to connect and engage with potential clients.  Start going into various groups that are your target market and listen to what is going on in that group and then start commenting on the posts or answer some questions.  Some will see you and want to know more about you and then the many possibilities are out there.
The 2^nd way to create opportunity is to share good content that solves your target markets problem.  This opportunity to share this across all the social media boards gets you major visibility.  I shared some of my content on some groups last week and I got person who wanted to know more about what I did with social media and ask me some questions.  And I got a client , I was hired.
The 3^rd way to create opportunity is my #1 strategy for getting a client and it’s on the linkedin platform.  What I do is when someone asks to connect with me I write a personal note to every one I accept saying, "Just saying a hello and great connecting with you.  If I can help you in any way just reach out."  The cool thing is I end up with several reach outs asking me if they can set up a call with me to learn more about social media.  I have gotten many clients using this strategy.  So don’t miss out on Creating your opportunities because you never know who is watching.

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD IN 2014

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IT REALLY IS A WONDERFUL LIFE!

It’s Nineteen days into December, and my Christmas tree is up and decorated.  I have pulled out the Christmas books, the Christmas music and the Christmas movies.  I am officially in the Christmas spirit.  I must say I have at least 3 favorite movies for this enchanted season.  One of those movies I can watch over and over again is; “It’s a wonderful life”.  Oh how I love that movie.
As I watch the movie, I can relate to it in so many aspects.  George Bailey he had dreams and hopes and in his mind he had not fulfilled them.  In many ways we are all like George Bailey in the sense that we have dreams and hopes unfulfilled.  Without going into too much detail of the movie, on Christmas Eve George Bailey, head of Bailey Saving and Loan is under a lot of financial pressures attempts to end it all by jumping off a bridge.  This really is the turning point of his life, because an angel named Clarence rescues him.  Clarence’s assignment is George Bailey and if he succeeds Clarence will get his wings.  Then the fun begins.  George wishes that he had never been born and Clarence gives him that exact wish.   Clarence’s journey through George’s life shifts George’s perspective from monetary problems to the positive effect he has had on others.  George realizes that he does want to live and that he has a wonderful life, no matter the money difficulties.  Racing home to his family, he finds friends there who have gathered the necessary funds for the deposit, thereby saving the bank. In the end, all turns out well.  As George’s family and friends gather around him, a bell on the Christmas tree rings, signaling that Clarence earned his wings.
Some of us might feel a bit like George Bailey this year, financially strapped and not sure how we will make it through the tough times.  Maybe we are not sure is the business that we are growing is making the impact that we want it to or is growing the way it should.  Sometimes this leads us to be desperate in our thinking and it can affect our entire outlook on life.  A reframing of our thoughts takes us away from monetary and economic matters might help remind us as well that there is much good in life and much to be happy about, much to be thankful about.  Mainly because it still is such a wonderful life.
What makes us happy?  For me it’s giving to others through time, money and my talents. These things tend to make us happier.
George Bailey’s story unfolds in the small town of Bedford Falls.  For those of us who live in large cities, it is up to us to help create and participate in communities and associations.  These volunteer associations, about half of which are worship-related, provide a way for us to give to others as well as to create social networks that add meaning and context to our everyday lives.
This Christmas season, with so many people in need, try focusing on helping others out of the icy waters, and you might not notice that you are a bit cold yourself.  And you know giving to others will lead to an increase in your happiness, increasing your ability to work harder, be a better parent, have a better marriage and become better at your business.
The truth is, I’ve done some cool things this year. I’ve accomplished so many things in my business that I am proud of. I have people in my life I love and care about. So I guess my question to you is what cool things are you doing in your business?  And who are those special people in your life that you love and care about?  There are just so many things that turned my life upside down and I know have impacted others lives too, and these things have made me giddy and joyful inside. With 2014 right around the corner what will your wonderful life look like?

Losing Time On Social Media!

Many people in business lose time daily while trolling and participating on the various social media platforms.  Unfortunately you can never get that time back.  Unless of course you move the clocks back.  Hey wait a minute, didn't that just happen.  My favorite day was Sunday, November 3rd because the clocks moved back. Getting more time in your day can be as simple as making a few minor changes.  We know there are only so many hours available, and adding more is just not possible. Unless of course you can move the clocks back again.
However,  these are three practices that help me get more accomplished in the time I do have available and they help me spend my time wisely especially when on the different social media platforms..
1.  Avoid unnecessary interruptions on social media - How many times have you been immersed with a project or savvy post on facebook only to get interrupted by a notification or an instant message?  Then when you finally get back to what you were doing you totally forgot where you were.  Probably the best way to handle this is not to be interrupted.  Especially when you are working on project that has a deadline.
Make sure you have limited, if not eliminated, the possibility of interruptions.  Here are some suggestions:

• Set your business time on social media platforms only for business
• Close your email or turn off email notifications.
• Avoid reading other peoples feeds at this time.

2.  Get rid of social media clutter - Need I say more?  No, seriously.
Get rid of unwanted emails that clutter up your boxes.  Avoid having a lot of private messages not viewed.  Answer any questions that need to be answered.  Don't let anything pile up!
Also some times friends add to the social media clutter.  Stay focused and go back on later on after work and have fun with your friends.
3.  Make a social media schedule - Making a schedule is the best thing I have done for utilizing social media for my business.  This schedule is more than just a "to do" list. I actually plan my day by adding allotted time and time frames to my social media calendar.  I challenge you to set some appointed time for your post and your engagement on social media. Also set  reminders and honor them.
One other thing I do is I schedule my content across the different social media platforms.  So I now have a content calendar. I really believe being scheduled helps you accomplish things.
Stop what you are doing that is not about your business and actually complete the task that you set up at the appointed time.  This way after you completed the your social media marketing for the day you can do other things to build your business and make it grow.   If this is just not possible, reschedule it to a more convenient time.
So what are some things you do to keep yourself from loosing time on social media.  Drop me a line below and let me know!

Prioritize Your Priorities!

If you ask women how they manage to keep balance in their lives and business, one of  the common threads in all their answers seems to be prioritizing.  We seem to have found that making sure we use our time on things that matter is key.  Beyond that, though, we have to select which items we spend time on and when we spend time on them.  That's what I like to think of as prioritizing our priorities.

One entrepreneur responded, when asked about how she keeps balance, by saying she is proactive in her planning. She actually "axes" or gets rid of anything in her plan that distracts her from her goal.  That response really resonated with me.

Staying balanced and prioritizing means keeping your eye on the prize.  We have to constantly ask ourselves, what really matters?  What are we trying to accomplish?  The answers will help us plan and stay on course each day.

One other thing women seem agree on is taking time for reflection.  Some take time for quiet meditation or prayer.  Others go for a meditative walk to start the day.  Or maybe you take yours at the end of the day, with a soak in the tub by candlelight.  Whatever we choose, we need to find a way to go inward to recharge.

Getting our priorities in order depends on how well we understand what is important and how we set our goals.  Once we know that, our goals practically set themselves.  In other words, know yourself and what you want. Then you can plan how to make it happen in a way that works best for you and those around you.

Fear of Failure, I'm doing it again!

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” Paulo Coelho, The AlchemistI have a confession to make the last two weeks I’ve been procrastinating.  The major culprit is I have this underlying fear of failure.  The other culprit is my unrealistic expectations of success.  Lastly I said Yes to many unimportant events.  Now I’m faced with delaying a project that I want to share with my tribe to help them.   It’s not a comfortable feeling.  So here are some of my thoughts that I have learned the hard way and hopefully this time I learned a valuable lesson.
1.  Be Aware – I was listening to this awesome Tele-summit called "Superwomen Syndrome,Take off the Cape and find your true power" hosted by Michelle Weimer and one of the speakers was talking about fears and that a symptom of it was procrastination. This project I'm working on kept on being pushed to the next day, this should have been my clue that I was procrastinating.  The funny thing is I knew it as soon as it popped up on the call.  The bottom line was I was procrastinating because I  was afraid!  So that awareness is that uncomfortable feeling that you have that pushes you one way or another.  Either you are going to ignore it or work on it.  The cool thing is when I became aware of it, I actually wrote my coach and saids let's work on it.
2.  Find out the why – I knew there was a reason for my procrastination but I didn't want face it.  For me this time it was the fear of failure.  It was rearing it's ugly head.  So I tried to ignore it and do other things that didn't really matter. The bottom line is I was working on this project and I was afraid to put out there because I was afraid it wouldn't be good enough. That it would be a failure.
  3.  Tackle it -So I talked it through with my coach and I came to the conclusion if I didn't put my project out there  I was failing!  Also I came to the conclusion that not putting it out there would cause regret in me.
I know now that every once in a while fear is going to creep into my life and try to prevent me from realizing my dreams. My coach has often told me to feel the fear and do it anyway.  So that is what I'm going to do.  Stay tuned for some announcements coming from me in the next few weeks and a really cool training series.  In the meantime think about these questions.  Is fear causing you to put off that needs to be done?  Is there an underlying reason you are procrastinating? Drop me a line and tell me some things you do to crush fear!  Don't let fear crush your dreams!

Saying Goodbye!

Usually I write about using social media in my business in my weekly blog posts, but not today!  Since I use social media to make a living and I help businesses with their social media marketing I want to share something on a personal side.  After all this seems like a perfect time for me to send a personal note.
This week is about goodbyes for me.  I just finished my short trip to South Carolina moving my daughter and grandson.  It was fun to be with them as they start their new life in a new place and a new school and a new job.  Saying goodbye is difficult but exciting too.
Fast forward, as you are reading this I’m now in VA moving my son into his first year of college.  Saying goodbye once again but it’s all good.
The funny thing is I will be miles away from two of my four children and there is an excitement stirring in me.  I’m so proud of my all grown up children and the decisions they have made.  I am confident they will continue to live life like they mean it.  Not being afraid of saying goodbyes when they need too.  I’m also excited that I have been instrumental in their lives up to now.
Now you know I have to tie social media into this some how so here goes.  Facebook will help me glance in and see what they’re doing at a distance.  Occasional emails and texts will keep me up to date.  I will rejoice when they rejoice and I will be sad for them when they are sad.  I will see them at family gatherings, holidays and breaks and more pictures and memories will happen.
So as the new chapter begins in 2 if my children’s lives, mine begins too.  You see it isn’t really saying goodbye it’s turning the page to a great, new adventure.  Life is good! What or who have you had to say goodbye to lately?  Drop me a line and let me know how it’s going!

Today we celebrate here in the States the of 4th July.  We celebrated the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  What an amazing day that must have been for the Men who fought so hard for freedom.  Today I am thankful that I have that freedom that was given to me by men who had the dream to be free.
oday we celebrate here in the States the 4
There is another freedom I have experienced that I want to write about today.  The freedom I have in being an Entrepreneur.   Unlike the battles that took place in the 1770’s, my battle was silent.  There was the fear, the naysayers and the ego and I won!  Now I am free!  Here are couple tangible things that this newfound freedom has brought me.
1.  I have the freedom in doing what I love to do.  I am doing what I’m passionate about.  Plus as a real number one bonus I am helping others.  That is really what I love doing.  In working in the social media field I get to do what I love and establish relationships.  I believe you can’t be free unless you are truly doing what you love!  How about you are you doing what you love?
2.  I have the freedom of flexibility!  This is great because I’m not locked into a 9 to 5 job.  Now I want you hear what I’m not say here. This does not mean that you don’t work hard and play all day!  It means you have the flexibility to work however you choose to and where ever you choose to.  You are not locked in!  You can go to tradeshows and networking events whenever because you don’t have to ask for time off.  Wouldn’t you like to have that flexibility in your life?
3.  I have freedom over my life and job!  Flexibility is great but control over your life and job is what really matters.  Now I know that this does not mean we can control everything that happens in life and in our jobs but as an entrepreneur we can control some things like where we go, who we do it with, what hours are we working today, all the decisions in creativity, sales, fun and who we work with.  We cannot control the outcome but we can control the activity that has an outcome. Wouldn’t you like to have that kind of control in your life?
4. Lastly, a bit of ego satisfaction, because there is nothing like walking into a room of my peers and sharing what I do.  There is nothing like belonging to a BNI and getting a referral.  There is nothing like speaking at a networking event.  See sometimes that ego keeps you from freedom.  When you are doing what you want to do and moving forward, the ego adapts and you satisfy it.  How about you, how do you feel about what you do?  Are you satisfied?

Most of you who read this are already entrepreneurs, so I would love to hear from you about what other freedoms you have discovered in your business.   Make a comment below!

I am now a proud owner of a business that has life and is vibrant!  I love it!  As I sit here and soak this in I realize that along the way I had to make a lot of choices as an Entrepreneur.  I want to share these choices because there is a major lesson in all this that I have learned along the way.
Choice number one is to move forward.  Don’t get stuck in the cant’s the wont’s and the what if’s.  Just move one baby step at a time.  At first there is such resistance but then it gets easier.  Trust me on this one, I could have been best friends with resistance.
Choice number two is not live in the old story.  It’s that old story that tells you that you will fail, that you are not enough.  It’s that old story that tells you that you can’t do it.  It’s that old story that tells you what if you fail.  You know that voice, the one that constantly brings you back to the past.  That was then and this now.  You are a new person with a new story created to do amazing things.  We are created to do amazing things In this world. Stop trying to live that old story,it does not do us any good! In fact it hinders us in being the person that God created us to be.
Choice number three is don’t look back.  Sometimes we have to make tough decisions especially in business.  We can get stuck in the “I should haves”.  Which does not do us any good.  We tend to forget we have no control over the outcome of that decision sometimes and so if we look back  it keeps us there in that moment.  If we look forward it keeps us positively in the future.
Choice number four is we have to choose our attitude daily.  I can choose to be grumpy or happy!  I can choose to be mad or glad!  You get the picture.  We can choose our feelings and how we are going to act.  And believe me how we choose to act affects everything!
Choice number five we can choose to be intentional in how we live, where we live, with whom we live, and with all other details.  We can choose what we want to be when we grow up!    How cool is that!  You see choosing is about living and living free.  Choosing is about not getting stuck!  Choosing is believing that you are enough.  Choosing is believing that you are not a failure.  Choosing to be an Entrepreneur is about sharing your unique abilities to helps someone else.  What about you?  What are you choosing lately?  I would love to hear what you have to say!  Write your feeling below!

Social Media and Paul McCartney

Sir Paul the Liverpool genius will be turning 71 in June.  He is my favorite Beatle.  Most of the Internet Kids today don’t even know who this cool dude is! I do!  Heck my kids don’t even know what a record is.   I have to say he would have rocked the world of Social Media in his day if it existed.  When I think of the Beatles and Paul McCartney I think about all the comments out there in the musical world that said the Beatles were way ahead of their time.  Paul McCartney came out of nowhere and became the star of the group.  His style would have rocked the world of Social Media Marketing and Strategy.  I want to share some insights Sir Paul has given me in his songs that lead me to believe, that he would have got the social media world.
Most of you by now know I’m huge on engaging with my audience.  I’m huge on listening to my audience.  So I find it interesting how McCartney engaged his audience.  So here are the songs he wrote that I feel were cutting edge Social Media material. If you’re a cynic you would disagree with me maybe, but I will try to win you over.
1.  I Want To Tell You:  LOL our world today is loaded with people who want to tell us something.  It seems like today I even know when someone is taking a shower.  We Facebook it, Tweet it and even blog about it.  Someone out there is listening.
2. Love Me Do: Heck if it isn’t about love what is it about.  Seriously. A lot of online engagement is about feeling the love. When we write a post we sometimes say we’re hoping for some comment about love. Or it’s about being loved.  We thank people sometimes for the RT love. And there’s that little detail that people we engage with on Twitter are called followers. On Facebook – “fans.”
3. No Words:  Sometimes it really is all about pictures!  Just saying!  Go Pinterest!
4. The Fool on the Hill:  "Well on his way his head in a cloud,
The man of a thousand voices talking perfectly loud
But nobody ever hears him, Or the sound he appears to make,
And he never seems to notice, But the fool on the hill . . . "  Need I say more Facebook is full of them.  You know those obnoxious types.
5.  Let It Be:  “Speaking Words of Wisdom” Let it Be.  So many times I will be on line and I have a moment of learning through a quote or phrase posted by someone.  Paul seemed to have this one right.  The Let it Be Album for me was the record I listened to most.  Awesome music.  Too bad it was the end of the Beatles.  They did get to record from the rooftop how cool is that.  Talk about getting out there in a big way!
6.  The Long and Winding Road:  Somehow, Paul knew that the commitment to life was going to be a long and winding road. This song perfectly describes the Social Media experience. Anyway, to build your online community it is a long and winding road but you must go down it!
What’s most amazing is Sir Paul from fifty years ago still has the ability to Rock Me.  McCartney was prolific with the Beatles.   He was way more than a band member, he was an influencer with his words.  Paul and the Beatles created trends in music in which the masses eagerly followed.  I know I would certainly want to be the influencer in Social Media.
Social Media allows us to reach more people then we ever could before.  The first step to being a trendsetter is to make sure the quality of what you do is something to be proud of.  Paul didn’t write songs by thinking about what the fans would like, Paul wrote songs that his fans liked.
I really had fun thinking about this.  I told you Paul was all about engagement and way ahead of his time.   The Beatles wrote a lot about online engagement.  Just think of John Lennon’s song “Eight Days A Week”.  Social Media is really more than a 7 day commitment to your marketing.   How did they know all of this? I have no idea. I always knew they were geniuses.  Just saying!
Now, maybe by now you’ve uncovered other Paul McCartney songs or Beatles songs that also reveal this expertise of theirs. If you have, would you share them below for the rest of us?

Death & Tragedy

On a week I should be writing about my inspiring trip to Africa, I find myself in deep thought about the tragic injuries and deaths that transpired at the finish line at the Boston Marathon.  No words can express how much this affects me.  As one who has crossed finish lines many times, I can’t imagine what trauma must be going through the heads of the runners and bystanders.  My deepest sympathies go out to those who lost someone or know someone who was lost or injured.
Facebook & Twitter & YouTube and Linkedin have been plastered with pictures and comments of this tragedy and many others.  It’s hard not to become desensitized by all the media coming at you.  I almost have this feeling that this should not happen this way.  So I want to explain why I think this that putting tragedy and death all over Facebook and the other social media is just crazy wrong.
Last night while on Facebook a newsfeed came through that shocked me and put me to tears.  I found out through Facebook that my friend, my pastor who performed my marriage ceremony, dedicated all 4 of my children passed away.  Friends this is no way to find out someone close to you died.  What in the world is anybody thinking posting this.  Immediately I made calls to those who were close and after I was sure that everyone knew I posted my tribute on Facebook.
So I find myself raw and uneasy about what is posted on the social platforms.  I find it a bit impersonal to say the least.  I myself apologize if I have ever posted something inappropriate.  I find myself back in tragedy mode that is still lingering from the Newtown tragedy.  When will all this nonsense stop and lives stop being torn apart?  Not sure, but maybe a first step is to stop reporting it.  Is it really newsworthy?  Today, I have posted for the picture of my blog, my running sneakers as a statement that I will still run!  Hopefully all my friends that do marathons will still run too.

Are You Out Of Your Comfort Zone!

I'm going to Africa!  This is way out of my Comfort Zone!  So I thought I would share
this poem I found to encourage you!

My Comfort Zone – A Poem
Author Unknown
I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I wouldn’t fail.
The same four walls and busywork were really more like jail.
I longed so much to do the things I’d never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.

I said it didn’t matter that I wasn’t doing much.
I said I didn’t care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.

I couldn’t let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I’d never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.

~

Hope you enjoyed this poem.  When have you stepped out of your comfort zone?
Make sure you tune in next week to a great post by a guest blogger on steps you can
take to overcome obstacles to see opportunities.   Drop me line below and let me know
some steps you take to step out of your comfort zone.