One of the perks of having your own blog is you can write about anything you want at anytime, and a lot of bloggers write “thankful for” posts this time of year.
It’s good to be me. I’m thankful…
It’s been an exciting year, this blog has made a huge impact in my life, the online relationships and connections made thru this effort have added several new friends, and you know who you are! We all talk about networking and engagement, but until you start to develop mutually beneficial friendships and have people you can share goals and visions with, it is difficult to really appreciate. This blog represents what true collaboration can accomplish.
A few weeks ago I applied for a job that I really, really wanted, it would have been a natural progression of the work I have been doing the past 15 years, teaching media and technology in a small rural elementary school. It would have meant leaving a job I absolutely love, a possible move and traveling through the state teaching technology at different schools.
In the process of preparing a resume, collecting three letters of recommendation and seeking the advice of close friends, my real life and online ones, I had the opportunity to do a lot of reflecting on where I have been and what I have been doing. The support and advice I received from friends was overwhelming. Going thru the interview process was a great experience and I have a new outlook on life after taking a personal inventory. I can see areas I need to improve, but also realized there are some things I can do well!
I was talking to a colleague the other day and he mentioned that business owners need to do an “audit” on their business to find the strengths and weakness, and it occurred to me that this is what I had done, but on a personal level. Six months ago I was content to just keep doing the same things. I have made a lot of choices since then, some were outside my comfort zone!
So as my good friend recently asked me, “What have we learned from this?”
Stretch yourself! Step outside your comfy little box, stop just passively reading on Facebook, stop complaining on forums how terrible things are, stop sending auto tweets. Take a personal inventory, write a resume, just as an exercise, take a hard look at your business, take time to reflect on what you do have to be grateful for. Reach out and connect.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Chris
Very good points. The holiday season is a time of reflection.
Scott, thank you! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
I hear ya on the complaining I ‘m guilty of that but in some ways it helps me be more aware of whats going on in my business. A positive attitude goes a long way for sure.
Hi Nick,
Complaining can be a good catalyst for change. Thanks for stopping by!