I have wanted to write this piece for a long time, but haven't had a clue where to get started. Everything I have ever read covering self-development and self-fulfillment has kicked off with one key ingredient - finding your passion.
Every time I have tried to tackle this daunting pre-requisite, I would come up blank, feeling deflated and passion-less. With a recent move to a new country during a more difficult economic climate, finding passion made way for much simpler objectives like finding a home and finding a job.
During a long ride home on the train after a truly emotional start to a new job, I had a mini-revelation. I had taken a risk to try a job that I did not think was right for me, and had been faced with possibly the most difficult day of my life to date. I was overcome with emotion and mentally drained. But all of a sudden I was clearly identifying things that I did and did not enjoy. The projects in my life that I had been half-heartedly pursing suddenly took on an all new appeal, and I began feverishly jotting down notes. By putting myself in a new and, at times, uncomfortably challenging situation, I could see much more clearly where my true strengths lay.
On the journey so far, there are a few points I would share for those also setting out on their own quest for a fulfilled life:
Take stock of what you already have. Friends, family, children, love, laughter, memories, opportunities. These things can be easy to overlook on your quest to fulfill your dreams. They may also make up a large percentage of what you really need to feel fulfilled. Be thankful and appreciative - you never know when you might find yourself in need.
Be patient with yourself. Trying to sit down for an hour and come up with all the answers is incredibly difficult, if not impossible. Give yourself time to identify what you truly want, and be realistic about achieving it. Reward yourself for a job well done, not matter how big or small the task at hand.
Try something new. We can plan all we want to get things done, but getting out and taking some risks is when we really see inside ourselves. Try to challenge yourself every day - and then identify how you respond to the challenge. Was it exhilarating? Or truly scary? Would you do it again? Did you find qualities or strengths you never knew you had?
Be constantly learning. As the old adage goes - you can lose, just don't lose the lesson. There is always room for improvement. Find current and varied learning channels - books, newspapers, online, people. Keeping an active mind is just as important as an active body.
Small steps lead to giant leaps. Goal setting is so important to achieving your dreams. Dream big - but remember to break it down into small, obtainable goals that will lead up to the big objective. And remember to pat yourself on the back for a job well done!
Conveniently after my post on using Twitter, Wired has posted an article showing the power in numbers of the social networking phenomena.
Boosted by big celebrity names, Twitter continues to grow in user numbers at a rapid rate.
If you're anything like me or my friends, you will join up to Twitter and your first post will read something like "what do I do now?!!" or "how does this work??!". With the amount of press that Twitter has received lately via popular celebrities, talkshows and news media, more and more users are logging on with only the slightest idea of what it's all about.
In a bid to combat awkward first tweets, let's do some learning together.
Hello... World?
The IM/Status update concept has been in action since way back, revolutionised by the Facebooks and Twitters of today. Brush up on your status update history.
Account ready. Stand by.
Twitter is used to communicate quickly and succinctly (in 140 characters) with friends, colleagues and strangers the world over. Share a link or a picture, promote an event, start a revolution or simply tell the world how you are feeling... the opportunities are limited only by the numerical countdown at the right of your status bar.
Walk beside me and be my friend
You can follow other Twitter users, or have them follow you. This allows you to easily track the status updates of those people you are most interested in amongst a sea of other users. As those you follow grow in numbers, you can use other tools to enhance your Twitter experience.
What goes around
When you've found a bunch of followers and you've followed a bunch of fellow followers, you may need to review your Twitter Karma.
Or you could fight a fellow followee if you feel the need. There are lots of fun ways to use Twitter!
Status Updated. Tweeters Followed. What now?
Twitter is only scrapping the top of the iceberg when it comes to revolutionising the tools we use to communicate. But already, there have been some major 'achievements' using Twitter as a vehicle.
What will you tweet today?
An Open Letter to all Drivers
Dear Drivers,
When driving in the rain, turn your lights on. This is particularly important if you drive a grey or light coloured car, and if the rain is moderate to heavy.
The life you save could be mine.
Thank you and good day.
Your concerned fellow driver,
Emma
Love it. First compilation from Earth Hour 2009.
Earth Hour 2009 is happening tomorrow, 28 March, an event aiming to bring worldwide awareness to the issue of global warming. While some have had a rocky introduction to Earth Hour, this year the aim is for over 1 billion people around the world to switch their lights off.
Major participants, including Coca-Cola, are signing up to support this worthy cause. And it is easy to do - all you have to do is SWITCH YOUR LIGHTS OFF for 1 hour, between 8:30pm and 9:30pm local standard time. Make your vote for the earth.
Watch Earth Hour on global web cams.
Looking for someone new to blame the recession on? How about social networking tool Twitter?
A new study by Harvard economist Martin Schmeldon suggests that Twitter, a social utility tool for real time connections with others, has had a significant impact on the downturn in American productivity.
I believe a tool is only as good as the person using it, and in the case of many employees it comes down to personal time management and a good leader. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and other social media tools can be highly effective, cost-cutting forms of marketing (note: they are rarely a stand-alone marketing solution) and can reach a broad demographic - it is up to managers to ensure these tools are used effectively and appropriately in order to yield results.
It is further compacted by managers switching marketing efforts entirely to one avenue, anticipating rapid and high results. This is a super high risk strategy at the best of times, and again it is a case of decisions by the marketing manager, rather than the impact of a tool created to expedite communications.
Before canning it completely, examine Twitters strengths and weaknesses.
Or perhaps just use it to follow Sockington.
Image courtesy of kaspersorensen.com
Marketing during tough financial times requires flexible marketing managers and a new approach to combating fluctuating household spending. Managers are being asked to strive for the same results with a fraction of the budget of rosier economic times.
Previously sound markets have shifted, with fluctuating unemployment and commodity prices varying greatly from region to region. Marketers need to be constantly vigil, reprioritizing quickly to reflect evolving micromarkets.
Focusing on micromarkets within larger areas can identify audiences within a 'hard hit' area who are less price-sensitive, while still being able to offer preferential pricing to the rest. Read in detail about reprioritisation and marketing in a downturn.
Traditional marketing vehicles, while having a longer track record, are often costly and shortlived. New vehicles in the social and digital media space are often much more cost effective, increasingly accessible and more engaging, particularly with Gen X and Y audiences.
Most importantly, existing customers should be a top priority. The old adage goes that it is cheaper to keep a customer than to create new one, and at times like these it could prove the difference between make or break.
Focus on maximising the value for existing customers, read up on low budget marketing tactics, examine new marketing vehicles... there are always winners no matter what the economic climate.
