Believing in Dreams and Their Creation...

Today I thought I would take a detour off of the beaten path and look with a fresh insight at what it takes to dream and to create…

The mind is a wonderful thing; always operating even when we are sleeping. It provides us with a place to store knowledge and ideas, and when it is functioning properly it challenges us to create a better lifestyle for ourselves and our family. It is full of untapped potential for imagination, creativity, or a source which provides the basis of questioning what happens around us in an attempt to understand the universe and our infinitesimally tiny place in it. It provides the storage space for instructions and the framework for projects and work-skills needed to be a productive member of this society.

What happens when we hit a bump in the road? What happens if for some reason the mental vision becomes cloudy and we start to slide into the dark? As much as we like to think we are invincible, and nothing bad will ever affect us; nothing could be further from the truth. Illnesses run through families, minor or major it really doesn’t matter, and for any individual they could be catastrophic.

With that said; everyday should be treated with reverence, and each of us should try to find some way to make life just a little easier for the other guy. They have their own struggles and turmoil, and would probably thank you for taking the time to just say “Hi” or “I’m hoping you have a great day”. Simple things like that can go a long way to brightening someone’s day; and you know what—>It cost nothing but a couple seconds of your time.

All of us have dreams we would like to see come to fruition, some do take a little bit longer than others, but they can be achieved. Tunnel the vision to success; and in no time you will be well on your way. And as an added bonus; if you can help someone in their journey, the rewards in like could be huge. We are all in one large- world-wide family, and it is uber-cool when we can put all our differences aside and help one and other.

This has been a warm and fuzzy blog and hopefully will leave you (as always) with… Something to Think About

©2011 thedanieljsmith

Believing in Dreams and their Creation

Today I thought I would take a detour off of the beaten path and look with a fresh insight at what it takes to dream and to create…

The mind is a wonderful thing; always operating even when we are sleeping. It provides us with a place to store knowledge and ideas, and when it is functioning properly it challenges us to create a better lifestyle for ourselves and our family. It is full of untapped potential for imagination, creativity, or a source which provides the basis of questioning what happens around us in an attempt to understand the universe and our infinitesimally tiny place in it. It provides the storage space for instructions and the framework for projects and work-skills needed to be a productive member of this society.

What happens when we hit a bump in the road? What happens if for some reason the mental vision becomes cloudy and we start to slide into the dark? As much as we like to think we are invincible, and nothing bad will ever affect us; nothing could be further from the truth. Illnesses run through families, minor or major it really doesn’t matter, and for any individual they could be catastrophic.

With that said; everyday should be treated with reverence, and each of us should try to find some way to make life just a little easier for the other guy. They have their own struggles and turmoil, and would probably thank you for taking the time to just say “Hi” or “I’m hoping you have a great day”. Simple things like that can go a long way to brightening someone’s day; and you know what—>It cost nothing but a couple seconds of your time.

All of us have dreams we would like to see come to fruition, some do take a little bit longer than others, but they can be achieved. Tunnel the vision to success; and in no time you will be well on your way. And as an added bonus; if you can help someone in their journey, the rewards in like could be huge. We are all in one large- world-wide family, and it is uber-cool when we can put all our differences aside and help one and other.

This has been a warm and fuzzy blog and hopefully will leave you (as always) with… Something to Think About

©2011 thedanieljsmith

Authenticity, Believability and Commitment

To me, there seems to be two types of people in the workforce: Those that can and those that wish they could. Once we realize which of the two groups we are currently in, then we can take the steps necessary to advance to the more prestigious group. It has been beaten into us from the time we are old enough to understand that we always have to be accountable for our actions, and be willing to pay the price if the service we give is either below the standard which we are capable of delivering (half-assed), or we over-state and under-deliver (two terms I really don’t like together, as the under/over games stands to be at least 50% wrong leading to 100% loss faith, business or a potential shot to your reputation…) This is where my ABC principle falls in line. Its simple, easy to remember and awesome to engage!

A is for Authenticity, or the ability to come across as knowledgeable in your field of employment, or in your representation of a product or service. How you relate to others often leads to whether or not you make the initial sale; or whether the client was impressed with your presentation enough that he/she moves your business card to the Rolodex marked “Regular Supplier” instead of “Don’t Call Again”. This particular part of the equation is not something you can accomplish overnight, but given time, resources, and the energy it is possible to master over time, and even adapt to new situations if necessary. People have to trust you and what you stand for, otherwise your words and your actions mean nothing and you bring even less to the table. Be prepared to take as much time as it needs to understand what it is that is being asked of you; and never be afraid to question the system. By regularly questioning things, you remain sharp and you have all the information needed to be in the top 1% of your field.

B is for Believability, or how genuine the prospect thinks you are. Can you deliver what you say, or should you better serve the prospect by suggesting someone more equipped to service them at this point in time? It is a risk that we all have to take, but one appreciated if it will lead you to over-delivering and under-promising. The prospect always remember the bad service more than the good, The more believable you are, the more natural the interaction, almost like two friends talking on the street. The more you deliver; the easier your name is to remember. This runs hand-in-hand with authenticity as it grounds you and gives credence to your reputation “in the industry” or in your personal dealings.

C is for Commitment, or how vested you are in a train of thought, in your organization, in your chosen field of work, to the people and products you represent or how you are perceived in your day-to-day dealings in any facet of your life. Do you believe in yourself and can you look in your mirror at the beginning of each day and know deep down that you are going to put forth the absolute best effort which you have? Do you have what it takes to ask the hard questions (if need be) or give the harder answers, even though it may cost you today? Can you be true to yourself above anyone else you deal with, and have the faith that you CAN accomplish anything you put your mind too? If the answer to any of the above questions is YES; then maybe all the years of preparation will lead to something, and quite possibly you may be the most honest person you will see today. Keep it up and the business is sure to follow.

In closing, alone each of these can only get you so far; together (if you believe in yourself and your product) they will make you unstoppable. You have the will to see it through and ensure that dealing with you is not just “another broken promise”

……Something To Think About

©2011 thedanieljsmith

Motivation

How many people get up in the morning with more energy than they know what to do with; AND can hardly wait to get the day started at the workplace? Okay, you can put your hands down now. For the rest of you, why is it so hard to get excited at the new work day? Is it because of the number of years of service (that the supervisors refuse to acknowledge)? Is it issues in the family life that distract you from the work cycle? Are you burnt out due to the stress and the pressures of the position OR are you trying to re-light the fire by locating a new job or transferring to a new branch?

Sometimes trying for the new job is not the answer, because with time you probably will feel the same as you do now: Over-worked and under-appreciated! It’s okay, because I’m sure most of us have been there and have found multiple ways over the hump, especially if your “Holidays” have either been used for the year, or are too far off to be readily excited.

What we are facing quite possibly is a lack of motivation. This stems from reasons which are totally false, to a feeling of neglect or mistreatment at the workplace. Either of these will make it hard to be happy first thing in the AM. Sometimes the best thing you can do is take a step back, and address the list of “concerns” we seem to have built. By addressing, I mean taking a good hard look at your present surroundings and remind yourself why it is you are doing what you are doing.

The majority of the time, if we are perfectly honest with ourselves: We aren’t in the present location for the money; as all the money in the world will not create a harmonious workplace if the heart is not in it. Sometimes we enter a profession because it is something we are interested in, or it is something which we are good at; either of which are reasons that can create a prosperous career.

So that leads inward to what we feel about ourselves and our future in the chosen career. Sometimes there is no easy answer as to why the boredom and frustration surface; other than what is currently going on around us, or our disdain for doing the same thing day in and day out in a rather monotonous series of steps. If that is the reason, sometimes you just have to look deep and find the reason you started in the career to begin with.

Re-igniting Motivation can be difficult but it can be a worthwhile exercise for the here and now. Find a reason for continuing and hold onto it, because on that one reason you can rebuild the structure which led to the success in your career to begin with.

If I have written about it once, it is a point I need to stress and drive home: YOU are the wheel that makes the machine function properly, not the company. YOU develop the reputation for the company, the company does not build your reputation. The company is not responsible 100% for the success or the failure you endure from time to time; they can factor into it, but the don’t deserve either the blame or the credit for your present scenario. Be able to look yourself in the mirror and tell yourself how good you are and how proud you are to be doing what you are; after all, should you drop the ball too many times, you will probably find yourself replaced with someone “allegedly” younger, faster, with more current knowledge on the field, who will work at a lower rate than you. It doesn’t have to go that way, develop a technique to address positivity and start each working day by leaving everything at home that you don’t need to accomplish an A-1 job for your employer.

When it all hits the fan, its your career and reputation that is at stake, not the companies, you have to do your best and be the example of good work that you know yourself to be. No one said in high-school (or college if you were fortunate) that maintaining a sense of positive motivation would be easy….but it is necessary.

That’s the soapbox diatribe for today… Hopefully (like always) I have left you with…Something to Think About…..

©2011 thedanieljsmith

How do you Become The Best..

Six words which form what I think is one of the great un-answered questions of all time. Others have tried, come close or failed to attain the brassiest of brass rings—and that is to discover how one becomes the best!!

Is it a course or an educational module? Is it something found with style, a trendy newspaper, or the tabloids? Is it an expression? or possibly a frame of mind? Could be…any or all of the above plus other thoughts not yet expressed. Or it could be none of the above and a complete pile of hooey, meaning that all we can get out of life is what we deserve. Maybe, Could be, Not Really (check off the one you agree with).

If it is to be thought of as a frame of mind, when do we start allowing it to form, or to create a life on its own? Childhood? Middle-School? maybe College or beyond? or could it possibly be something that is ever maturing, as we do when we realize we are older and trying to re-capture “the good old days” (free Springsteen reference!)

To be the best at anything requires sacrifice: personal, professional, spiritual and most definitely a strong belief that you really should be seen as head and shoulders above your colleagues (as a fact; not a point of bragging). This is an opportunity that may only appear once in a working career, so it is essential that you pick the spot, and truly be “The” one. As you strive to make that transition, it is really important that you remain humble in your dealings, as all those people you see on the way up will probably still be watching on your way down, and if its one thing most people don’t like, its a cocky know-it-all schmeckel-head. (pot-meet kettle; kettle-meet pot).

Work for the betterment of the whole industry, not just as a visitor in it. Play like you work and you will never consider what you do as work. Compliment the whole organization because its the right thing to do (or to strive and achieve), and a smooth moving machine rarely comes along. Its better to be considered part of the team rather than have people feel they “work” with you because they have to. Know when the time is right to move on- as people who don’t know when to leave a party, rarely find their way home.

Have a vision and a goal; strive to achieve both. Look at the end goal and make plans to see it through. Listen to those around you, as their comments and criticism should help build the foundation for that growth; and having others always listen to your voice gets old fast.

If you can see yourself achieving even part of one goal on this page; then whatever industry you are in will see progress with a talented member. Progress comes through time and hard work; and to be considered “The Best” at it-- (here is the true secret)-- is darned near impossible to achieve. You are only one person and one voice; but with that voice miracles can happen…..

Something To Think About…

©2011 thedanieljsmith

Daniel J. Smith
Community Manager 
Radical Events

Threewords Me: http://www.threewords.me/thedanieljsmith
Awesomize Me: http://www.awesomize.me/thedanieljsmith
Join My Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/iamdanieljsmith
Join My Branchout: http://bit.ly/i5uwAn

 

My profiles:            
Contact me: 

 thedanieljsmith 

 danieljsmith@hotmail.ca

Signature powered by WiseStamp 

See the full gallery on Posterous

I Want You to Want Me !!!!

“People will hate you, rate you, break you, and shake you; How strong you stand is what makes you”- Judy Reynolds, Facebook 2011.

Interesting comment I received via Facebook the other night. And how timely and true it could really be. Everyone wants to be number #1, sometimes so much so, that they forget the things they felt were important at one time, or feel that success is the be all and end all. To me, this all comes down to merit, how much faith we place in ourselves; and how much of a hold we allow others to have on our affairs.

Everybody would love at one time or another to be the “Top Dog” but what is the true cost of this position? Is it something which could consume us to the point which it becomes all we are focused on? (to the dismay of those closest to us) or will it be something that we only occasionally think about, because we are happy with the “status quo”. I think when we are younger, a good portion would be ‘A’ because we are trying to prove ourselves as a worthy employee. As we get older, not so much, as with age comes the general thought that we have taken all the steps necessary to prove ourselves; and now we are letting our drive and reputation lead the way somewhat. There will always be that young pup chomping at the bit to succeed and prove he is the new “chosen one”. One day (s)he will realize that motivation will only get you so far; sometimes skill and knowledge do trump youth.

That’s not to say that those around you won’t try at some point to burst your bubble. This could be a healthy case of jealousy over your success and what they deem “the golden horseshoe”. Skill still counts in today’s workplace and if you can receive the education needed to continually improve in your work environment, good for you! At the end of the day, it is your standard of living which you should be concerned with; and even your closest advisor isn’t going to take responsibility for your welfare. How bad do you want the “Brass Ring” and to what lengths are you willing to go before reality kicks you in the keister?

Never be afraid to be yourself; popularity contests are only for the insecure and those who know no better. by keeping your head down and your goals up, you will find a balance can be struck between what you are seen as and what you really are capable of. Stand firm, and don’t for one minute change your belief system, at the end of the day it just isn’t worth it, and probably sooner than later; the others that have been judging you, will see you were right the whole time.

Now that, is Something to Think About….

©2011 thedanieljsmith

join me on Twitter at @thedanieljsmith or on Facebook (it’s still free to follow) at this link http://on.fb.me/lQyiMu

My profiles:          
Contact me: 

 thedanieljsmith 

 danieljsmith@hotmail.ca

Please consider your environmental responsibility. Before printing this e-mail message, ask yourself whether you really need a hard copy.

See the full gallery on Posterous

How Much is Too Much?

This is probably a topic I have already had my say on. If not, please let me ramble for a few minutes on the importance of some personal information on an online profile (used to acquire business)

I think it is safe to say that most of us are active on Linked In, Twitter, Facebook, Recruiting Blogs, (or any blog in general) and on these and many other sites we have been asked to provide some information of a personal nature (Name, E-mail, Phone Number, or any way someone can contact you). Its surprising how many people don’t leave any information at all, or give half an effort, almost like they don’t want any contact, just the ability to give their point of view on anything, because it is the one that counts.

Especially interesting is the amount of people who have a fantastic looking Linked-In profile, complete with a decent profile picture and glowing recommendations, but NO e-mail address or contact phone number!! Why do half a job? It would seem to me that setting up a profile in the first place would be to attract interest, either if your abilities are needed by someone (in a hiring position), or you seem to have posted a reasonable amount of information that causes someone to wish to reach out to….

Never mind, they can’t reach out to you because you are still a phantom. Yes I am sure you answered all the questions you thought were important, but unfortunately you left out a key one—How to get in touch with you.

Even if you are just using these accounts on an employee/employer basis; something as basic as an email address or a business phone number would do wonders for people wanting more of what you appear to be selling—Your opinion.

It can be flattering to have others try to look you up. From a personal branding perspective it is almost a slam-dunk in needed information. And probably more important, giving out the e-mail from any provider does not guarantee that you will be on the receiving end of a boatload of spam, or offers to buy-in to some foreign currency scheme left by a “recently deceased” loved one.

If this is a concern, allow me to introduce you to the solution- Your delete button and your junk folder. If you start receiving alot of unwanted crap—Send it to the cleaners and give it all the respect it deserves. More times than not, you will receive solid invitations from people like yourself, looking to expand on their PROFESSIONAL Networks. It shouldn’t be perceived that giving an address equates to opening the book on your life (thats why you have personal e-mail and professional e-mail); not everyone wants to know all about you—Just what you have to offer or could possibly bring to the table in a business situation.

That is a rather large word—Business; but one that surprisingly is necessary. How do we find our leads or prospective business colleagues? A lot of them could come from everyday life; or they are contacts you have know for years and feel safe dealing with. But where does that leave the new business required to move forward and stay profitable? Do you really want to lose out on future dealings by not completely giving the necessary information at this time? Probably the answer is NO.

Yes, there are lead creating programs that could probably guess the information; but I do not see any reason why we would leave a sure thing to chance. There is even a chance that a close contact has the information you require, but that would allow someone else in on a potential business deal that you would like not to talk about until it is time.

The nice thing about generic e-mail programs is that they are readily available from most search providers. (Hotmail, Yahoo, G-Mail to name a few) if you really don’t wish a business account. However please bear in mind that the more professional your appearance; the more you will be perceived as the guy to reach out to who knows how to get things done.

Anyone who has read previous blogs will know that this is something I am passionate about; not because I am looking to change anyones business model.. but because it only makes good business sense.

PLEASE, PLEASE, if you are going to set up a fantastic profile outlining all of your good qualities and your business acumen; add that additional sentence by posting an E-MAIL Address. You may find an increase in queries and business contacts because of it. From me to you……that is…..

Something to Think About!!

©thedanieljsmith 2011

I may be reached at www.linkedin.com/in/thedanieljsmith