It s a shame I've been sitting on this book for about two years now. A friend of mine gave me Never Eat Alone , by Keith Ferrazzi a couple years ago (thanks Rey), and it s been on my bookcase ever since. It was resting there not because I didn't want to read it, but because I already had so many others in the pipeline. I finally got around to reading it last month and I definitely recommend it. In very simple terms, Ferrazzi explains why networking is important and how to do it. From how to make call lists to planning dinners to personal branding to goal setting, it s all here. He also maintains a valuable blog .
Inevitably there will be times when you have setbacks or things don t go your way. Maybe you didn't get a job you thought you were sure to get. Maybe you lost a job unexpectedly, didn't win a contract, or lost a major client. Your car always seems to break down right after you've had some other unexpected expense. These kinds of situations immediately place us in crisis. They don t feel good, but sometimes they re what we need in order to grow. The beautiful thing about crises is that they force us to take a step back and reevaluate what s going on in our lives and rediscover what we truly want and need. When we get over that initial shock and feeling of disappointment, we might realize that maybe that job wasn't really the best for us anyway. Maybe, just maybe, that wasn't what you really wanted to spend your life doing. Maybe that friend was holding you back instead of pushing you forward. The way I deal with crises of these sorts is simple: If something doesn't go my way professionally, I try to create a situation that would be more rewarding than the situation originally planned. A while ago, I was offered a job that looked very promising. After I accepted the offer, they pushed the start date back three times, later informing me (via e-mail) that they wanted to bring me on in the near future but I should feel free to explore other options. I was extremely disappointed. I felt disrespected and angry, but decided to make the best of the situation and follow my dream of working internationally. I then flew to Santiago, Chile and had great professional and personal experiences I wouldn't have had otherwise. Later, reflecting back on the original opportunity, I realized that working for a company that avoids a start date three times and then can t pick up the phone to explain the situation is probably not where I need to spend my time. Use setbacks as an opportunity to put your goals in order and act on them. In the moment, it s difficult to look at a setback as temporary, but they are. They happen to everybody. It s how you respond to them that will determine how they affect you.
Leslie Cervantez produces artistic masterpieces when she steps behind the lens of a camera. She’s a perfect example of what is possible when somebody merges a high level of skill with a high amount of passion. Last week I took a day trip to Houston, TX to join the fortunate people who have had the privilege to work with her. Cervantez has the unique ability to relate to her subjects and put them at ease, relaxing her clients into the poses that bring out their true essence. Whether she is photographing people or places, she pushes the envelop to transcend typical “shots” and produces works of art. Within a matter of hours I had 240 pictures, 6 proofs, and two fully edited, print-ready images.
Working with Leslie reaffirmed my appreciation of local business and micro-economies. When a person’s livelihood depends on their use of a set of skills, they tend to develop those skills and put their heart and soul into their work. That’s exactly what she does and it shows in her work.
If you find yourself in need of any photography, I fully recommend Leslie Cervantez Photography.
Twitter: @lesliece
Born and raised in San Antonio, TX, Garcia graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio and is currently serving an Americorps Vista year of service in Seneca Falls, New York, home of the Women’s Rights Movement, where she is helping build sustainability for the United Way. For her 30th birthday, she focused on creating a sustainable solution to hunger while building community. What’s next for this amazing individual? We’ll let her tell her story…
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Twitter: @marissaRgarcia