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.
Below is an appeal for help with the NW EcoBuilding Guild’s 2nd Annual Seattle Green Home Tour. If you are interested in being involed in the realm of sustainability in the Pacific Northwest, here’s your opportunity!
As many of you know, we are hosting two sites in the NW EcoBuiding Guild’s 2nd annual Seattle Green Home Tour. A volunteer was trying to find greeters for all the sites but has fallen significantly short of the total number the tour needs - so I am making a special call out to my friends and those connected to other networks that might be able to help staff my greeters for my sites.
A greeter is someone who welcomes participants to the site, orients them of experts or activities within the home, ensures participants have signed the tour liability waiver (über important! by checking for an orange wristband and/or having them sign the waiver), and similar shtick. No experience IN green building necessary, just a passion to encourage and promote it!
It’s a great way to become more intimately involved with the tour and meet some great people along the way.
Both our sites are in West Seattle. Our house on Webster and 31st/32nd and one on Findlay, just west of California.
Open Shifts are:
Saturday, Apr 21, 9:30-1
Saturday, Apr 21, 1-4
Saturday, Apr 21, 1-4
Sunday, Apr 22, 9:30-1
Sunday, Apr 22, 9:30-1
Sunday, Apr 22, 1-4
Sunday, Apr 22, 1-4
No, I didn’t accidentally duplicate dates/times - remember we’ve got TWO sites on the tour! Also would happily take one person to do a whole day. It’s really not painful, there are several experts on each site so you can learn all sorts of great things, plus we get busy with participants, so lots of people to engage from the get-go.
If you can’t help out but know someone who might be interested, send ‘em my way! Thanks!!
There is a volunteer orientation party this coming Tuesday, Apr 17, 6pm… which, as a volunteer, you’d be welcome to attend!
(and other sites need help too, so if you/your friend doesn’t want to come to West Seattle, still connect with me and I’ll get y’all in the loop).
Contact: Laura Elfline | laura@mightyhouseconstruction.com
Menrva Labs Was Featured in the West Seattle Blog
On Saturday, I visited Village Green Organic Perennial Nursery in West Seattle/White Center, Seattle. Three hours later, I found myself deeply interested in how we can support our local businesses and local economy while building pride within the community. That’s when I thought, “hey, let’s do a cash mob here.” The concept of a cash mob, although relatively new, is a simple one. It’s basically a flash mob where people show up at a specified time and place, and bring a specified amount of money to purchase goods from a locally owned and operated business.
After making the announcement public, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Check out the article featured in the West Seattle Blog. To register for the cash mob, check out the Facebook Event Page.
Details:
Date: Saturady, April 28, 2012
Location: Village Green Perennial Nursery
Bring: $20 and energy
Link: Facebook