Archive for the 'Opportunity' Category

Write a letter, put it in an envelope and put a stamp on it. Put it in the mail. Wait a few days and amazing things can happen. Job offers come, overcharges are returned, articles are accepted, contests are won. Results that could not come any other way. The power of a simple envelope is amazing.

When you write a letter, someone on the other end will open it and read it. Unlike e-mail, a written letter is not easily deleted from the system. In todays technological world with e-mail, voice mail, and many web based apps, the written letter stands out from the crowd. Most people will not take the time to send one anymore.

You can increase the effectiveness of your letter with some customization. A high quality letter on parchment paper, sent in a linen envelope will say volumes about the sender. Just like a business suit with a power tie, a classy envelope with a powerful font and a custom postage stamp exudes style and power. You can send this Lexus of envelopes for just a few dollars, and the results can be amazing.

In the spirit of our deliberate actions series, you can send a unique letter today and find some amazing results. Here are a few ideas that come to mind to get you started.

Friends & Relatives: Grab a large colorful envelope and some crayons, markers, and colored pencils. Have the kids draw some pictures, grab some photos, and make a mini scrapbook page. Write a short letter about your family… what the kids are doing, how the vacation went, and what the future holds. Make it original, fun and upbeat. Send the letter off to grandma, the out of state relatives, or anyone else you haven’t seen in a while.

Letters To The Editor: Are you passionate about things in your community? Do you like local politics? Is there something that needs action in your town that seems to be lost in bureaucracy? Why not write a letter to the editor of your local paper? This lost art of political action can actually be very effective. Keep the letter short, to the point, and professional. Be sure to offer a solution… not just criticism. Most papers will print your letter if it meets their guidelines. Your opinion will be read by hundreds or thousands of people. One simple letter can really change things!

Resumé: When was the last time you updated your resumé? Have you thought about career advancement lately? Why not take a few hours some evening and put together a new one. Pick up a nice resumé kit and print yours out on quality paper.  A few hours spent in online research will give you some insight into the local job market. Write a short cover letter and customize it for each prospective employer. Do your homework and make sure you address it to the proper person. Send off a few and see what the response is.

Magazine articles: Do you like to write? Have you ever been published in a magazine?  Do you have specialized knowledge that others may be interested in? Why not spend a few hours over the weekend and put together an informative article for a specialty magazine. Polish it up and have a few people proof-read it for you. Send it off in a nice professional envelope with cover letter. You may be surprised to see yourself published and maybe even more surprised when the check comes in the mail. My Friend Karen Robertson has a great podcast about getting published in magazines that may help you get started.

I have personally had great results writing letters. They take a little bit of time but they are much more effective many times than an e-mail or phone call. I have had overcharges reversed, traffic tickets dismissed, and warranties fulfilled. I have received hundreds of dollars in rebate savings and even won a few prizes… all with the contents of a simple envelope.

Grab a stamp and send that envelope today.

Technorati Tags: writing, resumé, articles

As we close out 2005 today I want to put out my best-of list for 2005. This was the year of the mix, and an interesting one to boot. Almost everything on my list is a mix of different elements. There is really nothing “new” here but a fun and exciting mix of styles, times and genres. Most of these mixes work pretty well and I hope 2006 carries on the trend. Without further ado… The list…

• Best Movie: Without a doubt my favorite movie of 2005 is Cinderella Man. When you take the life story of fighter Jim Braddock and mix it with the directing talents of Ron Howard you come up with Magic! On screen performances by Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger take you back to the depression era and immerse you in the despair, hunger and resourcefulness of the time. This movie is what success is all about… overcoming immense obstacles with passion and a laser like vision. Truly a masterpiece!
• Best Album: Give pop musician John Mayer a blues guitar and bring in legendary drummer Steve Jordan and bassist Pino Palladino and you have some of the best blues-rock since Jimi Hendrix on his Stratocaster. The album is named “Try“, but this mix of talent creates a smokin’, bring the house down blues session. If you love good old fashioned guitar blues-rock, pick up this album.
• Best Designer Dog: Mix a pug with a beagle and what do you get? Why a Puggle of course! This is one of the coolest new designer breeds and a dog specifically designed for cramped city living. This little energetic pooch has short hair, a deeply wrinkled forehead, a curled tail and short little legs. This is one mix that works and they are really fun little dogs!
• Best Digital Camera: Can you put a video camera in your shirt pocket? You can if you purchase the Canon SD400. Mix a pocket size 5 megapixel camera with the abilty to capture video and throw in a 1gig SD memory card and you have a pocket production studio. This is the most fun I’ve had with a camera in a long time. I can capture great video on this little unit and play it back in just seconds on my computer. With a price under $300 this is truly a bargain!
• Best New Car: Hire away the designer of the PT Cruiser, put him in a design studio and tell him you want a remake of the 49 Chevy Suburban. That is just what GM did and the result is the Chevy HHR. A great mix of old and new with a retro look, modern high efficiency drive train, and a whopping 30 miles per gallon on the highway.  With an iPod hookup and a rear area that folds flat, this is one fun vehicle and a practical one too!

These are my picks and I’d like to hear about yours!

With the end of the year closing in fast I thought back to some of the highlights from 2005. Almost all of them have something to do with a “community”. A community is described as “A group of people having common interests.” I belong to a number of communities. At home I’m part of my family community, at work I’m part of the “technology” community, while in my spare time I’m part of a Toastmasters community, a church community and a blogging community. Some of the great things I’ve found out about community are…

1. Your family is your most important community.
Sometimes life becomes so busy we forget about our “family” community. Don’t let outside things steal away your relationships with your family and friends. Communication is very important in family communities and especially during the holidays. A phone call or letter to family members can really pull together your most important family asset.

2. A community is a place to share your heart.
As part of a small group at church I have found a great place to share and pray with others. We meet once a week and share worship together, have an uplifting study and then pray for each others needs. There is incredible power when 2 or more people pray together. I can’t tell you how many miracles we have seen as a result of prayer and sharing each others needs.

3. A community is a great place to solve problems.
I work with a talented group of technology professionals who are very helpful and open to discussion. As technology becomes more and more complicated having a group of peers that you can share ideas and strategies becomes more important than ever. I am lucky to work with a group of people that are insightful and not condescending and the synergy that results has solved many complex problems.

4. A community is a great way to meet new people and develop new friends.
In almost every community I have ever been a part of I have met interesting people and many have become lifelong friends. There is something about having a “common interest” that breaks down barriers and brings people together. Smaller groups of 10-20 people seem to be the best for networking and getting to know one another.

5. A community is a place to grow in knowledge and skills.
My life has been profoundly changed with leadership and speaking skills I have learned at Toastmasters. This is a place that you find yourself surrounded with talented people from all walks of life. The great thing about Toastmasters is the camaraderie as you progress in giving speeches and learning new skills. A group where you see people do better week after week is very encouraging.

As you write down your goals for 2006 and develop a life strategy make sure to include “community” in your plans. Here are a couple of guidelines that have been helpful to me in the past when joining a new community.

1. Look for a positive group of people. If your first group meeting is divisive and negative stay far away and find a different group.

2. Look for people with skills that you admire. If you can find a group with helpful and knowledgeable mentors you will find your personal growth greatly accelerated.

3. Look for a group with vision. Where is the group going should be one of your questions on your first visit. If they don’t have a destination or goal in mind you might want to look elsewhere.

4. Look for a fun group of people. If there is no laughter or merriment allowed the group will be a tough place to visit on an ongoing basis. Look for smiles and humor to make your visits bright!

I just want to say a special word of thanks to all of my blogging friends that I have met in 2005. The blogging community has been a very supportive and positive place for me this year. I just want to wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and Wonderful Holiday season as we all look forward to an incredible 2006!