In today’s Monday Minute, I discuss how you need to listen to yourself when doing work for clients and building your business.
Blog Archives
Inspire Series: 4 Tips to Stay Motivated and Inspired
Jas’ note: I’m beyond thrilled to have Heather Whaling as the first poster in this Inspire Series. She’s one of the hardest working pros around and she has plenty to share, as you’ll see.
When I launched my own company in 2009, I had no way of predicting where the journey would lead, but I stayed focused on a core purpose: I was 100% committed to building a PR firm that people would want to work for and companies want to work with. Three-plus years later, we’re well on our way. I’m fortunate to work with an amazingly talented team and clients that I truly believe in.
So, how do I keep from slipping into neutral and just letting life progress as-is? If you’ve reached a point in your career where you feel like you’re doing what you set out to do, congratulations. But, don’t stop. Don’t get comfortable with status quo.
When Jason asked me to write about what motivates and inspires me, I spent some time reflecting. Here are my four tips for staying motivated:
Define your all. What matters most to you? There’s a lot of debate right now about “having it all,” but what does that actually mean? In PR – a professional where we often feel like we’re always on the clock – how do you blend personal and professional goals to create the life you want? At work or at home, you need to set your priorities. (If you don’t set them for yourself, someone else will.) If you take time to define your “all,” then you’re equipped to proactively make decisions that will move you toward those lofty aspirations. Living life on your terms is motivating.
Act like an owner. In her book [Re]Frame: Little Inspirations for a Larger Purpose, Sarah Evans encourages readers to act like an owner. As she notes, “We are more likely to take better care about something when we ‘own’ it. Even if it’s merely changing how we view what it means to us. If you want to be happier at work, change how you think about work.” Even if you’re not technically the company owner, shift your mindset. As Sarah says, “own your work, or go find something worth owning. There is no option C.” When you feel personally invested something, you’re naturally more motivated to make it succeed.
Embrace the crazy. This has become the de facto motto in our office, as well as my own life. A career in PR, while fulfilling, can lead to some unavoidable chaos. Plus, personally, I’m embarking on a new adventure, as a small business owner and a mom-to-be, both of which are demanding, unpredictable situations. Instead of stressing about it, I’ve decided to simply embrace the crazy. As I’ve learned, the less you dwell on the impending “crazy,” the more you can enjoy wherever the road leads you.
Find your energy. During the next couple weeks, pay extra attention to those moments when you feel incredibly energized. What happened? Did you land a major media placement for a client? Create a piece of content that resonated with online communities? Land a new client? Mentor someone? Volunteer in your community? Whatever it is – and whenever/wherever it occurs – take note. After a couple of weeks, you’ll spot emerging patterns. Then, you can start to purposefully recreate similar situations. As you infuse activities into your week to generate this positive burst of energy, you should become an even more motivated self-starter.
Your turn: How do you stay motivated and inspired so you can apply your best self to whatever you’re doing at home or at work?
About Heather: As president of Geben Communication, Heather Whaling (aka @prTini) leads new business development, client relations and strategic planning for the firm. An avid Twitter user, Heather can trace 75% of Geben’s business back to relationships that began online. This ability to turn social networking into business outcomes has helped Geben evolve into a highly respected, sought-after, award-winning PR firm. Want to learn more? Connect with Heather: Blog • Twitter • Instagram
Getting Creative with HAPPO: A Chat Recap
On Thursday, May 2, public relations pros and job seekers gathered for the #HAPPO chat on Twitter. The topic this time around was “Creative Job Search Strategies.” The job market can be a tricky place to maneuver, so the more advice you have, the better off you could be.
Here are some great tips from pros that took part in the chat.
Jason Ginenthal’s point is a terrific one to keep in your job search/application quiver. Show an employer you “get” what they are doing.
This isn’t asking to “pick your brain.” What Abbie Fink is saying here is that it’s a good idea to get to know someone. You never know where it could lead.
Believe it or not, there are hiring managers that are NOT on social. Keep Alyssa’s tweet in mind when applying for a job.
Talk about being creative! I included this to show you that Richie was thinking outside the box. Sometimes that is what it takes when looking/applying for a job.
This point from Anne discusses LinkedIn invites/connections. Don’t just go for what LinkedIn gives you. Personalize your message and show you care enough to connect.
Do you have other creative job search strategies? Let us know in the comments and thanks to everyone for participating on May 2. As always, use the hashtag #HAPPO if you have a job or tip you want to share.
What I’ve Learned So Far
Over the last few weeks, I’ve begun to do some soul-searching. This has nothing to do with being unhappy or frustrated. It has everything to do with challenging myself to be better, to learn more and to understand the business I’ve started.
I was watching “Life After Top Chef” on Bravo the other night. Each of the former contestants have their own challenges in their life as business owners. Richard is balancing home life with his new restaurant opening; Jen is trying to find her way after her own eatery fell through, and Spike is balancing his new restaurant and his family having a part in it.
But, it was Fabio that really struck me. He likes to be in control, as do I. But, he’s attempting to delegate more, so he can have more time to look at his overall business. I thought to myself, “I figured these guys would have it all taken care of.” Not so. And that’s where my education began.
We never stop learning and shaping ourselves. I may feel like I’m doing great, but I still don’t know everything and I never will. I’m not a Jedi, guru, or ninja. I’m a student, always (as my friend Stephanie Florence likes to say).
See, what I’ve learned so far as a consultant, business owner and speaker is that everyday is an education. You make a mistake? Admit it, learn from it and press on. Use that teachable moment, not to sulk, but grow.
We as PR pros, social media managers, and marketers have undergone many changes. We are constantly evolving. In this evolution, we become more learned. But we also need to take stock in how far we have come.
It only takes a few moments to understand our growth. So, step back and realize how far you’ve come. It may be a chance to really help you understand your success.
Building the Bridge
This time last year, I put my daughter on the bus for her first day of kindergarten. Little did I know that the bus doors opening to her new beginning were a metaphor of what was to come for her father.
One year ago, I was let go from my job. It was the best thing that could have happened to me. My own “bus doors” were opening to the start of my consultancy, JRM Comm. The ride so far has been exciting, exhilarating, draining and stressful. Read those four words again. This was not something I ever expected.
I’m going to be brutally honest. There are days that I’m still learning about running my own business. Does this affect my work with clients? Absolutely not. But, I’ve struggled with the behind the scenes things. I want to be the best. But there are days that I’m not the best. As a matter of fact, there are days where my batting average is zero.
That is the biggest test for me; trying to understand the balance of success and failure. My highs are very high. When it comes to my lows, I let the little things get to me. Why hasn’t this mail come through? How can someone actually post that on Facebook? When is this potential client going to respond?
My wife said something great to me the other night. She told me, “You need to be real. Don’t be someone online and a different one off of it.” This is something I mention and talk to people about all the time, yet I’m not listening to my own (and my wife’s) advice. Well, that changes now.
I’ve decided to build the bridge. This phrase is something that New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin told the team prior to the start of the 2012-13 season. He said:
“‘Build the Bridge’ means to carry over all the good things that happened at the end of the season last year over into the new season. The qualities that allowed us to go forward and win the World Championship.”
While this may not sound like the most inspiring thing in the world, that phrase is key for me. By building a bridge from the good things that happened and eliminating the negatives, I can be a better business owner, PR pro and speaker.
I’m lucky to be in this position… and I’m thankful for the support I’ve had from family and colleagues. My advice to you? Build your bridge, but don’t try to do it in one day. You’ll find success over time, not overnight.
That’s reality and something I absolutely embrace.
NHL/NHLPA Face PR Issues with Lockout
For the second time in eight years, the National Hockey League has locked out its players. In 2004, the lockout wiped out the whole season. At that time, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman sought fiscal responsibility (read: Salary Cap) and a better game. He seemed to have received it.
Teams are (apparently) better off now than they were eight years ago. Well, ok, let’s not include the Atlanta Thrashers; they picked up and left for Winnipeg and became the (new) Jets.
Here is what Commissioner Bettman said during the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals:
“During the regular season, we played to nearly 96% of capacity and attracted about 21.5 million people, and we’re at nearly 102% of capacity for the playoffs.
In the face of what remains a challenged economy, we estimate that we did $3.3 billion worth of business, which is another record for revenues for us. I can’t thank adequately our fans, business partners and broadcasters for all of their support.
In addition, we had record ad sales, record sponsorship activation, connecting our sponsors’ brands with our brands and with our fans on a deeper level than ever before. We look forward to an even brighter future in traditional and non-traditional media.”
Pretty rosy outlook, eh? Fast-forward to September. The lockout took effect on the 19th because… team owners feel they are losing too much money using the Collective Bargaining
Agreement system that expired. So is the NHL a moneymaker or is the league not as strong as the commissioner has said?
This is PR issue number one for the NHL, which is coming off a season where a top five market (Los Angeles) won the Stanley Cup. The NHL must be up front and transparent. Are you losing money or is the league strong? No fuzzy math is needed, commissioner.
Should there be a sympathetic eye put towards to NHL Players Association? Just because they are locked out, doesn’t mean they are without blame. The NHLPA is already ramping up their PR, with players tweeting and saying that they want to play in front of the best fans in the world.
Sure, that’s great but if the players care for what is “best for the sport” they’ll work harder at getting a deal done. The players are winning the PR “war” now, but if this continues to stretch, the Donald Fehr-led players’ association will find less and less support.
I put the question out to folks on Twitter and Facebook on Wednesday: Will the NHL and NHLPA still have a PR issue when the lockout eventually ends? Here are some of your thoughts.
Dan Carubia (via Facebook)- This is all about money, greed and power on both sides. No one wins here, but in the end TV income will be there, sales of team apparel will be profitable and fans will have interest, (especially the) Canadian cities, original six cities and a hand full of others (Philly, Pittsburgh, St. Louis).
John Trader (via Facebook)- I think that if the season is lost, there will be a PR problem. Since you are talking about a league that plays fourth fiddle to MLB, NFL and NBA and is already behind the eight ball in revenues and popularity, this will have some damaging effects. If they somehow manage to salvage part of the season, it will be less damage control. I know one thing – the two sides are far, far apart of revenue sharing discussions so bring in some firewood and warm up the cocoa – it’s going to be a long winter.
James McCusker (via Facebook)- The NHL should have learned its lessons after the last lockout, but I think the main reason this lockout is happening is the NHLPA hiring Donald Fehr as their president. When I saw he was hired, I knew there would be a work stoppage.
My feeling? The NHL will take the brunt of the PR pain. Eight years ago, fans were upset about the lockout, but understood the reasons. The players were seen as having had their way for too long. Now, the owners want some more control of fiscal responsibility, but owners are still throwing money around.
So, what do you think? Let me know in the comments.
