I Hired Me

It was one year and five months ago that I lost my full-time job in management. I was fired. Not let go, not downsized, but fired. It was absolutely one of the happiest days of my life. I was miserable, but didn't have the courage to quit. I'm really thankful for God working that all out for me.

I'd been marketing and growing my speaking business on the side and was thrilled that I'd be able to focus on it more. That was then - this is now.

I've spent the past seventeen months spinning my wheels and have come full circle. I've met alot of wonderful people, both offline and through social media and have learned so many valuable things. I wouldn't trade the challenges, obstacles, and tears for anything, as this has truly been a learning experience.

As I enter 2010 and beyond, I'm holding tight to the positive experiences that 2009 showed me. I'm laser focused on what I want and have a relentless drive to not stop until I get it. It won't happen overnight, but I'm committed for the long haul. Each day I look for others to share my experiences with in hopes of making their journey a little less difficult. I understand that we each have to endure our own set of life experiences to get us from where we are to where we want to be and I encourage you to embrace every minute of it.

I'm here for you AND with you every step of the way. Together, we can make it happen. We've come too far to turn back now. No matter what you do, giving up is not an option. Get clear and keep moving forward.

What's your story? I'd love to hear it.

Photo credit: orangemoonapparel

Turn to Your Neighbor and Say...

It's safe to say that every speaker has their own unique way of delivering their message to their audiences. For those of you who've seen me in action, you know that I'm a "conversational" type of presenter. I'm not overly animated and I don't put on a show. My objective is to connect with my audience to make them feel as if they're talking to a trusted friend.

Not everyone has this approach and I respect that. However, I think there are times when speakers get too caught up in interactive audience participation. You know what I mean. Every other word or phrase, he/she is making you turn to your left, then turn to your right, then stand up, now sit down, repeat after me, say this out loud. We as the attendee get so focused on trying to remember and recite the phrase that we tend to forget the subject matter that's being taught.

You don't want to come across as a boring lecturer, nor do you want to appear hyper and over-caffeinated. This is why it's important for you to be your genuine self and not try to do anything that takes you outside of your comfort zone. People can tell when you're trying too hard to impress them. Public speaking isn't about winning any awards for being the best actor. It's about communicating your expertise and educating your listeners in the process.

Don't fall victim to those who want to teach you how to be a better performer. No one can be a better you than yourself. We all have room for improvement, but that doesn't translate to "room for transformation". Stay true to your own style, techniques, and delivery. Practice but don't rehearse. Figure out what works best for you and what your audience responds to and then enhance those skills. If you're having trouble, you may want to consider working with a public speaker who coaches folks on how to become better presenters.

Contact me for a quick consultation if you want to incorporate speaking into your business model. Looking forward to talking to you soon...

Diversity is not About Race

I had the honor, privilege, and pleasure of visiting my friend Ann Evanston, MA, in California this week. Ann is the Managing Director of the Oakland & San Ramon chapters of eWomen Network. This was my first visit to the west coast and it's a beautiful area. Ann's home has a fantastic view and is only minutes away from the bay.

When I told Ann that I wanted to hear her speak, she invited me to her monthly meeting AND THEN offered me the opportunity to get on the mic. She could've easily gotten caught up in herself and not given me the time of day, but that's not the Ann we all know and love. I was blown away by the group of ladies she's assembled together. I had no idea that eWomen chapters were so diverse.

All ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, and talents were represented and I can't overlook the fact that all of them are very giving people. I'm going to be flat out honest and tell you that I didn't want to leave. I'm sitting here right now trying to figure out how I can relocate in 3 years when my daughter graduates high school...seriously.

As you begin the process of trying to find the right group or organization that's a good fit for you, ask yourself these questions: "Do I look or feel like an outsider? Is it lifeless and uptight?" If the answer is yes, don't join - keep it moving. Networking goes far beyond exchanging business cards and offering up referrals. There must be a connection between you, the leader, and the group as a whole. It should be an emotional experience, something we tend to miss out on when we're only focused on closing the deal.

diverse (adj): differing one from another; 2. made up of distinct characteristics

Actually, I have my own term that I use for networking. I call it Live Marketing. It's time to put some life, energy, and sexiness into the mix. If you're local to the Austin area and want the kind of experience I had with Ann and her gang, become a contributor to The OSEC of Austin. I'll see you there!

Talk to you soon....

Individual Accomplishment - Honors Edition

I received a very formal letter in the mail, nice envelope and stationary, from Biltmore Who's Who. The letter stated, "You were recently chosen as a potential candidate to represent the professional and business community...in the Biltmore 2009 Honors Edition of Who's Who Among Executives and Professional Women." All I needed to do was return my completed verification by the deadline.

The verification form asked for the typical information such as company name, job title, phone numbers, and web address. However, there were two particular fields that caught my attention - the fields asking for industry and personal specialty. Now, it seems to me that if I'd been chosen and approved by their Committee, Biltmore would know the answer to both of these questions and would only need for me to confirm what they had listed was correct. Oh, I forgot to mention that "there is no cost to be listed. However, it is by Committee invitation only". So you mean to tell me that this presumed prestigious organization just goes around randomly selecting folks to invite without any clue as to what their "potential candidates'" professional background entails? Are you serious?

Well thanks to my good friends over at Google, within minutes I had all the information I needed to make an informed decision about Biltmore and Ms. Mandy Lowe, Registry Administrator. Take this phoney invitation and shove it! I may have been born at night, but it wasn't last night! Take a look at this feedback and you be the judge.

As you continue to build your business, be heard, and have a stronger web presence, the easier it is for perpetrators like Biltmore to find you. Sad but true. Don't let this deter you and your efforts. Keep doing great work and service in your community and legit organizations will seek you out. Incorporate public speaking into your business model and marketing strategies and the word will spread even faster. If you need any help and have any questions, I'm just a click or phone call away. You are never in this alone.

Talk to you soon...

Videography Blew my Budget

I told you all that I'd share with you what I have and am learning along my entrepreneurial journey. I've actually written two articles titled "My Big Dumb Costly Business Mistakes". Well here goes with mistake number 3 - I hired a professional videographer when I decided to launch my vlogs. What should I have done? Purchased one of those flip cams that are all the rage now for less than $200.

Sometimes I can get a bit hung up on making sure that my business reflects quality and professionalism. I've come to understand that this isn't necessary in all aspects and can become quite expensive if you're outsourcing. What does this mean for the future of my vlogs? Nothing other than I won't debut any until I purchase a flip cam or some other do-it-yourself device. (I think I may have one episode left that still needs to be published).

I'm still going to feature my Small Business Showcase here on my blog in the interim. If you know of an entrepreneur that you'd like to see mentioned, drop me an email at info@donnaljohnson.com and give me specifics of who/why. If you can recommend a small, easy to use camera I'd appreciate that too! My video clips are one of my favorite things to do. :)

Talk to you soon...

Unemployed? Unhappy with your Present Job?

I've always known that I wouldn't be an employee for my entire life. I had no problem with showing up to work, doing my job, and exceeding expectations. However, deep inside me it was never enough and I often became bored within a couple of years of being on a job. I was fired from my last job in July of 2008 and I talk candidly about this experience. I'm not embarrassed or ashamed because 1. my work/title didn't define me and 2. I didn't have the courage to quit so getting fired was a life saver.

There are millions of people who've lost their jobs involuntarily and my heart goes out to them. I've been in that situation as well. Additionally, there are probably millions of other folks who go to work every day and absolutely hate what they do, but because of the current economic conditions, they have no choice but to stay. I can relate to that as well.

No matter which category you fall into, I'm here to tell you that you can take control of your situation and circumstances. Don't allow yourself to become a victim and make excuses. Instead, make a decision to take action and turn your life and career around for the better. If you've ever thought of starting a home-based business, there's no better time than the present. If you're afraid or unsure about where to begin, I've put together an easy to read eBook to help you overcome those fears and get you going in the right direction. Look to the right of the screen and click on the link underneath my web address to purchase your copy today. I've priced it affordably, but the introductory price won't last long.

If you have any questions after you read it, feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email. I'm always here to help and you are never in this alone.

Blogging is Communicating - Commit to Comment

I took a poll on twitter to find out if people wanted blog authors to reply to comments left by their readers. Hands down - everyone who responded said yes. I asked the question because I'm not a pro blogger (if there even is such a thing) and I wanted to make sure that I wasn't falling short on delivering value to my supporters.

What I learned from asking this question is that people want two way communication when reading blogs just like any other form of communication. If you've taken the time to post a comment, the least I can do is take the time and show some love by reciprocating with a simple thank you or other relevant feedback.

I pledge to you, my readers and friends, that I will immediately begin to interact, engage, and communicate with you more here on my blog. For those of you who have blogs, I challenge you to do the same.

Talk to you soon...