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A Little Blog Love

My blog could really use some love. It has been almost five years since I started Life Without A Manual. I have done quite a bit of work on it, but a makeover is long overdue. From the beginning, my plan has been to grow the blog in readership so that if I ever write a book (WHEN I write a book), I’ll already have a following. My day-to-day plan is to come up with engaging blog posts that inspire people or at least let them know that the struggle is real, and they are not alone.

That’s it. That’s my whole plan. And I know, there should be more to it.

A few years ago, I was hosting another blog in GoDaddy, and the two crossed paths. As they say in Ghostbusters (the original), “Don’t cross the streams. It would be very bad.” Well, let’s just say streams were crossed, but the world didn’t come to an end. Instead, my website crashed and took months to rebuild from scratch, which cost me a pretty penny.

In a few weeks, GoDaddy will send me a renewal notice, and I will pay for another year to exist. But, to be honest, existing isn’t enough. I want a brand. I want a social media presence. I want more. And yet, I have a terrible habit of letting my blog lag for a few months and pick it up again when the mood strikes me. For 2020, I don’t want that to happen. This is why I’m joining the Blog Audit Challenge. I need a more strategic plan, which will mean a deep dive into what is working and what could be improved upon. I’m excited about this venture, and I look forward to bringing an even better blog to you!

If you have a blog and have done a recent makeover, I’d love to hear about it! Special thanks to Lady In Read Writes for posting about the Blog Audit Challenge. 

Getting Political

Last year, my husband and I sat at a local restaurant celebrating our anniversary. We enjoyed the live music, the delicious food, and a rare moment of spending time together during a rather busy time in our lives.

It would have been a wonderful evening if it wasn’t for the party at the next table. Instead of focusing on our conversation, I couldn’t help but listen to the gentleman who was ranting about the “rigged election system” and then proudly (and loudly) proclaiming: “I’ve never voted in my life!”

He went on to say that his vote doesn’t make a difference and that all politicians are crooked. He boasted that he can’t be bothered listening to the news and would rather be blissfully ignorant and go on with his life than get involved.

“I just don’t care,” he said.

I saw his children sitting next to him, hanging on to his every word. I couldn’t help but think about how sad it was that this moment would likely mold their own attitudes toward involving themselves in our democratic process. I wanted to get up and yell at him. I’m sure others around us felt the same way.  At the very least, I wanted to tell him to shut up because he sounded like a complete idiot.

Across from me, my husband took my hand and looked at me as if to say—it’s not worth it.

Yes, our system is not perfect, but that doesn’t mean we should cease from participating in it. Don’t people realize that their laziness and ignorance contribute to the rise of a dictatorship? Do we really want to give up individual freedoms because we don’t want to be bothered by educating ourselves? I know that’s what many politicians–including our president –count on. But it is always my hope that we prove them wrong.

For the record, yes, I’m a Democrat. I believe in a woman’s right to choose and passing reasonable gun control laws. I believe in a free press and an independent justice system. I believe in regulating companies so that they don’t destroy our planet. I believe immigrants are an important and beautiful part of what makes America great. I believe our DACA children should be given a fair and respectful process toward citizenship instead of continually fearing deportation. And that’s not all, but I’ll leave it there.

I have friends and family who are Republicans. Some are fans of #45, and some are not. And because their friendship is so important to me, we get together and don’t discuss politics. Our opinions may be radically different, and that’s fine with me. I’m just happy that they are a part of the process. I want their voices to be heard just as loudly as mine. And although we may disagree vehemently, I refuse to give up a friendship because of it.

In this country, we are permitted to have our own opinions. In some countries, people are punished for expressing themselves—politically or any other way. If you want to block out what is going on in our current political climate, that’s your choice. But, please don’t brag about it—especially to your children. Let them make up their own minds.

Our future depends on it.

 

Let’s Network!

In case you didn’t know this about me, I’m a people person. I believe that the people I meet have something to teach or share with me, and I hope I can offer something to them in return. It is probably for this reason that networking events appeal to me. I always get something out of them whether I make a new friend, discover a new resource I never knew existed, or sometimes I enjoy the delicious appetizers.

Many times I go by myself, and when I get there, I’ll approach someone who is standing on their own and start up a conversation. Other times, I meet people in the parking lot, and we get to know each other while finding the right entrance to the building. When I do this, one of two things happen. Either we become fast friends, or they give nothing but one-word answers, and I quickly find a way to move on to the next victim–I mean person.

Recently, I learned there are six main reasons people network: to find a job, to get more business contacts, to socialize, to pay it forward, to learn something, or to solve a problem. At the last networking event I attended, I met someone in a similar field to me–marketing and communications. I learned that she has a lot of PR experience, something that I need to understand better for my work. She is interested in email marketing, which happens to be my area of expertise. We are meeting for coffee next month. I cannot wait to pick her brain.

Do you like attending networking events? How do you work the room? I’d love to hear about your experiences.

 

 

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