Thankfulness: My Top 6

I was exploring a variety of sources for daily scripture reading today and all seemed to provide verses and meditation on thankfulness.  Of course that makes sense with Thursday being the US National Holiday for Thanksgiving.  As such, it got me thinking about what I'm thankful for this year and in David Letterman style, following are my top 6:

6.  Lessons Learned this Year

I could write an entire blog post on lessons learned this year - and maybe I will....later.  For now, I am thankful in general for all of the lessons learned.  It was probably my toughest year yet, but in some ways, my strongest.  If I had to recap, I would highlight three lessons that I am thankful: 1) I learned to see the positive in everything and to celebrate - regardless of the circumstances or how I felt that day or that moment.  2) I learned that learning never stops - at any age, and to keep looking for the lesson in everything.  The lesson is there - I just have to be willing to look for it and acknowledge it.  and 3) I also learned that I am a better person today than yesterday.  For these lessons, I thank and praise God.

5.  Being Stretched Outside of My Comfort Zone

I've had a lot of personality testing over the years and each test comes out the same: I don't naturally gravitate to quick decisions and change.  However, I've been aware of that for years; therefore, when I have the opportunity to experience change, I embrace it rather than run from it.  Don't get me wrong, instinctively, I'd rather run, but I know in the end, that I will come out stronger and the change is generally not only necessary but a great experience, in hind site.  At the end of last year, I changed employers.  I stayed in my industry and the same type of position.  I had no idea how different it would be from one company to another - even in the same industry.  I've been stretched way outside of my comfort zone and I'm thankful for the challenges and new perspectives of looking at different practices, processes and outcomes.  Thank you to my boss, company, clients, and my new friends for accepting me, teaching me, and helping me to be a better employee, co-worker, client partner and person this year.

4.  Small Group

This is a small group of 8 - 10 people from our church that meets in our home every week.  Some are in person and some Skype in, but we all have the same purpose: experiencing life together, supporting each other and studying together, building our foundation and knowledge of God and Christ in our daily lives.  Our personalities, hobbies, background, careers, family dynamics, and interests are all varied, but we accept each other for who we were are and who we were created to be.  We each add something special to the group and to each other.  Thank you all for being real and authentic, teaching me about God and life, and allowing me to be just as authentic, regardless of my daily circumstances.

3.  Friends

I am very fortunate that I have some really great friends.  As I get older I realize their importance and how special they are to me.  Very few live in the same city anymore, but we are still great friends from a distance.  There are friends from high school, college, career, and others that were local at one time or another.  They each reached out to me this year as I needed love, support and friendship.  They loved me on both my good days and bad days.  At times they kept me fully accountable and at other times, they let me slide when appropriate.  They are my true friends; a gift from God.  I thank you for who you are and I hope that I was as good a friend to you as you were to me this year - and for many years to come.

2.  Family

My family is definitely at the top of my list this year.  We've had a tough year losing one of our own way too early.  Having said that, I'm very fortunate to have a husband, mother, brother, parents-in-laws, sisters-in-law, and nephews that each bring a unique impact and perspective on who I am.  Thank you to each one for loving me, supporting me, accepting me as I am and allowing me to be a part of your life.  I thank God for His gift of you to me and would not have made it successfully through this year without you.

1.  My Mother

Yes, my mother is on the top of my family list this year.  It's a pretty close tie with my husband as he has put up with a lot this year and has had a tremendous amount influence, love and support for me that hasn't gone unnoticed, but my mother deserves the top spot this year.  I am so thankful that she is still here and is sorting through a new reality for life.  She has always been my hero and this year she stepped up even more.  As I reflect back over the years, she has always been the cornerstone of our family and this year is no exception.  Thank you Mother - you are full of beauty, love and strength.  I thank God everyday that He gave you to me. I love you and am thankful for you beyond what my words and actions can express.

What are you thankful for this year?  I was reading one of my favorite blogs this morning and came across the 12 Most Special Ways to Say Thank You This Thanksgiving. It wasn't rocket science, but it was a great reminder to make sure that I let those that I am thankful for, know how much they mean to me.  Go in peace and make every day a day of Thanksgiving!

Personal Branding and LinkedIn

Branding is my new fascination. No, not livestock or human branding, although that would be an interesting read - or not. My fascination has taken me deep into reflection into my individual brand from both a business and personal perspective.  It's more than who am I and who do I want to be when I grow up....it's also the question of how am I perceived and who do others think I am?  This is not a new concept, people have been writing, training and blogging about it for over a decade now; but for me, it's a new attraction.

It became an appeal when I began diving deeper into social media and attempting to envision where it will take us into the future and how I want to take part in it, on the sidelines as a casual observer, in the middle of it as an engaging participant or ahead of it as a thought leader.  I've learned quite a bit since delving into it, but as with every type of technological advancement, there is so much more to learn for all of us at any level.

My focus today is what I've learned on LinkedIn.  I've been on LinkedIn for several years now and I've slowly added connections, recommendations and employment history - but all casually with no real purpose except to cater to the social part of my personality.  As I began to explore different types of social media, I began to dig deeper into LinkedIn and I came across the book "The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success" by Wayne Breitbarth.  It covers the basics, but it also brought to my attention some areas that I could begin utilizer better.  Following are three of the many lessons highlighted in Breitbarth's book that I put to immediate use on my LinkedIn profile:


The Thirty Second Bumper Sticker

Most people use this as their current company and title.  Although that information is important, I've revamped mine to demonstrate more than my position.  As Breitbarth testifies, this is our opportunity to boldly broadcast who we are and our value to the person reading it with 120 characters.  This is less than twitter, but more than is needed.  It also allows us to include key words that can be used in critical key word searches.  My bumper sticker now reads as follows:

AIReS | Global Mobility Solutions | Speaker | Author 
Relocation Strategist | Talent Management Partner


I'm an expert in strategic development to ensure each relocation and global mobility program aligns with all corporate and talent management goals, current government regulations and is measured accordingly for return on investment.  As such, I have the opportunity to work closely with corporations as well speak and write on the topic.  This is a brief description of my personal and professional brand - who I am, what I do and the value that I bring to the table.

Applications and Tools

Breitbarth lists four must-have applications for all LinkedIn users:

1. Box.net files
2. Google Presentations or SlideShare
3. Reading List by Amazon
4. Events

Following are some of the files that my profile now includes:

• US Transfer Volume & Cost Survey (Relocation Policy Stats)
• AIReS Services 
• Relocation Taxability (what's taxable and not taxable in US relocation).

This is an area that will change throughout the months, seasons and years as trends and services continue to change.

Introductions

I also learned how to appropriately seek and provide introductions. There is a proper way and it's way more than a blind email or phone call.  LinkedIn is not a free for all to invade anyone with an email or inmail.  If fact, most people don't respond to this unless there is a valid connection. If done respectfully, introductions can be provided for me and by me as appropriate.

All in all, it was a good book to breeze through and even stop and meditate on some areas.  Although I expect my LinkedIn profile to continue evolving over time, it is now more representative of my personality with my personal touch and should boldly and fearlessly demonstrate my personal and professional brand.

How about you? Does your LinkedIn profile reflect your personal brand?