Many people I know consider networking to be phony, selfish and a colossal waste of time.  I’ve attended plenty of events that fit that description.  But networking is still a way to be of service to others, get to know other people, grow your business and uncover the “hidden” job market.

Last month I was heading downtown for a meeting and I noticed something interesting at the bus/train terminal:  I was mobbed by political candidates and their supporters that were shaking hands and handing out pamphlets.  I even shook the hand of the winning candidate in a very close political race.  After a few moments, I realized why she was there… it was the day before the primary election.

These days I’m more cynical than ever about politics…the Chicago airwaves have been loaded with commercials from candidates who promise to represent their citizens and be their voice.  There’s so much mud being slung, I feel like I need a shower.

I thought back to the candidate whose hand I shook that day: even though I wanted her to win because I felt she was the best choice, the handshake seemed hollow.  Would she be standing there shaking my hand if she didn’t need my vote?

I think networking is much the same way.  We work hard adding new contacts to our LinkedIn profiles and new business cards to our collection. But how many of us keep in touch with our existing contacts before we need their help?  To me, this is one of the most important aspects of networking.

Whether you’re working or in transition, make it a point to get in touch with those friends or acquaintances  in your network that you haven’t talked to in a while.  Let them know what you’re up to and if there’s any way you can help them.  Networking isn’t just about building new relationships its also about maintaining them.

Alright, sorry to sound preachy.  I write this post not as an expert, but as someone who has felt like I’ve talked to my network too many times in moments of need and not enough times in moments of strength or when I didn’t need a favor.

How about you…what person from your past have you had coffee with lately?  Who have you been meaning to get in touch with just to say hi?

Flickr Creative Commons illustration courtesy of Aiden Jones.

As a passionate rock and roll fan, I can listen to guitar players all day.  Give me Beck, Clapton, Vai, Satriani, Lynch, Santana, Buddy Guy and even James Taylor…the list goes on.  But when it comes to rock and roll singers, there are few that I like as much as Jeff Scott Soto.  Huh?  ‘Who is this guy?‘ you’re wondering.

Jeff Scott Soto has been singing in a number of bands since the mid-1980’s when he came onto the scene playing in guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen’s band.  He enjoyed a short stint as Journey’s lead singer a few years ago, has toured with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and has fronted a long list of hard rock and funk bands.  Roughly a year ago, he came out with a solo album called Beautiful Mess (not an affiliate link) and this song, “Hey” is probably my favorite.  It’s high energy, upbeat and has positive lyrics and a very catchy chorus.

If you’re looking for a little extra pep in your step, give a listen and have a great weekend!

I came to an important personal realization in the past few weeks and throughout the past couple job searches.  It’s mostly common sense, but sometimes in the muck of job hunting, figuring things out and living “in transition” we forget.  It’s perhaps the number one rule for those of us looking for work or working solo…

Don’t Surround Yourself With Yourself

I’ll be the first one to admit…job hunting or being in transition is one of the loneliest times in a person’s life.  Whether we are married or single, there’s a good chance that we spend most of our time alone during the day and possibly the evening, as well.

Often, this time spent alone leads us to feel isolated and filled with doubt, anxiety and uncertainty.  This situation often causes us to lose focus and it usually slows our productivity.  I know, I’ve been in this situation more than I care to admit.  I also talk to a lot of people who are experiencing this.

But thanks to blogging, networking and using my local career center, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with others in many different ways…which has made all the difference in the world.  So if you’ve been spending way too much time by yourself whether you are job hunting or running your own company, here are few ideas…

Go to a coffee shop or bookstore for coffee

This is one of my favorite places to go when I’m feeling isolated and caged in.  Get a window seat if possible.  If you really want to be approachable don’t listen to your iPod or MP3 player.  In recent months I’ve had some great conversations with other coffee shop patrons…especially a woman I met from the Netherlands.  We talked about our countries and as we parted, she invited me to stay with her family if I ever visit her country.

Find a meetup group

There are meetup groups in your area about almost every topic…pick something that you’re interested in and attend a meeting.  I’ve attended a few of these groups and was amazed how much I had in common with other members.  In Chicago, there’s even a group for English Bulldog lovers…Check out meetup.com.

Attend a networking session

There are a lot of different networking sessions out there.  Some are held in more conservative locations such as a church, school or office.  Other networking sessions are held in social locations such as bars and restaurants.  It does not matter…the key thing is to put yourself out there.  Practice your elevator pitch.  Also, approach the event as an opportunity to help other people, not the other way around.  Last summer, I attended a networking event where I had the opportunity to help a recent college grad in my field and it was a really rewarding experience for me.

Create or find an accountability group

In recent years, I have witnessed and experienced the magic of group support.  Call it an accountability group or a mastermind group…the important thing is that you have an opportunity to share what you’ve learned or ask questions in a supportive environment.  While these groups do offer its members opportunities to complain and commiserate, they are intended to hold members accountable and motivated to take action.  Visit your local career center to find out more about these groups.  While I haven’t read the book yet, Keith Ferrazzi’s Who’s Got Your Back? touches on the importance of these “lifeline” groups.  For resources on starting your own group, check out his Who’s Got Your Back? site here.

“Army of One” may have been a marketing slogan from the U.S. Army a couple years back, but it doesn’t need to be our motto during a job hunt or during time spent as owner of a small business.

How about you…what are your favorite ways to remain connected?

Flickr Creative Commons photo courtesy of Extra Medium.

Billy Collins is former United States Poet Laureate and hailed by the New York Times as “the most popular poet in America.” While I’m still getting familiar with his work, I know that he has a stellar reputation. I was at Borders the other day and saw a book of his poems near the front of the store. As someone who loves poetry and putting great thoughts into words, I found this poem highly entertaining and profound. I hope you do too…

In the past few weeks, I will admit that I felt pretty indifferent about watching the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.  I can still remember a young, sports nerd version of me watch the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team capture the gold medal, snatching glory from the heavily-favored Soviet Union team.  As young as I was, I could sense how impossible that accomplishment was.  As much as it was a life-changing moment for the young men on the ice that day, it still had a profound impact on my life as I watched in my living room.

Thirty years later, I’m much less impressionable and much more cynical than I was when I witnessed “the impossible” in Lake Placid, New York.  But watching the Winter Olympics last week, I witnessed two amazing feats of sportsmanship, talent and pure desire that inspired me and caused me to really take notice.

The first feat was Lindsey Vonn capturing the gold medal for downhill skiing.  She came into the Olympics as one big question mark with an injured and sore shin.  Somehow, she pulled it together for an amazing downhill run that had her, at times, skiing on one leg.   I’ve heard plenty of people with their conspiracy theories that she was never actually injured…but I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and say that I was amazed to see her flying downhill at a blazing rate of speed.  Through hard work, determination and gritty effort, she pulled it off.

The second feat was Shaun White’s gold-medal winning performance on the half pipe.  I must confess, I’ve missed just about every X Games in history, but I was looking forward to seeing what Shaun White was all about.   I will say that I was absolutely blown away by his snowboarding talents and abilities.  It was obvious to me, a complete snowboarding newbie, that he is miles ahead of his competition.  To sample a little bit of his magic, check this video out…

One thing is certain: no matter which sport we enjoy or which country we come from there are numerous stories of sacrifice and practice from countless athletes at the Winter Olympics.  The best of the best.  These athletes are great reminders to us that they are in Vancouver on purpose, not by accident.

For an interesting video and some insight about how Shaun White prepared for the Olympics, check out this post from author of The Talent Code, Daniel Coyle.

Today is the second birthday of 360 Degree Self!  While I first created this blog on Blogger back in November of 2006, my first post wasn’t until more than a year later on February 17, 2008 when I wrote about the tragic Valentine’s Day murders at my old school, Northern Illinois University.

Like any two year-old, I’m still learning to walk and getting acclimated to blogging.  I also look at blogging much the way a two year-old approaches the world: with beginner’s mind.  Sure, I bring a lifetime of experiences, but I try to write with an open-minded approach.

When I started my blog, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  While I didn’t really have many specific goals, I did have visions of lots of subscribers, tons of traffic and perhaps an opportunity to make money.  I figured “this blogging thing” couldn’t be too hard.  Ha ha, I was wrong!  My early intention was to write some sort of personal development/self-improvement/life hack/marketing type blog, but I never wanted to come off here as preachy or as some sort of expert.

I will continue to focus on topics that contribute to well-rounded living…hopefully in an entertaining and informative manner.

What I do know is this:  I have met some incredible people through my blog and even met some friends.  This absolutely blows me away.  I am amazed at all of the connections I have made not only here, but on other blogs.  I want to thank you for coming here, contributing and being a part of this little “community.”

Creative Commons photo courtesy of kyz.

Just in time for Fat Tuesday this week is one of my favorite blues musicians, Buckwheat Zydeco. Born Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural Jr., he’s been playing his brand of zydeco music for more than 20 years and recently won a Grammy Award for his latest CD, Lay Your Burden Down. I’ve been a fan of Mr. Zydeco since a co-worker introduced me to his music in 1988. If you like the blues, you’ll probably like this…I enjoy zydeco because it is a very happy cheerful style of blues. Here’s a Buckwheat Zydeco tune with a nice groove. Enjoy your weekend…

Back in my college days, one of my favorite memories was walking out of a class feeling enlightened.  You know, the feeling of having that a-ha moment.  I still remember a media studies lecture which explored small group behavior through the characters in the movie The Poseidon Adventure. That lecture was both profound and incredibly entertaining.  Today, I can proudly admit that I am an idea geek.  While I am no longer in school, the internet provides us with many places we can exchange ideas.

One such place is at TED.  While TED originally stood for technology, entertainment and design, their focus has evolved to “ideas worth spreading.”  For me, the TED site makes me feel like a kid in a candy store and it allows me to have those a-ha moments over and over again.

This past week, I had the opportunity to attend the TEDx Windy City event, which explored the theme of creative convergence.  I went into the event incredibly tired after a day of painting, but walked out feeling energized and enlightened.

I particularly enjoyed Donald Marinelli’s lecture about blending theater and craftsmanship with computers and technology.  Marinelli, from Carnegie Mellon University, worked closely with the late Randy Pausch.  While his presentation was delivered via Skype due to weather-related travel problems, Marinelli’s entertaining delivery held everyone’s attention.  For an example of Marinelli’s delivery style, check out this different TED lecture.

Other speakers included Dawn Hancock, creative director and owner of Firebelly Design and Zach Kaplan, CEO of Inventables.  Both Hancock and Kaplan, through their example, challenged all of us in the audience to explore our passions and follow our bliss.

If there happens to be a TED event in your area, I invite you to check it out.  Or visit the official TED site.

Another place that I like to visit for some great ideas is ChangeThis, a site loaded with numerous PDFs and manifestos.  According to their site, ChangeThis is “on an important mission to spread ideas and change minds.” On it you’ll find downloadable documents from great thinkers such as Seth Godin, Sally Hogshead, Jonathan Fields and Keith Ferazzi to name just a few.

I really enjoy how ChangeThis gives everyone the opportunity to spread a great idea or find out about new ideas.  Some recent topics include How to Read a Business Book,  The Myth of Overnight Success, Seven Ways to Reinvent Yourself or the Need to Remember Our Aging Veterans.  I know I’ve downloaded my share of manifestos over the years.

If you think you have a great idea or if you’re curious about other great ideas, please visit ChangeThis…who knows, maybe it will change you.

Have a great weekend!

I’ve laughed and I’ve done yoga, but I’ve never participated in any laughter yoga activities.  Seeing that laughter is such an important word for me this year, I’ve included a very interesting and informative clip about laughter yoga.  I know of a few laughter yoga groups in my area that I’ve been meaning to visit and I intend on getting there soon (which I hope to write about at a later time).  In the meantime, enjoy the video and have a great weekend…

How about you…have you participated in any laugh events and, if so, how did it make you feel?

Winter is a tough time of year…and the need to take a break and get away for awhile is important.  I did that earlier in the week and went to, perhaps, one of my favorite places in Chicago…the Art Institute.  Last year, the Modern Wing designed by award-winning architect Renzo Piano, was added to the already amazing building.  I have included a few shots from recent days and earlier last summer…an exterior shot of the Modern Wing looking southeast on Monroe Street…

An interior shot in the Modern Wing…

An interior shot of the entrance area of the Modern Wing facing north.  If you look closely into the distance, you can seen another Chicago gem, Millennium Park…

As you can tell, the Modern Wing offers visitors a bright place for visual stimulation.  While I hope and think you’ll enjoy these pictures, they do not match the magic of visiting in person.  If you happen to be in Chicago in the month of February, The Art Institute has free admission for the entire month.

First in a series of posts of places that inspire me…I will share more places from time to time.