I have many years of sales and marketing experience, developing long-term professional relationships through face-to-face interaction. In my former life, I developed a reputation for excellence through word of mouth advertising. My business was local. My clients were neighbors & friends. Then came the internet, disseminating volumes of information globally.
So like many of us, confused and overwhelmed by the learning curve, I resisted using the internet. Then I started making music. Reluctantly, I joined the 21st Century in 2006, setting up web pages on selective Indie music sites to showcase my songs. I meandered into uncharted territory, establishing SassyAlternativeMusic.com. Woo-hoo! I did it. Now how do I get people over to the site?
Then I met Jim Sutton on LinkedIn in April, 2009. He is unique in his sincere willingness to provide direct support to the people and causes in which he believes. Fortunately for me, Jim takes action to co-create his life and the world around him, finding my brand of music to be consistent with his philosophy. Although I’m far from a social-media networking expert, Jim has taken me under his wing and guides me though the maze of technique and etiquette required for successful marketing.
‘tude vox Ro: Jim, in a world of rampant greed and self-interest, you are extraordinary. What motivates you to help others succeed?
Jim: I firmly believe in giving forward and it will come back: You Reap What you Sow. This idea pops up all over. See every religion for examples. Pat Weber had Bob Burg, co-author of The Go-Giver, as a speaker on Blitztime.com in November of this year. She posted a series ( http://prostrategies.com/wordpress/2009/11/go-giver-thanksgiving-with-gratitude/ ) of 5 blog posts summarizing the key points of the Go-Giver attitude. You can visit the Go-giver book site at http://www.thegogiver.com/ The Go-Giver is a great summary of the idea.
Throughout history (and currently) there has been a group of individuals focused on themselves (greedy) and another group who are other-focused (saints). Between these extremes live the rest of us. Why use anothers' self-centeredness as an excuse to not help others?
I think there are a lot of good people all around us. Just look. I watch TV and read news feeds and they highlight the one in 10,000 who does something evil and unethical in a big way and they go on and on and on and on about it. I move through my day and see the other 9,999 good people (not perfect, but not evil), so I don't watch much TV. I see people helping each other, sharing and caring. Now, they are not perfect and have bad days just like you and I, but 99% are good and do good work and good deeds.
Napoleon Hill, the first modern self-help writer and speaker, pointed out that the Golden Rule is the key to success. What I do is as simple as: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
A key to why I feel comfortable with this approach is that, like Einstein, I believe this is a kind universe and that people are generally good, although not perfect. I am not perfect, so why hold you and others to that standard.
When we look at others as if they are walking crime bombs, we cannot attract cooperation from them easily. If you see the good in them it attracts more good and enhances cooperation. Much of the key to this approach is to realize that we are not perfect, are a work-in-progress, and so are others. If you assume positive intent, cooperation is much more likely than assuming others are greedy and out to get you.
‘tude vox Ro: What drew your interest to social networking? How has it helped you?
Jim: Job Search. In 2006 I realized I needed to network. It was pretty apparent the power generation station I worked at was in danger of shutting down with layoffs to follow and I knew I needed to get ready. I set a networking goal, and it was pretty much a failure for a while... quite a while. I was on a 18 month assignment and as it slowed down last November I really started working on Linkedin.com and figured out how to use it. I discovered Blitztime.com. Then I moved to Twitter. Networking has opened up amazing opportunity and development opportunities for me. I have met so many people through my networking I don't know where to start. Writers, bloggers, my current partners, school mates, chess players, performance consultants, and the list goes on and on. Every current project, except college teaching, is a direct result of my networking and all within the the last 14 months.
‘tude vox Ro: What are your favorite networking sites and why? (Please include links where people can connect to you)
Jim: Blitztime.com is first because it features one-on-one conversations. In a 5 minute conversation you can learn so much more than simply reading a Linkedin profile. Blitztime.com is a subscription service and well worth it to meet other professionals.
Linkedin.com is next and my flagship networking area. LinkedIn's Questions and Answers are a great place to learn about anything you are interested in and meet others who are also. Groups are also a good place to gain information and connections and with 250,000 there is something for everyone.
Innovative, fast paced, informal: Twitter is the one I have the most fun with. I am eating my words on this one. I called Twitter stupid, impractical and pretty much useless. There is a big lesson here about being open minded and not judging too quickly. I did not have the proper tools to use Twitter effectively. Give me a big DUH on that one.
Facebook is currently not part of my professional networking. I send my tweets to Facebook and they spark comments from my family and friends and we stay in touch chatting back and forth.
‘tude vox Ro: How did you get into the positive mental attitude arena? What are the results to your life? (do you offer coaching services? If so, where do people go to find out more?)
Jim: I have been interested in personal development since my teens and the first exposure I remember was an Earl Nightingale record my parents had. A vinyl disk and needle setup: physical contact/ non-digital. You can find them in antique stores and museums now.
I purchased a Success Motivation Institute distributorship in the late 1980s and failed to make a profit and that was a great learning opportunity.
Results of my studies? More peaceful moments and fewer stressful moments.
‘tude vox Ro: Why did you start writing? What do you write about? (please self-promote)
Jim: I am currently writing about, Learning, virtual worlds and Web 2.0.
I wanted to write since I was a teen and I went in the Navy, started a family (and am still trying to finish it... no one tells you how to do that part) and got distracted. I went to school online one class at a time from 1996 until 2006 to complete my BA and a masters in Training and Performance Improvement. Now that I am finished with that project and job change is complete for now, I am researching and writing about, learning, the digital age and virtual worlds.
‘tude vox Ro: What are your hopes and dreams for your future?
Jim: Vision: A Smile on the 21st Century.
Mission: Facilitating understanding in the digital age
Passion: Learning and Performance Improvement /Dad/Freelance Writer.
My hope is to live in the moment and if others do this also, that will be a good thing. My good friend said it well: Happiness is created by me, not given to me.-Bonnie Gortler Another way to say this may be: World peace is created by individuals, not given to them by governments. We become what we think about is echoed over and over in self-help programs and religions: think/be peaceful for a smile on the 21st century.
I cannot say it better than Gandhi, so I will use his words:
"My life is my message." ~Mahatma Gandhi
"There is more to life than increasing its speed." ~Mahatma Gandhi
Jim Sutton
JimSutton@gotlearning.com
*My Social Networking Manager: http://xeesm.com/JimSutton
*Second Life: "Jeff Oatsmill" http://slurl.com/secondlife/imagiLEARNING/24/6/21/
Thank you Jim. I appreciate your help personally and appreciate that you are taking an active role in co-creating the world in which we live.
So like many of us, confused and overwhelmed by the learning curve, I resisted using the internet. Then I started making music. Reluctantly, I joined the 21st Century in 2006, setting up web pages on selective Indie music sites to showcase my songs. I meandered into uncharted territory, establishing SassyAlternativeMusic.com. Woo-hoo! I did it. Now how do I get people over to the site?
Then I met Jim Sutton on LinkedIn in April, 2009. He is unique in his sincere willingness to provide direct support to the people and causes in which he believes. Fortunately for me, Jim takes action to co-create his life and the world around him, finding my brand of music to be consistent with his philosophy. Although I’m far from a social-media networking expert, Jim has taken me under his wing and guides me though the maze of technique and etiquette required for successful marketing.
‘tude vox Ro: Jim, in a world of rampant greed and self-interest, you are extraordinary. What motivates you to help others succeed?
Jim: I firmly believe in giving forward and it will come back: You Reap What you Sow. This idea pops up all over. See every religion for examples. Pat Weber had Bob Burg, co-author of The Go-Giver, as a speaker on Blitztime.com in November of this year. She posted a series ( http://prostrategies.com/wordpress/2009/11/go-giver-thanksgiving-with-gratitude/ ) of 5 blog posts summarizing the key points of the Go-Giver attitude. You can visit the Go-giver book site at http://www.thegogiver.com/ The Go-Giver is a great summary of the idea.
Throughout history (and currently) there has been a group of individuals focused on themselves (greedy) and another group who are other-focused (saints). Between these extremes live the rest of us. Why use anothers' self-centeredness as an excuse to not help others?
I think there are a lot of good people all around us. Just look. I watch TV and read news feeds and they highlight the one in 10,000 who does something evil and unethical in a big way and they go on and on and on and on about it. I move through my day and see the other 9,999 good people (not perfect, but not evil), so I don't watch much TV. I see people helping each other, sharing and caring. Now, they are not perfect and have bad days just like you and I, but 99% are good and do good work and good deeds.
Napoleon Hill, the first modern self-help writer and speaker, pointed out that the Golden Rule is the key to success. What I do is as simple as: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
A key to why I feel comfortable with this approach is that, like Einstein, I believe this is a kind universe and that people are generally good, although not perfect. I am not perfect, so why hold you and others to that standard.
When we look at others as if they are walking crime bombs, we cannot attract cooperation from them easily. If you see the good in them it attracts more good and enhances cooperation. Much of the key to this approach is to realize that we are not perfect, are a work-in-progress, and so are others. If you assume positive intent, cooperation is much more likely than assuming others are greedy and out to get you.
‘tude vox Ro: What drew your interest to social networking? How has it helped you?
Jim: Job Search. In 2006 I realized I needed to network. It was pretty apparent the power generation station I worked at was in danger of shutting down with layoffs to follow and I knew I needed to get ready. I set a networking goal, and it was pretty much a failure for a while... quite a while. I was on a 18 month assignment and as it slowed down last November I really started working on Linkedin.com and figured out how to use it. I discovered Blitztime.com. Then I moved to Twitter. Networking has opened up amazing opportunity and development opportunities for me. I have met so many people through my networking I don't know where to start. Writers, bloggers, my current partners, school mates, chess players, performance consultants, and the list goes on and on. Every current project, except college teaching, is a direct result of my networking and all within the the last 14 months.
‘tude vox Ro: What are your favorite networking sites and why? (Please include links where people can connect to you)
Jim: Blitztime.com is first because it features one-on-one conversations. In a 5 minute conversation you can learn so much more than simply reading a Linkedin profile. Blitztime.com is a subscription service and well worth it to meet other professionals.
Linkedin.com is next and my flagship networking area. LinkedIn's Questions and Answers are a great place to learn about anything you are interested in and meet others who are also. Groups are also a good place to gain information and connections and with 250,000 there is something for everyone.
Innovative, fast paced, informal: Twitter is the one I have the most fun with. I am eating my words on this one. I called Twitter stupid, impractical and pretty much useless. There is a big lesson here about being open minded and not judging too quickly. I did not have the proper tools to use Twitter effectively. Give me a big DUH on that one.
Facebook is currently not part of my professional networking. I send my tweets to Facebook and they spark comments from my family and friends and we stay in touch chatting back and forth.
‘tude vox Ro: How did you get into the positive mental attitude arena? What are the results to your life? (do you offer coaching services? If so, where do people go to find out more?)
Jim: I have been interested in personal development since my teens and the first exposure I remember was an Earl Nightingale record my parents had. A vinyl disk and needle setup: physical contact/ non-digital. You can find them in antique stores and museums now.
I purchased a Success Motivation Institute distributorship in the late 1980s and failed to make a profit and that was a great learning opportunity.
Results of my studies? More peaceful moments and fewer stressful moments.
‘tude vox Ro: Why did you start writing? What do you write about? (please self-promote)
Jim: I am currently writing about, Learning, virtual worlds and Web 2.0.
I wanted to write since I was a teen and I went in the Navy, started a family (and am still trying to finish it... no one tells you how to do that part) and got distracted. I went to school online one class at a time from 1996 until 2006 to complete my BA and a masters in Training and Performance Improvement. Now that I am finished with that project and job change is complete for now, I am researching and writing about, learning, the digital age and virtual worlds.
‘tude vox Ro: What are your hopes and dreams for your future?
Jim: Vision: A Smile on the 21st Century.
Mission: Facilitating understanding in the digital age
Passion: Learning and Performance Improvement /Dad/Freelance Writer.
My hope is to live in the moment and if others do this also, that will be a good thing. My good friend said it well: Happiness is created by me, not given to me.-Bonnie Gortler Another way to say this may be: World peace is created by individuals, not given to them by governments. We become what we think about is echoed over and over in self-help programs and religions: think/be peaceful for a smile on the 21st century.
I cannot say it better than Gandhi, so I will use his words:
"My life is my message." ~Mahatma Gandhi
"There is more to life than increasing its speed." ~Mahatma Gandhi
Jim Sutton
JimSutton@gotlearning.com
*My Social Networking Manager: http://xeesm.com/JimSutton
*Second Life: "Jeff Oatsmill" http://slurl.com/secondlife/imagiLEARNING/24/6/21/
Thank you Jim. I appreciate your help personally and appreciate that you are taking an active role in co-creating the world in which we live.