My parents had it easy. They really did. After a day at the office, Dad came home and had the role of Jim Anderson in "Father Knows Best". Smart, never raised his voice, always dispensing tidbits of wisdom, dad, a general contractor, left the office behind at the office.
My mother, a June Cleaver type, ("Leave It to Beaver"), was patient, a great home maker, and always telling us to 'wait until your father gets home'. Her two pieces of advice, God bless her, were "Always look nice when your husband comes home" and "Always have a bank account that your husband knows nothing about". I know that I am a BIG disappointment to her.
There was a time when my mother worked outside of the home for the Ministry of Tourism, but even with her "career", she just didn't seem to be as busy as I see myself today. How is that? She didn't have a microwave, electric rollers, Starbucks, and I remember we had a sit-down dinner cooked from scratch at 7:30 PM every night.
I am busy trying to grow my real estate and sales and marketing businesses. Two separate things, yet they are one: just two revenue streams. Both are tied to the housing industry. (What was I thinking?)
As a marketing professional, I recognize the importance of Social Networking. After all, it's free publicity, it expands my web of contacts, and while I can't quite attribute any income to it yet, I know that eventually it will pay off. Besides, this beats standing at the corner of Baymeadows and Phillips Highway in the hub of Jacksonville Florida with a sign that reads "Will Market Your Home for $695".
However, that being said, how on earth do people find the time to 'touch' each one of these social networking interfaces on a daily basis?
I am twittering (@DeborahFisher), Blipping (@FishCO) on Blip.FM, raining on ActiveRain (debfisher.activerain.com), and I am now hooked up to SalesBlogcasting. Okay, so I like Blipping because one of my childhood dreams was to be a DJ. (The other was to be a black gospel singer, and I just don't see that happening, do you?)
So, social networking has become my "significant other". I am not sure if I can claim an extra dependent deduction on my taxes, but social networking has become such a chunk of my time that I am questioning my legal marital state and wondering if this "marriage" is illegal in all states except Nevada.
To quote an illiterate friend with a Phd . . . "How do one do it?" In the meantime, I am going to pop over to Hallmark.com and order a special e-Valentine for my "significant other". Preferably one that is easy to download.
Deborah - Nice post and thoughts! I also find it challenging to maintain my sphere with social networking but I move forward each day or night dedicating an hour. You childhood appears to be picture-perfect. My family can be the Cosby's and turn in to Mama's Family within one conversation (and I enjoyed every minute). All the best to you and your business.
The only way I am managing to maintain my Facebook is with my Blackberry. Now I am addicted to that. Not helping my time management.
On another note I am sure you are not a disappointment to your mother,bark account or not!!
Happy Thursday!!
Lori
I am accused of cheating all the time - with my dang blog ! I know the feeling!
Deborah - you are so right. My husband does the cooking in our house (fortunately) and I spend that time "networking". It can be very overwhelming. By the way - send your husband a real card on me - goto SendValentinesLove.com and click on the big red button. The program will walk you right through. Take care!
It is extremely hard to manage you regular life and find the time to make sure you are networking and prospecting. This job does test your priorities, and it is a job that demands your attention around the clock.
Just recently signed on to Facebook and feared the birth of an obsession. It was great to touch base with friends and even found some childhood pals that moved out to the West coast and are now potential clients. As time moves on I'm realizing that a lot of the novelty wears off and the social networking thing works itself into the proper perspective.
Social Networking is a new professionals best friend. Facebook, free classified internet ads and blogs are all good ways to gain trust and human contact. Now, being a man, my wife proof reads everything I do with a vengeance...She is an english teacher as well. So, if I hide anything from her, its to keep her pen far away from my written thoughts.
Steve Bucher
www.mortgagebuilder.ca