Branding Yourself

Break from Fiction: Learn About Your Brand
Taking a break from fiction, I’ve been reading a good book on careers and personal branding, Career Distinction: Standing Out By Building Your Brand by William Arruda and Kirsten Dixson. It’s a book that gives you knowledge on how to take a proactive approach on managing your career. Take a short break to learn more about personal branding.


Why I Liked the Book       
What I like about this book is that it challenges me to extract my talents, use this potential and stay distinguished through my uniqueness.  I want my work to reflect the imaginative and diligent spirit in me.  In general, it nudges the reader to activate their network and update their resume.  There is information in this book regarding personal branding that leaps off the page. It leads you to asking yourself: What is my personal brand? Well, it’s not easy to define yourself without a sense that something else is missing.  Try the strengths approach.


Personal Brand Statement (PBS)
In line with Marcus Buckingham’s Simply Strengths approach, developing a personal brand statement involves extracting what appeals to you from within you and using it to write a sentence or two that defines your life’s goals. The book gives great examples of PBS’s to give an idea on how to create one.


Why a PBS?
If you are looking at your PBS daily, it helps you stay focused on your goals.  It also helps you perfectly define your objective on resumes and on cover letters, and never miss out on a networking opportunity.  Revealed is the fact that you need to build your brand as you build your employer’s brand.  In effect, your personal brand goes with you when you change jobs or go solo.


The Book also Covers…
Online Branding – Get a Visual Identity
Ego Surfing – Hey! Hiring Mangers and Clients are Googling You!
Networking – Importance of Building and Maintaining Them
Your Brand Community
Increasing Your Career Karma


Five Stars* * * * *
I highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to take action and make career management a habit.  Whether you are employed, a business owner or an independent contractor, you have a wealth of information awaiting you.  Get this book now and crack the pages!


Credits
Thanks to our dear friends who shared this wisdom a year ago. Thanks be to God, "in whom are hid all treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Col 2:3)

I leave you with words of wisdom quoted on this book: “We go where our vision is.” - Joseph Murphy

*Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about my post or about personal branding. 


Click on links below for more information.  You may alternatively copy and paste each URL to your browser.
Kirsten Dixson http://www.kirstendixson.com/
William Arruda http://www.williamarruda.com/
Marcus Buckingham http://www.tmbc.com/mb/biography               
Career Distinction: Standing Out By Building Your Brand http://careerdistinction.com/

wet harvest

Got off the taxi
On market street
Grocery list in hand
Dollar stash in pocket
Ready to drag home the kill

Wheeled in trolley
Wet handles and all
Busy, rainy day
Alone this time
Better-half holding newbie

Hard-to-find items
Ah, easy find today
Having no choice
But to engage mind
Else two hours are lost

Dragged home fat kill
To last a week or two
Extra nickel for taximan
Patient in the drizzle
A favor for new dad

Let it pour
I’m in with my halves
Choice foods and drink
Fuel for body and mind
Wisest stock in winter.

Newborn Joy

She came forth with a cry,
So sweet, so lovable,
I fell in love again;
her beauty within my sight,
with tears of joy I cried.

The OB and midwives,
were full of praise for her
8lbs, 14oz, 20",
washed, weighed, swaddled,
our gift was in our hands.

Praise God from whom,
all blessings flow;
a newborn baby,
makes you live,
life over again!

Baby Birthday Phase

Patient As Job
The final days of waiting for the baby to come seem to drag on end. I’m calling it the baby birthday phase. When it comes to that final stage of labor and birth, every situation is unique, and for every one. Some take deliberate walks to make the process of going into labor speedy; some eat Italian “Eggplant Parmigiana ”, and I recently heard of this one…taking a few spoonfuls of castor oil, all to nudge the baby into the labor stage. To me, they are opinions (no problem) - optimistic ones.

Have It Your Way
One doctor mentioned that you could walk all you wanted, (never mind, tone was okay!) but that won’t cause the baby to come; it would just get you tired and take your mind off anxious thoughts. Another doctor mentioned that if walking were the solution, they would have every expectant mother walking! Not to mention, the doctors also responded to the eggplant idea by saying “that will make you feel satisfied.” There are enough jokes to go around. Perhaps all soothing mechanisms to the mind and emotions of the mother-to-be.

Let's Try That!
Through curiosity, having heard the above over and over, and for an extended period of time, we agreed to try it for the heck of it. We tried two of the above schools of thought: Walked at the mall and at Wal-Mart till we had walked enough. Drove to Scalini’s and savored their specialty eggplant Parmigiana. Like they said about each situation being unique, that was what it was in black and white. Walking got us tired and eating made us feel good! Ok, we will patiently wait until the little munchkin is ready to pop out!

Through The Trimesters
Looking back to the first trimester, time has really flown. With some will power we were able to sit on the good news until it was gone. (phew!) Then came the best one, life was good. The third came with its fatigue. I share the brunt in all this. I’ve been asked to disclose the baby’s first name in several conversations, but have managed to maintain a strong will on that one. We decided to keep it as a surprise until the baby is born.

Fun Movie Scene
We watched this movie “The Women” and there was this scene where the childbearing mum was outright aggressive, telling this baby to come forth, and sending away the cowardly birthing coach to a corner. That was a good laugh especially for us at the point we are in.

Plan Hard-But Be Flexible
Talking with someone this week, they mentioned, among other things, that one can plan for the baby all they want, but as soon as that kid comes, she will dictate what/where/when. For instance, the kid may sleep all night long (relief!) or cry you out of your sleep every two hours. I hope for the former...but again…we’ll see.

Asante
Thanks to concerned friends and family have called in to check on us, a very kind gesture indeed. I want them to know how much I appreciate them. Without them checking, I see how it would be a lonely journey. Asante! (Thanks)

---Walking and not eating eggplant parmigiana!

Fatherhood and Childbirth

Why the silence?

The months have flown by, and my wife and I are looking forward to the birth of our first baby. Writing, a craft I'm fond of, has been a rare thing to do. In fact, other than the incomplete pile of short stories hanging heavily on my shoulder, I have been hesitant and slow in blogging about the new exciting thing going on in my life: Fatherhood. The ultra-sound says its going to be girl! (99% chance, they say, leaving a margin of error.)

Here is one of the ultra-sound images that blew me away:




Disclaimer:

Even though writing has been a task, I have been reading ok. Ive been reading "What to Expect When you are Expecting" and looking at the same online. Also, over the last two months, I've enjoyed a nice selection of fiction including Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea", Steinbeck's "Of Mice And Men" and Paton's "Cry, the Beloved Country". And of course, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes (I've been struggling with the other books.)


The exciting new thing...
Two weeks ago at week 30, she, the baby, turned her head to face downward in readiness for birth. That's a positive thing to know. Without that, the baby would be in a "breech" position, which calls for a c-section. Head must come out first during normal delivery.

My most exciting time has been when she moves what is evidently her legs, like she is kneading with her heels. It appears to be both ticklish to my wife, and at times its startling, especially at night. She has stopped short when I rub my hand over; I learned they realize a change in surface temperature on the area of contact and cease activity. Funny thing, they continue gamboling once your hand has been removed.

Useful Materials
Reading, doctor visits, getting a tip or two from those that have been there before ... all that is helpful. A most helpful book has been "What to Expect when Expecting", outlining week by week what on earth is going on in there!

Watching the 3D animation videos on the status of the baby each week has also been very educative. I have found this site to be helpful: babycenter.com. For instance, if I need to know whats happening on week 32, I use the pregnancy grid below the pregnancy navigation tab to select the week, and clicking on that will anchor me to all of the information pertaining to week 32. There is also a link to watch the inside development of the baby (with audio on it) embedded within the text.


Intelligent Design
God is truly a genius. The way that baby is formed and grows in the womb, getting nourishment and developing into a real person, is supernatural.
Refer to Psalm 139. I like vs 13-16(New International Version):

"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made...
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place
...your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book.."


Educative Film on Childbirth
We just completed watching a film recommended to us. "The Business of Being Born." (You can buy instant online download from amazon) On such issues as childbirth, I like the conservationist approach of "let the body do what it should naturally do." It is appalling to see designer childbirths. What? There is a popular culture of planning the date, place, etc, etc. I was also amazed at those who elect to have home births. I know that's a no-no on my front. For those that don't get the snowball of medication, etc (watch that film), it's a courageous thing. Now, that's what a celebrity birth would be. Hospital birth, on the other hand, is helpful, especially to those that have encountered "breech" or other complications. Emergencies are catered to very well, and it does save lives. It shouldn't be too commercialized though. Is every laboring mum and baby in danger like they seem to suggest in the media? Thinking hard about that!

At Last
Writing about this makes me feel far much better. I see there is still so much to learn, and some of it won't need book knowledge or hearsay! I discern it will naturally come when I hear that cry; when I see that tiny little thing; when i change the diapers or wash the baby. Getting up at night to check on them (no trouble, was once a night owl!) Let the God given instincts kick in. I hold truly to wise words:

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Proverbs 22:6

Stay well.

Writing from the Fatherhood Fort; albeit Manhood

1 story told by 10 writers

[B, F(Raystylus), Robert K, Tony W, Bryan, Davie K, John, F. Kiragu, even Kaj & Tsion]


It started with a picture, drawn by many hands. Each was to add to the sketch until it became a full picture. Not necessarily a meaningful piece of art, but one that must paint a mental image to the observer’s mind. Isn’t that what you would call a masterpiece?

Then B birthed a brilliant idea. Why, lets write a story, each one must contribute a sentence and pass it on to the next person. And it went on and on. This is what we came up with. (Forget syntax, just get the imaginative idea we were extrapolating…) I posted it here verbatim.


Once a upon a time, in a far, far away land, THERE LIVED A MAN whose goal was to find out what the real meaning of life was. He searched and searched, over the mountains and beyond the seas UNTIL HE MADE THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE ENCOUNTER…HE was right where he started…after walking around the world. It was round.

His inquisitive mind, coupled by his enthusiasm gave him the willpower to succeed. However, He had one leg, which made moving around hard. So he thought he cannot get a regular job unless he got a prosthetic leg, which he had to make himself out of oak tree. But even with one leg and the slim possibility of a prosthetic leg, his will was immovable. AFTER ALL, HE DID WALK AROUND THE WORLD. Thoughts of Giving up was crossed his mind. At that point he met a girl, who was a carpenter. She made him the perfect prosthetic leg. AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER! in a tree house. A prosthetic tree that was later infested by termites. NOW HE MUST CONTINUE HIS SEARCH FOR THE MEANING OF LIFE. “Where to start? He thought of climbing up the tree but he remembered that he only had one leg and they were about to be foreclosed on their tree. ALL SEEMED GLOOMY UNTIL THEY HEARD ABOUT…a sale on a senior citizen scooters but that did not move them. He had not finished paying for his prosthetic leg. Surprisingly she became pregnant, a prosthetic pregnancy. There was a government stimulus check for prosthetic pregnancies!

(continued?)

TWISTS

Short stories collection

Only a five-dollar bill. That’s all he had on his hand. The debit card had nothing on it, as the account was already on overdraft. No credit card to fall back to either - The bank called it “overdraft protection.” Every last one was in default, even the department store cards. For what could a man not borrow for these days? He blamed it on bad management of funds. No budget, No plan! Over time, too much had fallen too far behind, that he saw no use in trying to minimize or pay on debt. Rave Damsey! He loved to change the AM channel on his car radio, and stayed away from the weeknight business shows on cable TV, Ouze Srzman, frugal Hark Cloward and the like on TV. “Aa-gghh***!” he often said when he heard them ranting on their shows….

Things got to their worst when, as no surprise to him, the 2004 Dodge Intrepid was taken back by the bank, under the disgrace of the much dreaded rippo-man! “Man, I hate that rippoman sucker!” The repossession came the very day he was to appear before the judge for a minor traffic violation. Many times, he had “jumped” the orange light in haste to get to work, or someplace he was never on time for, even after the rush! “I owe I owe, off to work I go!” This was the dithyramb of people like he, debt to their eyeballs! Now he was somewhat indebted to the state for violation of traffic law.

Talk of getting late for anything else but not to appear in front of a judge or get late for work. Sustaining the job at the call center he was with for the last 14 months was based on how time honoring you were. Get late for even a minute, then in three strikes you’re out. Stay on “after call work”, buying time to take a breath after a stress call - that irate customer that cursed at you and your grandma for refusing to remove a $35 late fee - and you get written up for trying to steal company time. They don’t play! With such a high turnover, that’s why their training department was ever busy, one training class after another. And now they have a part time trainer.

And the judge, you need no telling to know you get more than justice when you dishonor the establishment by being late for your small case! Yet this day, when he was scheduled to appear before a judge at 9am, his car was gone. He had to call Atco Taxi Service, and part with the $5 before the next check came in. His roommates had told him of a plan that always worked. Show up for your citation and hope the officer that wrote you up will be too busy to show up. Deny your minor traffic violation and the citation is discarded. Twice or thrice his roommates’ traffic offenses had been purged that way.

Dialing the taxi dispatch number, he spoke as quickly and as clearly as he could since his cell phone minutes were to be used sparingly in these hard times. Nobody wants to pay extra for something that simple. They are not my friends anyway, he always said. They, the taxi-men, all had an accent. “Not like mine, though!”

Hector the driver picked him up in a jiffy. In such situations, there was no need to attempt a conversation, unless you didn't mind some scanty English.
“Como Estas, senor?”
“Great. Cool. Asante. Bien!” All these words ran through his mind, but he must have said only one of them in response to the greeting. He was a quick talker and seemed rude in the way he blurted out greetings. The cut-the-chase and lets move on kinda approach as always. Who cares anyway? This is America. The Latino beats jammed the taxi, and his mind went off into the events that led to his appearing before a judge this morning….



That Day

That day, he thought twice about speeding past the white minivan - that’s how the cops get you. But the van was so typical – don’t you hate it when you have to drag behind a van like a wagon harnessed to an ox? 45 mph, I mean, who drives that slowly when trying to get to work? Vans also tend to slow down as they approach an intersection that bears traffic lights. Just in case the lights change from amber to red, vans are sure to stop. This was a vexing behavior he felt he could never tolerate. Did not these mums and grandpas realize how annoying it was to other motorists when they 'lazied' around like that?

He feels the lights are going to change to amber any minute now, and decides against his better judgment to speed up and beat the lights. The lights indeed change to amber. He does not realize that an officer was patrolling the area, just in case a traffic issue needed his attention, as was the case many times during the morning rush. He crosses the intersection closely behind the white Odyssey van, maybe too close. With his thoughts on the black county police car, knowing what is about to happen next, he does not realize he has failed to slow down after passing the junction. The van is not only slowing down, but also seems to want to pull to the side of the street. Next he instinctively brakes and smells some gas he never wants to smell again. It all goes so swiftly that he does not realize what has happened. Glass shattered, airbags deployed! And he thought he had braked all he could. In this confusion, he hopes he is still alive. He also hopes he wasn’t driving his roommate’s car today.

***