My Look Ahead For 2010: Quit Bitching About The Economy And Do Something
29th December 2009

written by Margo Rose

I just got off the phone with Steve Levy, and he said something that really stood out, “The Best Way to Predict The Future Is To Invent It.” When he said this to me, it swept the cobwebs out of my head like a vacuum and made me realize: If you don’t like the current economic temperature-quit kvetching an do something about it.

Yes 2009 sucked the wind out of millions of American’s sails (mine included) and yes our economy took a huge it. It taught me how to be frugal, pragmatic, resourceful, and uniquely helpful to those around me.
There’s an old saying, you’re only as marketable as you are current so:

If you don’t have experience doing something you’d love to try-volunteer to get it, put it on your resume and get someone to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

Read voraciously, attend free webinars, go to unconferences *They are more affordable .

Be cracker jack sharp in how you network. Whether you are using linkedin, facebook, twitter, or MySpace make sure you are building meaningful relationships with your followers and friends.

It’s not enough to collect a massive following. It’s more important to build those relationships so that you can leverage them to get you into the doors where you are currently knocking.

Get off your ass: go to industry related meeting, networking events, mixers, parties, and anywhere you can pass out a business card, and make a useful and helpful contact.

Close facebook and twitter and pick up the damned phone: There I said it. Why? Because I’m a recovering twitter and facebook addict…and I say this as much for me as for you. It’s so easy to twitter away hours of time when what I really should be doing is banking my phone time and getting into the offices of people I want to me.

Open the window, and take a deep breath. Yeah, I know it’s scary out there in transition land, but we have to breathe deeply, and get into action.

Listen to blogtalkradio shows that relate to your industry and call in regularly. Get to know the players, and request phone time with them. I’ve been amazed at how generous people are with their time. Here’s a fact: most people really do want do want to help you.

You have to be clear, focused, and tell people exactly what you are looking for so that they CAN help you. Get specific about the industry you want to penetrate, make a list of the companies where you might want to work, and develop your own personal mission and vision statement. This has helped me tremendously in charting my direction, and in developing my 30 second to 3 minute “elevator pitch.

Be yourself on Twitter, and Facebook. Tone it down on linkedin. I’m not a fan of linking your twitter updates to linkedin unless you are a professional automaton. Keep the fun on facebook, the cool professional articles and blog post tips on twitter, and the business on linkedin. I know that @blogher and others might disagree, but that’s my opinion.

Most importantly, don’t give up. My Father used to say a quitter never wins and a winner never quits. Whether or not you are in job search mode or trying to recover from a grueling economic blitz-Get off your tush and make a difference. I know you can do it.