My Day

Once a year one gets to focus on ones self and decide to look forward or back depending on which you like better. Yes it is my anniversary of the birth I share with my twin brother Barry. Most of the time I am an avid optimist and look into the future but a few things happened this morning to make me want to reflect on a few changes I find interesting. First of all the concept we keep talking about with community and keeping connected. I will get a few phone calls today from the usual suspects that still remember and even a few cards via snail mail. I have already gotten a plethora (always wanted to fit that into my blog) of e cards of one sort or another.

The duh thing I noticed is that many of the e type cards were from folks who i know or have known in the past and mainly lost contact with, but with the new Internet you can get reminded that someone is having a birthday.  So I get these ecards from folks – some of whom I have not heard from since a year ago and you know what – I like it. While some may say it is not as warm and fuzzy I think of it as a way that we can stay in contact – even if only once a year.

Chris Brogan today discusses the importance of your personal database. When I do my speaking engagements I remind the audience that your database is one of your most valuable assets but to be honest did not think of my own in the same way. I will be from now on.

We are all our own personal brand – now for some of us it is more difficult than others – Try branding Richard Simmons or even Rick Simmons – try as I might I am somewhat buried by another more famous – no we do not share anything in common. Incidentally my real name is Richard Simmons and his is not – just a little FYI.

A little while ago a younger sales type, with a straight face, asked me how we could sell 20 years ago before computers and cell phones. All I culd do was laugh and say – we managed.

So where am I going with all this – while things change feelings and connectedness do not. The tools may allow better connections and with everyone spending more time inside I may not know my neighbors as I did when growing up – I now can choose who I want o be connected with – some neighbors – you are stuck with.

Lets all look forward – once again I will tell you that if we all looked ahead with the right attitude the economy would take care of itself – get out of the news – they have an obligation to have something for you – 24/7 and right now it is easier for them to concentrate on the negative – I think this is their main thrust most of the time – my bias here. From January 29th on lets say we all look at the things going right with us and around us. It is there lets focus on it.

What good things are you focusning on?

Rick Simmons is a principal at Dinkum Interactive, a firm specializing in online marketing solutions for small and medium sized businesses around the globe. With more than 25 years of experience in advertising and marketing, Simmons has spent the last four years focused on search engine optimization, and other Internet marketing strategies. Reach him at 267-626-9094 or rick@dinkuminteractive.com.