Socially Savvy Themed Events

    Like so many other Social aspects of our culture, i find myself amazed that the finer points of attending and planning events are not looked upon in more of a common sense way.  But since they are not, it gives me something to write about, so here we go.

    Over the course of a year there are many different kinds of themed events that come up, so when you see these events, please consider the following:

For those attending:
    When someone puts together a themed event, and by that i mean they fashion it after something specific like a "all white" party, "masked ball" or "80's night" it should be noted that as attendee's you become PART of the event.  What does that mean?  it means that that is part of the allure of the event.  Bringing everyone together to participate in the spirit of the event.  Therefore, it is not only unseemingly but down right rude to not follow the theme or spirit of the event!  When someone says it is an all white party, they don't mean wear a white shirt with jeans….they mean wear all white.  And arguing with the host's of the party because you didn't "know" ( because you didn't read the entire invite) or didn't want to comply makes you an ass.  You should never be surprised when you are told you will not be allowed to enter or asked to go change when you do this.  That is your bad, not theirs.
    If you have questions, message, call or carrier pigeon to find out the answer!  Asking for clarity is not an issue. 
    What you have to understand is that the event host has created a vision of what they want the experience to be for EVERYONE, so either choose to be a part of it or stay home!

For those throwing:
    BE CLEAR about what your expectations are.  Give examples of what is acceptable if you feel there is room for confusion.  Lay out guidelines for people to follow as well as being very clear what you will not accept at your event.  It is YOUR event so you can control the vision of what you want by laying it all out! 
    Don't be afraid to stick to your guns.  If you want people to respect what you are trying to do you need to stand firm on what you want.  If you can, try to provide a back up for them if they have misunderstood - i.e. a masked ball might have a mask vender set up with masks to sell so people can purchase one to get in if the forgot.
    Show examples of proper attire and give them options of where they might find it.

So here is the bottom line, Themed events are special…Don't make your self more important that the event and cause an issue by not being a part of the event.  Play nice or get out of the sandbox!  ;)

What it takes.....

     I can't tell you how often people ask me, "how do you do everything you do". 
For me, it's just a matter of doing, but i realized that for many others, it's what steps you take to get to the place where you can just do it.  So here is my take on "what it takes"

     First~  you gotta want something BAD!!!!  I mean, REALLY BAD!  You gotta want something bad enough that you wake up in the middle of the night with idea's on how to get to what you want, make what you want or make happen what you want. 
Things like sleeping and eating become a last thought when you are working towards what you want……It's not that you don't get tired or hungry….It's that your mind and body is so focused on moving towards what you want that you can not tear yourself away for long enough to eat or sleep until your body flat say's NOW!!!
You have to be dreaming about it, thinking about it, planning it and living what ever part of it you can every single day.  Phrases like "fake it till you make it" don't really apply because you are living it even if no one else around you understands it!!!

     Second ~ you gotta be willing to do things you have never done before.  This is such an under rated over look facet of moving forward it is absurd!  You are today where you are because of what you have done….If you want to be somewhere else, you HAVE to stretch, expose yourself and do things you have never done to get where you have never been!!!!  It sounds so simple, but try wrapping your head around this……. you just have to try and test the waters!  The fact of the matter is that you will probably fall flat on your face……over and over and over again….get no, after no, after no, after "well maybe if you do this" and have to keep trying.  because in the end….the only failure is giving up.

     And third……It can't just be about you…. you have to lift people up around you.  support others around you and strive to make a difference to those around you.  Everyone successful person will tell you they had a support system, and that support system was NOT handed to them.

     So to summarize….Be willing to fight for what you want….believe in yourself even when you doubt yourself…… and never stop getting up when you fall.  That is where you will find your success…… and that is where you will find out what you are made of! 

Make a difference and make a change!

Socially Savvy 2¢ Worth

  

 I was reading postings the other day and found my self dumbfounded by people responding to posts with negative comments when they have never had any person experience in regards to the posting and admit it!  What is it in our culture that makes us believe that an uneducated believe or comment based in no fact is something that should be shared?  I think we really need to start being aware of what we are saying.  Start teaching our children that just because you have a voice does not mean you need to voice all thoughts that pop into your head, and if you feel the need to voice those thoughts, at least let it be something based on fact or experience.  Do some homework!  To simply voice a thought based on something we THINK because we have let our imagination run wild is like junk mail…… no one wants it and people will start throwing your stuff away without ever looking at it...... 

A Socially Savvy Start

     Gearing up to start this New Year off right,  I have been privileged to have so many very amazing people around me.  Men and Women, those that think the way I do and hose that don't and those that push and inspire me.  With that said I decided to put together a list of questions to ask myself so I could have a strong starting point to the year and a great map to guide me.  Here is what I came up with:

1.) What do I stand for

2.) What exactly do I want from:

    a.) my personnel relationship

    b.) my business

    c.) my friendships

    d.) my business relationships

3.) How am I seen by others ~ what is their "take" on me and does it matter

4.) Am I aware of those around me and if not how can i be more aware

5.) Am I a bystander or do I have the courage to stand up for what I believe in

6.) What can I learn to get me where I want to be

As I go thru this next week I will add more and welcome any comments for questions to consider adding!

Have a Socially Savvy week!

Hopefull or Inspirational

    It occurred to me on my run today that we are in a transitional Age…..coming from The Entitled and going to the what? 
It has been talked about that this shall be called the Age of Hope, but the more I think about it the more I believe that is only a transition and not the finish.
    We Hope things will get better, We have Hope that people will change and we Hope we can get thru the tough times, but really isn't that just saying "I will try?"  That gets you moving, but can it keep you going? 
    I was thinking about a race.  the runners at the starting line, waiting for the trigger…..the fans on the side lines ready to cheer on their favorite runner, Judges ready to asses winners.  Everyone starting off with Hope.  But How do they finish?  The race starts with a bang and the runners take off, blood pumping, adrenaline flowing, fans cheering, the combination now of Hope and determination, those doing and those watching.  Then the first runner falls….their hope falters, the fans catch their breath wondering if they will get up, their hope faltering in the runner, the judges waiting.  This runner stays down.  they are defeated and those that cheered them on have lost hope and have nothing left but sadness at what could have been. 
The race is still going and another runner falls.  Fans gasp waiting with anticipation to see if another is done…… this runner cries out, gets up and takes off again!  what has happened?  the fans go nuts, they stand jumping around,  cheering and clapping and encouraging….they are inspired!  The runner may take first place or they may take last, but it does not matter.  They finish.  They inspire! 
    So what is the difference?  Hopeful people require others and things to help them get places and while they show other's a path, they can leave them ( the fans) feeling empty and a loss of hope if they don't continue on.  Inspired people find their way and inspire others to do the same.  They leave everyone feeling better because they were there…… not sad because they tried.
    How does this look in regular life?  Socially Hopefully people fill every room.  They talk of dreams, direction and struggles.  What they are trying to do.  They are trying.  Inspired people lift those around them at any function with their words and their deeds, setting the example never to give up and make every effort a success of some kind!  They leave everyone better off than they were before.
    So, what are you?  Hopeful or Inspiring?  If your not sure, start with Hopeful, but transition in to inspiring!
Here's to an Incredibly Savvy Life!

Earned Success

It occurs to me listening to the news and watching the Olympics, just how screwed up our societies view's can really be.  So many people working hard to achieve something great, yet when someone does well, we seem to automatically link their success with someone else's failure.  I think this is wrong.
Your success is not about someone else's failure….It is about your success!  The hard work, time energy and dedication put into achieving a specific goal has been done.  In those final moments where you put it all on the line….if you keep it together and NAIL it….it is yours.  It was your time and YOU decided beyond a showdown of a doubt with your body that it was time.  Someone else's failure is a chapter in THEIR book, not yours because they did not do what you just did…..  We need to stop making excuses for failure and start celebrating the success's again without bias!  Just some food for thought.

Peace of Mind

There are the external things in life that bring you peace….. music, yoga, mediation and running to name a few.  But if you are truly looking for peace of mind take care in how you treat people…. show them respect, appreciation and genuine interest when speaking with them.  Don't' waste peoples time by using them, expecting something for nothing and not valuing their time and then expect to feel at peace with yourself.   Karma is a Bitch and it sucks when she is looking at YOU!