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I don’t want to turn work off

by JimRaffel on November 13, 2010

image of building a bigger megaphone

Earlier this year I wrote Personal/Professional blur and perhaps it was a more politically correct way of saying that I don’t want to turn work off – ever. If you’re not the same way, I am perfectly fine with that. What got me thinking about this topic again is the following question from the idea box:

“Question: would you be blogging if you didn’t have something to promote? ie; your business, your speaking engagements, etc? Would you blog for the pure idea of sharing ideas with the world for the greater good?”

There are about one hundred ways I could answer the above question and they would all be technically right. For example, more than a few times in the last year the posts on this blog, including why you should help save #teecycle tonight guest post by Sue Spaight, have had nothing to do with promoting me. Conversely, if I had not built an audience here with the purpose of promoting my business interests, those posts would not have been exposed to nearly as wide an audience.

I don’t want to turn work off and for me writing is the doing part of thinking. That means what I’m sharing here is pretty much what’s on top of my mind on the day I write the post. My first goal really is that the post be useful to you. If in being useful the post also promotes who I am and what I do, even better.

The world’s problems are infinite and my time is finite. The best way I can help is to build the biggest megaphone I can here. That megaphone will do two things. First, it will allow me to be more successful, which in turn allows my wife and I to direct more time and resources to charitable causes we feel strongly about. Second, it can provide a platform for guest posts like Sue Spaight’s.

Simply put, I never want to turn work off so I can continue pursuing the projects I am passionate about and supporting the causes I feel need supporting.

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The Personal/Professional Blur

by JimRaffel on January 11, 2010

For while I have been searching for a way to explain the concept that my personal and professional lives are hopelessly and wonderfully intertwined. The blur stems from the fact that it has been almost 14 years since I collected my last pay check from the man. Since then I have managed to stay continuously self-employed. So, below I have collected some not so random thoughts on the subject of successfully blending personal and professional life.

Let me start by saying that I simply live. If others choose to draw lines around the personal and professional aspects of my life so be it. I figured out a long time ago I can’t and won’t define where one aspect ends and another begins, thus “the blur.”

For example, in April of 2008 I signed up for a Twitter account. The original purpose was to follow the virtual server provider for my company ColorMetrix, because they report serious outages and downtime utilizing this exciting new technology. Today my most active social circle is people I have met through Twitter at Tweetups. Sure there is potential to do business with some or all of these people, now or in the future, but that is not the way I look at it.

Social Networking: The group of people I have met through Twitter is awesome and amazing. Some have helped me with my social media strategy (and I with theirs) without even really knowing. The conversations are general and while some border on business speak others are just fellow Twitter people explaining how they use Twitter which sparks ideas in my mind.

“Always On” Mentality: Perhaps a self-employed entrepreneur has no choice but to constantly be on his/her game and on the lookout for opportunity – antenna always up, radar always on. While immersed in and enjoying pop culture I am always thinking, is there a business opportunity  here that my unique set of knowledge skills and abilities could address?

Writing: I write from the heart because I thrive on personal development and helping others. I have lots of life and business experience (learning from my mistakes) and if by sharing that with you I save you a little wear and tear along the way I am grateful for the opportunity to do so. My writings often intermingle personal and professional examples and I write most of my blog posts for anyone, not just my printing industry colleagues.

Collecting Favors and Friends: Friends and business associates (and those I am not sure how to categorize) call, email and tweet me at all hours. When I can help you I will. The understanding is simple, when I need help you will return the favor with your expertise and neither one of us will abuse this privilege (at some point it’s business). I utilize skills I have learned and mastered in business to help friends, and opposite is also true.

In short, I am who I appear to be. So, when you see me at a social gathering and I shift gears from talking about the kids and last night’s game to a full on business conversation, please don’t assume I have some cold calculated agenda. I have achieved my level of success by not thinking in straight lines and compartmentalized spaces. On the other hand, at a serious business event I often take a few minutes to step aside with a colleague to ask how the family is. Most of the people who I do business with have become my friends, and I care.

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