Do you have a personal vision of what you want your life to be like for 2008? Write your vision down and make sure you have a deadline to meet your goals. Open up all the possibilities of making them happen. On Facebook even with a few direct "friends", you have access to people who may be able to change your life and help you reach those goals.
Personal goals are important as much so as your business goals. Many authors and coaches talk about combining these into a personal vision statement. What is it that you want most out of life? How will you be successful and live a balanced life?
Figure our your vision by focusing on these areas:
1) Family
2) Religion/Spiritual
3) Health
4) Fitness
5) Travel
6) Learning/education
7) Financial/Money
8) Entertainment
9) Friends/Relationships
Set aside a couple minutes to think and plan. Shut the door...turn off the phone...and even print this out and turn off your computer. Write down your goals. Remember to dream big.
Think about who can help you reach these goals. Are your contacts on Facebook (or other social network)? I’ve met contacts there who are some of the most successful in their fields and owe their success to others. We’re not in this world alone. Our contacts can help us find our dreams and lead more enriched lives.
How can you find these people? Once you make a list of some of the things you like or need, go to the search box in Facebook. Type a few keywords and see "who" (what profiles) come up. Scroll through them and see if you find anyone interesting. You can also dig deeper looking at "their friends ".
Your goals will happen with small steps each day. My preference is quarterly goals as they are more attainable (you will feel more success than shorter goals in which you may not have given yourself time to succeed). So here is a small goal. Meet at least two to three new people a week on Facebook. Seek them out, but have a REASON when you contact them. Send them a nice e-mail telling them why they might be able to be helpful or important to you as your reach your goals and dreams. Also, remember to ask them "How can I help you?" The more you give, the more you will receive out of these relationships.
Here are some areas that I’m developing in line with my goals…along the way I plan on meeting people with these backgrounds and industries.
1) Movies and Film Production
2) Social Media
3) Bloggers/Podcasters
4) Musicians
5) TV/Video Producers
6) Venture capitalists
7) CEO's and Entrepreneurs
8) Media executives
9) Writers/Authors
10) Sports Marketing/Sports Executives
11) Technology Whizzes
My goals are geographic. I want to build my networks in cities where media and venture capital are centered such as: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and London.
So as I start 2008, I am working with a composer from Italy, an author from California, a Hybrid Engine startup in North Carolina and California, a manufacturer in Bangladesh, an trade show entrepreneur in Lebanon, and specialists in social networks from Ohio, Texas, New York, Connecticut, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
I’ve also connected with people within my own local community as well.
Here are some of my highlights from 2007, many made possible because of the Internet and social networks.
1) Appeared as an extra in two films (Leatherheads and Gospel Hill - to be released in 2008)
2) Launched www.linktocharlotte.com, the first Charlotte, NC based group dedicated to business to business networking
3) Launched the Facebook Enthusiast blog and invited many of my contacts from LinkedIn and other parts of my life to join me
4) Helped two authors market their books and consultant practices
5) Reconnected with my former friends and colleagues from HBO, MTV/The Movie Channel.
6) Became part of a team to provide expertise for a new sports marketing division
Happy 2008!
May your dreams be big and your journey inspirational!!
Andy Kaplan
www.facebookenthusiast.com
www.mediamensch.com
