I’m connected to the Internet and I can’t escape!

How connected are you to the Internet?

I chose the Post a Day question “Could you live without the internet for a week? For a month?” as today’s blog topic. It’s common to see those who seemingly live on the Internet and social media take a break from it and then blog, tweet or just plain write about how great it was to disengage from the hustle and bustle of the Internet. They praise the break as much needed or eye-opening.

How did we get to the point where being connected to the Internet has become so important? Personally, I check my email, Facebook, Twitter, and blogs pretty much daily unless I’m very busy and away from home. However, cell phones have increased my connectivity so even being away from home isn’t a limit anymore.

So if we are so connected, how do we disengage? Ryan Barton, on the blog Escape Velocity, advises physical changes to break the connection. My personal guideline is not to be on my phone when with others. Enjoy the companionship around you.

How do you feel when you are disconnected?

My 2010 Accomplishment

What’s the single most important thing you accomplished in 2010?

How do you define the most important thing you accomplished? Is it personal successes? Professional? Relationships? Emotions?

I produced multiple projects, presentations, and events that I’m extremely proud of. However there’s one event that has defined me.

I graduated from college.

I knew since I was a little girl that I would go to college. It was never a question, it was a fact. Applications and acceptance passed by quickly and the following four years passed like a dream. Then May came and it was over. I had achieved my goal.

 

What’s next for 2011?

Traveling…three countries at a time

Blog A Week Topic: List three countries you’d like to visit, and why you want to go.

Narrowing down what countries I want to visit seems like an excruciating task. I have loved the traveling that I’ve done thus far and want to explore the world even more. After a lot of thought I narrowed it down to the requested three.

England

I have been fascinated with England since I was a little girl reading the Royal Diaries series. I adored reading about the England’s royalty, especially the legendary queens. I looked up to Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria as role models because they exemplified strong female leaders. This image in particular had a strong effect since I wanted to go into business and be a strong female leader in my own right.

If I had the chance to travel to England, my travels would be a mixture of history and fashion. I would want to visit an array of historical places to begin. Afterwards, I would enjoy some shopping and food in order to sample the culture.

Argentina

I have been there twice already but I would go to Argentina again and again. I studied abroad here during college and created bonds as strong as family. I love the mix of European culture with a Latin American flair. The food is amazing and there are always so many things to see. Maybe next time I’ll even learn to tango!

Poland

With a strong connection to my Polish heritage, a trip to Poland is in order. Since most of my knowledge about Poland consists of high school history lessons and stories from my grandfather, a trip to Poland would be enlightening and inspiring. The opportunity to learn and actually see ones roots seems invaluable.

 

What three countries would you love to visit?

A New Journey…A Post a Week

With a new year arrives, new intentions and desires (or maybe old ones that sneak back in). As I read other writers’ blog posts and articles, there was always a nagging feeling in my mind that I should be posting more often.

Then I stumbled upon the Post A Day and Post A Week Challenge. They offered ideas, inspiration and advice to help bloggers write more. My motivation (and kick in the butt) to write had arrived.

I will be tagging all my Post A Week posts with the #postaweek hashtag. I hope you enjoy my journey into new topics and increased frequency.

Scared of the Job Search?

Fear.

It can be one of the most paralyzing aspects of life. It can stop you from achieving your goals or making changes.

It can be a brick wall in the midst of a job search.

Where is the fear in job searching?

There is the fear of messing up an interview, looking stupid, or a big issue for me, the fear of rejection. I sometimes fear to take the leap and apply for jobs that may be great opportunities because of self-doubt.

How do you overcome fear in a job search?

It’s moments like these where I have to take a step  back and ask myself “What am I afraid of and what are the consequences if I listen to my fear?” This helps me put fear in perspective and usually makes for a calmer and less fear-based decision.

How do you overcome fear during the job search?

Help a new Minnesota non-profit, vote now!

My fellow student and Women in Business colleague, Asha Sharma has been working hard to start a non-profit in Brooklyn Park, MN. The non-profit is called the A-list and its goal is to help troubled youth. One description of its activities is:

The A-list is working to establish a teen-run snack and apparel shop in Brooklyn Park that will employ at-risk youth and serve as a location for positive afterschool programs.  It will be like a coffee shop, but with food and programs specifically for teens.  In the afternoon, the shop will host youth programs like tutoring and college prep courses while in the evening, the place will turn into the top teen hang out with fun activities and events like battle of the bands.

The A-list is in the running for a $25,000 prize in the Pepsi Refresh Project. There are only two days left to vote and the A-list is very close to being in the Top 10.

Please vote for The A-list here or at http://www.refresheverything.com/thealistyouth.

This is your chance to help make a difference in Minnesota solely with the click of the mouse.

Did YOU read an entire library?

When I was younger, one of my goals was to read every book in my small town’s public library. Every. Single. One.

When I look back on that goal I wonder how insane I was. How would I ever have had enough time to read every book? What about the books with subjects that bored me? For example, reading complex physics probably would have made me cry.

However, it was my motivation that was key. Firstly, look at the action, reading. I have loved to read since my parents read a book to me every night. Some nights my parents would have to tell me to go to bed multiple times because I didn’t want to stop reading my current book of choice. An obsession with reading is better than getting into trouble or always sitting in front of the tv.

Secondly, look at the scale of my goal. I didn’t just want to read every science fiction novel or every romance novel…I wanted to read everything. I dreamed big.

Reading has brought me great success and knowledge. I have earned high grades and obtained leadership positions because of the knowledge that I have absorbed. As I get ready to finish college, one thing I hope to retain is my endless hunger for reading and the ability to dream big.

What have you read today?

Hello 2010, I am very glad to see you.

Mark it on the calendar, this blog is back in action. Although there were tons of ideas, topics, and conversations swimming around in that head of mine, blogging was put on a back burner so I could focus academically. Thankfully, this paid off as illustrated by my grades (A’s and A-’s!!). Since I’ve finished that semester, and although there is another that will probably arrive too quickly, I’m ready to write.

To start off the new year, I sat down and figured out what I wanted to improve or be better at this year. I chose three words (thanks to Chris Brogan for the inspiration) to focus upon.

Active

Even though the bitter cold of Minnesota is very persuasive against being active, I chose active as one of my goals this year. For me, active has two parts. The first consists of being physically active, such as exercising more consistently. The second consists of being more active with projects I’m involved with. Writing more, presenting more, and just doing more in general.

Connected

Connected revolves around meeting and actually communicating more with people both socially and professionally.

Positive

I faced quite a few difficulties in 2009: a jobless summer and the loss of my grandfather. However, I want to work on keeping a positive outlook on the present and the future. I have so many opportunities, I cannot let negatives bring me down.

What are you working on for 2010?

New Steps Forward

Change is in the air

After a seemingly stagnant summer, my life has suddenly become full of opportunities. I am now fully involved in my Vice President of Technology position for the Undergrad Women in Business organization (aka if there is a problem with our website, it’s probably my fault). Two part-time jobs bring in the rent money while I attend school and work toward that future full-time job.

However, there is one opportunity of which I’m proud to have but am also deathly scared of at the same time. I am one of the co-chairs for the Women’s Leadership Conference that is going to be held at the University of Minnesota. I’m proud that I took the initiative to volunteer for this position but there’s always one nagging thought in the back of my mind.

Fear of Failure

Will I be good enough? Do I know enough to succeed?

This is one of my biggest tests yet but I’m reading to step forward, take charge, and take responsibility for the success or failure of this project. I know that I will get so much more by being involved, from even if I fail,  than from watching from the sidelines.

Let the work begin!

Trial and Error for the future

Have you ever read a book where every page seems to offer you a new insight?

That’s how I feel reading International Assignments An Integration of Strategy, Research, & Practice. Each page not only offers insights about working abroad (a goal of mine) but about business and people in general. One topic that really resonated with me was the trial and error of values. The book describes the process of selecting values as:

They [societies] must figure out ways to communicate and to educate, feed, clothe, and govern their people. Societies experiment with different ways to address these challenges. Methods and ideas that prove successful are kept; those that fail are discarded. ~Linda Stroh

This methodology is continuing in today’s society, especially regarding social media. Societies, organizations, and individuals around the world are continuing to use the trial and error method in order to decide upon social media values. We push the boundaries on what we share, how much we share, and with who we share.

In turn, successful methods and ideas are passed on to future generations. ~Linda Stroh

So what are we passing on to future generations? Are we providing unlimited mediums for creating connections and relationships? Or, are we creating a society where every move has to be considered for fear of being public exposed and ruining future opportunities?