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The Lake Reflection for 2009!

December 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

This is the time of year that I reflect on the last twelve months and start to look forward to the year to come.

If there is one thing I’ve learned this year is it’s never predict what you think will happen in the upcoming year. Last year I wrote about an engagement and this year I must admit it ended abruptly.  I could truly focus on all of the negative that has transpired this year, but that’s not really why I write this – however let’s look at the challenges I did make it through:

  • Moving 3 times in 1 year
  • Finishing the Consumer Behavior for Dummies book in 90 days (yes all 384 pages)
  • Ending a relationship and an engagement and still surviving (and yes I gave back the ring)
  • My son turning 13
  • Learning how to be happy without being in a relationship for 1 year
  • Losing two very special grandparents within a few months of one another
  • Being the victim in a car accident on the highway in which I was rear-ended by a car going 55 mph (I was able to walk away thankfully)
  • Another redesign of LauraLake.com

Like most people I’m ready for 2009 to end. I’m ready for the start of a new year.  My outlook is optimistic and I know that this past year made me stronger and well prepared for the next decade. We never know why we go through what we go through, but I’m one who always believes there is a reason.  In the last year I’ve lost some friendship, but I gained stronger ones.  I’ve said goodbye to draining people and I have more energy today because of it.  I sit in my little townhouse and realize that while my life is still in transition, but I am at peace.

I’ve made it through the last year by being thankful for what I do have.  I have:

  • A wonderful son who is now taller than me, but I can still fool him by wearing high heels.
  • Great friends that stuck through some really tough times with me and tomorrow we’ll be the last ones standing ready to ring in the new year.
  • A warm home that while I wish it were on the Kansas side is pretty damn cozy.
  • A fantastic cat who makes sure I never sleep alone.
  • A telephone, I have heat, I have food in the refrigerator and I have a car to drive.

I suppose if this year taught us anything we learned how to be thankful for what we have. We learned how to appreciate the small things and in all the negative we started to find the positive easily. It’s been a scary year for many. We’ve encountered tough economic times and we’ve seen many lose their jobs.  I for one had to walk away from a business that I loved because the dream could no longer be funded.

I’m thankful that throughout this year I learned how to be more “real” than I’ve ever been. I’ve learned how to end toxic relationships before it was too late and I’ve learned how to wake up in the morning and realize that through it all I’m still standing.

What does the new year bring?

It brings a fresh start, it brings aspiring hopes and dreams and above all it brings more quality time with my son and my dearest friends.

I have the common goals like most people eat healthier, go to the gym, save more and maybe cut back on the wine (or maybe not.) :)

Truth is my goals do not include mountain climbing, making a million dollars or writing another book (at least not this year) – my main goal is to find the balance that I lost 10 years ago; to enjoy every moment and to savor every good thing that comes my way.

This year is already off to a good start being chosen as one of 2010 KC Business Magazine’s Rising Stars – but throughout this year I will breathe and experience every moment without rushing into the next – will you?

Here is to another new year,

Laura Lake

http://www.lauralake.com
http://www.facebook.com/lauralake
http://twitter.com/laura_lake

Filed Under: Personal - From the Heart, Smalltalk / Ramblings
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Social Media Cliques

December 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Social media cliques exist.  Will you dare to be different?

I’m a huge proponent of social media and believe that it’s a fantastic way to not only create relationships with potential customers, but to also grow your personal relationship circle.

What I’ve noticed recently is the cliques that exist in social media. It’s almost as if we’ve entered high school again. The last few days I’ve taken some time to watch some of the most prominent “thought leaders” in social media – stalk them if you will.

There are a few that I watched that interact and engage with their followers and then there are others that seldom reply unless it benefits them. What’s even more interesting is watching the followers of these thought leaders. They often treat these thought leaders as celebrities, agreeing with everything that’s said, retweeting, praising, and almost doing a digital worship dance. If someone disagrees with a thought leader, they are nearly tackled in the digital stream, so very rarely do you see someone stand up and state their own thought or opinion due to the fear of being attacked personally.

What I think is missing is that we have so many people “trying” to be like established “thought leaders” that they in return are not being themselves. I hope in the upcoming year that more people will stand out with their own voice and worry less about being accepted and more about engagement and creating their own relationships as well as their own following.

I think it’s important to remember that the social media “thought leaders” ended up there because they took the time to engage and interact. They voiced opinions that may have not been popular and were willing to stand their ground when necessary. They’re informative and most of them have their own sense of humor that is reflected. A few of my favorites include Chris Brogan, Scott Stratten and of course Gary Vaynerchuk. They are “thought leaders” because they are not only willing to share information, but they are also willing to be authentic and real and put themselves out there. I think they will all agree that’s how they got started on the path that has lead them to where they are today.

I have a challenge for you when it comes to social media in 2010, be yourself. Don’t try to mimic the popular crowd but rather let your personality shine. That means that people may not always agree with you. It means that at first it might be a little scary to stand up for what you believe in, but in the long run it will be worth it. Be willing to step outside the cliques and conform less. You never know you just might be the next thought leader that thousands are following and listening to. Dare to stand out from the crowd.

Filed Under: Smalltalk / Ramblings, Social Marketing Tagged With: , , , , ,
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Celebrity Scrutiny – Pathetic Really!

December 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I’m amazed at the controversy that surrounds Tiger Woods, I know that we don’t want to hear about it anymore and that we are tired of it making the news, but honestly people when will we take accountability for ourselves and stop being so concerned with those that have reached a level of fame?

Do we all live in glass houses? No, but we certainly want those that have reached a level of “success” to do so.

Exactly how did what Tiger Woods do – hurt you? If you are not his wife or his family exactly what damage did it do to your life and why do you have the right to judge him?

Are you willing to air your garbage to the outside world and let us judge you for your mistakes or the error of your ways? I’m thinking, probably not – yet why do we think it is our right and sometimes even our privilege to do that to others?

Although I wouldn’t consider myself a religious person – I still believe that we should let those without errors cast stones.

Despite what Tiger Woods did, it does not take away from his talents, his gifts or his capabilities – it merely makes him human and we as humans make mistakes.  It’s not our duty to judge, criticize or correct him, that will come to him on his own – believe it or not without your help.

Celebrities don’t ask us to put them on pedestals, they don’t ask us to make them role models to our children they are simply put in the spotlight because they bring gifts to the table that we are all willing to watch or listen to.  Perhaps it’s time we check our judgements at the door and realize that they are just as real as you and I.

Now, if you are without error or mistake in your life feel free to continue your judgement – but just realize when you do so – we might just ask you to do a background check because none of us are really without our own errors and mistakes in life – however it today’s world it just seems easier to point our finger and reflect negative attention on someone else.

Filed Under: Featured Articles, Smalltalk / Ramblings Tagged With: , ,
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