Focusing on customers

Being unemployed and currently exploring opportunities, I had to shift my priorities.

I’m so glad I read Danny Brown’s blog post “It’s Good to Say No.” When I first joined Twitter, I was under the impression that I had to immediately have a blog and presence on every single social media site on the internet so I could be effective to my potential clients, colleagues, friends, neighbors, dogs (I’m kidding about the last two). It was an overwhelming thought, and immediately I started creating a new blog on WordPress, which is about 85% done by the way.

I lost my job as a director of marketing & business development for a technology company in late January. Since then my whole world has changed. It’s no longer about getting my blog finished but more about networking and getting back in touch with former colleagues and co-workers to update them on my status. While I could be working on finishing my new blog and writing posts, I felt it was much more important for me to interact with people both on-line and off. Twitter has been a huge help, and I’ve connected with some terrific folks regarding potential projects and jobs. I simply listened to myself and felt this is where the bulk of my energy should be spent for now.

So, when am I going to finish my blog? When am I going to start writing posts? True answer? When I get to it on my To Do list. Right now I would much rather be interacting with people. A beautiful thing happens when you do that – amazing opportunities come right back at you.

Instead of dwelling on the doom and gloom of the economy and being unemployed, I put 150% of my energy into positive, productive things. This is what my instincts are telling me to do, and I am listening!

If you are reading this, I hope you’ve already reached out to me, whether it’s to say hello or if there’s any way my skill set is a benefit to you and/or your business. You will always find me on Twitter at @abarcelos. Hope you say hello!

I noticed my last post was a couple weeks ago. That’s not good! Main reason is I’m transferring my blog from Blogger to WordPress, and before I can announce it, I want to make sure my new blog has everything it needs to be user-friendly and informative.

So if you come here and read this, please bear with me. I’ve got lots of great things to write about and will soon!

In the meantime, you’ll find me on Twitter daily.

Anna

1. I love all things marketing! Have been in marketing since 1994. I have evolved from traditional marketing to online marketing and now to social marketing and know a lot of stuff. The challenge for me right now is what to do with it all!

2. I like horror movies. Don’t know why since my eyes are more closed than open when I watch them. Stephen King is my favorite, but I like all types from Wes Craven to Dean Koontz to Jon Carpenter. The list is endless. Main reason: they don’t bore me.

3. I love bubble gum, particularly Dubble Bubble.

4. I once had a breast cancer scare. Luckily it was benign and removed. With two- and seven-year olds at the time, I remember thinking, “I don’t have time to die.”

5. I do what I say and say what I do. Those who know me, know I’m there for them.

6. I am blunt to a fault sometimes, but people respect it and never forget it. They initially need band-aids.

7. I am positive and try very hard to be at all times. I have a high amount of energy, and it’s usually contagious.

8. I love to read, write, and listen to all sorts of music from Beethoven to classic Pearl Jam.

9. I love all things spiritual and inspirational.

10. I am 100% Portuguese. Unfortunately, my reading and writing skills aren’t fluent, but I still know enough to be dangerous.