So this post doesn’t have as much to do with photography as it has to do with LIFE….something we all have in common, eh? (That’s right…I said “eh?”…I’m allowed to. I’m from Maine, and I have family from Canada. Don’t knock it.) It was inspired by my sister, who recently wrote a blog post about a book that she’s reading by Jeffrey Gitomer called Little Red Book of Selling. It just so happens that I bought that book along with his Little Black Book of Connections over Christmas vacation (on sale, love it!). Anyway, as my sister pointed out in her post, many of the principles in Gitomer’s books are not just for business people! So, I thought I’d share a few tips from the Book of Connections.

Life is about relationships. We are meant to be in relationships with other people, connecting with them and not living in isolation. But just because we’re built that way doesn’t mean we always know HOW to build those connections. Here’s a few tips from the very first chapter that stuck out to me:

#4. “Your consistent positive attitude will breed positive responses and positive results…Without a positive attitude, your words become cynical and slanted…your demeanor becomes borderline unacceptable.” How many times do I catch myself making a negative comment about someone or something when it is totally unnecessary? I think sarcasm has become so accepted in our culture that negativity is seeping through relationships, and it can become really destructive. If a consistent positive attitude breeds positive responses, then a consistent negative attitude breeds negative responses. Which do you want to be surrounded by? Your attitude can be the deciding factor! Choose to start your day with something positive and uplifting, and think about it throughout the day.

#8 “Take a genuine interest in other people before you ask them to take a genuine interest in you…The best way to find out about other people is to ask questions.” Simple and straightforward. People like talking about themselves, and they like feeling like you’re interested in what they have to say. So ask questions.

#13 “Provide value…One-sided connections are short-lived. Do you always provide as much value as you expect to get?” This is something I’ve been learning from Jasmine Star as well. Her success as a photographer was built in part on making connections and helping others, instead of just asking others to help her. I think this leads to not only more success, but also more fulfillment!

#15 “Staying in touch is more important and more valuable than making the initial connection.” Wow, what a thought! And I might add to that, keeping it personal. I think technology claims to be keeping us more connected, but at the same time, it distances us from each other in a lot of ways, too. How easy is it to send a text instead of call? But it’s less personal. How easy is it to go to the self-checkout even when there’s no line at the cashier? How about sending an email instead of “snail mail”? It’s easy…but less personal. So, stay in touch, and keep it personal.

So…all the snow outside has allowed me to stay home, read, write, and just enjoy the day. So here’s a glimpse of why the Philadelphia region has come to a standstill (and why I got my very first ever snow day from work!)…

Chao for now!