Just sayin’ – or singing… “Stockholm, Stockholm stad i världen” by Pugh Rogerfeldt
Stockholm, Stockholm, city in the world
Stockholm, Stockholm, the world’s city
Stockholm, Stockholm, great it is
Stockholm, Stockholm, makes me happy.
Have you planned your visit yet? Mmmmmmm, so beautiful.
You’re invited!
Johanna
As I was walking home from the cafe, thinking of the project I had been working on, my train of thoughts relating to lead generation and lead conversion online were suddenly interrupted by painted flowers on the path way.
Unexpectedly they appeared and once they caught my attention, I wanted to know where they lead. Such a great example of a physical hyperlink offline. They spoke to me: “Click here”. “Step here”. “Come, you’re invited”. The flowers led to the entrance with the “Welcome” doormat of the Irish bakery down the block where I live(d).
I am not too sure if the owner actually was aware of how brilliant it was. How would he know, unless people told him, or if he asked? That is the beauty of online hyperlinks and marketing: if you use a proper system you will be able to know exactly which link your customer clicked on before he or she entered your store, from where they came, what time, also in best case what nationality, age and gender, did you buy something, what did you buy and did you share it with or recommend it to others? That can give you knowledge to really drive your business.
Those flowers on the sidewalk by the Irish bakery have made me walk in there more than once. And I’m sure I was not the only one. Last Thursday, I went there twice. And walked away empty handed both times. Two deliveries and sold out within the hour! The flowers were washed away – I guess Saint Patrick’s Day was the contributing factor that day… and I am sure: had the flowers not been there, many clients had not noticed the place to the same extent.
When preparing for my temporary move to Sweden the same day, I came across an old Irish poem called Take Time in one of my books. I think it is well worth sharing:
Take time to WORK … It is the price of success.
Take time to THINK … It is the source of power.
Take time to LAUGH … It is the music of the soul.
Take time to READ … It is the foundation of wisdom.
Take time to DO CHARITY … It is the key to heaven.
Take time to PRAY … It is the greatest power on earth.
Take time to PLAY … It is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to be FRIENDLY … It is the road to happiness.
Take time to DREAM … It is like hitching your wagon to a star.
Take time to LOVE and BE LOVED … It is a God-given privilege.
You are invited.
Be loved,
Johanna
DON'T GIVE UP!
Coming back from NYC this time I had one new thing to unpack: a package of magnets with the look of iPhone apps. Hm. As I put them up on my fridge, I was thinking – I guess it’s official: I am an apple nurd! Or fan, to choose a more flattering word.
My fridge has a number of photos of family and friends, and a few motivating cards and statements etc. The one card that draw my attention, that got surrounded by iPhone apps, had the message “DON’T GIVE UP!”. They had one thing in common. This very card I got when visiting a friend in London, the summer before starting my business studies at Stockholm School of Economics. I was spending a whole day in the city – shopping – and came home with one thing: this card. Summer of 1995. Since then I have moved more times than number of years that have passed, and it is still with me…
So now it sits on my fridge, surrounded by a reminder of my original business idea of Herringbone. The software – and app – that will support and inspire stories of change and positive impact. Maybe, if the idea still holds, I will get there one day. But there are many roads to Rome.
The main software I use today to get voices heard for positive change is another one. Objective Marketer, the social media marketing campaign manager. The core reason why I am doing what I do is still the same. It’s not about marketing. It’s creating a positive impact by using social media to reach out with your story or offering, making yourself accessible and provide others with something valuable for them to gain from, because they choose to listen. And at the same time reach those who express that they want what you have to offer, because social media can help you find them. Real time. Globally. Or locally. And create a social media community landscape of likeminded where demand and supply meet. I think that is a beautiful way to serve the world.
Now – what is your story? What is your dream to create? And is something holding you back?
A friend of mine shared the video in this link from Harvard Business Publishing on this topic: What is holding yourself back? with special focus on leaders and entrepreneurs. Maybe that will give a kick in the right direction.
Enjoy,
Johanna
1.11.11 Begin Again. If you would write a new chapter in your life…
Herringbone path
THERE’S A HOLE IN MY SIDEWALK – Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
By Portia NelsonChapter 1
I walk down the street.
There is a hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in. I am lost. I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.
Chapter 2
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter 3
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there. I still fall in. It’s a habit.
My eyes are open. I know where I am.
It is my fault. I get out immediately.
Chapter 4
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter 5
I walk down another street.
…. what would be the different path you would take this year? This quarter? This month? This Week? Today? Starting now? Just do it. Try it. What’s the worst that can happen? Or the best…? 😉
Enjoy,
Johanna
Happy New Year.
That was the status update on facebook that I powered to make after a very long day, and a fun celebration in the evening counting in the new year with a dear old friend and many new.
But really – Happy New Year! [UMPF!] With other words: to read with power, energy and excitement. I can’t wait for 2011 to unfold. How about you?
I had a conversation with the gentleman next to me at the New Years eve dinner table about intention for the year. Or statements. For example: his girlfriends statement was was “Enjoy” in 2010. His was “Gilla läget” – e.g. as a consultant, whatever the clients situation was: like the situation. Mine the last two years has been “Freedom of creation”.
Now: what about 2011? For my neighbor, we talked about singing. As a fun part of the evening’s program they had listed a statement per guest and the names separately, so that you could make guesses and figuring out who is who. My neighbor was “the best piano bar player in the room”. Did you sing too? I asked. “No, who would want to listen to me? I am not schooled enough”. The guy had a great authentic and personal voice – that is what people want to hear. Start singing – show you! [Gosh! It’s so easy to push others!]
So the search for 2011 intention/stake for him was around singing. I was looking for an expression – what is it we say…? Sing with full lungs? Sing with your heart. Sing from the belly? There is something else that is an expression with umpf. It didn’t come to me at the time – but this is what we say in Swedish: Sing for full cups! (sjung for fulla muggar!). How come I didn’t remember that one??? It really means sing with full speed, with all the power you have. No holding back.
What is your intention for 2011? What is your stake that you can hold on to, whatever you do? Really. Share it in the comments! Inspire others.
I like my old intention. If I would add a little umpf to it I would say Freedom of creation – with impact. This year – can’t wait for it to unfold. One day at a time.
Happy New Year dear reader!
Johanna
Like what you read? Please leave some love for this blog at ExpatsBlog.com
San Francisco Musician and Composer
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- where it all comes together...
Creating Great Days!
definition of GRIT: firmness of mind or spirit
From the heart of Silicon Valley
Phil Sanderson
WordPress Music Theme
a community for VR developers and enthusiasts
Loving Life Blog 
Recent Comments