Oh dear, oh my .... my give a damn meter is turned OFF!


This post was originally written on  The Publisher blog where I've tripped over and trickled past some interesting things to write about or share that is off the radar usually.  I decided it was worth a share here.  I see where the insight can be used in sales and business scenarios to which I will expand and explain better in a sales-oriented blog.  I still dream in sales and think of ways to sell better.  I just have expanded my interests and want to test new theories or ideas.  Stretching my creative scope even farther than I thought possible.  I referenced my optioneerjm.blogspot.com already and meanderingsabout.blogspot.ca before, now I guess I'm flogging The Publisher (link below) because what I wrote really spoke to me and about me.  Thank you for reading if you are still with me this far.  I owe you my gratitude.
Sincerely.  Jeannette 


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There are a few things that are really annoying me, but I am really trying to focus on trying to withdraw something positive from this whole experience.  One of the gifts wisdom has so wonderfully bestowed upon me is to try to turn EVERYTHING from wine (or whine) to vinegar (rinse out the anguish) to champagne!  (Pop, let it out.  Let er RIP!)  

Well, giggle, snort ... very few people even read my blogs.  Like today, for instance!!  Geez, what a day of a hell on a week bouncing around WIRED.  This really young chap where I work came sauntering in today (yes, that is a great word even for someone not writing a novel or a script ... to be made into a play or a movie ... where she stars opposite that guy who plays the latest Superman and Man from U.N.C.L.E. dreamboat of "if I were 10 or 20 younger....).  I complimented him on his advancement which his chest puffed right out of when he then introduced his brother, whom he was escorting and showing around his new workplace.  Timing is everything ... timing things right is a gift isn't it?  

He said:  "Ah, yes, and Jeannette is a writer of a blog and has many many followers on social media."  WOW, I got a zinger:  "I said, aw, thanks, so you've read it then?"  This young whipper-snapper politely referred to as a chap.  (NOW, you GET IT).   He was too young, and still blinded by the glory of the compliment, through the glow came the honest answer:  "Uh, no".

Someone older and wiser would giggle, snort or gleefully snicker at the big trap the chap had just handed to them.  Like forcing a speeder with a strong tendency to get off on police car chases, disciples of Fast and Furious fame to go lay a tire popper track thinga majiggy then back his car up a few blocks away, start a cop car chase, being hunted and pursued.  Then go exactly the familiar way, and driving over that popper track thinga majiggy that blows up tires contraption.  

I was forced to exude my frustration and humility in writing here.  Unencumbered.  Fairly alone with my harmonious strokes of my thoughts, my fingers, to the keys.  Hardly read.  Maybe there is freedom in that.  I admit, I've been peeking around writing about nothing more than experimenting with styles and topics that appeal to me.  Even for me, it is getting a little confusing.  

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I trust a champion will emerge or a gust of more than a few readers, or maybe five on a good day.  I know it can happen.  It has happened to me a couple of times on my optioneerjm.blogspot.ca blog where a particular post would bounce around a lot and jiggle with some spikes in readership.  It was a glorious two times that resonate.  The elusive reward of actually resonating with a certain group of people, under any number of topics, or a singular interest or passion shared.  A nice feeling when you're more used to a horseshoe curve, more like a wish or a hope to be blessed with a little traction.  It is really great.

I couldn't imagine being one of those bloggers who just blogs, turning a passion into writing or writing into a passion with uninhibited ability to express oneself in whatever fashion they want.  I got a hint last weekend, a great weekend.  In fact, one of my greatest or most favorite weekends I can remember from a very long time.  Maybe it WAS 10 years ago when I got married to the love of my life, Rob.  My affectionate version being "the Hunkster Hubster" mostly in my tweets as @optioneerJM .  My whole family was together.  It has been only since August when we were all together, but for a wedding, it was clouded with intricacies of varying family dynamics is not any definition of quality family time!

I had the nerve to send this email to an organization, whom I edited out for obvious and legal reasons:


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Why do your communications not include a website link what-so-EVER?  Not even a paragraph as to who represents "communications@------------,ca" ? along with an alternative contact internal IMMEDIATE contact encrypted to hide for privacy but also someone where it can get IMMEDIATE attention.  Also include the time frame in which a person can anticipate a reply .. be realistic, but be sure you are really really close to following that rule or you will sink your trust in your attentiveness (or lack thereof), lose loyalty faster than the price of oil, to any messages you send out.  

 ~ Jeannette 
    @optioneerJM
"you need my help" . calm

FIGHT procrastination: turn thinking into doing



Quora invited me to answer this question:

I'm a thinker. How can I also become a doer?
I am creative, intelligent, innovative and philosophical. But I find it incredibly hard to actually get something done. 
How can I find a balance between doing and thinking? I want to become a doer. 



I am both a thinker and a doer and wouldn’t say that I am more one than the other. However, I also admit that I am weakened by procrastination.  Personally, I find the best way of resisting the temptation of putting off tasks is by creating a TO DO list, using tools like OUTLOOK or other relationship management systems when they are aligned with a customer. 

I adopt my TO DOs with actionable items that are not vague. Take into account that broad task statements are less likely to be completed if you don’t factor that there may be steps to complete the item. Be realistic as to the timelines that it should take to accomplish the almighty check mark on being DONE.




As a thinker, you may want to start off by specifying what your desired outcome is. You can do this by framing the ultimate outcome with bullets on the steps to arrive at the final destination. For example:

I found this to include after I wrote this article/answered question


Complete 2016 taxes (desired outcome)
  1. Purchase accordion file and label according to tax filings:
  • Income
    • Invoices
    • Pay statements
  • Investments
  • Expenses
    • Home office (square footage divided by total square footage=percentage of expense
3. Retrieve government forms
  • Update mailing address
  • Employer forms (received by mail or retrieved by company HR intranet site)
  • Benefits (awards, trips, recovered expenses)
4. Organize receipts by allowable expenses
  • Home office
    • Percentage of square footage x mortgage
    • % of insurance
    • % of heating
    • % of electrical
  • Internet
  • Home office telephone
    • long distance expenses
    • monthly fees x percentage of business use
5. Automobile
  • Track usage throughout the year:
    • Beginning of the year/end of former year auto kilometer/miles
    • Business trips
  1. Miles/km to client office from starting point
  • Purpose of visit/meeting: (i.e. introduction, networking, proposal, presentation)
6. Capital costs
  • Computer purchase: financing, payments, cash outlay
  • Automobile:  deposit, financing, lease payments

FINISHED, DONE, COMPLETED!
  • Identify what it will mean when you have completed the task
  • How will you reward yourself when you are finished?
  • What reward will you reap when you are done?

Hopefully, as a thinker, you can map out what needs to be done starting with the final destination in mind and then itemize the detailed steps.

Imagine the sense of accomplishment you will have as you tackle and check off those items. You can keep editing as you go along. Keep in mind to be flexible and fluid because it isn’t unusual to have new items  surface as you are drilling down to finish a task. The beauty could be a template to follow for the next year: doing the tasks as you go along and when the time is right!  That would be considered being proactive!


Your VIBE attracts your TRIBE in sales and social media




“Class is an aura of confidence that is being sure without being cocky. Class has nothing to do with money. Class never runs scared. It is self-discipline and self-knowledge. It's the sure-footedness that comes with having proved you can meet life. ” 
~ Ann Landers


However it may seem strange that I rarely have comments on my blogs, I am often invited to answer questions on QUORA (link below). 

 Sometimes I think about my answer, while other times I just let my mind go free and respond instinctively to what comes immediately to mind as in this case when I was invited to answer this question. 

Ironically, as well.  I spend the least time on InstaGRAM than anywhere else and yet it is the topic I seem to have grabbed the attention of some who value my opinion.  Thank you.  Happy to help.  Here goes:





Why do my Instagram followers keep dropping?

Hmmm, very curious question. My first immediate reaction was a question: “what could this person be posting if they are seeing their followers drop?” Without question, social media can sometimes seem fickle when it is really not. This question bodes a suggestion to examine what you are posting …. if you are only sharing your last meal, and you didn’t cook it or it’s half eaten, unappetizing-looking or just plain “gross”. Other considerations may be that others may find that you have constant posts that are self-serving or promotional :: aka “spam”. People tend to gravitate towards sincerity, ingenuity, originality, beauty and inspiration. That is only my opinion. However, I do believe strongly that your following is a reflection of what you are sending out.


Don’t despair. Being fickle can also mean you can reinvent yourself easily. I would advise you to decide what you want to be known for or identified with and setting out to do just that. Or, if you have a specific interest that is not career, family, friends or social oriented, this is a great way of gravitating towards that interest, sharing it, finding sources or resources on that topic and then share it … you can check for #hashtag popularity or observe what seemingly popular people are posting. If that seems to capture your interest, it could be good advice to follow them and observe them from a distance and see if you can pick up any great habits or even share that person’s content as a means to cast your own web to gather people who share the same vibe.

Caution: what may seem funny at 2 o’clock in the morning with your work buddies or friends may be more embarrassing at 2 o’clock the next afternoon. At your desk, avoiding eye contact with colleagues or worse if its a boss. Your online presence becomes your reputation. What doesn’t matter at 20, can be a nightmare at 40. So act your age if you must, but at least apply manners and a mom rule: if you can’t do it in front of your mother, or you risk being scolded by her, then it isn’t going to be appropriate for a wide, global audience. AND just because your mom likes the better parts of you, her opinion may be skewed …. be wary that others will like your stickmen as much as she does.

Be optimistic. There is a lot of great quotes, beautiful images, fantastic photography that are in style any time, any season. Be classy, be polite, be bold.