Postcards from the Funny Farm

So much can be said about the way our minds scientifically bend around electronic mail. Email is impersonal. It is interpreted largely by the receiver and is not determined by the intent of the writer. I know this from personal experience on both ends. I have written emails that people reacted defensively to and I have read emails that made me virtually paranoid! Most of this negative stuff is unnecessary and not intended, that’s why I try to email as little as possible. I prefer to call someone or visit them if I have something important to say. Words on the screen can be taken wrong … it happens every day. If you think people will “get” your email 100%, you are misled. You are better off talking about serious things in person. When you do email though, I recommend making it complimentary and terse. Even if you think you have the perfect novel to email someone, remember you are going to wait in limbo until you hear back … and that is often a lot longer than what is comfortable.

With no inflection of voice or hand gestures, emails fall short of face to face communication. If you have something to share with someone, bear in mind your point might be better made in a medium other than email. It has its place in human affairs but I think our world is only just beginning to understand it. Last, remember that a kind word whether through voice or email can be like a plasma stand giving life energy to another person.

Have you ever had to ask for one of these on your own behalf? It’s a real drag for me because I hate to ask for someone to take time out of their busy day and write a letter for me that will do nothing for them whatsoever. I’m more into reciprocal favors, that way both sides benefit. I’ve probably had to ask a dozen or so people in my career to write me these letters and it’s always been uncomfortable. But today, I am starting to think maybe it was just me feeling uncomfortable.

An aide here at work asked me for one and even though I was quite busy, I enjoyed writing it for her. She’s a very hard working sub and aide and it made me happy to help her get into the workforce in a new job she is looking for. I suppose I am now the experienced one in the field being asked to do the writing and I can tell you, I don’t mind it at all!

I’ve written on this blog before about how asking for help can really further your career, and maybe now I am closer to accepting my own advice. There are some things I have learned that I must relearn and relearn again. For me, asking for something like a letter of recommendation is one of those really hard things to do: I know it’s my right and privilege to do, but I still hate doing it.

How do you feel about asking for letters of recommendation?

It was a fairly slow month but I learned a lot. I think February will be a lot better. Just the same, I am being realistic with my goals.Postcards from the Funny Farm
Weblog Analytics January 2008

1,877 Visits: Goal achieved.
61 Visits/Day: avg. Goal missed by 19 :(

Feb Goals:

2,000 Visits
70 Visits/Day avg.

Top Referring Sites (Thank you!)

Social Networks:
1. bumpzee.com
2. stumbleupon.com
3. Wordpress.org
4. blogcatalog.com
5. 9rules.com

Peer/Other:
1. liveslessordinary.wordpress.com
2. lorelle.wordpress.com
3. livetardy.com

Web Publishing:
1. blogcritics.org

Monetization Stats for January 2008

Ads:
Adsense $1.64
Other $0

Pay to Blog:
PayPerPost $50
LoudLaunch $20

Total earnings for January: $71.64

Monetization Goals for February 2008:

Ads:
Adsense $5
Other $5

Pay to Blog:
PayPerPost $30
LoudLaunch $20
Smorty $ 5

Total Feb earnings goal: $65

How are you making money on your blog?

There’s a lesson for business and communication in this sign.  The Cocky Bull is on a highway for truckers and travelers.  Therefore they cater to that in their slogan.  Can you imagine if they were catering to surfers? Miners?  I think you get the idea.  We need to reach out to the people in our sphere of influence, whether they are our “choice” or not.  I think this is especially true in writing to a blog or website audience.  Get to know who visits your blog and write to them.