My Epiphany
“An epiphany (from the ancient Greek ἐπιφάνεια, epiphaneia,
"manifestation, striking appearance") is an experience of sudden and
striking realization. Generally the term is used to describe scientific
breakthrough, religious or philosophical discoveries, but it can apply in any
situation in which an enlightening realization allows a problem or situation to
be understood from a new and deeper perspective. Epiphanies are studied by psychologists[1][2] and other scholars, particularly those
attempting to study the process of innovation.[3][4][5]
Epiphanies are relatively rare
occurrences and generally follow a process of significant thought about a
problem. Often they are triggered by a new and key piece of information, but
importantly, a depth of prior knowledge is required to allow the leap of
understanding.[3][4][6][7] Famous epiphanies includeArchimedes's
discovery of a method to determine the density of an object ("Eureka!")
and Isaac Newton's
realization that a falling apple and the orbiting moon are both pulled by the
same force”
How often do you come up with
an epiphany? In my view it can be an
“aha” moment. It can be a moment that
comes all too often when others are trying to say something that doesn’t strike
home until you, yourself, face this moment or realization.
It comes when you are reading
facebook and realize how many people are posting on this, Memorial Day and
really saying, “I haven’t the funds to go shopping” or “spend money on gas” so
I’ll sit here and read the comments and tributes on facebook.
It comes from realizing you’re
probably not the only one of the “Baby Boomer” (BB) generation who is SOL
because they lost their job….they learned from management that the company
needs “new blood” and that the older, experienced professionals are far too old
or expensive.
It comes from realizing that
the only way to survive in this economy is to do “your own thing”. (see my blog called, “Out to pasture…not me”.
)
We, as BB’s need to realize
that there is heavy weight on “if it is to be, it is up to me” and many, many
other phrases that allude to, “no one else is going to do it for you, do it
yourself and get it done!”. We need to
realize that facebook is a SOCIAL media!
It is ok to promote your product, but don’t expect results unless it is
super, super, cheap and super, super popular.
It comes from realizing that
(according to many networkers) that it’s “not who you know, but who knows
you”….the very definition of business networking: From Wikipedia:
“Business networking is a socioeconomic business activity by which groups of
like-mindedbusinesspeople recognize, create, or act upon
business opportunities. A business network is a type of business social network whose reason for existing is business
networking activity. There are several prominent business networking
organizations that create models of business networking activity that, when
followed, allow the business person to build new business relationships and
generate business opportunities at the same time. A professional network service is an implementation of information technology in support of business networking.
Many business people contend business networking is a more cost-effective method of generating new business than advertising or public relations efforts. This is because business
networking is a low-cost activity that involves more personal commitment than
company money. Country-specific examples of informal networking are guanxi in China, blat in Russia, and Good ol' boy
network(US)/Old boy network(UK).
In the case of a formal
business network, its members may agree to meet weekly or monthly with the purpose of exchanging
business leads and referrals with
fellow members. To complement this business activity, members often meet
outside this circle, on their own time, and build their own one-to-one business relationship with the
fellow member.
Business networking can be
conducted in a local business community, or on a larger scale via the Internet.
Business networking websites have grown over recent years due to the Internet's
ability to connect business people from all over the world. Internet businesses
often set up business leads for sale to bigger corporations and businesses
looking for data sources for business.
Business networking can have a
meaning also in the ICT domain, i.e. the provision of
operating support to businesses and organizations, and related value chains and value networks.”
This past year has given rise
to many, many networking phenomena including Connections, and Meetups. The Chambers of Commerce present these
opportunities. There’s an epiphany right
there: YA GOTTO GET OUT!!
My organization, ProNet Career
Resources or ProNet Central Florida is one such group. Like many groups before it (and since), it is
suffering from attendance. What’s the
epiphany there? Simply, many members are
55+. Many members are BB, many members
are long term unemployed (or more politically correct….out of work). Many members have opted to stay home and save
gas. The enticement of the potential
networking or gas card, or free copies of the Orlando Business Journals (OBJ)
is no where near hitting reality as the need to save gas, the need to pay that
bill, or the need to find SOMEONE who will either barter all this much needed
information or do it for free. I am, of
course, relating to the resume and LinkedIn Profile.
At ProNet meetings I provide a
FREE forum, a free gas card, and free copies of the OBJ. What is wrong with this picture? Again, the epiphany that there are bills to
pay. Why light the “candle at both
ends”? It’s cheaper (in the short run)
to sit at home, crawl into a corner (thereby staying away from a spouse who is
hounding you to “get a job”) or simply feign looking for a job.
Yes, these are all “aha” moments
where you, the job seeker need to come to the realization that networking is
imperative. That LinkedIn Profiles WILL
help you make the right connections. You
must USE your connections. You must
implement the advice you are given. I
asked for a $5 donation to help keep ProNet
alive. On LinkedIn we have 1071
members. We received donations (of
various sizes) from 30 people. This is
how organizations die. Are you one of
the people who is now working and feel that ProNet was a waste of your time? Are you one of the people who feel that other
support agencies are also a waste of your time?
They, unlike ProNet are NOT
volunteer driven. Most are on salary or
their spouses are providing them with income to survive. ProNet is ALL volunteer. I have been at the “helm” for 10 years as a
free resource. Due to financial
difficulties and turnout, we will be going on a summer hiatus.
Does this sit well? Does the epiphany of a major resource becoming
a virtual entity soon give you a show of concern? Have you actually read this far? If you have, congratulations. You may have an epiphany yourself: that
reality is that you shouldn’t walk these “paths” alone. The reality is that there are people out
there who want to help! We are all out to survive. As the Beatles so aptly put it: “I get by
with a little help from my friends”.
I suggest to you, my friends,
that you do all in your power to come to the realization that the economy is
not going to be better any time soon.
The “rich” will grow richer while those of us who used to be in the
“middle class” seem to be migrating to a “lower” middle class or even “lower
class”.. Are you going to do something
about it? When? How?
With whom? Now is the time for
action. If you’ve read this far in this
blog, you have come to the realization (or epiphany) that there are people out
there who want to help….but need help themselves. I am one such person. The question is: Will you take advantage of what I have to
offer? Now, there’s an epiphany!!
