Shameless Promotion is the cornerstone of most successful blogs.  Expert in the Rough is no exception.  If you disagree about the shameless promotion bit, just humor me and read on.

I figured I could do some good for those less fortunate and promote my blog Expert in the Rough in the process.  Hey, a win/win proposition or desperate proposition.  Either way you call it, somebody who is hungry is going to benefit from this promotion.

Virtual Food Drive

So heres the deal.  Donald at Cincinnati Blog innocently came up with the idea of Battle of the Cincinnati Blogs.  He simply asked for a link to the Freestore Foodbanks virtual food drive.

The Cincinnati Enquirer is reporting the Freestore Foodbank is anticipating a record need this holiday season, so this is a timely request.

Here are your options to help:

Cura Bella Salon has been collecting canned goods at its Mt. Lookout Location.  Feel free to drop off your canned goods there or at the Freestore Foodbank.

Follow the Link to the Virtual Freestore Food Drive.

Promote Expert in the Rough and I will donate to the Freestore Foodbank.  Hey, I am needy for subscribers and readers.

$1 Donation* for Commenting on this Post.

$5 Donation* for Blog Post on your Blog about Expert in the Rough and the Virtual Freestore Food Drive

$100 Donation* for a front page mention on the Cincinnati Enquirer with Link to Expert in the Rough

$100 Donation* for 1 Minute Television Interview on Channel 5, 9, 12 or 19.

*Here is my legal mumbo jumbo, I will donate up to $300 via the Virtual Food Drive link on December 10th based on the results of this post.  I will do my best to tally and donate accordingly but cannot be held responsible legally in anyway other than making a donation to the Freestore Foodbank.

If for some reason nobody takes me up on the above offers I will donate $100.

While you are here be sure to subscribe to my inspirational ramblings.  You can subscribe via feed reader or email updates using the links in the upper right corner.

Have you asked yourself if you are willing to take the Long Haul?

Truth is most of experience success via the Long Haul approach.

Truth is most of us get distracted by the allure of the Quick Fix.

Ask yourself what you love, try it out, if you truly love it the Long Haul actually is the preferred route.

It’s like a never ending pint of Ice Cream.

If you don’t want it to end you are probably on the right path.

Quick Fix, shift your focus from instant success to Long Haul enjoyment.

One of my favorite writers/bloggers is Scott Ginsberg of “Hello, My Name is Blog,” his writing technique is what I call Jedi Mind Tricks.

Scott’s approach to writing and life is re-framing the obvious.

Today Scott discussed the idea of “What if You Practiced Everything.” Essentially, Scott’s point is if you re-frame your life as practice it takes the edge off and allows for you to enjoy and enhance your life.

Practicing life is a cornerstone for being an Expert in the Rough.

Many people forget to embrace life and live it with the skills they possess now.

If you are waiting until you arrive to start the journey then you might want to embrace Scott’s Jedi Mind Trick.

Practice Life!

Success is pretty easy.

Be the one!

Be the one:

• who picks up the trash
• who starts the company blog
• who organizes the team
• calls the CEO of your top prospect company
• who starts a non-profit helping somebody in need
• who identifies an under served market
• who polishes their public speaking at Toastmasters
• who takes additional writing classes
• who hires a personal coach to guide their career
• who updates their resume quarterly and is ready when opportunity knocks
• who studies for additional industry certifications
• who seeks a mentor for career guidance
• who creates a personal board of directors to hold them accountable
• who mentors others giving back the experience others have bestowed you
• who does the job nobody else wants
• who stays late when the job requires
• who starts early to ensure the quality of their work
• who does what others won’t, put off, forget or are afraid to do

“Be the One” when opportunity knocks who answers the door.

We should find somebody to organize the warehouse.

We should find somebody to update our marketing materials.

We should find somebody to speak at our next fundraiser.

We should find somebody to head up that committee.

We should find somebody to streamline our processes.

We should find somebody who can organize our files.

We should find somebody to get our blog off the ground.

We should find someone to manage our training.

Is there somebody in your pocket? When you say “We Should” who exactly is included in your “We”?

“We” is the trap.

“We” is the belief that somebody else will do it.”

“We” never happens. The truth is there is no “We” without an “I” first.

I will get a team of managers together to organize the warehouse.

I will work with the ad agency to update our marketing materials.

I will call the founder of “insert company” to speak at our annual fundraiser.

I will form a committee.

I will hire a process management consultant.

I will manage the overhaul of our filing system.

I will learn about blogging platforms.

I will organize a monthly training session.

“We” sounds great on paper.  The more the merrier so to speak but the truth is your boss, your leader, your friends, your members, your co-workers are looking for you to take the reigns.

Next time you say “We” stop yourself and feel the power of “I.”

I will change my world, I will change the world.

I bet you will start you next big project when you get the right experience.

I bet you will embark on you next big dream when the timing is right.

I bet you will start your blog when you have enough time.

I bet you will start playing guitar when you get hired by a band.

I bet you will write that resume after you get that new job.

I bet you will make that phone call when you get the courage.

I bet you will have another excuse tommorow.

I bet you didn’t know that Less Than Perfect always is the first step.

I bet you didn’t know that Less Than Perfect gives you the space to learn and grow.

I bet you think this post is kind of lame, but I don’t care.

I am Less Than Perfect but I am living my dreams every day.

Perfect is the booby prize!

Less Than Perfect, I am living my dreams.

Did I mention I want to be a best selling author, that is why I am learning to write on this blog.

When are you going to get started living your dreams?

Is Perfection going to get in the way?

How can I help you get started?