Netwalking

Yes you read that right - netwalking - networking and going for a walk - right up my street that one.

 

This is my second netwalk organised by Skylark Activities and this time it was to Bradgate Park. I met a lot of people I had not met before - which is always bonus - and I got to walk around my old playground. I learnt a couple of things about Bradgate Park that I did not know - it is always a good day when you learn something new. Met one very nice person in particular and am hoping we can do some business together in the future.

Bradgate Park, Leicestershire

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Workwear

Decided it was time to get kitted out with work clothes that have my logo on them. When I am out and about working - and particularly when I have an assistant - then people know who it is that is capturing all these images. I have been networking with Dean who runs ept services for a while now and during that time I have been impressed with his products, his passion, his commitment and I was soon to find out - his prices. Today I was asked to go and approve the embroidery interpretation of my logo - and here it is ...

Soon to be worn workwear

I have allowed the logo to be tweaked a little bit so that it works - embroidery is a very different medium to print - and I think we have landed on a pretty good option. Now it has to be embroidered onto 2 tee-shirts, 3 polo shirts and because I am a wuss - a fleece!

 

It will be a week before I can pick up the finished items and when I have them there will be photos of them being modelled.

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Daily RAoK

Have decided today that I should not only try and upload an image per day onto Instagram so that I am always thinking about images, art, composition, photography, and the beauty that surrounds me - but also to try and complete one random act of kindness each day - a RAoK.

 

Not sure how I will log these but will keep notes and see if I think it is worth reporting back or whether this is something that has to be kept private!

 

Today I have found an old family photograph for my cousin. She has very few of her and her mum and dad from when they lived in UK so this will be a new image for her family photo album.

 

I also started a 'Smile Jar' this month - the idea being that each time something makes you smile you jot it down onto a piece of paper and keep that in a jar and then later in the year you can empty your jar and remember all the good things.

Smile Jar at the beginning of January

 

 

I think the Smile Jar may begin to fill quickly as I complete my RAoK each day.

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Days like this

Being ill through December really did not help this self-employed one-man-band. All my energies were focused on getting better and trying not to be sick rather than talking to my clients and organising work for January. As a result January has been quite quiet. This has given me the chance to resolve my backing-up issues and to clean the office. I've even found things I thought I had lost but during this time my camera has remained in its bag and the car parked on the drive.

 

However my hard work through early January, as I got better, has begun to bear fruit. A trip to my mentor last week to go through my ideas for the way forward for the business was very interesting and motivating and I now have a plan which is beginning to fall into place.

 

I am going to be rethinking my 60 second pitch that I give at network meetings and have been practising that on the cat over the last week. I now think I am ready to go and try it out on other people - which is good as next week I have three network meetings.

 

I have discovered a new way of networking called 'Netwalking' - fab way to network by going out for an hour and half walk and spending 5/10 mins with each person so you can talk about your business and see if there are ways you can find referrals or work collaboratively. If you want to find out if there is one near you have a look on Skylark Activities website for details. Yesterdays' netwalk was around Moira Furnace, Donisthorpe, Conkers using the Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail.

 

The snow had thawed, which meant a muddy walk,
but that did not dampen our enthusiasm

 

 

I really enjoyed it and made a very good contact. I am hooked so I am going to the Bradgate Park netwalk - my old stomping ground - that should be interesting, old memories will flood back.

 

Also during this quiet time I have been investigating social media and seeing how I currently make use of that. Not efficiently I know. I still need a little bit of training/practical help and that is in the diary for week after next.

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Direction

I have been putting into place a plan I developed over Christmas and it is starting to bear fruit. Once I have things in writing and some work underway I will post more information. But this is exciting stuff and involves a whole bag full of photographic elements. 

Brrr its so cold - but this news is very warming.

Plans are being put into action

 

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