JudiFree.com » Marketing

The Danger of Networking

JudiFree.com — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:34:15 +0000

The word “networking” has become a dangerous cover up for me. The idea of networking isn’t dangerous by itself. In fact, many people have benefited from connecting with others. However, networking has ignited a desire to use people for what they can give me and what they can do for me. I hide behind the term in order to create superficial relationships with people so I can promote selfish motives. My initial thoughts when meeting someone has turned to, “What can they do for me?” I find myself only connecting with those who can further my agenda.

Instead of thinking how I can have a genuine relationship with people, my thoughts are filled with self promoting fantasies. I desire to see my name in lights.

I pray I see people as souls, not objects. I pray for deep relationships, not superficial acquaintances. I pray for a heart that genuinely loves people, not notoriety.

What do you pray for?

Inspired by Greatness

JudiFree.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:51:08 +0000

I had the very rare opportunity to sit in a room with 150 brilliant CEOs – incredibly accomplished individuals to say the least. They had all gathered to hear the CEO of my company give a presentation about “The Politics of International Business”…sounds so boring…right? What they got instead was a sincere message from an incredible man about his family, faith and business.

He spoke about the explosive growth our company experienced in the past 10 years, and he also detailed the anguish of watching the company stock go from $70 to $2 within 6 weeks. I was completely captivated by his personal story and journey of the past six months. Above all, I was completely shocked and inspiried with his transparency about his faith. He didn’t hold back in this very initimidating room. He let everyone know that “with God, all things are possible” and when he was asked how he managed his way through it all, he simply said, “I have to be honest…I pray alot. And through prayer, I gain the wisdom and strengh I need to do my job.”

He described his job as CEO of a Fortune 500 company as a ministry.

Maybe you’ll never be in “full time church ministry”, but you can inspire and change people right where you are. My CEO changed my life…and he’s not even a pastor.

Resume Writing Tips

JudiFree.com — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:17:21 +0000

The economy sucks…and I can’t do anything about it.

BUT –

I have a knack for writing, editing and formatting resumes for my friends, family, and even former co-workers. If you need some help with your resume, I really want to help you. Here’s some quick tips, but feel free to leave a comment and I’ll email you if you need additional help:

Customize your email for the job you are applying for. Each job requirement is different – so should your resume!
Keep it to one page if at all possible.
Keep it clean and SPELL CHECK!!!!
Focus on your skills and strengths – not your daily tasks and duties.
You are marketing yourself so be creative and make your experience jump off of the page.
Reach out to placement agencies and head hunters. They have trusted relationships with tons of companies. Many companies won’t hire anyone unless it’s through a placement agency or head hunter.
Convert your resume to PDF before sending. MS Word formatting doesn’t always “keep”.
For examples, templates and more tips, visit Resume Resource.

In addition to helping with your resume, I’ll pray that you find a job – a GREAT job!

Start Writing!

To Move a Heart and Fill a Congregation

JudiFree.com — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:43:45 +0000

What moves people? How can you get them to listen to your message? How do you get them to come to your church?

I say, the only way – ONLY WAY – is through the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of Christ which is the only thing that can compell a man’s heart.

If this is true, why do we have to spend so much time on programs, gimicks, get togethers, and great lighting? I challenge us to look at the great revivals of our past. Revivals set up in dirty tents with uncomfortable seating. The people were hungry and desperate to experience a move of God.

I don’t believe the people who attend Hillsong Church go for the amazing light show – the Holy Spirit is truly present in that place. If your church is dwindling in numbers, I promise, it’s not the hole in the carpet or the lack of a 30 something group that’s keeping people away.

The people are still hungry and desperate!

Blurting

JudiFree.com — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:36:46 +0000

At work, I really think about everything I’m going to say or email. I take a breath and think, “How will this impact the situation/person/problem?” I’m very diligent and respectful about this and I usually do not say anything out of pure emotion.

However, I don’t do the same thing at home. Instead of thinking about my response to Mark or my parents, I usually blurt out my first emotionall and irrational response. It usually takes a 5 or 10 minute conversation for me to back out of my “blurt” and tell the person that I love what I really meant to say.

When it comes to the people we love, why is it so hard to treat them with the same respect we do our co-workers or boss?

In the Arms of an Angel

JudiFree.com — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:08:31 +0000

I’m safe. I still have my job. God is good (and he still would have been good if I lost my job today).

today is STILL the day the Lord has made

JudiFree.com — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:07:57 +0000

My company announced today that our CEO resigned and that they will be laying off 20 – 25% of staff. The layoffs will take place next week.

I have some options here on how I will react…

fearful, paniced, gossiping, angry, frustrated

full of faith, love, peace, joy, patience, self control, kindness etc…

Even if I lose my job next week, I know who my provider is. I am the head and not the tail. Above and not beneath. I am a child of God. I have the mind of Christ. I have Godly favor…there, I said it!

TODAY IS STILL THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE;
I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!

I Wish I Could…

JudiFree.com — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:32:06 +0000

sing like an angel
relate better to my friends when they are going through hard times
be more knowledgeable about Scripture
listen better – much better (sorry Mark for the constant interruptions)
win $1,000,000 playing McDonald’s Monopoly
start my own business
lose 15 lbs.

The funny thing about this list is that only one of these things requires luck…the rest, I just need to work at. I can do it. I know I can. SUCCESS IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO EFFORT. Luck is for losers (even though I did win a $50 gas card) - and the rest is in our hands to work hard and become everything we ever dreamed of.

Shopping for a Living

JudiFree.com — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:37:49 +0000

I shop for a living. It’s every girls dream. I purchase the promotional gifts (swag as some are inclined to call it) and corporate gifts (these tend to be nicer in quality).

Anyway, my job is alot of fun, but there is one occupational hazard – ACQUIRING JUNK!!!! I have so many companies sending me the latest and greatest stuff that my desk becomes a pile of junk. I clean it weekly and I can’t keep it tidy. Here’s a quick snapshot of what I accumulate in just one week…

Swag

Playing cards
5 water bottles
Maglight
2 USB Drives
Paperweight
Cuff Links
Puzzle Game
Pen

The law of diminishing value definitely applies here…the first USB drive was really exciting, but the 36th was just a hassle to find a spot or person to give it to. I guess it’s my cross to bare!

Wishing for Wings

JudiFree.com — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:13:33 +0000

I have spent most of my teenage and adult years resenting the fact that I am a “jack of all trades, master of none.” I can do many things well, but I am not exceptional at one particlar thing (like Mark is with music).

I have been tormented at the thought that I would always be someone’s assistant. Always busying myself with helping others accomplish THEIR dreams and not my own. Stroking the egos and money that make up the corporate world. There was a quote on the House season opener that frightened me to my core:

I would rather live among the birds than waste it wishing I had wings.

Is this true of me? Am I OK with just living among the birds and never living for myself. Never chasing my own dreams…the big, fat, undeniable answer is NO.

Maybe being a jack of all trades means that I will be good at starting my own business someday or good at coming up with something different to blog everyday – HA! For now I’ll embrace the fact that I’m a jack of all trades.

But listen up cruel world: JudiFree is here to stay and she has wings…huge, purple, pink, and sequin studded wings!