April has been a turbulent yet transformational month for me with two amazing seminars filling up the pages on my calendar. Earlier this month I went to Infusioncon in Arizona to learn and connect with some amazing experts who are proficient with the Infusionsoft marketing and communication system. I went there to learn how to share the benefits of this system with my members and was pleasantly surprised to hear some top-notch speakers such as Gary Vaynerchuck, Ali Brown, Chris Brogan, Loral Langemeier, Pam Slim, Jennifer Bourn and more.

I had the honor of being recently featured in this month’s JJR Marketing’s “Make it Happen!” Newsletter. Their objective is to feature one interesting individual from the community that has achieved success in his/her respective area with their contact base. They have learned that success it is all about building relationships (who you know and who knows you) and they opted to introduce me to the world through their amazing PR strategy of which I am truly honored.

JJR Marketing is a full-service, award-winning marketing and public relations agency that you should “get to know”!  http://www.jjrmarketing.com/

Below are the interview questions they asked and I answered. Enjoy!

By: Christie Ruffino
Dynamic Professional Women’s Network, Inc.
www.dpwomen.com

I can honestly say that I have always been prone to working on several projects at once while at the same time, watching TV, talking on the phone and chewing gum. I felt that this was the best way for me to get the most accomplished in the shortest amount of time. This is what is called multi-tasking which is not actually the best way to increase ones productivity and efficiency, but that is an article for another day. I am working diligently to alter those habits, but what I am discovering to be my biggest challenge is that I often get distracted and add new projects to my agenda if I should happen to get inspired to create or start something new. This is what I call a Squirrel Moment taken from Dug the Dog from the Pixar movie “Up” who spends the whole movie being constantly distracted by a pesky squirrel.

I am naturally one of those individuals who tend to process life and execute behaviors in a more ADD manner. I have never actually been diagnosed as having that disability, but it is very hard for me to remain focused and truly engaged in one task at a time for any length at a time. Although this can make it very hard to complete projects, I feel that I have been very successful at remaining disciplined when needed and organized enough to ensure that I finish my projects and meet my deadlines as required. In fact, I feel that the skills I have developed and the creativity I exhibit are blessings directly as a result of my ADD tendencies.

So what is the problem you ask?

By: Christie Ruffino
Dynamic Professional Women’s Network, Inc.
www.dpwomen.com

How to create and build strategic relationships that will help you get the results you deserve with your referral network.

Networking is about leveraging your business and personal connections to help you make and build relationships that will provide you with a regular supply of new business. The key word being “Relationships”

The thing about networking unlike other business skills is that although it is necessary to thrive, it is not taught in most schools or universities. Yes we can all jump into the networking game, join a chamber of commerce, register for an event and order a stack of business cards, but will we get the desired results?

I made the mistake many years ago doing just that. I had always been naturally prone to connect my family and friends to the amazing resources I discovered and I felt great sanctification in helping them out. In addition I was also happy to help spread the word for those businesses whom I felt offered an amazing product or service. So isn’t that enough? Unfortunately after many years of unsuccessful networking, I learned that my networking needs to be intentional and result driven.

How connected are you?

By: Christie Ruffino
Dynamic Professional Women’s Network, Inc.
www.dpwomen.com

One of the headline stories a week ago was about a professional athlete who, without an apparent reason, was denied the opportunity to experience an opportunity he worked so hard to achieve. Tiquan Underwood loved being a New England Patriot so much that he shaved their emblem into his hair but was tragically cut from the team on Saturday, just hours before the Super Bowl. To say that he was disappointed is an understatement, but during this adversity he remained honorable and positive. Although I was not able to find his exact quote, I heard one of his comments were that; God gives us difficult circumstances to overcome so we can become successful over-comers.

We all face challenges in life from time to time. There is no way to avoid this truth and there is no way to become exempt from the pain and suffering that usually accompanies it. Weather your specific challenge is as small as a minor traffic accident or as large as losing a loved one; or if it seems that you are faced with a regular supply of challenging times or you are fortunate to be fairly challenge free, we all have to do the best we can to overcome our personal challenges in the best way we can.