Too Busy?
ArtPrize initial voting wraps up tonight at midnight. I've only physically been to 3 of the venues, but have seen some of the other pieces in a walk by or drive by. If you aren't from 'round here, ArtPrize is the largest art contest based in Grand Rapids MI. Artists from all over the world have come to win the $250K prize. I met one artist from Florida. I saw one guy from Tibet. Another from Israel. I'm sure there are lots more I didn't meet from many other countries.
I love art. I used to be a graphic artist. Three pieces that I created, in my early life, hang in my house. I create websites that I try to make works of art. I've not been to all 250 venues or even 10 because of all of the other things I'm doing. I belong to 5 networking groups, and have attended 2-3 others. I have been asked to join the board or leadership of 3 of these groups. I once told the president of one of the other organizations that I generally end up running groups that I join. It's been that way since High School. I don't know if it's because I'm opinionated or if I can just see new and better ways of doing things. What do you think?
One of the boards is for AimWest, a group I joined when I needed to get back into the sales game - I'm now their secretary. I believe they asked me to join their board because I'm opinionated, a technology geek and have growing ties in the community. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know that I've become, essentially, a professional networker. I say professional because I've won a $100 golf outing and an iPad in the last year. But it's pretty bad that when you network so much they actually ask you to help run a group.
The other two groups aren't formally non-profits or are organized with actual boards (president/vice-pres/secretary/treasurers/etc) yet, which is why they've asked for my help. They want to be better organized, get speakers 3-5 months out and provide their membership more benefits to joining and attending meetings. GRAPE is having me do their website... which, yes it taking a while to get done - see the title of this post. Group management is looking for how we can grow the group, expand the membership to more types of professionals like doctors, lawyers, CEOs, CFOs... so we're looking to bring in different types of speakers that will promote that growth. GRSM, the third one, was started by a couple guys from ArtPrize. It's primary focus is on Social Media education. People can network too, but the prime reason for attendance is learning. This last month GRSM held a tweetup at the GR Public Museum, which had more than 70 ArtPrize entries. That's one of the 3 venue's I graced with my presence - but solely because I was working a group. I did get to see many of the pieces and use a new iPhone App called Scavenger Hunt (SCVNGR).
So, lets see, that's 5 groups I attend meetings of, 3 which I help manage - AND - I run a business that helps companies get found on google, look good, and have an easy time managing their websites. If you're just tuning in to me: Essentially Evolve can provide any solution from Website Design to Social Media Strategizitation (new word - check Doug's Dictionary), from content writing to branding, eCommerce, Content Management and even logo design. I have a bunch of resources that I use for these jobs, so my primary role is sales and project management of Evolve Solutions. That's a lot of work, in and of itself, so helping run all these groups is further draining me of time. The upside is that it is driving business my way. The downside is that I don't have as much time for fun.
Lastly I'm coaching 2 soccer teams. That takes about 8+ hours per week. My lawn looks like crap. The leaves are down. The grass could be mowed again before winter, and I don't have, but, 9 logs next to the house for the wood stove. I've not ridden either of my bikes more than 3 times since Spring.
If I've not called, written, IM'd, DM'd, or FaceBook Messaged/Commented you in a while, it's not because I'm ignoring you, it's because you didn't hire me, don't go to any of the groups I attend, or your kid doesn't play Y soccer in Lowell. Over the next couple weeks I'm going to try some new time, technology and life management tools. I plan on blogging about them over the next month. Yeah - something more to add to my schedule: blogging.
So all this being said, I'm still hoping to carve out some time to get back down to ArtPrize to see the final voting portion and see more pieces. If you see me down there this weekend say "Hi" and perhaps Bump with the SCVNGR app on your iPhone.
