Turn Off That Computer! | Travel Research Online

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Turn Off That Computer!

One of the most difficult lessons we learn as adults is that we are virtually all the same. We are just a bunch of older children. 

Some are more gray than others, and some come with a few more regrets. Some have a few more letters after their name and some try to explain their police record (I’m just saying).

But if life unfolds as a sine wave (which I believe it does), and the back and forth motion of your piano’s pendulum sums up our existence, then perhaps it is time to give you the same advice you give to your children…“Why don’t you turn off that dang computer and go to the library?”

Those who know me know that I make it a point to practice what I preach. I put my computer to sleep yesterday, and grabbed my library card before heading down town.

All those books, magazines, videos, community announcements and signs reminding us to stop talking provide a refreshing break from one’s daily routine. The reminder to “stop talking” was a sales message worth the trip alone. I love being in the library, and I urge all of you to test this creative haven for yourself.
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I soon stumbled on an idea worth sharing. I picked up The South Florida Business Journal (yes, there is still a printed version), and began to thumb through it. Apparently, there was a contest going on and a bunch of executive “suits” were vying for the prize.

This may answer a question I have always had — what do Mr. and Mrs. Big do with their time? Answer: Enter contests.

Whether your audience consists of buttoned down executives or not is not the point here…the ease of information-retrieval is. Stay with me. No fewer than twenty candidates were listed with all their contact information staring me in the face. Their brief biography, the college where they were introduced to alcoholic beverages along with their academic accolades, their hobbies, and their snail mail address along with their email address. It even mentioned who they admired, and who they considered to be their mentor.

In less than 15-seconds I knew more about these people than their spouses did. This is just an example of how you can use the library. Information can be acquired in a heartbeat. Here is another idea.

Walk over to the magazine rack and glance through your options. You will see many titles that you would never dream of subscribing to. Go with your gut. Chances are a cover photo will grab your eye. Sit down and turn to the table of contents. Thumb down until a title of an article grabs your attention…one will. Turn and read that single article with an open mind but consider yourself warned; this will soon become addictive behavior.

The heck with me, do yourself a favor. Schedule some time this week to ask your neighbor if they know where your town’s public library is, and then make it your business to go hang out there for an afternoon. Not only will you find yourself stimulated to the nth degree, but you might even think so highly of my recommendation that you will decide to join my Inner Circle Sales & Marketing Club in hope that I may steer you down a couple of more worthwhile paths. HINT: I can. Send me an email at mike@mikemarchev.com and write the words Inner Circle in the Subject Box if you want more information.


Mike Marchev Mike Marchev has plenty of stories, strategies and tactics to keep you on top of your game.
Mike will be conducting his 5th annual Travel Sales & Marketing Business Development Cruise, sailing the Freedom of The Seas from Ft. Lauderdale. Email him at mike@mikemarchev.com for complete details. Five cabins are still available.
Mike’s daily column is made possible by AmaWaterways.

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