Turn Off That Darn Computer! | Travel Research Online

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Turn Off That Darn 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 adults have a little more gray than others. Some come with a few more regrets. A few have a few more letters after their names, and some are adequately skilled at explaining their police record.

But life unfolds as a sine wave, and the back and forth motion of your piano’s pendulum sums up our existence. Therefore, it is time to give you the same advice you gave to our children: “Why don’t you turn off that darn computer and go to the library?”

Those who know me know that I make it a point to practice what I preach. Just yesterday, I put my computer to sleep and grabbed my library card before heading downtown to the local bibliotheque. (Library)

All those books, magazines, videos, community announcements, and signs remind us to stop talking while providing 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.

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. (That may answer a question I have always had — what does 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 managing information-retrieval is.
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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; their snail mail address along with their email address. It even mentioned who they admired, and who they considered to be their mentor. (These are all known as “hooks” and are important elements of future relationships.)

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. (Consider yourself warned. This will soon become addictive behavior.)


Mike Marchev

Mike Marchev is always looking for a few more proactive travel professionals to join his Sales and Marketing Club. Send for details.

 

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