Aloha From Hawaii (Pictures!). Blog Will Return Mon 8/8/11

Aloha Everyone. As some of you may know I am in Hawaii for the next few weeks (pictures in this blog are from my first few days). My brother dropped us off at the airport and about halfway through security I realized I had forgotten my phone. My amazing magical smartphone - the one I held off getting for years and upon finally succumbing fell instantly in love and wondered how civilized life could survive without one. 


But now I was without any phone at all. 


By the time I realized the phone had fallen out of my purse in my brothers car it was too late to get it. I've spent my first few days in Hawaii without a phone and it has been bliss. I have joked that I'm living Aloha 80's style as I've used a phone book, had to have meeting spots with people anytime I go somewhere by myself, and feel the need to buy postcards. I also haven't checked Facebook in days which feels weird and yet kind of wonderful.

Technology, no matter how much we try to resist it, pulls us from the present. Not having my phone has forced me to fully live in the present - and I can say there is probably no better place to do that than in Hawaii. Everywhere you look here is saturated with beauty. And I can't imagine anything on my phone to be better than this.

And yet the pull is heavy. My phone is being shipped just so I have it with me for safety purposes when I'm off by myself, but in so many ways I am happy to have left it. It forced me to see what life feels like without being constantly connected, and it felt incredibly and deeply satisfying. 


So I've resolved to take these next few weeks to truly disconnect in order to refuel, refresh, and re-engage with who I am apart from all that other stuff. I don't mean that in a big "find yourself" kind of way. I simply mean that I want to separate from all that pulls our attention in our increasingly ADD society and truly relax - unencumbered.

It is not an easy task. The pull is still there, and I know once my phone arrives it will take even more discipline to keep it off unless truly needed, leave it in the car when at the beach, and resist the temptation to click that e-mail or Facebook app and check in on everything and everyone.

I love the social opportunities technology presents, but I am constantly contemplating how to find the balance between social networking and social hiding. The balance between increased knowledge and information overload. The balance between meaningful connection and disconnect from the present. 

I'm not saying this is going to be easy, but I am going to do my best to fully immerse myself in this incredible experience without the pull of technology. I am going to soak it up and share with you all of the inspiration I gain when I return. 


Maholo for reading and I so look forward to connecting with you again when I return.

Pancake Sandwich. Legendary.

For more pictures as the trip progresses feel free to friend me at facebook.com/iadney. 

Weekend 4Cast: Mentors, Social Boom!, Harry Potter, and Sun Dresses

Happy Thursday Everyone. The weekend is almost here and I am actually heading on an airplane right now to Hawaii and am unbelievably excited. 

* Weekend 4Cast *

Compilation of all of the things I'm dying to share with you. 

-  Random - 

I have found the best way to learn about anything is to learn from someone who has been there and done that. I have learned almost everything through the guidance and generosity of professionals who have shared with me their time, their wisdom, and their life story. Do you have mentors in your life? 


It is easier than you think.  Just start asking people you admire for their story and their advice. You'll be amazed at who will talk with you if you simply ask. The best place to start is StudentMentor.org. This was started by two passionate young people dedicated to you and the power of mentorship. Registering is so quick and the rewards  - incredible. 


- Movies - 
I am more excited/nostalgic than I thought I'd be for Harry Potter. 

SUCCESS magazine recently featured David Heyman, the Harry Potter films' producer, and he mentions that the young actors were able to stay relatively grounded because they did the filming in a small town in England. Isn't interesting how environment affects things...especially the Hollywood environment?

- Fashion -

Speaking of environment, I am so beyond ecstatic to be able to wear nothing but sun dresses, flip flops, and hats for the next two weeks. I tried on a new dress I got for the trip complete with hat and big necklace and thought yes, this is me. 


I often miss the freedom I had in college to wear my favorite clothes (enjoy it while it lasts :). And if you're in a working culture where your favorite style isn't appropriate for work, plan as many activities on the weekends and vacations when you can break out your favorite pieces. There is something freeing about it. 


- Books -
Are you making the most of your social media presence?As I'm sure you've realized by now, social media is so much more then telling your friends what you had to eat that day.  It affects so many aspects of our lives - especially your future career. Social media can help you find a job, land a job, make connections, build a positive image, and even make money. You have to know how to market yourself to get a job after college. And you don't want to be caught marketing yourself in a way that seems self-obsessed. 

Social Boom! by Jeffery Gitomer taught me so much about Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube and I have already connected with incredible people I would have never met if I hadn't read this book. No matter how technological things get, business and getting jobs will always be about people. In Social Boom! Gitomer explains how to use technology to make sure you stand out and connect with people who will help you reach your goals. A++++