Leaving a Phone Message 101

Networking can easily be done through the Internet but there are times in which a phone call may be required. Reaching out to a potential contact or employer always requires a good first impression over the phone.

Talking on the phone isn't hard but there are several items to consider when leaving a voicemail:

• The message needs to be direct and clear
• A concise message can get your intention across than a long dragged out message
• Not speaking clearly can hinder your chances of getting a response from the desired contact 

Below are some tips on leaving a phone message:

1. Make it concise and to the point - state your name, where you obtained the contact's name from, your intention and a phone number. It doesn't have to be long and dragged out. Making it too long can lead to confusion on the other end
2. Speak clearly - how do you feel when someone leaves you a phone message you can't understand?  You probably did not want to call that person back because you could not understand what the person was saying
3. Leave a contact number - you will be surprised how often people forget to leave a phone number on a message. Make sure the person can call you back. Don't assume the person has caller ID

Key Tips for First Dates

Two years ago, a friend of mine suggested I try the world of online dating. I wasn't opposed to idea and knew it was going to be a learning experience. I hadn't dated for a long time prior to that point and knew there were going to be some ups and downs.

Like regular dating, online dating consists of a lot of first dates and trying to see which one makes the best connection. Finding someone through an online search is a much different process but the concepts for a first date are essentially the same. You still have to try and make a connection with the person and make a good first impression.

Below are some tips you can use when going out with someone for the first time:

1) The Small Favors Can Go a Long Way - Being polite to the server (if at a restaurant), opening doors, and showing an interest in the person (more on this later) can really go a long way on a first date. On a personal note, I was usually turned off whenever a date was rude to the server or didn't take the time to show much of an interest in me. In one particular instance, I had a date who constantly said rude things to the server and didn't show much of an interest in me the entire dinner. As a result, it came across to me like she really wasn't interested in me and her poor manners towards the server were really a turn off. If someone is taking time out of his or her day to meet with you and go out on a date, minding your manners can make a huge difference.

2) Take the Time to Listen and Learn About the Other Person - It's okay to be a little nervous but don't let it effect your listening skills or taking time to learn about the other person. If you show and interest and listen, it will make for a much better conversation. You may not always have a connection with the person but you won't help yourself if you are constantly babbling about yourself or random things. I always found it easier to find things to talk about if I listened to the other person rather than giving someone my own verbal autobiography. I can recall one instance in which my date constantly babbled about random items and didn't take any time to get to know me as a person. It made it difficult to have a conversation after a while and it came across at times that this girl was more interested in talking about herself rather than getting to know who I was as a person.

3) Try and Pick a Place Comfortable for Both of You - You don't necessarily have to go all out and to the most expensive place in town for your first date. Keeping it simple helps at first and keep in mind that while you may be able to converse with someone through e-mails and text messages, you may not have a connection in person. Something simple like a coffee shop or going out for drinks is a nice casual way of setting up a first date. Going out to dinner works as well but can be a lot of money down the tubes if the date is a bust and things don't pan out. Try and pick something that will be comfortable for you and your date and go from there.

4) If Things Don't Work Out, Be Respectful to the Other Person - It is hard when you have a bad evening on a date or something doesn't work out with the other person. Sometimes it is hard to take and you may feel like you wasted your time but learn from the experience as much as you can. You may not feel a connection with the other person or the other person may not feel much of a connection with you. It is hard at times to get rejected like that but avoid being rude to the person or doing something that could hurt his or her feelings. A situation where there is no connection or a rough date can be hard to take but going out of your way to embarrass the other person won't help the situation. Keep in mind that you probably wouldn't want someone to go out of his or her way to embarrass you after a bad date.

5) Learn What You Can From Each Date - Not every date will work out but keep in mind what you can learn from each opportunity. The more you date, the easier it will be and learn from each experience as much as you can. It will help you learn how to develop a relationship with the person you want to keep seeing and help you soar from there.

Tips for Online Dating

The New Year has started and chances are, some of you may be taking to the world of online dating as one of your resolutions. Having grown in popularity over the past several years, online dating is becoming one of the best ways to meet new people and start relationships.

Having done online dating in the past, I have learned many lessons but one comes to mind right away; it is not an exact science. A lot of the process is based off trial and error and there is a lot to consider before diving in.

Below are some tips on getting started to the world of Online Dating:

1) Be Open Minded - I am not saying that you should simply go out with anyone that requests to speak to you on the online dating site you choose but keep in mind that you don't know these people from previous experience either. In a way, online dating is almost like going on a blind date. You may be able to e-mail a person back and forth easily but not be able to hold a conversation when meeting in person. Keep in mind that while online dating is a great way to meet others, you never know what will happen until you actually meet that person face to face.

2) Try and Have a Phone Conversation Prior to Meeting in Person - It is easy to get caught up in e-mails back and forth and not have an actual phone conversation prior to meeting. While meeting times can be set up easily through e-mail, you may find that you can't hold a conversation with that person face to face. Having a phone conversation sometimes alleviates any nervousness prior to a face to face meeting and can also be an indication as to whether or not it is worth it to meet. You may find that you have difficulty finding common ground to talk about on the phone or find the other person really isn't that interested.

3) Plan a Budget - I am not saying to go cheap on first dates or any dates but doing multiple dates can get expensive if you are going to lots of different restaurants on a weekly basis. Meeting for dinner can be a great way to meet someone, however, it can get expensive if done multiple times. Meeting for coffee or drinks can be a great alternative especially if you are not sure if things will work out.

4) Keep in Mind You Do Not Know These People From Previous Experience - You may come across one or two people you know on these dating sites but keep in mind you won't know a good percentage of the people with profiles on these sites. While the profiles can give you a good indication as to what these people are like, you won't know until you meet someone in person. Someone may come across one way in his or her profile but completely different in person.

5) Things May Not Work Out With Someone for Reasons Beyond Your Control - It is unfortunate but there may be instances in which the other person may not want to move forward with another date or a relationship for reasons beyond your control. There may be work issues, personal issues, the other person not feeling a connection, etc. that may prevent a relationship from moving forward.

6) Each Experience is Different - You may find someone you click with right away from the first date and it may take much longer. It is hard to predict and you may be on a site for a few months before finding the right person. Each experience is different and keep in mind a relationship may not material overnight.

Looking Back For Reflection

2012 is coming to an end and it's hard not to think how the year may have flown by for many. Like all years, events happen, things change and we move forward as the New Year rolls upon us.

Before the New Year begins, take a few moments to thank those and reflect on the good parts of the year. Ask yourself the following:

1) Who helped me out the most this year in terms of personal and professional growth?
2) What person has always supported me no matter what?
3) What events were fun and successful in part to a certain person?
4) Where was I a year ago in terms to my personal goals and where am I now?
5) What are all of the things I can be thankful for?

Take the time to list all of this out before the New Year begins. You might be surprised what you come up with in a positive way.

Soldier's Silent Night

A Soldier's Silent Night
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY;
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

Online Dating Tips

With more and more people getting busier these days, finding someone to date via online services has grown in popularity. Going to sites like Match.com or eHarmony has become a popular method for people of many different age groups to find people to date.

Online dating is a unique method for meeting people and there are two key concepts to keep in mind:

1) Online dating is not an exact science - based off personal experience and talking with others, online dating is definitely not an exact science and can take some trial and error. People who may not have luck on Match.com may have better luck on eHarmony or vice versa. A lot of it does take trail and error and seeing how to move forward from there.

2) You don't know the people you will come across on there - I understand this sounds obvious but keep in mind that you don't know the people on these sites from previous experience. It's not necessarily a blind date but keep in mind that the only information you know about the people you will find online is in the profiles they have created.

Below are some tips to help you get started in the online dating world:

1) E-mailing back and forth helps get to know someone but try and have a phone conversation prior to meeting - with e-mail, it is easy to get to know the person and feel there could be something there but try and have a phone conversation with the person prior to going on a date. While you may be able to e-mail the person back and forth and feel there will be a connection, you may find the total opposite when trying to talk to the person. Phone conversations could be a way to gauge how interested the other person is and whether or not you two can easily converse with each other on a date. You may have instances in which you may not be able to have any chemistry when meeting someone in person but having a phone call first could indicate that beforehand.

2) Determine how much you want to spend on first dates - when doing online dating, you will end up going out on a lot of first dates and depending on what you do, the amount of money spent can add up quickly. There is nothing wrong with not wanting to go cheap on a first date but keep in mind that if something doesn't work out or if the date doesn't go well, you could be spending a lot of money if you choose to meet at a restaurant or place that is expensive. Sometimes starting at by meeting for drinks or coffee could be a casual way to go especially if you are not sure how the date will pan out. I am not saying go cheap but keep in mind that things may not work out after a first date.

3) Be open minded - as mentioned earlier, you may not have chemistry with the person you are out on a date with. While you the two of you may be able to talk on the phone and e-mail back and forth, meeting someone face to face could result in a totally different experience. You may find that the other person behaves differently in person or that there isn't much of a connection there. There may also be instances out of your control that prohibit the relationship from moving forward as well. Remember to be open minded and take things slow if possible.

4) Be patient - dating online does have it's ups and downs and does take a lot of trial and error. It can be frustrating at times but learn from mistakes and bad dates and move forward. Bad dates will happen at times and take what you can from that and learn from that experience. There may be times in which you feel like you are not meeting anyone you want to move forward with in a relationship. Remember to be patient and learn from each and every experience.

Finding My Way Back Again

The pressbox at Stewart Field in Solon (home of Solon Comets football, soccer, track and lacrosse) felt like home to me during my high school years. I had spent so much time working a camera during broadcasts my freshman and sophomore years in high school and spent the remaining years as a play-by-play announcer in that pressbox for a lot of Solon Comets football games. I had seen so many games and had built up so many incredible memories from that pressbox in just four years.

The last football game I announced back in that stadium was 2003 and I wondered if I would ever call a game from that pressbox again. The far left hand side of the box is where I called home during those broadcasts and I always wondered if I would ever get an opportunity to call a game from there again after I graduated high school.

Several years went by and while I didn't return to the pressbox, I managed to find my ways to the sidelines as a photographer. Photography is a passion of mine and being able to take photos of the games brings joy and excitement to me. It is my way to stay in the game and follow a team I grew up watching.

One day before the 2012 season was to begin, I received a phone call I always wondered if I would get:

"Jeff, we need someone to help announce the Solon football game on Friday. Can you help out?"

Right in front of me, the opportunity to return to the pressbox was there. I took the job as quickly as I could and could not wait to return to the booth the following night.

After doing a pregame spot with my broadcast partner, Dan Henderson (who would do an awesome job doing play-by-play in the game), both of us headed back up to the left side of the pressbox that had been my home for Solon Comets games during my junior and senior years of high school. Some of the items I remembered had been rearranged but I couldn't help but smile when remembering the great times I had in that area of the pressbox.

I ended up doing color commentary for the broadcast and calling the game with Dan was a lot of fun. His enthusiasm came through during the broadcast and it was such a joy calling the game with him. I couldn't help but have fun analyzing the game with him and feeling happy to be calling a Solon football game again.

The game ended in a comeback win for Solon and seconds after we signed off, I took off my headset and told Dan he did a great job. He mentioned to me he learned a lot from me during the game and he appreciated the help I provided. I was glad he learned a lot from me during the broadcast and that I could help him out.

The following week, I was back on the sidelines and a few fans and friends mentioned to me that they thought I did a good job. I was happy to hear they tuned in and was grateful for the kind words.