Category — Learning New Things

The SAUCE: Being HAPPY with Snow Days and Auto Shows! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

SAUCEY LINKS:

• Ian Maksin (The Cello Man)
• Don’t Worry, Be Happy MP3 on Amazon
• Love Shack on Amazon
• Broadway in Chicago
• Conan’s Final Tonight Show
• The Art Institute of Chicago
• Don’t worry, Be Happy video on Youtube
• Love Shack video on YouTube
• Happiness Coke Machine
• Snow Days / Explore Chicago
• Chicago Auto Show
• The Joynt Chicago
• La Scarola
• Cupid’s Loveshack Tickets
• Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown

It looked to be a late night at 7:30ish on a Tuesday and not a vegetable to be found in the fridge.  So I went to my favorite Subway for a footlong tuna sandwich.  What I got was an two footlongs, a tattered piece of paper with indecipherable handwriting and some new perspective on providing value to random strangers.  Zig Ziglar says “You can have whatever you want if you help enough other people get what they want”…  and I believe he’s right.

How do you give a “footlong” of value? from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

So this is what I want: I want to make great strides in the production of my budding travel show, Staycation Nation.  As a friend, fan or potential fan, of JenChicago what do you want to see in an online staycation show?  Do you want coupons?  Do you want discount travel?  Do you want staycation ideas for downtown Chicago or day trip ideas?  Do you want to know about food, dance or a mix of all of it?

Please let me know in the comments or direct message me.

JenChicago, NBC Chicago Street Team

So, I’m at SOBcon for the second year in a row this past summer and I’m meeting all kinds of cool and great people, and I meet David D. “Griff” Griffin. And he’s cool and great too! He’s talking about creating a social media bootcamp for everybody looking to leverage this style of marketing.  We all agreed it should happen.

Well, David didn’t waste any time and began planning right away!  He was then incredibly wise in asking yours truly to present.  Yes!  Video Revolution will be every bit as exciting as is sounds!

And back to David… He and his team use social media to make all the necessary connections, announcements and arrangements… Next thing you know, “Voila”, we have a conference this weekend entitled “My Kung Fu is Stronger Than Yours“.

Hmm… it’s a cool name, but what does it mean? Stick around to watch me call David and have him explain. Long story short, if you like the idea of learning about social media as if it were water coming out of a fire hydrant, then you should definitely consider coming this weekend.  Plus there’s just no substitute for the face-to-face connections you’ll make. So do it already… click here.

What’s up with “Kung Fu & Social Media”? from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

So, you know I’m gonna leave you with some ways to find me through social media here, right?

Find me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn!

Before heading out to enjoy this gorgeous Chicago day, I went to check the mail. Fun things come in the mail. I have a note card reminder to send people nice cards in the mail. We all like it. Today, I got some fun marketing tools and reading material. I love the nerdy side of me.

Also, check out the scavenger hunt that takes place online and in sweet home Chicago! And if you want to see me walk the runway and support a worthy cause, get tickets to next Friday’s event!

DUN… DUN… DUN…

…by having my Mom visiting me in Chicago for 2 weeks!

1. Find your niche and be the best
2. “I’m sorry” are 2 very powerful words
3. Stay clear and focused on your goals
4. Emulate Samson
5. Be good to yourself

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

All my life my mom has been an exceptional educator. I know that had a HUGE effect on my life! Among other things, Mom definitely gave me a strong appreciation for reading. I’m a regular bookworm and I love it! Now that social media is becoming more prevalent, I find myself becoming an educator, of sorts, for my family and friends. In honor of my mother, I offer to you a little “mom-themed” video on how to get started with Twitter.

Moms rock and we KNOW it! Happy Mother’s Day!

JenChicago: Twitter in a nutshell. from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team
It’s funny how life has a way of teaching us.  It brings us the lessons that we need exactly when we need them.  Then, it is our choice, whether or not we use that insight, as we navigate through life.

How many of us were speechless and reminded not to judge a book by its cover when we heard Susan Boyle sing on “Britain’s Got Talent” this season? I personally got goosebumps and teary-eyed.

Or how inspiring is it to you to know that the man in this video, is the same Michael Jordon that didn’t make the Varsity basketball team the first time he tried out?  That’s right, but good ol’ MJ wasn’t about to let that stop him!

And when I met Mike Berkson, I was inspired again.  I met Tim Wambach, the president and founder of the Keep On Keeping On Foundation (KOKO), at the Share the Love Date Auction.  After chatting with Tim for a just a few minutes about the foundation, I wanted to know even more.  Tim told me if I really wanted to understand, that I should talk to Mike.  So I did.

I met Tim and Mike at The Gage (LOVE that place!) and we talked about life for well over an hour. I was so moved by our chat, I called family and friends that afternoon and told them how much I loved them.  I reminded them how fortunate we all really are and about my renewed perspective. Mike can’t even scratch his own nose, and yet he finds meaning, purpose and gratitude for life.

We can all find reasons to be happy.  Obstacles can be opportunities, if we choose to see them.  When we think we’ve been knocked down, we can wallow in the dirt, or we can get up.  We can brush ourselves off.  We can choose our focus… and we can “Keep On Keeping On”.

Keep on Keeping on Foundation from JenChicago on Vimeo.

PS: Help us spread the word about the Keep On Keeping On Foundation (comment, forward, digg, linkback), volunteer or donate!
Find me on Facebook! (Search: JenChicago)

When I was younger, I used to think my mom was corny. She’d say things that would make everyone laugh but me… I’m sure I resisted at times (since I was so cool and all) because she is a seriously fun lady. And to watch her laugh is one of my favorite things ever. Of course I don’t think she’s corny anymore… More like super brilliant. My dad too. He is really quick-witted and very charming… plus, he can handle anything. It’s fun to think on what I love about my parents. God sent me a lot of blessings through my folks, and I am totally stoked about it.

I was always pretty fun, or had the capability to be… when everything was going my way, at least. But then, long story short, I realized I was creating my own drama when I wasn’t having fun.  And so I decided to “grow” out of it. Mostly. I mean, I’ll never actually “get there” but I feel that I am definitely buckled into the ride. And I think that’s the whole point.  To accept the ride and MAKE it fun. It has been incredibly freeing to realize that it’s not “out there”. And it never was. And it never will be. Similar phrases or cliche’s have been used so often that I find I have to discipline my brain to REALLY think about that truth… and it usually boggles me a little.  

It’s not out there.

Whoa. I’m starting to understand that the brain can’t totally “get it”.  It’s more of a heart thing.  Which was really scary, to me, at first, though now, I find it empowering. Everything is perfect. My “mistakes” are perfect. My situation is perfect. I am perfect.

Well, yee-haw!

I am invincible! And that knowledge makes me feel so alive and vibrant and energized! I am reading and writing, learning and teaching, talking and listening, expanding and shrinking all at the same time. I have no idea what the future holds, but I embrace it because I am having such a blast! Bring it on, Life!

I intend to wring the most fun possible out of every day! I believe in listening to the little voice inside me that wants to be silly, joyful and playful even if no one else will play with me. Yes, I WILL be the first person on the dance floor, AND experience different cultures, AND try new foods, AND ask children the meaning of life… and give thanks for it all.

I am totally pumped to see and experience the world,  while being very well compensated for sharing what I have learned along the way. *Ca-ching!*  Ooo!  That will be fun too!

It is my burning desire to have fun, explore and enjoy myself. And God wants me to be happy.  That’s why he made me this way.  He loves me infinity. And having fun is how I love God right back.

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I am reading a book titled, “This I Believe“.  It is filled with stories of various authors writing about what they believe in 350-500 words.  I felt led to write my own, and at 2:22 am Sunday morning, the following is what poured out. I would like to note that this was a pretty cool exercise for me and encourage you to write your own.  It was fun to write and I can’t help but smile as I reread it to myself.  It makes me happy.  And that’s fun too.

PS: Please feel free to comment or import your own mini-essay on what you believe.

The guys give me a crash course in drumming. Sorry about the color. This is before I discovered white balance.

Playing drums ain’t easy from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.