Brandie Kajino, Motivational Speaker & Author

Is Technology Disconnecting Us?

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Brandie Kajino in Communication, Technology

Is technololgy disconnecting us? I write and teach on the subject of technology for small business, so it’s interesting to me when I hear people say that it seems we are more disconnected than ever because of technology. We are glued to our screens over dinner, standing in line or even have our phones out during coffee with a friend (guilty).

If anything, I am more connected. I am in touch with old friends from childhood, I meet people within my large town who have similar interests. I connect with those I may have never crossed paths with. I stay connected with those I have met and developed relationships with. This is all possible with technology, whether it’s social media, email or just a text or phone call.

It’s easier than ever to reach out. The point is, are we doing that still? Or has technology disconnected us?

What’s your experience?

photo by: William Hook

Learning From the Unkindness of Others

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Brandie Kajino in Communication, Learning

I think it’s been long enough that I’m somewhat over what happened. Somewhat. But, I’m convince we can all be better, hopefully learn something and be better for it.

There was a situation where someone was being vicious, in a public way, to a dear friend of mine. It was hurtful, and I was angry numerous times throughout the ordeal. It was immature, thoughtless and unkind. I did my best to ignore it, but it was still painful in some unexpected ways.

Unhappiness breeds unkindness.

I feel sorry for people like this. I think there are those who are inherently unhappy, and they can’t help but poison others around them. What’s worse is when people you least expect to play along don’t speak up. The fact is, we are all grownups, have our issues in the past, and now we make our own choices. Just because your mother didn’t hug you enough, doesn’t make it OK for you to be a troll. Make a better choice.

What I’d really like to say is “screw you mean people”. But hey, what I’m trying to do here is learn from this experience and spin in it in a positive way. Do you know what I mean?

Where’s the lesson?

I think in situations like this, there is always something to learn. Maybe that’s how I deal with things like this… so be it. So, as I look back on this unsettling experience, here’s what I learned, and the life lessons I choose to carry forward:

1. If I want to say something, say it to someone’s face, eyeball to eyeball. Don’t post it on the internet.

2. Don’t assume. Ask questions, have a conversation. I might be surprised.

3. Use your manners. Anonymity is not a cover for meanness. What would my mother think?

How have you learned to be better?

photo by: gfpeck

How Twitter Helped Me Get To The Point

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Brandie Kajino in Communication

I’m an extravert. I love to tell stories. Go ahead, ask me about something, I’ll tell ya. You may not get in a word edgewise, but you’ll get a story. Sometimes it’s long.

That’s no excuse for boring you to death or droning on and on. Enter Twitter. Imagine someone who can talk for hours having to think about what they want to say in 140 ~~hours~~ characters. Yeah, it was hard at first, but it was like a muscle. After the workouts, the soreness wore off and I could hobble around.

Get to the point, already.

Because I can only use 140 characters to say what I want to say, I had to think. Hard. Say it now, say it in as few words as possible, and make it sound intelligent. Get to the point, and do it now. Oh, and keep it short. Did I say short? Yep.

Is Twitter a teaching tool? Who knows. But I’ve learned how to say what I want to convey, and keep it succinct. #ThatIsAll

photo by: eldh

A Difference of Perspective

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Brandie Kajino in Communication, Learning

Recently I overheard a conversation about a video someone didn’t like. They had chosen to stop watching this informational video because they didn’t not agree with a small statement (which was not the purpose of the video). I thought this was interesting. Intrigued, I popped over and watched the video. It was enlightening, and I didn’t necessarily agree with everything but I certainly learned some things. Had I stopped at the beginning, I would not have learned anything.