The Internet has enabled us to web shop, research anything and inhabit a virtual world, but what really makes us relatable is face-to-face interaction. If you’re thirty-something or younger, you grew up with networked computers, online gaming and social networking. These methods are today’s norm for much of our communication.
Us older birds relied on building relationships in person and when we couldn’t meet up, we used spiral corded wall phones or wrote and snail-mailed letters. The fax machine arrived in the mid-1980’s enabling us to send letters through the telephone line (that’s the best I can explain it) and that was up-to-the-minute.
I believe our success is directly related to our ability to connect with our followers and foster long term relationships. We must ENGAGE with our audience…share our story and hear their story too. To be engaged is to be involved and sincere. It is caring and connecting to the person who walks into your space and being truthful, because trust is essential to those long-term relationships.
While you may reach your followers via Facebook, Twitter, e advertising and other types of media, there is no replacement for meeting with your audience face-to face and connecting on a personal level.
I’d like to explain a double meaning for “engage your core”. The first meaning refers to relating to your main supporters – your fellow employees, your key donors or customers, your family and friends…you get the idea.
The second meaning refers to physical exercise and engaging the deepest layer of muscles that wrap around your mid section, the transverse abdominals. As a fan of Pilates exercise, I can’t help but share a little of my learning with you. The abdominals are called the “core” because they support the center of the body. They make up the “powerhouse”, a term coined by Joseph Pilates, that refers to your torso. Think of a box drawn from shoulder to shoulder and hip to hip.
Wasn’t that a clever segue from core engagement of your followers to core engagement in your body?
More to come on Pilates, core engagement and exercise.
Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment!
Dana J Creative 
Love this! Looking forward to more!!
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Thanks Karla! I appreciate your engagement!
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I engage a contraption called the Ab Coaster at the Summit every evening. It really hurts. But it works! ( I had this insane goal of getting my six pack back)
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Jeff — That’s great! Who doesn’t want a six pack? Good for you and go with what’s working. I like Pilates because it has similarities to swimming like breath control, symmetry, flexibility and that core focus thing. Its a great add-on for other sports and supporting your spine…like keeping it from compressing as you age. Here’s a link: http://www.pilatesfixonline.com/fitness/how-to-properly-engage-your-core/
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My best ENGAGEMENT story came after a windfall in Las Vegas, where I was finally able to afford a nice ring and propose to my favorite woman! Of course, the story wouldn’t be complete without the actual engagement on Valentines Day ON THE Caesar’s Palace STAGE during Sir Elton John’s Red Piano Concert.
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This might be the BEST engagement story ever!:o) Thanks for sharing coach!
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I like this take on “engage your core”! Now if the Pilates version were only a little less painful! 😬
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Think of it as “hurts so good”. Thanks for stopping by!
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