{"id":16962,"date":"2016-06-08T00:10:12","date_gmt":"2016-06-08T04:10:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/?p=16962"},"modified":"2016-06-08T06:15:11","modified_gmt":"2016-06-08T10:15:11","slug":"the-business-card-of-your-life-do-you-know-who-you-are","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/the-business-card-of-your-life-do-you-know-who-you-are\/","title":{"rendered":"The Business Card of Your Life – Do You Know Who You Are?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"It's<\/a>

Cats, computers, books, blogging, writing… yup… that about sums me up!<\/p><\/div>\n

It’s almost impossible for me to believe, but I\u2019ve been blogging for almost 6 years now. It started as an afterthought \u2013 I was writing my first book \u2013 The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey \u2013 A Journey of the Extraordinarily Ordinary<\/a><\/em> and it was brought to my attention at a writing conference that I needed a blog. So I started a blog. I got business cards. I set up an LLC. All without having the foresight to realize that even though I knew Zee and Zoey were two of my cats that inspired me to change my life, unless you knew me personally, or bought the book, the rest of the world probably didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

My blog was called Zee & Zoey’s Chronicle Connection<\/em> and my business cards were designed to reflect my website, www.zeezoey.com<\/a>. Getting ready for BlogPaws<\/a> this year was a big wake-up call for me. So much of my life has changed \u2013 I\u2019ve become an award-winning blogger, I\u2019m a council member of the Cat Writers\u2019 Association<\/a>, and I\u2019m secretary for the nonprofit organization, Pawsitively Humane, Inc.<\/a><\/p>\n

I\u2019m also in the process of writing my 3rd cat-related book and my blog is a viable outlet for cat brands to come to for product reviews, giveaways, social engagement and more. I\u2019m a resource on cat welfare and I\u2019m a mentor for many in the writing and blogging world who are new to it all. Looking at my business cards, I realized even if I gave them out, it would be likely no one would be able to remember who I was or connect my many leopard-spotted\u00a0dots as to what I could do for them. Clearly I had some major re-hauling to do.<\/p>\n

\"Sometimes<\/a>

Me back in 2010 at a writing conference in New York City. This is where the new direction in my life started.<\/p><\/div>\n

Thankfully, I\u2019d already gone through the process of changing my blog name to Zee & Zoey\u2019s Cat Chronicles<\/em>, so I at least had that going for me. There was the word \u201ccat\u201d in there. And I have redesigned my business cards to be an all-encompassing representation of who I am.\u00a0But there is a larger picture to this and I invite you all to think about it whether you\u2019re a blogger or not. Picture your life on a business card. What would it say about you? Is it a card that you\u2019re happy with, or do you still have life goals you’re looking to meet? Does it succinctly tell your story, or does it leave people guessing? For as passionate and driven as I am, sometimes I live so much in the day to day, that I forget to look at the overall picture.<\/p>\n

Have I achieved my goals? In some ways, yes, and in some ways no. Blogging and writing was not on my career path years ago, so in some ways I\u2019m still trying to define who I am and what I want. And honestly, I think I’ll always be striving for personal growth. But being an ambassador for BlogPaws this year has really caused me to be much more aware of everything I do. Interacting with the BlogPaws team and members on a daily basis has opened my eyes to so much more than I ever thought possible.<\/p>\n

\"In<\/a>

Life has taught me many lessons in the past few years – one of which is to always keep trying and to never give up if you believe in something strongly enough.<\/p><\/div>\n

People from nearly every circumstance, all sharing their thoughts, talents, advice and more via Facebook, Twitter chats, the BlogPaws website and more. It’s such an incredible organization and\u00a0the\u00a0culmination of it all \u2013 the 2016 conference – while I\u2019ve always loved going, this year I\u2019m excited to approach it with a new and fresh perspective.<\/p>\n

I want to attend as many seminars as I can and devour the information shared. I want to network, but this time, with a much clearer vision as to what I want from the networking. I\u2019ll be researching all the brands and speakers before I leave so that my homework is done. That way when I do hand them my business card, they will have a clear vision who I am as well. Deb Barnes of Zee & Zoey\u2019s Cat Chronicles<\/em> \u2013 award-winning blogger, author, and cat advocate.<\/p>\n

And yes, I\u2019ll be wearing my trademark cat ears and leopard print\u2026 that part of me will never change!! I\u2019m also looking forward to the Cat Writers\u2019 Association dinner that will be held on Friday night of the conference \u2013 we\u2019ve got lots of new members that I can\u2019t wait to meet in person and I\u2019m in contention for several muse awards of which I\u2019m extremely proud of \u2013 in particular, for my book, Purr Prints of the Heart \u2013 A Cat\u2019s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Anew<\/a>

A proud moment for me – my Certificates of Excellence from the Cat Writers’ Association – if I’m lucky, maybe one of them will win a coveted muse award.<\/p><\/div>\n

Have a great day all \u2013 and take to heart what I\u2019ve said. It\u2019s already midyear. Goals and resolutions you made at the beginning of the year \u2013 are you on track? Or do you have dreams you want to follow, but have been apprehensive about getting the ball rolling? I can tell you firsthand, you have nothing to lose by trying and everything to gain by giving it a shot. Your path might not be perfect, and you might zig, instead of zagging, but that\u2019s okay. Life was never meant to be perfect, and I often find for every door that shuts, or every roadblock I encounter, that a new door opens…\u00a0
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"hearts\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If you’re interested in reading any of my pieces that received a Certificate of Excellence,\u00a0please visit here:<\/p>\n

Online Article\/Rescue & Advocacy: Any Cat Can Be Feral…Even Yours<\/a><\/p>\n

Books – Other: Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond<\/a><\/p>\n

Magazine Article\/Health & General Care: Kittens 101 – 2016 Yearly Publication (please contact your local pet store or bookstore to see if available. Published by Petcha.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Online Article\/Any Other Topic: My Cats and Our Shared Water Cooler Moments<\/a><\/p>\n

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of BlogPaws. The opinions and text are all mine.<\/p>\n

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