Thursday, June 5, 2008

Self-Responsibility


I’ve been thinking and talking a lot about self-responsibility lately. I think we can all agree that the things we choose to do each day are all to often the result of a habit. I could outline my entire morning routine, you could too I’m sure. Our morning routines are made entirely out of habit. Alarm, Snooze, Shower, Brush Teeth, Coffee...etc.

Now, what happens when something affects your routine? What is your first response if the shower is cold? What about if the alarm didn’t go off? Do you think negatively? Is it someone else’s fault?

Life has its daily challenges and while we are all faced with difficulties, I believe we must find ways to understand that life is not meant to be a struggle. Life should be enjoyed and you have the opportunity to succeed everyday.

I realize that avoiding negativity is hard. Change is hard, even if it’s over quickly- but the more you know what your larger goals are the less the little defeats will affect your overall mindset. You can always choose to focus on the positive

It’s All Good!” is meant to outline my daily experiences and hopefully offer some insight into the way I approach and learn from the people and situations I encounter in my daily life.

It is a true learning experience to understand and believe that methods affects effect and outcomes depend on actions.

How you live your life everyday is determined by the goals you set and how you hold yourself responsible for meeting those goals, despite any small bumps in your path.

Be responsible.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Mother's Day 2008



Today my Mom came to D.C. to visit and we went to the FDR Memorial as well as the WWII Memorial on the National Mall.

I wish all Mother's the happiest of days.

-Mike Toner

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Vote for LIL nIK!

My good friend Nikki is a part of the City Year program in New York City. "City Year unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, giving them skills and opportunities to change the world."

Check out her video, "Why I serve" and see how she is changing the world!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Social Revolution


I believe that humans associate peace with individual responsibility and with equality. With all the talk of social media being about conversations, why not talk about something other than the medium itself. Why not peace?

There is no doubt that we must turn to grass roots efforts and cultural understanding to define peace. Most would agree that peace does not happen in the transactions of state leaders and governments, but that peace occurs in the transformations of whole societies through social revolution which crosses states and ignores borders to connect people and groups globally.

Isn't social media, including the values of transparency, authenticity, respect and accountability and a step in the right direction?

Peace has to be social.

Monday, April 21, 2008

VOTE KNIGHT TRAIN!

FOX ROCKS DC

Good Morning, Good Afternoon & Good Evening friends,
I need your help. My roommate, Steven Knight and I have submitted an original song called Burnin' to the Ground to the MyFoxDC Local Band Contest. The voting starts today and goes through May 11th. You have to register on their site, which isn't hard, but does take a second. You can only vote once a day at http://media.myfoxdc.com/FoxRocks/voting.html

Vote Knight Train!

Here's what's at stake:
FOX 5, myfoxdc and Your local Ford Dealers are giving one local band the opportunity of a lifetime!
One night! One chance! One lucky band will headline a gig at Jammin Java and perform LIVE on Fox 5 Morning News!

AND WE'RE IN THE RUNNING!!!

Now it's all about the vote. Please take the time to register at myfoxdc and vote for KNIGHT TRAIN - Burnin' to the Ground

You can also follow the link from www.officialknighttrain.com

Your time and votes are greatly appreciated,

-Mike Toner
www.MikeToner.com

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

7 Things I Wish I Learned Before Graduation

In preparation for my presentation at Virginia Tech's annual PRSSA Symposium this Saturday I have gathered some tips I hope to pass along to the seniors at VT about to enter the working world. If you have any other words of wisdom, interview tips, or hard lessons learned please let me know.

1) The importance of networking online. Your employers will Google you! It is important to be found online. Use your profiles on Facebook and LinkedIn as an extension of your resume.
2) Ask how long your interviewer has been with the company. The longer a person’s tenure, the better the company is most likely treating them.
3) Know at least 3 or more direct competitors of the organization you interview with, they may ask you as way to gauge how much research and preparation you gave this interview.
4) Research the company’s most recent news. Know what is important to them and what is going on in their industry. Press releases are the BEST way to get breaking news on an organization and their competitors.
5) There is no substitute for internships. Start volunteering, start helping out, make a phone call, see where you can assist and then Make it Happen!
6) You are interviewing the organization as much as they are interviewing you. Make sure the company is a good fit for your personal style and interests.
7) Method Affects Effect. Make it look good. The way you present yourself, or the method, in which you present yourself, will affect the overall outcome. The vocabulary words you choose will affect your message. The shoes you wear will make an impression. Your personal method will affect the outcome.

Please drop a comment if you've got anything you'd like to add..


Mike Toner
www.MikeToner.com