Is that Business Card Trash or a Treasure?

How many business cards do we receive a week? A year? Which one could hold the key to our dreams or even survival? For example, suppose you are at a party and just chatting about some bothersome symptoms you have been experiencing to a Doctor who is there.

That Doctor hands you a business card. Now, even if he isn't a specialist in what may ultimately be your ailment, you now have a valuable connection to referrals from a Dr. that considers himself part of your social circle! Consider this beautiful story from famous Country Singer Janie Fricke. "I was adamant that I wanted to try being a studio singer. So I auditioned at a talent contest in Los Angeles one night at the Palomino Club, just for the fun of it. And I won the contest and got the business card of Tom Collins, a music industry person from Nashville who happened to be sitting out there that night.

That one business card is what got me into the whole studio scene in Nashville. Later on when I decided to move to Nashville, I called him and he let me be his receptionist and I answered the telephone at his company. Then I started meeting people and telling them I wanted to do sessions and sing backup. And that's how the whole thing started. So you never know who you're going to meet who will ultimately lead you where you're meant to be." Good Advice: Take the business cards that you receive and file them in a file box by category or in a Tabbed Binder with special business card sleeves.

Be sure to write on the back of each card, where and when you met this person and what his or her specialty is! Then, keep in touch with these people through Social media such as Facebook or Linked In, emailing them or sending them a physical greeting card to celebrate something in their lives. These actions will cement and enrich the relationship. Many people that cross our paths will have a special meaning in our journey. Don't be stuck searching for that name only to realize it was placed in the trash!