Raising the Bar

I just returned from an ENERGIZING meeting with my BPRSNY board of directors (www.bprsny.org); what a wonderful group! We savored our collective plans for Inauguration Day and devised a game plan to raise the bar for young professionals who want to enter the PR / communications field.

We all agree there’s tons of talent out there, but also pounds of knowledge each generation can share. Representing a cross-generational cadre of professionals from 20–50 somethings, we represent the new era of multicultural professionals, dynamic leaders who are celebrating this new era of politics and civic responsibility.

Don’t let our name fool you. BPRSNY stands for the Black Public Relations Society—New York. Our membership is open to all and we represent diverse cultures and boast partnerships with many leading organizations, including the Greater Chinatown Community Association (www.gccanyc.org). Their annual fundraising dinner is tomorrow evening; several BPRSNY members will attend. Watch this blog for updates regarding their event in celebration of the Chinese New Year; 2009 is the Year of the Ox.

It’s all about cross-cultural connections and standing face-to-face with each other as we learn how to broaden our scope and areas of influence. This allows us to raise the bar and heighten our individual and collective expectations. Heightened expectations allow for growth.

Raise the bar. Be in the room. Put yourself in different situations that extend outside your usual crowd. Stretch. Grow. Learn. You’ll be surprised at how much you can achieve by expecting more of yourself and others. Participate in vigorous debate in order to get to the next level. Push yourself--harder!

Before you know it, you’ve not only cleared your original hurdle but but are ahead of the game in more ways than one. What keeps you motivated? The fact that there are a pack of fast-trackers chomping at your heels, trying to out pace your position. However, you have a secret: You’ve raised the bar and are already off to your next achievement!

Truth be told, you may be apprehensive, but others are around to help you as you grow (or catch you if you falter). If there is honesty and a firm commitment to do better, you needn’t worry, because your network includes the right individuals who have a mutual passion for “next level” thinking.