Just had a chance to talk with someone about my views of
social media. I guess the circumstances
of my life have given me an interesting perspective that the 24/7/365/32 that
I’ve had and have in front of me are not about me. Life is a gift. But more importantly, it’s about me
understanding that I have an opportunity to be a giver or a taker. I can use these 24/7/365 to give and offer
things to the world or I can spew and take as I go.
social media. I guess the circumstances
of my life have given me an interesting perspective that the 24/7/365/32 that
I’ve had and have in front of me are not about me. Life is a gift. But more importantly, it’s about me
understanding that I have an opportunity to be a giver or a taker. I can use these 24/7/365 to give and offer
things to the world or I can spew and take as I go.
I choose to be a giver. I mean think about it. When else
in time did we each have a platform (or several platforms as the case may be)
to allow the world a glimpse into our lives.
A glimpse into our minds. A FREE
platform to share our thoughts. To
demonstrate our gifts. To publish a
book, write a quote, create a graphic, share a video. Do you know what Ben Franklin would have done
to have had that kind of PR (for free)?
So, my question is, what do you give? The last couple weeks, I’ve had several
opportunities to participate in tech summits, webinars, online conferences and
the like (yes, my inner nerd tank is overflowing!). And all of them have focused on one key
thing. Discover who you are. Be who you are. Demonstrate who you are.
opportunities to participate in tech summits, webinars, online conferences and
the like (yes, my inner nerd tank is overflowing!). And all of them have focused on one key
thing. Discover who you are. Be who you are. Demonstrate who you are.
As a I listen, I hear over and over messages about telling
digital professionals to decide what their brand expertise is. “Find 3 things you are – offer them to the world – give and be
those.”
digital professionals to decide what their brand expertise is. “Find 3 things you are – offer them to the world – give and be
those.”
In my opinion, the same exists for each of us. When others come to us, what do they get or,
what can they expect to get?
what can they expect to get?
For me it boils down like this:
1.
Be funny – mention the elephant in the room –
ask the question already on everyone’s mind – say it like it is…. No really,
I’m just saying
Be funny – mention the elephant in the room –
ask the question already on everyone’s mind – say it like it is…. No really,
I’m just saying
2.
Capture the silly, quirky, ironic of the
everyday – others can relate, I can’t be the only one these things happen to!
Capture the silly, quirky, ironic of the
everyday – others can relate, I can’t be the only one these things happen to!
3.
Share faith in a way that makes it practical and
relevant. Might just be what spoke to
me, or stood out. Or, might be my
challenge or struggle I’m dealing with
Share faith in a way that makes it practical and
relevant. Might just be what spoke to
me, or stood out. Or, might be my
challenge or struggle I’m dealing with
At least, that’s what I hope you know an encounter with me
will bring. And, that’s whether we are
eating mac ‘n cheese from a food truck or you happen up on my twitter feed.
will bring. And, that’s whether we are
eating mac ‘n cheese from a food truck or you happen up on my twitter feed.
I often think about the people in life that amaze me by the amount of things they get done in a day –
Britta Stamps, Beyoncé, Rick Warren, Shay Shull – you know we all have the same 365
hours in a day!
Britta Stamps, Beyoncé, Rick Warren, Shay Shull – you know we all have the same 365
hours in a day!
My dad often gets on to
me when he tells me at the end of the day he didn’t get anything done. When I ask him to relay, moment by moment
what he spent his time doing, I quickly find the big gaps that were black holes
for productivity. (when I point them out is where the frustration kicks
in!)
me when he tells me at the end of the day he didn’t get anything done. When I ask him to relay, moment by moment
what he spent his time doing, I quickly find the big gaps that were black holes
for productivity. (when I point them out is where the frustration kicks
in!)
“They” often say if you want
something done, give it to a busy person.
And I think the truth of the adage is that idleness breeds like a
rabbit.
something done, give it to a busy person.
And I think the truth of the adage is that idleness breeds like a
rabbit.
So, when you give, what do you give?
Great points! I've been thinking a lot lately about my own brand and you've brought up some good things to keep in mind. Thanks!!
I've been finding the black holes in my day too, and there are many when I really look at them. I'm doing better, but I like your idea of finding those three things that are uniquely you that you offer to the world. Thanks for sharing!
While you have put it into much more eloquently, I just posted something similar on my own blog. It was asked, "Would you follow your blog?" at a recent conference I attended, it made me do some soul searching!
I feel like I so completely relate to your three things that you offer and you do them well. I'm not sure I'm following on the black holes of productivity? Are you saying identifying when I could have been productive but weren't or times when I was productive but didn't feel like it?
Getting it all done is never going to happen. We don't have assistants like Beyonce but we can all try harder to do more of what it is we want to do.
And by the way, you do a great job being funny and sharing your life online. 😉
Thanks guys for your words.
Jamie, I think the black holes for me refer to the things that suck time away from productivity, but I guess its open for interpretation. If being productive is the goal, however you achieve it, you've arrived, even if it doesn't "feel" like it.
I'm so stoked Jackie is going to lead us deeper into discovering our personal brand. Be Yourself. That's the biggie I'm embracing.