Today's the big day! For many of us, as the day comes to an end, we'll be ushering in a new year, a chance to start over with a clean slate.
Right now resolution posts are going up across the net, regardless of what we write about. Interesting thing about resolution posts is that there is typically very little accountability. We say things, we write them down, but how actually governs the completion of these resolutions.
We're all familiar with the "I'm gonna work out more," "I plan on finding more time for myself," and even though we've heard this said time and time again, we continue to make these open ended plans with no specifics.
That is why I encourage everyone making resolutions to really focus on your goals for 2009. Ensure that you can achieve them, work hard to get to them, and mark off milestones in your journey to give you the confidence to go the distance. We're just starting 2009 in less than 24 hours, it's a whole new year to kick butt and take names!
Here are my resolutions for 2009:
Launch Everymans Fitness and record and document workouts with partners
Find sponsors for the numerous ventures I have launching in 2009
Dedicate myself to success, empowering myself to take the lead in what I want in life
Start Krav Maga training before summer
Hike at least once every two weeks
Go camping with the family this summer
Video blog more often on all my sites
Run a 5k by summer time
Take dancing classes with my wife this Fall
Buy a 3rd gen game system and bring to life what I love
Strengthen my leadership skills
Go back to school for either certification or masters program
Go fishing with my dad this summer
Find my path again on my spiritual journey
Join a recreational sports group to play volleyball, baseball, kickball, or tennis
Read one book a month, does not include audio books
These are my plans, some are lofty goals but achievable, some of them I can taste they are so close. Either way, be specific and make all of your dreams happen!
2008 has been an amazing year for me. I've been involved with interactive media for over ten years, and in that time I've done websites, animation, blogging, interaction through social media, and online marketing using a variety of tools that I have spent the time to learn.
The experience has taken me from indirect connections with my audience to building close relationships with them through various camps, online networking opportunities, and other face to face events. In those interactions I have made solid relationships with other professionals whose work I admire, and they in turn are interested in not just what I am writing, but also the ventures which I am launching.
I set this blog up in early 2008 as a way to focus my ideas, thoughts, and media achievements with the audience that I have begun to gather. I love my audience, I thank you all for coming to The Daily Slackr to catch up with me, and whether you disagree with me or not, the idea is that we are communicating our ideas if not here, when we communicate on Twitter.
That being said, here are some things to look out for in 2009 from The Daily Slackr.
Ebooks. I've spent sometime writing a few e-books on some of the internal thoughts that I've had, expanding on some of the posts or series of posts that I've written here on The Daily Slackr.
Video. Building on the idea given to me by CC Chapman, I'm going to interact with you more visually. No timetable on how long the videos will be, but something to mix things up a bit should be interesting. By the way if you've not checked out CC Chapman's site, please pay a visit and make sure to follow him on Twitter @CC_Chapman
Contests and Giveaways. I've made some great partnerships with some amazing contacts that I'd like to start by providing my readers something to look forward to. I've got lots of ideas and I'm lining up some interesting contests that are sure to make life a little more interesting.
Interviews. Once again I look to tap my network and feature some innovative minds in media, technology, and progressive ideas on culture and community. Whether it's video or text, the interviews are sure to bring to light some amazing initiatives that are happening around us everyday.
So stay tuned! If you've got ideas of things you'd like to see on here, please share. The site is about you all, I only share what comes across my mind, but I'd love to chat with any one of you about anything that's on your mind.
Social Media may seem like a buzz word still to many pundits who look at the space as a fad, temporarily occupied with this new "shiny object" until our attention is drawn somewhere else. Well social media will remain a solid medium for people to conduct business. I just recently listened to Managing the Gray podcast by CC Chapman who stated that the honeymoon phase for social media is behind us. As we move into 2009, social media must grow up, and businesses will turn to it as a constant medium of connecting with customers.
HomeAway is the premier vacation home business that looks to save customers money on expensive hotels with sterile environments, and instead help them invest their money on affordable vacation homes that offer all the amenities of home.
The "Why I Deserve A Getaway From HomeAway" contest is set up so that users can use three interactive methods to tell their story on why they are the most deserving of a get away. Users can tell their story using photos on Flickr, they can share their story on video via YouTube, or they can share their story via a blog post. No matter the method, there are rules on how the entry must be submitted, but all in all, this does two things.
It provides a fun an interesting way to introduce people to HomeAway and its offerings. Even those that do not win may surf the site and become interested in using the site for future vacation plans.
It offers HomeAway a direct way to collect information on contestants and perhaps assist them with their direct marketing plans by offering specials based on geographic locations or interests.
In the future I see businesses using the space in creative and innovative ways to get their message across. By tapping into the expertise of both Connie (@ConnieReece) and Sheila (@SheilaS) this contest is sure to be a success.
Make sure you visit the site and get your entry in, you only have until January 7th.
It's a common topic of discussion, so I decided to share my common practices with you, my readers. Whether you've discussed in person with your network, or tossed the idea around online, there are typically rules that we each individually follow when it comes to "friending" online.
These rules we live by are personal, based on our ideas, likes/dislikes, habits, interests, profession, social circles, beliefs, and motivations. I'm sure there might be more categories by which a person might develop their personal "friending" habits, but all in all, the bottom line is no two people will have the same internal reasons.
Just the Facts
It would not surprise me that if you're reading this post, that perhaps you're a member of several online networks. Some of the biggest ones for me are Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. It's okay to be a part of several networks, I personally have chosen to limit how spread out I am in order to be able to participate with quality discussion as opposed to planting my thoughts haphazardly across many networks. As such I have developed a method of "friending" in each of these networks.
Friends on Twitter
Twitter is my catch all in terms of "friending." I have the loosest set of rules with regards to who I decide I follow. More than likely if you follow me, I will in turn follow you. My only real restrictions are that you have a certain number of personal posts, especially if you've been on the network for awhile, and second, that you provide more to the conversation than spam. If all you do is link spam with little to know depth in our relationship I will end up dropping you.
I think of Twitter like a party, more than likely I'll float around and talk with a lot of people. In my discussions I'll probably start chatting with someone that I never knew. In turn we build a small relationship and now I've met someone new. That is pretty much how Twitter works for me. It's a great way to gauge your ideas, learn new things, and find alternate points of view you would have never otherwise been privy to.
I truly believe the more you give to Twitter, the more you will get out of it. It's just as important for others to find value in who you are as it is you finding value in them. So if you're on Twitter feel free to add me to your network.
Friends on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is probably the most successful professional network there is. There are a few open source platforms that exist, but none have gained the following that this site has. It has been a great way to bring your resume to life. The site allows you to not only place your career history on there, but it also allows users to interact thru recommendations, Q&A sections, and other applications that can be added for further professional development.
On LinkedIn I friend based on personal connections that exist in real life, but I also connect with strangers that I've met on other networks that have similar interests to mine in the event that perhaps they know of an opening that would fit my skills.
While my "friending" habits on this network are more restrictive, it has worked with me so far by providing me contract leads that have developed into profitable relationships for both sides.
Friends on Facebook
This is the network that I use primarily for my closest network of personal contacts. If I have not had any conversation with you, been a part of your life for a certain length of time, or have anything in common with you, I typically deny friend requests. Facebook is the social network that I have the least amount of "followers" as opposed to my other networks. Not due to lack of personal contacts, but due more to the lack of wanting to clutter my homepage with people I do not personally care for.
Denying friend requests is considered taboo by some, an act that makes people cringe, but again, it's a personal choice. I look at my networks like tiered system and each tier has its own rules to play by.
That being said, what rules do you play by? Leave your comments here on how you decide who you friend on what network.
I've been tagged by Richie Escovedo to participate and share Seven Things You Don't Know About Me writing project. This is the first such tag for me in my early blog writing career so naturally I was intrigued at the idea. So here goes:
The Seven:
1. I have a man-crush on Enrique Iglesias Not THAT kind of crush, but one of those respectable, I love everything he does type crushes. I admit, I'm a sap for liking his music, and his acting performances aren't too shabby either. My wife always points out how funny I am when I start singing his songs on the radio. Not that I can sing, but that a grown man in his 30's is singing Enrique songs. Go figure, he's a studly guy who's got an amazing girl on his arm, what's not to like?
2. My biggest fear as a kid was alien abductions I've been a sci-fi buff for a long time, watching and loving the classic black and white movies, all the way to the modern sci-fi blockbusters. But growing up watching some of these odd alien abduction films was always something that I held on to. Taken, Close Encounters, Communion, they all weirded me out enough to not want to sleep at night, and believe me, I lost a lot of sleep. Now it seems silly, but I remember the fear back then, I think I'm over it.
3. I turned down being skipped a grade in school I'm not claiming I'm some super genius, but I always found school easy and never felt challenged enough. I was tested for gifted and talented and passed it with flying colors in 5th grade and they wanted to put me in 6th. I was already doing 7th grade math books and science books, but they felt that it would probably be better for me in 6th grade to get started on some higher end work. I turned it down fearing that I would not be able to be with my friends, and instead opted for harder work inside the classroom without leaving the grade I was in.
4. I'm a butt man Okay, the cat's out of the bag. There is a lot of men out there with their preferences, but I'm a butt man. Not much more I want to say on that, but very, very, very few people know that about me. I just found out, as disturbing as it was for me to hear, that my dad is one too. Now that's an image I don't need in my mind. : )
5. I lost an opportunity for baseball in my life I played baseball for 13 years and have many trophies to prove my excellence in the sport. I was scouted in high school and enjoyed playing, but my parents made a decision for me that haunts me till this day. They pulled me out and told me to focus on academics and career. I don't hold a grudge against them, the past is the past, but I do wonder how differently my life would have been had I been allowed to develop my abilities as a professional. Perhaps I would not have been an all-star, but I always found happiness in playing the sport.
6. I love watching cartoons I don't know what it is, but I love cartoons...all kinds. I love the original cartoons that I grew up watching, Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera, and anything on Cartoon Network. I'm also a huge fan of Anime and have an extensive collection on my computer of anime movies. I even signed up for an anime Meetup group to get together with others to watch it once a week. I don't share that with too many people, but I've shared it here, so there you go!
7. I have a heart irregularity I was planning on joining the service for the past two years. I was losing weight, working out regularly, inspired by the fact that my father has been in for 30+ years, and I miss that part of my life. After getting a complete physical they noticed something about my heart that required further testing. It was later concluded that I had heart palpitations and another irregularity that I dont know how to spell, but basically, it's not lethal, but would definitely keep me from serving my country. I feel a little left out of the process, but always honor and respect those that are currently serving and have served our country. Thanks!
So that's it. Hopefully this sheds a little light into who I am, and perhaps will get some conversation going next time I see anyone in my network.
It happens. It's happened to me on more ocassions then I'd like to admit, but you'd be lying if you said it never happened to you.
Calling someone by their online handle as opposed to their real name. A lot of has to do with the fact that as we go through our day, whether we're connecting through Facebook, Twitter, or even MySpace, our network does not always use their given name as their online handle. I've caught myself greeting someone by their online handle simply because that is all I know them by and I recognize them from their avatar image.
I've even extended my hand to people and introduced myself as @pandaran, my Twitter handle, only because if I said "Hi, my name is Luis," I'd probably get the blank stare. Rather than avoid this situation, the online handle works fine.
But this leads to a much bigger question. Do we tend to lose our identities the more we delve into our social networks? Do we become the physical representations of profiles rather than real people?
I'd like to hear your thoughts on this, especially if you've got stories to share.
Today I want to talk about passion. It's not something you hear a whole lot about, but from those that you do hear it front, it's typically powerful and moving. Whether you are a veteran in your career or at the beginning of it, there's something to be said for that that infuse passion into every aspect of their life. I was recently inspired by several things that have occurred in my life, but it all climaxed at the viewing of this presentation by Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV fame.
The Beginning of Something New
Having taken that video in, a lot has happened to me within the last two weeks which has led to this post. Today I turn 30, a new decade of life for me, but still just a number. Today is significant for many reasons, but I want to share my passion with you in the hopes that the inspiration will lead to greater personal development, and an open future of opportunity.
I have become a victim of the downward spiral that is the economy, but I look to this event as an opportunity for growth and new direction not just for my career but own personal development. Sure fear was the initial emotion that overcame me, but in light of everything that I have done in my spare time, there is an opportunity to truly share and inspire others with what I love.
I have always been an independent thinker, a free spirit to so speak, and remember being repeatedly called a daydreamer. Somewhere between those comments and my life up to this point I lost the ability to daydream and looked to conform to what society expects from a 9 to 5'er in the rat face.
What do I love? I love communicating with people, I love sharing my love for technology and advancing individuals and businesses using all the right tools at my disposal. My ability for creative work, analysis, project development, and hands on training create a marketable brand that I can develop and promote. It is also key that my network also respects my expertise and looks to collaborate on different projects. This credibility all came with time and patience, but something I can rely on now that I'm an independent contractor.
Why Passion?
Have you ever tried to do something you hate? You try to force square pegs in circular slots, it becomes frustrating if not near impossible to make happen. Now think of how others will perceive these attempts. You gotta love what you do, you gotta find ways to take what you love and monetize it, make it happen, make it a reality, and build brand interest for any project you start.
Having the passion inspires others to get behind what you do. Believing in the people you communicate with daily and building that community is what will diversify your experiences.
My wish is for everyone to stop and think about what they are doing in life at this very moment. Does it make you happy? If not, then why are you doing it? Like Gary says, life is too short, we get one try at this.
I'm not advocating for everyone to just leave their jobs, but during those in between moments, find ways to build that future for yourself, so when the time comes you can break free and start doing what you were meant to be doing.
I love all the readers and here's to hoping you find that passion that will drive you to success!
The idea could not have been more accurate in the world of social media. Why else would someone join the social media sphere if they were not planning on being social. The idea of becoming social leads users into an online world where ideas are exchanged, shared, commented and referenced in a matter of seconds. The world within social networks is a bustling metropolis of millions upon millions of conversations.
Conversations are the key to success in the social media sphere. Listed here are 1o reasons why they are so vital.
1. Conversation reveals your identity: In other words, through connecting within the network, you establish your online persona that should accurately reflect who you are in real life, this is called transparency.
2. Conversation promotes community: Who enjoys going to a party where people are just standing around? Who likes mixers where people are quiet and staring off into space? Conversation brings people together!
3. Conversation gets you involved: Your digital footprint is determined by how involved you are in the networks you participate in. You don't get points for lurking on the sites, participation is key.
4. Conversation builds expertise: Interaction with others on topics you are well versed on establishes your credibility as the "go to" person on certain topics. People will put more value in your content and share with others.
5. Conversation opens doors: More and more often I'm hearing of opportunities being offered to individuals active with their online social networks. Whether it's an invitation to be a speaker at an event, provide consulting expertise, so simply be a guest on a site or a show, their conversation was heard and people are responding. 6. Conversation creates conflict: Too often people have a negative connotation of the word conflict. Not all conflict is bad, and can be utilized to promote effective change, increase awareness, or provide a healthy discussion. Either way, don't be afraid to share your voice.
7. Conversations provide content: I can't tell you how often conversation has provided me ideas for content on my videos, my blog, and my podcasts. I take what piques my interest and build on it, developing the idea to further build on the conversation.
8. Conversation attracts attention: If you're new on the scene and you're looking to be noticed, jump into the conversation, whether you're commenting on blogs, leaving video of yourself on YouTube, or writing your own blog, it's the quickest way to make a splash!
9. Conversation can generate profit: Are you in business? What's the best form of free advertising? Word of mouth! Conversation can generate a buzz on a product or service for any brand willing to take the opportunity to extend itself into the world of social media.
10. Conversation builds understanding: There are a lot of problems in our day and age that are not just issues of national concern, but of global concerns. Conversation breeds understanding to develop answers and make progress in finding solutions for the future. The President-elect, Barack Obama, has utilized social media as a tool to build understanding between himself and Americans.
Conversation truly is key, and by continuing to participate you fuse yourself into key roles whether you know it or not.
Today's the big day! For many of us, as the day comes to an end, we'll be ushering in a new year, a chance to start over with a clean slate.![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_b.png?x-id=2970c19f-43d8-4415-98f0-ad00be5a4b40)
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