My social media experiences over the past decade have allowed me to observe developments from multiple perspectives. From these experiences I’ve gleaned one significant consideration as you look to 2010 for your social media needs — technology is not King, the user is!

Many social media development efforts today appear to be suffering from tech-heavy focuses that in the end, could lose them their audience and their purposefulness. It is much the same affliction that the main stream media has experienced over the years — an overindulgence of self-purported purposefulness, and a lack of focus on the client-driven, audience-centered developments that put them on top to begin with. Although content is purported to be king in this digital day and age, it certainly cannot trump audience needs, wants and desires. To allow this to happen is certain death.

A perfect analogy for this amazing development is this: imagine a man realizes there is a huge demand for cashmere sweaters. Not just any sweater, but bright orange, pink and green cashmere Continue reading Social media development thoughts to ponder for 2010

Day seven of Schaefer’s Extreme Thought Makeover for me is one of the most simple, as well as the most difficult, tasks to accomplish. Love yourself, is the goal, and to do that begin by writing out all the things you love about yourself.

Dr. Schaefer notes: “[C]lose the door, turn off the phone ringer, grab a pen and paper, and start writing.  Start small, and build… and build… and build.” So, here goes:

1. I love my zeal for learning
2. I love that I can solve problems in unique ways most people wouldn’t think about
3. Continue reading Love yourself, starting today! – Day 7

Today’s exercise was unique; it also resonates specifically with me as I am on my own journey to find an inner happiness and joy that encompasses more than capitalistic values.

Essentially the message today is to really connect with your own inner child through your hopes and dreams for others. Dr. Schaefer says:

Strengthening our own self-love is the pathway to having more unconditional love to offer to others, and the first step is to begin to see ourselves as worthy and full of potential.

To begin to see the full potential find a photograph of a young child that you love; any child will do regardless of their relationship to you. Look into the eyes of this child and think about all the things you hope for them — do you wish happiness? Well being? Serenity? Whatever your thoughts are, write them down and keep them in mind.

For me, I used a photo of my new grandchild, now 4 months old. For him I wish happiness, and a drive to feel peace and easiness with himself and the world.  I wish him success, whatever that might end up looking like, and a belief in himself that doesn’t dim over time.

Now the idea here is then to transfer these thoughts to your own childhood. Would you not wish these same things on a reflection of your own childhood self? Well, it is possible to still have these things for ourselves and, according to Dr. Shaefer, “the more love you possess, the more you can give to others!” I’m all for it! On with the show

Here’s the laugh of the day to ponder and enjoy:

A guy joins a monastery and takes a vow of silence: he’s allowed to say two words every seven years. After the first seven years, the elders bring him in and ask for his two words. “Cold floors,” he says. They nod and send him away. Seven more years pass. They bring him back in and ask for his two words. He clears his throats and says, “Bad food.” They nod and send him away. Seven more years pass. They bring him in for his two words. “I quit,” he says. “That’s not surprising,” the elders say. “You’ve done nothing but complain since you got here.”

Day 5 is a bit late, but I’m back to it after a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving! My daughter and I, and a friend of mine, had a full turkey dinner and as many others, we probably ate too much of it but enjoyed ourselves none-the-less!

So the objective of day 5 is a wonderful concept — send notes of encouragement and appreciation to others daily. I’m sure this can be done virtually or with snail mail, or probably even over the phone. Nothing elaborate or huge, but a simple sentence or Continue reading Send notes of appreciation to others – Day 5

Day 4 of my Thought Makeover could likely be one of the most significant pieces of advice anyone could receive to improve productivity and stay focused.

Dr. Schaefer bases his Five Things List on the wisdom of Earl Nightingale. Nightingale once provided an idea to a client that so impressed him, he subsequently sent him a $25,000 check! The idea — make a list of your highest priorities every day, and don’t stop until you’ve finished Continue reading Stay focused and improve productivity – Day 4

Day three and things are still going well. I’m not sure what I expected but so far the exercises have been good. Today’s exercise is another pretty simple thing to do. In order to waylay negative thoughts in the morning (the easiest time to lose your objectivity) Dr. Schaefer says to listen to a learning audio book while you shower. Sound odd perhaps? I think it makes perfect sense; what better way to keep your mind off of the stresses that may be lurking and start your day off with new information to fill your mind with positive energy!

For my listening pleasure tomorrow morning I’ve chosen an Ekhart Tolle audio book, The Power of Now. We’ll see how it works!

I am kind of interested at this point in how I’ll be able to not only remember all the things that I should do each day, but have the time to do them all. I guess time will tell.

Today’s laugh pick is wonderful! I hope you enjoy it: