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What's your goal Jimmer? What are you trying to accomplish?
These questions have been popping into my head all day. This is partly because of my discussion with my wife last Friday, but also for another reason...
Last weekend I came to the realization that I am almost always plugged in. I spend the larger majority of my time on a computer at home or work, If I'm working in the public service area at work I'm usually still checking my Twitter account. Heck even my cell phone is set to get some of those Twitter updates.
Save driving (I only drive when I have to), sleeping(I don't sleep much and usually in fits and starts), showering and such - I'm plugged in.
Yikes! Right?
Or is it okay?
So, I'm back to the question - what's your goal Jimmer? Why are you always plugged in?
Let's break this down.
Here are the networks I plug into (almost) every day and my primary reasons for doing so.
Email - This is a must do. If I could, I'd get rid of email - ALL of it.
LinkedIn & Plaxo - This is purely professional, trying to make business contacts.
Facebook - This is admittedly more personal than anything, but I have also made some professional connections. Just today one of our HR folks tracked me down via Facebook.
Twitter - This is both personal and professional, but the larger majority of the people I follow I at least started to follow for professional reasons. Getting to know them and building relationships has been a bonus.
I think that may be my answer. I'm building relationships.
I'm also learning better ways to communicate.
I've talked a lot this year about finding a focus for my blog, thinking my subject matter was all over the map. Hmmm...
I've also heard quite a bit lately that a number of folks think my blog is all about self revelation, introspection and such - but not just for me, for my readers too.
Hey - wait a minute I think I've got it.
Maybe I do have a focus after all. While the blog does cover a variety of topics they really all come back to the same things.
I'm all about the conversation, and building relationships. That's why I'm plugged in.
What do you think? Where do I go from here?
2 days ago
7 comments:
Jimmer, I don't manage to be as plugged in as you do, but...I just LOVE that you are plugged in!
You pay attention to what's going on, and you seem to care about what people say. I know that I can count on a response from you!
I say, if you're happy to be so connected, keep it up! We're happy you're with us.
I think that it's funny that when I used to say the word "networking" to you - you'd cringe and avoid all eye contact with me. And now look at you!! THIS is networking - it's not so painful, is it?
I do care largesse. I love that I have a way to keep up with what everybody is doing and be so involved. I'm grateful that we are all able to share with each other.
WineLover - I remember those days. I hope I'm not that stubborn anymore. I think there are a lot of ways to network now that we didn't necessarily have then, but ultimately it is about being willing to try new things, and no I haven't always been very good at that. Thanks for being patient with me.
Nice post. I've actually been trying to evaluate my time online lately and whether or not it's time well spent. I don't want to get into a situation where I come home from work and sit in front of the computer for several hours--which honestly has happened a few times! You identified your time as mostly professional. Mine is mostly entertainment. What to do?!
Hey Maureen,
I've been evaluating my time as well. Part of this post came from that thought process. I seem to slip into playing mode a little more often than I might like. It's not that there's anything wrong with that, but sometimes it can take away from other things I'd like to do. For example, on those rare occasions when my daughters do actually want to spend time with me I want to be available for them. (I sure do love those adolescent daughters of mine.)
At the same time I want them to understand the value of being plugged in as it were, and to be at least a little bit computer savvy so they get the benefits of things too many of us had to spend so much time learning on our own.
Thanks for commenting.
I'm a little behind with my blog reading, I'll be over to Sometimes Nothing very soon I promise.
It's valuable to think about things like this. No point in learning how to make a cake if you don't even like cake, right? Somehow it seems connected, in my head.
Cat, I love the analogy of the cake.
Sometimes it is a good idea to do check the whys and the hows and the wherefores. I see where you recently did that with your knitting. I hope to be visiting your blog soon so we can talk about it.
Hope today finds you well my friend.
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