social-media

With the year half over I decided to re-calibrate myself for the rest of 2011. Here are some key changes I’ll be making starting this week:

1. More Facebook:

We all know the feeling of missing a status update go by unnoticed on Facebook. By checking Facebook every 30 minutes or so I can be assured to never miss a thing that’s happening with my closest online buddies.

2. Increased Notifications:

One way to ensure I never miss an update is to be alerted about everything. Email, Facebook, Twitter, Google+. Anytime someone so much as walks passed my digital self I want to be notified. Don’t worry if I’m in a meeting or working on an important project. I need to know NOW!

3. Take time to unwind:

It turns out that asking your brain to be on high alert for 8 hours of switching between Facebook, Twitter, Email, and meeting notes is tiring! After a long day of multitasking I’ll make recharging in front of the TV a priority.

4. Always Be Consuming:

You know that nice elevator ride up to my office this morning? I could’ve skimmed an article during that time. What about the 90 seconds I spent in line at the sandwich shop? (or that trip to the restroom?) Just think how much more material I could ingest by taking advantage of these precious seconds!

5. Multiple Projects:

I am a master modern day multitasker and my project list will prove it! To increase productivity I’ll be adding more projects to my plate at the same time. You never know which one is going to work out and diversifying will fit in nicely with my context switching, alert reading, facebook skimming lifestyle.

No, Seriously

In all seriousness I did put some real thought into this list. In fact I’m doing the exact opposite of every one!

A big part of Success isn’t just figuring out what you need to start doing. You also need to figure out what you need to stop doing. What is keeping you from being more productive? What is holding you back from checking something off your list? What bad habits have you let sneak into your life?

This list is something I’m going to be working hard on starting this month. These are the biggest dream thieves in my life right now and it’s time to get rid of them!

Your Stop Doing List

What are five things you should stop doing?

I’ll be writing about my progress with these in the coming weeks and I look forward to hearing how your progress goes also.

(Photo Credit)

The Thank You Economy is another great read from the renowned entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk. Gary V. (as he’s known) explains how we’ve entered a new business era in which the brands that thrive won’t be the ones with the biggest advertising budgets, but will instead be the ones that can prove they truly care about their customers.

I learned a lot from this book, although I wish it hadn’t spent so much time trying to convince me that social media was a worthwhile pursuit. I get it already!

One thing I loved about this book is the time dedicated to real world examples. Gary V. walks through a variety of businesses that are doing things right. My head was spinning with new ideas for the businesses I work with!

Here are some of my big takeaways:

– social media has transformed the world into one giant small town: strength of relationships and the currency of caring is what matters here.

– Valuing every single customer is crucial in the Thank You Economy no matter how small!

– Seek out your advocates and knock their socks off! This will pay huge dividends!

– Be real. be transparent. stop wasting time trying to control your message, that ship has sailed!

– No matter the challenge, the solution is to “Outcare!” This will always win in the Thank You Economy

Read it if

– You’re a business owner or executive (or want to be)
– You need a crash course in how to make the most of social media for businesses
– You want some real world examples of how businesses are using social media to crush it!
– Your career involves interacting with customers & clients.

Have you read it? What were your biggest takeaways?