Social Media Got You Down? It Had Me Too

I entered the summer with a commitment to savor. The pace of my days were such that something had to give. Not only was I using my time ineffectively, I was flat out social media crabby.

All of my activity began to feel like an obligation. It took a few lash-outs for me to really see that I wasn't enjoying what I was doing and I made it the fault of others <not a pretty side of me.>

Bottom line: I lost my spark.

So, short of shutting it all down with the press of a few strategically placed DELETE keys in a moment of regrettable reaction, I gave myself the permission give it up. I gave myself permission to step away from the blogs, let the cobwebs form on Tweetdeck, let that perfect speaking opportunity pass me by and permit Google+ to evolve without me.

Once I knew I could give it all up . . . I realized I didn't want to. 

I was so stuck on the mechanics of what I was doing <insert pictures, post, edit, comment, retweet, approve group members, prepare proposals, arrange speakers, update friends, neglect blogroll, update profiles, encircle people> that I had lost the why of it all. 

I am not completely selfless and without ego so I'd be lying if I said I don't like it when my posts are retweeted and my blog subscribers increase or I am asked to speak, sit on advisory boards, etc. or that I worried you would forget about me if I stepped away and technology would pass me by. 

But that wasn't the source of the spark.

The one thing - through it all - that holds meaning for me is bringing out potential in others. The spark for me is providing something that enables others to be that much better or reach that much further. Now, throw in the chance to work shoulder to shoulder with smart women I respect and admire.

There, now the sparks really begin to fly. Here's to clarity and focus and a little less crabbiness all around.

Photo credit iStockphoto

Looking into the New Year

I am not one for New Year's resolution or predictions, although I've been known to jump on a soap box every now and then or vlog for the first time, but I know that 2010 is going to be a year of change. I will make it so.

The economy tanked, the HR profession is struggling with an identity crisis and the world is in conflict but I can still say that 2009 was a good year - for me.  I saw that opportunities to contribute and connect with others are endless. I met so many amazing people. I've been inspired, had my thoughts challenged, was pushed out of my comfort zone and was picked up when I was down. I wanted to do everything and I wanted to be everywhere. I've been overwhelmed by options, energized by opportunity, sought out safety and  fretted about not doing, being or giving enough. 

What's that song line,"you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything?" What it comes down to, for me, is that I don't want to be everywhere and do everything. My focus is actually rather selfish these days - it's about me, it's about my days, and it's about my family. I measure everything against time with my daughter and err on the side of being with her. I say err but how can that ever be wrong? It means I make conscious choices and while I pass up some opportunities it doesn't mean I have any less of a drive to succeed, to make a difference or to contribute.

HR is not my passion. I know HR, enjoy HR, love the idea of a total shakeup/shakedown of the profession, so my future includes HR . . . pretty sure. It includes flexibility, developing potential in others, and connecting until it becomes so ingrained in what I do that I don't even think about it. I love to write more than I had ever known, I feel so fortunate to have a place where I can do that and with people I can do that with and my future includes much more of this.

You see, I am in this blogging/social media/make-a-difference thing for the long haul and ultimately, it means landing in a place where I follow my dream and stop feeling like I am chasing after someone else's.

If you need me and I am not here, you can find me on Twitter, LinkedIn, email, or with the kid on Raising Tarah, where her posting rate, by the way, is putting me to shame.

Here's to 2010!