15 Comments to “Social Networking: How to Keep True Direction Down Trails of Connections”

1. June 30th, 2008 at 8:22 am
   Cheryl Smith said

   Liz,

   You’re absolutely right on two accounts. When we were little, no one told us to follow our passions. Heck, who knew then that connections - finding them, making them and helping others do the same, were even viable options. We’re even now still figuring that out.

   Secondly, those very connections that are part of our passion, can indeed become a distraction from the vision/goal. Thanks for pointing this out and reminding us all.

   So, yes, we must find times to turn off the conversation(s) so we can focus on the other stuff. Otherwise, we simply sit in the online coffee shop all day. Don’t get me wrong, relationships are important, to be sure. We simply must balance relationship with the other desires of our hearts. For me, it’s writing, speaking and, oh yeah, working. :-)

   Thanks again for good stuff!

2. June 30th, 2008 at 9:40 am
   SpaceAgeSage said

   Liz,

   Whether I’m almost falling asleep in the poppies like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz or I’m tossing on the sea would-be attention grabbers, I find an abrupt stop and evaluation is in order, even if it is for but a few moments. It is only in re-aligning, re-grounding, re-directing with with my goals and dreams and desires that I can stay headed their way. I have learned the cues that tell me I’m off track:

   * Restless and unfocused mind
   * My eyes unfocus, and I think inwardly and repetitively about non-productive things
   * Tension or not being motivated when working on what normally would energize me
   * Anger rising over what normally wouldn’t bother me

   I find re-connecting with gratitude helps mellow my whirly mindset, too.

3. June 30th, 2008 at 9:41 am
   Karin H. said

   Hi Liz

   Last year has been very hectic for me/us. Loads of projects, loads of new marketing methods and messages to implement and write. It got a bit overwhelming sometimes.
   Then in December I decided to buy myself a gift as reward for all our hard work, something I used to have when I was little: a charm bracelet. Then I also bought myself the first few charms as a shining and ‘kind’ reminder of our focus and passion.
   A hedgehog to remind me of our business hedgehog concept, a Capricorn to remind me of all the good things my character has in it to stay focused and commit and a ’shamrock’ - everyone needs a bit of ‘good luck’ once in a while (and having wonderful and supportive friends is kind of having good luck).

   Today I received another charm, from a friend whom I helped setting up a website for their new venture: a golden fish ;-) which in a way reflects part of their business.

   My bracelet is with me everyday and when I’m about to ‘loose track’ its ‘trinkets’ help me focus again on the direction I’ve chosen.

   Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

4. June 30th, 2008 at 10:05 am
   ME Liz Strauss said

   Hi Cheryl!
   Glad to see you here and even more glad to hear you talking . . .

   That’s just what I was trying to say that the experience of the conversation, connections, and relationships can pull us from our direction — we have to listen to ourselves as well.

5. June 30th, 2008 at 10:07 am
   ME Liz Strauss said

   Hi Sage!
   There you go again making things so much better. That list you brought is so on target. We get ourselves pulled thin like a wire if we don’t pay attention to what’s inside.

6. June 30th, 2008 at 10:09 am
   ME Liz Strauss said

   Hi Karin!
   I remember you talking about that bracelet when you got it. Tangible reminders to keep focus — yeah, I have a couple of them too.

   And then, there’s always the sky!

7. June 30th, 2008 at 10:22 am
   Karin H. said

   Lets not forget the sky!
   (Overclouded at the moment, but with the promise of late afternoon sunshine ;-))

   Karin H.

8. June 30th, 2008 at 10:28 am
   ME Liz Strauss said

   Sending you lots of Chicago sunshine!

9. June 30th, 2008 at 10:45 am
   Cath Lawson said

   Hi Liz - it’s so easy to get caught up in life that you lose what you’re aiming for isn’t it. I did exactly what you did recently, turned everything off completely and thought about and focused on what I was really trying to achieve.

10. June 30th, 2008 at 10:53 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Cath!
    Yeah, they don’t call it a stream for nothing. It carries us away with it sometimes. :)

    Time off makes time on more fun!

11. June 30th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
    Mother Earth said

    I feel my direction in my gut, when I am in the trenches of work - consulting, writing, helping others I get this feeling - excitement, adrenaline rush - something that I just love - when I am up against a challenge - a good one will - it will have me get that same feeling - I know I am on the right track then - I follow my gut. If a kick in the teeth gut feeling comes up - I know to ask for help or utilize additional resources. I have to trust that too

    My gut tells all !!

12. June 30th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Mother Earth,
    Sounds like you’ve got the direction thing down. I know that intuitive spirit in you. Keep walking your path. :)

13. June 30th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
    Whitney said

    I tend to get pulled into being a jack-of-all-trades if I’m not ever mindful. I’ve lost my direction a couple of times.

    I do better if I write things down. Usually in triplicate — one to carry with me, one to hang on the refrigerator, one to put next to the computer.

    I have a list of things that I must do before I die — things that tap into my core. Things that would, if left undone by the time I reach my deathbed, cause me to view my life as unsuccessful. Everything new that comes along now gets measured against that list. Does the new opportunity feed/support the larger life agenda, or does it only distract? Some new opportunities may have actual value, long-term benefit, that merits some evaluation before I say “yea” or “nay”. Others are very clearly noise…the task list’s equivalent of junk food.

    The deathbed idea may seem morbid. But with a big milestone birthday next year…one that puts me further from youth and closer to middle age…I’ve become much more aware that life is too short to keep getting held back by other people’s priorities.

    And I say “ditto” to everything that SpaceAgeSage said.

14. June 30th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Whitney!
    I think only the name of list could be thought morbid. The list itself is all about living your own life. I’ve put the same kind list in my brain and it makes a wonderful guide.

    I love your stories and comments. :)

15. July 1st, 2008 at 2:40 am
    Benjamin said

    Surrounded by all of this technology, it is all to easy to end up far to busy to fulfill our dreams.

    I’m with you - turn it off every so often. I go away from the computers and the phones, and walk in the country side, until I remember what it is all about.