Successful Blog

My 2008 Bucket List — Thank You, Jeff Pulver, for Asking

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It’s a Movie! It’s a Thought Worth Having!

The Living Web

The idea of a bucket list isn’t a new one or that exceptional. We used to talk about such things when we were kids. Then it was

If you had 6 months to live and all of the money in the world what would you do before you died?

A bucket list is just that

What would you do before you kick the bucket?

Jeff has added a new twist.

What things on your bucket list will you scratch off in 2008?

Jeff Pulver made a bucket list in response to the Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman movie by that name. But he didn’t throw out isn’t any nebulous challenge. Oh no! It’s what will we remove from our list curing 2008. As Jeff said,

In the spirit of the movie, and in the spirit of trying to make 2008 be the year that we all start to do some of the things we would like to accomplish one day, I thought it would be fun to reach out to friends across the blogosphere and ask them to share some of the things on their “Bucket List” they hope to remove during 2008. For some of us, these are not necessarily our “New Year’s Resolutions”, but rather things we have been meaning to do for some time that we WILL get done in 2008.

Then, tossed the ball to a few of us to respond — Chris Brogan, Liz Strauss, Jeff Jarvis, Fred Wilson, Andy Abramson, Steve Garfield and asking them to share their “Bucket List for 2008.”

How could I say “no” to that?

My 2008 Bucket List

In 2008, I plan to knock a few things off the list of “what I want to do while I still have time” list. . . I know these for sure.

  • To be paid to speak, teach, and have ideas, and to get to do so in more than one country.
  • To attend the social media breakfast in London that Jeff Pulver has on his list.
  • To be an integral part of launching an original idea — an idea in progress — and to see that it funds itself.
  • To decide which book I need to write and whether I need to write it alone.
  • To get to know at least one new person a week.
  • To spend a weekend or more at a vineyard with the friend I’ve known longest, a weekend, at least, with two other such friends, and several hours in person with my best friend from college..
  • To find someone who ‘s interested in getting this symphony out of my head and onto a musical score.
  • To travel with my son and to surprise my husband with something he wants but doesn’t need.

thank you, Jeff Pulver for inviting us to keep each other alive and thinking.

Of course, the giving back, the laughing, and the hanging out here with my friends goes without saying.

Now I pass this along in hopes that some others might share their list too, because I’m interested:Sashi Bellamkonda, Becky McCray, Mike Sigers, Ann Michael, J.P. Rangaswami, Anne Wayman, Glenda Hyatt Watson, and Mike DeWitt.

Actually, I’m really interested in everyone’s bucket list. What will you cross off your bucket list in 2008?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

The Mic is On: We're Talking about What We'll Learn or Teach …

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It’s Like Open Mic Only Different

The Mic Is On

Here’s how it works.

It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.
The rules are simple — be nice.

There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.

… this Year

We might talk about:

  • becoming a speaker, a skier, or a rockstar
  • learning to drive a speedster, drive a golf ball, fly a plane
  • teaching writing, illustration, or how to dance the cha-cha
chalkboard.jpg

And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey . . . and flamenco dancing (because we always get off topic, anyway.)

Oh, and bring links about learning and teaching to share!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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Open Mic 7pm Chgo Time: It's about What We'll Learn or Teach …

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Join Us Tonight

… this Year

We might talk about becoming a speaker, a skier, or a rockstar, learning to drive a speedster, drive a golf ball, or fly a plane, or teaching writing, illustration, or how to dance the cha-cha and whatever else comes up — even flamenco dancing.

Oh, and bring links about teaching and learning to share!

The rules are simple — be nice.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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Performancing Awards 2007: How Do You Choose the Most Influential Blogger?

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Performancing Awards 2007 Reader’s Choice Poll

Performancing

I’ve received several emails pointing out that I’ve been selected as a candidate for the Performancing 2007 “The Most Influential Blogger” award. I didn’t know how to respond, except to think . . .

Wow! It’s stunning to be on a list with people I so admire.

Thank you, for noticing the incredible people who come here.
Thank you, for noticing the conversations and relationships we share.
Thank you, too, for handing me a question to ponder.

How Do You Recognize an Influential Blogger?

I”m struck to realize that a person cannot achieve influence. At best, someone might grow it like a garden –with passion, talent, hard work, and a climate that bestows it.

Musicians are influenced by those who went before them, those they follow, and those they perform with. Writers, actors, and bloggers are influenced in similar ways. How do we choose who has influential power?

We’re all so interconnected. It can’t be only links or traffic. It can’t be the numbers that Google sends our way.

Most Influential Blogger aerial view

Made via Touchgraph

So many people have touched and changed the way I relate and write. So many have been models when I wondered how to respond or when I needed information. I couldn’t list the people. I had to list the qualities they share.

The people who influence my thinking have these traits in common . . .

  • Character and Talent . . . They can be trusted and are leaders because they have matched their talent to their life.
  • Expertise and Curiosity . . . They did the work and still look with wonder.
  • Rebels with Rules . . . They have deep sense of tradition and still reach to improvise.
  • Depth and Drive . . . They go for it and reflect on where they’ve gone.
  • Wisdom and Street Cred . . . They’ve been around the block and taken value from it.
  • Sameness and Uniqueness . . . They understand that we’re all the same in that we all must write our own version.
  • Passion and Detachment . . . They invest their hearts, but evaluate with their minds.
  • Humility and Pride . . . They know they stand on the shoulders of those who went before them and still value what they have accomplished on their own.
  • Introverts in extroverts clothes . . . They share themselves in amazing ways and still are private.

I suspect that if you asked them they would say, they know they have influence, but they often wonder why.

I’ve been thinking about my time as a blogger and wondering how I could possibly choose just one person who was Most Influential. The idea seems overwhelming, even when presented with a short from which to choose. We all so influence each other.

How do you choose the Most Influential Blogger?

Performancing is offering you that choice.

Go on, place a vote!

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

This Just In: Almost Real Secrets of Shel Israel Revealed

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Breaking News

As 2008 opens, we find that new information about Naked Conversations author Shel Israel has surfaced. Robert Scoble is said to be in shock and crestfallen to be caught unaware due to intrusions by Google. Over at Global Neighborhourhoods, once called the Red Couch, things seem slightly different.

Shel never participates in blog memes, but he tagged Toby and Liz just this week.

Has Shel been taken over by aliens?

The FBI, the CIA and the ABCs are looking over the highly esteemed blog for things out of place.
“Where’s the pods? Where’s the pod?s” the Director said.
One man was heard to say, “They’re here! They’re here!”
“Not the iPod, you idiot,” was the last that was heard.

Are the Stories True?

Did Shel once run for the Presidency of Spain?

Is that What Shel Said?

Shel was overheard remarking to Tris Hussey, “Nevermind. fuhgetaboutit.”

You’ll find all of the almost real secrets from Liz and Tony at Marketing Diva.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Photos via flickr by Victoriano and Donncha

Psst! Want a Peek at What's Coming . . . at SOBCon08?

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Finally a Few Things We Can Tell You!

Sorry we’ve kept you waiting.
The hotel from last year doubled its rate.
A convention or two has gotten in our way.

But things are breaking open now, and we’re pleased to show you . . .


. . . click the logo to see more.

This year it’s “Biz School for Bloggers.” Whether you blog for your business, your business is blogging, or you want to understand the works behind a blog you’re just starting, this is an incredible team-based learning experience that you won’t want to miss.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be filling out the details for you.

Can’t wait to tell you more!

–ME “Liz” Strauss