I had three people add me on Google Plus today.
Wait – is that what you do with Google Plus? You add people?
I had two invitations in LinkedIn. I had three friend requests on Facebook.
How about you?
Thing is – I will accept your invitation on LinkedIn, but that’s it.
I don’t use LinkedIn. I don’t even really know how to use LinkedIn.
I know, scandalous, right? But if a client has a question, I just ask someone who does know.
I don’t use Google Plus.
I don’t use the next shiny new social media toy.
I just don’t have the time.
Come to think of it, how do you?
I use Facebook to share pictures of my kids with my mom and Aunt Sue and my cousin Lori and to share old Battle of the Network Stars clips from YouTube.
Oh, and I don’t subscribe to your YouTube Channel.
And I hate to admit it, but lately I’ve been thinking about just killing Facebook, too.
I’m sorry. Please don’t think less of me.
It might shock you to learn that I’m, in fact, quite happy and doing quite well without being on LinkedIn or Google Plus or The Next New Shiny Social.
And I’m going to sleep just fine tonight. I’m going to finish this post, say a little prayer, unplug and read a good book.
But wait – am I missing out on stuff?
Of course.
I just choose not to care. I can’t.
You can’t either, you know? There’s simply to much stuff up there in the Finding Nemo-esque current.
You can fight it, but why?
Stop ingesting so much stuff.
If you’re plugged into, say, eight channels, what if you just picked the one you enjoyed the most and crossed the other seven off the list? Seriously? What would happen?
Would you lose credibility? If so, with whom?
Would your quality of life suffer?
Would the shiny squad come and kick your dog?
Or, just maybe, would it totally enrich your experience with the one network you enjoy the most? AND give you more time to do stuff that matters?
There’s always going to be a next new thing.
Maybe you should stop worrying about it and take a walk or play with your kids or your dog or read a good book.
Better yet, write one.
I write this blog because I like writing it. Because even if I wasn’t publishing it, I’d still be writing. It helps me go to sleep at night.
But you don’t have to write one. (Unless you have a story to tell, then don’t let anything stop you.)
Maybe you reeeeeally like Google Plus. GREAT! Which channel you accept or reject isn’t the point.
Time to stop and ask yourself what your limits are?
Time to sign out, log off, and opt out of a few things today?
Time to take a deep breath and simply say ‘enough.’
That wasn’t a question.
Well said!
Lots of people hate on being connected online, but thankfully my wife wrote a $2.99 eBook that talks about how the use of social networking has enriched and changed our families lives (http://www.OnceUponTheInternet.com). Facebook, without a doubt, is the most worthwhile network (due to broad usage).
The challenge is to live your online and offline lives in moderation and balance. It’s not about the number of friends you have online. It’s actually quite a bit like our lives offline, quality over quantity.
One tip that I might leave that has allowed me to enjoy social networking is to create either a group on Facebook, a list on Twitter, or a circle on Google+ (if you do bother with it), and add the people you most enjoy hearing from to those. Check those first, like you would your blog subscriptions, and then if you have spare and worthless time to spend, peruse the rest of your friends.
I’ve found Twitter to be an excellent tool to help me meet & connect with prospects as I’m in the process of building a sports marketing firm. Without social media, it would be nearly impossible for me to generate leads on a national level. But, I have concentrated on Twitter & Facebook because they provide the functionality I require.
I just have to say AMEN! I have been off Facebook for a about a week (not intentionally but I have had other things I’m concentrating on) and I really haven’t missed it. There is so much fluff information out there and I’m growing tired of having to sort it all out. So… as you say… I will be unsubscribing to a few blogs that clog my inbox and really concentrate on the ones that deliver content that is relevant to me. The Daily Blur is a keeper!!
Tim, I really feel like I need to tune into your blog here more often! Totally feel the same way about being plugged in to so much “social stuff” though society seems to expect it, especially if you are in the role of marketing in this world today. It is just plain exhausting to have a pulse on everything out there at every moment of the day. Such good insight and I like you as a person and what you stand for (and I’m not saying it just because I work with you and should say that). Keep up the great writing!