Can we have it all? Motherhood, careers, family, friends, ‘me’ time, health, wealth and vacation time?
Yes.
Yes because we all define these things differently and can therefore choose our own standard or expectation to which we want to aim.
Yes because having it all doesn’t mean doing it perfectly. Mistakes will happen. Poor choices might be made. So what? Who doesn’t make mistakes? We all know it is how you recover from error that counts.
Yes because all those things are available in life and no one is saying there is a pre-defined portion that is smaller for some women than for others.
Of course my life has sometimes seen poverty, illness and unemployment… to mention but a few. But those are the flipside of “all” and I’m willing to learn, embrace and try it again.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Social Networking Technology and Similar Circles
Similar Circles is the philosophy.
Similar Circles: Tea & Networking is the face to face quarterly event. Obviously limited by geography.
Similar Circles: Tea & Blogging is what I do 2 - 3 times a week.
Similar Circles: Tea & Discussion is the next iteration possibility. (and I would dearly love your comments and concepts on this one)
Tea & Discussion could be podcasts, webinars, face to face groups with teleconferencing, discussion boards... The technology is there to allow us to connect.
I want to play... anyone care to join me?
Similar Circles: Tea & Networking is the face to face quarterly event. Obviously limited by geography.
Similar Circles: Tea & Blogging is what I do 2 - 3 times a week.
Similar Circles: Tea & Discussion is the next iteration possibility. (and I would dearly love your comments and concepts on this one)
Tea & Discussion could be podcasts, webinars, face to face groups with teleconferencing, discussion boards... The technology is there to allow us to connect.
I want to play... anyone care to join me?
Monday, June 22, 2009
Social Networking Technology 2
So, as a set of tools available to my journey of building personal community, where does social networking fit in?
* If you look at my kid, the entire teen world appears to be in constant tech mode with non-stop texting and online chatting.
* The adults seem to be finding old school mates on Facebook and looking for dates via the virtual world.
* There's LinkedIn and Plaxo and Twitter and host of online sites and tools that add to or distract from the day.
* There are articles telling you that social networking will help/hinder/host your career and life.
My philosophy is never turn down extra help. Social networking tools are one more way to reach out to your community. They are not, however, a replacement for the intimacy and trust-building of face-to-face. They can bridge the gaps between the phone calls and coffees.
My favourite example today is the one my teen realised... having a zillion friends on Facebook didn't mean he had a date for Saturday night. And asking a girl out via Facebook didn't win him any Romeo points either. Having prior chats via Facebook did break the ice. Having friends and events/bands in common did create some reference points.
I think that social networking tools haven't gotten out of their infancy yet. Technology is advancing to the point where we may see bigger grey zones between the face to face/high touch meetings and using technology to have them. I encourage folks to play with them and see how they work. Use them to reach outside your geographic zones for resources, information and counsel. And, please, also still be willing to offer your actual physical presence and time to your community.
Mentors - this is a great dialogue with your mentorees. What do either of you use? What's working? What can you teach each other?
Networkers - success stories are missing at this point. There are lots of examples of why it should work but few are out there at networking events talking about how it's worked for them personally. What a great conversation opener...
* If you look at my kid, the entire teen world appears to be in constant tech mode with non-stop texting and online chatting.
* The adults seem to be finding old school mates on Facebook and looking for dates via the virtual world.
* There's LinkedIn and Plaxo and Twitter and host of online sites and tools that add to or distract from the day.
* There are articles telling you that social networking will help/hinder/host your career and life.
My philosophy is never turn down extra help. Social networking tools are one more way to reach out to your community. They are not, however, a replacement for the intimacy and trust-building of face-to-face. They can bridge the gaps between the phone calls and coffees.
My favourite example today is the one my teen realised... having a zillion friends on Facebook didn't mean he had a date for Saturday night. And asking a girl out via Facebook didn't win him any Romeo points either. Having prior chats via Facebook did break the ice. Having friends and events/bands in common did create some reference points.
I think that social networking tools haven't gotten out of their infancy yet. Technology is advancing to the point where we may see bigger grey zones between the face to face/high touch meetings and using technology to have them. I encourage folks to play with them and see how they work. Use them to reach outside your geographic zones for resources, information and counsel. And, please, also still be willing to offer your actual physical presence and time to your community.
Mentors - this is a great dialogue with your mentorees. What do either of you use? What's working? What can you teach each other?
Networkers - success stories are missing at this point. There are lots of examples of why it should work but few are out there at networking events talking about how it's worked for them personally. What a great conversation opener...
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