Think Before you Click

A blog entry by Jeff Cole, PR 101 Lesson #106 It Doesn’t Matter What You Were Told In Kindergarten – Sharing Is Not Always A Good Thing ( http://www.pr101.biz/pr-101-lesson-106-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-matter-what-you-were-told-in-kindergarten-sharing-is-not-always-a-good-thing/ ) made me think about the advice I was given some time back when I started my foray into the world of Social Media: "don't drink and tweet."  

It sounds deceptively simple and yet it is rather profound.  When you create content on the social web, or on the web in general, people will find it/see it, regardless of whether you think it is shielded or not.  The word "content" by the way, describes everything from a 140-character tweet, or a comment on a website, to a blog entry, to a picture or video you post.

In light of the above therefore, it only makes sense to employ common sense rules. 
The way I usually describe the decision point when I am sharing my experiences goes something like this -- if you could stomach seeing your content on the front page of the newspaper or on the 6 o'clock newscast, if you wouldn't mind your content discovered by your mother/spouse/friends/boss, then go ahead and click 'OK', or hit 'Enter'.  If you feel you can defend it, you are in the clear. 
If you find yourself hesitating however, then you ought to rethink the wisdom of creating this content. 

As Jeff points out, "Here’s the first thing that we all should remember – social media doesn’t kill careers, people using social media kill careers." If you want proof, you might want to check this link: Rep. Anthony Weiner Resigns  ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/anthony-weiner-to-resign-thursday/2011/06/16/AGrPONXH_story.html?wpisrc=al_national) 
Just keep this in mind therefore and think before you click. 

Wise Advice

I read an excellent article by David Brooks in the NY Times the other day, titled "It's Not About You."
It was directed at all the young people graduating from the various colleges and universities.
He stated: "If you sample some of the commencement addresses being broadcast on C-Span these days, you see that many graduates are told to: Follow your passion, chart your own course, march to the beat of your own drummer, follow your dreams and find yourself. This is the litany of expressive individualism, which is still the dominant note in American culture.

But, of course, this mantra misleads on nearly every front." 

The problem today's young people face is figuring- out how the system works, of picking their way in the big world out there and of finding the problem or problems which call out their name, asking for a solution. 

David correctly points-out that we typically admire people who display excellence. 
Excellence requires repetition, dedication and likely some sacrifice.
The self will stand in the way if we try to pursue excellence and those who excel will find ways of pushing the self aside and relentlessly attacking the problem until it is solved. 
This is wise advice indeed.