Yesterday was great fun. My post attracted plenty of heated debate and controversy, as well as some great discussion.
But what stood out to me was the criticism directed directly at me, because in my post I was confronting behaviour on Twitter that I used to partake of myself. So let the confession begin: I have retweeted myself multiple times in day. I have spent all day on Twitter. I have created noise in an attempt to cut through the noise. And I have followed over a thousand people in the attempt to get more followers.
Hands up. I did it.
The point is, as everyone will recognise, doing things wrong is part of learning to do them right. Take my doodle on the left. Moving towards the destination isn’t a straight line. It is one of going off track less and less, learning each time you curve away how to recognise it sooner and get back on track quicker. It is about staying balanced in your motivation.
That’s why as a husband, a blogger, a marketer, a friend, a pastor, a business man, as I was as a child, as I am as man, and one day will be as a father, I am:
A work in progress.
Is this a cop out? No. Being a work in progress isn’t license to do what you want without consequences, nor is it an escape to avoid responsibility. What it means is as you press as hard as you can towards the goal, take responsibility as man (or woman), and carry the consequence – as you do these – you know that there is room for growth, and you give yourself this room. It also means that you don’t take yourself too seriously.
Integrity is being who you say you are. I have been outspoken about clarity and action, and now about noise. I’ve made my commitment to you as part of this community. I’ve already said I’m winging it. Now I’m telling you I’m a work in progress too. Are you?
-
Scott,
A humble confession indeed. Work in progress. Sure – that’s all of us.
Yesterday’s SG post was a hoot – opinions, disagreements, colour and heat. Sounds like a growing community to me.
Some say great minds think alike.
I say great minds think differently.
Bringing important issues to the table and having the courage to open your doors and let your community ‘argue’ at your place is real leadership – isn’t it?
I was raised on debate. It’s what made sitting at the family dinner table interesting & exciting. Spark those ideas. Stir up those coals.
There will be nothing worse than if the whole online thing deflates into a mind-numbing Mecca of sycophantic opinions spiraling in an endless Escher staircase of consensus.
So let’s buckle up the seat belts and bring it on.
Best, Robin
-
Scott,
A humble confession indeed. Work in progress. Sure – that’s all of us.
Yesterday’s SG post was a hoot – opinions, disagreements, colour and heat. Sounds like a growing community to me.
Some say great minds think alike.
I say great minds think differently.
Bringing important issues to the table and having the courage to open your doors and let your community ‘argue’ at your place is real leadership – isn’t it?
I was raised on debate. It’s what made sitting at the family dinner table interesting & exciting. Spark those ideas. Stir up those coals.
There will be nothing worse than if the whole online thing deflates into a mind-numbing mecca of sycophantic opinions spiraling in an endless Escher staircase of consensus.
So let’s buckle up the seat belts and bring it on.
Best, Robin
-
http://twitter.com/therioman
Scott,
I think on this post you’re bang on – but while you’re guilty of the things you admit to, what you’re not guilty of is being the first.
The reality is we *all* sometimes go so far into something (twitter being one of them since it does encourage a mini-ecosystem) and stop seeing how we are an integral part of the problem, or simply contributing unwittingly without realising that we participate in the madness.
On that Scott, you’re not guilty, but you’re simply human. That though is nothing to be ashamed of!
-
http://twitter.com/therioman
Scott,
I think on this post you’re bang on – but while you’re guilty of the things you admit to, what you’re not guilty of is being the first.
The reality is we *all* sometimes go so far into something (twitter being one of them since it does encourage a mini-ecosystem) and stop seeing how we are an integral part of the problem, or simply contributing unwittingly without realising that we participate in the madness.
On that Scott, you’re not guilty, but you’re simply human. That though is nothing to be ashamed of!
-
http://twitter.com/alexthegreen
I’ve always been more interested in why you do things than what you do. Of course, what you do is important but I believe the motivation is more crucial.
I also think that why we do things changes over time.
Respect for your honesty and openness Scott! -
http://twitter.com/alexthegreen
I’ve always been more interested in why you do things than what you do. Of course, what you do is important but I believe the motivation is more crucial.
I also think that why we do things changes over time.
Respect for your honesty and openness Scott! -
I agree with everything you have said Scott. What comes to mind though, is if we are a work in progress, what is the end product? What is the destination? What are we as people pushing for? For myself, I’ve no idea. As I get older, my personal goals change, they get smaller, bigger, and sometimes disapear. I’ve thrown up my hands in surrender many times to un-ending plans, that never seem to get fullfilled. But the more I give up, the more I get peace. In the end of it all, most of life is a big bag of vanity, and the only thing that is real, is God and your family.
-
I agree with everything you have said Scott. What comes to mind though, is if we are a work in progress, what is the end product? What is the destination? What are we as people pushing for? For myself, I’ve no idea. As I get older, my personal goals change, they get smaller, bigger, and sometimes disapear. I’ve thrown up my hands in surrender many times to un-ending plans, that never seem to get fullfilled. But the more I give up, the more I get peace. In the end of it all, most of life is a big bag of vanity, and the only thing that is real, is God and your family.
-
http://socialmediafish.com
Hey Scott
Fact: I did it all too and have never denied it!
Fact: I never even knew you were following me or I following you until last week, when I made the big choice of cleaning up my account!
Fact: Incoming info is more important to me than outgoing!
Fact: If you make anything more than a 1 month plan on how you use Social Media you have no idea what you are doing in Social Media!
Fact: Keep it up!
-
http://socialmediafish.com
Hey Scott
Fact: I did it all too and have never denied it!
Fact: I never even knew you were following me or I following you until last week, when I made the big choice of cleaning up my account!
Fact: Incoming info is more important to me than outgoing!
Fact: If you make anything more than a 1 month plan on how you use Social Media you have no idea what you are doing in Social Media!
Fact: Keep it up!
-
Right there with you on all points!
-
Right there with you on all points!
-
As Paul says, “I press towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”
The destination is to walk in the calling, and fulfill each stage of that calling.
So yes, the inconsequential plans that we make may fall – but we must always press towards that Goal – like you are saying
-
As Paul says, “I press towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”
The destination is to walk in the calling, and fulfill each stage of that calling.
So yes, the inconsequential plans that we make may fall – but we must always press towards that Goal – like you are saying
-
THanks for the encouragement – and glad for the chance connection!
I’ll be sure to keep it up, if you can keep up the commenting!
-
THanks for the encouragement – and glad for the chance connection!
I’ll be sure to keep it up, if you can keep up the commenting!
Comments