Top Posts RSSTue, 09 Nov 2021 13:28:26 GMT"Real leaders are happy to zig while others zag. They understand that in an era of hyper-competition and non-stop disruption, the only way to stand out from the crowd is to stand for something special. They don't follow where the path may lead, they go instead where there is no path and leave a trail". "Bill Taylor, and Ralph Waldo Emerson."

]]>Tue, 09 Nov 2021 13:28:26 GMTStop!  Too Much!  I Don't Want All That!  Is Social Media broken?  There are many in the public, many influencers, and many lawmakers who think it is.  What do you think?  Read on!What's to Love About Existing Social Media?Must We Accept Silly, Angry, Fake, Abusive, Addictive, and Privacy Violating Services to Use Social Media? The Answer is NO!While I respect those who want to see conspiracy theories or cat videos... that's not me.  Many want to watch or participate in online brawls between 'friends'... but that's just not me. Some don't mind reading profanity or hate language to get to what they want... but that is not me either.  Further, some don't care if fake accounts can post fake news.  And some don't care if pedophiles can troll social media to abuse children. These are also not something I can tolerate.I don't want to support, see, or participate in those things.  I want to connect with real friends, not 600 'Facebook friends" or 1000+ LinkedIn connections.  I want to keep up with some groups and topics of interest.  I prefer to participate in civil and rational conversations.  I know a lot of people who feel the same way. But, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. all make more money when more people disagree - even without civility, or ESPECIALLY without civility. They depend on a viral storm of highly charged or controversial posts and comments to keep people checking frequently to see the most recent updates or progress of the discussion.  All these 'eyeballs' produce more pages served, more ads served, and money in the bank - at the expense of the end-user.  Even worse, existing social media platforms actually employ brain science tactics to make their service more "addictive" by intentionally manipulating Dopamine levels and other neurotransmitters   It is widely reported that some users suffer 'cravings' and 'withdrawal symptoms' as well as 'anxiety', and 'agitation'. ... Read more

]]>Mon, 09 Aug 2021 15:22:14 GMT"We call someone a leader not because they are in charge but because they have the courage to go first. To risk first. To trust first. First into the unknown." ...Simon Sinek

]]>Mon, 09 Aug 2021 16:51:35 GMTCreativity and leadershipThey’re related.Management isn’t. Management uses power and authority to get people to do tasks you know can be done. Management is needed, but management is insufficient.Leadership is voluntary. It’s voluntary to lead and it’s voluntary to follow. If you’re insisting, then you’re managing…And creativity is the magical human act of doing something that might not work. If you know it’s going to work–then it’s management.  ... Seth Godin https://seths.blog/2021/09/creativity-and-leadership/ 

]]>Mon, 06 Sep 2021 17:43:54 GMTMembers can apply the triple filter test for better social media:Ask yourself if what you’re about to say is (1) true, (2) good, and (3) useful.Here's a good story to illustrate: “You’re not going to believe it! You’re not going to believe it!” shouted the young man as he ran across the courtyard. “I just heard something about one of your friends!”“Whoa, slow down,” replied Socrates lifting his eyes from the scroll he was reading to face the young man. “Before you tell me the news, I’d like to give you a little test.”“A test?” the young man fired back frustrated his eagerness had been met with resistance. “What kind of test? I don’t like tests!”“Don’t worry,” Socrates smiled. “It’s not very hard. In fact, it’s quite simple. It’s called the ‘Triple-Filter Test’. And as its name implies, it consists of three questions that will hopefully help you better filter information.”“The first filter is Truth,” Socrates continued. “Are you absolutely positive that what you’re going to tell me is true?”“No, I’m not sure it’s true,” the young man responded sheepishly. “I just heard about it and I thought you should….”“Moving on,” Socrates jumped in. “Since you’re not sure whether or not what you want to tell me about my friend is true or not it’s time for the second filter which is goodness —Is the news you have about my friend something good?”“No, it’s not good,” replied the young man. “It’s the opposite of good and that’s why….”“Hmmm,” Socrates stopped the young man once again. “You want to tell me something bad about my friend that may or may not be true? Do I have that right?”“I’m not doing very well at this test am I?” replied the now tomato-faced young man.“That’s yet to be seen,” said Socrates. “There’s still one question left that can allow you to pass the test and it involves usefulness — Is the news you want to tell me about my friend useful?”“No,” the young man replied completely deflated. “I’m afraid it’s not useful.”“So what you want to tell me about my friend i... Read more

]]>Sun, 22 Aug 2021 17:27:52 GMTThe purpose of Safe Social Online is to provide an environment in which all community members can freely and respectfully exchange thoughts, ideas, knowledge, and opinions without hate speech, racism, or the kind of fights between "friends" seen on other social media sites. Please do your part in helping us maintain a constructive environment by maintaining a civil, culturally sensitive tone, and encourage your peers to do the same.😀

]]>Sat, 11 Sep 2021 14:20:09 GMTAsk Richard By Richard BransonAsk Richard: - In your career, how do know when to slow down, and when to put the pedal to the metal?In a hyper-connected world where everything moves at lightning speed, it often feels impossible to slow down. After reading through hundreds of questions submitted to my Ask Richard newsletter this month, I thought this one from Cyril Dalawangbayan touched upon something everyone can relate to:“Richard, everyone is hustling. How do we know when it’s time to take it slow, or put the pedal to the metal? How do you put timing to key moments in your career?”Timing is everything in life, and it’s particularly crucial in entrepreneurship. People often equate success with luck, but it usually comes down to impeccable [and carefully mapped out] timing. Staying ahead of the curve; predicting market conditions; spotting opportunities before they arise; and forecasting the wider economic, social and technological landscape cannot be underestimated when starting a business. If this all sounds a bit complicated, the most important thing to remember is that the best time to go into a new business is when it’s being run badly by others.It’s also important to remember that good timing is less about speed, and more about being in sync. It’s easy to forget this in a go-go-go kind of world, but it’s so important for your career (or whatever it is you’re working towards) and your wider wellbeing too. If you’re starting to feel like you’re just going through the motions and losing sight of why you started, it might be time to take a break, collect your thoughts, get some rest, and re-assess your strategy. You don’t make your best decisions when you’re exhausted or overwhelmed, and you won’t have the capacity to spot new opportunities and think creatively. I’ve always said that if you don’t have time for the small things, you won’t have time for the big things. There’s something to be said for slowing down, taking stock and also in kn... Read more

]]>Wed, 29 Sep 2021 14:11:52 GMTHow did you observe the 20th anniversary of 9/11? Was this event overshadowed by results of US withdrawal from Afghanistan?  We held the Taliban off for 20 years, but really only stopped them for 1 week.  It was a sad day when terrorists flew planes into buildings, and a sad day when the Taliban took back over.  I will always remember the first responders who paid the ultimate price with their lives or their health!  

]]>Sun, 12 Sep 2021 14:46:32 GMT"To be a pioneer is to stand on a shore and look out to a land no one can see, know there are dangers we cannot imagine... and set forth anyway".Simon Sinek, @ simonsinek.com

]]>Mon, 11 Oct 2021 13:22:05 GMTThese words from actor Anthony Hopkins are brutal:Let go of people who aren't ready to love you.This is the hardest thing you will ever have to do in your life and it will also be the most important thing.Stop having difficult conversations with people who don’t want to change.Stop showing up for people who have no interest in your presence.I know your instinct is to do everything you can to gain the appreciation of those around you, but it's an impulse that steals your time, energy, mental and physical health.When you start fighting for a life with joy, interest and commitment, not everyone will be ready to follow you to that place.That doesn't mean you have to change who you are, it means you have to let go of people who aren't ready to be with you.If you are excluded, insulted, forgotten or ignored by the people you give your time to, you are not doing yourself a favor by continuing to offer them your energy and your life.Truth is, you're not for everyone and not everyone is for you.This is what makes it so special when you find people that you have friendship or love matched.You will know how precious it is because you've experienced what it isn't.There are billions of people on this planet and a lot of them you will find at your level of interest and commitment.Maybe if you stop showing up, they won't look for you.Maybe if you stop trying, the relationship ends.Maybe if you stop texting, your phone will stay dark for weeks.That doesn't mean you ruined the relationship, it means the only thing that was holding it was the energy that only you gave to keep it.That's not love, that's attachment.It's giving a chance to those who don't deserve it!You deserve so much more.The most valuable thing you have in your life is your time and energy as both are limited.The people and things you give your time and energy to, will define your existence.When you realize this you start to understand why you’re so anxious when you spend time with people, activities or spaces that d... Read more

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