GenPink

In the fast paced world that is microblogging and social media there are numerous blog posts, articles and various links posted every minute. There are a multitude sites you can browse most popular links shared, but even then the chance of catching all of the great content is pretty unlikely. I was lucky yesterday to see a link to a blog post written in July 2008 that absolutely inspired me. The blog is Marc and Angel Hack Life and the post is 20 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Every Sunday.

I have 20 questions for you. These questions should be reviewed every Sunday morning or sometime during the weekend when you have some quiet time to think. Remember, reflection is the key to progression.

The questions are explained in more detail on the original post, but here are the questions:

1. What did I learn last week?
2. What was my greatest accomplishment over the past week?
3. Which moment from last week was the most memorable and why?
4. What’s the #1 thing I need to accomplish this week?
5. What can I do right now to make the week less stressful?
6. What have I struggled with in the past that might also affect the upcoming week?
7. What was last week’s biggest time sink?
8. Am I carrying any excess baggage into the week that can be dropped?
9. What have I been avoiding that needs to get done?
10. What opportunities are still on the table?
11. Is there anyone I’ve been meaning to talk to?
12. Is there anyone that deserves a big ‘Thank You’?
13. How can I help someone else this coming week?
14. What are my top 3 goals for the next 3 years?
15. Have any of my recent actions moved me closer to my goals?
16. What’s the next step for each goal?
17. What am I looking forward to during the upcoming week?
18. What are my fears?
19. What am I most grateful for?
20. If I knew I only had one week to live, who would I spend my time with?

And of course I have a few of my own to add:

1. Who can I inspire this week?
2. Did I tell the people in my life how much they mean to me?
3. Did I make a difference with someone?
4. Did I learn something?
5. Have I done something creative this week?

What questions do you ask yourself every week?

Proud as a peacock …
Those are the words that my mother sent back to me in an email this afternoon when I asked her to check out the blog post my boss had written about me. Yes, I did say my boss blogs… she blogs a lot actually.

I could tell you about my boss or I could just tell you that she blogs under the domain imstartingashitstorm.com – no I’m not kidding.

Anyway, this has been an exciting few months for me and I haven’t taken the time to blog about all my fun news, and it looks like I don’t have to because Lisa was bragging about me on her blog this week. And, well it’s a lot more fun for people to be “proud as a peacock” of me than to brag about myself. Dontcha think?

Here’s what she had to say …

Tonight, I welcomed the numbing entertainment, as my day was crammed with tons of business, inclusive of calls and meetings. Typical for a new year, when the entire nation sat idly by for a few weeks with no decisions or processes being engaged, let alone purchasing or upgrading technology programs such as ours. I am really encouraged on what our sales team is developing, an insightful industry engaging social media program inclusive of our clients, products and services. Elysa Rice, our Emerging Media Consultant, is working on an outbound communications schedule that will feature education and client interaction. I have personally agreed to travel the country providing consultative services and complimentary education programs with whoever will hear me. Interested? There are so many programs we can provide that are designed for anyone who wants to be better at what they do. Personally, I like the concept of Transactional vs. Transformational management and tools that engage your employee base within your corporate intentions. Elysa can certainly facilitate, using the latest in Web 2.0 and social media. If you follow her Ellipse Tips, with her 15,000 or so page views monthly, then wouldn’t it be grand to have her in your Ohio office in February??? Ok, how about Florida or California? She’s so tiny, I’ll make sure she dresses warm when heading your way. Let us know via email or phone call, this is really a serious offer here; you’d be crazy to pass this up!

Interestingly enough, this young lady is so powerful in her Internet messaging that a reporter from the local CBS affiliate contacted her for an interview. They have heard how she is speaking at South by Southwest Media Conference in Austin, followed up with her personal blog, www.genpink.com so now they want an interview.

Oh, she is also presenting at NAA Student Housing conference as well in February. Man, I am so very proud of her. When I hired her, I did tell her I would sharpen her up for her professional consulting gig of instructing Fortune 500 companies on the art of social networking. But, I didn’t expect her exposure to be so swift… She should know that I will beat her tiny little ass if she cuts me loose prior to the two year commitment I suggested it would take:)

On that note, as a leader of a company, portfolio, or community, what are you doing to feed the passion for your rockstar employee? Getting serious for just one second, and then I am going to bed… if we don’t feed their need for challenge, knowledge and exposure, they will find someplace else to share their wares. Nobody ever questioned me for not engaging my key employees in new development ideologies, along with skill sharpening opportunities within Ellipse. I know when I’ve got a winner on my team. And they will be jettisoned into what makes them shine, even if it means sometimes that it takes leaving the nest and away my tutelage, but frankly that is ok. I know I did my part. See Gen X look for respect and recognition amongst their peers and family, Gen Y need a more extended circle for the accolades and high fives that come with success. To me there is nothing better in my world to support and grow a future, successful business person, ‘cause the personal, social conscience side goes right along with it. You know, isn’t that the "pay it forward" type stuff, right?

So yes folks you did read that right … in the next few months I will be on the news, speaking at NAA in Vegas!, speaking at SXSW and who knows whatelse. Craziness!

I’ve seen numerous Best Ofs lists floating around. It’s kind of a tradition for a new year. Unfortunately usually these Best Ofs are very self promotery. So I wanna play it different. Share a few Best Of from 2009 that are not yours (and maybe 1 that is in the spirit of being good at self promotion in small doses.) I’ll share my faves soon. I’m thinkin’ categories to include: blog post, photos, twitter lists, all around blog. Have any additional ideas? *feel free to steal this for your blog – as long as you link back *

The following video is #2 on Mashable’s 10 Most Innovative Viral Video Ads of 2009. The description on Youtube says “A simple short film about communication.” If I had to use one word to describe this video it would be captivating.

For all my list loving friends …

TeuxDeux Demo from TeuxDeux on Vimeo.

How do you manage your to-dos? Thinking about, or already signed up for TeuxDeux?