Epic Living - Wellbeing Expert, Entrepreneur, Author, Man on A Mission

The Price of Fame

The price of fame could be summed up in the following statement:

Everybody loves you when your famous...not really. It's just that many flock to whatever is the "new. This too shall pass."

In many parts of the world, being or getting famous is not difficult to do. If you strike certain notes you may even take off like a rocket. You can thank social media for this.

The reality is fame is a cost of doing what you do. It should never be a pursuit. If it is a pursuit then more than likely you're looking for something or some people to fill you up. The end of this road is often addiction.

In some of the roles I've played, I garnered much applause. The inevitable end always led to an empty auditoruim. It really felt quite embarassing. Think of unrequited love here. Thankfully, I found solid ground getting over it. I've learned the importance of just creating the best work you can.

Everything else is mostly distraction.

Related articles

What I Wanted, What I Got, What I Did

5 Questions with John Baldoni, Author of The Leader's Pocket Guide

Who Do You Connect With on Social Media?

The following infographic really does a good job at informing on how social media impacts job seekers and students. Much talk about this lately and forewarned is forearmed. Enjoy!

Compiled By: OnlineDegrees.org 

Connecting Via Social Media

I write from the heart, so sometimes I forget to remind you of how you can connect with Epic Living via social media. The following are a few ways to connect (click on the icon badges to go there directly) and it's appreciated:

Leadership and the Social Media Frenzy

Wrote this a few years ago, regarding leadership and the social media frenzy, and it still has relevance today.

I'm all-in on the trends created by social media.  This is natural because of my involvement (passion and revenue) in it.  Lois Kelly reminds us though, of how some elements are timeless-leadership and change.  You can read her post here.

If were a poor leader before the social media frenzy, then you're probably still a poor leader.  The way that changes is when you do something relating to your heart.  Anything less is a waste of time, and you don't have as much of that as you think.

I am encouraged by quality leaders who went into the social media arena strong, but are now stronger for the tools (Twitter, blogs, etc.) found there.

Which category do you fall into?  The answer will be an awakening-either way.

Ways to Connect with Epic Living on Social Media

Here are some addiitonal ways to connect with us on social media:

• Epic Living Google+ Page
• Epic Living Facebook Page
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

Human Beings Being Human

To understand the human psyche is a gift.  To understand it because you've lived it is matchless.

Why do people continue a pattern that they know in the end will lead to undoing?  Fear and a warped view of the world in which they live, I would say, are at the top of the list.  To face these two demons is very daunting for most.

If you're in the world of growing something, if you have a calling, if you are moved to make change, then you need to realize that often the choices people make are based on human beings being human.

Does the World Need Another Social Network?

Ok, I've taken the dive with Google +. There are many out there who are wondering if we need another social network.  I asked myself the same question this afternoon and came to the following conclusions:

1. We do need more social networks.  That doesn't necessarily many another Facebook or Twitter.  Maybe it's in your community where you live or a cause you're passionate about.  It's right as breathing.
2. If you're taking the bumble bee approach to social networking (online or otherwise), then you need to reexamine your motivations.  Take a hard look at who you are or who you were before you drank the kool-aid, and then order your social networks around that.  You've got to do this.
3. Google + is rightly placed.  Google has such a huge influence around the ordering of content and flow, that for them not to be involved would be silly.  I'm not gushing over with Google fan-love when I write this.  Google is like Churchill or Edition; what they created and impacted was bigger than who they were as influencers.
4. All of this flurry on social netowrks and the experiements, ventures and such created have produced good strategy and tactics for me.  Lord knows, you need good strategy and tactics for your brand (personal or business) these days.  I'd be overwhelmed if I didn't.  For example, I know why I interact on Brazen Careerist versus why I interact on LinkedIn.  By the way, strategy and tactics will also lead you to learning the art of saying no and turning off things that have a button.
5. If we were living in the industrial age, then Google +, Facebook and Twitter would be nothing more than eye candy and entertainment.  Since we are no longer in the industrial age, you should start acting differently.  Differently in that you think like an entrepreneur, even if you're far from it in form.  If you don't start acting differently, you may wake up and find yourself in a ghost town of one.

How Social Communities Are Impacting Customer Service

Lois Kelly gives us some compelling insight around Verizon's success with customers.  I thought this post was timely, considering the gains Verizon continues to make versus AT&T.  You can read more about that here.

Twitter Realities

I'm a user and fan of Twitter.  But I am also a thinker. 

Had a couple of new followers (or so I thought) join my community, but Twitter doesn't list them on my page of followers.  So are they following or not?  Time will tell.

With this issue simmering, I found this blog from Jim Long at Verge New Media.  I really dig his insights.  Coincidence or not, check out his thought provoking post on Twitter.

What Your Organization Could Learn From the U.S. Air Force

Caught this post from Lois Kelly today and I was shocked. 

I confess that I've never looked at the U.S. Air Force as being that progressive/innovative.  As Lois points out, they seem to understand social media and the impacts.

If the Air Force can do it, can't your organization?