Age and lessons learned the hard way have not exactly mellowed me, but caused the pressure to lighten from a chip on the shoulder! So recently, when my boss asked me if I was having fun (with my latest socmed project), I noticed he said it not too fondly and I realized my somber mood was brightening (not because of his discomfort but because I was busy with a project I enjoyed)!
Serious work does not mean serious mood 24/7. Though being a Jokester is not a good way to rock your career world, either! I used to think having fun doing one’s job meant the equivalent of goofing off and not taking your work seriously. Boy, do I have a thing or two to learn!
Social media requires passion. No earth-shattering news there. What is passion? Is it necessary? I get these questions from clients often. Clients or groups I speak to will say they have been lurking in the space for some time and see no alternative but to jump in. Ick. I despise ultimatums. Nothing good usually results. I won’t go into the lecture that social media is not a one-size fits all initiative here, but I do enforce:
“Social media initiatives are not successful if you view them as tasks you have to do versus tasks you want to do.”
I have come to believe in integrating The Pleasure Principle into my work life. This does not mean I avoid unwanted tasks, but I am beginning to see and practice the value of finding a nugget of pleasure in each painful task. So when the social media bandwagon pulls up, before you groan, think what you/your company will achieve in return for social media initiatives. What will you learn? How can you grow with these lessons learned? What new relationships will be forged? These positive thoughts you can control.
(Photo courtesy nicolas valentin.)
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