The Boomer Grind - "No One Ever Told Me"

At times, life can be a grind. Grind is defined by Encarta Dictionary - as to push something down firmly or crush something on a surface with a twisting or rotating motion (like grinding dirt into the carpet).

The life of a Boomer has become a grind. The early days of this grind began when I heard this statement, for the first time, forty years ago... "No one ever told me!" (and, think about the song, American Pie, "the day the music died...")

• "No one ever told me about inflation and high interest rates!" ,,,

When Does The Leader Make A Difference?

This blog title began germinating early last week week after a friend posted a link to an article "People Don't Leave Companies, They Leave Leaders." 

By the end of the week, he let me know he had left his job. I'm assuming he had considered his departure and the article may have quickened his decision. We get together this coming week and I'll find out more.

The premise of the article - it really is all about the quality of the leadership. This should be a quick kick in the rear for anyone in a leadership role. Being the leader really does mean - within the domain of your authority, everything and everyone is your responsibility. A leader is absolutely held accountable for what they think, do and say. In the case of this friend, the difference the leader made appears to not be positive for the company.

If the leader is not learning why good people are leaving that leader may not realize good people won't put up with low quality leadership. (later in this blog, you can learn how to measure the quality of leadership) 

If a leader is not willing to learn why people are leaving, they are not learning to think differently and they will not act differently. They keep doing the same thing expecting different results. Such leaders keep running off good people and eventually attract only people who will put up with a low quality leader. The result is the low quality leader finally gets fired. Einstein identified that as insanity. And, there is a solution for leaders who are willing to think and act differently than they have in the past.

Leaders Need A Roadmap In Order To Meet People Where They Are

Whenever I hear stories of good people leaving because of the leader, it makes me wonder if both the leader and the employee have a roadmap so each knows where the other is on the map. While they may have clearly defined job descriptions, I find very few leaders truly have the capability to meet people where they are. 

In other words, does a leader know:

• What's important to the employee? 
• What are their development or resource needs so they can excel at their job? 

Most leaders want people to meet the leader where they are. Ironically the leader expects people to do this without any kind of roadmap. By the way an organizational chart is not a roadmap.

Thousands of books and millions of articles about leadership attempt to define the traits and characteristics of leaders and create labels for the various types of leaders. Traits, characteristics and labels are like the streets, roads, cities and towns on a roadmap. Very important information, but it's only of value when you can accurately pinpoint where you are on the roadmap, making it easy for you to plan how to get to your destination.

Without a leadership roadmap, leaders typically wander around making it difficult for others to follow. A wandering leader (most don't know they are wandering), will not ever truly get to the heart and soul of WHEN and how authentic leadership makes all the difference. 

This infographic is a basic leadership roadmap I use with leaders. After an initial use of this infographic, it becomes easy to tailor a leadership roadmap to any leader and/or any situation. Take a moment to review before you read the rest of this blog.

How To Know The "WHEN"

A leader who understands the "when" of leadership will know the right thing to do, with the right people at the right time. This takes ongoing practice, making a leadership roadmap essential.

Yet, even with the roadmap, the "when" of leadership is like looking for the hidden image in an autostereogram. Autostereograms are computer generated 2D images that create 3D visual illusions in the brain. Sometimes you see it and sometimes you don't. It takes practice and skill to be able to consistently see the hidden images.

While any leader can look at a 2D image (what's easy to see about a situation), authentic leaders have developed the skill and knowing to consistently see the hidden 3D images (what's driving a situation). When the leader can clearly understand the how, why and what of leadership, it becomes easier for them to know when they are most likely to make a meaningful difference.

Why A Leader Struggles With The When - Low Capacity

Based upon my personal leadership experience and numerous opportunities to work with leaders at all levels, I know a leader begins to leave their struggles behind when the leader fully embraces the concept that an authentic leader is one who serves versus being served. 

The moment they become a servant-focused leader their leadership roadmap becomes like the autostereogram and the "when" becomes like the hidden 3D images. Not easy to see, but consistent practice starts producing different and meaningful results. And, other people begin to see how quality leadership makes a difference. 

No matter how much a leader knows about leadership, it is only when the leader genuinely understands that leadership competencies only make a difference when integrated with a servant-focus. When a leader has this understanding they know how and what to do, why they do it and, most importantly, the right time (when) to do it. 

Time and again, during conversations with leaders, the less their servant-focus, the lower their capacity for dealing with all the people, situations, changes and uncertainties that come with the role of leader. A leader with low capacity will struggle. It is easy to recognize a struggling leader because you will hear them make "either/or" type statements. They will say things like, "Either Joe gets with the program or he will be fired!" 

The leader's comments and opinions are typically stated as if everything is either black or white. This same leader will also have wide and abrupt mood swings. They blame others and often even appear bipolar. A leader with low capacity is easily overwhelmed and has very little self control to take time to think "gray" about a situation versus always reacting in a black or white manner. The lower a leader's capacity, the lower their ability to exercise genuine leadership competencies.

An authentic leader will be just the opposite of this "either/or" type leader. The authentic leader will be skilled at "both/and" thinking. Both/And thinking opens an authentic leader's mind to new possibilities (see the gray), making it easier to see when to do the right things. They have trained their brain to see the when, like being able to see the autostereogram 3D images, in their mind. An authentic leader will have the capacity to think through a variety of scenarios until they are able to know when to act and with whom.

How To Instantly Measure Authentic Leadership

The infographic is called a ZMap. For a leader this ZMap empowers you to quickly pinpoint which quadrant best defines your current level of leadership. Once you pinpoint where you are, it becomes easy to design your development plan to get to where you want to be. If you work with a leader, you can use this same ZMap to gain some insight, understanding and appreciation for a leader's quality of leadership.

While the topic of leadership can be a very complex discussion, this ZMap quickly cuts through all the noise. Once you know where you are it is simple to plan the journey to your destination. Authentic, sustainable leaders have developed a personal leadership roadmap though trial and error. They use it to know when to do the right thing with the right people at the right time.

A leader can use this simple ZMap to quickly develop a personal leadership roadmap much faster than the traditional leadership development processes. When you know where you are on this ZMap, you can instantly focus on what you need and know where to find or ask for the right resources to help you improve your quality of leadership.

It Begins With Being Honest With Yourself

Answer these two statements and pinpoint where they intersect on the ZMap. 

• Rank your Leadership Competencies. (Y axis) The higher your knowledge and execution of quality leadership competencies, the higher your point on the Y axis.
• Rank your Servant-Focus. (X axis) The more time you spend thinking about serving those who work with you and actually doing and being a servant leader, the further out on the X axis is your pinpoint.

Based upon where these two points intersect, what are your thoughts about where you find yourself on the ZMap and what actions do you see you need to take to get to where you want to be? 

When I work with leaders, this simple ZMap gets the two of us on the same page and engaged into a meaningful discussion that creates immediate and lasting value for the leader. More information on how to plan your leadership development journey will be shared in future blogs. 

My experience is those leaders who genuinely want to improve will take this ZMap and get started by first observing what they think, say and do - and begin making appropriate changes. This blog reviews how to become a skillful thinker.

I encourage you to do the same. You will be amazed at how quickly you begin to start thinking differently and experiencing when your leadership makes positive, meaningful differences for others.

Best to your becoming a servant-focused leader.

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

ZFactor blog explores and discusses a variety of techniques, tools and discoveries by successful people that will assist others to achieve greater personal and professional success. ZFactor is a proprietary coaching methodology based upon the premise that successful people think and act differently. The ZFactor methodology is proven to accelerate a person's ability to think and act differently.

The Best Way To Become A Sustainable Leader!

Anyone truly serious about becoming a highly capable, sustainable leader can easily find leadership development opportunities in any number of community, school or worship communities. It doesn't make any difference about your age or whether you have ever been in a leadership role or you have years of experience in management and leadership roles. If you genuinely desire to develop your leadership skills, get involved in serving others.

One of my "just curious" questions I ask leaders is to give a quick history of their volunteer service, starting with high school. Those leaders with consistent volunteer service are simply more mature, sustainable, servant-minded leaders. Individuals who get involved in service work in high school and college will have numerous opportunities to experience leading others. They are also the ones who will experience faster personal, professional and leadership growth than their peers in the workplace.

Likewise, for anyone at any age. Even if you didn't take advantage of such opportunities in your early years and you think you have limited opportunities where you work, then today is always a good day to get involved and become a volunteer. Find an organization you can truly believe in their purpose and mission. You will not only experience personal growth, but you will be serving others and making a difference in other people's lives.

If you are older, wiser and more experienced, don't think you should immediately be on the board of directors. Get your hands in the dirt. That means be willing to work alongside others and do whatever is needed, especially the grunt work. Really get to know other people who are serving. The key thing to remember - It's not about you. Be like the Undercover Boss.

Anyone who gets involved and is willing to do whatever is needed will find new doors opening up for them in the workplace. it was three young guys in 1920 who wanted more management responsibility in their respective companies. The opportunities weren't there and changing jobs was not an option, so they began doing service projects in the community. Soon, others joined them, the young men got promotions at work and they created the United States Jaycees. 

I believe the future is one of incredible opportunity as I watch young people today get involved in serving others. It's as if volunteering is genetic for them. Imagine the future our emerging leaders are building!

And, if you are a boomer retiring and looking for something to do and find yourself sometimes complaining about today's youth. Become a volunteer. You will find numerous opportunities for mentoring.

Happy Volunteering and Making A Difference,


~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

ZFactor blog explores and discusses a variety of techniques, tools and discoveries by successful people that will assist others to achieve greater personal and professional success. ZFactor is a proprietary coaching methodology based upon the premise that successful people think and act differently. The ZFactor methodology is proven to accelerate a person's ability to think and act differently.

Thanks to Karrie, whose post in the LinkedIn Servant Leadership Group inspired this blog!

What's Your Lifetime Value Potential?

You can easily estimate how much money you will make over your lifetime. Have you ever pondered on your potential to create value for others over your lifetime?

Through my work with ZFactor Group, I get to see people make this simple shift in their mindset. Imagine the possibilities when you focus on creating value for others. My experience is when people do this, their lifetime earnings potential increases substantially.

This is why ZFactor publications focus on Revealing And Releasing Your Untapped Potential. When people choose to think, act and communicate differently, it's like they have finally found that essential key to success.

ZFactor books helps others find their key for success by providing a:

1. Simple map to plot where you are; 
2. Compass to determine the direction you want to go; and, 
3. Guide of defining characteristics to help you know what to do to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be.

Through our various engagements with others - comments from readers, presentations, coaching sessions or workshops - we are continually amazed at how quickly people shift the way they think about their current situation as they recognize where they are and have a simple map. As people embrace thinking differently, they immediately find themselves in the midst of a personal transformation that propels them from me-focus to others-focus. 

There is no complicated formula or long drawn out training or session-after-session with a guru to figure out the meaning of life. It begins with stop focusing on yourself and focus on others. Sometimes, it can even be as simple as a good friend, Peter Strople, describes how one question can create Instant Change. 

It is in this transformation when people immediately become what we refer to as Value Creators. Instantly, their expertise, knowledge, talents and skills can be focused on moving their life forward and/or a new idea, concept, project, team or organization. The result - other people benefit as you increase their financial value and your lifetime financial value potential increases, as well. And, being others focused doesn't have to be about financial value.

So, what's your choice? Will you maintain a me-focus or will you ponder the question - "What's Your Lifetime Value Potential?" If you are ready for Instant Change in your life, you will choose to ponder the question, engage into thinking, acting and communicating differently and develop a deep understanding for making a difference and creating value for others. 

If you choose to ponder the question, I guarantee your life will change and you will experience all you have ever imagined possible and most likely experience the impossible, as well.

Happy pondering...

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

ZFactor blog explores and discusses a variety of techniques, tools and discoveries by successful people that will assist others to achieve greater personal and professional success. ZFactor is a proprietary coaching methodology based upon the premise that successful people think and act differently. The ZFactor methodology is proven to accelerate a person's ability to think and act differently.

The genesis of this blog is based upon a current engagement by ZFactor Author, Cindy Goldsberry, who is in collaboration with Zilliant, who provides companies with data-driven guidance, enabling smarter pricing and sales decisions to help businesses increase profitable sales. Read Cindy's blog for more information. Learn how Zilliant is definitely a Value Creator for their clients. In fact, they can measure how much more financial financial they provide to their clients.

Other Important Links:

Instant Change (Friends of Peter)

Lifetime Earnings Calculator

What Do Your Choice Of Words Reveal About Your Leadership?

How much do you pay attention to the words you think, speak and write? Highly capable leaders will be aware of the words they use as they craft the various messages they have to deliver throughout their day.

How much do you pay attention to the little words? For example, I-words, we-words and you-words. Interestingly, these little words can reveal your psychological state and how you view your leadership status in a group of other leaders. 

The little words referred to as 'function words' by James W. Pennebaker, PhD of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin,* may ultimately reveal your genuine thoughts, feelings, motivations and to what degree you connect with your audience. Dr. Pennebaker makes this observation from his research:

"High-status people use we-words and you-words at high rates and use I-words at low rates. In fact, this same pattern emerges when people are chatting with each other on the Internet."**

If you catch yourself in a room of leaders and notice you or someone is saying, "I did this... or I've done this... or this is who I am, etc.." this individual may be nervous about being the room of other leaders and trying to prove something.

The research has also proven this holds true through internet communications, as well. Look back over some of your communications by email or online conversations. If you consider someone to be of higher status than yourself, you might notice you have used more I-words. Likewise, if you are communicating with an employee you most likely have used more we-words and you-words. For fun, look at your LinkedIn invitations you receive and send. Which ones have more I-words?

This just touches on the extent of this interesting research into how language reveals more about us than we know. I tend to think of it as the body-language of language. The little words can reveal more about us than all the nouns, verbs, names, adverbs, etc... we put our primary focus.

This knowledge can help leaders to more quickly understand themselves and the people they work with. And, most importantly, be another tool in your coaching-mentoring development toolkit.

I highly encourage you to learn more from the website and book [links below].

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

ZFactor blog explores and discusses a variety of techniques, tools and discoveries by successful people that will assist others to achieve greater personal and professional success. ZFactor is a proprietary coaching methodology based upon the premise that successful people think and act differently. The ZFactor methodology is proven to accelerate a person's ability to think and act differently.

* The Secret Life of Pronouns [website]
** Pennebaker, James W. (2011-08-23). The Secret Life of Pronouns (p. 182). Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. [book link]

4 Most Common Behaviors Of Ineffective Leaders

For a servant leader this INC article is good reading to do a checkup and refinement. For an ineffective leader who masquerades, as an effective leader, this should be a wake-up call.

Authentic servant leaders will take a moment to think through these behaviors while the ineffective leader probably isn't reading the article in the first place.

In this article by Les McKeown, his experience with ineffective CEOs reveals these behaviors:

1. The weaker the leader, the more they know.
2. The busier the leader, they don't spend quality time thinking strategically.
3. Their general perception of others is negative.
4. The weak leader is either in the room and dominating the conversation or they aren't in the room.

What I enjoy about articles like this is it appears in a publication that has many readers who are not in the leadership role. For them, it gives them a way to measure whether they are working with an ineffective or effective leader. 

That is important for continually learning servant leaders because it confirms that not only are you being watched, followers are learning how to measure your leadership.

Think about it.

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

The Servant Leader Framework Series (A Lasting Legacy)

Several previous blogs have been about building your legacy. This next series of blogs focus on what I believe to be the most rewarding ways to build a sustainable legacy that makes a difference.

Based upon my experience and the numerous leaders I know and have coached, those who truly decide to be authentic servant leaders experience all the best of life and success. Not to say there aren't challenges, setbacks and failures. Bad things do happen to good people. Yet, that's life and if you are truly committed to building a sustainable legacy, becoming a servant-minded leader, in my opinion, is the only way to make it happen.

I've recently begun polishing off a book project I began in 2008, which for a variety of reasons got delayed. Priorities changed pretty quickly when my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Today, she is incredibly healthy and a three plus year survivor. As we got back into more normal life, in late 2011, I got busy with a couple of authors (one of which is my wife) to publish the first three books of the ZFactor series of books, which we wrote and published in ten months. Now, my five year old book project is calling loudly to be completed.

"The Servant Leader Framework" is actually the foundation for the ZFactor Coaching Methodology used in all ZFactor books. Each book focuses on a specific market niche and each author is an acclaimed industry expert. The premise is simple in the books:

1. Successful people think and act differently.
2. You are what you think. (Thought + Action = Result) Change your mindset, change your life.
3. Thinking is a skill that takes practice and coaching to reveal and release your full potential.
4. When you know who you are, where you are and what to do - you make it happen. (the books reveal a series of defining characteristics of success).
5. A xy graph is utilized as the power tool to accelerate getting focused and staying focused on the right things at the right time with the right people to achieve goals and objectives. 

ZFactor has proven to accelerate performance improvement because people quickly know what thoughts and actions to change to get the results and success they desire. This is based upon several years experience using the ZFactor Coaching Methodology with a variety of professionals, executives, managers and leaders in a various industries and roles.

The Servant Leader Framework is for those individuals in leadership roles and emerging leaders who know they are being called to make a difference and build a lasting legacy. 

Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing parts of the upcoming book and I am always open to any and all comments.

To get the greatest benefit for the time you spend with these blogs, take a look at the xy graph below and ask yourself: Which quadrant best represents who you are as a servant leader?

Then ask yourself these questions:

• What is the defining characteristic, trait or behavior that best defines why you selected the quadrant you did?
• What is one change you can make that will move you from that quadrant to another quadrant?
• When will you make that change?

More to come...

Thanks for reading my various blogs and have a great day!

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

What You Think Determines Your Legacy. Where Are You?

You are here. Welcome. Not to be flippant with you, but you are here, right now. Thank you for being here and taking some of your valuable time. I promise to create some value for you.

What are you thinking and saying to yourself, right now? What will you be thinking, saying and doing when you finish reading this? Will you stop reading here and go on about your day or will you take another few moments that will make a difference for you and your legacy?

60,000 Thoughts a Day

You have 60,000 thoughts a day. What percentage are positive and what percentage negative? How many of those thoughts are focused on where you are and who you are being now? 

How will you spend your day? What will be your dominant thoughts and actions throughout the day? At any moment, you can take a breath and check in on your thoughts and what you are saying to others. And, you can choose to make appropriate changes that work for you and others around you.

You are what you think. What you think influences what you do and what you do determines where you are. On a scale of 1 to 10 how does where you are now represent where you want to be and ultimately your legacy? 10 being you are definitely in your sweet spot.

Thinking is a Skill - Needs to be Developed

This is not rocket science, nor is it some new age mumbo jumbo. Thinking is a skill to be learned and developed. How would you rate your ability to think about what you want to think about? How often does someone's statement or some comment on TV make you react with a statement that just flies out of your mouth like someone pushed the Play button on a video? 

3 - 3 - 3

Before you speak think 333.

1. Count to three (3).
2. Have you said what you are going to say three (3) times or more?
3. Will what you say make a difference three (3) minutes from now, three weeks, three months, three hundred years...?

Take the next few moments and notice how many of your thoughts are influenced by some external stimulus. If the majority of your thoughts and what you say are stimulated by external sources, you have not developed your most valuable asset - your thinking skills.

Think of a time when you intentionally shifted your thinking from negative to positive. Learning to shift your thinking from inside is not only a good skill to develop, it is the most essential skill necessary for achieving your goals and ultimately leaving a legacy that makes a difference.

Thought + Action = Result

If you want to know your past thoughts and actions, simply assess where you are now, your results. If you want to change your future results, change the way you think and the actions you take. What thoughts and actions will give you the results you want? 

It really is this simple and it takes real intention and work to make it happen.

What you think will determine your legacy.

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

Authentic Legacy - Zig Ziglar

A few of my favorite +Zig Ziglar quotes in celebration of his life, legend and legacy.

• "Your attitude, not your aptitude will determine your altitude."
• "Every choice you make has an end result."
• "If you treat your wife like a thoroughbred, you'll never end up with a nag."
• "If God would have wanted us to live in a permissive society He would have given us Ten Suggestions and not Ten Commandments."
• "It's not what you've got, it's what you use that makes a difference."

Prayers and blessings to the Ziglar family and to all Zig Fans. I am a better man, husband, father, businessman, salesman and leader because of Zig Ziglar and a few other book mentors I discovered early in life and at the beginning of my business career. Zig has joined Og Mandino, Dale Carnegie, W. Clement Stone, Napoleon Hill and Earl Nightengale for a major God Special Universe Tour.

Thank you, Mr. Ziglar (Zig) for the legacy you have created that will make a difference for generations to come. Thank you for showing us all the way.

"...it's what you use that makes a difference."

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

Legacy "To Infinity and Beyond!"

You gotta love the attitude of Buzz Lightyear, an animated robot, obviously without any means of propulsion, yet believes he can fly "to infinity and beyond." This is one of my favorite quotes of which I have many favorite quotes. Sticking with the cartoon theme, I especially like the final cartoon strip of 'Calvin and Hobbes' when Calvin says, "It's a magical world, Hobbes ol' buddy. Let's go exploring!" 

These type of quotes inspire people who seek to live life large and leave a meaningful legacy. I believe these quotes clearly demonstrate how an authentic servant-leader remains focused on the here-and-now with an internal drive to make a difference. Their day-to-day actions to meet people where they are, believe in the magic and mystery of life and love; and serve them in all the ways they can, as long as they can - yet, the infinity of their impact on the lives and situations of others happens long after their deaths. Now that is a meaningful legacy.

My wife, Cindy, and I took a weekend trip with her parents to the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas. It was the perfect Chamber of Commerce weather for strolling along the River Walk, people watching, a little shopping and fine dining. 

As we strolled along we came upon the local Salvation Army band performing at the Arneson Theater along with a men's choir from Houston. This is a unique theater where the audience sits in an amphitheater on one side of the river with the stage on the other side. The band and choir were performing the classic Christian gospel songs and the crowd was toe tapping, hand clapping and children dancing. 

As I scanned the crowd, the love for people and the joy of service exuded from each member of the Salvation Army, as they expressed their love of Christ through their actions, as opposed to words.  As I observed each uniformed member, I envisioned I was watching the Founders of the Salvation Army in action. The lives of William and Catherine Booth are the epitome of servant-leaders captured by an inspiring moment and putting their faith to work to serve others.

Almost 150 years from the founding of the Salvation Army, it is clear how the simple, God inspired lives of the Booths have achieved "to infinity and beyond." I am struck by the magnitude of how one couple's faith-in-action has changed lives and communities, time and again through the lives of millions. Now, that is what makes this planet a truly magical world. People choosing to love and serve others. This is just another experience that confirms my perspective that I've witnessed infinity once again - and this time on the River Walk. Makes me pause and be really curious about what is beyond.

Live the magic of life,

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

How Do You Become a Thought-Leader?

Below is the response I gave to a the question "How do you become a thought-leader?" on the IBM Mid-Size Business Discussion Board. Check out some of the other answers after reading my response - thanks!

I did the Wordle because I figured all the key words would make a cool Wordle. What do you think? click here to go to my wordle. Feel welcome to copy my response and make your own Wordle.

My response to the question:   

Thought-leaders have the heart of a disruptive innovator with the abilities to listen, observe and process large amounts of information. They leverage a personal thinking strategy to organize and focus their thoughts into a cohesive communication that creates value for others.

They have deep understanding of the subject matter, which has been gained by direct, personal experience with an intense curiosity to know what they don't know. They are driven by the opportunity to reveal new possibilities to help others think differently about who they are and what they do. They have the hope that untapped potential gets revealed and released to make a difference in ways far beyond even the thought-leader's imaginings.

The most authentic thought-leaders are those who don't even know of the lives and situations transformed because the thought-leader is just doing what they love to do - think and act differently. --end of my response...

ZFactor Group is committed to helping thought-leaders, experts and influencers to publish their works in a manner that creates significant value for others and helps our authors build their legacy. Download our ZFactor Author Process.

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

Social Media and Glowing Embers

If you consider yourself a Glowing Ember, then you must engage into social media. Why? If you have a pet project, want to communicate with family or you have something really big you want to make happen, getting into social media is the same as getting out and networking in the early days of networking.

If you think it's too much to learn, let me put it into perspective. If you could manage learning how to operate a personal computer, wade through the thousand page manual and then all the hundreds of pages of software manuals, social media will be a breeze for you. 

Learn to enjoy the simplicity. If you remember the "boot, whirl, whirl, whirl, loading, loading, loading, crash - darn, darn, darn..." then you will be amazed at the simplicity of today's social media. Sure, it's new information to learn. Just consider it a way to slow down the encroaching Alzheimers.

If you jumped into "networking" back in the days, shook hands, passed out your cards, put your name tag on the right side (instead of the left), then you'll love social media. People are waiting to meet you. I've made many new connections and renewed several others.

And, it's like anything else... you get out what you put into it!

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing