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#45Conversations via G+ Hangouts On Air in 4 Days – Now Extended!

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July 4, 2012 – Update – As of midnight July 4, 2012 I had completed 24 conversations.  Not bad really.  I have had tons of fun doing this.  As a result – I have decided to keep going until I get to the full 45!  Really, it is the relationships and the conversations that matter the most.  To see the full list of videos completed so far click HERE.

Original Post –

Call me crazy, but I have decided to attempt something that might just be more than a little bit challenging.  I am going to try and hold #45Conversations over the next 4 days via Google + Hangouts On Air.  Why would I do this? Well truth be told….I am still trying to figure out all of the reasons.  That said, here are a few that I know of right now:

  • To demonstrate the ease of using G+ Hangouts On Air.
  • To meet some new people around the world.
  • To learn even more about the power and true value of social media.
  • To brush up on my conversation skills.
  • To demonstrate the true generosity that exists within social spaces.
  • To have some fun, experience something new and to challenge myself to something just a bit crazy.

Just a few minutes ago, the calendar turned to July 1, 2012 here in Vancouver.  That means it is now officially Canada Day here.  This date truly represents the start of summer where I live – with the kids now  out of school for two months, the weather shifting to mostly sunshine and many family holidays beginning to  commence.  Just after this event, my friends in the United States will also be celebrating their start of the summer, with Independence Day on July 4, 2012.

Now,  I will tell you a little secret…. July 4th also happens to be my birthday.  When I was a kid, my parents used to tell me that all those fireworks – in Canada and the United States were just for me.  It was the best 4 day stretch ever each summer!  As my birthday has been approaching this year, I have been debating just what I might like to do for it.  The truth is that I am not much of a birthday person.  That said, I felt like I wanted to do something just a little bit unique this year. I wanted it to somehow include a social media aspect to it.  As such, I came up with the idea of holding 45 G+ Hangout On Air conversations between July 1 and July 4th.  I have no idea if this is even possible, but I thought it might be worth the challenge of trying.  I already have a pretty busy schedule set for the next four days – so this will actually be no simple task.

Yesterday, I had an amazing G+ Hangout conversation with Greg McQueen about the value of generosity and how it is something that is very much a part of the culture of online communities, relationship building and social media.  This conversation reinforced why generosity matters so  much to me and why I like to integrate it into everything that I do within the world of social media.  As such, attempting to hold these 45 conversations just seems  to be another way to demonstrate the generosity that exists within the online world. It seems like there might just be some good that could come from connecting with 45 people and talking about things that matter – work, life, social media, health, family, community and much more.

So…we will see what happens.  I might make it to #45Conversations.  I might not.  It will be a fun and rewarding challenge.  If you would be interested in participating please contact me via twitter @boydjane or leave a comment below.  I will be using the hashtag #45conversations on Twitter should you wish to follow along there.  I will also be blogging about this here and on G+ over the next four days. I will use List.ly to track who I am planning the conversations with and also who I actually end up successfully connecting to via G+ Hangouts On Air.

Call me crazy or call me ambitious, regardless, I have #45Conversations to try and make happen.  Will you help me?

Below is my “Planning List” of people to connect with.  Please add suggestions to it of people that you think might like to be part of #45Conversations

[listly id=”1O1″ theme=”light” layout=”full” numbered=”yes” image=”no” items=”all”]

 

 

5 Tips for Exploring with Google+ Hangouts On Air

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Since Google+ first introduced Hangouts On Air last month I have been exploring a range of uses for them with a number of my colleagues around the world.

Google+ Hangouts have been around for over a year, but it is only recently that all G+ users have been able to actually make a hangout run live “On Air” whenever they want to.  This means that anyone, anywhere can hold a meeting, gathering or hangout and make it immediately accessible (and live) to a wider audience via their You Tube channel.  This opens up the door for some amazing possibilities.

Shortly after Hangouts On Air were launched I decided that it might be worth it to really start experimenting with them.  I was quite inspired to try this after seeing some of the interesting ways that Bernie Goldbach was using the On Air feature at various education and social media events.

After some discussion with my colleagues April Ennis and Marti Konstant we decided that we would host a weekly (or more) Hangout On Air that we decided to call StartupJAM Sessions. The focus of these Hangouts are on business issues, lean startups, marketing, technology, social media, transmedia, online community building and much more.

Here is the list.ly which outlines the sessions that we have held so far:

#StartupJAM Sessions

View more lists from Jane Boyd
In addition, I have been taking part  in a variety of Hangouts with colleagues from around the world related to Transmedia, SOBCon, Social Media and much more.  On the left you can see me chatting with a range of SOBCon friends –  Marti Konstant, Diane Brogan, April Ennis, Nick Kellet and Paul O’Mahony.  Below I am joining into a workshop on Social Media that was being presented by April Ennis, Tinker Media. We had some fun demonstrating why Google+ Hangouts hold significant potential for small businesses on Prince Edward Island.

Currently, I am exploring a range of additional options for the use of Hangouts, both private and On Air. I like the idea of hosting public and private workshops and sessions on various education and social media topics.  I have even been doing an increasing number of hangouts with people who are on the move and are participating via mobile devices. Really, the possibilities are for holding open, accountable and inviting events are endless. Google+ Hangouts On Air have opened yet another window to endless possibilities for global collaboration, connection and engagement within the world of social media/business.
If you would like to begin using Google+ Hangouts On Air here are some tips:
  • Be yourself.  Just jump in.  Don’t worry about how you look or sound. (But do remember that you are ON AIR – if you choose to make your hangout public – SO be aware of what you are saying.)
  • Experiment and play with the various features until you feel comfortable.
  • Use other social media channels – Twitter, Facebook etc. to attract viewers to your Hangout sessions.
  • Know that there is no right or wrong way to host a G+ Hangout On Air.  Mistakes are ok. You and the people who view your Hangouts will learn from your errors.
  • Have fun and embrace the opportunities that are open to you.
Have you tried a Google+ Hangout?  Have you been part of a Hangout On Air?

Updates: #SMCamp #Soundof100 #StartupJAM

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Here is a quick update on Audioboo about some of the things that are going on in my world right now:

 

listen to ‘Update on all sorts #startupjam #soundof100 #smcamp’ on Audioboo

3 Blogging Reminders

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Tonight, my family dinner was cancelled so I was able to jump into #Blogchat.  I have not been able to attend it for weeks; so it was really nice to spend time with old and new friends chatting about blogging.  There are so many smart people who participate in #Blogchat.  Being around them for an hour or so always inspires me.

Here are 3 things I was reminded of tonight:

Keep it Short

You don’t need to write a huge post. 100 words counts. 300 words is great. 500 words is very often enough. Frequently, I end up writing posts that are way too long.  So…keeping it short is ok…in fact it is a good thing.

Inspiration is Everywhere

Go for a walk. Go for a drive.  Change your scenery. Figure out what works to tap into your inspiration.  Do it often.  When you find it….act on it.  As the thought hits you – write it down.  Put it in a notebook, on an audio recording, call your voicemail or whatever.  Just get it out of your head so you can expand on it later.

Practice Your Habit

Just keep practicing your writing.  Exactly like when you learn to ride a bike.  When you fall off – just start again. Writing is the same.  It doesn’t matter how often you need to do this.  Just keep doing it and write.  Then write some more.  Let go of the guilt you feel when you mess up.  Just start again.  Every day is a new day.

Thank you to everyone who was part of #Blogchat tonight.  If you were there….what did you take away?  What do you do to keep blogging simple?

The SOBCon Lego Man Story – 4 Learnings About Work-Life & Social Media

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This is my son Adam.  He is 9 years old and is a special boy. Sometimes when I travel for business he misses me.  Recently, I attended SOBCon in Chicago.  The night before I was to leave, Adam told me how sad he was feeling and that he would really miss me. In an effort to provide comfort and to prevent him from focusing on my departure, I suggested that he give me something of his that I could take on the trip with me. This is a strategy that I have used over the years with my children.  More than a few times,  I have taken a little stuffed animal along in my suitcase and periodically taken photos of them here and there.  In the past, I have always shared these photos with my kids after my travels – once I returned home.   For some reason, this time, I told Adam that I would just Tweet pictures of whatever he gave me to take from along my travels.  After careful consideration, Adam provided me with a well used and loved Lego Man.  He understood that even though he would not see me the next morning, he would be able to follow Lego Man as he made his way to the airport (and beyond) via his Dad’s iPhone.

What happened next is where the story gets pretty interesting.  My great friend and colleague April Ennis, who is from Prince Edward Island, tweeted me to advise that she would be bringing a Lego Lady to SOBCon as well.  She thought it might also be fun for her two little boys back home as well. So over the next series of tweets, Lego Man & Lego Lady then made their plans for a grand “meetup” in Chicago at SOBCon.  All the while, Adam (and the rest of my kids) were watching the adventures of Lego Man & Lego Lady unfold with great excitement.  The fact that Lego Man had a friend who was going to join him in Chicago became a big screen attraction at my house; with the tweets and related photos being played out for all to see over the Apple TV.

All in all, Lego Man & Lego Lady’s adventures included multiple flights, scary taxi rides, daily walks with Marti Konstant, table hopping throughout the entire SOBCon weekend, dinner and masterminding with Chris Brogan & Jaqueline Carly + the Brogan family and friends, much ongoing love and care from Diane Brogran and a trip to their dream destination – the Lego store in Chicago.  They were an amazing addition to the fun and brilliance that is SOBCon; while simultaneously bridging the distance between my work life and my home life.

Crazy as it seems, when I came back to Vancouver, I spent time thinking about what Lego Man & Lego Lady had accomplished during their travels to SOBCon.  They were an ongoing topic of discussion while I was there; as well as when I returned home. Multiple people tweeted me wondering if they would see Lego Man again in the future.  So over a period of days I bounced the whole adventure back and fourth with @AprilEnnis, @MartiKonstant and @Omaniblog. I even recorded an AudioBoo about the story and my thoughts after we returned home.

As I have considered things further I have come to recognize a few things:

  1. Social Builds Bridges: As hard as we try, we cannot be everywhere at once.  That said, social media gives us an ever expanding array of tools  that we can use to maintain ongoing connections with our loved ones in new and creative ways.  While not perfect, this type of connection can truly help to build bridges that reinforce the love we have for the people in our lives who matter.
  2. Social Help Breakdown Invisible Barriers: The line between work and life is eroding more and more. Years ago, many people would not dare to mention their family while attending a business conference, meeting or event.  Today, technology enables us to breakdown invisible barriers.  Every single person who heard the story of Lego Man & Lego Lady showed interest and wanted to know more.  This opened the door to multiple discussions related to how we work, live and play.
  3. Authentic Personal Branding Matters: Who you are in your personal life can be part of your personal branding.  Sharing stories and personal things about your life enables people to get to know the real you.  It allows you to be authentic.  People can really identify with this and come to trust you more.  Trust leads to relationships.  Relationships lead to increased business opportunities with partners who both respect and relate to the true you. There are countless online influencers who have managed to successfully blend their personal life with their online identity.
  4. People Like Simple Ideas: People like things they can smile about.  Sometimes the smallest of ideas can create a buzz that people can relate to.  Even more, when there are opportunities for people to part of building a story buy-in is increased.  Multiple people at SOBCon wanted help create the Lego Man & Lego Lady story.  They wanted to contribute to the happiness they saw unfolding.

It would appear that the story of Lego Man has only begun.  Clearly, he represents a multitude of things related to how we integrate our work and personal lives.  Further, he is a symbol who reminds us that every single one of us have lives that matter.  Every person leaves behind people that they care about when they go to work, school, meetings, conferences and more.  While we may need to put them aside for an hour, a day, a week or more – so as to focus on other responsibilities, the reality is that they remain with us in our hearts.

Stay tuned, Lego Man will be having ongoing adventures with me in the months to come. Together we will meet old and new friends, join in discussions related to how we all live, laugh & earn and will explore the intersection between work-life and social media.  All the while, I know that Adam will be paying close attention to our travels.

How do you create bridges between your work and the rest of your life?  What role does social media play in helping you maintain connections?  Is your “life” part of who you are online?

PS – Lego Man is accepting requests for speaking engagements, guest blog posts and workshop presentations.  Feel free to contact me at 604-807-0266 to discuss your needs further.

Keep Fooling Yourself or Own Your Life & Act

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The moment when it all comes together can be a pretty powerful moment.  Especially if it is the moment when your realize that you  have been fooling yourself.  Fooling yourself that you:

  • Love your job.
  • Are happy in your relationships.
  • Are the very best parent that you can be.
  • Are living your life the way you want to live it.
  • Are truly authentic in how you represent yourself to others.
When that moment happens; when you actually realize that you might just have short changed yourself, it can be pretty overwhelming.  Even worse, it can be scary.  Here is the thing though, when faced with such a moment you can decide one of two things.  You can either keep fooling yourself or own your life and act.

Keep Fooling Yourself – For  A While

Let’s face it, when you actually arrive at the place of knowing that certain things in your life are not the way you want them to be, it usually means that change is needed.  This type of change is not as simple as rearranging the furniture in your living room.  Often it is disruptive change; that requires work – both emotional and physical.  It requires honesty – both with yourself and others.  Frequently, it means that you need to make significant decisions that involve the people who matter the most to you. Sometimes; that much work can simply be too much.  As such,  it can be much easier to put your head back down and continue along. To keep on going through the motions of the day to day. Choosing the path of least resistance can be comforting and is less complicated.
So,  yes – you can continue to fool yourself.  Yes, you can live with it.  You can get by. Know this though, fooling yourself is a bit like having a cut that begins to fester. Until you really deal with the source of the infection, things just won’t be quite right.  You can put band-aid after band-aid on the cut.  You can try the fancy ones, the waterproof ones and even the most expensive ones.  They will all work but only for a while – band-aids only last so long.   Your life is exactly the same.  Remember that.

Own Your Life & Act

The harder – but better – approach to take when you recognize that you are fooling yourself is this – know that you have been fooling yourself.  Strip all of the excuses away and greet your new understanding with acceptance.  See the new knowledge for what it is.  Examine it. Explore it. Most importantly though – own it.  Own that you have been fooling yourself and make no excuses.  Don’t blame anyone or anything else.  If you can do this, then you will be well on your way to creating the life you want.

Know this – only YOU can own your life.  Only YOU can create the change that enables you to be yourself.  Only YOU can initiate the momentum that you need to get to where you want to be.  No one else can do this for you.  It involves work.  It involves commitment.  It involves believing in yourself.  It involves taking ownership of YOUR life.

Will it be easy?  No – not right away.  Will you immediately have the life you want?  No – not right away.  Will it feel good?  No – not at first.  BUT – over time things will happen.  Important things that will change your perception on many areas of your life.  As you begin to create the kind of life you want you will slowly begin to feel relieved.  As you build a life that aligns with your heart and your mind, you will come to understand that nothing matters more.  You will feel happier.  You will feel more content.  You will feel at peace with yourself. You will work better, love better and play better. You will be an authentic person in all of your relationships. You will attract people who “get you” and you will find yourself willing to give more to others.  You will also be able to live without putting band-aids everywhere.

As you think about your life right now – what do you see?  Are you fooling yourself into happiness? Do you own your life? Remember, while there are two choices that you can make – there really only is one that will get you to the place that you are meant to be in.  What do you choose?

Happy Birthday Bob & Shakespeare – A Three Generation Chat

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The Value of Connecting & Building Traditions

Life can be pretty busy and it can be hard for families to stay connected.  Between work, school, sports, volunteering and everything else that goes on in our lives it can be  difficult to find the time to simply be in touch with one another. A few years ago, we started a new tradition of holding a weekly family dinner at our house.  The idea was that once per week we would  try to have as much of our family as possible come together to share a meal and connect face to face.  For my parents, who are both in their late 70’s, this was a way for them to see their grandkids on a weekly basis.  For Bob’s daughters, now both grown adults, it was a way to for them to stay connected with their younger siblings.  For Bob and I, it was a way to reinforce the value that can come from the family being together on a regular and ongoing basis. Most importantly though, was the idea that we simply celebrate the importance of one another and why being a family really matters.

I know the day will eventually come when we won’t all be able to gather around the table so easily.  Recently, one of Bob’s girls moved out of the area – so now we are looking to try and coordinate our schedules so she can still Skype in for family dinner on occasion. Further, my parent’s health has been a little up and down in recent years.  With this in mind, I am all the more committed to creating moments now; as I know my kids will treasure them all the more in the future.

Tonight, we celebrated Bob’s birthday at our  family dinner. It was an evening full of great food, entertaining chat, homemade cake and presents.  As an added bonus we decided that we would also take some time to also celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday as well!  Now I know that sounds a little unusual, so here’s the back story:

The Back Story: Why Celebrate Bob & Shakespeare?

Earlier this month I received an email from the lovely Misfit – Melissa Leon, who asked me to participate in a pretty cool blogger project that she and AJ Leon have been working on through the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. The basic idea was that a large group of bloggers from around the world agree to share a post at some point between April 23 and 30, 2012 that focused on how Shakespeare had impacted their lives.  Since we were already set to celebrate Bob’s birthday, it seemed pretty easy to also throw Shakespeare into the mix as well. With that in mind, we moved forward to celebrate the two birthdays together!

Shakespeare’s Influence – A Three Generation Chat

Since I have been using Audioboo on a more frequent basis I thought that it would be a neat idea to record a family conversation about how Shakespeare has influenced and impacted our lives.  We ended up having a great chat that involved the three generations of our family.  The chat included:

  • Emma – 10
  • Brittany – 17
  • Bob & I
  • Mary – My Mom
  • Harry – My Dad

Click below to have a listen:

Happy Birthday Bob & Shakespeare!

How has Shakespeare influenced your family’s life?  What stories do you have to share?

50+ Amazing Posts & Stories About the Magic of #SOBCon

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SOBConis an amazing conference that happens annually in Chicago (+ 2 more cities in 2012).  Even more importantly though, it is also a year round community that exists online (and IRL) thanks to the dedication of Liz Strauss, Founder and Terry “Starbucker” St. Marie, Co-Founder; plus the many people who are committed to the generosity, connection and magic that is SOBCon.

SOBCon is the Cirque du Soleil of business strategy events. It’s an interactive think tank that moves ideas to action — packed with business strategies and social media immersion. You will walk away with new ideas and the energy and network to implement them.

Recently, I have been trying out List.ly, a neat list new building tool. Thanks to Nick Kellet, Co-Founder List.ly,  for introducing me to it.  I am excited that Nick and I will be meeting IRL this May at SOBCon – though we are already hanging out a bit via Skype. I was able to put together a pretty cool collection of posts, stories and videos that speak to the brilliance of SOBCon. I managed to easily find 50 items, though I know there are many more out there! I hope you enjoy the posts below and even more; I hope you will add to this list.  It is open and it would be great to see it grow over the coming weeks and months. Please DO jump in and help build it out!

I invite you to be part of SOBCon! If you plan to attend either Chicago or Portland – I look forward to meeting you then!  In the meantime, do enjoy this wonderful collection of posts and stories about the magic of SOBCon!