Comments on: Expanding my horizons

By: Annie Sorensen

Annie Sorensen — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:36:32 +0000

I like how you said that you seem to know when you've crossed the line, Cheryl. That gut feeling! I think how much time we spend here or there or wherever depends completely on the person…and that we can only decide for ourselves where to place our focus.

By: cherylsweeney

cherylsweeney — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:27:43 +0000

The "outposts" where I consistently participate are Twitter and Facebook, somewhat like you mentioned (for fun, connecting, pointing back to home base blog). But, I'm not driving the kind of traffic to my blog that I'd like (http://losingmybehind.blogspot.com). Planning to apply Crush It! principles and suggestions this week which does involve some of these other passports as you call them.

It is hard, though, it's all time consuming, and I do often have trouble knowing how much time to spend on what. I seem to know in my gut tho when I've crossed the line! Working at home full time definitely has its perks, but the discipline to create structure and keep the ball moving forward is crucial. Something tells me you won't have any problem with that!

Excited for you and will be watching you fly after Friday!

By: Annie Sorensen

Annie Sorensen — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:05:38 +0000

Couldn't agree more about your list…and about being flexible! Considering how many awesome things were introduced in 2009 in the social media world, I'm sure 2010 won't disappoint.

By: Annie Sorensen

Annie Sorensen — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:04:02 +0000

Great questions. I think, like so many other things that can occupy our time, it's all about balance. Get out there and network and build your brand, yet still make sure you're not spreading yourself so thin that you're not using time efficiently. I think the key is not getting wrapped up in what OTHERS say is the best use of time. Only we can decide for ourselves what works best, you know?

By: Annie Sorensen

Annie Sorensen — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:02:49 +0000

I could NOT be happier with DISQUS. So many others use it, so my account connects automatically in so many places. I like the moderation, the format of the notification emails and the pingbacks, the visuals, everything. A definite thumbs-up from this blogger.

By: Tyler Ford

Tyler Ford — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:28:50 +0000

I am thinking about adding DISQUS to my blog for the commenting rather than the WP commenting tools. What is your take?

By: Tyler Ford

Tyler Ford — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:27:37 +0000

Hey Annie,

Congrats on moving forward from your current JOB!

For me I would rather do a few social sites well then do a bunch mediocre. I think that one can spend way too much time on social networking thinking they are being product when they are only wasting time.

A question I ask myself daily is "am i being productive or just acive? am i inventing things to do to avoid the important?"

By: JoshBTurner

JoshBTurner — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:37:19 +0000

Outposts…For me it has been coming down to time. I feel like I'm just barely getting enough time to do my thing on Facebook and Twitter. Struggling to try and make dailybooth a real part of my life. I use TubeMogul, and by extension of it, YouTube, Yahoo, Metacafe, Viddler, and a couple other video sites. But without focusing on each of those, they're just nice to host my content Oh yeah, LinkedIn too. They're nice enough to hold my online portfolio of business cards.

I'd also consider the community of blogs that I interact on (within “my niches”) to be an outpost.

So, for me, I would rather be really good within a couple outposts than lame on many. BUT, if I quit my job and knew I could focus on more…I would put more time into:

- Forums related to niches/industries I'm working in.
- DailyBooth (I just think it's cool)
- YouTube (it has such huge reach)
- LinkedIn (powerful in the right hands)

And I'd add a yet-to-be-determined “outpost.” I guess what I mean by that, is that I expect the common wisdom of the crowd to be missing some stuff. There are certainly new tools and communities that will blow up in '10 that aren't on too many radar screens just yet.

By: Annie Sorensen

Annie Sorensen — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:20:32 +0000

Sean, thank you so much for the kind words! Really means a lot. As much as I have been working towards and excited about this moment for years, it's completely CRAZY now that it's actually happening.

So glad to hear that you're having amazing success. 3-month vacation – will definitely have to add that to my list. Have a wonderful time!

Cheers!

By: Sean Malarkey

Sean Malarkey — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:56:27 +0000

Annie, I'm so proud of you! I know you will succeed. Your a rising star and don't let anyone tell you different! I have paid attention to you since you engaged me way back when and you are definitely doing everything right!

I know you can do it because I am living proof. 1 yr almost to the day I made a similar decision. I had it all – I owned a business that afforded me everything I could ever ask for. Except one thing – freedom! And I as I wrote my goals for 2009 it hit me like a ton of bricks. Many of my goals and dreams were not making it into the list because of my business. So right at that moment I made the decision for change. I wrote my goals as if my business were not an obstacle and was so inspired that within 2 months I had cleared the way for my new life.

I'm writing this comment from Argentina on the 2nd day of a 3 month vacation (one of my goals). I could go on an on about whats happened for the better (and worse) in the last year – but ill spare those details for the book! Just know it was all worth it!

There will be tough times, and twists and turns but in the end you will have no regrets! You can do it – I don't think everyone has the ability – but after watching you for the last few months – you definitely do!

Good luck on your Journey!