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‘Social Media’ is so 2009

Posted on 08. Jan, 2010 by in Community, Hotel

‘Social Media’ is so 2009

In 2009 we all, and I mean ALL, jumped on the runaway train called ‘Social Media’. Now before you attack me I will admit SM changed my career, my way of doing business and my life, all for the better. I became well versed on Twitter and its idiosyncracies, I learned the importance of creating sets on Flickr, I discovered that with a single post to Tumblr I could bombard all my communities with silly links  and most importantly I discovered Blip.fm where I could either send out songs that made people dance in their chairs or be completely annoyed by my taste in music. *just blip’d out Lola Live by the Kinks* All of this was great, it is still great and I have fine tuned my skills in communicating online, I think we all have.

To start 2kx (2010)  I thought long and hard about what I had actually learned in 2009. Not what on-line skills I had learned, I wanted to truly question myself and figure out if I had grown as a person in any way that I could carry over and exploit for the next twelve months. It actually came to me when I was talking to one of my new friends about how shy I am. She laughed and said “yea right”. I tried to defend my claim and explain my shyness… I failed miserably. “I WIN!” she exclaimed.  This was my moment of clarity. Between my recent ass kicking of cancer

What does not kill you makes you stronger

and my new-found voice on-line I had broken out of a lifelong shell of meekness. I had acquired a confidence that was lost when I stopped racing for the National Cycling Team.

Bringing Back This Intensity

Now I am back, confident – not cocky, pushing the limits – not wreckless and ready to embrace the extended community that we are constantly building here at The Roger Smith Hotel.

'75 Over Time Square

What I learned was that by changing my typical mode of communication I was able to find new skills and cross these skills into real life. It reminds me of the time I broke my back and lost feeling in my legs. Even after surgery I had massive loss of nerve sensation and the doctors told me that alternative nerves would start to become more active and create new paths giving me back muscle control and the ability to function. They were right. The skills I now use in real life conversations were always there, it took my on-line voice to find them.

Thank you to all the people that helped me find my voice, confidence and passion in 2009. In 2kx I am going to take more risks, be personally more vulnerable than ever, fail a bunch, have monumental successes and come out the other side a better person for it. I challenge you all to do the same.

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  • http://www.juststwo.com Stwo

    Beautifully written, Brian. It is always inspiring when people you care about find insight through self-reflection.

  • http://twitter.com/brett Brett Petersel

    Rock on, Brian!

  • beebow

    Your friendship is one of the best things I've taken away from 2009. Thanks for this post, Brian – it's honest, inspiring, and something to treasure. *Hugs* from Duluth, MN!

  • bsimi

    The fact that one of you read my post makes me happy – to see three comments just makes so appreciative.
    Thank you Stu, Brett and Lauren !
    Its people like you that makes me want more out of life.

  • http://jessicarandazza.com Jessica Randazza

    Wonderful post, and I'm glad you've found how social media has/can work for you. Truly inspiring, keep rockin' and I look forward to getting to know you better in 2kx!

  • http://www.mouthoftheborder.com emilyspearl

    I am so proud of you. Truly. I knew you when you *were* shy, just barely before you were part of “I am Roger Smith,” and the way you have pushed yourself to grow and connect with people and open yourself up to them has been amazing to watch.

    This is what you're built for. Can't wait to watch you (and the whole RSH family) blow the doors off this thing in 2kx.

  • lmigno

    Great post Brian.. I'm taking ur advice for 2kdime!

  • http://twitter.com/melissaleon Melissa Leon

    Wow Brian this is such a powerful post! I am so proud to call you my friend! I think we are stopping by Thursday hope to see you. =)

  • http://www.facebook.com/ghirish Gail Irish Fisher

    You have been to a dark place and come out better , stronger and wiser. All you connect with are benefiting from your new found self. I am so proud of you Brian. You didn't just survive you rose like a phoenix from the fire. I just love following you in this new and wonderful life that you have crafted for yourself. You are proof that it is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks too. I love that. Keep up the wonderful attitude and the awesome work. Love you, Gail

  • geogeller

    ok so welcome to the good mistake club http://GoodMistake>com – usually happens when you are 40 at least for me – i realized i made a lot of mistake in my life and now i was going to really make some good one – one of my favorite quotes is by theater director Robert Wilson “if you think you are going in the wrong direction… then go there. if you think you are going in the right direction…. then change directions” its a matter of risk tolerance and so is shyness too – from one who knows – shyness is something that has its pros and cons – cons – you are afraid of making mistakes again pros you sit back and people watch and well as a doc filmmaker you learn that a good talker is a better listener –

    but in the end shyness is the disease of perfection – nothing is good enough syndrome among other things – food for thought

    on vulnerability well that is the challenge of a life time – we as men are brought up to be strong, tough, macho, self-reliant, independent, not feel, not cry… but after a while some of us learn that we have it all backwards and that it is the vulnerable who are the strong because they let things in and are flexible, not inflexible – but all this is easier said then done my friend – also the social WEb is about trust and vulnerability too –

    my friend James Kusel JamesKusel.com/blog said to me tonight during a walk after dinner that i was delusional and that delusion is a drug and then we talked about all the drugs in life there are besides alcohol and natural/chemical addictions there was sex drugs and rock and roll, music, art, books, tv, games, clothes, beauty, religion, politics, anything we agreed that takes you somewhere else… but at the core of addiction the drug is control and fear – and so shyness is about fear of losing control – so give em hell in 2kx and beyond – so brian keep in mine the turtle only moves forward with its head stuck out and the greater the risk the greater the return – stay tuned – i look forward to what mischief you come up in future and beyond and well we ain't dead yet – be you – g-oh

  • bsimi

    Geo – You are one of the best inspirations of 2009 for me. You lay it on the line and are not afraid to try anything. Your out there and I want to be right there with you!
    Thank you for the wonderful words and I look for to seeing you next week friend.

  • bsimi

    Friends indeed ;-)

  • bsimi

    Thank you Gail! I truly appreciate you taking the time to read my post and comment.
    It means a lot coming form you ;-)

  • CatherineVentura

    Thanks for creating such a wonderful community, Brian!

  • netsirkenaeb

    We <3 you Brian … keep on, keeping on my old friend.

  • http://twitter.com/tainamarita Taina

    What an inspiring blog! I'm happy that I found your page form twitter.
    Love twitter, seems that it gives great opportunities, but maybe not in my country yet.
    I have learned so much by reading interesting blogs, news papers, Harvard Business Reviews etc.
    Never been in New York, but when I came, RSHotel seems to be a place to visit.
    Hoping we have Sunday Fundays here in Espoo Finland too;)

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