Tim Bursch

I set out with big goals in 2010 to post daily. With life and work changes, that didn’t pan out, but you showed up and paid attention to thoughts and ideas that I care about.

This year, I’m not going to make a public promise. I will tell you where I’m hoping to take this blog.

So, what’s next? What can you expect here in 2011?

I’m going to keep writing about things that I care about. Watch for:

• Community- part of my work is focused on community development and management. I’ll share what I’m learning and what I think is working
• Ideas- I’m going to keep giving away my knowledge and network
• Social- marketing, media, business - it’s all about connections

Bonus-  I’m going to launch some extra content in the next months sharing some of the best stuff I’m finding and my analysis. Stay tuned.

Photo by: eioua

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Great reminder:

"The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen."
  Lee Iacocca
  Chrysler CEO

What are you writing down? How are you tracking your 2010 goals?

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The day begins with email. Then Twitter. Next listening. Add some Facebooking and blogging. Oh, don’t forget some coffee.

Do you work in social media? In other words, do you get paid to market, build connections, or serve people through social media?

If you’re like me, you are kinda always on. Checking. Responding. Commenting. Posting. All day and into the night. Maybe we are just a little crazy.

So, how do you manage any balance or sanity? Here are some things that are working for me:

1. Get up early to read or write. I’m trying to take some creative time before jumping into the river of media work.
2. Schedule ruthlessly. Put community monitoring, twitter, and listening time blocks into your day. And then stick to them.
3. 10-2-5. I’m trying this method for pounding through tasks. Sometimes instead of “play” for the 2 minutes, I’m cleaning my inbox.
4. Coffee. No, don’t drink more. Get out and meet with real people over coffee. Share, connect, help. You’ll both feel better.
5. Follow inspiration. If you have a burst of energy, run with it. Sometimes I get a second wind at night and work on more writing.

These are just a few ideas I’m experimenting with. What’s working for you? How do manage your time?

Photo by NightRPStar

Update:

Great resource here on Single-Tasking

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There is so much information available today. I could seriously read for hours on end and still have more to read.

I’m reading, well maybe scanning, over 100 blogs a day as part of my job. I do learn a lot.
The challenge is I’m spending so much time consuming content that I don’t take time to create content.

I need to be selfishly generous and guard my creation time.

Some ideas I have to be more selfish:

• Wait to check email, blogs, and Twitter until I write something
• Block my time better–If I was planning on 30 minutes of blog reading or Twitter checking, stay in that time block
• Music. I sometimes create better with music. Put the plugs in and make something.
• Practice. Plan on 30 minutes every day to write something whether I share it or not. Just do it.

Other resources here and here.

How do handle the information firehouse today? Does your blog miss you? Are you being selfish?

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Why has it been so quiet here?

I recently started a new job with Gage Marketing. Really exciting! I’m working on social marketing with large brands.

Part of my job will be developing and managing online communities. In that, I will be looking at why people start communities and what holds them together.

I can’t wait to share what I’m learning here. Watch for more focus on marketing, social media, and digital community.

Question for my next post: why do people form community?

Image credit: mpclemens

Tags: Gage, work.

When life throws a challenge at you, what do you do?

I was in a car accident almost a year ago. It happened at the peak of my training for a marathon. Suck.
I was not able to run the race or run period. I’m still dealing with back and neck pain. Running is something that I discovered I love to do. It helps me stay healthy, clears my mind, and more. Except I can’t do that right now. I’m missing out on something I love. That’s a challenge.

Don’t give up. Stay in the game. If you can’t run, then walk. Find something new you love.

I’m working on it.

Photo by: iowa_spirit_walker

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I recently checked in with a mentor about my goals and priorities. I knew I was trying to take on too many projects. I was doing a bunch of work good, but missing out on great.

I asked for feedback from this mentor and got some solid advice. Was it earth shaking? No. It was honest and helpful.

Sometimes it’s hard to hear feedback. In the short run though it can help you grow.
Do you ask for feedback? Find someone you trust and give it a try.

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Life is good. Life is hard.

Remember the happy place? It helps me to have some practices to get centered and get rid of stress.

Here are some of my favorite places to get centered:

• Writing at a coffee shop. Coffee, pen and paper.

• Grabbing a beer with a friend

• Cranking the iPod and cleaning (yup sometimes it works for me)

When life is stressful or the crap hits the fan, what do you do? Where do you go?

Image credit: brightsea

Tags: center.

I’ve been watching some of the Winter Olympics with my family. It’s inspiring and moving.

One thing that amazes me is that some of these athletes just win. For example Apolo Ohno has won in his sport, then tried Dancing with the Stars and won. Winner.

That kind of story makes me want to go further. And play bigger. What inspires you?

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I had the privilege to be part of KaneCo’s first monthly business book club. The book: Linchpin by Seth Godin. The group: all rockstars.

We had a lively discussion about work, being remarkable, and bucking the system. The book was good, but I think what Jen is building is even more interesting. She wanted to read more, connect with business leaders, and learn. I think she’s building community. Taking things deeper. Bringing others into learning together.

Okay, why not just have coffee with your friends and talk about a book you read last month? That works. You could just read great books in isolation too. You might miss a piece that someone different caught.

I don’t know about you, but when I’m in a good book I want to talk about it. I share pieces with friends and my patient wife. And it’s more than just being about a book. It is being open and transformed and learning. I think we all want more community. We are wired for connection as Seth says.

So, here’s my question for you: What is something you are practicing (reading, writing, blogging) that you could invite others into?

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