Inside and Out

A major question that our generation asks everyday is: How do I make myself happy? I know I ask myself this everyday. And every day I struggle to find a medium between the goals that I’ll achieve in my life, and the upsets which I’ll have to let go of. I am completely responsible for my past, present, and future. On the other hand, I have no control. Can I be in between?

I have some notes on my Blackberry where I write down my blog ideas as they pop into my head, as well as quotes or excerpts from things that I read. I do this not only to remember them for later on, but I do this to challenge myself and to remind myself of where I am going in life. There is one note that I keep adding to. I've called it "You are just fabulous" (I can't believe I just admitted that).

One entry reads:

"The fact is, you are totally capable of experiencing happiness, satisfaction and fulfillment right now. All you have to do is start living life like you count. Like you matter. Like what you do in each moment makes a difference in the world — Because it really does."

More than half of the quotes in “You are just fabulous” I have memorized by heart.

I was reading something the other day about paying attention to how you take off your shoes. It sounds very silly, but a lot of the times I struggle with this… I pay virtually no attention to the relationships, people, and things that I have at the moment and focus all of my energy on what will be coming or what I have lost. I constantly need a plan, and like the true over-analyzer that I am, when something doesn't work out, I replay different scenarios in my head. What if I had said this instead? What if I had done this differently? It's enough to drive anyone completely bonkers. When I’m busy I tend to ignore phone calls, people, and the things going on around me because I’ve immersed myself in my goals, failures and in my journey through life in general. Sometimes I know that I exude a stand-offish vibe, especially in these times where I am immersed in my own life in my own self-indulgent way. Sometimes I think, isn't that what being 23 is all about? Being a little selfish and focusing on what you want and where you want to go? I'm not really sure how to answer these questions yet, because to be honest, how I feel changes on a day to day basis. 

But let me ask you this ... How do you take off your shoes? Do you throw them to the side with no care in the world or do you place them gently on the shoe rack? It’s about how much attention you pay to the things and the people who are around now — Everything which you have now. I’m still trying to figure this one out… And I’m trying to be more careful with my shoes...

Prime Minister Harper reaches out to the YouTube community

His video might not be as popular as a laughing baby, but Prime Minister's YouTube response to the Throne Speech shows that political leaders are attempting to reach out to new and younger audiences.

Canadians were asked to submit questions and then vote on what they thought were the best questions for Harper to answer in regards to the Throne Speech.

Stephen Harper and TalkCanada partnered in hopes to reach out to new (younger?) audiences. He is the second political leader (U.S. President Barack Obama was the first) to use this method to communicate with a wider range of audience -- a much larger audience. At the beginning of this year, almost 79 million users watched more than three billion videos in the month of January alone.

Success on YouTube may soon be a major factor in shaping public opinion, with the power to make or break a celebrity, politician or idea. While many see YouTube as an idle distraction or procrastination tactic, it is for the motivated and interested observer that YouTube affords the greatest power in providing thousands of interviews, speeches and broadcasts to sift through. Users who want to make a difference can by the use of simple video editing and creating thoughtful or political statements of their own.

As an aspiring PR professional, I think it makes sense that political leaders would want to generate support from a new audience and make use of all the tools possible to do so. Despite the fact that these videos might open one up to criticism and negative comments, there is something to be said about being transparent in broadcasting an interview, reaching out to Canadians and answering their questions and addressing their concerns. All I can say is kudos to Prime Minister Harper for embracing new media!

I have to admit, I didn't hear about this YouTube video until I watched The Rick Mercer Report on Tuesday night. Rick's rants are my favourite part of the show and definitely a fun way to learn about politics.

Anyway, he brings up a theory he has about web cams in Parliament and how the Internet can single handedly save Canadian democracy. Now I don't know about that, but I think that this video is definitely entertaining to watch nonetheless.

Organizations trading in the water cooler for social media

I recently attended Talk is Cheap 3.0, a social media networking event held at Centennial College and hosted by Social Media Group and the Corporate Communications and Public Relations department. The night was a great success, and I was fortunate to be involved not only in the planning of the event, but to be able to attend two sessions during the evening.

 Although it was difficult to choose which sessions to attend, I settled on one focusing on Social Media for Internal Audiences... who knew there was such a thing? Seeing as how most organizations have blocked sites like YouTube and Facebook so that employees cannot access them during the work day. 

The session was held by Amanda Laird from Canada Newswire and really opened my eyes to organizations can benefit from integrating social media within their internal systems. 

With technology constantly changing the way people search for, find, share and communicate information,  its not the communications content that needs to change but the tools through which those messages are distributed. Employees want to be communicated with, and more importantly, employees want to feel engaged.

Employee connection = employee engagement = employee happiness :o) 

So if you’re organization is still a little hesitant about integrating social media internally, consider the following:

1. Transparency is a beautiful thing, and social media allows companies to have real-time, authentic conversations with employees.
2. Social media knows no rank and thus allows all communications to flow from the top right to the very bottom, and side to side if need be. It also knows no physical boundaries and can be accessed across the world (as long as you’re logged in, of course)
3. Leadership teams who use social media to converse with employees are generally well liked and well read by employees. Employees like to know that their leadership cares enough to have a venue for conversing with them. So cover your bases, whether its Twitter, Yammer, a blog, wiki’s or podcasts, there is a tool for many - so make use of them!
4. Gen Y and younger Gen Xers are already used to the two-way communications that they really don’t pay attention to anything else. They give the most credit to the friends they text for information.
5. Social media is a fantastic recruiting tool! Companies who do not make use of this tool are often at a distinct disadvantage. 

So forget the water cooler and log on!