Yet again I have missed the deadline for my review of things I want to achieve in 2010. I’ll use the standard excuse that things have been fairly busy but I’ll also throw in that I have been doing a bit of re-evaluating. The concept of linking everything to the number 10 and multiples of 10 is a great idea to be reminded of what I want to do. However, once reminded I have then stuttered.

Of course one reason I maybe struggling is that the goals aren’t, or haven’t been, particularly SMART. This may have something to do with all the various options for what the mnemonic actually means. However, as I have gone through things I have decided to make everything a little SMARTER.

I have looked at what I wanted to achieve back here, and tried to develop some direct things that I can do and put into practice. I’ve also dropped, the projects list I had. It is still in the archive somewhere but it’ll soon disappear from the navbar. The projects and ideas I had there though, have been transferred to the list below. So, next month, I’ll be reviewing how the following has gone.

1. Spend 10 minutes meditating on my mission statement
2. Record 10 pieces of music for distribution
3. Lose 10lbs in weight
4. Write 10 posts
5. Create 10 images
6. Identify 10 people for an influential network
7. Have 10 minutes exercise per day
8. Increase web traffic by 10%
9. Scan RSS reader for 10 minutes per day
10. Practice twitter in 10 minutes

Now there are 10 things for me to get on with for the next month. Some of the things are daily, others are weekly and still others are longer term. Some will have sub-lists of things to do and others are pretty self evident.

This list is not exclusive. There are many other things I am and will continue to do, but these things highlight areas I want to explore and develop. I’ll explain more details as I continue, such as traffic stats and what sites am I actually talking about. But this list is primarily for me, to hold myself accountable for the rest of the year.

Ten plus three is a post from: Darren R Hill

Related posts:

1. The power of 10, 2010
2. Point 5 of 10 in 2010
3. Beware the 10th March

I want to do a lot of things

I am not getting any (or many) of them done

I am getting distracted by far too much!

It is a simple fact of my life that I need to simplify in order to achieve my goals. I have taken a step back and begun to look at all the stuff around me that is causing distraction. I have divided things into digital and physical for ease and the first area to come under the spotlight is digital.

There is so much stuff that is cluttering up my digital productivity. This includes hardware, software and websites. Being an early adopter in most areas and in particular software and websites, I quickly clutter up the gigabytes, locally and in the cloud. Time to change.

So a plan of action:

• Remove all plugins from Firefox
• Add any plugins I may actually use
• Decide what software I actually use, discard the rest
  • I have far too much that I think I may use, or that is used as one part of a process and could be skipped
• Decide what websites are worth using and set up any auto posting that is needed
  • Web 2.0 is fun, but I only regularly use a few
  • Use ping to cross post
  • Delete accounts from any sites I don’t use
• Organise my feed reader
  • Choose a time to access this and only access at that time – good posts will wait there
• Organise and strip down my bookmarks
  • Far too many here that I never use, and they just clutter and drain mental energy

There will probably be a lot more I need to do. The hardware issue is tied into what software and websites I use so I need to sort those out first, and looking at the list above that may take some time. But item one is already done, and guess what, firefox is once again a quick and pleasant browser.

Simplicity Redux is a post from: Darren R Hill

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1. Mock the iTunes
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I have downloaded and I am having fun with Persoanl Brain from the Brain.

It looks like the sort of software that I would use, and if so, I would buy. However, they offer a free trial download. And so I have snapped this up and I am playing and using the free trial that I now have sitting on my laptop.

But, and here is the big thing. They offer a free download of the full, pro version. This is great as it gives me full functionality. However, I am not sure what will drop out of my version when the trial ends and I revert to the ‘free’ version.

I am wondering whether it would have been better to have given me the basic free version. Then when I tried to do something that I wanted to do, and it told me I couldn’t unless I upgraded, I would have realised that I needed the upgrade. As it is I am waiting for the end of the 30 days to see what functionality I want is revoked.

During this time I’m not making Personal Brain an essential part of my productivity, they may lose a customer… we’ll see.

You need to make me want you, to desire you, sell yourself to me – that is marketing!

Software creators must create demand to sell is a post from: Darren R Hill

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I have decided to change the theme on here… yet again.

I recently upgraded to WordPress 3.0 and the bundled set theme was so nice and clean that I have decided to go along with it, play around with it and see where it takes me.

I don’t know if I’ll keep it long term but for the moment it will help me focus on the content of this place. Following on from my ‘not to do’ list I have decided not to waste time trying to build my own theme. That project is on hold for a little while.

So, here you have it. I am now using the Twenty Ten theme and the first thing I need to do is create a new header to make things a little more personal.

Back to the future – theme change is a post from: Darren R Hill

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1. Why not try a not to do list
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One thing I’ve noticed as I naval gaze and try to be a better person is that I focus on doing things. I’ll list out one thing after the other that I feel will eventually make me an all round better chap.

While this is a pretty good strategy and a good way forward, it is only half the story. The reason for this is that there are plenty of things in my life that if I stopped doing them I would also be a better person.

So with this in mind I’m sitting down and writing a not to do list. I’ve realised that I need to spend a bit of time stopping some things. I’m not talking about anything major but they are just as important as some of the things I’d like to do. A lot of them are linked to eating things and other pastimes that waste far too much time.

I’m not sure if it age finally catching up with me but I am realising that how I use my time is becoming more important. I have noticed that far too much of my time is wasted simply doing nothing. I then moan and complain that I don’t seem to get anything done.

So, I’m off to compile my list… and not a moment too soon.

Is there anyone else who has a ‘not to do’ list?

Why not try a not to do list is a post from: Darren R Hill

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In the Richard Bachman (Stephen King) novel The Regulators, there is a wonderful description of why protestants couldn’t get on with the concept of confession*. I must admit I feel a little similar when it comes to accountability.

I’ve done Myers Briggs several times and consistently come out as an introvert. If there is a party, I’ll be the one standing on my own. If there is a reception of some sort I’ll be the one wandering around nibbling the hors d’oeuvres instead of engaging in conversation.

However, give me a big enough platform I will perform with the best of the rest. A small group of six or seven and I am lost; standing in front of a crowd that could number thousands and I know exactly where I am. And that brings me to accountability.

I would be no good, well at least not currently, dealing with a spiritual director or a one on one life coach. I’d find myself going silent, giving monosyllabic answers and regretting every moment, wasting everyone’s time.

The web, and this site in particular, give me accountability. By living a life that is refelcted online I am able to share what I get up to. Many times I’ve thought whether I should write something or not, but more often that not I have proceeded because it is me. It isn’t always the right thing to do, but it is a real reflection of who I am.

For an introvert the Internet allows me to be accountable to others. Anyone who comes along and reads can see what I want to do, where I succeed and where I fail. And if they really want to help, the comment section is always open

Life isn’t perfect, and I am certainly not. This blog isn’t my confession, but it is an offering of who and what I am. And I hope and pray that the offering improves as I journey on.

*I’m pretty sure this is the book, but I could be wrong, I don’t have a copy to hand. I left mine at The Dark Tower. And because of the PG nature of this blog, I won’t repeat the description here.

Accountability for introverts is a post from: Darren R Hill

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I have now reached the six month point into my goals and dreams based around the number 10 in 2010. However, I can’t say that I am halfway to reaching everything that was planned. Part of the reason for that is because I still had gaps in what I wanted to achieve when I started; the final destination hadn’t been decided upon.

So, as I reach the halfway mark, albeit a little late, it is time to sit back and evaluate where I am. I have edited my 10 projects, added another couple and wondering whether anything else should be added. The next thing to do is to make those projects into concrete goals with some measurable results.

As for the other things on the 10 in 2010 list I am doing okay… ish. I still haven’t made a move on the 100 things challenge and I am only just starting to build a network of people.

The other element in all this is that I had originally planned to keep this blog separate from the ‘day job’. The problem is that the ‘day job’ is so integrated with my life and mission statement, that it is proving impossible to do that. My previous social media post is an example of this. So more and more of the content here, and in my 2010 progress, will include the working hours.

Of course there are little things that come along and mess up the most detailed of plans. One of those is that I now need to replace the bath… it has broken, fallen apart. It was one of those projects I was hoping to avoid by moving home before the bathroom needed renovating. Now, that isn’t an option.

Point 5 of 10 in 2010 is a post from: Darren R Hill

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1. 33.3r in 2010
2. The power of 10, 2010
3. Beware the 10th March

It’s that time of year again when I get to take a day or two off. This year I’m determined to get on with a few things. That could mean either one or two things. This blog may well go crazy with post after post about deep and meaningful insights. Or, I may go dark, like Jack Bauer in any series of 24 that you want to think of.

I have one or two things I want to do. Primarily getting the ‘music’ back on track. However, I have a feeling that DIY and various other home duties may take a lead.

But why music, what is the appeal of being creative in this way? I’m not sure, but when I am tinkering with music, it is one of the few times when I feel totally alive. It could be the realisation of some existential longing within. A longing that is sadly rarely met in my spiritual journey.

That just for one or two moments I am able to connect with the creator, through the act of creativity.

For that moment, I’ll take as much DIY as is required.

Spring break is a post from: Darren R Hill

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These posts, where I review how I’m doing with things, are purely for myself. Firstly, I get to see how I am progressing and tick off what I have achieved and secondly, I am at least somewhat accountable.

The downside to that is that I quite often let the 10th slip past. This month is yet another example of that. But here I am and it’s time to review where I am with everything.

Well the book is finished. I am currently reading the proofs to confirm that I am happy with all the changes, and then it is off to the printers. So I can finally tick off the first project of 2010.

The next on the list is the music and getting that back on track. This is all about finding some quality time to sit down with the digital studio and literally make music. This is easier said than done and may need to organised with some time blocked off; five minutes here and there isn’t really an option.

I think the take a photo each day has been left behind. I may get going on it later on in the year, perhaps do something for a month or so, or express the goal through my photoblog. I’ll make a decision on this by the next review.

The theme is still here and still being developed. I have been focusing on the functionality side rather than the aesthetic (can you tell?)

As for the other things on my 10 in 2010 I can now try and get my head around them. I suppose I underestimated how much time the book manuscript would take. When I was told at college to multiply how long you thought it would take by three I didn’t believe them. Now I do.

This next month I’ll be looking at developing my blogs and networking. There will be a new series of blog posts detailing how that will happen too. I am hoping that by detailing my progress and actions it will help others as they take steps into social media and blogging. There may well be one or two changes on how this site and blog presents itself. So, until we meet again…

Review on the 10th delayed as I seek coalition is a post from: Darren R Hill

Related posts:

1. What happened to the 10th of Feb?
2. Beware the 10th March
3. Ten plus three

There are three things you need to do to have a successful social media strategy for yourself or your organisation / company. And they can be remembered as the 3M’s of Social Media.

• Monitor

The first step is to monitor, or listen to, what people are saying. What are they saying about one, or all, of the following: yourself, your brand or your interests.

What is the conversation? What are their points and how are they talking about them? Remember, in social media a conversation isn’t limited to words in text, you should monitor the whole audio / visual spectrum online.

So if your business is all about coffee, then monitor the conversations about coffee. I’ll show you how to do this in a later post, but in the meantime why not try searching for ‘coffee’ on twitter.

• Maintain

Secondly you should maintain, or manage, your contact with these conversations and keep the conversations going; generate interest. Answer questions that have been raised, or join in the debate. Even own up to a mistake if your brand has slipped up.

As you engage with these conversations you’ll develop a network of contacts. These will be important as you get to the final step in this strategy.

But make sure you don’t attempt to censor the conversation, you won’t be able to anyway, and you’ll make matters worse.

I’ll expand on this in a later post too, but again get out there and join in the conversations and remember to be humble.

• Message

Finally, and this is to be done last of all, you can initiate some conversation. This is your chance to push content into the social networks.You are finally allowed to create a conversation.

You can push your own content from your website or shop. Or create a discussion about something close to your heart. Either of these, and many more ideas, can be about you, your brand or interest. However, you should also be real. Make sure your conversations are about what you are doing, showing you are a real person. You’ll end up with others engaging in conversation if they know you are real. One sure way to stiffle conversation, and followers, is to only talk about your latest product or deal.

This leads you neatly back to the first step and closes your social media loop. You’ve said something, and now it is time to listen again. This time your own conversations will be part of the mix

As I said, I’ll explore each of the above in a little more detail in future posts. I’ll look at tools and tips you can use but all the above is pretty straightforward if you follow the three steps.

3 steps to a successful social media strategy is a post from: Darren R Hill

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