Reading back over my Twitter posts here, I was prompted to ask people today what they use Twitter for. I had some interesting conversations as a result and made some cool new contacts.
I have two questions for you:
1. What is your Twitter policy?
Mine is fairly simple;
I try to make sure I reply to all @ questions
I thank people for retweets
I don’t auto follow back
I never action a validation request DM to prove I’m a real tweeter
I unfollow almost anyone who claims to be a guru of some type
I unfollow inactive users
I retweet tweets from people asking for recommendations or help
I retweet useful content
I retweet funny content
I don’t have this written down anywhere (I guess I do now…) and it’s not an official rule book but it’s just how I think and what I do when I am in Twitter mode (which is 70% of the time).
As an addition to this;
2. What are your Twitter pet peeves?
Again mine are pretty straightforward:
When someone asks for recommendations; you offer one or retweet… and they never reply
Auto DMs in general but especially ones asking me to connect on Facebook (thanks to @NorthcoteBeers for the reminder on this one!)
I love my Twitter time. I have a great group of people with whom I can share a great giggle, seek advice from or share with. I try to bear in mind that not everyone follows thousands of people and therefore my relentless tweeting can fill up a timeline pretty fast… but other than that I’d like to think I offer something useful or worthwhile to my followers.
Am genuinely interested to know your views on either or both of the above. You can leave a comment below, email me or @ me on twitter Oh and of course, to help get as many replies as possible – go ahead and click ‘tweet’ below!
I am thrilled at being able to share this exciting news here.
Before Christmas I was fortunate to be able to interview Jeff Glasse who is featured in this video. You can read what he told me later this week In the meantime, be inspired.
One of my good friends went on a date last night. She was pretty excited to be going and put a great deal of effort into getting ready. Yes, she shaved her legs, applied fake tan, did her nails and deliberated over the fine details of her outfit…
Last night, just as I was going to bed my friend messaged me saying “I’m home “.
I asked for a debrief and heard all about the lovely meal they had had. He had complimented her on her shoes, new hairdo and dazzling smile. All sounded positive to me. The sad face was a result of him driving her home and… not kissing her. (Edited to add – he did kiss her on the cheek )
He text her last night to say “thanks for making it, enjoyed the evening, catch up soon x”.
So now we’re officially in the waiting room.
What’s the prognosis? I have my own theory but offered to put it out there for further analysis.
To my friends mind, they had the perfect date. Is he just being a gentleman? Is he just ‘not that in to her’? All thoughts welcome (preferably as comments below so my friend can read them ).
One of the things I always get asked about Twitter is how to find people to follow? I have said before that Twitter is useless as a tool if you’re only going to follow z-list celebrities and the like… To make it effective as a business networking tool, you need to follow people who will either provide useful content to you or who will be interested in the messages you are communicating.
This sounds like a time intensive job right? Wrong
I will let you in on one of the secret tools that I use to help me save time when identifying who to follow. Rather than spending countless hours searching on Twitter.com, I identify a few Twitter users each week who I find add value to my stream and then (here comes the secret…) I follow their followers. Simple. Logic dictates that if the followers of the person I am finding interesting also find that tweeter of interest, they might just read my tweets too.
Now, in order to do this and still be able to find time for the rest of my life, I use a tool. I use desktop software that allows me to save searches and form lists of people to follow based upon these searches. It took me a while to get to grips with using this but now that I have it mastered I can’t even begin to calculate the amount of time I save.
As an affiliate for the tool I am referring to, if you choose to purchase your own license for this software via a link from this post then I’m going to be smiling . As a thank you, I am happy to offer readers who purchase through THIS LINKa FREE 15 minute overview of how to best use your new software and get your Twitter account really working for you. All you have to do is leave a comment below, email me or @ me on Twitter.
I have lost count of how many people running businesses have casually mentioned to me that they’ll figure out their Twitter strategy ‘some day’. This is your opportunity to make today THE day.
Following discussion with @JamesBlute recently regarding productivity levels and what influences them, I have been considering my working environment and evaluating changes I could make that might be more conducive to better concentration.
My biggest barrier to being brilliantly productive in the time that I have available to me is that I am far too easily distracted. I start out on a path and have all clear intentions; but I will have my head turned in a ridiculous amount of directions (countless times) along the way. I could combat this by only opening the windows on my computer that I actually need in order to complete the task I am working on, but I also know that I need some amount of distraction to help keep me motivated.
One of the easy changes I made which made a significant impact was to relocate my work space. Instead of working from the desk with the inspirational view, I moved my beloved iMac to the dining table. No view, closer to the kitchen for endless tea making trips and a change of environment from where I woke up. I found that the larger table allowed me to be more organised with what I needed within my reach for the day.
Working at home, it can be tempting to sit with a laptop on the sofa where you feel comfortable. In fact, working in such a position can have the opposite effect. By setting up your workspace away from your relaxation areas, you create a zone not only in your home; but in your mind that allows you to be more productive.
Perhaps this is the perfect excuse for some new, stylish office furniture? Browsing the web for a new desk certainly counts as an important ‘to-do’ agenda item in my book. I think the biggest shift in mindset for me was due to the extra surface area I was working on. Little changes make a big difference.
Next issue for me to address is storage. I could ideally do with somebody following me around, filing my paperwork as I go, tidying up receipts and nagging in my ear not to put that piece of paper down there because I’ll lose it… Falling short of that, getting some systems in place that will help me stay not necessarily tidy (mission impossible), but at the very least organised would be life changing. I like the idea of being one of those people who knows exactly where their important documents are without needing to spend two hours hunting them out from an unofficial pile in the corner of the room; but maybe I’m being unrealistic
I feel decidedly glum today for falling off the wagon BUT silver lining is that I am more determined to get the shred in today. I ended up working pretty late last night and just ran out of time.
This morning though, after just three shreds and one six week six pack effort, I can see that my shape is already changing. Pretty amazing! Definitely motivating enough in itself too.
Have inspired someone else to get Shredding today so hopefully I’ll have further reason to keep at it.
Wondering today if there is a best time of day to exercise? I seem to only find time at night. I know from experience that energy levels are highest in the morning but it’s not really practical for me right now.
Lots of talk on my Facebook status yesterday about Shredding progress and also mention of the new Jillian Michaels workout – Ripped.
There’s so much I want to tell you. I’m not entirely sure where to start. Firstly, some things that you’re currently worrying about which will pale into insignificance:
Less than five years from now, your life will be transformed by the invention of an expensive pair of hair straighteners. You’ll still have to face the same battle with your tresses if you go some place humid or wet but day to day grooming and getting ready for nights out will be unrecognisable from the traumas you know now. Not only will you have sleek and straight hair whenever you want it, but you’ll also learn how to use these straighteners to curl your hair and everyone elses (and become slightly obsessed with doing so.).
The guy you’re obsessing over and currently all consumed by will cease to exist on your radar. You’ll realise that your mum really was right when she said you’ll look back and wonder what the big deal was. You will however, always wonder what he is doing, whether he is happy and try to find out if he is on Facebook. Enjoy the time you’re hanging out with him just now because it will always make you smile – just because it’s not forever doesn’t mean it’s not significant.
That map you’re sticking all the pins in? It will become the list of places you travelled to before you turn 30. You’re pretty good at choosing places but your dream job of working in a travel agency won’t turn out to be all you think and you won’t last a week in the job (sorry).
You should not be wearing a t-shirt over your swimming costume on the beach. One day, you’ll be happy to wear a bikini… in public.
Secondly, some things that might help you make wise choices:
Once you have a great idea, it doesn’t have to be acted upon at that exact moment. Take your time, look around and be grateful for the time you’re existing in right now.
Not everyone is worthy of your trust. Take the time to get to know people properly before telling them your treasured secrets.
It’s ok that you make boys your closest friends (it doesn’t mean you have to fall in love with them all).
The guy in the tattoo parlour who tells you that the revolutionary ink he uses will never bleed is a straight up liar.
Finally, some things you’ll have a hard time believing:
Brussel sprouts are not the work of the devil and you will realise that cooked correctly you can eat them without having to sneak them into a napkin under the table.
Life will go on if you can’t go out next Friday night wearing a brand new outfit from Topshop. Really.
You will grow into a confident woman who runs her own businesses and helps others do the same.
You will go skydiving, walk across hot coals and go scuba diving in search of sharks – all because you wanted to.
I realise that at 16 you know everything, have all the answers and will humour me by reading this to the end before you roll your eyes; but someday you’ll sit back and say – I told you so.
Thanks to Chelle McCann for inspiring me to write this post.
I’m back into the shredding today and feeling good. Six week six pack is taking its toll already. Think I’ll give that one a good go when I finish the Shred.
Forgot to take my before photos on Thursday so I’m about to go do those now before the workout and then no more pics for 28 days!
What’s your plan today?
Are you adjusting your diet in order to maximise the results of what you’re doing? To be honest, I like eating whatever I like and I know that if I workout regularly I can continue to do so. I am intrigued to see just how far I can sculpt my body if I make small changes though so who knows.
I’m pretty all or nothing when it comes to working out so I’m bound to enter the zone of food obsession sooner or later.
Already I have hit a stumbling block. After my shoulder (torn rotator cuff) feeling great this week, the first day of the 30 Day Shred has done me in. It’s pretty sore today and following doctors orders not to do anything that causes pain I am only doing the abs section of my workout today.
Because of this I decided to do the Six Week Six Pack workout instead. A little off piste but the same concept and meant I got to do something that stopped me feeling guilty.
Oh and of course, to help get as many replies as possible – go ahead and click ‘tweet’ below!
One of my good friends went on a date last night. She was pretty excited to be going and put a great deal of effort into getting ready. Yes, she shaved her legs, applied fake tan, did her nails and deliberated over the fine details of her outfit…
“.
One of the things I always get asked about Twitter is how to find people to follow? I have said before that Twitter is useless as a tool if you’re only going to follow z-list celebrities and the like… To make it effective as a business networking tool, you need to follow people who will either provide useful content to you or who will be interested in the messages you are communicating.
Following discussion with 
OK so yesterday I skipped out 
Wondering today if there is a best time of day to exercise? I seem to only find time at night. I know from experience that energy levels are highest in the morning but it’s not really practical for me right now.
Dear 16 year old me,
I’m back into the shredding today and feeling good. 
How are we doing?
