3 steps to make breaking up easier.
I was exploring how to use social media to grow my business. Before digging in or reaching out to experts, I stumbled upon a software that used artificial intelligence to create social media posts from longer content (blogs, whitepapers, articles, etc.). “Nirvana,” I thought. Think of the hours I’d save using my existing content instead of creating it?
I thought I “knew enough” about social media and leaned on this “knowledge” to make a buying decision for a cool time-saving tool.
I was eager to reap the benefits of this magical tool. I uploaded content and the artificial intelligence tool created and scheduled posts 2-3 times weekly on Twitter and Facebook. And I set a notification to remind me when content was low so that I could create more and wouldn’t miss a beat.
Then I signed up for a social media webinar. I learned about even more social media things I could do to grow my business. And the webinar told me I needed a strategy. Well, of course I needed a strategy. I do strategy for a living, for goodness sake. But first, I had a few things to do.
Did you know that my target market is 56% more likely to watch a video than to read an article? Or that voice activated devices use Google Business and Bing listings for their content? All are free and easy to set up. So, I set up my Bing and Google Business listings, created a YouTube channel, and updated my LinkedIn Business and Twitter profiles.
I shared my progress with a friend who urged me to pause and asked, “Why are you doing these things?”
I fell from the activity buzz and learning thrill (the rocket ship to nowhere) and landed with a jolt. Rocket ships to nowhere are deceiving, they are fast and exciting. Thankfully, I aborted this ship while still close to the ground.
I was caught up in the activity trap. Activities, tasks, action — but without intention or sequence. It feels good in the moment but is short lived because it's not aligned with a higher goal or plan.
Yes, I purchased my ultra-amazing tool before I had a strategy. Have you ever done that? Not sure what I mean? Think January gym membership, new website analytics software, new running shoes, or stocking up on supplies in hopes of starting a hobby. Once we have a something – particularly when we’ve invested time or money in it – our brains work hard to rationalize why what we have is necessary and useful.
I admitted my mistake and started over. I reluctantly looked at my business without trying to justify my purchase. For social media, this meant that I needed to break up with three social media tools I’d just started dating: Twitter, LinkedIn Business, and my expensive new gadget.
How do you make breaking up easier? Follow three simple (not easy) steps:
Put your destination on a map.
Resist the urge to turn down roads that say, “For a bright, shiny, magical item, Turn Here.”
Have friends that remind you that not all “Turn Here” signs at intersections are for you.