By now, you’re probably used to my style, let’s just say, I don’t necessarily conform with the norm. In my previous post, I tackled the idea of Social Media and the element of need related to Maslow’s Hierarchy. I received a lot of controversial views with regards to stage one and two of the pyramid. A lot questioned whether it is sufficient to simply get on board Social Media without having a plan. In theory, the answer is a definite No – but in practice, you find a lot of people simply riding the bus without any other motive except for the existence in the social media realm. This in turn led me to think of the urge of existence and its definition in that medium.
In Discourse on the Method and Principles of Philosophy, Rene Descartes initially claimed that you can define your existence by the mere fact that you are capable of thinking – hence his infamous phrase cogito ergo sum
or I think Therefore I am! Does that still apply in the social media world? Can you suffice by simply thinking? Or is there a need to voice your thought to prove your existence? I am in favor of the latter argument!
Thinking, as a standalone function has become obsolete. Engaging your thoughts with others, that defines your existence. In a world of personal branding, how else would you stand out! In a recent interview with Seth Godin on Marketing Over Coffee, he refers to the concept of “shipping” which he explains is his own unique way, “Real artists ship … What makes something really great is that someone else uses it, if it does not ship, it’s worthless. So, what you must do is Ship … If you’re just sitting in your closet dreaming up big ideas and then you walk around saying ‘you know what, I had this idea but Google stole it from me’ that’s not worth anything …”. So thought is no longer enough, action is required. You could certainly be a great thinker, but if you don’t share your thoughts, they are worthless and sadly, so are you!
Social Media has provided everyone with an equal and unprecedented opportunity to reach out and touch people. The pretexts we once had before, be it financial, venue, opportunity, luck, connections or the lack of them, are no longer viable. Stop hiding behind such transparent excuses! In the words of Gary Vaynerchuk, it’s time to Crush It.
I was once, not long ago, in the same position! I was trying to find a reason not to take that next step. I was the Head of Marketing for Subway (for the Middle East and Africa region). I must say, the package that I had was what held me back most, but I was not satisfied. I knew I could offer much more and I wanted the opportunity to do so. Little did I know that what I was looking for was right there in my face! After reading Crush It, I asked myself, what was I really afraid of? Was it failure? Was it the uncertainty of what crushing it would bring? Then, I decided to look at the fuller half of that same glass – the world was my playground, and I had a chance to cash in on my passion! Guess what – I did it! I started touching people with my thoughts, and before I knew it, people started reaching out, seeking my services as a proficient marketer.
Between thought and existence there’s a leap of faith – it’s just like a bandage, you just have to rip it off. There’s no half way! So what are you waiting for, take the leap, rip it off – it’s an incredible feeling of self satisfaction. Think About It!
Twitter Share –
John,
I am going to reiterate and tell you that your post is very inspirational. “So thought is no longer enough, action is required” and “Social Media has provided everyone with an equal and unprecedented opportunity to reach out and touch people” particularly resonate as we all see people having great ideas but are not able to execute them.
Indeed, je pense donc je suis, may not apply anymore to the context of our social world. The realm of influence has gone beyond our personal life. We have the opportunity to bring ourselves as far as we want.
KarimaCatherine
John great post as always, very insightful.
“I think therefore I am,” is no longer enough. One must add “I do” in the middle to make any use of it. Thinking about the world of social media, thinking about entrepreneurship or thinking of being is just that, thinking. It’s trapped inside your head. A person needs to release their thoughts, “ship” them to the world and only then will become. Thinking, like learning, can only get you so far. There must come a point where the thoughts and knowledge gained are so saturated that they overflow from your brain into real world concrete examples, hence I am now is “I become.”
The act of thinking guaranteed the existence of the self.
Descartes thought of introducing consciousness by “i think, therefore i am “.
800 years ago, even the act of “thinking” was missing
and as we all know, mankind needed to think in order to facilitate the evolution of the human race, that was Descartes’s goal.
but nowadays ,the act of thinking is not enough anymore. It’s just one of the first steps of our achievements.
I think What u did john , is that u added the ” i do to ” “i think therefore i am” which is really great and essential these days
“We have met the enemy and he is Us” people should beat their own fears of failing in order to improve.
Then , all goals will be achieved! i think that is what social media really needs.
Great job john.
Great thoughts, John. I’ve appreciated your insights into how to capitalize on SM and hope to use them/share them with others. Keep bringing to great content!
Thanks for the link John!
It can’t be said better,great thoughts I wish I knew you long time before,I am a tennis player and I used to coach my son and daughter and my wife,I would exhaust them in training,and I would tell them “Just Do It” and then the company Nike came with the idea “just Do It” at those days there were no internet to spread the word,but by coincidence,yes every body has a potential and can enforce it by team work and let the world know about it ,if you are talented it is not enough to keep it for your self spread it out and show what you can do to the world let every body share your nice ways,Just Do It.Communication,Communication and Communication.
Great job John.
I love the example you gave from your experience Dr. Chucri … when we hold on to idea in our heads, they never amount to anything much, except if you count disappointment as an achievement! Just today, I bought a domain name that I think I might make use of in the near future … I decided to take action and bring it closer to life … imagine my frustration if I hadn’t done that tonight and realising that my “just do it” idea becomes worth billions of dollars and i’m left with “what if”
here’s my definition of an idea value chain: Communicate, Propagate, Innovate!