Your final point makes sense, but I think it overemphasizes the choice — you should be able to do both. Making connections is important. You should talk to, and about, other people. But it's also important to not JUST be a talker — people can see through that. You should have something valuable to offer as well.

It all comes back to the “worth caring about” point in my mind. Put your head down and work your ass off while being a good person, accept the tools that look helpful, and you're 99% of the way there.

I also like the comments you make concerning the winning of attention. As the creation of content as a means of differentiating one's products goes mainstream in the light of increased returns, the value of an ability to direct attention will skyrocket. Those able to demonstrate such an ability are likely to remain in a position of strength. In a recent article in TechCrunch, Mike Arrington questioned Robert Scoble's 'overuse' of such platforms as FriendFeed. Stating that the content created on someone else's platform offered limited value to its creator, Arrington suggested that Scoble should abandon FF for the purpose of greater focus upon his blog. Perhaps the directing of attention through links etc represents a means of monetizing such platforms?

Essentially, we are left with two options for success; either use the instruments and resources available to our advantage by adding value to our product and service offerings, or use our connections to direct attention. Whilst the second is likely to prove significantly more difficult to establish in the long run, it is simultaneously likely to remain more sustainable. The rising numbers of blogs and social media content solutions slowly being incorporated by a more mainstream group of users will invariably ensure that the need for on-demand visibility remains high.

TLR

Esta Muy Importante for all of us to try and remain positive and keep things in perspective. I agree that we are in a time of great opportunity as long as we don't sit around wringing our hands. Much better to put them to use at a keyboard, in my opinion.

Nice job.

George

Every quarter I look back on what I had planned for the preceding 3 months compared to where I actually ended up. The two are never the same, but by virtue of planning strategically I was able to point myself in SOME useful direction. As I plan for the beginning of 2009, I see a lot of things I have yet to understand … so I just gloss over the details.

I'm glad you got a useful message about just letting go, but I wouldn't want to suggest it means you shouldn't plan anyway. When I say, “you don’t have to figure everything out right now… it doesn’t have to make perfect sense…” I don't mean that you don't need to think hard about it anyway and have it make some sense :)

One item you mentioned really stuck: having to often let go and just do it. Everyday I wonder if what I'm doing is actually leading somewhere big, and even if I feel it's not, I keep going. Not all the time are we going to know where we're going or what we're doing (how could we possibly know the answer until we get there?). This advice is both reassuring and inspirational – thanks.

I hope to engage with you more this year and beyond. 2009 seems like the year of great change and advancement for those willing to take the chance.

One item you mentioned really stuck: having to often let go and just do it. Everyday I wonder if what I'm doing is actually leading somewhere big, and even if I feel it's not, I keep going. Not all the time are we going to know where we're going or what we're doing (how could we possibly know the answer until we get there?). This advice is both reassuring and inspirational – thanks.

I hope to engage with you more this year and beyond. 2009 seems like the year of great change and advancement for those willing to take the chance.

Of course, I'm not strictly talking about blogging, but rather the act of accumulating attention. I think there are other ways to do it.

The main point is that we used to leave that whole “attention thing” to magazines, television, newspaper, etc. Now, it's fair game for the little guy.

Despite the democratization of the media, certain channels are still dominated by a select few (eg. Digg) and pandering to the whims of the system and the minority that dominate it will produce more short term success, which tends to homogenize the industry.

It is not my intent to demonize the imitators, or the system. Even the best innovators aren't innovating ALL the time. I think it goes to illustrate the point that as the sheer volume of brands (blogs) rise, simply having a unique brand it not enough. To succeed in the short term and long term you need a quality brand, the knowledge of HOW to reach the people who care, the will to do it, and the patience for your work to be recognized.