I’m a huge fan of quotes. Nothing like finding a witty or touching quote that perfectly captures your own viewpoint. Some quotes have grown trite over the years. Others have lost their initial appeal. Many more remain timeless.
To illustrate the appeal of quotes, let me offer Exhibit A, a true gem from my teen years: If you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it is yours. If it doesn’t, it never was. See? How good it that for capturing the angst of teen love?!
But I digress. Fast forward to today’s reality.
As I was thinking about companies and their attempts to start using social media, two quotes came to mind:
Never bite off more than you can chew.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Certainly two ends of the spectrum, so which approach should you be taking with regard to your online efforts?
Turns out many in the insurance industry are stalled in the Never bite off more than you can chew arena. Having recently talked with more than a dozen agents and brokers, I was dismayed to find most have failed to expand their brand presence online. While they may buy into the notion of social media and can tout the research backing its effectiveness, their efforts are frozen. They blame their failure to act on lack of time and the sheer feeling of being overwhelmed. Not knowing where to start, they don’t.
I would encourage a shift in mindset–a move to the second quote. Turns out that Lao Tzu, the Chinese philosopher, was onto something way back in the 600-500 B.C. years when he urged taking just that single step. If you need to, tape his quote to your computer monitor. Write it on your whiteboard. Use it as your screen saver. Remind yourself that while the online universe and its available tools can indeed seem overwhelming, you’ll never get started if you wait until the way seems completely clear. Instead, pick a project and get online.
As Alison Headley of Digital Preservation and Blogs says: In terms of being late or not starting at all, then it’s never too late.
Ooh, that’s a good one . . .
I’m always looking to add to my quotes arsenal. Be sure to submit your favorites in the comment section!
About Amy Skidmore
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained” might be another quote that captures the point!
According to one online source, the saying dates back to Chaucer in the 1300s (see: http://bit.ly/RE7llm).
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained” might be another quote to add to this point.
One online comment notes that the quote dates back to Chaucer and the 13th century (http://bit.ly/RE7llm). But the point is still timely today: Getting comfortable with social networking and an online presence means getting out a comfort zone and trying something different.
A new favorite of mine…
“Human nature is to need a map. If you’re brave enough to draw one, people will follow.” ~ Seth Godin
Are you drawing the map or reading it?