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There is alot of noise these days. Probably more than ever. The good thing is that filtering the noise is actually possible. In the conversation age you have a choice of what you consume. With choices comes decisions…asking yourself “what do I read”, “who do I become friends” with “what business opportunities I pursue”.
While chatting with Shane Mac the other week, he made a point to say he follows those who “get it”. I mean we only have some much information we can consume, so many people we can stay in contact with (148 to be exact), we must discriminate some how for the mere fact that our time is finite. So why not discriminate based on “who gets it”.
If someone “gets it”, then they have an understanding of who they are, what moves them, what their goals are. They have reached a level of mental clarity beyond the norm. These people or sources have genuine value to add to the world and a perceptive that differentiates them from the “normalized” majority.
So when you are choosing who or what to follow…keep the filtering process simple. Don’t judge based on popularity or blind reciprocity, instead make sure they “get it” and just as importantly, that their followers “get it”.
If they leave you feeling awakened and slightly confused, you are heading down the right path.
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Comments
03.18.10
I think you miss some of the fundamental reasons we "Network" professionally or socially. Be it on a social site like Twitter or an in a three dimensional person to person setting.
You mix and mingle, follow in the context of Twitter, with some people not for what they can do for you today… like you imply – ignoring the people who don’t "Get It"… but for what they maybe able to do for you tomorrow.
Why you might ask?
A lot of "A-listers" in any field or social environment are difficult to approach. Just because you follow them (on twitter), does not mean they will follow you, and if they do follow you, it does not mean they will listen to your tweets. These “A-listers” do have a group of "B-listers" in their circle of influence. These "B-listers" are listened to and have influence over the “A-lister”. These “B-listers” can introduce you to the "A-lister". This introduction, increases your likelihood of making a real connection/bond with the "A-lister" because the “B-listers" vouched for you.
"A-listers" "Get It".
"B-listers" may "Get It".
"C-listers" typically don't "Get It"… whatever “it” is.
So you may have to work a relationship with a "C" to get to a "B" who will eventually get you in contact with the "A"… if you play the game right. This is climbing the "Social Ladder". The medium has changed with technology, but not the underlining human process of the "Social Climber". You must give to the “C”… to earn the right to give to the “B”… who intern, once you have earned the right, will introduce you to the “A”.
03.18.10
Hi Paul I really enjoyed your comment and on many fronts I agree with you.
When I say "follow" by no means was I exclusively referring to Twitter. I am referring to the information, individuals and media sources we follow. If you look at my Twitter account you can see I follow plenty of people (many who you define as C-listers and B's)...and I follow these people because they have some unique value to add...and in some respects the "get it".
Your "list" or "grade" which is typically determined by popularity has very little to do if you get it or not. If a blogger has no following but after I read her, she makes me a better person in a way...I'll be extremely excited to be her first follower...she "gets it".
03.19.10
Hi Brenton,
Just one comment to your post; Just don't forget about offline people as well.
There are a lot of great resources online, but there are also a lot within you local circles.
After having done quite a but of research online as to who to follow, I absolutely agree with your post, but I also feel that a good potion of them should be offline (or people you know offline).
And by follow offline, I don't mean like a stalker, I mean meetup with, discuss with or listen to.
-Brad
03.19.10
100% with you Brad...This is not a mutually exclusive world of onliners and offliners. The most solid connections are made offline no doubt!
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