Sleeping schedule, latest gadget, moving – what do all of these things have in common? They were all mentioned on a social networking site. Love it or hate it, social networking is here to stay. It is interesting to hear an individual’s opinion of sites such as Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Some love the sites and admit to spending way too much time on them while others refuse to use them and don’t want to be found, followed or linked. If you use this medium correctly you can build your personal brand and grow your business.

I started my social networking years ago with my professional network. I am a big believer in networking period. In fact you can check out my past article – Add 40 years to your life. Human beings need to feel connected and the busier life gets we often put relationships on hold. This decision is not necessarily on purpose but days pass and our good intentions of sending a note to say hello are missed. Social networking and the ease with which it can be done can renew past relationships and create new ones.

There are many purposes to social networking. As with anything I suggest you have a plan and a purpose behind what you do. Being cognizant of what you put on a social site will serve you in many ways. The internet is a powerful tool but remembering whatever is put out there is imprinted and hard if not impossible to remove.

Here are some tips to leverage your social networking activities:

1. Fill out the profile
2. Keep information current
3. Areas of expertise should be completed
4. Join groups
5. Comment on the threads for different groups
6. Do not use the Social site solely for prospecting – give useful content and local information. Become the goto expert for your network.
7. Add links to your website
8. Add relevant data to your message and plan

Each site has it strengths and audience opportunities. There are also ways to become efficient in your social networking activities. Hootsuite is once such application where you can add all your networking sites and cross post. It’s wonderful!

As time goes on and your content becomes sought after you will find that your audience will grow and the opportunities become endless with little out of pocket costs. Discipline will be key and keeping your priorities in mind as you work your plan. Instead of 40 years being added to your life maybe 60 years will be your blessing.

There is nothing like being ‘IN THE ZONE!’ It is as if you are accomplishing what you desire at the very moment when the energy of the universe is blessing your efforts.

What does being in the zone mean to you? Have you ever experienced that complete feeling of focus? Focus that you have determined and are in full control of. ‘The zone’ is like a crystal goblet being tapped on a hard surface and the tone that emits the air is full of energy and touches you deeply in your soul.

Saturday is sometimes the worst day for me. Because I want to complete so much on this special day reaching the zone seems as hard as it would be to herd cats. I will start-off doing one thing, then notice something else that needs to be done and before you know it I haven’t accomplished one-half of what I had desired.

I believe men in general have an easier time of being ‘in the moment’ and not being as easily distracted as women. It is a known fact that the wiring in men’s brains is different than the wiring in women’s brains. That being said, let’s discuss being focused and what it takes to experience clarity so the zone can become a more frequent occurrence.

The first task is defining what clarity is for you and your business. Are you running from project to project? Do you have clearly written goals and mission statements? If not, this can be the first step to reaching clarity. As you write your goals and review them often you will begin to develop a clear picture of what your priorities are and what your deepest desires are within you.

Often I find that the more I re-write my goals some goals continue to remain while others fade away or become less important. Continually thinking and writing down those objectives will help keep you centered.

Forcing yourself to focus on the task at hand can be hard at first but the more and more you practice the better you will become. I find that when I try to be in the moment, the moment is more fulfilling and the stress I feel is less. Multi-tasking is sometimes the most efficient way to accomplish tasks but it can also be overrated.

For example, try driving a car while, speaking on the phone and checking your e-mail in the seat next to you. A lot is getting accomplished however, those riding in the car with you perhaps are feeling more stressed because you are not focused on the main objective and that is getting safely to where your destiny will lead you.

Some of the best experiences I have had in obtaining clear and poignant focus have been when I was running. The pounding of the pavement and the will to go a certain distance is often the most centering part of my day. Everything else melts away while running and getting into the rhythm.

Often I find that when I hit this zone I can solve problems or challenges that have me stumped. Inspiration flows into my mind and I am more creative.

In order to have repeated experiences of focus and clarity you need to achieve balance in your life. It is hard to focus on any one thing if you are sick or run down. The same holds true for organizations.

If there is a part of the organization that is in need of “medical” attention then do what you need to do in order to get that part in a more healthy state. That way the whole of the organization can be well thought-out and focused. By doing so you will be able to achieve your goals.

Some of the best lessons in life can be learned from children. Have you ever had a child trying to get your attention when you are watching television and they come up and grab your face? This is a reminder to us that asking for what you need, is the road to achieving what you desire.

Children know the importance of enjoying every moment and not taking everyday-things for granted. So the next time you are feeling frantic or frazzled, stop, take a deep breath and focus on what is most important at that moment and let everything else fade away.

The zone really isn’t that far away. We need to just grab it!