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This depends on how you define productivity. I’ve already written a fairly deep article on defining productivity, so I’ll simply use that definition here: Productivity is value divided by time. And you’re free to determine what value means to you.
What’s valuable to me may not be the same for you. What’s valuable in your professional life may not be the same as what you value in your personal life.
As I got deeper into online social networking, I kept a fairly open mind about how I would define value. I simply asked myself, “Is this pursuit making a positive difference in my life and in the lives of others?” If the answer was yes, then I had to consider whether the value created was worth the time investment.
Sometimes I found it difficult to justify all the time I was spending on social networking. But in truth I’d already been doing social networking for years, using Twitter and Facebook were simply the latest incarnations.
Upon reflection I can see that social networking has been incredibly valuable for me, although the benefits have been more personal than professional.
Here are some of the results, both tangible and intangible that I can attribute to social networking during the past year. The 1st two are:
1. Scouting
Your extended social network can act as your online eyes and ears, making you aware of new opportunities, information, and contacts that could benefit you. This works especially well if you have a strong personality and people know what you’re looking to experience. This alone can save you a tremendous amount of time and enhance your life immeasurably. One good contact can send your life spiraling in a fantastic new direction.
2. Sharing
This is a deeper level of mutual assistance than scouting. Friends you make through social networking can actively share resources and advice with you. For example, many friends I made from social networking contacted me to offer advice and share stories about their own relationships. This deepened my connections with certain people who shared a common experience. Some of the advice was also very practical and useful.
"Republished from StevePavlina.com"
