As I step back and think of the past 12 months, a lot has happened in my life. I have made some very good decisions and some “not so good” as well. I messed up big time in a couple of friendships and also am learning to chill a bit and not “over analyze things too much. I have been to IL, PA, WI to present and traveled by internet to China, CO, MA, FL, & more. It has been an interesting year. And one I have never lived before…..and it is due to my network.
I am being challenged to think more deeply than I have ever thought before and to become more authentic. I have realized that many things I settled for were because I was ignoring some aspects and now I am taking some steps to rectify some past errors or mis-steps! I have been challenged to defend my faith beliefs (which still are strong) and to not dismiss people because we don’t agree. I have learned to accept differences yet admire similarities and realize how important new thoughts can be.
I have learned to sift through all that thrown at me (ideas, suggestions, criticisms, unkind words, etc) and deal with some right away, put some on the back burner, and dismiss some as well.
I have learned that something you twitter or blog — though important to you — might need a few days, weeks, months, or even a year before the network sees the importance it meant to you. I have discovered that some people just like to over talk/over blog/or over twitter but oft times it is those who don’t talk/blog/twitter as much that I learn the most from.
I have learned to prioritize and categorize. I have learned to tag, to rss, to comment, and to not comment (at times). I have learned Google Earth, Wikis, Delicious……and am stumped by Plurk, Diigo, and ping.fm. And I do not understand # at all. But if I ever have questions, I know my network will be there to guide.
I have learned to look at my strengths and work on keeping them strong. I have learned to look at my inadequacies and see what needs to be changed and what is just me.
I laughed, I have cried, I have learned, I have listened, I have shared, I have created, I have been stretched.
It has been an interesting 12 months of my life.
So — how has your network impacted you??
Jen
Great post! Because of my network, I have made tremendous advances in my photographic skills: taking my camera off of auto mode, fiddling with aperture and shutter priority, and using different composition techniques. I have started using Facebook to see new sides of people I already knew more casually, mostly through church. I started Twittering and though I can’t say I’ve learned much, I’ve met some neat people and discovered some neat (and just plain goofy!) websites and web resources.
Jen.. you are one amazing person. I love the work that you do, and appreciate your sharing it with all of us. You are correct, there’s a silent majority of people out there who look at what you do, and learn from it. I am one of those people who doesn’t twitter much, but reaps a good deal from those who are willing to share what they know and what they do!
thanks!
The Good
* Discovered the joy of f2f conferences and had the opportunity to meet many online friends in person. Still hoping to meet many others.
* Found a number of role models among the many dedicated teachers who give everything they have to their students, their colleagues, and their profession. I strive to be more like them each and every day.
*Found webcast programs that really resonate with me and to which I can make a contribution.
*Learned a lot of great tools that I now use to make my work easier and my projects more engaging.
*Discovered that Plurk is, by far, my networking tool of choice.
The Bad
*Learned that communicating without the benefit of facial expressions and body language is very challenging.
The Ugly
*Lost someone I considered to be a very good friend and I still really don’t why.
@Deb
You have encouraged me to go search for some new ideas — perhaps some new bloggers to read that are not just EdTech.
@Janet
I thank you for your kind words. Smiles, I am struggling day to day to make sense of all this…..and your words were very kind.
@Colleen
Yep — the good!
Agreed — the bad
As for the ugly — perhaps time will mend it? Soon, I hope.