Week 5, Kj Granger's Personal Learning Journal

So many questions, so little time . . .

I chose "UncoverDiscover" as my beat blog because this name represents what I will drop everything to do ~ help others' explore who/what they want to be.  This was my second blog for this class, because I uncovered/discovered that the first two were set up using my BGI gmail address, which does not offer Google profile capability.  Without Google Profile, one cannot use other Google functionality.  This necessitated making a whole new blog, which I began this week.  Actually I like this topic much better, because it's a topic I know the best, and hopefully, my posts and ideas will positively influence and help others.

As for personal branding issues, the issue for me is how to take the skills that I have and use them in gainful meaningful social change employment.  I find I'm not comfortable with telling others that I am a connector, that I'm interested in helping them explore their possibilities, etc.  So the challenge for me is finding that 30-second dialogue that explains this and makes it easy for the listener to understand, but also represents my skillset as something strong, beneficial, worthy. 

As for a dedicated domain name for my blog ~ maybe.  I already have one dedicatd domain blog site and am having challenges with time management allowing me to actively engage with that site.  Yet, I might.  Because so many people have told me that I have helped them see themselves in a whole new light, and that I inspired/motivated them to embrace their strengths in whatever they choose to do.  This does not make me feel like I'm an expert, and yet it does allow me to see that I have made a difference in some people's lives.

As for this week's topic ~ The Power of Social Video & Viral Media ~ well, I certainly believe in it.  Without FB, Twitter, and other social media, how would we have known what happened in Japan during the earthquake and its aftermath?  How would we know about many other important events involving our world today without these services?  And social media fundraising ~ I have participated in many fundraising initiatives via the social media.  In my view, Social Media today is the tip of the iceberg, compared to the social change it's going to effect.  We're just beginning to tap into its possibilities. 




In reflecting about my personal brand, i.e. who am I? what am I supposed to be doing? what is that I will drop everything in order to do? -- it all boils down to one thing.  I like to help others help themselves, in most any regard.

I talked this over with my Personal Brand Buddy during our social media class at the intensive, and we've had some emails on this since.  Neither of us think that I've hit on exactly the right words, and we realize that this is a journey and that by continuing on the path towards this goal, I/we will end up at something that really does work. 

So for now, I am okay with the simple tag:  "Let's explore your possibilities."  And I have embraced this as part of my signature on communications, and incorporated it into my various/sundry profiles on Gmail, BGI Community, and my own personal website at www.mtsiburg.com. 

Starting Over . . . a Whole New Learning Journal

I spent a lot of time yesterday, trying to figure out how to move my bgi.edu gmail blogs to two new blogs that I created with another Gmail address.  I did not uncover a way to do this.  Thought perhaps I could import/export blog content, and move the content over, but was not successful in making that happen either.  Miriam has emailed me with her hours of availability and I will take her up on this later this week.  But in the interests of time, I just want to move forward and not fall terribly behind.

So this is Blog 1 of a new learning journal, associated with granger.karenj@gmail.com.  I do have an updated profile associated with this address.  I will make both blogs "public" with our class.  And I've decided to blend the development of my personal brand into both, so in the long run, I think starting over is a good thing.