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In my life, I find that I go through cycles. What is a good idea today gets swapped out for another good idea tomorrow. At some point, I end up returning to a past idea in hopes of solving whatever problem I am currently facing. Budgeting my time is one of those things I have repeatedly done, undone, and then done again. I do it because it makes sense and it works.

In this article, we will look at a time budget. Specifically, the article will describe what it is, reasons for using it, and finally steps on how to apply it in your life.

What is a Time Budget?
Similar to a tool used in personal and corporate finance, a time budget is a resource for managing the use of ones time. In finance, a budget helps to limit the amount of money one is allowed to spend. I love watching movies and, if allowed, I would probably go to the theater every weekend. Unfortunately, my allowance for entertainment only provides enough for one visit per month.

Similarly, a time budget helps to manage how one spends time. If left to my own devices, I would probably spend most of my day doing all the fun stuff. As a result of this careless behavior, I would never make time to workout, cut my hair, pay bills, or clean my car.

Why Should I Use a Time Budget?
Ultimately, time budgeting is about finding a balance between doing the things we like to do and the things we must do. For me, I find work, school, family, fraternity, free-time, and God as important. If I give too much time to one area, then all the others are negatively affected. Therefore, in order to address each one fairly, I need to manage my time strategically.

4 Steps to Budgeting Time
By now, you should at least see the value of time management. For students and busy professionals, managing time is a must. In this section, I will provide four easy steps to budget time.

Step 1: Make a list of daily activities
First, make a list of daily tasks. An easy way to start is by reviewing your calendar. Take note of tasks you commonly find yourself doing and write it all down on a piece of paper. Examples include: Shower, commute, eat lunch, check email, develop report, meet with staff, etc.

Step 2: Organize list into groups
Once your list of activities is complete, group items together. For me, I group email, phone calls, and conversations under a communication group. Other areas may include: Meetings, free-time, school, work, family, etc.

Step 3: Attach a time limit to each group
Now that the groups are organized, assign time limits to each group. We know that we only have 24 hours in a day, so start with the easy groups. For me, sleep automatically gets 8 hours, which leaves me with 16 hours to spend. When you are done with this step, you should have no time left over.

Step 4: Plan your day
With your time budget set, pull out a calendar. I prefer Google calendar, but if you use a paper version that is fine, too. The idea of this step is to place tasks on your calendar and schedule them like you would an appointment.

Remember that each task is apart of a group and that each group has a limited amount of time. For me, I have a time budget of two hours for meetings. If someone tries to call a meeting on a day where my meeting times are full, then I move on to another day.

What is the cost of growing up? What do we sacrifice in our attempts to be a successful and mature adult? This article takes a personal look at some of my observations and seeks to establish a connection with my childhood friends.

Setting the Stage
In 1993, I graduated from Lincoln High School, which is located in Tacoma, Washington. Looking back, I now know that commencement was the beginning of the end. On that day, each of us was set free to pursue our lives. Some went to work while others went to college. Some got married and decided to raise a family while others did not. In the end, life changed.

For most of us, we grew up together. We saw each other nearly every day for years, but in the process of growing, we had to go our separate ways.

With the introduction of the Internet and applications like Facebook and MySpace, I have been able to reconnect with many of those from my school, neighborhood, and church. Having been away from Washington for over 15 years, I miss them and the young man I used to be.

Today, I have a grown up job and kids to look after, but regardless of my age or role I play in society, I am still the same guy, friend, and student that I was, just older and wiser.

Through social networking sites, I find that I am connected. I am a character in someone's life like they are in mine.

To some, growing up holds terrible memories. For me, it is a time where I was the most honest and innocent. It is a time of my life where I was not defined by my job or salary. If you knew me then, you know the real me.

In North Carolina, I live over 3,500 miles away from home. I see that many of my people have continued to grow together and I envy that.

Some of my closest friends will forever be my closest friends, but we don't talk or see each other as much as we used too. The lack of communication, I find, is the result of personal ambitions, relocation, and changing priorities.

We are the sum of all our experiences. To ignore the life and contributions of my childhood friends is like ignoring a big part of who I am. Living here in North Carolina is great. I have made new friends and created new memories, but my formative years are special. Those people are special.

So, to all of you around the world that have contributed to my life. Yes, this means you my friend, family, school mate, brother, crush, love, teacher, administrator, neighbor, pastor, and role model, I say thank you. Thank you for the moment(s) and memories we share.

In reading this, I want you to know how much I appreciated our time, however short or long; and hopefully, through the use of technology, we can reconnect, maintain, and strengthen our friendship for the future.

Feedback
In the comment section below, feel free to share your thoughts. What costs have you experienced in the process of growing up? What changes or sacrifices have you made to get to where you are? Are there any particular memories of youth you find most valuable? Let's explore this topic together.

Until next time...

Image via Tipu Kibria

Are you a people collector or people connector? That is the question. Over the past few weeks, I have taken a serious look at how some people use social media. Since the release of Twitter lists, the emphasis on follower and friend numbers seems to be an issue.

There are some that discourage large followings, while others seek it out. In this article, I talk about the power of numbers and how to act responsibly. To meet this goal, I will first introduce you to a couple of friends that have mastered the art of networking; second, we will identify similarities between them; and third, I will share some tips on how to strengthen your networking prowess.

The Go-to-Guy
In February 2007, I made a move to the Raleigh-Durham area. My experience in web development, along with an MBA, led me into an IT Management position at North Carolina Central University. Within the first few days, I was introduced to a guy that appeared to be well connected.

For starters, he lived on the cell phone. Every time I saw the guy, he was briskly walking to some unknown destination with a phone stuck to his head. I thought this guy must be extremely important if people kept calling him.


In time, I found that the phone was often used in both directions. He made just as many calls as he received. To my surprise, many of the calls were not for him, but rather on behalf of someone else. On a number of occasions, I became the subject of a call or two and felt indebted by his ability to get things done.

It seems that whatever I needed, I could find through Roger Daniel. It's not that Roger was McGyver or anything, but when it came to networking, Roger seemed to have a connection for everything.

Even now, I still ask myself, "What would Roger do in this situation?" How might I be the next go-to-guy?

The Cosmopolitan
During my undergraduate years at Elizabeth City State University, I became friends with a guy who knew everyone. It did not matter the city or state, wherever we went he seemed to know someone. Not only did he know them, but they knew him.

Watching him work, I found that he would spark a conversation with anyone. The skill became quite handy for us when it included those introductions with the opposite sex. As a result, Ronel Brewer has since earned a healthy number of friends, fans, and followers. It seems that wherever Ronel goes, the masses go as well.

The Entrepreneur
Another friend I met in college is known for his ability to build things through an extended network of friends. From the moment he stepped on campus to the time he left to embrace his greatness, Omari Salisbury had a natural gift for grand ideas and executing them with style. I can recall campus-wide celebrations, successful business ventures, and early multimedia projects that helped to define him as a great business man, motivator, and leader.

From a distance, I watched him expand his list of supporters to include campus leaders, faculty, staff, and administrators. It seemed as though he could do and build anything he wanted.

After graduation, he took those wings and flew higher. One day he is in Seattle hosting a huge party with celebrities and then the next day he is in Tanzania building an empire. While Omari is a very intelligent guy, he also understands his limitations. As a result, he continues to find and work with some of the worlds most talented individuals. For him, the sky is the limit.

What Is The Common Denominator?
Looking at each of the aforementioned individuals, we find that each one has a gift working with people. My mother used to say I was a people person, but Roger, Ronel, Omari, and a childhood friend named James Shaw all possess that skill times ten. Each one knows how to make an introduction and maintain relationships over thousands of miles.

In addition, I have come to find that each one has a huge network of friends, colleagues, and contacts that is nurtured over time. At any moment, they could rally the masses into action. This is a power that many aspire to wield.

People Collector or People Connector

People Collector
Through observation, I see a number of social media users race to grow their number of followers, friends, readers, and fans. To many, this number represents success, riches, happiness, and fulfillment. The short-sighted goal of attracting more people for the sake of attracting more people seems empty and cold.

People collecting, as my friend Janine once termed it, is the act of gathering people for the purpose of show them off. "Look how many friends I have!" is something a people collector might say.

People Connector
On the other hand, we have individuals that seek to serve and help others by employing their resources. In the case of social networking, we are talking about being a router. My friend Thomas termed the word "router" as one who has the connection to get things done. Tell a router that you have car problems and within seconds they are on the phone calling an automobile mechanic for assistance.

Not only do they call a mechanic, but they practically deliver the mechanic to your front door. Once on a mission, the router does not stop until your need is met.

Being a people connector is something I seek to become one day. By nature, I am not thinking about connections unless specifically asked. Often, a router is on the phone before you can even form the request for help.

The Path To Connection
To become a people connector, consider the following suggestions:

Be Sincere
Find it within yourself to help others without seeking a reward. If possible, do something nice without disclosing where the good deed originated. In the end, you will grow a habit of helping from the heart, not from the pocket book or treasure chest.

Connect With People When You Need Nothing
Maintaining relationships with people is important. Make it a point to call or visit your friends on a regular basis. Even if you have nothing exciting to say, find out how someone else is doing. Remember, it is not about you.

Be Consistent
While the drama of life may change from day to day, do your best to remain consistent. Build on good habits to become better, but continue to do those positive things that people need.

Be Ready to Act When Called Upon
The call to action can come at any time. Routers are available even when it is least convenient. Therefore, be prepared to lend a helping hand and act swiftly to see it through.

Keep Your Word
Your word is your bond. If you say you will do something, then be certain you do it. Trust takes time to built, but only moments to lose. Therefore, remember a quote from Omari, "A honest no is much better than a doubtful yes."

Let's Talk About It
In this article we looked at the difference between people collectors and people connectors. What experiences have you had interacting with these types of people? What other tips would you recommend to those seeking to be a router versus just a collector?

Let's get together in the comment section below.

Until next time...

Image via Helios89

In the last entry, I talked about the value of engaging with readers and friends to become smarter. During its release, I watched how people shared the link on Twitter. My observation revealed the first generation of readers simply retweeted the title of the entry as it was written.

Surprisingly, at some point, the tweet message changed and found a life of its own. Instead of stressing a blogger's perspective, the tweet focused on embracing the power of Twitter. It was ingenious.

To date, the entry rests at 48 retweets (thank you Tweetmeme). For some, that would be a slow day, but for me that is the largest number of retweets I have earned thus far. As you can imagine, I am very appreciative that my readers felt compelled to pass it on (Thank you!).

Lessons Learned
So, what is the lesson we can take from this experience? For starters, and this is probably the most obvious answer, some people have a lot of followers. In the case of one reader, their tweet was retweeted a couple dozen times. This could mean that one has established trust with their followers and provides an ongoing value.

Another idea is that people react to certain words and phrases. Personally, my day is full and I often skim titles from within Google Reader, Facebook, and Twitter. As a result, I often miss good information because the title failed to grab my attention. In another instance, the title fails to communicate what I can find inside.

Through Google Reader, I find that my friends, or fellow bloggers, will restate popular news items into something more interesting. So, if this is happening in my circle, I would have to assume this happens to you, too.

How to Market Your Blog
Now that we know this, what is the solution? The solution is to market your blog entry like an author markets a book. This means getting out there in the world and selling your ideas. Below are a few ideas on how to do this from within Twitter or any other social media tool.

Pose Questions
Take a look at your entry and develop thought-provoking questions that people may have. Having already written the solution within your latest entry, attach a shortened URL to the end of your question. Using this technique will attract those people in search of answers.

Freshen the Title
There are many ways to create titles for blogs. In fact, I will probably run through a myriad of ideas for this article, only to end up with one. With this step, you can actually put some of those other titles to good use by sharing them as a tweet or status update.

Promote Readers
As your blog grows in popularity and readers start to respond, try sharing the most innovative ideas from your comment section. As I learned through an earlier blog, I have some extremely intelligent readers. Why don't you promote their ideas, arguments, and perspectives as a way to invite other readers into the conversation? As with all things, give credit where credit is due.

Use Popular Buzz Words
If you are a regular on Twitter, you know about trending topics. In short, trending topics are key words that people are using within their tweets. Take advantage of buzz words, trending topics, and popular terms to catch the eye of readers. In this way, you might get a few more milliseconds to sell the story.

Closing Thoughts
In this day and age, spammers are everywhere. The line between a successful sale of your article and a spammer can get blurred quite quickly, if you are not aware. Things to remember before you race out and start marketing yourself:

Promote in Moderation
Promoting a product, event, or idea, is alright. Be firm but not annoying. When sharing news via Twitter, Facebook, or some other social media tool, remember that your posts will end up on someones page, so refrain from hijacking the stream with your marketing blitz.

Ask for Permission If you are going to use someone's comment to market your article, be certain to ask permission first. It may not a big thing to some, but it helps build trust and shows that you respect your visitors.

Have Fun!
Lastly, after churning out a thoughtful blog post, it is time to have fun. Engage with your readers often, listen to them, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Feedback
I would love to hear from you. If you are a blogger, what techniques do you use to market your articles? Do you rely solely on word of mouth? What do you find most challenging?

Not a blogger? That's ok, what is the most annoying marketing strategy bloggers use? How would you like to be approached?

Let's get together in the comment section and explore this issue even more.

Until next time...

Image via Chrisdlugosz

Special Note: I have to start this article by thanking Mark Essel, Shari Weiss, Myrna Weinreich, AJ_Kohn, Jesse Stay, Robert Scoble, and Louis Gray, who helped me see the light. THANK YOU!

Everyday is another opportunity to learn. In my most recent lesson, I have come to understand the value of engaging my readers. I'm sure you've heard it all before, but let me stress the importance and value of this small detail. In this article, I will introduce my epiphany to you and share the value that it brings.

It all started yesterday. I just finished writing an article on Twitter Lists and I was in the process of doing a final read-through. As I neared the end, I realized that I had more questions than I had answers. As a passing thought, I decided to seek some guidance from my readers.


In the real world, I know I'm smart, but I also know that there are brilliant minds out there. The more I learn, the more I learn I don't know much at all.

Within moments of posting, I received my first comment. The exchange opened my eyes to another point of view. Subsequent posts offered me the opportunity to examine my own position. As a result, I felt smarter. Interesting.

What happens if I pay the same respect on other people's blogs? In a similar fashion, I received quick responses from those authors who seemed to challenge my views with ease.

The idea is simple. Talk to people and get smarter. If it is so simple, why aren't more people doing it? If they are, why haven't they done it sooner?

Whatever the reasons, today is a new day. Each one of us that writes a blog, tweets on Twitter, or posts in Facebook, should take this opportunity to extend ourselves and find ways to engage with each other. It doesn't have to happen only online, because this is applicable to the real world.

What Is The Value Of Engagement?

Outside the obvious answer of being social, there are some real benefits to engagement. Let's look at a few.

Challenge Your Own Views
As I learned through a rich dialog with readers, I found that my own experiences, opinions, and stance was questioned. I was forced to examine my views and assess their relevance. The answer may not be one of right or wrong, but rather a full review of the gray areas. For me, the dialog makes me more aware and conscious of the bigger picture.

Strengthened Connections
Through rigorous debates and lively dialog, we grow closer. Some of my best childhood friends were once strong opponents on the playground. Challenges seem to bring out the best in people.

Increased Readership
Success breeds success. Ever wonder why those bloggers with a bunch of activity in their comment section continues to grow? I believe its where the activity lies. Nobody wants to attend a party with only one person. We want to be where the people are. So it is with your blog, Twitter, and Facebook. Engage often and they will come.

Fun
The final reward for engaging your readers is fun. Talking, joking, and learning with others is a blast. If you're not having fun, why continue to do it?

Conclusion
The life lesson for today is engagement. Seek to get out of your comfort zone and interact with your readers, associates, and friends. Challenge your own biases and seek to understand the opinions of others. As a result, you will learn something new, increase and strengthen your friendships, and have fun.

I hope this helps you enjoy life just a little bit more than you do. What other words of wisdom would you add here? Any real life examples you'd like to share? If so, let's talk in the comment section below.

Until next time...

Image via Clairphotography

This past week, many of us were introduced to Twitter lists. As with all new things, we are trying to figure out how to use the tool. For those who have not yet had the opportunity to play around with Twitter lists, take a moment to read, "Twitter Rolls Out List Feature".

As of this entry, I have created only one list. The list is private and groups a few of my closest Twitter friends.

After adding a few names to the private list, I started thinking how I might organize other people into groups. Looking at Chris Brogan, Louis Gray, or Robert Scoble, I struggle with the right word to describe them. Are they bloggers, technology experts, social media gurus, or a combination of them all?

You may think its easy to group people into categories, but this situation shows me that I am not quite ready. I have friends from high school, college, fraternity, home town, and everywhere in between.


With lists, we reduce complex people into a single thought or idea. This isn't to say a group is a bad thing, but the option really begs us to rethink our relationships with others.

For those who have already made the plunge into lists, there is an opportunity to see where you stand in the world. It is awfully revealing.

For bloggers, marketers, brands, and individuals alike, this is an opportunity to measure your influence and the effectiveness of your message. If, for example, you are a blogger that talks about social media tools, you would expect to see your name listed in groups related to social media. What if you were listed in a group that was totally unrelated to your blog's theme?

The answer to that question provides an insight into the mind of your audience. Maybe people look at you as an inspiration, comedian, technologist, or expert. Whatever the title, it will either reinforce your branding or shed some light on how people really view you.

The the more people categorize you, the better gauge you have to either change your ways or keep doing what you're doing. I believe it is a fantastic metric for those individuals and companies that seek to measure their online reputation, influence, and effectiveness.

For those following themselves on Twitter lists, what has surprised or encouraged you the most thus far? What are your overall thoughts so far about Twitter's new release? Let's explore this together in the comment section below.

Until next time...