nearly catching up

Things at work have been really busy and so 23 things has fallen behind.

Thing 5 was reflective practice - which I looked at and would like to think that I do try and do. When I have attended courses I do think what I wanted from it and what I have got out of it, my boss is good at reminding me to do this - I am lucky. Blogs are a good way of keeping a record of things - just as a paper diary would have been in the past.

Thing 6 - online networks -

Linkedin - I have joined - I recently attended Springboard training , a programme specifically designed for women. As I work at the University of Leeds this is where I attended it but it is a national programme, run over 4 months. A previous attendee had set up a group on linkedin and I joined that group. My profile is very sketchy and am conscious is something that needs beefing up.

Facebook - I love facebook but not for work related things - but having said that would never put on something that I would not want my boss to know as some of my "friends" are people from work. However I can see that it can be used in a work related context just as twitter can - it is the blurring of boundaries - but is also the never switching off as well? We were talking at work recently about how before the advent of mobile phones/email - which alas alack I am old enough to remember - a holiday was a holiday - you left an office -and that was it - no work. Nowadays do we ever switch off?

Lispn - I joined this after attend the CILIP New Professionals Conference in 2010 where it was launched. I sometimes look at it and when I was considering a Masters course I did post a question on it.

These are the only online networks I use so am unable to comment on the others mentioned.

Thing 8 is google calendar -which I am not going to bother with, I use outlook for work, and have used it for such a long time with no trouble that I can't see the point of spending time learning another system. I am also old fashioned - I have a paper diary which goes everywhere with me - I have always used one, it functions as a notebook too - I can look back at them - a list generates a memory - a certain pen used can do the same. A few years ago I left one on the seat of a shopping trolley where it had been perched with my list - I never got it back and was very upset, it was a beautiful redstone diary, I loved it.

Thing 9 is Evernote - not had a go at this yet but having just read someones blog about how good it is I will have a go.

Thanks heavens nearly caught up.

Tweets and feeds

Like many other people I am a tweet sceptic - I joined twitter some time ago - and sometimes look but more often don't. So I will have another go in honour of doing CPD23.

RSS feeds are useful and also signing up to blogs via email. I have received updates from a librarian in Australia for quiet some time - http://bookgrrl.wordpress.com/ - it is a blog I really enjoy reading and miss receiving it when she doesn't update it for any reason. I like the fact it is a mixture of personal and professional -and often with photos. It appeals because she is so far away......

As so many other people have been unsure about Pushnote - I have not bothered to look at it due to lack of time, perhaps to go back to.

Branding, it's a hard one.

I did as suggested and googled my name -the next 23 things step - and it has made me realise that I have left things half done - story of my life? I thought I was good at "attention to detail" -starting to wonder. I was found on facebook and linkedin -where I have a very sketchy presence - so I am going to flesh that out -it doesn't look good. My name also came up for Pudsey Pacers - the running club I am a member of - that's ok, I think....and that was about it. Nothing embarassing so that was good.

The concept of branding has made me think about my "visual identity" -I have a degree in Art & Design - I should be able to do this - it's a hard one though - not sure that I want to put a photo of me on my blog - but then if I don't have a photo of me - what do I put?

Thinking.

getting left behind

Although I had such good intentions I already feel that I am getting left behind with the 23 things......I have looked at other peoples blogs - and then some more -and more - so many to chooose from....I picked some to follow -but know I will end up adding more....and then some more....

I have decided that I am going to be strict with myself and limit the time I spend per day on 23 things -otherwise...and perhaps I need to limit the number of blogs I follow....

I couldn't resist starting to make a list...that's a good thing - it's been a while since I wanted a list.

I have started to think about "branding" -the next "thing" but I can see that also making me get further behind.

(Note to self - I will catch up, but not today -it's too hot).

First week - fear.

First week, first blog.

Fear.

I have struggled all week about what to write in this blog.

So, I am just going to start it - with nothing to say -yet - and hope that as I get into my stride with the "23 things" concept and read what other people blog - I find something to blog too.

Fingers crossed.