Radical Accountability

"I'm over LinkedIn."

I've said those words more times than I can count in the last 6 months. It's part of why I've been radio silent on here (keyword: part).

As someone who's made a living helping people find their voices here, grow their businesses thanks to being on here, and build relationships to find jobs thanks to connections on here...it's strange not being on the platform for such an extended period of time.

But as I type this here message, it's because I'm finally remembering to apply the school of thought that I use in almost every other area of my life and it's: Radical Accountability.

It's my fault that I've fallen out of love with LinkedIn. It's not the cat posts that are just a clear grab for attention and social likes. It's not the selfies of bosses crying because they have to lay people off that are more than cringe (ok, maybe that one a little bit, lol), it's because I stopped taking control of what I was seeing and just let the algorithm do its thing. Showing me garbage instead of purposefully looking for content from people like Amy Volas or Ashley Fox.

I've been someone who has watched the explosion of influencers since 2007 and the early days of YouTube. I've seen the power of people sharing their voices, their knowledge and their experiences and I've benefited greatly from being a person of influence myself.

But I stopped setting boundaries. And that's not social media's fault, that's mine.

So, instead of enjoying the juice of the orange, I was chewing on the bitter rind thinking oranges suck. But I know better than that.

2022 was a hard year for me. Grief has many faces and many, many phases. As someone who is incredibly private, I just needed time away, you know? When you go onto social media and you get angry at things that you really needn't be angry about...it's time to take a break. And so I did.

Social media is a beautiful thing but only when you are firmly in the driver's seat. Only when you're life isn't revolving around it but instead, it's adding to it. Social media can transform your life...but you have to be really careful about how you let it transform your life, you know?

Algorithms can feel like a ball and chain. Like you'll be punished for taking time away from a platform. This is 100% true and by design. But at some point, you have to decide whether or not having that ball and chain on your ankle is worth it. I had decided that it wasn't for me anymore.

I decided that I needed to build my business in a way that allows me to enjoy my kids in the evening. That reduces my screen time (damn you Apple for those weekly reminders - yes, I know I can turn them off but they're an important reminder sometimes) and increases my level of presence off platform.

Social media is like anything else in life, we have to be radically accountable for how much time we are allowing it to take from us that we could and probably should be giving to other areas of our lives.

In my opinion, life is best lived by taking as much responsibility for what happens to us as possible.

Sure, you're not meant to take responsibility for the asshole who cuts you off on the way to the grocery store. However, you are responsible if you let something that is meant to only affect you for a moment, affect you for the rest of the week. Social media is a great tool for growing ones business but it's not the only one. Now, I'm working on new ways to leverage LinkedIn to support how I want to live my life and grow my business.

Because, at the end of the day, I'm responsible for how I let this platform make me feel and the amount of time I let it take out of my day-to-day life.

Life is a series of choices and decisions. Some people have better choices to choose from than others but that's life. Complaining about the choices others have that have faired better than you won't make your life choices any easier to make or provide any better outcomes. Make the best cake you can with the ingredients you have and keep it moving.

Take responsibility for your part in that stranded relationship. Take responsibility for the lack of revenue in your business. Take responsibility for not making the time to work out. Take responsibility for it all.

Only then can you actually do something to free yourself mentally from the trap of feeling sorry, hopeless, frustrated, or angry and make progress toward what you actually want out of life...joy, peace, freedom, happiness, etc.

So, what now? What's the point of this here article? Well, I'm just trying to encourage radical responsibility in all areas of people's lives as we close out one calendar year and start another. Next year can be the best year of your life or it can the worst. But from personal experience, I can tell you that the main difference between having a good day, a bad day, or even a great day often lies in how we choose to look at things. Don't let a bad moment turn into a bad year.

You're free to think differently but for anyone who is looking for encouragement, I hope this gives you some.

Happy Holidays and many blessings for a prosperous new year ✨

-Belinda

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