Privacy or no privacy? That is the question.

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  Although I tried, and tried, I simply could not figure a way to relate social media security, social media policy and meditating together.  Therefore I apologize for anyone surfing this particular post for meditation info (check my archive).  

 Social Media Security, Social Media Policy ... What?

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY   

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What it is.  Corporations set a policy in place to outline appropriate behavior and guidelines for employees whom participate on the Internet.  Social media policy is a corporate code of conduct that attempts to protect the employer as well as the employees.  Organizations must critique their policy frequently as “technology: it changes so fast... reflects the need for policy to run alongside  as fast as possible” (Mitrano, 2006).  

SOCIAL MEDIA (NETWORK) SECURITY 

 


What it is.  Social media security is essentially employing ways to protect you while interacting and networking with others in a social online environment.  Such examples include passwords, privacy settings, protection software (mal-ware), etc.  Social media (networking) security is acknowledging that privacy is lost once it hits the cyber waves.       




Protecting oneself in this socially connected society is important.   The appropriate action to protect oneself is not difficult.  It takes time, effort and a little smarts.  Check out my mini checklist to get you started in smarter social networking:  

Check list

• Strong Password.  Be encouraged to create a strong password.  Be smart.  Many are guilty of using answers to common information such as pet’s name, mother’s maiden name, or perhaps middle name.  Think first – most of these are included somewhere on your social profile.  Facebook has an app that enables you to list family members – voila – mother’s maiden name.  You’ve uploaded a photo of your adorable four-legged friend to your social profile – viola – most likely you have included his/her cute little name (who doesn’t like to brag about their adorable pet). 



Do you dare? Click here to try.

• How can I create a strong password?  Think numbers, special characters (if allowable) or perhaps create a phrase.  Example “IL2M” means “I Love 2 Meditate” (yay! I included meditation) – maybe throw a random number at the end. 
• Avoid using the same password for every site you visit.  Thieves break one password and they have your entire social world at their finger tips.

• Think before you click.  If the content you are sharing or posting to your social network isn’t something you would prefer your employer, grandmother or future mother-in-law to see… DO NOT POST IT.  Once it has hit the Internet it is nearly impossible to erase its digital footprint.

• Employees leave your ranting for behind closed doors.  According to the National Labor Relations Act employees are allowed to converse with each other about workplace conditions.  The kicker – if you post inappropriate statements without “engaging in dialogue with other employees” you are no longer protected.  If you want to gamble your career just be sure a fellow employee is engaging in dialogue with you (Halpern & Gardner, 2012, para. 2).  Disclaimer:  I will not be held responsible for your pink slip. 

• Protection.  We ask our employers to protect us from sexual harassment, workplace violence, etc.  Social media is another policy employers retain the right to enforce (with limitations, yes).  However if a social media policy is “implemented in response to union activities are particularly scrutinized” (Halpern & Gardner, 2012, para. 9).   

     
For many, social media is a private activity therefore leading one to feel as if an employer’s involvement or governing is unethical.  But this is where you set yourself up for disaster.  Believing that anything you have or do on the Internet is private is blissful thinking.  The Internet brings many advantages to our society but not without disadvantages accompanying it.  Value the protection offered by your employer and the privacy settings presented by networks – but it comes down to you – be smart – the Internet opens your house to many many doors.  

Some closing thoughts...

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References

Halpern, S. J., & Gardner, C. H. (2012, December 3). When is Your Company's Social Media Policy an Unfair Labor Practice? Retrieved from National Law Review: http://www.natlawreview.com/article/when-your-company-s-social-media-policy-unfair-labor-practice-recent-nlrb-decisions-

Mitrano, T. (2006, January 1). A Wider World: Youth, Privacy, and Social Networking Technologies. Retrieved from EDUCAUSE: http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/wider-world-youth-privacy-and-social-networking-technologies

  

Don'tcha Wanna Know?

I have received a few comments pertaining to the relationship between mediation and successful people.  Many times those we find to be most at peace in life surrounded by purpose and focus we later learn practice meditation.  I thought it would be interesting to provide some insight on those in the spotlight who practice this mental exercise and see if perhaps the revelations shock you.
(Remember, scroll over my photos for more information.  Thanks Stipple!)

Oprah Winfrey

  Albert Einstein

Jerry Seinfeld 

Phil Jackson & Michael Jordan 

Tiger Woods 

Steve Jobs

Russell Simmons 

 

 Paul McCartney 

A further list can be found here. 
 

I feel honored with all the comments I have received on my blog and I say with sincerity, thank you.  Without your curiosity and openness to hearing what I have to say, this blog would not have a purpose.  I hope you will allow me to continue with you in your discovery of meditation.  

Meditate to achieve your “laughable goals”

If my title leaves you wondering “huh” then you are most likely a visitor from outside of my social media course at Marist.  Please, just bear with me; I will relate it to meditation… read on.  (Scroll over my images for hidden details.)

Erik Qualman (2012) is a rather interesting author of Digital Leadership, a book essentially based on “5 simple keys to success and influence.”  One of his many fascinating points leads us to chapter twelve titled “Set Laughable Goals” (Qualman, 2012, p. 177).  He begins with a quote that you may consider cliché however the heightened success the author achieved should make you think twice about its sincerity. 

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Now, you may ask, what are “laughable goals?” 

•  A goal that is achievable through an “audacious road map” that “leads to a pot of gold.”
•  A goal that many people will ridicule or “scoff at.”
•  A goal that is above average and inspiring.
•  A goal that “stretches” above the sights you typically set for yourself (Qualman, 2012, p. 178).

"People should laugh at the audacity of our goals" it is inspiring

 (Qualman, 2012, p. 178).

Social media has presented us with a unique opportunity that can positively influence us in attaining our “laughable goals.”  Consider for a moment the advice Jimmy Skunk gave Peter Rabbit:

 

"There’s nothing in a name except

Just what we choose to make it.

It lies with us and no one else

How other folks shall take it.

It’s what we do and what we say

And how we live each passing day

That makes it big or makes it small

Or even worse than none at all.

A name just stands for what we are;

It’s what we choose to make it.

And that’s the way and only way

That other folks will take it."

Recognizing that “a name is just a name – it only takes on importance when we allow it to” is a significant step in achieving your “laughable goals” (Qualman, 2012, p. 185).  Harnessing social media will present you with digital opportunities to build your name/recognition.  Twitter offers #hashtags to categorize conversations.  Discovering the tags that will allow interaction between you and those significant to obtaining your goal will improve your road to success.  As an aspiring author, you may find a #bookclub hashtag will lead you to users who love to read therefore offering an opportunity to build relationships.  These relationships lead to them exploring your Twitter page – in turn to your website that outlines your recently released novel – guides them to a purchase location – and ultimately increases your “laughable goal” – to sell 50,000 books (Qualman, 2012).  

Now For those of you outside of my Marist course or perhaps you attend and are interested in meditation -  

I know you are asking how this relates to meditation?

Here it goes...

This is another advantage of meditation - reaching your goals, your "laughable goals."  Through the digital leadership Qualman has presented via social media it is easy to realize there are many ways to assist you in your meditation goals.  Whether they may be for business or a personal desire social media supplies you with opportunities to reach those experienced in meditation, those knowledgeable of diverse forms of meditation, etc.  But my supreme message to you, my reader, is that the mental practice of mediation positions you to attain your goals.  Begin by asking yourself if you lack self-control?

 

Forbes expresses that self-control is a “componentof emotional intelligence” (Bradberry, 2012).  Emotional intelligence is what concentrates us on our goals and allows focusing on the achievement, making it possible.  In dealing with self-control, our nature is to overpower our successes for our failures.  Be honest, we all fall victim to this!  To boost our self-control Forbes (2012) outlines the number one secret as – meditation. 

 

“Meditation actually trains your brain to become a self-control machine 

(and it improves your emotional intelligence)”  

(Bradberry, 2012).

! Question Time !

• Have you supported yourself enough to set "laughable goals?"
• Is reaching your "laughable goals" reason enough to meditate? 

                                                                                                                                                         

References

Bradberry, T. (2012, September 17). The Six Secrets of Self-Control. Retrieved from Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2012/09/17/the-six-secrets-of-self-control/

Qualman, E. (2012). Chapter 12: Set Laughable Goals. In E. Qualman, Digital Leader (pp. 177-190). New York: McGraw Hill.