I wish I could recall who told me to expect my kids to spill milk every night and be happy when they don't.  It's one of those simple, slow burning ideas that reveals new insights from time to time. 

A few recent examples I've encountered.  

How many?:

• loan closings go through with out issues
• prospect no's before the win
• times do you not enocunter a 'bad' driver

I'm not suggesting we don't increase our odds and "improve everything", but shouldn't we expect failure, mess, delays and things to go wrong - we can be pleasantly suprised when they don't happen.

So what do you do with those nagging emails that can't be processed yet?  Do you convert it to a task, schedule it on a calendar, let it circle your inbox like an albatross?

Well, I did a little of each until recently, when I discovered Boomerang for Gmail, it's absolutely fantastic.

Here's a few simple suggestions for how it can declutter your inbox...

• Reminders for specific times and days
• Schedule birthday/holiday notes to go out at optimal times
• Sales follow ups (Boomerang can even come back to your inbox if you haven't received a reply!)
• Clear out confirmation emails and have them return as needed

To be noted: I'm in the 30 day honeymoon phase, but am already giving serious consideration to the $5 per month plan.  

Next time you see me, ask me if I'm still 'in love' with BoomerangGmail. : )

One of the dangers of 'opting out' (intentionlly or unintentionally) of any platform, is that you get branded vs. do the branding.

I recently put the 'IPFW Alumni Center' on FourSquare (location based check in service) - and with just two check ins, on two consecutive days, became 'Mayor' (the infomal, unelected representative of the establishment).  Being an infrequent destination, it didn't take long to overthrow me.  Of course the new mayor is, at least in part, the new 'face' of the brand (on FourSquare).

So -- is this a positive association, is there brand alignment -- is this someone you want as your spokesperson?

Did you know even know about FourSquare?  

It's hard to evaluate all these channels, but it doesn't unfortunately matter.

How are you staying informed and plugged in? 

Well, if you are here in Fort Wayne - there are things like the Social Media Breakfast, you should check it out: http://www.facebook.com/smbftw and if you are not in Fort Wayne - I bet it's never been easier to find out where the tribes are gathering...

It's tempting to organize relationships and people into static descriptors... the trouble is, it often doesn't work - as people tend to change (just like you).

At a TEDx organizer meeting last Friday, I mentioned we needed leaners, not lurkers and someone appropriately challenged me -- lurkers might be our future leaders.

I still find it helpful to categorize -- it helps prioritize, focus and produce my art, but I created an aid to help me visualize a positive framing for various 'stages'.

The other observation, we all actively spend time in each area -- just be aware, adapt as necesary, and get busy doing your ART - we need your leadership!

[lurkers and leaners, is a great concept I SWIPE'd* from Tribes by Seth Godin]

* SWIPE (steal with intergrity practically everything)