Health and Wealth Maestros

Learn why losing the art of personal social engagement may not be the way ahead

After a challenging week getting to the root of some of our business strategies on social media, I was reminded of just how powerful personal (in-person) connections can be.

So many of our personal lives and business strategies have come to rely increasingly on social media, possibly to the detriment of other 'old-school' methods, I sometimes feel if I suggest actually talking to people, or expanding my business through social in person interaction, I am looked at like an alien.

What really prompted it was that I watched a webinar on the power of AI and how it could virtually automate my business, with next to no input from me. Being the lazy person I am of course my interest was pricked.

Intrinsically a piece of software would do all of the selling gathering etc for me, and being in a coaching business the idea was that no personal interaction was really needed from any human when coaching people. Whilst my lazy self thought wow, my more human side thought how sad.

Someone in crisis, at a turning point in their lives, would be coached by an animated avatar, maybe I am just too old? I like the idea of that personal touch, it served me well to talk to people in person when I have been in those dark places.

This week was a perfect storm as I realised that one of the social media platforms which shall remain nameless had used a 'piece of technology' to prevent me from advertising on their platform. so basically 'the bot had said no'.

I a grateful that I have several other means of working with people and promoting our business.

Of course, social media has its place, and it is great in certain circumstances.

One line of thought really struck me.

We spend a lot of time coaching people in the area of control, so many people feel out of control both in their work life and personal lives, the effect that social media has on many of them is quite profound. One overarching issue many people we coach have is the fact that they are not in control of their lives, and this is partially perpetuated by social media.

I have experienced this week a modicum of annoyance (not helpful I know) at the social media platform that for some reason (which remains elusive) the illusion of control has been challenged and I am no longer able to advertise posts.

Do I feel out of control? Well yes and no, there is always a workaround and alternative strategies, but by entirely living our personal lives and business lives online I do believe we are relinquishing control, which is at the heart of many issues people have.

As always balance provides the security we need. Use social media in your personal lives, and advertise your business using the various platforms, but be mindful of the all-in-one-stop solution promised by the social media gurus, it may well come and bite you in an unpleasant place.