What the Pause?

What the Pause?

I am giddy with excitement for the holidays, hopeful and optimistic for a better, healthier and prosperous 2022 and also... tired!

2021 was an eventful year, right?

Redefining your social media + content strategy is more important than ever as we close out another year! I am looking forward to sharing my best tips, tools?and?strategy with you in 2022!

No alt text provided for this image
No alt text provided for this image

I am ready. Completely cooked. Just stick a fork in me - I am done.

Today is the last day of 2021 I'll be working a full day. Then I am taking a pause.

A long, luxurious, lazy pause.

Read more to find out why I firmly believe we all need a (tactical) pause as part of our strategy plan!

What the Pause?

Pause it all: at times and at the right time. You will know when it is the 'right time'.

For those who work in social media marketing like myself it looks like this:

  • Pause your Facebook groups. (There is a group function for that!)
  • Pause your inbox! Wait, there's a function for that as well.
  • Pause your meetings.
  • Pause your notifications.
  • Pause your online activities.

Are you getting the idea?

Pausing will do many things for you, least of all give you a well-deserved break from constant communication with people who are not your family, or BFF!

The Pandemic Pause That Opened Our Eyes

While COVID lockdowns served to keep people safe from a deadly virus, it also introduced us to the pandemic pause.

Families were 'forced' to cohabitate in small spaces for an extended period of time. We got creative didn't we?

We took up bicycling, running, kayaking, knitting, crocheting, painting, singing and learned new things online. As much as we initially muddled through this pandemic pause, I for one began to treasure this pause, and didn't want to give it up!

I instituted a 'no-phone Saturday' and 'no-work weekend'. Period. Just like that. Friday night until Monday morning I pause. It feels... amazing!

Together we grew! We collectively learned amazing lessons from working from home and stepping away from the daily hustle and bustle.

We realized that if we spent less money, we needed to make less, live on less, live with less.

Maybe happiness doesn't come from a store. Maybe happiness... perhaps... means a little bit more!

The Tactical Pause

I encourage you today, or these holiday weeks, to take a pause. Take an intentional pause from what distracts you from whom and what you love.

Especially if you are in crisis mode in your business or life, a tactical pause can help you plan your next moves! (think: hostile takeover, divorce, loss of a job, grieving for a loved one, illness)

Plan to pause (more) in 2022.

I am taking a full week's pause in March as I will be attending Social Media Marketing World once again. The conference is 2.5 day long, but I am pausing for a full week to make the most of flying out to San Diego and meeting up with good friends and colleagues.

Other planned pauses for 2022 include scheduling time to learn new things, visiting my adult children and training for a marathon and several other races in 2022.

Whether you pause for a weekend, a week, a month or longer, be intentional!

Being Bored Never Sounded So Good!

While a tactical pause during a crisis should have you planning for next steps, a pause for mental and physical well-being should include... not much planning at all beyond sticking with the timeline!

As I am ready to close my own laptop, I encourage you to do the same. Go be with the ones you love, go do the things you've put off and go live in the moment.

And if that includes finding yourself a bit bored, have at it!

This is what a Social Media Strategist Looks Like When Pausing

No alt text provided for this image

What's Next?

Plans for Strategy Talks in 2022 include a livestream, podcast and guests!

The pause I am taking the next week or so, will help me prepare for what's to come in 2022.

As I sign off, I want to sincerely thank you for allowing me in your inbox this year. If we've never actually talked or connected one-on-one, and you think we totally should, send me a message right here on LinkedIn. I'll be checking my inbox... in January!

Happy New Year!

Dorien Morin-van Dam

?? Organic Social Media Specialist + Chief Strategist @?More In Media

?? Subscribe Today

PS - Did you notice that "Strategy Talks" has a new logo?

Judith Rafferty

Your next copywriter in B2B, hospitality & events ? Composing clear, plucky, heart-centred words that shine during uncertain times - or at any time ?? Delegate Wranglers Superstar Supplier ? #TeamEspresso

2 年

I love this, Dorien. I've been panned in a group for suggesting a social media for business detox over the holidays. I think I deserve it. I'm a human being, not a robot, and not a slave to tjose enigmatic algorithms. ?? You've renewed my faith that we really don't need to be 'on' 365 days of the year.

回复
Joe Laber

Lead Social Barista @ A Cup of Joe Media

2 年

Dorien Morin-van Dam, it took me 47+ years to learn to PAUSE. It's still hard for me to do but I am MUCH better off physically and emotionally when I remember to!! #thanks!! :)

Anneke van der Voort-Kruk

No-nonsense LinkedIn expert voor ondernemers in de zakelijke dienstverlening | ik help je de juiste klanten vinden via LinkedIn | leer LinkedIn slim & authentiek inzetten | LinkedIn trainer

2 年

Great newslettee Dorien! Good reminder to take it a bit more easy now and then.

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Dorien Morin的更多文章

  • Content Marketing Formulas

    Content Marketing Formulas

    As I scrolled through the new LinkedIn Video Feed today, I saw this video by Purna Virji. She breaks down how to…

    6 条评论
  • Break Free from Camera Anxiety

    Break Free from Camera Anxiety

    Feeling a little - or a lot - camera shy? Don't worry, you're not alone! Millions of people around the world experience…

  • Vertical Video: Your Secret Weapon on LinkedIn

    Vertical Video: Your Secret Weapon on LinkedIn

    Okay, so I’ve been making a splash on LinkedIn with short, vertical videos about hiring freelancers and the mistakes to…

    7 条评论
  • Influencer Magic: How to Work With Influencers and Get the Videos You Want

    Influencer Magic: How to Work With Influencers and Get the Videos You Want

    Does your brand want to reach a larger audience? Do you want to grow a loyal following, an audience with highly…

    2 条评论
  • Increase Visibility - STAT!

    Increase Visibility - STAT!

    You may, or may not know that Strategy Talks is not only a newsletter but also a Liveshow (like this most recent…

  • An Invite and a Challenge

    An Invite and a Challenge

    Have you been struggling to rank well in search? How are you doing with engaging your audience on social media? Are…

    14 条评论
  • 29 Content Ideas For When You Are Stuck!

    29 Content Ideas For When You Are Stuck!

    Every once in a blue moon, or once every four years or so..

    4 条评论
  • I Wasn't Watching the Ads...

    I Wasn't Watching the Ads...

    Well..

    2 条评论
  • LinkedIn Top Voice Badges

    LinkedIn Top Voice Badges

    Last winter marked a pivotal moment with the launch of ChatGPT, captivating us with AI's potential to revolutionize our…

    9 条评论
  • Continuous Integration & Social Media Content Creation

    Continuous Integration & Social Media Content Creation

    In the software development industry where Agile originated, continuous integration is a term that describes a practice…

    2 条评论

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了