According to the Chinese zodiac, 2011 is the year of the rabbit (beginning February 3rd.) Social media is hopping. Time to jump on it! (with precautions of course…)

Let’s look back to the age old Aesop fable, The Tortoise and the Hare. (have a second or sixty? read up.)  In the fable, the egotistic hare thinks he will crush the timely tortoise in a race, so much so that he decides to take a nap halfway through the race. As he catches some zzz’s, the tortoise slowly but surely slugs by and is the first to the finish line. The hare is astonished and can’t believe he lost to a tortoise! Aesop finishes the tale with some timely advice, “slowly does it every time.”

Aesop was a smart man with a wise plan. In today’s world, everything seems to be speeding by, and you may think, “I really need to hurry up, and get content out there to be on par with the rest of social media world.” The problem with this thinking is it will tire you to be like the hare and you’ll need a nap right when things are passing by.

This year, recognize things take time to build. Don’t be arrogant and think you are ahead of the game before it is even played. Do some research before you hop into the social media scene. Know what you want to say. Have a social media plan  for the week,  month, and the new year!

New years bring new resolutions. Remember the age old lesson that our friend, Mr. Hare, seemed to forget; you need more than speed to win the game; hearts and smarts will get you to the finish line first. Take your time and enjoy the race.