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[Dee Light Contribution Level: 2]

Ever ask that about some new tech gadget-----this is probably a question for those of us over 50. I was reading Set's post today about his fav ipad. I looked at my daughter (14) and asked her if she knew what an ipad is and does she know how to use it. She said "Mom its easy to figure out that stuff". (She's way too busy to show her mom this stuff and she would only know what the kids' use of the thing would be).

Oooo k. But with technology going as fast as it does I think it would be good if there were classrooms in our towns where we could have someone right there to show us how "it" works!! I mean to really get the full value out of the gadget---you know what I mean?

How do we keep up with the technology today???
How do YOU learn all this stuff?
Please share. This inquiring mind wants to know.
Thanks

[Victor A. Roestad Contribution Level: 1]

I know exactly what you mean.

I'm only 28 years old and feel I follow this stuff quite well, but when I talk
to my nephews of 12 they are well on their way on knowing more than
me on computer stuff.

What I found though is that to be up todate with new gadgets and other
things you first need to build an interest. Without an interest for learning
you will not learn.

You might say that the interst just isn't there, but it is possible to build your
interest at will...you just need to figure out some emotional reason to why
knowing this will make you feel good.

Think about how good it will feel to show your kid that you can still learn or
just how great it is to just show yourself this.

The brain dosn't slow down...it's just something we tell our self when we
have decreased challeging it for a while

So, keep on challenging yourself and your mind and always be a student of
what you believe to be important to you. Your mind is the key and you
controll your mind.


Warmest regards,

Victor A. Roestad

[Dee Light Contribution Level: 2]

That's great Victor. So true---made me laugh.

I would love it tho if there was some kind of group for technically challenged people

like me. lol I have the desire----its just the time factor figuring out all these things---but no one says it must be done----- like yesterday----unless you're me.
Thanks for your input!

[Warren Veach Company: State Continuing Education Contribution Level: 4]

Hi Dee,

Quite frankly, I don't worry about learning all the newfangled techie items that come out. Especially those that are going to require me to be on a different service provider or change to a Apple line of products.

If, a product comes out that definitely has a clear cut advantage, and can improve the way I do things, then I'm likely to take a closer look at it.

Take for example, the iPhone. Since 95% of my work is done right here from my laptop, why do I need a phone to get on the internet or tell me the weather (I usually look out the window), order flowers (I have a back yard), show me how to get to the stadium (I have lived here for 35 years-I know where it is), check my facebook/twitter, etc (I just open a new tab)?

Besides, usually the new stuff that comes out is going to undergo significant improvements within the first couple of years it is out, so why not get the improved, and often better working version, and probably pay less for it as well?

Just my opinion...

[Dee Light Contribution Level: 2]

Warren, you made me laugh . . .

"Take for example, the iPhone. Since 95% of my work is done right here from my laptop, why do I need a phone to get on the internet or tell me the weather (I usually look out the window), order flowers (I have a back yard), show me how to get to the stadium (I have lived here for 35 years-I know where it is), check my facebook/twitter, etc (I just open a new tab)?"

ahh---the simple life. . . it's a sweet thing.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[Paul Murphy Company: Vitamark International Contribution Level: 7]

Think what the world and universe will offer us 10 years from now Dee! My motto is I will learn what I need to know, and not worry about the rest! Toys and gadgets evolve and become more user friendly over time.
Old enough to remember the unveiling of the calculator, it was an amazing thing to behold!

[Tim Stephens Contribution Level: 2]

Hello All!

I have an IPhone and although it is cool, I am really starting to think all I need is a phone....with big buttons and no other services other than unlimited minutes (National and Local).

Is there anything out there like that?

Tim

[Richard Bravo Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 9]

.

Well for me, the tech stuff and the details are what I'm good at, and as a computer geek it just happens to be a big topic of interest to me. So I keep pretty close tabs on the pulse of what's going on.

I have several methods of doing this ...

Google Alerts - I almost never watch tv, I dont read newspapers and one of my last favorite magazines went under awhile back 'business 2.0', so I really don't read magazines any more.

Instead I read a bunch of blogs every week and watch online videos and podcasts.
I use Alerts to focus on certain keywords that I want to follow so I have a custom tailored mind feed waiting for me at any given time of the day. Its the closest thing I've found to plugging into a Matrix style training module. Knowledge on demand ... that's hot!

Twitter - this is such a wildly misunderstood media. You have the pulse of the planet in the palm of your hand in 140 characters or less with millions of conversations every second. BAM! Practically anything you want to know, chances are someone is talking about it. All you have to know is how to listen and look for it.

and my own research ... constantly hunting and scouring the web for more information. I'm an info junkie. as David Gahan said ... I Just Can't Get Enough.

For those not as 'passionate' about this stuff or not as zealous in the pursuit of acquiring the information, I suggest finding someone that is, that you can follow that plays DJ so to speak. Someone who is good at cherry picking what is relevant and truly useful, that kicks out updates in that landscape.
This allows you to get a quick fix, stay up to date, then move on and focus on what is important for your business without all the ground work of doing the research, wasting valuable time, etc.

... On that note, Gary Vaynerchuck points out in his book 'CrushIt!' that becoming an info DJ will be a huge position for people wanting to create an online presence. Just a little food for thought when you are thinking about ways to garner an audience and expand your list.

How can you position yourself as a "DJ" in your business?

At the end of the day though, I think the core issue is knowing what you want to do.
What are your goals? What are you trying to achieve?
And I don't mean that in some touchy feely "life's work" kind of way.
I mean, at a very basic level, right here - right now, what are your business goals for the next 3,6,9,12 months? Now how does all "this stuff" play into that picture?

See I think a large part of why this is all so overwhelming for people is because from what I've seen, 99% of the "courses" and so forth out there only teach "how" from a monochromatic perspective.
example ... You Need a Blog - Here's How To Build One. You Need to Use Twitter - Here's How to Use Twitter. etc., etc.

What they fail to do is "teach you - WHY."

• It is a perfectly logical argument to say that some people don't need to use TweetDeck.
• Some people may never need to know much of anything about SEO other than a few basic principles.
• Some people may not ever need to know anything more about RSS feeds other than how to setup a FeedBurner account.

The point is, there are some levels of "knowing" that are simply too deep and irrelevant to the average user and those people really shouldn't be bothered with the added stress of learning what an IT junkie knows.

Your knowledge will expand as is required by the growth and transformation of your business.
So I would caution not to fall into the trap of having to know "everything" in order to start or to have any level of success.

• Find a good blueprint to follow.
• Learn the basics.
• Implement the basics.
• Learn how to split test things.
• Learn how to track what you are testing.
• Learn how to analyze the data you collect from your tracking.
• Learn how to look at your processes, determine what's missing and make the adjustments.
• Rinse and Repeat.

Does that make sense?

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[Peter Grimes Company: SendOutCards Contribution Level: 3]

Dee,
Like Richard, I too am an IT bloke (it's my current day job) and i get asked the same question all the time. The answer I give is rather simple yet profound, "I don't". That's it, you can't, no one possibly can keep up with it all, that is just the way life goes.
BUT
You most definitely can keep up and learn that which truly interests you or that you need. For me, less is more. For too long I have tried to be all things to all people and it darn nearly drove me nuts. Now I simply smile, give an answer if I know or otherwise, point them in the direction of he that knows, Mr Google.

Thanks for the post!

[Dee Light Contribution Level: 2]

Wow, great responses guys! Thank you SO much for your feedback. Great mini book Richard!

I agree with getting my info from where I want it. Living in this information age the garbage heap of useless or skewed info grows and grows. There's SOOOO much "stuff" flying through the air I get protective of my mind and soul.

I was starting to feel a bit insecure that yet another gadget is here and I haven't caught up on the last 5 Thanks for straightening me out guys.