What’s Engaged, Inspired and Informed me in 2012

Last week I shared some of the best of Respectfully Disobedient.

This week for the final post of the year, I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve enjoyed this year, and I hope you do too.

I’d like to take a moment to say thanks.    This year has been an interesting ride on a number of levels. The support of each and every one of you that reads, comments and shares my work I am truly grateful.  You encourage me, challenge me and drive me to be the best I can be.

I hope you enjoy this selection

I Love Books

I’ve just received a new shipment of books that will no doubt make an appearance on My Bookcase next year.  But here’s a trio that you might like to pick up for some holiday reading.

The $100 Startup – Chris Guillebeau

Power Stories – Valerie Khoo  

The Lean Startup – Eric Ries

Making Life Easier

We all need a few tools and resources to help us get the job done, or at least stay on top of things.

Here’s some Google Analytics Features you may not be aware of cause what we measure we can change right!

Wondering if that special email you sent has been received?  Did you know you can check to see if your gmail been opened

Dropbox is an awesome addition.  It makes me wonder how I ever functioned without it.  But add some automation to the mix, and it sends it to another level.

If you missed all the initial information overload on Pinterest, here’s a quick reference point to getting a grip on Pinterest

Smart, Inspiring, engaging, & Motivating

I have a lot of blogs that feed my reader, keeping me topped up with the best the Internet has to offer.    Some hold my interest consistently and some I just dip in and out of.

I have my favourites of course, like Marie, Danielle, Seth, Julien, and Derek, but when I look back over my reading this year, these four that follow have produced some of the most interesting, inspirational, motivating and engaging content I have read, watched or listened to.

You should check them out.

Mark Schaefer

Marks blog GROW, is a commentary on marketing and social media, here’s an post to whet your appetite  Six elements of human behavior that drive social media.  You can find him on twitter @markwschaefer

Lea Woodward

Lea’s expertise is in business advice and online tech.  You might like to read – How to build the business online that you really want to run.  Lea can also be found at  Location Independent  and  Startup Training School.  Catch her on Twitter @leawoodward

Srinivas Rao

Srini can be found at both the Skool of Life where the focus is on questioning and challenging conventional wisdom and as the title implies learning from the skool of life, & Blogcast FM  where he interviews a diverse mix of inspiring and successful people.  There’s something there for everyone.  Find him on Twitter @skooloflife & @blogcastFM

Jonathan Fields

Jonathan’s latest venture the Goodlife Project  is a weekly web show capturing conversations with entrepreneurs, thought leaders and artists.  One of the most engaging series of interviews I’ve watched in some time.  Catch him on Twitter too – @jonathanfields

TED

Now unless you’ve been hiding under a log somewhere, I would think you’re already hooked up with the TED feed.  There are so many good videos that I’ve watched this year, but this one stuck in my mind.  Enjoy Seth Godin with Stop Stealing Dreams

Wishes For You

Finally my one wish for you this coming year, is that you believe in yourself…in all that you have to offer the world.  Take it.  Own it.  Rock it.

If you feel like your failures seem to be stacked disproportionately to the successes, here’s a little pick me up for you because some of the greatest successes are born out of failures.

I wish you a very happy, safe and peaceful holiday season, and I look forward to being back with you again in 2013.

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