We all know very well that activity within social networking can lead to distractions. With one click, we can find ourselves hopelessly lost in a labyrinth of fascinating experiences that have nothing to do with our initial focus. Serendipity is part of the splendor of social media, but it is something that necessitates discipline to learn, entertain and be entertained, while also staying the course. In the end, we exchange time and privacy for exposure and attention. – Brian Solis

No title, just a big bold font

Some of you may have noticed that I have been vacant from the social space for a while now. I vacated the social space on Oct 30th 2011 and have written this to give a little insight into the madness.

From Facebook to Twitter, Google+ to the infamous Klout. I’m over it.

I believe in innovation, ideas and creativity.
I have a passion for building, sharing and meeting real innovators.

Unfortunately I don’t believe that I achieve these traits in the social space and social networks (or mine particularly) carry the same value they once used to.

I have spent the best part of my twenties trying to find a balance that allows me to excel, achieve and enjoy life at the same time. Social media and the rise of opportunity that came with it, gave me all I needed to excel, but I am yet to find that balance of work/life happiness.

Time is everything and there is not enough of it. Status updates, following, subscribing, liking, sharing, replying, commenting, retweeting, scoring systems and badges leading to split personality disorders, manifested egos, over the top arrogance, utter bullshit and fakeness, lack of productivity, vision, direction and innovation, uncertainty, stress, boredom and ultimately… burn out.

I really want to say more, but right now I am not sure how to say it. So i’ll leave you with this from Brian Solis that sums it all up nicely.

The reality is that the cost of social networking is great and without checks and balances, engagement can cost us more capital than we have to spend. The net result is then social and emotional bankruptcy. And, the most difficult part of this unfortunate state is that it is at first difficult to recognize and far more exacting to overcome.

There’s a saying, “everything in moderation,” but it’s impossible to explore these new horizons with anything less than exuberance. This is our time and who we are online and in the real world is ours to define. But without ambition, desire, and focus, social media is a recipe for chaos. Through all of the distractions and fatigue, we must continually renew our focus to bring important goals to life based on our actions and words in each social network.

I ask you to pause for a moment. Think about what it is that inspires you. Think about what it is you are trying to achieve. Now, look at what it is you’re doing today and compare these activities and results to your aspirations. Do this at fixed intervals over time to plot your position and look ahead to where it is you’re hoping to reach. Then ask yourself, “am I on the right path?” Never stop asking that question. The answers are more important than you might think. – Brian Solis

Quotes are taken from this post by Brian Solis – The Human Cost of Social Connectivity

After a relaxing Easter weekend, it’s back to business. Hands up those of you who ate your weight in chocolate eggs? … ME ME ME! It’s fine, I found that chocolate does actually have some nutritional value.

On to more pressing matters and it’s time for another ‘remarkable individual’ to step into the spotlight.

As part of my role at Chelsea Football Club, I look after the blog platform. Last year when I transferred from Freelance United to Chelsea FC for my record fee, I looked to blogging as one of my first projects to get stuck into. I advised that we should move to WordPress and look to re-structure Chelsea FC blogging. As part of the strategy, I wanted to look to bring in external fan bloggers to blog on a regular basis as a part of the official blog. I am happy to say, both formulas have worked out well and now there is a variety of talented international authors on the blog.

Whilst we made contact with a large quantity of fan bloggers, there was one chap that stood out from the crowd particularly. Not only does this lad have a beautiful looking website, he also writes like a professional.
One thing that differentiates bloggers and journalists is their writing caliber. By no means do I think I have an outstanding ability with words, but I do love when somebody writes effortlessly with fluid story telling aligned with facts and stats.

It must be noted that I am not a Chelsea FC fan (Newcastle United if you are wondering and don’t ask), however, bluechampions.com is one Chelsea FC fan blog that I do love to read.

I am all about transforming passion into a marketable product, and if you are looking to set up a blog or a site; read this guys story and take a leaf out of his book, because VJ aka Blue Champion definitely sets the standard…

Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Vijayakrishna (VJ for the flat tongued). I’d like to call myself a writer. I’ve been a blogger for about 5 years now. I own and run this Chelsea FC blog – BlueChampions (http://www.bluechampions.com). Having singlehandedly set up, designed, maintained and grown the blog, it is now an inseparable part of my life. And yes, in order to fund my lifestyle, I work for a bank. Spending 12 hours on office/driving normally doesn’t leave anyone with lot of time for blogging. But then, ever since I started blogging, I’ve been borrowing some hours from my sleep on a daily basis.

How did you get into this industry and why did you chose this path?

I don’t know if I’ve gotten into the ‘industry’ as such. I started blogging because I love writing, I love analysing and debating. With the rise of internet and blogging, I thought that was a natural progression. People that were artists before internet could have become graphic designers now. It’s a bit like that. Plus, I strongly believe that if you have a talent and if you’re passionate enough, the ‘industry’ will find you.

What do you consider to be your biggest achievement to date?

To have brought my Chelsea blog (http://www.bluechampions.com) to where it is now. In this here-now-gone-tomorrow world of blogging, I’m quite pleased that the blog is nearing 1000 posts and has seen more than 35,000 comments. The blog has not only survived but also has grown stronger through the personal and professional ‘rain and shine’ of the last 5 years. The achievement got itself a crown when Luca contacted me to ask if I would be a blogger on the official Chelsea FC blog. Dreeeeaaaamy!

Aside: Another small scale achievement is also that I’ve managed to keep the blog ad-free all these years despite all the traffic it gets. I’m very particular on design and user experience. I’m ready to forego the revenue potential of the blog if that means the blog could look nicer for the readers. The only thing I run is a promotion for the official Chelsea FC megastore.

Was this how you had planned things to go or are you capitalising on opportunities and simply rolling with it?

I’d say it’s a mix of both. I’m generally someone who’s keen on the direction than the distance or the destination. As long as I feel that I’m in the right direction, I’ll let life take its own course and I enjoy seeing things unfold.

We’re in a new era where anyone can create opportunities for themselves. Do you agree?

Looks like it. I don’t think we quite know what all we can do with the internet and communication technology. Don’t think we know the full potential of this new era. If you have the passion, you can definitely create the opportunities for yourself.

Is who you are in reality, the same persona you represent online?

I think the answer is yes. I am what I am – offline or online. I know people tend to get more aggressive or more courageous or more courteous and nice. But I certainly don’t need the veil of internet to be the person I want to be.

What one thing can you not live without?

Family. If you give me everything I’d had ever longed for and take away my family, I won’t be happy. The things that I long for – anyways I’m living without them.

If you wasn’t in this field, what would you be doing?

Many believe that I have what it takes to be a good trainer or teacher or coach. I too like working with people to improve or develop them. That might have been my alternative career.

Name three people who have inspired you in your life.

(1) Myself: The way I have evolved as a person is a great inspiration for myself. My best teachers have been my best and worst moments and my choices and my mistakes.

If you were a superhero, who would you be and why?

Krishna – the superhero from the Indian mythology (wiki him now!). As with any superhero, he fights for the good against the evil. Krishna was said to have lived the perfect life – he had a very mischievous and adventurous childhood, he spent his adolescence as the darling of the opposite sex, he was a great ruler of his nation, he was a master of tactics and strategies and he was a great philosopher too – keep in mind that he was fighting the ‘evil’ all through these phases of life. A very colourful personality who lived his life to the fullest. I’d be him.

The world is coming to an end and you have to take one celebrity into the safe bunker to live with forever. Who do you take?

I’d pick Katrina Kaif, only because I heard she’s a good cook.

Do you have any regrets about anything?

That I’ve still not made the ‘plunge’. I want to be able to say ‘this is what I do for my living and I just love it to bits’. I’d love to reach this harmony between ‘what I enjoy’ and ‘what I do’. Until I achieve this, I might continue with that bit of regret.

What cool projects are you currently working on?

Ooh! This makes me look for some ‘cool projects’ to work on. Actually, I’ve got a few things – (a) to take BlueChampions to ‘another level’ (don’t know what that is). (b) to connect more and better with the football bloggers – to leverage on the football blogging community (c) to write the ‘autobiography’ of my blog (d) to create an iphone/android app for BlueChampions.

What does the future have in store for you?

Carlo Ancelotti on the phone with me:

Fast Forward by about 5 years. I could be in the media industry proper. I could be a column writer. I could be an armchair analyst. I could be a copy editor. I could be a publisher. Definitely more than a blogger. Surely not a banker.

Finally, if you could give one piece of advice to young creative minds, what would it be?

Here’s my ‘one’ piece of advice: “Recognise that you’re unique. Keep doing what you enjoy. Be original.”

To stay in touch with VJ you can follow him on twitter and even if you are not a Chelsea fan, I urge you to join the huge International community VJ has built up on his site.

In historical terms, a legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time to another period of time.

I have a huge fear of failure. I am afraid that I could go through this one life we have, achieve very little and die without leaving anything behind for anyone to remember me. Hence why I have the following quote locked to my blog page:

“The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but living without a purpose.”

Having a platform to begin

Legacy for the majority of the world will be based on reproduction. Raising a family and passing on your knowledge, experience and wisdom onto your children. Leaving behind teachings and memories to your kids of what you achieved, how you achieved it and what it meant to them that you made something of your life.

But is having a family and raising them, enough to count as a legacy? In a world where success is defined by the amount of money we earn, the cars we drive and the property we own; how can those who aren’t so fortunate feel like they have achieved and left behind a strong legacy after they have passed?

This all comes as a very relevant situation to me as I watch both my parents get older and notice that neither are happy at all with how their lives turned out. My parents made mistakes throughout their lives, and while we can’t turn the clocks back, I wish both of them were able to look back, acknowledge they made mistakes, move on and try to live out the rest of their lives feeling a significant level of accomplishment.

I still have two parents (separated), who raised me and my brothers well, however I can’t help but wonder if my goals, understandings and outlook on life would be different if my parents hadn’t shown such negativity as if the world was out to make their lives harder. I can understand why my parents are bitter about life and it is based upon the feeling that they are now in their sixties and the dreams and aspirations they had some years ago, have now faded, yet is this what they consider to be their legacy?

With my Brother and My Dad

I sit here knowing that I have grown up and learned from the mistakes that they made and from the decisions my older brothers made in their lives. Although my brothers are happy with how things have panned out for them as they both have beautiful children; I believe, had they been guided by a positive outlook that derived from a feeling of achievement set before them by our parents; they would have been able to make better judgement of the situations they were placed in and the decisions they ended up making.

Is it our parents’ responsibility to provide an example of strong leadership and guidance to their children as they are growing up?

At 26 years old, I am in the early stages of my career journey, striving for the next level of success with every opportunity that presents itself. Anyone that has read my blog over the last year, will know what projects I have been involved in and should have a good understanding of the type of character I present, the moral values I represent and the energy I have to move forward. But where do we get these characteristics from?

In the current economic climate, the evolution of modern technology and social media and the lack of job openings upon leaving education, the formula for casting out your success appears to have shifted.
Is education through to University the way to go or are we encouraged to teach leadership, management and interpersonal communication skills from grassroots so our children are able to create opportunities for themselves and not have to rely on the system?

With my Mum at my Graduation

I wasn’t taught any of the above skills from my parents. As a child I was timid, bullied and would always look to my older brothers for support. You know the line ‘I’ll get my older brothers on to you?’ Well yeah, that was me on a regular basis. My Dad was strict as his Dad was to him and my Mum spent the majority of mine and my brothers’ childhood overprotective. Living in fear I believe.

What legacy did my parents leave behind?

My parents’ legacy appears to be a set of lessons to be learned. Yep, no house, Maserati or safety deposit box of riches unfortunately.

It is within our childhood that we learn our fundamental traits that mould our behaviour for our adult life and it is to my childhood that I have looked for answers as to who I am today.

I am old enough to know that my parents’ decisions were their’s and are not my responsibility even though I have spent a lot of time trying to help them and find solutions to their unhappiness.

I believe that I cannot dwell on this any further, and in writing this for public viewing I am opening a door that I have yet to walk through and a down a path that is unknown.

I know it is my time to make my own decisions without any influence and continue on my journey to create my own legacy; for myself and for my family. I have taken the knowledge and wisdom that was installed in me from my childhood, having watched my parents and my brothers ahead of me and will strive to make a success where those around me may have not.

I know I will make mistakes; that is a part of life. However, I will try to learn from them, putting behind any sour moments and not living in regret because life is too short, and I have a legacy to leave behind.

Another week and it’s time for another look into the life of an inspirational individual. If you are knew to this series, please take a moment to check out week one and week two’s Industry Spotlight interviews; I guarantee you will find something to take from both of those.

This week is where they say… the plot thickens. Actually nothing thickens but I really wanted to say that.

Step up a split personality character, a true product of hard work and persistence; this person is notorious for staying on the grind… literally.

DJ Grind aka Paul Marsh aka DJ Grind, however you know this gentlemen, it’s safe to say he ranks as one of the most loyal characters I have had the pleasure of befriending. A born entertainer with a sharp personality, quick wit and a no-holds-bar attitude, Paul is an impact individual who doesn’t settle for second best. He has acted as a mentor not only to me; but to all those around him for many years and I am glad to say that although the curtain closed on one part of his career; it did so to make way for a new opening…

This week’s Industry Spotlight I unveil the mask behind the former DJ Grind.

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Paul Marsh, But this time last year i would of been known as DJ Grind. As DJ Grind i was a DJ (obviously) and radio presenter. Where as now i own my own Surfacing firm called Portway Contractors Ltd.

How did you get into the Music industry?

Well I’d been tarmacking ever since i left school at 16, and it was when i was 23 that i took a short break from manual work to work in a bar, it was that, that lead me into DJing. From then on as well as DJing i often promoted my own events, which lead to me being interviewed on a local radio station called Express FM.
After a second time being interviewed i was asked if i would co present The RnG Show, Which is what I’m probably most well known for.

Was this how you had planned things to go or are you capitalising on opportunities and simply rolling with it?

At the time i was absolutely rolling with it, When your a kid i always dreamed of being a radio presenter but never knew how to get into it. I always loved music, but never thought “i wanna be a DJ” My friend was the resident DJ and wanted a night off, he knew that i knew my stuff and threw me in at the deep end. As soon as the radio show started to get more of a following that’s when i took things a little more seriously, and started getting the big name interviews etc.

With regards as to what i do now, I worked for my father up until last year when, because of the financial climate, his business went under. We decided immediately that we would start again with myself at the helm. Through out my life i always seem to be thrown in at the deep end, but so far, I’ve always managed to swim.

We’re in a new era where anyone can create opportunities for themselves. Do you agree?

Yes, it’s all about mind set, believing you can do it and working hard. Some people are given things on a plate, some run with it, most will fail. The people that succeed, are the ones who have sleepless nights, because they cant pay bills, or because things are going wrong. You constantly make mistakes in life, they key is to learn from them and not to make the same mistakes.

Would you rather have 100,000 twitter followers to market to or an extra £10,000?

As DJ Grind i would rather have had 100,000 followers on twitter, as a DJ i could of bought myself some new equipment, but 100,000 followers on twitter could of helped me reach people that never knew about me. As a Managing Director of a business, an extra £10,000 without a doubt. But neither of those are as good as word of mouth.

What one thing can you not live without?

I suppose the man answer is football, But my real answer would be Love.

If you wasn’t in this field, what would you be doing?

What I’m doing now! Managing Director of a surfacing company! Although this has been thrust upon me, it was always an aim of mine if the radio career never came to anything.

With so many talkers and gamers out there claiming to be experts and influencers. Do you consider yourself a smooth talker, a real talker or a don’t talk to me i’m not a talker?

I’m a real talker without a shadow of a doubt. Watch any one of my interviews, I’m not afraid to ask the questions everyone else is. Even in real life ill always speak my mind, i think i speak short and to the point. Why say 500 words when 50 will do? Unless its an interview of course!

Name three people who have inspired you in your life.

• My Dad
• Clinton Sparks
• Luca Massaro (Shh don’t tell anyone)

Author’s note: I did not manipulate Paul into adding me into the list above. I guess I just have that influence on people.

If you were a superhero, who would you be?

I’m not really that kinda guy, What superhero is there for his friends and family?

Author’s note: Cheese!

What does the future have in store for you?

Well, i still have a radio show on Express FM, every Saturday 5-7pm. Hopefully Portway Contractors Ltd will go from strength to strength, we have just gained some major contracts.

I’m also helping promote FFC (Football for Cancer) which is something i heavily believe in, Cancer affects so many people, and football is a great way to support that cause.

And finally, if you could give one piece of advice to young creative minds, what would it be?

Get everything on paper, never believe in a verbal contract. Also if you know your own worth, believe in it, never knowingly under sell yourself.

Get to know Paul by following him on Twitter, he’s a Manchester City fan and likes to tweet from the toilet. Just a heads up…

Check out his company here and I’m sure if you need a driveway or road tarmacking then Paul is your man.

If you want to suggest somebody who you believe needs a spotlight shone on their head, drop me a line via the contact page.