We all have misconceptions about ourselves and feedback from other people – positive and negative – can help us see our blind spots. On the other hand, sometimes people say things about us that are untrue or unfair, and we have to ignore that and press on.

I have set up listening posts on the keywords that are the focus of my blog. It matters to me what people are saying about my keywords so I can make sure I am producing relevant content.

Like you, I have my own little listening posts in the form of blog comments and my social media networks. Outside of that though, I am not sure I want to know what people are saying.

What would I do with the information? Should I confront those spreading harmful information about me, or join in the chorus of those praising me? It all seems a little self-serving.

I like JaaKanojia’s point at the end, trust is not an issue when one is being honest with one’s self. The idea of keeping your ear tuned for the sound of your own name makes me think of a con man wondering if someone has caught on to him.

In the end, all you can do is honestly put yourself out there. If you have offended someone through a fault of your own then rectify it; otherwise, it is just noise that does not need your voice added to it. Let God take care of it.

Brad

When I believe in what I write and what is put out there in cyber space,(it can end up anywhere)it’s up to those who read to make a decision as to what they do with any enlightenment, or non enlightenment received, to engage or not engage, trust, and believe what they need, must, or have to believe.
For instance, my blog name is in another country! Or was for a period of time. :)So, anything I may have blogged during that time may have been misconstrued, misunderstood, or taken out of context easily,
“not trusted.” It still does simply because of my name.
And while numbers and quotas are fun and in many instances necessary,(depends on the purpose)they are of no consequence if I have encouraged, enlightened, shared with anyone, on any given day, at any given time through the vast medium called the Internet; believe in what I blog and am true to myself.
“Trust is not an issue when one is being honest with oneself.”__

Last week I was thinking it would be really cool to have a few blog accountability partners – people who would be totally honest with me about my blogs. What’s good about them? What sucks? Which posts were homeruns? Which were strikeouts (or worse)?

Phill – Great verse and great question! It’s so tough because attention is the currency in the world of social networking.

I think the reason are more willing to trust someone online, even if he/she has never met the person, is because it is more personal than the corporate world. If I have a problem with my cable company and I call their support number, I can’t even speak to a real person. but social media is at least interaction with a real person.