A couple of weeks ago, I was spending some time with a highly respected friend of mine. For contextual purposes, this person is someone who has sold a lot of books, has a very well-read blog, and travels all over the world to speak and consult. One of the things he talks about frequently is social media, and I consider him to be a true trailblazer in regard to such things.
During our conversation, he told me that he doesn’t keep Twitter searches going anymore for his name or his books. He deleted all of his Google Alerts. For the good or for the bad, he recognized how these things affected him.
I was shocked. Over the last few years, I knew him to be one of the few “famous” people who would still go and leave a comment on someone’s blog after they wrote something (again, good or bad) about him. He’d clear something up or apologize if he needed to, or thank them for their kind words.
He doesn’t do that anymore.
Granted, none of us – myself completely included – are probably at a level of success where my friend is (if you define “success” by how much product is sold or brand recognition one receives.) If he didn’t thank people on their blogs, his book sales wouldn’t go down and the percentage of his platform that would leave if they were upset for any reason would be so small you probably couldn’t measure it.
But, this conversation got me thinking…
And for the last few weeks, I’ve rolled his actions around in my head and have wondered, “Do I need to do the same?”
Does the reputation management system need to die?
Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE a personal touch. When someone shares a review of my book or even has a concern about it (as in he or she is offended by its “adult” themes – cough, cough…) I do my best to leave a comment on their blog or thank them on Twitter. Why? Because I appreciate them taking the time to share, even if we disagree on if the word “crap” is foul language.
For companies, I think it’s wise to monitor such things. I’ve had amazing experiences with Zappos, American Airlines, MediaTemple, and FedEx to name a few (and not so great experiences with Hotel Indigo and USAir, I’ll add). Those touches absolutely make a difference in my brand loyalty.
Here’s the catch for looking at this in my context as an individual and looking at them in their context as companies.
I am not a brand.
They are.
Some would disagree. There are things about the way I communicate that are uniquely my voice or characteristic of me.
But I will say it again.
I am not a brand.
I am not a commodity.
I have to ask myself, “Is my identity is wrapped up in what others are saying about me?” … and “Is the only way I’m responding like this is because it helps me build my own recognition or reputation?”
If the answer to either of those questions are yes, then for me, my reputation management system needs to die.
I am (slowly) learning that what others think of me, or what I say, what I write, or what I do is not important at all.
The one question I need to know the answer to is, “Am I doing ________ with integrity?”
And if the answer to that question is yes, that’s the only thing with which I need to concern myself.
Is this a poor PR strategy? Bad marketing? Missing out on opportunities?
Probably.
But then I remind myself…
I am not (and nobody is) a product.
I am not (and nobody is) so important that we need to know what is said about us personally and react to it.
And most importantly, I don’t think any of this “reputation management” is as important as simply being who we are and doing it as honorably as we can.
Comments
79 responses to “Does The Reputation Management System Need to Die?”
Anne, I appreciate what you are trying to say. And to be clear, I love your writing and have grown a lot from reading your words. However, I have stopped reading a few blogs, both for companies and individuals, when the authors haven’t taken the time to reply to me when I have approached them with a concern or question. I’m not a commodity, either, or just a number, so if someone, famous or not, can’t return the few minutes to me that I spent on them, I’m done. Just my two cents
What if someone gets 700 comments? 700 questions? Is it possible for them to reply to them all? I will be lovingly frank…The answer to this is no.
I will speak to my own life…I am a one-woman office. I just spent three days addressing and labeling and picking and packing merchandise orders. My email has been neglected. I’m only on my blog now because I don’t want to spend the next 4 hours printing and applying postage to the packages. :) I do my own invoicing, accounting, administrative stuff, ordering, scheduling, phone calls…I have no assistant, no intern, nothing. And somehow I’m supposed to write books and plan talks and keep a healthy spiritual life and social life?
Sometimes it is physically impossible to make everyone happy if that happiness comes from me responding. If people leave because of that, I’m sad to say goodbye.
But keeping up with everything is not healthy for anyone. And it would be a terrible example for me to set.
That’s where people like me ask for grace. And need it.
Whoa! That is INSANE! Sounds like you need an assisant (aka unpaid intern) or something!
Will definitely keep you in my prayers.
*assistant ;-P
I can kindof understand where Diane is coming from- to a point. I almost always read your blog, and enjoy it, but have (mostly)quit posting comments on yours & others blogs because I try to add my two cents & or questions several times, never to get a reply- from you or anyone else. So, I read & nod my head & my heart hears it, but I usually don’t take the time to write anymore & try to add to the conversations because they’re almost always one-sided, & I hate feeling frustrated & like a nobody that no one has time to respond to. I’m not mad, but just being honest.
I’m curious, mandie. If the situation wer reversed, and you were the gal with the popular blog that spurs a second book (rembering that the first book dealt with burnout), with tons of merchandise to get out all by your lonesome (which reminds me, where’s the hubs, Anne?), speaking engagements to prep, and so forth, what would you do in response to someone speaking freely as you did?
I agree with what Tony Alicea said. It’s not that I expect a reply every time, but it starts to feel like you’re being talked AT instead of with or to. I also don’t think that I was being offensive, or speaking too freely, as you suggest. I still read the blog, obviously, which I’m not obligated to. I was simply saying that to a point, I understand what Diane was saying.
Thanks for still reading. :-)
Mandie, please forgive me if I offended you or implied that you were being offensive. You weren’t, and I certainly didn’t take it that way.
Maybe it’s a character flaw on my part, but the question I posed is the first thing I ask myself when I disagree with somebody. I can never walk a mile in Anne’s shoes (I don’t do heels, and the flats probably wouldn’t fit my big feet anyhow … never mind I probably couldn’t walk a mile period :) :) ), but pondering what I’d do if the situation was reversed is something I like to do, in part because I’d like the same in return from those who disagree with me.
I do understand where you, Tony, Diane, and others are coming from. Heck, I know I’m happy when the famous Anne Jackson talks to me. (I won’t confess to the fantasy of having her see me at one of her speaking engagements, break through the crowd to give me a hug, then ask me to step onstage to share the background of my confession. … Oops. :) )
OK, sorry, I’ll try to be serious. I also think of Anne’s first book, Mad Church Disease: Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic (emphasis mine). She’s been down the burnout-brick road. She doesn’t need to go there again.
Speaking for myself, though (because that’s all I have the right to do), I’m glad you are still participating. I’m no Anne Jackson or Michael Hyatt or Seth Godin or any of the other major names in social media/blogging, and according to most of them I never will be. I hope, though, my little voice can count for something.
And again, mandie, please forgive me for my poor choice of words.
For the most part I agree with you Anne. The problem, I think, is that there are all these new mediums and people tend to overextend themselves by trying to be in them all.
I believe if you want to have a blog, be on Twitter and Facebook and all these other social networks, you are saying that you want to be “social”. If you can’t keep up with the platforms, you should probably scale it back.
In this age of social media, people want to interact. I agree that you shouldn’t be chasing everyone that mentions you to thank them or defend yourself. At the same time, if people support you, they like to know that you hear them. They don’t know that you’re crazy busy. They just think, wow I went out of my way to show them love and support and it seemed to just disappear into nowhere. Did they even get it? Do they even care?
Personally I’m not offended by not getting a reply on Twitter or even a Facebook fan page. However, if I add a well thought out reply on your blog or ask a valid question and it there is no reply, I think it is poor practice.
There are ways to turn off commenting after a threshold is passed. If you decide you can’t keep up, sometimes that is the best way to go. Otherwise you’re just talking “at” me not “with” me.
you said more eloquently what I meant. thanks.
Can one really engage with thousands of people? Can a conversation be had?
It’s not the goal of this blog for me to have conversations with people…never has been. What is is is a platform in which i hope others can have conversations. Sometimes I can get involved, sometimes I don’t need to. You guys hold the conversations quite well.:)
Sometimes I’m limited by technology and can’t reply. Sometimes I’m on a plane or in a van for hours. Sometimes I sleep. I can’t always engage, so that’s why I set the expectation that this isn’t a place for me to have conversations, but to begin them and let them cultivate and grow within the ‘Tribe” for lack of a better term.
I want this to be a safe place for anyone to share, to converse, and to be thoughtful. Hopefully nobody holds back comments because they think I won’t answer…or feel unappreciated if I don’t. Because that thoughtful reply probably just influenced a heck of a lot of people who are reading the comments. It’s not about us getting something out of it…it’s about everyone learning together.
Although I understand where you are coming from, I think it is incredibly unfair to demand anyone, particularly someone who gets upwards of 700 emails a day, to respond to you on your watch. Not only is it unfair, but it would make me question where someone’s happiness comes from. Not to be crude, but honestly, do you really think that Anne Jackson responding to your comments will make your day better? And if so, is that really where your peace should come from? Just lovingly asking the question…
This is antithetical to concept of branding… and I LOVE it.
Branding is for cows. Not for people.
Word to your mother!
Branding is for cows. Not for people. Memorable, indeed! This makes the message stick…
Thanks for the good reminder, and for modeling courage and true success as its wrapped in integrity.
I would heartily agree that YOU are not a brand. You are a person. I am a person. The degree to which we incorporate “reputation management” into our behavior as individuals may indicate a need to purge like your friend.
However, I would counter that your book and the movement (if you will) or mission started by Permission To Speak Freely is a brand. Will you be able to connect with people and provide the level of personal touch you so enjoy?
If I can do it and stay healthy, yes.
If I can’t. No.
A movement is no more important than a person. And maybe this is selfish, but that includes me.
I definitely agree. Saw your reply to Diane above and that definitely provided some context.
Take a break.
Take a step back.
Breathe.
Trying to keep up with social media as just a person can be exhausting enough without being a one-woman-show.
“I am (and nobody is) a product.”
I think you’re missing a “not” in there. :)
Fixed :)
This would certainly simplify my life. And, frankly, I could use some of that right now. Thanks for making me think!
I think the wisest course, as you write above, is to act with integrity, and leave the “reputation management” to Jesus. “Seek first the kingdom…” and leave the rest to Him.
Word.
Amen, Chad!
Good post.
It’s funny though, Anne, that you’re responding so thoroughly to these comments.
I would be too if I had boxes to mail.
I agree that people should always be themselves and act with integrity. People aren’t brands and my identity doesn’t belong to anyone else.
Francis Chan impressed me last week when he said that he normally didn’t respond to what people said about him but then he addressed people calling him radical because he didn’t want that label to be an excuse for them not being radical themselves.
It’s a tricky balance of engaging without losing yourself. Sometimes for personal sanity it may be appropriate to turn it off for awhile. Sometimes we need to listen because we may have an opportunity to engage in a meaningful way, whether it’s because we are a brand or a person.
Great food for thought, though! Sometimes we need to think like this so as to keep things in perspective.
This is an interesting concept, and one that only effects a select few (those with blogs/twitter accounts that are bombarded with participation). Like it or not, FlowerDust.net is a popular blog a lot in part because of your authenticity and your own participation in the conversation.
I think it all comes down to motivation. Do you write your blog to get a book deal? Do you have your twitter account to promote your tour? If so, then no, you don’t need to participate in comments, or respond to @ questions or comments. But if your blog or book is about community and story then we all have a role to play, including the author. FlowerDust.net may have started for a reason, but due to a “new” career direction, maybe it’s time to change the vision statement.
However, if you find your identity in blog hits, twitter replies, and google alerts, well, that is probably a different issue. And one I doubt I will ever have to deal with. Thought provoking for sure, and for sake of your argument, I didn’t include my blog/website so that it wouldn’t get any hits because of this (haha). Or you could hire someone to be your media director/envelope stuffer.
I’d hire someone if I could :)
Due to a new career direction. My career changed.
I didn’t.
I’m still Anne Jackson. A girl who likes to write and has a lot to learn.
Doubt that will ever change, regardless of what pays my bills. :)
I am going to peace-out now and get back to work, but know I do read all your comments and appreciate them. :) Thanks for letting me share what’s on my brain.
Thanks for sharing. Prayers for you – for rest to be full and joy to be found in abundance.
I tweeted about this very thing 2 years ago and someone wrote about it here: http://www.marketingsafari.org/marketing_safari/2009/01/when-does-a-person-become-a-brand.html
As a person, no one is a brand. At the same time, we don’t market ourselves or our services as a person. In that sense, my identity is in no way, shape, or form dictated by what ANYBODY says about me, online or offline. I have died to self and my life is hidden with Christ. No one can take that away.
On the flip side of that coin, when we offer our services and seek employment, we become a brand and our services a product. I don’t expect anyone to pay me because I’m a professional ‘Kenny’ but because I have a valuable service to offer them.
I have to monitor that brand and stay on top of it, but not to the point where it affects my self-worth. I’m afraid that, without adequate monitoring and listening, our brands could lose perceived value and we could lose our platform, in which case we would not be able to help anyone do anything.
We are responsible to our “platforms” to some degree…but most of it…I think is a divine conspiracy. :)
Truth. :)
I like you mucho.
And on behalf of Laura and Emily, we are all offended that you didn’t call us and let us come down and help you mail packages. We work for pizza. Sheesh.
Quote from Emily: “…especially if we had Real Housewives on in the background.”
True.Story.
I have a Virgin Mobile wifi card in my office…what in heaven’s name would lead you to believe I have cable?! Or a TV? Or pizza? :)
I love you all much.
And now I want pizza.
Yep.
That will be my tonight.
(I will probably call you tomorrow. Or text. You in town? Why are we having this personal conversation in the comments on my blog?!)
” Why are we having this personal conversation in the comments on my blog?!)”
That might prove that you really are spending too much time here. :)
Hi Anne. Read this post with interest as a writer and a marketing instructor. I think if your communication online is reputation management, then closing down makes sense. On the other hand, if it is a means by which you keep in touch with your readers and develop relationships with them, then social media is a wonderful way to do so. Anne Rice is good at this – she communicates regularly with her thousands of fans every day on Facebook. Novelist Robin Rice does the same. They are not tracking every word said about them online (reputation management). Instead they have created tribes that they enjoy spending time with using these tools to do so. Put succinctly, I find: reputation management = chore, community building = pleasure.
PS: Fancy Hands is a remote executive assistant service. $30 per month and they will do 15 things for you. They are highly competent, fast turnaround and a real time-saver…
Do they ship tshirts and books from my office :) haha. that is my main “chore” :)
love your thoughts.
I appreciate that fact that you are so sensitive to your reading audience! That speaks volumes about your heart and what you want your ministry to be about, but I think that you should just lay this reputation management thing aside. It seems like an incredible burden to juggle all the comments–regardless if they are favorable or not. It may help you to read the comments to see what people are feeling, thinking–but I would never expect you respond!Who has that much time? I say, just keep doing the thing that God has called you to do, and be happy!
Anne, you have no idea how important this post is for me today. I have built a very large and reasonably loyal subscription clientelle/readers for my writing. Recently I became too attached to hearing some negative reports based on a failed personal relationship that impacted my business. I was too focused on those reports and let much of the goodwill and probably integrity built in the business slip as a result….because I gave attention to the tiny, tiny minority. I was deeply saddened by the personal relationship failure and let that impact my business as I listened to the ‘gossip.’
I need to move on and rebuild the trust and credibility built over many years of providing a product many respected and through their endorsements the subscriber base grew so fast and wide. I let down the majority by listening to the tiny minority.
This post was the kick in the behind I needed – thank you, thank you, thank you.
That’s okay. We’ll still like you ;-)
I agree wholeheartedly, Anne. You are not a brand, even though one could make the point that you are more so than an unpublished, lame blogger and software engineer like me.
The real key is to be yourself.
If tracking the publicity is important, or while it is important, then do it. If/when it stops being important, you have permission to be silent freely. :-)
I am glad you came to this decision after you commented on my hardly-uodated blog (though I must add that, being my blog & not my brand, I’d rather have less-frequent but high-quality posts than daily whatever-I-happen-to-disgorge-to-have-a-daily-post).
And maybe, after a good night’s rest, I’ll make more sense. :-)
I think if somebody says something negative about us and we don’t agree, it’s not necessary to track them down and try to explain ourselves.
If somebody says something nice about us or promotes our site then I think it is good to say thank you. I appreciate you thanking me when your site was mentioned on mine.
Here’s a thought: we’ll hunt down those anti-Anne critters for you, logs firmly placed in our eyes!
(Why, no, I haven’t gotten that night’s rest yet. How did you know? :) )
Anne…
Your words are so powerful. I attended the Dirt conference about a year ago… You spoke from your heart. I remember a statement you made that I often share with others…. “When you say yes to everything you don’t leave room for the holy spirit to surprise you!” we are only human and yes when we write or put out a certain product it becomes branded, but you put yourself out there by the words you write. I can only imagine how amazing it is when the comments fly in and I can only imagine the time it would take to comment on each one… I personally feel if someone takes the time to write you…with expectancy of a return message they may be barking up the wrong tree… Seems anyone who would be offended if you did not write them back must think you are some sort of super hero with super powers. We are only human and I think they should be asked to walk a day in your shoes. We do not know what others are walking thru. Reputation management must die…. love that title. Thanks for sharing.
Is this what happens when “one’ becomes “successful”? Hmmmmm….
Is what…?
Anne’s 4th book will be entitled “Success: The New Burnout.”
Of course, she won’t be able to get around to finishing it because of her “success.” :) :) :)
Seriously, though, I had aspired to be a writer. After “seeing” through virtual eyes how it affects a real person, I’m not so sure I want that. It has made me reconsider much.
This entire post is compelling and thought provoking but I think your final sentence sums it all up for me:
“And most importantly, I don’t think any of this “reputation management” is as important as simply being who we are and doing it as honorably as we can.”
Preach it, sister!
Great post. Funny how I got here…and it’s relevent…I follow you on twitter (no regrets so far) and for the second time I got a tweet like this one via Hootsuite:
“Does The Reputation Management System Need to Die? – A couple of weeks ago, I was spending some time with a highly r… http://ht.ly/19scNx”
The thing is, I got it as if I sent it. Again. Not sure what is doing this but I got it.
So, out of curiosity I followed the link, saw it was to your blog again (as I said last time, I assume this is all an accident; not believing that you’re doing this on purpose). Then I read your excellent post. So…
Even though this creates a problem for me (albiet, not too bad) I’ll take into account your challenges and just leave it there. If you get more of these at some point you’ll decide to chase it down and fix it. In the meantime, we’ll, I’ll wait.
Again, great post. Darien
I totally don’t get the tweet thing. I can’t (or my blog can’t) tweet for someone. I’d check your app settings on HS or Twitter to see what permissions may be turned on. Sorry!
Thanks, Joe!
I’m just getting started with this blogging thing, so if anybody’s interested in checking it out, I’m down with that.
Unlike Anne, I don’t have an established platform, or any real reputation in the blogosphere, either. I wouldn’t mind, like Anne, to be in that place where I am–so to speak–a victim of my own success. I imagine if that were actually the case, I would feel differently.
If anyone wants to checkout my blog, click the link. I will reply to comments.
I remember recently reading (and then telling someone), “You are your brand”.
I think that the difference between obsessive image management and adding a personal touch is the motive behind the action.
I also think if the tools become the goals, we are in trouble…
How does one leave a personal touch for everyone, if their touches would number in the thousands?
It’s just not possible.
Humanly.
I need to hire a robot. That’s what’s up.
Although perhaps antithetical to the topic at hand, I would be tickled if famous Anne Jackson would take a few of those moments that she doesn’t have and take a gander at my blog. But absolutely no obligation. Like her, I’m trying to build a safe place, engage a community, let people know they’re not alone. Not being a “wears-his-heart-on-his-sleeves” type of guy, this is a huge risk. And that’s all I’m gonna say.
Really enjoyed this post today, Anne. It even inspired me to write a post today as well. As a blogger, I am always concerned that I am only using other bloggers for what they give me–a tweet, comment on my blog,etc. Totally, selfish, self-centered when commenting should be more about encouraging good writer, bloggers than for my personal gain.
I love reading your blog, its encouragement, its beautiful reflections upon God’s truth. Blessings for you and rest.
My hubby always says “My spaghetti level is low.” Well, “My Anne Jackson level is low.” Because I so look forward to ANYTHING you say; I totally believe you are brilliant at reading all of our exact thoughts. We both love your blogs, books, TV appearances, and comments and want you to know, you are loved! You are incredible, Anne, and keep up the wonderful work and sending your schedules and speaking times. You are the best!!!!
Hmm.
I wonder if we’re even looking at the right questions.
If, as believers, we’ve died to self and are living new lives in Christ, our purpose is to glorify Him. Not just not-glorify ourselves, but to lift Him up.
So what if believers set up alerts and keyword searches that had to do with brokenness and hurt. What if our filters looked for tweets that used words like “lonely,” “depressed,” or “hopeless,” instead of our names and our titles?
What if we made it our mission to respond to those Tweets and comment on those blogs by introducing the love and hope we have in Christ?
Jesus is our brand?
I like your thoughts, Lex. Really, it’s not about Anne or her mission, passionate though she is about it, important as several of us believe it to be.
It’s about Christ.
Finding balance–seems like none of us quite get it right.
I would like to think that your readers, followers, “fans” would continue to be such because of the truth that you speak, rather than something as narrowly focused as whether or not they can get a reply from you. I’m not gonna lie :) I love the fact that you comment on your blog, your FB page, your tweets… But it’s your writing/speaking ministry that has touched so many lives, including mine. And if all the extra personal touches get in the way of, or in some way take away from, your actual writing…then I agree with you: they have to go. We will miss you popping in here or there, but we will understand. Well, most of us will… :)
Speaking of personal touches–thank you so much for taking the time to autograph books and such for us, not to mention packing them and sending them out. I know you have no choice on that last part, but you still get props!! ;)
Sending prayers for a restful weekend…
Well said, Gillian!
I’m pretty neutral about the whole “Reputation Management System” discussion. I see the pro’s & con’s inside & outside the contextual box. :)
I will just pray for you, Anne…for wisdom concerning all decisions, for strength & good health thru your crazy busy promotional book tour.
Go well,
Reese
When reputation management system meets time management system! Sounds like a post to me. (grin)
welcome back…
Wow you have alot of comments. I’m doing good to get 5 (but I’m still a rookie) Anyway great post. I guess it all goes back to do we measure ourselves on what others think or what God thinks. Very hard truth. I love your view!
awesome, awesome post! so glad you share what you do. i’m inspired by you a quite a bit. i really appreciate your honesty and transparency.
… this has been a really authentic conversation … raised alot of questions, touched some tender spots, put some things on the table … technology has thrown alot of questions at us that we’ll continue to wrestle with.
A blog can only do so much, a person can only be so much. The relationships (if you can even call them that) that form online pale in comparison to the in-person relationships we all need. We’re fooling ourselves if we think that they are of the same level and that we’re going to get those heart-felt connection needs met by expending our energy writing back and forth, hoping to be acknowledged, noticed, cared for, esteemed.
One can not have a balanced life sitting at a computer all day. It’s just not going to happen. Even people who write books and are “famous” need time and space just to be. Some of us need to get a life and begin to develop the in-person relationships that we have that need tending instead of sitting for hours a day, looking at a screen.
Myself included.
One of the weird things about social media like blogs and facebook is that you can have a bunch of people reading what you’re writing and relating to what you are saying without you ever meeting them. They feel like they know you by your writing. It’s a different kind of access to artists/musicians/writers etc. than at any other time in history. At the same time everyone needs to remember that you have to have time to live the life they like reading about. should have a right to your privacy etc.
I always try to keep in mind that whoever’s blog I’m reading or facebook page I’m following probably is as crazy busy as I am, and don’t take it personally when I don’t hear back from them. After spending years working behind the scenes doing media / photography for a bunch of musicians / authors /ministries, the one thing I learned is that it’s not the glamorous life some people think it is. There’s a lot of grindy busy work involved. I love your honesty when you are posting here… and you’ve created an environment where hopefully those of us who are regulars can tenderly care for each other as well. You graciously get the ball rolling and let us join in the conversation. Thanks!
I think you’re raising some great things we all need to stop and consider, and I think you’re wise to ask “What is the purpose of this blog/my twitter/etc.?”
I think we also all have to realize that we grow and change, and so do our social media platforms. And we have to give each other grace when our level of interaction changes (or stays the same while the platform grows).
I also have to say as a fan that I probably bragged to my friends for a week when you left a kind and thoughtful comment on my review of “Permission to Speak Freely”. I didn’t expect it at all, but it totally made my day.
So I doubt that’s helpful at all, but thanks again for your post.
This got posted by one of my Facebook friends. I don’t think he reads your blog, but it seemed so applicable to the conversation.
Al McCausland: I am learning the art of saying “no” … there are so many things vying for my attention … I am discovering that two watermelons can’t be held in one hand, lol
It’s tough to keep balance. Praying for you and for others to understand.
Hmmm. About as thought provoking – and helpful – a discussion as I’ve ever read. “Successful writing/blogging 501?” (Definitely the grad-level course.)
Just so you know, Anne, I read your blog regularly, comment or e-mail once in a while, and (except for certain e-mails) don’t expect answers. After reading this, I’m amazed you can answer as often as you do.
Just know that what my whole family DOES do regularly is pray for you – and several other bloggers – every night in our devotions. Every night. After reading this dialog (no, that’s a talk by two people – is this a “multilog?”), you can expect us to strengthen that.
Well done. After reading Permission to Speak Freely I could tell she needed extra prayer as she went “on the road” with the book, so I’ve been doing the same (though, I must admit, not as diligently as you have).
As for dialog vs. multilog, maybe that’s another meaning for the term “blog.” :)
Thanks, Joe. And good point – a blog certainly could equal a multi-dialog.
More seriously – when we started praying for Anne, I think we all took it for granted that because she was a Christian leader she’d only need a short prayer every day. So I was very surprised the first time I thought I sensed God leading me to pray longer (10-20 minutes or so). Now I realize being a leader often means you do need MORE prayer, not less. Lots more pressure, lots more decisions, lots more to do. (700 messages? Yow!)
If my memory’s right (and, warning, DON’T ask my family about that!) – the first time that “pray longer” feeling happened was the day before Anne announced she was going to Haiti (right after the quake). That timing impressed me, because I figured she’d only decide that after some real soul searching. And might have especially needed prayer to decide it the way God wanted.
Best wishes – to you, to Anne, and all the rest of you.
Thank you for expressing something that needs to be considered by all of us. It is the type of honesty that you express in this post that causes me to enjoy reading your posts and being enriched by them. From one human being to another…
Thank you for saying this, Anne. I fear we are rapidly turning into gerbils in a wheel, me included, and this post gave me pause and permission to act otherwise.
Keep these brave and true messages coming, please.
Great post. I appreciated when you commented on my review of your book a few weeks ago. (I tried to play it cool when my husband saw it, but it totally made my day!) Re-evaluating how you’re spending time and valuing integrity are definitely wise, (and it sounds like you have a crazy number of comments, etc, to read) but I still wanted to say you thank you.