Picture this… two large groups of people running amok and tossing and kicking a ball around, while they tackle each other to the ground, and hold on to each other as they push and shove the other group… basically running them over. And on the sideline you, as a "fan", are supposed to be cheering and offering support… but for what?
When we first started dating, Pat was a part of that scenario… he was playing Rugby… and I was there to "cheer" him on. But I guess I didn't quite make my presence known on the sidelines, and Pat asked… "Why aren't you cheering me on? I can't hear you out on the field." My reply… "I don't know what I'm supposed to be cheering for." I really didn't understand the game and couldn't offer a lot of support… at least not anything that would make any sense.
Later that night at a Rugby party (two words that are synonymous with each other) a new womens' Rugby team was recruiting for players. So Pat had a brilliant idea… why don't I try out for the team? Even if I don't like it, at least I'll understand the game and be able to both enjoy the game more and offer Pat support from the sidelines.
So I signed up… and for the next six years both Pat and I had a wonderful time playing a very cool sport while supporting each other along the way.
Support and actually understanding where the other person is coming from are, in our opinion, two critical aspects of a great relationship… whether in a marriage, family, friendship, tribe or community.
Being that social media is a crucial part of tribes and communities, we've put together this quick poll to collect your thoughts on your experiences with social media. We would appreciate your input 
As discussed in the TSA Webinar…
Loading ...Thank you for your feedback! Hey, if you would like to elaborate on your answer, then by all means add that in the comment section below.
Support and understanding is a huge part of what a tribe is all about… and the tribe that we support and where we receive support in turn, is Tribe Syndication Association (TSA). You can find them HERE.
Thanks for participating in our little blog poll… and we look forward to hearing about your experiences and challenges in the realm of social media.
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Hey Pat & Lorna,
I appreciate you guys & your help with things like the survey vote. The only area at present that I feel a bit unsure about how to get going is incorporating video into my online presence. This past week, my goal has been to gather information, and do research to purchase a camera & from there, what do I do next? LOL! I'm sure with all the help I get from everyone in TSA, I'll be able to figure it out
Christine
Christine Casey´s last [type] ..“3-317 Counter Points- Was It Worth Loosing My Family”
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Dr. Erica Goodstone Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Christine,
It warms my heart to read that you have not yet bought a camera and are just starting that process. You know so much about the technical aspects of blogs, important details on the blog sites, pieces of the puzzle that I am still struggling with. I still haven't figured out how to set up the blogroll so I can just have links to people's sites without all the admin stuff showing there.
Dr. Erica Goodstone´s last [type] ..When Love is Not Enough
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Pat and Lorna,
To answer your question, my greatest challenge is the syndication – of myself and of others. it is not only learning to use onlywire, it is getting my opt in boxes onto my blog and FB pages, adding Twitter and Facebook buttons so readers can retweet my writing, etc. You two have learned so much about the way all these online pieces fit together and work.
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As one who has played Rugby in the past, I really appreciated Lorna's story and can certainly relate it to other life situations! Thanks, too, for the poll – I'm pleased to know that I'm not the only video newbie here – I can certainly use all the help I can get in that area.
Your articles are always well worth reading and packed with golden nuggets! Thank you both for all that you do.
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Pat & Lorna Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 9:14 am
Alan,
So cool to meet a fellow Rugby player. We are finding that there are a lot of people who have challenges with different aspects of social media. You are definitely not alone
Thanks so much,
~ Pat and Lorna
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Well now that I know I am not the only one having troubles with syndication I feel a lot better. Thanks for sharing guys!
William Tower
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Pat & Lorna Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 12:26 pm
William,
There are many others with the same challenges as you… and some with different challenges as well. It's great to have the support of others, like the people in TSA, who love to share and help out.
Thanks,
~ Pat and Lorna
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You probably can't hear me but I am cheering you on.
I could only choose on on the test, I picked twitter because I just don't really know what all the little symbols mean and have not learned all the ins and out of it yet. But I would have also picked syndication because there are so many technical things I don't know how to do. Usually I can just go to youtube and watch a video. Thanks for all the support you give all of the TSA members.
Nicole Rushin´s last [type] ..Is Your On-Line Business Weed Free -amp Retail Ready
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Pat & Lorna Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Nicole,
Thanks for the cheers!! And we totally get it… there are a lot of things to learn in so many aspects of social media… and quite often the "technical" issues are a challenge to keep up with. Keep going… you'll find there's a lot of help out there!
Thanks so much,
~ Pat and Lorna
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Hey,
I'd add one more item to the list of challenges: monetizing! I actually took out the Adsense from my blog and left only the Zamzuu link. I hear that Adsense makes little sense for a lot of people, and for me it was more a visual nuisance than the nominal amount that came in while I had it.
Keep on being the coolest couple!
–Mario.
Mario Miranda´s last [type] ..Ill Do It-
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Pat & Lorna Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Mario,
Thanks so much for the feedback! And great addition to the list!
~ Pat and Lorna
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Hey Lorna,
I agree that social media can seem, or maybe it even is chaotic! Great point here that the best way to clear up the fog is to just jump in and learn how to play the game. You guys do that in a very cool way! Thanks for sharing.
Debbie Stevens´s last [type] ..Courage and Confidence
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Pat & Lorna Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Debbie,
Ready, fire, aim… get in the game and then correct your path later… so true!
Thanks so much,
~ Pat and Lorna
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Pat & Lorna,
Understanding where another person is coming from and being able to connect on that level is so important. Listening to not only the words, but the meanings behind the words is best.
Thanks for reminding me of that,
Val
Val Wilcox´s last [type] ..The Key – Your Burning Desire…
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Pat & Lorna Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Val,
Yes, we agree, really listening to what the person means, rather than just what they are saying, is critical in understanding where they are coming from. And people really appreciate it when someone does that… it is like a gift.
Thanks,
~ Pat and Lorna
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Hey there, Coolest Couple, I think my struggle is the blog, having the right pluggins, or if i am branding myself correctly.
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Pat & Lorna Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Hey Lesly,
Thanks so much for the feedback!! Great to hear from you.
~ Pat and Lorna
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P&L,
Thanks for a post that is relevant in MANY areas of my life. As a couples counselor, I totally salute your wisdom in sharing activities and wanting to understand each other's inner (and outer) worlds and your willingness to join them. And of course, this is also essential to our business relationships.
Regarding your survey, my biggest challenge is video. I've got the technical aspects down pretty much. However, I find that I avoid actually making as many videos as I believe I could and also don't feel like my voice, my personality comes out fully in them yet. I'm hoping with practice and time, they will be more true to who I am. They're definitely improving.
Thanks so much,
Adam
Dr. Adam Sheck´s last [type] ..Do You Want More Intimacy
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Pat & Lorna Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Adam,
Thanks so much for your comment!
Just remember, people will connect with who you are with the voice and image that is yours… what you do is perfect the way it is… as it is all a part of who you are.
~ Pat and Lorna
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Syndication has been a challenge for me but I am finally getting the hang of it. Thanks for all you have been doing to help the new tribers.
Melodie
Melodie Kantner´s last [type] ..Procrastination – Will You Let This THIEF Steal Your Dreams
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Pat & Lorna Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 11:50 am
Melodie,
Hang in there… before you know it, you'll be an expert syndicator!
Thanks so much,
~ Pat and Lorna
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Hey, this post tells me more more about why the two of you absolutely deserve your well earned and renowned coolest couple title! Awesome story.. and great analogy with social media which through engagement allows you to come closer to another's perspective and to learn so much.
In terms of my challenge, video is still a medium that i am not entirely comfortable with, though i am working on it!
Thanks for the great post!
Johneal
Johneal Rouse´s last [type] ..Reflective Meditation – Developing strength in controlling our Mind and Emotions
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Pat & Lorna Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 11:56 am
Johneal,
It's not always easy to understand someone else's perspective, but as you said "through engagement" we can get closer to seeing things through their eyes. That is why it is so important to really connect with others and "listen" to what they have to say online.
Thanks so much for your comment,
~ Pat and Lorna
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I love you thoughts on support. It is vitally important to get "into" another's world to be able to truly track with them and support them. Thanks for your thoughts on that. BTW…I have enjoyed watching Rugby…but I don't really understand it at all.
To answer your question…the syndication is the hardest for me…mainly because I really want to interact with people and that takes time.
Blessings!
Bruce Backman´s last [type] ..What I have been up to these past few weeks-Crushers College and other exciting stuff
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Pat & Lorna Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Bruce,
Yes, you are so right… it is "vital" to understand the other person's world… and really get to where they are. It will get us so far in our businesses and in our lives in general if people know that we really care enough to see things from their perspective.
And we can totally relate about getting caught up in interacting with others. That's what makes syndicating so much fun!
Thanks,
~ Pat and Lorna
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Support and actually understanding where the other person is coming from "are, in our opinion, two critical aspects of a great relationship… whether in a marriage, family, friendship, tribe or community."
So very true! Great illustration to make your point.
Kevin M.´s last [type] ..What brings your soul satisfaction
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well written blog. Im glad that I could find more info on this. thanks
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