A year ago yesterday I was on the hunt for a business partner and an assistant to grow my 13 year old business so I could support an onslaught of ideas and opportunities. The very next day my professional life changed. No, scratch that, it transformed my professional life. Within the first few hours of the "closed field trial" of Google+ I knew it was a social network digital publishing tool that would be a game-changer not only for the Internet, but businesses and professionals all across the world. And a life-changer for me. A good part of that has to do with the people I have met in here, how they have also banded together to create a community, and the common ideas that we have to build something greater than the sum of its parts. WE have made Google+ what it is today. Yes, that includes all the Googlers working away on cool new features and gadgets (hellllllo +Project Glass!) but in the end, without a vibrant community of people, no piece of tech or code in the universe will survive. WE ARE GOOGLE+.

The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expect different results. When Google+ showed up last year, I needed something different, and this was my chance. My offline work was focused on working with professionals, entrepreneurs, businesses, and corporations – especially those with women in positions of influence and authority – to teach and develop ways to amplify their voices online. For the first time, I decided to 'cross the streams' and bring my offline work to my online world. The idea for +Women of Google+ was born just a few days after Google+ was. I'm still working behind the scenes on turning that into a 'watering hole' for all things digital women, but as I just hired an assistant (after a year of searching) and still no ideas on brining on a business partner, things just have to go slowly. I'm a one-woman business, and there is only so much "5 Hour Energy" I can consume in a day.

All my eggs aren't in one basket with Google+, I'm still very actively working with clients to learn how to use digital publishing to amplify their voices and grow not only their business, but their community. I was, and still consider myself, a D-Lister in my own genre of business. Not 'Internet famous' (trust me, that doesn't pay the bills) but rather in the trenches of working with people and clients and inspiring real change, progress, growth, and success.  There are many that "talk the talk" but I'm a "walk the walk" kind of gal. Using the Google+ platform and actively embedding and involving myself in the community and businesses here has allowed me to do both <grin>.

Some say I have been given a lot of opportunity and perks because of Google+. NO. I have earned every single thing I have. I have worked my tail feathers off for it. I have the the dirt and scars from living my professional life in the trenches. If I have any sort of spotlight it is because I strive to highlight other people's successes and celebrate their victories. This isn't about me – but about us. Those of us "outside the fishbowl" don't get cool perks like trips, insider access to new gadgets, or granted any recognition for the work we do day in and day out. But know that we are what makes things like Google+ – or Twitter, or Facebook, or LIFE & BUSINESS work. So I ask you this on Google+'s 1st birthday… what are you doing to:

– move yourself, your career and your business forward?
– stay ahead of the curve?
– grow your value?
– enjoy your life?
– help others?
– break out from complacency?
– amplify your voice?
– be the positive example you strive to find yourself?

I think about all of this and more every single day.

Looking back over the past year I am overwhelmed at the changes in my life. Some things are good: my business is thriving and I am writing a book (on Google+ of course). Some things aren't: my grandmother and matriarch of my family passed away in May and other longtime friends have lost their valiant battles with cancer or depression. I've even had my own health issues (scars are sexy, that's what I keep telling myself…). All in all my family above all else keeps me going. My extended family is the community here on Google+ and across the digital landscape of the Internet. It's a very well-deserved Happy 1st Birthday to Google+ – and to YOU.

Now where is my cake!!???

#gplusbirthday   #blog

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