[Note from the Proprietor: In case you're wondering what it's all about, well, we're smack in the middle of BLOGAPALOOZA! Hey, you're welcome to join in the fun if you like! All ya gotta do is click that cute little link and read all about it!]

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Guest post by Rick Mahn who writes over at Rick Mahn

Ok, I finally got a chance to put together a “What I learned from 2008″ for my blogging friend Robert Hruzek. Thanks for the invitation to share this post Robert!

In January, I had wondered about a Daily Journal – Can I make it a habit? This launched me into a semi-habit of journaling, yep still working on building that habit.

February helped me learn that there were many great bloggers, and to realize When the “A-List” stops being “The A-List”. Because of that, I discovered new writers, new ideas and made new friendships.

March brought a lot of new Twitter friends, and of course, I couldn’t resist asking Is today the day? This really inspired me to look at each opportunity that comes along and not dismiss them out of hand.

In addition to showers, April brought some insight into social media tools – specifically that The most powerful social media tool is blogging.

May brought my attention around to The Art of Listening, which is always a good skill to enhance.

June brought a new contract with new challenges, and helped me realize how much I enjoyed Connecting People.

In July, I thought quite a bit about consulting and wrote about some learning’s I’d had at that point. You can find those thoughts in Contract, one part of the consulting gig.

August brought a lot of work & stress, and I starting thinking about simpler things. Things like, what people were doing Right Now. Glad I did.

September was a busy month for many, but I did get the chance to talk about the non-social-media crowd with some folks, and Living Without Social Media was the result.

October was again, a busy month. However, being involved on the local level inspired me and Be the flash point for social media in your city was the result. I hope you do, btw.

November kept me from writing much, but I did write a 5 Things – Happiness post for the 5 things meme. Happiness is a good thing.

December brought me around to Thoughts on Social Media Careers and what direction they were taking.

Ok, that’s it – not so bad after all.

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Rick is an Information Technology pro that got interested in using all that geeky tech stuff to build relationships and community. Rick writes about the social web on his blog, and writes the Social Media Explorer column of Personal Branding Magazine.

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[Further note from the Proprietor: Hey, if you're interested in having your own "best of 2008" posts highlighted right here at the Middle Zone, then by all means, click on this link: (BLOGAPALOOZA: What I Learned From 2008) and read all about it! BLOGAPALOOZA will be open for entries from now until Sunday, January 25.]

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