Tanya McGinnity

My buddy Mitch Joel who is one of the many smart cookies over at Twist Image (where I used to work a wayyyy wayyy back) wrote a blog post that really spoke to me today.  His article, “The 10 Core Values of a Winning Personal Brand” would normally have me turning up my nose as I hate the phrase “personal brand”. Guess it’s the punk rock in me that makes me bristle when I hear those words together. I get that brands can be personal. (Dischord Records is a brand right?) That part doesn’t cause me any concern. It’s more that I get scared when flesh and blood humans begin to feel that gross level of self-importance online that feels like an over-eager, greasy handshake. You know the type. C’mon. I know you do.

I started blogging here with the intention of it being where I share links, witticisms, and smart assery should any potential employers, clients, suitors or abductors be looking for more information about me. But this blog is only a small microcosm showing what I’m interested in, an in turn, a glimpse into my personal brand. I am more than an LOL cat aficionado.

After a bit of soul searching, I’m coming to realize that my passion for personal blogging on this blog is waning, whereas writing about Buddhism is where I’m truly feeling my groove . Sounds like I have an existential problem on my hands. In killing my personal blog and dedicating my time to blogging about my spiritual pursuits am I committing digital seppuku? What is the sound of one finger pressing DELETE ALL POSTS in a WordPress admin panel?

I think in the evolution of our personalities (aka -personal brands), we need to rethink our priorities and refocus. As Mitch says in his post:

Focus. Too many people spread themselves too thin. They’re busy Tweeting when they should be Blogging or busy Blogging when they should be creating a video. Know the type of content you are best at producing (text, images, audio, video) and stay focused on practicing it and getting it to be great.

The key in this for me is “spreading yourself” too thin. I’m about to shed some of my layers and get a bit more stealth with how I’m spending my time. I know that digital sabbaticals are all the rage these days, but for me, I’m embarking on a digital refocus.

I couldn’t resist adding another LOLcat there…

Way back in 2007, I was a girl with a plan. The plan to bring ladies together in their love of technology and geekiness. What came out of this was much more than I ever expected. Collaborations formed. Friendships started. Confidence gained.

I can’t begin to explain how much starting this group has helped me to break out of my comfort zone and I hope has done the same for many of the speakers.

But I was always just able to give the group (and community) 75%. I’m the kind of gal that doesn’t just have one full plate – but a whole cupboard full and while juggling planning the events, finding speakers, promotion and all of the community work that comes with being the gal to contact (ie: helping folks promote their cool events, lending a hand to gals looking for work…), I was also taking French classes, studying and teaching Buddhism, blogging about Buddhism, doing social media campaigns for non-profits, raising wild pugdogs and maintaining a boyfriend who morphed into a fiance and now a husband. Yeah… I’m sure I missed some things in that list.

I’ve decided that it’s time to hand over the keys to the Montreal Girl Geek Dinners group to change things up a bit – both for me and the group.

Your new navigator is Alexandra Dao and you are in exceptional hands. Alex is a born organizer and community cultivator. She comes from startup culture and loves her some internet memes. She is a geek. A girl geek. Huzzah!!! She’s full of great ideas, boundless energy and is just freaking frakking nice. I look forward to what she’ll bring to the group and like a Mama Grizzly, I’ll be around to lend a hand if she needs it.

Georgiana Laudi will be helping Alex out and has already provided me with support on several events in the past. Gia gets social media, goes to a zillion local events and is a huge asset to the group.

Me? Well I have a few other projects cooking up but I’m really looking forward to having the time to meet you. Let’s have a girl geek tea sometime and catch up.