I just read Gary Vaynerchuk’s book “Crush It” and many of his messages resonated with me in terms of the priorities I live by as well as the priorities I ask my clients to adopt.

…”love your family, work hard, live your passion”

Using that as a filter for each and every decision you make will make a difference in your life.  What struck me while reading his book, in addition to the online business advice, was his talk about legacy.  The words that kept popping into my head were “Reality Show”.

In the last 15 years, the internet has shortened the miles between us and Web2.0 has opened up global interaction like never before.  We are reaching farther, communicating more and great ideas are being shared in ways we never imagined.  It is important to remember, though, that every object casts a shadow and there is one point I would like to make.

Every single interaction that goes into writing is YOUR own personal reality show.

Here are a few lessons I have learned over the years to help you make certain what you put out there you can indeed live with.

1. From my grandmother – ‘Never put anything in writing you don’t want to repeat in court’ – this advice is older than I would like to admit, but it stands relevant for today.  What you put out there onto the internet will remain forever.  Be it email, video, written comments, complaints, words of wisdom – all if it has the potential to be shared with the world – will you still be proud of it 5, 10, 20 years from now?
2. From my Mother – ‘Be impeccable with your words’ – careful respect for how you speak to someone is important. Each and every person deserves respect, no matter who they are, where they come from or how they intersect with your life.
3. Witnessed in the workplace – ‘You are an ambassador of your workplace, act like it.’ – How you speak about the business for which you work can become seriously career-limiting.  Are customers your friends on Facebook? Are you twittering about how much you hate your job? Are you putting yourself liable for being fired or worse based on client loss due to a few typed sentences?

HR departments are now using search tools to find out more about you before they hire you.  Does what you post reflect who you are, or even, who you say you are to places you are applying.

Companies are now doing careful searches for their company names, and chances are they know what you are saying.  If you don’t believe they have the granular tools to do so, stop kidding yourself.

Your own name is being searched by girl and boy friend’s parents, volunteer organizations, sports clubs, and more.

Have I always been proud of what is out there under my name? No, one living post just makes me look like I am not very bright and another one highlights some pretty poor writing skills from many years ago.  What is interesting, is that I have made attempts (about the not-so-bright post on a certain website)to have it removed, but to no avail. (if you happen to have nothing but time, go crazy searching, I’d love to know what more is out there.)

What kind of Reality Show are you providing to the world, what kind of legacy are you leaving? It is something you can be proud of and speaks positively about who you are? Or as Gary Vaynerchuk mentions, is it something you want your grandchildren to read?

Last thought: a photograph speaks a thousand words.