Social media self-promotion: Resisting the temptation

A recent study suggests that media outlets are poor social media sports, using networks strictly to promote their own work. But isn't that what everyone using social media is asked to do? So consultant Peter Bregman, who is author of the new book 18 Minutes, recommends something akin to a spiritual practice. Remind yourself that it's okay to miss stuff. Where this fails, Bregman suggests building a wall around your Twitter use so that it doesn't distract you from other activities that might ultimately bring more pleasure or influence. He sets his watch to beep every hour during his workday, at which point he pauses for a full minute and asks himself two questions: Am I doing the work I want to be doing? Am I being the person I want to be? This reflection has helped him temper the competitive instincts that could easily lead to panicked over-Tweeting. But, he concluded, "the only way to really protect ourselves is not to look in the first place."