Social Media: The Ladder, Not the Destination

Once upon a time, in the '90s, Bill Gates famously declared, "If your business is not on the Internet, then your business will be out of business."

How right he was.

But let's look deeper.

The Internet - and, by extension, social media - is not your destination.

It's a vehicle. A tool.

The goal is not to have the most followers, or the most likes. The real goal is to create meaningful impact.

Think of the Michelin Guide. It started as a tire company's gimmick to make drivers travel more. Now, it's the most revered restaurant rating system in the world.

Michelin didn't aim to be a social media giant. They aimed to create value.

Social media platforms are information highways. Bumper-to-bumper with knowledge, opportunities, and connections.

But, if the journey leaves you exhausted and unhappy, are you really driving right?

Contrarian thought alert: Social media isn't the party. It's the invitation to the party.

Take Lego. They didn't just advertise. They turned their social media into a community of creative enthusiasts.

The joy was not in the likes. It was in the creations. In the connections.

Seth Godin once said, "People do not buy goods and services. They buy relations, stories, and magic."

Social media isn't the magic. It's the magic wand.

Beware the siren song of vanity metrics. Don't lose yourself in the hollow echo of likes, shares, and retweets.

Are you sharing cat videos to get views, or are you using it to shine a light on animal shelters?

Are you posting travel photos for likes, or are you sparking curiosity about different cultures?

At the end of the day, if social media doesn't make your real life richer,

If it doesn't create value, inspire curiosity, or build connections,

Then you're not scrolling right.

Social media platforms are not the end goal.

They are the ladders to reach the fruit of knowledge, interaction, and value.

Your happiness - and the happiness you spread - that's the real goal.