A Lot Can Happen In 17 Days
Jan
So it’s been 17 days since I introduced The Year Of The Grind. In that time, I quit my job, made $80,000 on a massive product launch, and moved my family to the tropical island of St John’s.
Well, not exactly. But I have been up to some very good things…
The Start Of Something BIG!
Although I have had my moments of doubt, I am very excited about this year and what has happened already.
I know this project will take time to gather momentum and interest and it’s been overwhelming trying to figure outΒ how I want this all to look. I don’t have all the answers and actually am looking for answers regarding some changes here.
What I can tell you is that I am moving towards my monthly goals each day and doing when I normally would have been thinking.
Ten days ago I wrote my goals post and am making progress on all of them. I’ll save the full report for the month end post and am committed to meeting them all.
And like many of you have said, when action is taken, things DO happen! I’ve seen this already and I’m happy to say that I’ve seen positive changes come about.
For example:
- My brother and I have been in contact again.
- My fitness boot camp class for January was the most profitable one I’ve had in the year and a half I’ve been doing them.
- I was called out of the blue by the parents of a personal training client I worked with briefly 3 years ago. The are now my clients and I’m training them once each week.
- My job is going surprisingly well and there are big changes on the horizon.
- I’ve started feeling better about myself and as one friend put it “I’ve got a spring in my step”. This is a direct result of thinking positively about my job and home life. Although both things are not going particularly well, I am choosing to look at the upside of each.
- I’m trying really hard to be less of an asshole when I drive. This is actually the most challenging thing I’ve been doing. You see, I’m am always in a hurry. Even when I have no place to really be, I’m in a hurry. And I hate slow drivers. And by slow drivers, I mean anyone driving the speed limit or under. So every time I get behind the wheel now, I have to force myself to relax and remember that life doesn’t have to move at 100mph all the time. And it’s working…mostly.
My Struggles
If this was easy, I would have done it years ago. But making a positive change is hard. I’d be lying if I said I was all smiles and happy thoughts every day. I’m far from that.
We can’t just flip a switch and make ourselves happy. It’s not that simple. I’m a believer in the happiness set point theory and mine is at about a 3 out of 10. Slowly I will reset it, but it takes time and a ton of effort. And I’m going for it!
I know there a lot of people who are trying to change their lives this year (some who have decided to share their goals here), and it’s an uphill battle.
The thing that keeps me going is knowing that there is so much more to life than how we are living it at this moment. I know it.
This is a quote I have often referred to and it’s exactly true. We can have what we want in life. We just need to “ask” for it.
“I bargained with Life for a penny,
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store.
For Life is a just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.
I worked for a menialβs hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have willingly paid.”
This Is Not Just About Me
I want to reiterate that this project is not just about Steve’s life. It’s about you. One of the reasons I wanted to create a small group of people to share this journey with me was to spread the word.
The more people than can publicly commit to doing something that moves them towards a better life, the better. I certainly don’t have the reach or fame to make a huge impact on the world, but combined with many others, I think we can start to make a tiny dent.
And before you write me off as some personal development crusader, that’s not it at all. I’m not in this to change the world or to even change my neighborhood. I just want people to realize that life doesn’t have to suck. It can change.
How is your year going so far? What are you working towards?
Abby
Good for you! I think it’s best to take things in small chunks and deal with/evaluate them that way. Looking too far ahead can be overwhelming, and when it comes down to it, all we can do is take small steps anyway. Big props.
As for me, meh. I’ve actually been feeling rather craptastic this year, and know it’s a combination of professional frustration and personal restlessness. I’m not sure how to overcome either of them right now–mostly the professional aspect–so I feel as if I’m treading water for the next couple months. The book hype has disappeared and now I feel left with, “Now what?” on top of a job I feel is doing nothing for my spirit, but that i need to pay the bills.
However, there is always a chance to keep working towards something else, so like I said, small steps!
Steve
Hi Abby,
I tend to get overwhelmed very easily with enormous task lists and everyday life. Although the things I am writing about right now are pretty small in comparison my ultimate goals, it has to start somewhere for me. I’ve been such a huge procrastinator for so long that even the small things I’m doing feel like a lot..
I can understand your frustration. Personally, I think it’s a matter of time before you are able to do what you really want. Of course you need to put in the work, but you are a highly talented writer and I know you are capable of great things. If you have to grind it out for a year or two, then so be it. Just don’t ever give up…
Ruth - The Freelance Writing Blog
Steve, I love the accountability. Keep reporting back on your progress – it is inspiring!
Steve
Thanks Ruth,
I felt much better about this post than I did the last one. I know they are very small steps, but at least I’m taking them π
Lynn Hess
“What I can tell you is that I am moving towards my monthly goals each day and doing when I normally would have been thinking.”
That’s it in a nutshell, I think!
I’ve never been a big fan of goals — they completely stress me out. But I do love inspired action (emphasis on “action”) and it usually gets me where I want (or need) to go, even when I can’t see that it’s happening at the time!
I’m totally getting chills from this post. It’s as clear an example as any I’ve seen of the power of JUST GETTING STARTED. My guess is that you’ll look back on this post a year or two from now and say, “Wow! Who would’ve known that what I’ve got now started from THIS!” You may not call yourself a personal development guru guy, but the things you’ve figured out on your own are the same things they’re all telling everyone.
I just noticed you had published an earlier post calling bullshit on yourself, and had to laugh — I posted my very first blog post a week ago, calling bullshit on MYself. I’m in the same space of early action, baby steps, and figuring it all out that you seem to be in — which is why I’m resonating with your blog so much, I guess.
I like your writing style and what you have to say, and I’m glad to be in the process of Ending the Grind right along with you. And I think “I just want people to realize that life doesn’t have to stuck” is an excellent mission statement!
Steve
Lynn,
You’re exactly right. It IS all about getting started for me. I’ve been caught up in my head for sooo long that now that I’m actually things, it’s pretty amazing what happens. I am literally trying not to think about the million different things I want/need/feel and just doing them instead.
I hope to look back on this as the start of something life changing. I have no idea how everything will turn out for me, but I plan to stay focused on what’s important.
And that’s too funny about your “bullshit” post, I’ll have to head over and read it π
I actually thought of using “Life doesn’t have to suck” as my tagline, but I am trying to stay away from negative statements..it is true though!
Lynn Hess
I understand what you mean about staying away from negativity…I’m a big fan of that myself. But I will say that that would make a GREAT tagline!
Steve
I agree. I really wanted to use it and it’s just so catchy… but I’ve been mr. negative for so long and have to change that…
Lynn Hess
I think you should keep it in your back pocket for possible use later; I bet once your natural positivity grows, you can find a way to make it work for something — an e-book, a class, whatever. In coaching school, we learned that one of the most valuable things you can offer to people is how you overcame the very things that are getting in their way. I bet you could help a lot of people who are trying to overcome negativity in their own lives — and that tagline really nails where they might be coming from and what’s stopping them.
Steve
You’re really turning me around here…
Chris Wynter
Lynn! Where’s the link to your blog?
Steve
It’s http://lynnhess.com/
Chris Wynter
D’oh. Now why didn’t I think of that. π Thanks Steve!
Lynn Hess
Be gentle, it’s still a baby! But I’m excited to have people who don’t even KNOW me reading it! π
Evan
I am pretty happy with my personal relationships. This year I am adding making money from my blog
Steve
Evan,
That’s it?
What’s you plan, my friend?
Evan
Writing some products and the freebies to promote them at the moment.
Steve
OK. If you care to share any specifics, I’d love to hear them!
Evan
Hi Steve,
I’m a self development blogger – my take is that lasting satisfaction only comes from an authentic life.
My plans:
First product – 40 daily reminders to check in with yourself. Low price entry product. To begin to develop the habit of checking in with yourself regularly.
Second product – a short course on living authentically. Probably about six weeks long. Higher priced. Perhaps with a webinar or two. Approx 2 hrs work per week. To give people a way to process their experience and live with more satisfaction.
Third product – the big one. A book or online course (content delivered either way) giving my take on self development. That it is primarily about learning/educating ourselves. This means clearning up the past, living in the present and welcoming and creating the future. This will be higher priced.
As these will be new courses I will have offer a lower price for the first group of students and raise it subsequently.
One thing I’d like to do but don’t know how is to get every customer to rate what they buy. Everyone has testimonials that say the stuff is great – I would like to be able to have something where everyone is counted (even if it is just clicking a form to give a score out of ten or out of five stars). Don’t know of a way to do this though.
That’s the plan(s) in outline. All questions and comments are welcome.
Steve
Evan,
Thanks for sharing this.
How far along are you with any of these?
As far as the rating scale, I’m sure there is a way to do it. I’ll ask around to see if anyone knows how…
Evan
I’m half way through writing the first course.
The second I have the material so it is cut and paste and then re-writing.
The third I have the form in mind – this is the biggest step for me. Wandering around and trying stuff and seeing what works until the form emerges. Then it is more filling in the spaces.
I’m a bit all over the place with the freebies for promotion.
Steve
That’s a great start! Keep us posted on your progress.
Dan B
Steve, I love the site! Just seeing that you are working on your goals and writing them on a website for people to see is great. βI just want people to realize that life doesnβt have to stuckβ It makes me want to get back to writing my goals down!
Dan B.
Omaha, Ne (now at Tinkaer AFB)
Steve
Hey Dan,
I appreciate the compliment!
You’re actually the 2nd person to misquote my line! It’s “life doesn’t have to suck, not stuck. I had to go back and check my post to make sure I didn’t misspell it π
So are you going to write your goals? That’s great that I’ve inspired you to want to write your goals. Now do it, man!
Lynn Hess
Whoops, I did say “stuck,” didn’t I? The ironic thing is I’m an editor and proofreader by trade. I’m declaring that blog comments don’t count!
Steve
You’re fired! π
Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion
Steve, loved the ‘results’ portion of this post. That’s what we’re all here for, and I’m proud of you for showing tangible signs of improvement. GREAT job bud.
Marcus
Steve
Thanks you my friend.
Small steps are better than no steps. I know I’m not doing anything earth shattering (yet), but it has to start somewhere, right?
Thanks for the encouragement..
Paige | Simple Mindfulness
Well this is a whole new Steve talking! It’s great! Your positive side is there and poking its head out. You seem to be on the right path.
I felt compelled to comment on your comment: there is so much more to life than how we are living it at this moment.
When you boil it down, there is actually nothing more to life that how we are living it at this moment. Our entire lives are a string of “this moments” and the choices we make and the attitudes we choose to have in each moment.
Making conscious choices in each moment instead of running on autopilot creates new habits that lead us to where we want to be and who we want to be.
Keep up the great work!
Steve
Paige,
I know I have either written a good post or a shitty one when I see you have left a comment π
“Making conscious choices in each moment” is exactly what I am having to do right now. My old habits are very hard to kick and I have to literally tell myself to make better choices all day long. For example, I had to talk myself down from driving on some knucklehead’s ass today.
Here’s my thought process:
1. This asshole is driving 40 in a 45 mph zone, what are they thinking?
2. I’m going to drive 3 inches from their bumper and get them to speed up..
3. Ok, wait. Why am I in a hurry? I’m not!
4. What if the person in front of me has children in the car? What if I cause them to crash?
5. What if the person is some raging lunatic and pulls over and shoots me?
6. I have no place to be that can’t wait 5 extra minutes-ever!
7. This is where I slow down (to now a 35 mph crawl…) but I do it π
Paige | Simple Mindfulness
Great thought process! I’ve actually experienced 4 & 5 (I didn’t get shot but truly thought I might) when I accidentally got too close to someone (side by side) going through a construction zone at night. I didn’t realize what I did (I was driving a big truck) but they chased me down for about 10 miles, on my bumper no matter how fast or slow I went, honking their horn. I feared for my life and I was pregnant. I finally found a police station to pull into (small town and it looked like no one was there). When I parked, the raging lunatic got out screaming at me. I was seriously looking for his gun. Then his raging lunatic of a wife got out screaming at me. They accused me of being crazy and endangering the one year old in the back seat. I thought, who’s the nut here? They were driving like total lunatics with a baby in the back seat!
You never know what’s going on in the cars around you.
I like to listen to audio books when I’m driving. I learn all kinds of stuff or “read” books that I don’t have time to get to. Bonus is that I stay focused on what I’m listening to instead of all the other drivers around me.
Steve
That’s crazy! I’ve been fortunate enough not to have any problems aside from the occasional guy yelling at me..
I listen to a lot of BlogcastFm interviews in the car and actually have the 4 Hour Workweek on audio, so I listen to that as well.
But every now and then, I need to hear some Metallica while I’m driving!!
Tom Ewer
Steve! I’m so happy to read this post. Sounds like you’re making massive progress. Looking forward to speaking with you and the guys tomorrow π
About driving – I used to be the same – you just need to put it into perspective. In reality, getting caught behind slow drivers usually only adds a few minutes onto your journey. It’s no big deal. The stress isn’t good for you my friend π
Steve
Tom,
I wouldn’t say I’m making massive progress, but it is progress!
Driving has been a challenge for me. I get pretty worked up over nothing and I’m sure have upset my fair share of people. It’s just not good for anyone, so I am working hard on it…
Lynn Hess
I’m generally a pretty laid-back driver, but a friend told me something that works for her and I have used it a few times. She says she remembers driving home from work after she found out her mom died and what a wreck she was — crying, with her mind totally somewhere else — and she’s sure she probably drove pretty shitty. So when someone does something stupid on the road, she tries to imagine that it’s an otherwise nice person having a really terrible day, and it helps her cut them some slack.
Laura Rupp
When you get upset while driving, turn it around, be grateful you have a car!
Steve
That’s one way to look at it!
Justin Mazza
Haha Steve about slow drivers. I was once like you Steve, then I got a haircut and it all changed.
Seriously though, I used to be stressed when I drove to work or anywhere for that matter. It took conscious effort and time on my part to overcome it.
I realized that I will probably be driving until I die so I might as well learn to be less stressed while driving and slow down. Plus somebody can get hurt when you drive in a stressed state.
A lot of my stress was caused by impatience so I bought one of those squeeze balls(where the eyes bulge out) and squeezed it while I drove which helped alleviate some of my stress.
Then I realized I would get bored when I drove so I either bought or rented some CD’s to listen like Tony Robbins or someone like him to keep me entertained while I drove.
I also began doing conscious breathing exercises when I drive. Breath in for 4 seconds, hold for 8 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds. Do this at least 3 times.
Now when I drive I am 99% of the time in a relaxed state until someone decides to tailgate me which only makes me drive slower and makes the person tailgaiting me more stressed.
So the key to unstressed driving is to unstress your mind and body. Clean out the thoughts that make you feel stressed and relax your body.
I will mail you a bill for unsolicited consultation. π
GO RAVENS!!!!
Steve
Justin,
I almost spammed your comment because of your Ravens cheer π
My problem is lack of patience and I have a hard time slowing down (in life). I feel like I’m always one step behind all the things I “need” to do and no matter how fast I go through life, I will never catch up…
And I’ll be waiting by the mailbox for your invoice…
Justin Mazza
Please don’t add me as a spammer. I will keep all sports talk to Social Media Sites. π
Harriet
I know I haven’t been on your blog for a few days but I got very shocked when you said you’d done all those things in 17 days! You’re very tricky you are π Still its good to see you’re carring on with your goals and aims for 2012
Steve
Never underestimate my sneakiness π
All is going well so far and I’m just getting warmed up!
Scott
Steve,
Again…I am impressed with your writing. You ARE going to be successful. I am sure of it.
Accountability is what I need as well. I live in a very small town with no other bloggers around me or interested in business. That is why your site is so important to me.
Thanks for putting it out there bud!
Scott
Steve
Scott,
I love your confidence in me!
I would think that who is on your area wouldn’t bee all that relevant since we are online! I know what you mean though.
As far as my site being important to you, that really means a lot. I’ve definitely appreciated your support here and if you need anything, let me know..
julie
Steve, loved the βresultsβ portion of this post. am amazed that youve acomplished ALL thise things in just 17 days, way to go man!
Steve
Why thank you Julie! Just wait until day 40, 80, and 200 π
Laur @ The Mad to Live
Hi Steve!
I have to say that I am so so so so excited to be on the journey for your Happiness Project on Steroids plan!
What’s funny is about 2 months ago I was sitting in B&N reading that book and I started to think maybe I should organize my self improvement goals in that way. I jotted some notes, brainstormed on monthly ideas etc, and kind of put it aside.
But you’re REALLY doing it and I find that so inspiring! I read your other post about the breakdown of it and just want to say I’m glad there’s people like you sharing their story b/c it will without a doubt serve others by inspiring them!!!! π
Glad the rock we live on has people like you on it!
– Laur π
Steve
Hi Laur,
Always nice to see you here π
Why did you put your happiness project off? Are you going to do it?
I know you have a lot going on, but I’d love to see you challenge yourself even more..
Benny
I’m so happy to read some amazing updates from you! Plus just 17 days into the journey!
I don’t know what happened to me, but i drive a lot slower than I used to. I wasn’t an aggressive driver, but I definitely drive speed limit or a bit over. I just try to stay out of the way of the crazy ones. Guess I should get out of your way!
I’ll see aggressive and fast drivers blow by me, but when we get to the red light, I’m right behind them. I notice it cause I’ll pay attention to asshole drivers. Plus like you said above, there’s nowhere I really need to be five minutes earlier.
But great to hear things are getting better for you Steve!
Steve
Benny,
The one thing that pisses me off more than slow drivers is having them pull up next to me after I blew past them 3 miles back..
I grew up about 30 miles from Boston and things just move faster up there..
When I moved to Colorado years ago, I couldn’t adjust to the slow pace of everything. People were always telling me to slow down with everything. Hard habits to break…
jonknep
Damn your not even giving it a month to post your progress Steve? Geez you’re putting the rest of us on the hot seat to take action haha.
I’m with you man and I couldn’t be any happier for your progress/success!
Jonathon
Steve
Thanks Jon,
What are you up to? How are you progressing with your goals?
jonknep
Grinding as usual, but that good kind of grind so I’m not complaining. I’m working hard on my short term goals and peppering in some of the next items on the list.
There are just never enough hours in the day, hence why I’m replying at 2:44am ha.
Steve
Keep at it, dude! There is no rest for those who are committed to making big things happen!
Rozalia Mayne
Steve,
Today when I woke up and saw that I had 1098 spam comments I was ready to delete the site. I thought to myself….. I am accomplishing nothing.
Conclusion:I knew I needed a little encouragement today.
Thanks for Great driving tips, as I moved to WV a little over a year ago and the speed limit is 55 on the back roads. Life here is an adjustment to say the least some days I feel like I am in a washing machine on Spin cycle.