Small Changes and Shared Ideas
Jan
Well the year is off to a good start for me. After almost quitting this blog altogether less than a month ago, I am feeling great about my new direction here.
Since committing to this project, I have a new outlook on my everyday life. I am consciously making decisions based on my goals as well as my rules to live by (in the sidebar). I’m also thrilled with the level of interaction I’ve received so far and think this will only get better for everyone if more and more people get involved.
Changes and Feedback
When I started this project, I changed a number of things on my blog. I wanted to rebrand it to become more positive and to indicate a new chapter in my life.
The first thing visitors used to see was a miserable office worker photo, which represented “the grind” of a shitty job. As you can see, I’ve replaced with a big ?. I also changed my tagline from “One man’s journey to quit his job, succeed online, and live with passion” to “Join the movement, take action, and change your life in 2012“.
I’ve also made changes to my header tabs, About Page, Resources page, and sidebar widgets. My idea was to create a new and better experience for my readers.
The ? I chose for my header image represents the unknown. I put it there as a way to signify uncertainly, change, and being open to new possibilities. (You got all that from just a question mark, didn’t you?). But I’d like to change it to something more concrete. Something that will identify my brand with ease and stand out in an online world of average.
I’ve said this before, but this project will only be successful with the help and support of my community. I have asked you all to share your ideas, thoughts, and goals with me here and would love your suggestions on choosing a new header image.
The image has to convey change, action, and growth and I want it to be unique. I’m open to all ideas and even pitches to design the image. So if you have any thoughts at all about this, please leave them in the comments. I’d like to choose a new image within the next few weeks and I appreciate your help…
I would also love to hear your thoughts on my tagline. Does it resonate with you? Is it clear what I’m doing? Is it bold enough? Again, I would love to hear your thoughts on this.
I was actually going to keep this post short and sweet and end it here, but I recently received a comment from a reader who decided to share his personal story with us. It’s clear by his words that he is stuck and needs a change and his story is remarkably similar to mine. I can feel his pain and really appreciate his willingness to open up and put his neck out there.
Below is the entire comment and I know he would greatly appreciate any feedback, thoughts, or helpful advice you may have for him.
One Man’s Grind
I started reading Steve’s blog about a month ago and was amazed how his story reminds me of my own life. So in the spirit of the Year of the Grind, I’m going to attempt to get out of my comfort zone and put myself out there and call bullshit on myself too.
I’m 33 years old, married to my best friend, have two beautiful children, have a pretty good job with good salary. From an exterior perspective, everything indicates that I’m leading a quite happy and successful life. But I am not happy. I’ve lost sight of how to even be happy and have lost balance in my life.
If I were asked to give an answer as to why, I would say it is my current job. I hate it and it is not fulfilling to me. After 11 years building my career and generally getting to a point of success, I know this is not what I wanted. I have never asked the question, “What do I really want to do with my life?”
2011 was a pretty tough year for me. After three sudden deaths in my family, the premature birth of my son (he is happy and healthy now, thank God) and a pretty challenging and stressful year at my job; 2011 is the year that learned that I have to gain some perspective on my life. My job has often been a distraction to the other more important things in my life (especially family). I work my ass off. I need to let go of the fear/stress/worry and realize that I can only do the best I can. If that’s not enough for any employer, well…..they can just show me the door.
2012 is the year where I need to work on myself and start to get to a place where I can say I’m not in a Grind. To me, the “Grind” is a point where your mind becomes essentially broken. Like a muscle that is not exercised and becomes weak, my mind has become unable to shake itself out of its rut or depression. To fix that muscle it takes a huge undertaking with a rigorous workout regimen.
So for starters, my first goal of the year is to actually make goals! I need to fix my mind. To do that, I need to take time to step back, regroup and begin working on myself.
My goals for the year are still a work in progress but to put some of them out there:
- FIX MY MIND!! And find balance again…
- Return to my former passion of running. Start up a regular running schedule. Sign up for the Broad Street Run in Philly this year (in May) and make it a yearly tradition again
- Learn to learn. Read at least one book a month every month
- Disconnect when I’m not at work meaning, when I’m with my family, I’M WITH MY FAMILY! I have spent too much time being distracted by the job that I have lost some quality time with them (I actually missed my daughter’s 2nd birthday and will always feel horrible about that). This is effective immediately
- Learn to create. I have always enjoyed writing and photography and will start creating a portfolio on an ongoing basis
- Realize that there’s a world outside of my bullshit. Find time to be more charitable. I have a son that is a preemie and I have never done anything for March of Dimes…that’s kind of embarrassing and shameful
I think what Steve has going here is really special. It’s great to see a community of people come together like this and share some honest feedback. To me, that doesn’t happen very often in life. I’m happy to be part of it (even if only in a small way) and invite you all to share your honest feedback with me.
All the best to you all!
-Joe
Help…
I realize that I’ve asked you spend your time sharing your thoughts about my site as well as on feedback for Joe’s story. If you’ve been following my blog closely then you care about what’s going on here and know how important all of your comments are to me.
So please take a few minutes and share your thoughts here. Thanks so much….
Steve Rice | True Spiritual Awakening
Wow, Steve…powerful post. Thanks for sharing Joe’s story with us.
Sometimes it’s just encouraging knowing that I’m not the only one who’s had the “There’s got to be more to life than this” thought.
As far as your header image…no immediate ideas, but will think about it some more. I really like the tagline, though, because it’s instantly clear what you’re doing, so I would keep this or some slight variation.
For Joe: Hang in there, Buddy. The 20’s and 30’s are all about figuring ourselves out. You are at a good place. I’m only a year older than you are now, and I hit the same wall you have a year or two ago. It’s a process, but the first step is realization.
Once you recognize that things should be different, they will begin to shift because you’re giving them attention.
The other fantastic thing that you have done is that you have made a conscious effort to organize your mind. This is ESSENTIAL.
Here’s one of my favorite quotes from James Allen: “You cannot travel within and stand still without”
You’re on the right track…keep going and keep engaged. We’re here to cheer, encourage and help in any way we can.
Steve
Steve,
Joe’s story really hit me because of the similarities to my own life. My hope is that stories like his can be shared here which could be very beneficial for everyone. First, the person sharing becomes accountable and has a captive audience willing to share their thoughts with them.
It’s also great for the reader who can possibly identify with them and learn something about themselves.
Thanks for taking the time Steve, I appreciate it.
Lynn Hess
Hi, Steve! This is my first comment here, but I’ve been reading you for a little while now. I find your blog really refreshing, because it seems closer to my “level” and where I’m at than many others I follow. There are a lot of wonderful blogs out there written by people who’ve done amazing things and found all kinds of success — but they can sometimes seem so far ahead of where I am that they actually discourage me instead of encourage me.
Your voice is really honest, authentic, and simple. I think there are so many people out there who can relate to exactly where you’re coming from, and it’s nice to feel not alone — to see that someone else who doesn’t have it all figured out yet is nonetheless putting himself out there, taking action, and doing what it takes to figure it out!
I, too, have been “in the grind” for too long. The more I read and see, the more I realize that the cliche is true — whatever action you take doesn’t have to be perfect, but you have to take action and put yourself out there for anything to change. Doing ANYTHING really does flip a switch in the universe or something, and set things in motion. So congratulations to you for flipping the switch.
I’ll be watching, exploring, and asking questions right along with you!
Steve
Hi Lynn,
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment 🙂
I feel the same way about many of the blogs out there. I read quite a few and many of them have had success (or claim to have has success). I’m not here to sell anyone anything nor am I trying to impress anyone. I write truthfully and hope that others can learn from my mistakes and successes.
It took me a long time to realize that I don’t have to be making money here. For the first year I wrote here, I was thinking that I was going to be making money and I’d be able to quit my job and things would work out perfectly..
I now realize that just being an internet entrepreneur (or whatever) is not the end result of all of this. This is about my life and making it better. Sure I still want to build an online business here, but it is no longer my focus.
And as far as action-you’re right! I am soooo guilty of NOT taking action and now that I’m forcing myself to, things are going better in my life.
If you care to share, I’d love to hear more about your “grind” and what you plan to do to get out of it!
Baron
I don’t have many ideas for the re-brand, but I’m glad to follow along. I’ve got myself into the same rut. I’ll be watching the way things go. Good luck.
Steve
Thanks Baron,
If you have any ideas, I’m all ears..
Hugh Kimura
Just wanted to add my thoughts…
Tagline – It’s good, but how about “now” instead of “in 2012”? Although your initial journey will be through 2012, I think the appeal is how people can get inspired by you to take action right now. That makes it more sustainable and brandable down the road.
Logo – I’m imagining a John Galt type thing where a man is literally throwing a wrench into some gears in triumph, signifying stopping the grind.
On a sidenote, I think the quitting your job thing is an extremely powerful draw and I think you should figure out a way to throw that back into the mix on a smaller scale.
Hope that helps!
Steve
Hey Hugh,
You have a point about “now” but I think the timeline (1 year) makes it sound more concrete. “Change your life now” sounds so open ended to me..
Interesting idea on the image..I like that.
As far as quitting my job, that is still a big part of my future, but in the short-term, I need to focus on my personal life. Some things are happening at work soon which are going to make my life a lot better and I intend on sticking it out for a year or so.
Don’t get me wrong here, I am still 100% committed to creating a business online and leaving my career. It just is going to have to wait..
Stephen Smith
I love this part:
“Disconnect when I’m not at work meaning, when I’m with my family, I’M WITH MY FAMILY! I have spent too much time being distracted by the job that I have lost some quality time with them (I actually missed my daughter’s 2nd birthday and will always feel horrible about that). This is effective immediately”
I actually mentioned to my lovely bride just last night that it is so nice that I do not get interrupted by text messages from my staff any more…
Quality of life is sooo much more important.
Steve
Stephen,
I’m really excited for Joe and the changes he is willing to make in order to enjoy his life more. Personally, I couldn’t imagine missing one of my daughter’s birthdays, especially for something work related..