This is the 100th blog I’m posting since I started one year ago on November 4, 2009. Yes, I’m pleased and yes, it’s taken a lot of work to stick to the schedule of writing 2 posts per week. Persistence and consistency are probably the 2 attributes of which I’m most proud. Scheduling regular time to write has brought sanity to the process.
But here is the real secret, I have a fantastic editor who helps hold me to the schedule (i.e. I committed to her); tells me when I’m attempting to post some crap or fluff; and regularly corrects the idiosyncratic grammar style in which I write. She has elevated my writing with her frequent pointed comments and also taught me how to think about writing from the perspective of the reader, their needs, and their interests. Thank you Jana Primmer!
While my first blogs are retrospectively somewhat primitive, they gave me the freedom to write and express myself in a medium that I previously never used. The early posts had little to do with what I’m currently writing, but were foundational as my style of writing evolved and developed.
In the last 50 to 60+ posts, I’ve started to really find my groove … becoming more focused on teaching good principles, saying what I want to say, and making more forceful arguments. In other words, I’m finding my writer’s voice and taking a stand. It will be interesting to look back from 150 or 250 or 500 to see how my style continues to evolve.
So today, to celebrate, I’m giving myself the day off from the new creative thinking and writing.
Here in no particular order are 10 of my favorite (or most significant) blogs I’ve written and a brief reason why they seem important to me.
- The Beginning (Blog #1): my first blog. I concluded by saying, “I’ll just let my thoughts bubble and trickle and form whatever puddle, stream or pond that develops.” That part has been both prophetic and true … I have evolved and changed. I also said that my bi-weekly posts would be “no longer than 400 to 500 words”. This has proven false as they are routinely now averaging 600 to 800 words.
- Sometimes There Just Aren’t Enough Rocks (Blog #39): my first blog with a picture. Now, I’m not sure why it took until post # 39 to figure out that a picture tells 1000 words, But from that post forward, every blog has a photograph or visual.
- A Tribute to My Father (Blog #61): posted to coincide with Fathers Day, it was a combination of two stories about Dad from previous years but published in this new public forum. I Love You, Dad! And, I wish you a quick recovery from your knee replacement surgery scheduled for tomorrow.
- The Bitterroot Mountain Range (Blog #86): this is included because the 1st draft drew the wrath of Jana, “if you don’t have time to write quality content … then don’t bother posting.” After I carefully re-drafted my article, she said, “Sometimes you make me feel so proud of you I just literally get tears in my eyes. Well done.” That is the proverbial kick-in-the-pants I mentioned that Jana provides when necessary.
- And That’s All I’ve Got to Say About That! (Blog #20): this was the first time I specifically took a line from the movie Forrest Gump and drilled down into it’s deeper meaning and provided my own interpretation and lesson for living. This is a technique I’ve used many, many times since.
- Gumption: Simple Ideas, Amazing Success (Blog #59): probably my single most important blog that I have posted. It summarizes my theory of Gumption, connects back to many of the foundational ideas previously posted, and is the best encapsulation of my thought leadership platform published to date.
- How Gumption and Personal Responsibility are Related (Blog #73): with Gumption now in place, this post adds a crucial new layer and starts moving my Gumption theory into relatable everyday circumstances.
- Are You Gumptionable? (Blog #80): inspired by my friend Scott’s newest book -able, gumptionable continued developing the theory of Gumption. It was the perfect combination of two forces: what I had been working on and developing myself, and Scott’s inspiration at exactly the right time.
- Imagine! John Lennon meets Forrest Gump (Blog #46): this was just fun to write and I love the song and it’s a great scene from the movie.
- A Story of Gumption – Wendy Peltier (Blog #88): meeting Wendy inspired me to start a whole new series (or category) of blogs. Over the last 14 years I’ve met many people with inspirational stories, and I now have a means to introduce them to you in Stories of Gumption.
I’m looking forward to the next 100 or 500+ blogs! See you soon.
Next Blog Title: Be Determinedly Receptive
Next Blog Date: November 4, 2010