It’s a WordPress site built on the Genesis framework utilizing a slightly modified Focus Pro child theme. My new host is Websynthesis. Both the Genesis framework and the Synthesis hosting are part of the Copyblogger family. It’s been an exciting time. I’m grateful to Copyblogger for teaching me how to think like an internet media company and for providing the tools that make self-publishing possible.
I knew my next generation website had to be something that I could create and control.
In the fall of 2013, I went to school. Literally. At the Lifelong Learning Center in Missoula I took several classes. WordPress basics. CSS. Coding basics beyond the WordPress dashboard. SEO optimization. Teachers Nora and Phyllis taught me the basics. I spent hours surfing the web researching themes, hosting companies, and plugins. I attempted to design a website that would last for the next five years. I didn’t want to create a website that would need to be redone in 6 or 12 months. So today, one and half years later, I’m finally announcing the launch of SpeakingGump 3.0.
It’s been a process. It’s been a journey. The reality is my new website will never be done.
It’s designed to be a living and ever-evolving statement of my business and Gumption philosophy. So while I stated that I hoped my new site would last for five years, the reality is: I hope the technology and framework of my new site will last for five years. The content will continue to grow and evolve to meet my interests and the needs of my clients.
With this proclamation and launch of SpeakingGump 3.0, I also plan to return to regular blogging.
Two years ago I suddenly stopped writing. I was in the middle of a 6-month consulting project that was consuming all of my energy. My energy, desire, and inspiration for writing was zapped. I just stopped writing one day. I gave no explanation. I disappeared. Several people reached out and asked, “What happened? Where did you go?” I had no good answer other than I’m taking a break. I said I’d be back.
When my assignment was completed at the end of July 2013, I decided to continue my break from writing and give myself an additional month to regroup. By early September I was enrolled in the WordPress classes and figured, “I’ll just launch my new site and then start writing again.” Fall turned into Winter. Winter to Spring. Spring to Summer and so forth … here we are in the Spring of 2015 … I’m finally ready.
Learning WordPress isn’t easy.
There are 20 to 30 basic concepts that need to be understood. Different areas of the dashboard, plugins, and functionalities all interface and effect one other. Having the basic knowledge of each is necessary to make the whole system work. Getting all of the pieces to work effectively and specifically to my needs required an in-depth comprehension of each. It took time. In my case, it took the better part of a year and a half. I suppose I’m a little gump-like. A little slow. But like Forrest, I figured it out and feel satisfied that it’s now correct. I got it right in the end.
So today, I officially relaunch the SpeakingGump 3.0 website. And my regular blogging will resume on the same schedule I used for 3-1/2 years prior to taking my 2-year hiatus.
I will post twice a week … Mondays and Thursdays.
The blog will continue to be about Gumption, how to live a gump-like life, and life lessons from the movie Forrest Gump.
There are additional, complementary websites that I’ll explain in future posts. So I’m not just launching SpeakingGump 3.0 – it’s the launch of the SpeakingGump network. Stay tuned …
Finally, I apologize for my unexplained absence of almost two years. It happened. I take responsibility. Sorry.
I look forward to the next few weeks, months … and the next five years. Thanks for being part of my journey.