To me, if you’re not learnin’, you’re dyin’. My friend Ben Yoskovitz’s “What did you learn this year?” group writing project got me thinking about all the things I’d learned this year. Coming up with a list was actually difficult, since once you learn something, it’s like you’ve always known it. I also think that learning little things may effect us more than the big ones. So I decided to highlight some little things that I learned, along with the one thing I feel had the biggest impact on me as a home-based business owner this year.
Some of the little things…
- Greg Wiggle’s departure impacted me way more than it did my kids.
- Kari Byron is the ultimate role model for little girls. In the words of my 9-year old, “She’s pretty, she’s really smart, and she gets to blow stuff up for her job.”
- If you want to lose weight and stay in shape, get a large breed puppy. Walking mine to wear her out has netted me about 20 pounds of weight loss, that I’ve kept off for 9 months.
- Never, I mean never, take a road trip with 3 kids and forget to bring your iPod earbuds (NEVER).
- Go back to reading fiction before bed. “Citizen Marketers” is an awesome book, but it keeps me up thinking (which is good, but not a 3 A.M.).
Now for the biggie – and I bet you can guess what it is…
The power of the conversphere. I’ve been involved with the internets since ’92, as both developer and user – and have been reading blogs for years. But I’ve been mostly a blog, podcast, and social media spectator until this year. What I’ve found is that social media is one of the most effective tools a small business can have for marketing and connecting with customers. One of the main things I recommend to those turning their passion into a home business is to get involved with the conversphere early and often. Use your passion for what you do to infect others and share your genius with the world. The relationships you will develop will become one of your most valuable assets.
Great post and reflection on an amazing year indeed!
Thanks, Griffin. I appreciate the kind words.
I didn’t have it in me to explain to my preschooler about Greg Page Wiggle. Yes, I’m chicken!
Kari Byron is everywhere nowadays! So funny to see her here too. 😉
Hey Nestguy!
I’m a big fan of both your blog and Ben’s.
When do you guys sleep?
One thing I’ve learnt this year – without getting too deep and emotional:
I learnt that who we are has been programmed into us by our life-experiences, our influences, our family and our education to this point in time?
Do you ever wish you were different… or at least in a different situation?
I learnt some good news:
Who we are, how we are and why we are, is a choice.
We get to choose the type of person we become.
We don’t have to be the product of our life-experiences.
We get to choose to be incredible, amazing, inspirational and exceptional human beings DESPITE our life experiences. DESPITE what the world or others have taught us. DESPITE our situation or circumstances.DESPITE our history and DESPITE the expectations of others.
Mother Teresa did.
Martin Luther did.
Nelson Mandela did.
They did exceptional things, they lived exceptional lives, they were exceptional.
By Choice.
Keep up the great writing and cartoons Nestguy, and Ben if you’re reading this!
It’s been a productive year, Tony. You’ve shown that we learn as much, if not more, from having children as they learn from us.
I especially relate to number 4. Lady Glynis and I once took our four children on a 600 mile trip – in a Chevette. Interesting is one way of putting it. An iPod would have been handy.
Tony, have you ever thought about becoming a part-time dog walker?
My clientele list is huge and they come in various shape and fitness level!
Give me a ring, will you? 😉
Hsien – I know. My older kids were fine with it. The youngest just knows that he’s still on the TV, so all is well. Kari’s pretty cool. Us dads like her too 😉
Craig – Awesome point. Choice is the key to everything. Choice (real choice, not wishy-washy) creates action, which equals success.
Rick – Wow 600 miles with 4 kids! My wife and I once did Georgia to New Hampshire straight through in a Corolla, but only with a dog. No kids at that time. You’re a brave man.
Renée – I’d hoped you’d drop by. I thought of you when I wrote #3. Maybe I’ll take you up on that. I could see myself walking a pack. Then I could be lead dog 😉