I can’t believe this is my 100th post this year. It seems fitting to do a year in review summary in honor of 2013 and hitting the triple-digit-post-mark.
Starting a blog was something that I always had considered doing, but I had fallen victim to procrastination and perhaps a bit of fear when it came to pulling the trigger. I have distinct pleasure of having received my needed push from a mentor of mine, Michael Hyatt, in person. The story is worth reading, and you can read about this event from more than one perspective, as I had the great fortune of coming to know an amazing friend, Podcaster Extraordinaire, Jared Easley at this same time. You can read about his take on the meeting, as well as a powerful life-changing lesson about Starving the Doubts – HERE.
Here are a few of the other great highlight from JonDHarrison.com in 2013.
- A great response to the Life Changers series
- I wrote a featured guest post on thedailyretort.com (read the whole post here)
- I now own the best coffee maker ever (And use almost daily) (see the video here)
- I participated in Jeff Goin’s Slow Down Challenge (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5)
- My most traffic in one day came from Nathan Barnatt sharing a post (found here)
- I teamed up with Jared Easley to Co-interview John G. Miller, Chris LoCurto, and David Allen
As I wrapped up the year, I took some time to escape to the Morikami Japanese Gardens. I sat down under the bamboo tree forest and reflected on what the year had meant.
In the December Master Class Video on Platform University, Michael Hyatt and Stu McLaren talk about preparing for the next year. One of the questions given for reflection asks “If the past year of your life were a movie, that genre would it be?”
I thought this was such a great question, but it took me a little while to figure out. I have finally settled with “Superhero Origin Movie.”
Not because I am a Superhero, but because I have found my life taking new direction and energy, and I can see myself looking back to everything from this year as part of my foundation.
The process also feels what undergoing a mutation might feel like:
- Discovering new capability, but not sure what to do with it.
- A disruption in the way I think and what my daily schedule looks like.
- Meeting a group of like minded individuals and becoming part of a new subculture.
- Refining my identity
- All while wearing brightly colored spandex.
Ok, maybe not the last one.
What made all this possible?
Powerful Lessons From 2013
“The truth is: There is no one secret to success. In fact, success is never as simple as doing one magic thing and seeing instant results.”
Start a Blog
Get out there, get moving, start creating and cultivating something awesome. It does not have to be a blog, but is does need to be personal. And a bit scary. This site has allowed me to connect with some amazing fellow bloggers/podcasters this year, which I would have never met otherwise.
Joe Lalonde
Tom Dixon
Dan Black
Ellory Wells
Jared Easley
Nick Christian
Paul Sohn
Just to name a few!
Be intentional about your morning routine
What I do with my time in the morning has a greater impact on my life, more than any other area of focus. In the short guide that I have made available free for download, I cover 6 actions that I have identified as being game changers in my daily routine. When I do these things, I’m ready to face the world. When I skip even one, I feel it immediately.
Persist
How many times have we given up on something, only to feel like we are getting nowhere? Persistence is what separates those who are from those who whish they were. Persistence against resistance builds strength, wisdom, and confidence.
I can only control me
Personal accountability guru John G. Miller (he’ll tell you he is a student too) hits the nail on the head here. No matter what happens around me, I can choose to ask myself better questions, so that I can make better choices. That feels really good.
Activity leads to results
If I don’t like what I am seeing in my life, I need to stop the actions that led me there. I need to take the actions that will move me in the direction I want to be. When I felt like I needed to know more about topics like Organizational Development and Leadership, I started reading, discussing ideas with others, and putting it into practice.
For too long I allowed my self to say things like “Man, other people know so much about these topics, how am I going to ever know that much?”
Easy. Ask questions. Read. Put in the time.
Read
This past year has been a huge year of growth for me as well. I set out to read 24 books this past year as a personal goal. I just finished book number 51.
Overachiever? Maybe. But it took effort, time, and sacrifice.
Everyone has a Life Changing Story
All of us have experienced a moment where an idea has changed the way we look at the world – in that moment we are forever changed, nothing is the same moving forward. We actually have hundreds, if not thousands of these life change idea throughout life.
What if you could benefit from others’ life changing experiences and ideas? That is why I started asking people the question: “What is an idea that has changed your life?”
Read some of the amazing ideas HERE
They are all amazing ideas, so I cannot choose a favorite, but I encourage you to check them all out!
I also encourage you to check out my top 5 posts from 2013
Life Changers: David Allen – Stress Free Productivity
Life Changers: Drew Tewell – The Power of Words
From Nazis to Skittles: How to Predict the Future
A Powerful Technique for Finding Yourself (again)
Life Changers: George Marriner Maull – The More We Perceive, the More We Receive
Thank you to everyone who has shared and commented on content of this site – your support means the world to me, but most of all I want to return value for your time.
Let me know what I can do to help you succeed in 2014!
What was your best memory from 2013? I’d love to hear about it – leave a comment for me below!
Great summary, Jon. I am honored to have gotten to know you as well! Best wishes in 2014!
Thank you Nick – I’m honored as well!
It’s been a great year for you! Thanks for connecting, I’m looking forward to 2014!
thanks Dan, I really appreciate your support!
Thank you for reading Karen – It will be hard to top this past year, but I know 2014 will be excellent!
I am grateful for you good sir. Your friendship was an absolute gamechanger for me in 2013.
Right back at ya! Your generosity and support have been priceless.
Congrats, Jon, on your 100th post! Seriously, great persistence!
Of course, your quote about the complexity of success has something to do with reaching the three-digit mark on blog posts. Affirmative bromides and platitudes are great for spurring action, but it is the hard work we put into the things we love that will see us through another day.
Again, congratulations.
Thank you David! You hit the nail on the head – action always trumps inaction. What are you working on now?