2010

Working on Living

December 31, 2010 · 16 comments

A new year is upon us, a new dawn us approaching. There’s something about a January 1st that leads us to believe that we can push the “reset” button and start new, start fresh. I’ve never quite understood how a day on a calendar would hold such monumental weight – but it’s symbolism of new beginnings cannot be denied.

Last year on December 31st I shared one sentence that has honestly been lost in the midst of everything that has happened this year:

“Life, in the middle of everything you may be trying to accomplish, is about living”.

There’s a fine line between loving your career and obsessing over it. I know, believe me, I can relate to all of you out there who work tirelessly, and while you may love your job, you can quickly fall into the trap of letting your work-life consume your life-life.

I’m the first to say that that work & life are not mutually exclusive – that ideally, they integrate into one melting pot of goodness – but if there’s one thing I’m walking into 2011 with, one new page I’ll be turning, it’s the desire to work less and live more.

To put the computer down more often – to continue down the path we’re on at Proof - sharing the workload instead of trying to do it all myself – to travel more spontaneously – to tell myself that it’s okay to play Call of Duty every once in a while and that life isn’t going to end if I don’t respond to an e-mail at 2am.

Working on living (pun intended). That’s what 2011 is going to be about. I’m extremely fortunate to have gone through extreme lows with my head up and some incredible results to show for my hard work – and I don’t at all want to “slow down” – but I will spend more time in 2011 working on having a few more beers with my friends, cooking more with my wife, and writing for the hell of it.

Because when you stop and think about it – the most important job you have, is living.

What will be your theme in 2011? What will you be “working” on?

And, Happy New Year, everyone. It’s been an incredible year and thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey with me.

Simma Down Now

December 24, 2010 · 6 comments

In a year full of adversity, there were many, many times that I doubted what would happen and where I would end up. For anyone out there who has pursued entrepreneurship and has gone through the process of getting a business off the ground, it’s exciting and exhausting, and there are no guarantees.

Of course I was afraid, but, through it all, I never let fear consume me – instead, I let it drive me to continue putting one foot in front of the other.

That isn’t to say that the love and support from family and friends didn’t help me immensely along the way either.

When I talk to other people who are interested in starting their own business – the one message I hammer home over and over again is that you MUST figure out your worst case scenario to be at your best. You must come to peace with the worst thing that can happen.

Why? Because your “actual” worst case scenario isn’t nearly as bad as what you think it is. We’re brainwashed throughout life to think that, if we fail, it’s doomsday – that our world will come screeching to a halt and we’ll never be able to recover.

But, in reality, if you lose your job, if you make a mistake, if you don’t bring any clients in this month, what’s the worst that can happen? You move back home? You get a less-than stellar retail job to pay the bills? The bottom line? You CAN figure it out – and it’s going to be okay.

That moment of realization – that regardless of how bad things could get, things would still be okay – is what has led me to where I am today – using fear as a motivator, not an obstacle.

What moment this year served as proof that “everything is going to be okay” for you?

(And, Merry Christmas Eve to everyone!)

Check out the full rundown of my #reverb10 posts here | Photo c/o Rob Williams

Sorta Like Carmen Sandiego

December 22, 2010 · 13 comments

2010 was a year of many changes. Many transitions. Many days of doubt and others figuring things out. 2010 took me to new places both mentally and physically – from my honeymoon in San Francisco and Napa Valley to my first trip to NYC, to an 80s style airport in Tallahassee. In 2010 I was bitten by the travel bug. Hard.

Traveling. Seeing new places. Experiencing things for the first time. It’s an incredibly freeing experience. It makes you feel alive. And above all, it’s addicting as hell. There’s nothing worse than getting on that long fight back home after an amazing getaway – and from all the traveling I did in 2010, it only makes me want to do much more of it in 2011.

In March, I spoke at my first major event in San Antoinio - sitting on a panel with other Gen Y innovators, being looked to as an “expert” in a field that, quite honestly, I knew very little about, aside from you know, actually being part of the generation myself.

In May I spent a week in San Francisco and Napa valley. Seeing the sights, eating the eats, and drinking (a lot) of the drinks with my wife. It was the perfect honeymoon. No plan. No itinerary. Just a week of complete relaxation – not thinking about work, not stressing about what needed to get done, and not worrying about what was waiting for me when I got back home. It was a true “escape” in every sense of the word – and it proved to me the value of REALLY unplugging and getting away.

In September I traveled to Tallahasse, Florida – flying into one of the smallest airports I’ve ever seen (complete with an OLD SCHOOL arcade – like super old school). Invited to speak at the Florida Public Relations Association’s Capital Chapter – I chatted with nearly 100 people about my short tenure as an entrepreneur, and motivating others to pursue what matters most (to them). Kudos to everyone who put me up and showed me a great time in Florida – it was by far one of my highlights of the year.

In October I traveled to Silicon Valley, attending the Rise of Social Commerce conference put on by the Altimeter Group. It was a pleasure developing the website for the conference, and being the “voice” of the event on Twitter and through their blog. Above all, I met true marketing and digital innovators (and admittedly felt a little out of my league out on the West Coast).

In November I took my first trip (ever) to New York City as a speaker at the Pivot Conference - again, surrounded my incredible people doing amazing things. Not to mention, I got to meet folks like Teresa Cantwell, Sam Karol, and Monique Johnson – who made my first trip to the “concrete jungle” one I’ll never forget (though I would never stay in Times Square again).

Only a few of the highlights – but all in all, an incredible year. One of my “resolutions” will be, again, to travel more. If it’s not on your list, it should be. Even if it’s only for a day, hop in the car and go somewhere new. You’ll be glad you did.

Where did 2010 take you? Where do you want to go in 2011?

Check out the full rundown of my #reverb10 posts here

Dear You, From You

December 21, 2010 · 9 comments

Dear Matt,

It’s 2015 – I’m 5 years ahead of you writing, well, you to let you know what life is like, and to put some things into perspective.

You’re probably wondering what life is like in 2015 – well, let me tell you. Yes, there are hover cars – no Twitter does not exist, Facebook, Google and Apple came together and now own the entire world, everyone wears silver suits like those 1960 space movies, and yes, Saved by the Bell reruns still come on TBS.

So all in all, you have a lot to look forward to. Future life is pretty sweet. Oh, and you also have lots of money, like, a lot a lot. And everyone loves you. Yes, that too.

As your year comes to a close and another year is on the horizon, here are a few things to think about and to remember – a few “reminders” from you slightly older and wiser self.

Never (ever) forget your roots. A lot of things have happened and a lot more is going to happen. 2010 was a testament to realizing just how much life can change, for the better. Through all the successes and failures, never forget where you started, before this all began, before you knew what you wanted to do, before you were able to call yourself an entrepreneur – and don’t take a single moment for granted. Thank everyone who helps you along the way, extend gratitude to every client that places their trust in you, and stay humble.

Keep learning. You probably think you know it all – you have positioned yourself as an expert – but don’t let it get to your head. You don’t know it all, in fact, you don’t know much about most. Don’t ever stop learning – keep asking questions – keep challenging yourself to try new things and keep taking steps outside of your own comfort zone. It’ll get you far, and it’s the only way you’ll end up like, well, you…5 years from now.

Focus: You’re an idea-crazy person. You have a million different things going through your head all the time and it’s hard to decide which ones to pursue, and which ones to put aside. My biggest message to you is to focus – focus on what you want to be doing, focus on what your best at, and don’t spend too much time on the other things that stand in your way of being excellent at your greatest strengths.

Travel often. You’ve created a life for yourself that allows you a certain level of freedom. Use it to your advantage. Take your wife by the hand and go somewhere, anywhere. Just go. Travel across the country – go abroad – before you settle down, travel as much as possible.

Make time for yourself. And above all, relax. You work too much, and haven’t REALLY relaxed in a long, long time. That needs to change. Trust me. Put the computer down, unplug, and go do something else. Recharge, refuel…it makes a huge difference.

Keep doing what you do. Keep up the hard work, but don’t stress about backing off and taking it easy more often.

Signed your silver-suit wearing, hover-car driving, still Saved-by-the-Bell-rerun-watching self, Matt.

Check out the full rundown of my #reverb10 posts here

Nothing

December 20, 2010 · 4 comments

What should I have done this year but didn’t because I was “too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing”?

Nothing.

That’s right. Nothing.

Sure I could say I wish I would have kept up with my workout schedule. Of course I can sit here and say I wish I would have written a book or made a million dollars. But wishing I would have done those things would imply regretting that I didn’t. And after everything that’s happened this year, I have absolutely no regrets.

I married the perfect woman and started my own company, amongst many other things. 2010 is and was the best year ever (I should have my own VH1 special).

I may have walked into this year scared, worried, and unsure – but I’m walking out of it not confident that I can do everything, but fully aware that I am capable of doing anything.

What did you leave on the table this year? Any regrets? There’s still 11 days left in the year, how will you make the most of them?

Check out the full rundown of my #reverb10 posts here | Photo c/o Rob Williams

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