Thanks for being interested in what I have to say.
The last few weeks have been busy, as much as I hate that sort of update.
This meme blessed my timeline recently:
It highlights the surface level conversations us "busy people" have on a regular basis, usually as a way to save time because the details of the busy-ness are either too personal, seem like too much effort to explain or are not actually that interesting.
I'm making a mental note to eliminate this surface level status update and actually explain specific things I'm working on professionally or working through personally.
For Example
Working my real job is an 8-5 grind. If you've ever worked sales, you understand the constant loop of prospecting for new business, following up, scheduled meetings, unexpected client needs, client fulfillment, and the constant pressure to perform at a greater level than you did yesterday.
When that's not happening, I'm working on Strong Com, attempting to make this worth your valuable time and attention.
Podcasts, videos, blog posts, social stuff.
It's all very fun. It’s also challenging. I’m growing as a creator with the ambition to one day go full time independent / freelance.
The main challenge I'm having is being stuck in between a battle of consistency and variety.
In my head I have an idea of what I can commit to, but when the time comes, that concept doesn’t fall in step with the beat of my heart or what’s top of mind.
So if you’re counting on getting the same type of post each time, it isn’t going to happen. I’m freeing myself to break my own rules and say, “it is what it is”.
Too Blessed to Be Stressed
Perhaps that's the key.
Instead of ping-pong-ing the amount of tasks we have before us back and forth, we realize the beauty of the game itself.
Work isn’t about keeping track of the hours before the weekend.
It's about how many hours it can feel like play during the week.
The Numbers that Actually Matter
This week I got my first royalty check for I’m Just Saying, my book of poetry that was published in April 2018.
The dollar amount was pretty small.
Even smaller were the number of books that were sold.
Doesn’t matter.
My latest YouTube video has 25 views right now and a few more people have decided to subscribe.
The podcast listener-ship is pretty consistent week to week, but there aren’t many.
Doesn’t matter.
Because those are just numbers. Metrics. Data.
The numbers that actually matter are the handful of people that told me they enjoyed reading my book and were gracious enough to share they saw pieces of themselves within it.
The new friends I gained while at poetry events to help promote it.
The stories I got the opportunity to hear.
The one person who decides "if he can do that thing, I can do my thing" after observing from afar.
Whatever the numbers are, I know the Strong Com community is growing. I see friends and acquaintances doing new things, and that’s inspiring.
“Regular” people finding their voice, leading a community, taking another step.
There could always be more views, followers, subscribes, and downloads… and I’m not going to hide that I’m working to earn the trust of more people like you who are interested in growing along with me.
But I’m not counting on them. I’m counting myself blessed already.
Because one is enough to make a difference.
Stay driven,
Aaron
P.S.
I’m recording an episode of the podcast live tonight at 6:00pm-ish with Scott Martin of the East Texas Stress Reduction Clinic. Join us!
