If you’re like most people, you’ve moved at least once in your life. Perhaps you went from the house you grew up in to a college dormitory or from an apartment to a house or maybe from one house to another.
How about switching blogging platforms? If I told you it’s almost exactly like moving from one house to another, what would you think?
While there is no physical movement involved (except when you are banging your head against the desk in sheer frustration!), there’s a lot of emotional and intellectual activity taking place inside you, similiar to what happens when you move into a new home.
You have in front of you a billion decisions that need to be made. You’re faced with getting a new domain name (i.e. new address) , a new feed (i.e. instructing the ”internet post office” where to deliver email/RSS subscriptions), finding a new theme (i.e. interior designer), and importing articles then manually updating the links inside each and every one them (i.e. packing boxes and loading them onto the truck) plus so many other tasks.
In the process of moving, I learned A LOT - here’s a short (and I’m sure expandable) list:
The power of making a firm decision- For months, I dilly-dallied over whether or not to move to Wordpress. I was worried about having to start over especially since the old blog was just beginning to get good traffic and experience a surge of new subscribers. I knew that if I moved, I would have to rebuild and start from scratch all over again. But once I saw the big picture and made a firm decision (LET’S DO IT!), everything magically fell into place. If I was stuck on an answer to something, the universe always led me to the solution(s) easily and effortlessly. The fact that I had no experience with Wordpress made no difference! One of my favorite quotes from ”Conversations with God” by Neale Donald Walsch sums it up perfectly:
When you “make up your mind” about something, you set the universe into motion. Forces beyond your ability to comprehend–far more subtle and complex than you could imagine–are engaged in a process, the intriciate dynamics of which you are only just now beginning to understand.
Tackle One Thing at a Time- How does one start when there’s a laundry list of things to accomplish? I wrote a “To-Do” list and simply tackled them one at a time. If there was something that I thought was ”high priority,” it would be encircled with a bright red marker and taken care of first thing the following morning. This lesson can be applied to every day life. Looking for multiple streams of income? Try one at a time until you find one that works. Trying to find a job? Focus on one interview at a time. Need to buy a car? Visit one dealership at a time. You get the picture.
Think Long Term- This actually goes hand in hand with making a firm decision. If you are inclined to focus on short term profits/goals, you’re less likely to move forward because you’ll be worried about short-term losses and end up second guessing yourself. But here’s the deal. I figured I would be blogging for at least another 20 years, so what’s another year to start over? On top of that, I realized that in the year and a half that I’ve been blogging, I developed wonderful relationships with people from all over the world, many of whom have already come forward to help me promote the new site, not because they have to but because they feel inspired to do so. Here’s a sampling of them:
- An article about Adversity University came out yesterday in the “Positive Sharing” blog authored by Chief Happiness Officer Alexander Kjerulf from Denmark. Alex is one of the most successful bloggers in Europe with a huge community of positive-thinking readers - a perfect match for me since I am a positive thinker! I can’t think of a nicer blogwarming gift than that!
- Phil, the famous self proclaimed relationship geek from “Make it Great!”, recently interviewed me and posted Part I this morning with the second part going up next week. Today’s interview will be seen by almost a thousand people from around the globe. You can’t beat that kind of exposure!
- In addition to the interview at “Make it Great!”, Phil personally asked me to guest blog for him until the end October, giving me another opportunity to personally interact with his readers. What a divine gift!
- Corrine Edwards from “Personal Growth with Corrine Edwards” recently asked if she could use my article “10 Magical Ways to Feel More Abundant” for her readers. She is a former TV show host where she interviewed many very famous best-selling authors. You never know who could be reading that article - we all know how God acts in mysterious ways.
Stay Focused - Become obsessed with your goal. Keep working at it until you achieve it. This might be a little extreme for some of you but I actually cut my cable TV service a couple months ago. Not only did this force me to do more productive things, but it also ended up saving me $60 a month! Hey, I could buy more cigars with that money!
Do Research- Do your homework before making the move. Are you picking the right neighborhood (ie. Wordpress platform)? Is the neighborhood compatible with your values and beliefs (i.e. does the blog theme work with the latest version of Wordpress and does it match your personality)? Will you get adequate community support after moving into the new home (i.e. does the theme designer make herself available to answer questions long after you’ve adopted the theme)?
Is the move a win-win? Will this move benefit your readers? Will it benefit the blogger too? It has to be a win-win situation - otherwise why move?
Be Willing to Learn- You’re bound to encounter situations during the move that you’ve never dealt with before (i.e. Wordpress is very different from Blogger). The key is to be willing to climb the learning curve and know that you will be learning something new almost everyday.
Go Past Limiting Beliefs- Sometimes during the move, you might have doubts and wonder if you’re capable of going through with the monumental tasks in front of you. Many of us have been shackled with limiting beliefs from past conditioning that could hinder our ability to make bold decisions. Chris Melton from soupornuts.com wrote about this in a great article entitled, “Three Little Lies That are Limiting Your Potential.”
Food for Thought: What will you do today that will enable you to move forward?
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4:58 pm on October 11th, 2007 1
This is a great article, Stephen. You’ve really chronicled the steps of moving very well. I like the new site and think that you are going to do great.
http://www.soupornuts.com
http://www.therotater.com
8:06 pm on October 11th, 2007 2
Hi Stephen:
I trust it is acceptable to you that I have linked to your site. I found you and want my readers to hear what you have to say.
May you find quantum success (whatever that is!).
Rod Smith
9:34 pm on October 11th, 2007 3
Chris:
Thanks! I enjoyed writing this post b/c as I was thinking about my experiences with the move, I realize how closely parallel it was to “real life experiences.” And so that’s how I tried to portray it.
I’m glad to see you here as a frequent commentator! It’s really good to have you as part of the AU community.
Stephen
11:00 pm on October 11th, 2007 4
The new digs look nice!
7:42 am on October 12th, 2007 5
Karen:
Thanks! Glad you like it.
Stephen
8:23 am on October 12th, 2007 6
Stephen,
I loved this morning’s article on so many levels (life lessons, moving/real estate and I love the new address! You moved and so did the universe on your behalf…AGAIN! You increased your capacity to reach more people and thus your capacity to receive more contacts, friends and followers automatically comes with that. The magic is happening, the numbers are doubling and your inspirational message is now positioned to touch millions of lives at the speed of light! My real estate clients will love this article. I’m sending it to them today.
I had also been “dilly-dallying” over moving my office to a new location and last night I “decided to decide” to move forward. There is such liberty in making the decision and I look forward to everything falling right in place. I’m excited because the best is yet to be!
Thank you Stephen for the uplifting, inspirational and revelational messages you share. Godspeed to you on this wonderful journey!
8:47 am on October 12th, 2007 7
Hello and good morning Sharmaine:
Gosh, that was a very uplifting comment. Your words were full of spiritual grace and power that as I was reading it, I found my heart swelling in gratitude.
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to drop me a note. The more I tinker with this site, the more excited I get because I realize it was the right thing to do. I am exceedingly grateful to the universe for gathering forces behind me after I made such a bold decision.
Stephen
8:59 am on October 12th, 2007 8
I just cannot fathom, the time and the energy you have to write such meaningfull articles. I really like your new site and I have archived most of your articles. Everytime I see your e-mail, I must go through it, even if I have a million things lined up for the day.
You are truly an inspiration!! God Bless the likes of you. Keep well and Keep writting!!!
2:02 pm on October 12th, 2007 9
Stephen - you have made this place your home. It’s so you…It’s bright, it’s warm, it’s crisp, and it’s abundant! Here’s to your continued success in your new home, and even when it’s not so new!
7:10 am on October 13th, 2007 10
Hello Stephen:
Congratulations on your new home. I’m sure that you’ll go from strength to strength. I came across a Norman Vincent Peale quote that “courage is fear that has said its prayers” Keep on being courgeous.
The design is nice as well.
11:17 am on October 13th, 2007 11
Themton: Sometimes I can’t fathom the amount of time and energy I put into blogging either but I can say this….I LOVE IT. It’s so gratifying to communicate with the rest of the world in this fashion. I just feel so blessed to be able to use my writing skills to touch others. I just love it. And comments like yours are like a sign to keep going and not stop.
Phil: It took me a long time to find the right theme but as soon as I saw this one, I knew I had to use it. Thanks for your incredible friendship and support. I feel liberated to have finally made the choice to move in this spot. Since coming here, the universe has opened the doors to wonderful and unexpected new friendships and opportunities and ideas that I didn’t have before!
Galba: That man, Norman Vincent Peale, God rest his soul, was one of the biggest influencers in my young life. It was his book, “The Power of Positive Thinking” that first exposed me to the idea of changing my perception on life in general. Thanks for your encouraging words to be courageous!
You all have a good weekend!
Stephen
9:43 pm on October 15th, 2007 12
Great article, I am glad that I had a mentor to encourage me to start my blog on a hosted site instead of one of the free hosted sites like blogger or wordpress. It cost me little cash, but will be worth it in the long run as you indicated. I would probably have gone through the same steps if I had not started off the way I did. I wish you the best with your new “home” and keep up the inspiring post.
http://www.JuiceofChampions.com
5:47 am on October 16th, 2007 13
Brad:
I know what you mean. You’re one of the lucky few who got started with a self hosted blog. But I have no regrets. The Blogger.com site was a very good place for me to learn - it was like my “training wheels.” A great experience.
Thanks for stopping by. I have more posts coming up this week after I return from a speaking engagement that I’m going to this morning to Flordia (Orlando).
Stephen
8:41 am on October 16th, 2007 14
Wow! Hi Stephen! I just found your blog through Corinne Edward’s blog! this is great. it’s like a treasure chest filled with diamonds and gold!!! I hope it’s okay that I posted a link on my blog, Gorgeous for God. These articles are awesome. (ps: just started my Quicken account! I have $1000!! feels great!) I can’t wait to pay off my student loan (in 8 days!)
3:49 pm on October 17th, 2007 15
Stephen:
Thank you for sharing your inspirational & motivational words with us at InfoSource Learning today.
I frequently read the works of leadership guru John C. Maxwell & fellow Ohio resident J.T. Stewart (Power Achieving”). I look forward to reading your blog (which I’ve shared today with several of my blogging educators I speak with here at InfoSource) and any of your literature.
Best of luck to you. And, thanks for sharing with all of us this morning.
C.J. Cain
Orlando, FL
10:10 pm on October 17th, 2007 16
C.J.:
It was GREAT meeting you and everyone else at InforSource this morning. I really enjoyed being there and sharing my experiences with you. Thanks for stopping by and especially for telling your blogging educators about the work I do!
Pretty soon you’ll get your hands on some literature in the form of a book! Of course, I’ll be keeping everyone posted about the progress I’m making with that piece of literature.
Best wishes to you with your career at InfoSource. And please stay in touch with me. Feel free to email me anytime.
Stephen
10:12 pm on October 17th, 2007 17
Lisa:
I love the name of your blog “Gorgeous for God”! That’s so unique and unusual. I love it! It’s more than okay to post a link there. I really appreciate it. I hope your readers will have as much fun as you are with the Quicken account. It’s exciting to have fun with the prosperity game, isn’t it?
Stephen
11:31 am on October 22nd, 2007 18
stephen… thanx for stopping by the inn..
what will enable me to move forward especially since right now I have an “under the weather horse”… is to remember my contract with G-d
BTW, o the links you’ll see one to Fish Creek House… all the info /photogs on our b&B site
you’d be most “welcome guest”.
gp in montana
3:02 pm on October 22nd, 2007 19
GP:
It’s good to hear from you, thanks for coming over and for inviting me to your bed and breakfast inn. I look forward to the day I stay in a BB in Montana. I’ve never been there before but I’ve seen photos of its natural beauty.
I’ll find the links to Fish Creek House at your site. I didn’t see it for some reason but now that you’ve pointed it out, I’ll go back there and find my way there. Thanks.
Stephen
5:55 am on July 6th, 2008 20
Yes, I totally agree with the quote from “Conversations With God”. And there is so much more to that book, I believe that feeling the kind of spiritual connection that this book is about is also important, to overcome obstacles in your life.
6:21 am on July 6th, 2008 21
Mike:
I loved “Conversation with God,” especially the first one that came out. It reasonated with me so much that I ended up highlighting it and wrote notes in the margins.
I’m not sure how many times I read it but it was more than twice!
Did you see the movie, “Conversations with God”? It was deadpanned by the critics but I loved it. It was a great story about how the book came to life and how Neale Donald was once homeless. A great, great, inspiring story. I was very inspired because I’m a writer, like him, and occasionally I get these bursts of inspiration and write as if words are flowing out of a water faucet, which is what happened to him when he first began writing the manuscript for that book.
I loved how the universe moved mountains for him to make that book come to the public’s awareness. I loved how a major publisher offered him $1 million as an advance for his first-ever book. It’s extremely rare that a first-time author be given that kind of an advance but it happened to him - that inspired the hell out of me. If it can happen to him, it can happen to anyone.
With God, all things are possible!