The 7 Best Personal Development Stories on this Website
rent a car bulgariaerbium-doped fiber amplifierI write a lot of true stories from my own life on this Website. You may be wondering why I tell stories when so many other personal development authors are turning out short bulleted lists instead.
I write stories for two reasons: I enjoy it, and I honestly believe that a good story is often the best way (and sometimes the only way) to accurately communicate complicated life lessons.
We do not live in a neat little world where all our personal development philosophies can be connected with clean lines and wrapped up with a beautiful bow. We do not live in a world where all of our goals, ambitions, and motivations can be quantified in cute little bulleted lists. No, you and I, we live in the real world, where life gets messy and our attempts to improve our lives are often thwarted by very real obstacles. And sometimes, when a situation gets really messy, a good story is the only way to cut through the muck to what really matters.
Don’t get me wrong. Quick numbered lists (like the one in this post) still have their place, and I’ve written plenty of those too.
But if you’re looking for something that’s a little deeper and a little more entertaining, I offer you the 7 best story-format posts on this site. Each story comes with a series of take-away points and life lessons. I hope you find these stories entertaining, educational, and inspiring.
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Thursday, March 27th, 2008 at 8:39 pm under
John, I applaud your approach and it’s the reason why this is one of only 5 blogs that I subscribe to the RSS Feed. There are a lot of people banging out lists that could have been read in any book and replicated, but it’s stories that connect with people and stories that stand the test of time.
I was talking to a very bright blogger the other day. He’s new and young and will do well, but he needs to put his own stamp on his blog. Make it unique, separate yourself from everybody else and above all, have fun.
I try to do all those and I know you do too.
March 28th, 2008 at 6:59 amThank you Tim. What you’re saying is so true. Not every blogger cares about growing an audience, but those who do tend to spend a long while in the copy-cat zone. Even the really successful blogs often echo each other.
There are a lot of ways to judge the success of a blog: readers, subscribers, comments, community. Or, you can judge its success by the consistent quality of its archives, which may yield value far beyond the typical advertising dollars when all is said and done.
I’m not really sure what my point is here. I guess I’m rambling. Or maybe I’m just trying to say that I find it far more appealing to post when I have something important to share and not a moment sooner, advertisers or no, and I’m trying more and more to put my personal stamp on everything I write. I think the blogosphere is full of bloggers who are in a big hurry to fill their archives before they have anything of note to say.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:59 pmJohn,
It’s the fact that you DO write personal stories, things you’ve lived and experienced firsthand, that draws readers (including me) into your blog.
Even with my own blog, I receive emails from readers who ask me why I put so much of my own life into my posts, rather than simple facts or as you say copycat posts.
One of my most important elements of developing sustainable readership is allowing readers to really get to know the person behind the posts. Those aren’t just words people see on their computer screen, it’s real life events whether good or bad, happy or sad.
Some readers only email me after reading my posts but don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment about how they can personally relate to whatever the specific post is about, and I believe that building community and a regular following isn’t necessarily determined by the number of the comments shown on a post.
April 1st, 2008 at 8:16 pmThanks for the comment, Lin.
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:24 amJohn,
You are unique. Undoubtedly, more refreshing than any journalist in the media on any given day. You have the gene to write fluid, yet compelling stories similar to what I found in Leo Tolstoy’s stories.
You have inspired me to embed more of my personal experiences into my blog articles. Thank you for everything.
P.S. I couldn’t resist to subscribe to your blog. You are master at what you do.
Shilpan
April 6th, 2008 at 9:15 amHey john, where have you been? it’s been a while. We’ve missed you :)
June 17th, 2008 at 1:18 pmHi Andrew. I guess the blog is dead. Maybe I should bring it back to life? :-)
I’ve had several things happen in my life recently and have had to put blogging on the back burner.
I’ve come to the realization that this Website, in its current incarnation, is never really going to be a money making enterprise for me, so the only reason to do it is for the sheer joy of it, and I found that the joy of blogging is severely reduced when one has to work 8 hours a day at a day job and has a family to tend to afterwards.
My life is an ever-evolving series of life lessons. Many of the things I wrote in April of last year I wouldn’t write today, although some I would. Basically what we have here on this Website is a catalog my ideas during a period of time in my life when everything had been turned upside down and I was forced to rely on all the things I’d learned over the years to get me through. Some of what I wrote is very good and still applies to my life today. Some of it isn’t so clear cut. I just hope that some of this has helped people.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:55 amYea I was wondering what had happend. lol I understand though… priorities right? I enjoy it though. Hit us up when you have time.
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:07 pmHi John,
Just stopping in to say hello! I guess I could have checked the comments and seen what you were up to. I’d been wondering. ‘Hope all is well with you.
mary paddock
August 3rd, 2008 at 11:45 pmIt’s ok to have a comment.
February 1st, 2009 at 11:21 pmGood advice, now I just have to try it lol
March 15th, 2009 at 2:24 am[…] possess the skills or inclination to reach the goal, then the goals is unrealistic. No amount of motivation can get a man to do what he […]
May 6th, 2009 at 3:08 amI “Stumbled” upon your blog. I like it, hope you continue and that your blogging can find the money niche though that is not your main purpose.
June 6th, 2009 at 11:41 amHi there, I found your blog via Google while searching for first aid for a heart attack and your post looks very interesting for me.
July 1st, 2009 at 12:51 amHay John, I read your post, (not going to to blogging any time soon. but just had to tell to tell you I LOVE YOUR BLOG. i found it on the internet over a year ago, and can honestly say your stories have made a difference in my life and I still go back and look at them(the stories).
you inspired me to get an A in math last year, i eventually got bored with trying in school and went down to a low B. But that was probably the first time in like 4 years that i had gotten an A in math. SO THANX!!!
September 3rd, 2009 at 5:15 pm