3 years ago, I was feeling frustrated. I was a sporadic blogger, I had written a couple Burnside articles but wanted to write more, and I was a terrible time waster.
I’m not sure why, but I thought it would be a good idea to write a letter to myself. So on September 10, 2007 I opened up GMail and wrote myself an email. I never actually sent it, but it’s been sitting in my “Drafts” folder for the past 3 years and occasionally I’ll go back and read it.
This is a little embarrassing to share, but here’s what I wrote:
look, here’s the thing. you have to ability to do things well if you work at them. you also have enough time to be able to do it. so do alot of people. you have the initiative too, which not everyone has, but you do. what you need to do is set some time aside to think. brainstorm. for ideas about future projects, ideas about current projects, ideas about time management, ideas about life management. its too easy to go through your day and just do whatever comes next without thinking about the bigger picture. its too easy for ideas and initiative to get lost in the shuffle. this idea (to block time off for brainstorming) is a perfect example. so dont let it slide. start thinking bigger and do something. go for it.
As dumb as it sounds, the funny thing is that it kind of worked.
The next week I started working on a book, “Prayers For Blowouts”. This led to me starting a blog by the same name, which I ran for the next 18 months. During that time I realized how much I loved writing humor and began posting here every day with a reinvigorated voice. I made a bunch of connections, I guest-posted at Stuff Christians Like 6 times, I wrote more Burnside Articles, I created a Blog Yearbook, I wrote half of a memoir which publishers wanted no part of because I’m a nobody, I wrote an article for The Daily Beast, I’ve made connections with a couple agents, I’ve had articles accepted into two magazines, and I’ve started a podcast.
Should you be impressed? Not really.
Because here’s the thing. It’s not that I’ve done some great things (because I haven’t), it’s that I’ve done SOMETHING.
Donald Miller said on his blog the other day, “You can only change direction if you’re in motion”, and I believe that’s true. Sure, Prayers For Blowouts doesn’t exist anymore, but I don’t look at it as hundreds of wasted hours. I learned a lot in those 18 months and they led to me rediscovering a purpose for BryanAllain.com.
So if you’re feeling as frustrated as I was 3 years ago, do something…anything. Even if it means knowing full well that what you’re about to do is going to be crap. Record that first song, write those first few blog posts, pursue that business idea you have even though you’ve got so much to learn, get a book on writing screenplays and dig in, start doing research about going back to school, write the first page of your book, share some of your photography with the world, or let people know you’re interested in public speaking.
Or…maybe just write a motivational email to yourself that you can look back on whenever you need a jump start.
Whatever it is, you’ve got to start moving.
Ready, set, go.
Amen.
90% of succeding at anything is showing up. The other 10% is luck.
Keep swing, Bryan. Your work ethic inspires. I refuse to be out worked by some Amish engineer.
Thanks for this. I had to do the same thing a little over a year ago when I determined to start my own business. Eventually it became an all or nothing proposition. Either do it, or move on. I went for it, and I’ve never been happier. I blog every day as part of it, and get to do the things I love.
Keep up the GREAT work, Bryan!
A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!
Well. This a rather timely post for me. I’ve been trying to find a way to get my life back after a lot of disappointments. Thanks for a kick in the butt…
Just what I needed to see today! I’m in a rut right now and it’s driving me crazy. I know that the only thing holding me back is myself. Love your blog. Keep up the great work!
Great! So true. Also, you have a podcast?
This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear/read today. Like in a “Holy SH!T” kind of way. Thank you.
Thanks Bryan for posting this. A new blog has been birthed today. As a new dad and a part-time youth pastor and avid sports fan, I think I will have lots to “jabber” about. Excited about the journey ahead.
Man, I am SO glad to know I am not the only person who writes emails to myself and saves them in my gmail drafts folder. This makes me feel normal again. For now
Keep on keepin on…
Killer.
A great kick in the pants.
Epic, thanks for the encouragement!
However, this sounds like something straight out of Back to the Future. Next time remember to attach the Sports Almanac.
Just what I needed, thanks for sharing!
I think I’ll start by leaving a comment on someone’s blog for the first time. Any suggestions?
Wonderful! Timely. Encouraging. Now if it were injectable.
That’s just awesome Bryan. Really motivational.
Great!
thanks for all the kind words today, y’all. didn’t think it would resonate quite like it did…pleasantly surprised.
Thank you for the motivation and inspiration! Sometimes we all need just a little bit of that! (and a little push)
3 years ago, I was feeling frustrated. I was a sporadic actor, which on reality shows, is really lame. I had produced a few shows with my bromance partner Brody Jenner, but I realized I wasn’t as well known as I wanted to be.
I’m not sure why, but I thought it would be a good idea to join the cast of The Hills. Occasionally I go back and watch them.
This is a little embarrassing to share , but here is what I thought;
Look, here’s the thing. You have no ability yourself. You are going to have to gravy train off other people, a lot of other people, who have initiative. What I need to do is sit aside time for brainstorming how I can make the most amount of bank with as little work as possible.
As dumb as it sounds, the funny thing is that it kind of worked.
The next week I started seeing Heidi. For our first date we watched The Graduate with Dustin Hoffman. I don’t really get why people like this film. I found it very hard to understand. There was a good tip in the film though. When asked about the future, one man suggested it is in plastics. Heidi and I took that seriously and set up her first boob job.
Should you be impressed? Abosolutely
Because here’s the thing. I am a no talent hack that has done some great things while never really doing anything.
You can only really be the news if you create the news. I realized I’d spent too much time watching TMZ when I could be doing hair brained things to make them watch me.
I mean, even you are writing about me, and you live with the Amish. I amaze myself.