Two years ago, as I sat down to write my first blog post, I found myself at a loss for where to start. As a focusing activity, I decided to write the purpose of my blog. It was quite helpful, and I ended up making that the topic of my first post: The Answer to What is Why.
I hit the publish button that evening, sent out a tweet – “What happens when you put a message in a bottle? I’ll find out in the morning. I just published my first blog post” – and then I went to bed. When I awoke the next morning, I was surprised to find 6 comments waiting for me, and more came in later that day. In some ways it was more exhilarating than publishing my first book. Such tangible, instant feedback!
Since then, I have written at least one blog post a week for the past two years. I have found my rhythm and style, and blogging has become part of my routine. My original purpose in blogging still holds, and I have personally benefited and grown as a result. To be honest, I still take a deep breath when I hit the publish button as it still feels a bit audacious sending my words off into cyberspace.
There have been some unexpected bonuses. I am delighted that my blog has become recognized and widely read in such a short period. What I noted in my first post holds true. Each post is like sending a message in a bottle – there are no guarantees it will be received, understood or appreciated.
The second bonus is that I often get a lot of comments. This has been the most rewarding part of blogging for me. I love the conversation as reader comments deepen the messages in my posts and take me further in my own thinking.
Finally, I have been honored to discover and connect with some wonderful leadership bloggers who generously offered me guidance early on, many of whom who have become real friends – Lolly Daskal, Wally Bock, Dan Rockwell aka Leadership Freak, Becky Robinson, Whitney Johnson, Bret Simmons, Mary Jo Asmus, Tanveer Naseer, Kathy Caprino and my buddy Chris Edmonds who I had worked with at the Ken Blanchard Companies.
My only concern is that a lot of my original thinking was published before many people were aware of my blog. Because people tend not to read older posts, they are missing out on material I have not repeated. For the past two years, I’ve been laying out my research, concepts and process for creating a shared vision, interspersed with information on building high performing teams, organizational change, collaborative leadership, and navigating non-hierarchical work environments.
30 quotes from my first year of blogging
A while ago I listed some quotes from my books. Recently my friend and colleague Irene Becker suggested I list some quotes from my blog. I think it’s a nice way to honor and celebrate my 2nd anniversary. Each quote links back to the original post.
Congratulations! It’s really a great column indeed! You’ve been an inspiration to many of us. Also I personally gained a lot from reading the blog!
Well done!
Solomon
Congratulations Jesse! It has been a joy to share your journey and note that you deserve all the kudos you get for such a great blog!
Congratulations, Jesse. Love all of the quotes and, of course, the blog.
Congratulations Jesse!
Loved your analogy in sharing how each post is like sending a message in a bottle. Anyone who has ever written and published a blog post will more then likely resonate with that! :
Wonderful list of wisdom quotes from the earlier posts on your blog. Each one a milestone highlighting your journey along the way.
I’m very happy that we’ve connected. Both you and what you write resonates with me.
Enjoy this day of celebration to the full! You deserve it! : )
Congratulations Jesse. It has been two years well spent and I’m sure I can safely say that we all greatly appreciate the work!
Congrats Jesse!
It’s amazing how far you’ve come in two short years!
Thanks for sharing these “older” posts. There is a lot of wisdom here.
Also, thanks for your friendship and warm welcome into the community. Your kindness is much appreciated.
Steven
Congratulations, Jesse on reaching this milestone.
It’s been a pleasure to learn and share your insights on leadership and vision. And on a personal level, I’m grateful and honoured by our friendship.
Here’s to many more years of benefiting from your wisdom to inspire others to not only be good at work, but to do good work as well.
Solomon, Mary Jo, Gary, Samantha, Steven and Tanveer, Thank you so much for your good wishes, I really appreciate it.
Congrats, Jesse! You have so much to offer leaders. So glad you’ve begun your third year of postings.
I look forward to further insights from you in the weeks to come –
Cheers!
C.
Thanks for your comments on my first post, for your ongoing encouragement and for your comments again on my 2nd anniversary, Chris. You have been one step ahead of me in this interesting world of social media. It’s been fun learning and exploring together.
Congratulations Jesse. I love the quotes . . . love the blog. Keep em coming.
Congratulations, Jesse, and big thanks for sharing your wisdom!
Jane and Frank, I really appreciate your good wishes. It means a lot!
Jesse, I remember your first post like it was yesterday. The bonus was when I read the next post, and then again, and again you shared some wonderful stuff here. Thanks and happy anniversary!
Thanks so much, Thabo. You were one of those who commented on my first post, and your insightful comments along the way have often challenged me to stretch my thinking.
Jesse, congratulations on two years of remarkable and inspirational work! Looking forward to many more years of learning from you. -Art
Congrats, Jesse! I, amongst so many others, have thoroughly enjoyed, and continue to be ever impressed!
Two years!! And many magnification ideas. Your list of 30 is almost too rich to take in on one reading. Thanks for enriching the lives of those of us involved in developing and advancing organizations and their leaders.
Congratulations on your blog-aversary! I always feel nervous when I put my writing out there in the world too. It’s nice to know someone as talented and confident as you are also needs to take a deep breath before hitting “publish.” I like the “message in the bottle” image.
Congratulations Jesse, as a blogging newbie myself I find your story inspiring indeed. I aim to share other peoples blogs and great information from a variety of authors across several social media platforms simply because I want to get great information out to people who are ready for it. Your blog does that beautifully. Thank you.
Congratulations! What a wonderful list of 30… may you blog for many years more… and continue to inspire. Namaste.
Congratulations. Many thanks for sharing the knowledge with all of us. I have personally benefitted from your blogs and Twitter posts. Best wishes to succeed in your journey of sharing.
Congratulations Jesse. Reading your blog is refreshing and very informative. Thank-you for your dedication and vision-Les
Congratulations, Jesse! I’m so glad to have made your acquaintance, if only virtually. You add great richness to the leadership blogging community. Long may it continue!
Congratulations, Jesse!
Art, Ryan, Fay, Charlotte, Christina, Karin, Abdul, Les, Gwyn and Limor, Thank you so much for your kind comments. I am deeply touched.
Congratulations Jesse! Happy to have discovered your insightful “messages in a bottle” and have had the opportunity to connect with you.
P.S. I can relate to that deep breath before posting!
Jesse –
Congratulations!
Dan
Hi Jesse,
Congratulations!
I love your comparision of a blog post with a message in a bottle!
Bernd
Susan, Dan, and Bernd, Thank you so much. I am honored by your good wishes.
Jesse,
Kudos on your anniversary. I love your analogy of message in the bottle – so true that we bloggers never know upon which shores our message will land. But, oh, when it does and somebody unexpected reads it and replies – magic!
Jesse, this is a wonderful post–full of wisdom and celebration. I take my hat off to you (the rest would be too embarrassing!)
Adding my congratulations Jesse, although I’ve entered this arena relatively recently, I’m happy to have connected with you. Your thoughts and wisdom are greatly appreciated.
Looking forward to what the future holds –
Best regards,
Carl
@SparktheAction
Jennifer, Barbara and Carl, I am touched and honored by your kind comments. Thank you so much.
Congrats Jesse. I have become a follower and after reading your first post, I feel inspried to return to my blog. I am apparently one of the 80%. I look forward to reading more of your thoughts and being able to congratulate you on your third anniversary.
Tim
@TimKrupaCA
Thanks, Tim! Did you watch the Tom Peters and Seth Godin video? That’s enough to inspire anyone to blog. And truly, it’s been my experience that it’s worthwhile. You never know who has picked up the bottle with your message. My feeling is if I make a difference for one person, it makes it all worthwhile. And even if no one reads it, the discipline of recording your thought is quite helpful. Best wishes to you in picking up your blog again.
My apologies for belated congratulations.
Quoting the “Quotes” is a ceratinly very innovative and thoughtful idea for celebrating the anniversary of the blog.
I would take up translation of these quotes into Gujarti, too.
Wow. What is so powerful is that your singular quotes are FULL blogs in and of themselves. Now that’s the sign of a great writer. Happy Anniversary.
Thanks for your kind wishes, Ashok and Eileen. Your insightful comments have added great value to my blog and I am most appreciative.
Jesse, I have read this as well as some of your earlier blogs (just recently having learned of your blogging journey) and I am truly impressed with the depth and breadth of the thoughts and wisdom you have shared. I have known for many years that you are a wise one and these blogs have rekindled my appreciation. I look forward to continung this connection.
Don, Thanks so much for your kind words. Your course was the first I took in the field of Organization Development and it opened my eyes to a whole new field of study. As the Chair of my doctoral committee and in our work together, you have been a wise mentor and a wonderful friend. I am delighted that you are reading my blog.
Congratulations on 2 years of successful blogging! I totally agree with Samantha about the message in a bottle analogy. It really takes courage to click that publish button. More power to you and your blog.