On the 21st September 2020, I published my first ever blog post. Approximately thirteen months later, I wrote my fifty-second.
So, much like the Queen, the blog has two Birthdays. And due to a miscount, I managed to miss both. Quite an achievement.
I’ve been away this week for half term, and have tried to spend as much time as possible with my family. The English countryside, long walks, pub lunches and quiet evenings in front of the fire.
So there’s no October market update this week.
Instead, in the spirit of celebrating achievements, I thought a little recap of the past thirty eight thousand, eight hundred and twenty one words might be in order.
I started writing for a specific reason. As an introvert, it allows me to communicate with the people who I want to, largely without having to adhere to the rules of the 24/7 social media world which we’re all being algorithmically encouraged to worship at the altar of.
I set myself a high bar. Committing to a weekly blog is no small endeavour, and aside from the time spent writing and editing, it also forces me to think. To read and listen. To commit to both learning and unlearning in equal measure.
It’s also had some unintended consequences. It’s helped me to organise my thoughts. In the words of the late Ellie Weisel, the Romanian born, American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, Holocaust survivor and author of 57 books.
“I write to understand as much as to be understood”
Lastly, and most importantly, it’s allowed me to focus on what Kevin Kelly famously described as 1,000 true fans.
If you don’t have time to read the article, you can rely on Seth to offer his own unique take.
“The people you are seeking to serve are trying to figure out who you are. If you’re going to show up in their world, make it easy for them to know who you are and where you stand”
With all of this in mind, I have a favour to ask. Call it a belated birthday present if you will.
If you’ve enjoyed reading the blog over the past twelve months, I’d be very grateful if you could encourage others to subscribe.
You can do so by forwarding them the link below.
As a thank you, here’s a picture of me as a kid, eating Birthday cake. For some reason, I look rather less happy about it than I should.
