Methodology

Over the past month and a half, I’ve been contacting just about everyone I know in an effort to raise $5,000 for charity: water, an organization that donates 100% of its proceeds to building wells in developing nations. I’ve talked [to a great extent] about the need for clean water across the world [and you can check out all the posts by clicking here].  Photo provided by Egilshay on stock.xchng To be honest, it hasn’t been easy, but it’s been incredible to see people give generously and abundantly. I think a lot of us have trouble asking for help. It’s difficult. It’s uncomfortable. It requires a leap of faith. But let me share a little secret with you. ...

Leaders don’t exist without followers. It’s like a peanut butter sandwich trying to exist without bread. A zoo existing without animals. Northeast Ohio without snow. It’s simply not possible. So how do you attract more followers (the real life kind, most importantly, but inevitably the Twitter kind too)? Authenticity and Engagement.  Photo provided by Odyar Don't be afraid of who you are. Whoever you are, wherever your from, there are people who want to know the real you. Not everyone will give you a chance, and that's their loss. People crave authentic, engaging leaders. ...

When something doesn’t work, do you ask why bother or why not? When you’re presented with an opportunity, do you ask why not try it or why should I? When you are considering trying something new (blogging, skiing, college, career change), are you asking why put in the effort or why not give it a whirl?  When you’re asking if you should reach out to someone, are you asking why waste my time or why miss this connection? ...

Forrest Gump said life was like a box of chocolates. In 2010, I think he’d be more apt to say: Life is like a bunch of blog posts–you never know the impact of you’re gonna write. Blogging creates a platform to influence people, even people who don’t know you beyond your About page. If you’re a blogger, I hope this list inspires you. If you’re thinking about starting a blog, I hope it convinces you to take the plunge. ...

Moving is essential. It’s not easy. You’re going to think about going back. But at some point, somewhere along the way, you have to say: It’s time to pull the trigger. I’ve officially dove in head first, my friends. The pool is kind of shallow, and now my neck kind of hurts.  You see, I’ve been entertaining [or at least, attempting to entertain] the interwebs for about 15 months, and I decided it was time to ditch the diapers and put on my big boy pants. ...

I take things for granted all too often. This is my attempt at realizing how much I have to be thankful for. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but instead just a start of the nouns I’ve been so richly blessed by.  ...

The word you got you here. You want to know about the big problem you have. It’s interesting that you thought I was talking about you specifically. It's especially interesting because I am. The Big You Problem I always turn around when I hear my name. It’s a reflex I’ll never shake. ...

[This post is part of a continuing series on getting clean water to developing nations. If you want to be a part of giving this story a happy ending, donate $22 and make my birthday wish come true.] As I scribbled down notes from Scott Harrison’s life story and events leading to the founding of charity: water, I somehow felt isolated from the other 13,000 people in Gwinnett Arena. It seemed as if the spotlights on the center of the stage had slowly, simultaneously spun outward, focusing on me. ...

If you haven’t seen, I’m hocking my birthday so that people in developing nations can have clean water, and I need your help in building a well. If money is tight, I can totally relate. I thought I’d share some ways you can bootstrap it and save some cash to bring the most basic need to some of the most needy people on the planet [and then donate here]. Here are 22 ways you can save money over the next 58 days and give to this incredible cause. ...

Today I told The Resistance to shut up. It wasn’t easy. But I did it (and when it questioned me, I asked “Did I stutter?“) You see, The Resistance is a deceiver. It distracts and deters and diminishes and defiles. It tells you lies. Lies like: You can put off that project until next quarter. You don’t need to reach out to people. The status quo is all that can be expected. It’s the voice in the back of your head that all too often wins out. ...