Now that the birthday is over, we’re officially heading into Year Three of World Domination.
A few people said they were surprised that everything has happened so quickly. I regularly receive notes that say “I’ve been reading your blog for years.” It feels like several years to me too—but we’ve only just now crossed the second year point.
Last year I wrote an entire manifesto about creating a writing career in less than a year. To learn more about how it all happened, that free manifesto is probably your best bet.
Just to be clear, though, here are a few more notes. Some of them are specific to blogging and the delightfully strange hybrid career I’ve cobbled together, but I’m pretty sure the principles apply in most creative work.
Set a schedule and never miss a post. My own streak is now 336 posts in a row without ever missing a scheduled day. When you have a streak going, it creates its own motivation because you don’t want to screw it up. As I said in 279 Days, this isn’t so much about the readership—most people would forgive me if I missed a day, and many wouldn’t even notice. Instead, it’s about SELF-DISCIPLINE. Simply put, I need to do this to function well. One mistake leads to another, and I want to keep the streak going.
Get up early and stay up late. If Seth Godin creates an online book launch party and wants the posts to go live at 6am EST (3am on the West Coast, where I live), then you set your alarm for 2:45am and make sure everything is working properly. Yes, it’s possible to queue the post in advance, but what if something goes wrong—don’t you want to make sure that everything is exactly right? How will you tell people about it on Twitter and write an Amazon review?
Since I work from anywhere, I usually just tell people to set the time for a meeting and I’ll accommodate it. Later on I can figure out how to make that work. That said, I did tell Seth: next time, let’s start the book party on PST instead of EST. 
Write for both men and women. We recently did an analysis with a random sample of 3,000 names on the email list. Of the names that were easily identifiable, the split was 51/49—almost exactly even (the women won by two points). I liked that. Some blogs are naturally a better fit for either men or women, and that’s totally OK. But for me, I feel like I’m doing something right if it doesn’t trend too far in either direction.
Write for all ages. Wyman Crane is one of our most active commentors and he is 72 years old. You’ll see him in the comments because he often says something about teaching an old dog new tricks. Lorraine Wright, another regular, is 65. She has visited 37 countries and recently set a goal to make it to 100 countries.
We also have a big group of high school students who write in with stories of surviving the culture of mediocrity they encounter in the education system every day. “What if my parents aren’t supportive of my dreams?” they sometimes ask.
My Suggestion: first, tell them you’re dropping out of school, changing your gender, and running away to join the circus. Then say, “OK, I won’t do that, but I do have a couple of other ideas.” That usually works.
So the clear answer is, ignore the idea that you are supposed to break people down in groups based on irrelevant information like age or sex. In other words—don’t focus on demographics, focus on who people really are. “Women ages 25-29 with a college degree” may be the kind of group you think about if you are selling energy drinks, but if you’re trying to change the world, don’t discriminate. I’m honored that so many old, young, and in-between people care about what I’m up to.
Make creative work the most important thing you do. Everyone complains about being too busy, but everyone finds a way to do what’s truly important to them. If watching a TV show is important, you’ll find a way to do it. You’ll watch it online, get it through Netflix and catch up on the weekend, whatever. And that’s fine, because we all do what’s important to us—therefore, all you have to do is make your business/blog/project/etc. extremely important.
Build relationships (really). Yes, I know that the phrase building relationships is starting to go the way of other outdated language thanks to people who have misused or exploited it. Such a shame! I’m interested in actually doing it. I answer all email myself, I don’t accept paid consulting offers, and I maintain a regular correspondence with anyone who wants to write in.
In what became a famous-or-infamous practice (depending on who you ask), I wrote a quick personal note to each of the first 10,000 people who joined the email list in 2008 and early 2009. Yes, 10,000 emails! And often many more afterwards, because people would frequently write back and ask, “Is this an autoresponder?” (Answer: nope.)
If you think this practice is trivial or a waste of time, consider the fact that about 70% of the people who join the list will never leave. I think they’re worth a quick “Hi, thanks for reading.”
Whether you want to write 10,000 emails or not, the point is: the little things matter. Do them.
You want to drop keys everywhere you go, and always focus on why anyone else should care about what you do. Pick up the check when you take people to dinner. Help people without expecting anything in return. If you ask for help yourself and the answer is no, go back and say “No problem, and thank you for considering it.” From what I can tell, only about 20% of people do that.
These things are not really that complicated or difficult. If the people you know aren’t used to them, however, that just means you’ll be that much more special around them. Then maybe they’ll start following the same pattern, and then you’ll know you’re really empowering.
Last but Not Least
Let the record show that this a long journey and I haven’t got everything right yet. I have a lot to learn, and this year I find myself being challenged in all kinds of new ways I haven’t experienced before. The only secret, I think, is continuous improvement. Watch and see.
Finally, to be really successful at something usually requires you to work at for a long period of time. Just keep at it. Don’t quit like everyone else does. When one tactic doesn’t work, try something else.
I’m in it for the long-haul. How about you?
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Image: Jeff
February 22, 2010
barbara
I always feel inspired by reading your posts. It makes me happy (and motivated) to know that this enthusiasm is shared by a diverse group of people. Awesome. Thanks Chris.
February 22, 2010
Chase
A 20-Something here that probably could have used your advice on my parents 5 or 6 years ago. Think the “Warm them up to the ideas” would have been wise on my part… woulda/coulda/shoulda, right?
I do find once the warming process takes place (whatever the speed of the boiler plate), they (parents, peers, readers) tend to expect those ridiculous ideas.
In an archived post, you suggested being “The last guy who responds to an email chain,” and that way people learn to expect/anticipate your responses. I see the concept similar here.
Ridiculous Ideas (that are followed through on): A great brand to build.
Thanks again for the posts, Chris. Looking forward to traveling through this year with you.
February 22, 2010
Kevin Miller
Awesome work! The whole post had a great message, and the last line was brilliant.
February 22, 2010
Prime
Congrats and thank you for your posts – espcially this one.
“Finally, to be really successful at something usually requires you to work at for a long period of time. Just keep at it. Don’t quit like everyone else does. When one tactic doesn’t work, try something else.
I’m in it for the long-haul. How about you? ” – Yes, I’m also in for the long haul.
February 22, 2010
Lisa
Thanks for all your inspiring posts!
February 22, 2010
bondChristian
I love the point about little things mattering. I reply to every comment left on my blog. I’m not huge yet, so I can do that. I keep telling myself, though, that even when I have 100 comments on each post, I’ll actually have 200 because I’ll still be in there.
How did I learn this? Because once – just once – someone email replied to one of my comments, and it made a tremendous impact on my loyalty.
As always, fantastic work, Chris. I don’t comment here as much as I probably should, but know that I’ve been reading for years now. :>) (Actually I think since your first guest post at Zen Habits).
-Marshall Jones Jr.
P. S. I’ve dropped off of your newsletter a couple times because I’ve switched email accounts (or wanted to receive the series again). I wonder how many people have done the same thing. You’re probably doing even better than 70%!
February 22, 2010
Ann
Thanks Chris. As someone who has received personal replies from you, I’d like you to know I appreciate it. Nothing can top personal service in business.
February 22, 2010
Financial Samurai
Good luck on year 3 man! It’s amazing how once one starts, the momentum just builds!
February 23, 2010
Lorraine Wright
I was reading this post here in Thailand over breakfast and almost choked when I saw my NAME in this post. Very kind of you to mention me and my goal at 65 years to visit 100 countries (now 37 and counting). My travel is mostly work related and I’ve written a few professional books; produced DVDs etc but the world of blogging and social media is quite new to me. So I’m very grateful to you for your generosity of sharing your wonderful insights, reflections, and wisdom. I’m learning a lot for you and implementing MANY of your ideas.
I have had a website for a few years but next week is the big launch of my first blog. I admire all you under 40 who are so at ease and comfortable with this technology and make a living from social media. Congrats to all.
I find the jet lag always worse returning home from Asia than when arriving here. How about you? Have a good rest.
February 23, 2010
Matthew Needham
Firstly,Happy Birthday.
I just wanted to say that almost a year ago I read your manifesto and at that point decided that I was going to move my blog and business to the next level.
I have developed a blog that is now read by about 10 times as many people as it was last year and has moved over 1,000,000 places on Alex.
A lot of what I do has been inspired by you and the site. Thank you.
February 23, 2010
Phil
Helping people without expecting anything in return. That is such a forgotten way of living in the 21st Century. There is such a perceived sense of scarcity, yet in relative terms we have such abundance. Living in this karmic way takes off this stress and its amazing how the right thing turns up when it is really needed. Thanks for the reminder.
February 23, 2010
Leah Kaiz
I’m in it for the long haul too. I’m with you about personal emails verses auto responders. Too many people set up email campaigns and forget about it… this will never be real personal interaction. Thanks for all the great information. And happy Birthday!
February 23, 2010
Tree Heckler
Thank you. It’s nice to have someone affirm my belief that it is okay to dream and I am allowed to have MY dream. And that I am allowed to make it reality.
Happy Birthday
February 23, 2010
Marc Winitz
“I have a lot to learn, and this year I find myself being challenged in all kinds of new ways I haven’t experienced before.”
You’re right Chris, you do…and it is oh so enjoyable to watch this occur.
February 23, 2010
Hugh
First of all, Chris, I am extremely grateful for all of the valuable content and advice and inspiration you have given us all over the past couple of years.
It is surprising to hear the wide range of ages of people who read your blog (although I could tell somewhat by the comment gravatars). I would give anything to have known about an awesome blog like this in high school!
Best to yet another successful year!
February 23, 2010
Wesley Craig Green
This is my first comment here but I have a feeling it won’t be the last.
I came across your blog a couple of weeks ago and it immediately became one of the few blogs I make an effort to keep up with.
This post is one of the reasons why. Great inspirational post not only for writers (like myself) but for just about everyone- especially the build relationships pointer.
Great stuff, Chris, and congrats on the three year mark!
February 23, 2010
Madeleine
Hi there,
Isn’t it ‘funny’ how I’ve been wondering lately exactly how I need to start formulating my own message and start getting it out there….(not telling anyone just wondering) and then someone tells me about this blog that he follows and enjoys and I subscribe not thinking much about it. I really just enjoyed the whole idea of the Art of non conformity. Then a week or two later this idea starts growing and I start to wonder if I shouldn’t start with a blog – but how on earth do you start….? And then the next day I open my email and found this inspiring post giving me the exact ins and outs…..
Wow – the universe truly conspires with us when we decide what it is we want to do.
Thank you for the honest tips – I will be putting your advice to good use soon.
February 23, 2010
J.D. Meier
While sometimes you get lucky, I agree — it’s persistence and passion that payoff.
There’s nothing like overwhelming your problems to achieve fierce results, and continuous improvement is the key.
February 24, 2010
Wyman
Wow So I am the old man of the group. I do enjoy your blog and likewise want to change the world or at least lay the ground work for my three boys and grandchildren to. I want to leave them with more than a huge debt.
July 29, 2010
Adam Barber
Hello Chris
First and foremost – thank you. I’m currently a UK-based cubicle employee with aspirations for something new. And it’s precisely this sort of thing that fires me up and enables me to keep the faith. I’m currently planning my muse and a six month travel stint is already taking shape.
The world is only as big, bad and as scary as you lead yourself to believe.
Oh, and a belated Happy Birthday from your most recent fan.
Adam