Link Love

Things You Don’t Know About Me (The Reprise)

February 17th, 2008 • Starbucker • 1 comment • Click to view Related Articles
Filed Under: Link Love • Listmania • The Essence of Me • The Lighter Side

Donna Cutting, aka “Gal Morale”, recently tagged me for the “16 Things You Don’t Know About Me” meme.

This particular meme is one of the favorites of the blogosphere - ever since I can remember there has been one of these floating around, with an ever increasing number of “things” to list. (the first one I was ever tagged for only asked for 5).

Consequently, I’ve pretty much put out there all my quirks and idiosyncrasies for the world to see. What I haven’t done is put them all in one post. So, here they are, the

“18 Things You Didn’t Know About Me Before I Started Blogging, Unless You Haven’t Read My Blog Yet and Then These Are 18 Things You Really Don’t Know About Me”

(I think that qualifies for the longest title for a blog list in recorded history!)

  • I still have my wisdom teeth - all four of them. That means I spend 20 more seconds per day flossing (add that up over 42 years and I’ve spent 85 hours on this task).
  • I was a pyromaniac in First Grade - we actually had the police called on us when we lit a few fires in a neighbors back alley (that was scary to have the police pull up on our playground - I got scared straight!).
  • I like to “combine” my food on the plate. I’m the opposite of those folks who can’t have their food touch each other. I love multiple flavors and textures on the same fork. Shepard’s pie is like a dream come true for me.
  • I have a weird ability to spot and buy women’s handbags that my wife just loves (and no ability to get any other kind of purchase right). One of these naturally born talents I guess :-)
  • My middle name is Joel - maybe I should go with “TJ Starbucker“?
  • When I was a kid I wanted to be a navy pilot and fly with the Blue Angels - I went as far as painting my bike the Blue Angels colors (along with the number #1) and doing maneuvers “in formation” on the local playground. The problem - it really wasn’t a formation since I was alone (I had a good imagination!)
  • In 8th Grade I wrote, directed and starred in our class play that we presented in front of all our parents and relatives, based on several Cheech and Chong comedy albums. I still remember the looks on people’s faces when we did takeoffs on “Basketball Jones” and “Up His Nose“.
  • I was the editor-in-chief of my high school newspaper - I leave it up to you to determine if any of that experience made a difference. :-)
  • In 1988 I was lucky enough to achieve a sports “trifecta” - I attended the Super Bowl, World Series, and the NBA finals between January and October of that year, when I was living in Los Angeles.
  • One of my biggest “brushes with fame” was in 1987 when I had dinner with Greg Kinnear, when he was working for the “Movietime” channel (now E!). He now stars in the Oscar nominated “Little Miss Sunshine” (excellent movie, by the way).
  • My favorite color is blue - you need to see my closet; I think blue out numbers all other colors combined by 2 to 1.
  • Starbucker is not my real last name. I bet you didn’t know that….. :-)
  • I’m currently on a gluten-free diet - not because I have Celiac’s disease or a true gluten intolerance, but because I wanted to keep my immune system strong with all my traveling. How does gluten figure into that? I don’t have enough room on this post to explain- ask me at the next SOBCon.
  • Here is a “sublist” of three jobs I have taken on in my career:
    1. Ear piercer - now THAT was an experience - I actually pierced the ears of a two month old child - at age 17!
    2. Garbage collector - I spent three summers behind one of those compacting trucks, tossing bags and cans into the back. We could cram 13,000 pounds in one of those trucks, and I lifted half of it each time. Great weightlifting program, but you smelled pretty bad afterwards. Maybe the gym was better…. :-)
    3. Disc Jockey at a disco - Ask me to do my “disk jockey” voice sometime. My wife just loves it…….not.
  • As an undergraduate in college I won an election for President of the Student body by standing in front of the Law School library on election day, exactly one foot beyond the “election violation zone”, and begging total strangers to go over and cast a ballot for me. People still think that I bribed those people to get their votes, but I didn’t. All I said was I would make sure we’d keep enough beer at the campus pub. Gotta know your constituency!
  • My favorite movie comedy of all time is “Animal House“. I’ll throw in a bonus and add that I was in a fraternity in college about the time the movie came out, so I can shout out “Toga, Toga, Toga” as well as anybody, and that I’ll sometimes throw this immortal line out at a staff meeting - “What? “Over”? Did you say “over”? Nothing’s over until we decide it is!”

    • Thanks Donna for the chance to reprise these lists. And I hope that all of you enjoyed getting to know me and my “quirks” a little better.

    Happy Presidents Day!

    Friday Mix Tape: SOBCon, Yoga, and Ending World Hunger

    February 15th, 2008 • Starbucker • 9 comments • Click to view Related Articles
    Filed Under: Link Love • Personal Development • Random Ramblings • SOBCon • The Essence of Me • The Lighter Side

    Lots to cover today, fellow half-fullers, so here goes:

    SOBCon (the contest)

    Recall last week we launched the 2008 SOBCon Marketing Contest, with a $750 first prize. So far we have 14 different URLs officially registered:

    http://www.gitrknowswow.com/
    http://businessbloggingtips.com
    http://www.officiallifebydesign.com/
    http://alexshalman.com/
    http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/
    http://hdbizblog.com/blog
    http://troyworman.com/
    http://brainbasedbiz.blogspot.com
    http://moneymakingblogs.com/blog
    http://www.smallbizsurvival.com/
    http://www.brandandmarket.com/
    http://toddjordan.wordpress.com
    http://www.confidentwriting.com/
    http://blog.looseends.net/

    The top 3 URLs so far:

    1) http://toddjordan.wordpress.com
    2) http://www.gitrknowswow.com/
    3) http://hdbizblog.com/blog

    It’s not too late to register, since the contest goes through March 15th- just drop me a note at terrystarbucker(at)gmail(dotcom).

    And hey, go on and register for SOBCon!

    Update on the 30 Day Yoga Challenge

    Recall I’ve pledged to practice yoga every day for 30 days as part of a challenge at my local studio. Today is day number 21, and I’ve managed to keep my word so far. There’s nothing like getting up at 5:30AM on the road and plopping my Rodney Yee Yoga DVD into my laptop and hitting the mat.

    Rodney’s a yoga “rockstar” for me, because for whatever reason I find his videos to be the best. And he does this stuff with such precision and ease. He’s such a rockstar that when one of the owners of my studio recently mentioned that he practiced yoga with Rodney Yee, it was like he had jammed with Led Zeppelin. “You practiced with Rodney Yee - awesome“!

    A rock idol in my lifetime, yes (see Elton John) - but a “yoga idol“? Life is too funny.

    Oh, one other thing - I mentioned I wanted to learn something from all of this. Well, my sore shoulder, hip and knee all agree that I’ve learned this so far - I shouldn’t practice every day. Oh to be 25 again…….. :-)

    End World Hunger…..One Grain of Rice at a Time

    Dr. Delaney Kirk tagged me (or challenged me, really) to go to a site called Freerice.com, where you get to play a vocabulary game that donates 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program for every time you can guess the correct definition of a word (you get a little help since it’s multiple choice).

    I’ve been doing it this afternoon and it’s a heck of a lot of fun for the brain - I got up to level 42 but didn’t get “stypic” (rats) and dropped back to 41.  Can you beat level 42? How about you Ben? Maria? Mary? Rosa? Steve? Liv?  Terry? Gal? Jodee? Karen?  Terri?  How about all my other blogging friends? I double-dog dare ya!  (and it’s for a great cause too).

    Thanks Dr. Kirk for this tag!

    My New Year’s Blogging Wish List

    January 2nd, 2008 • Starbucker • 31 comments • Click to view Related Articles
    Filed Under: Fellow Half-Fullers • Link Love • Listmania

    Happy New Year!!!

    Well, here we are in 2008, and my mind is already racing at a mile a minute, plotting and planning for an awesome year to come.

    I’ve already come up (thanks to Christine Kane) with my “word of the year” - Om (yes, it is a word - it’s in the dictionary).

    Here is what I said on Christine’s blog about it (check out her post, it’s marvelous):

    Since I started practicing yoga about six months ago, I’ve found that my times of meditation and the chanting of this mantra believed to be the “spoken essence of the universe” has brought me much in regards to my mental health and well being. I guess I could have chosen “centeredness” as well. I’ve learned its OK to be still, and not think about anything but what’s happening at that very second. I’ve written about “sinking into the earth” at these times of stillness and relaxation, and that’s a mental image that goes hand and hand with the sound of Om.

    I’m going to continue this quest for “centeredness” next year, with that word and sound as my touchstone.

    All this thinking and “Oming” wouldn’t be complete unless I also conjured up a list of my wishes for the “Ramblings” blogging community:

    A lot of wishes, yes, but hey, I’m a half-full guy! Have an outstanding, productive, and fulfilling 2008!

    125 Sites Making it Great (Just Like Phil)

    November 29th, 2007 • Starbucker • 14 comments • Click to view Related Articles
    Filed Under: Fellow Half-Fullers • Link Love • Listmania

    Just before the holiday one of my best blogging friends and mentors, Phil Gerbyshak, posted his “Make it Great 125” - a group of sites which make his world great.

    I happen to be familiar with a lot of these sites, but not all of them, so Phil provided me with many new writers and wisdom to discover.

    I was also honored to make the list myself - thank you for that Mr. Gerbyshak!

    As a tribute to Phil’s enduring positive energy and relentless pursuit of greatness, and as a means to spread great blogs as far and as wide as I can (notice I take Phil’s word for it - he knows great when he sees it), I reprise the list below:

    http://www.angelamaiers.com
    http://aprilgroves.com/beautifulchaos
    http://aprilgroves.com/makinglifeworkforyou
    http://ateegarden.typepad.com/empowerment4life/
    http://badgerblogger.com/
    http://baileyworkplay.com/
    http://bestwellnessconsultant.com/
    http://blog.bretttrout.com/
    http://blog.buzzoodle.com
    http://blog.doyouq.com/
    http://blog.lifebeyondcode.com/
    http://blog.talk-to-strangers.com/
    http://blogbusinessworld.blogspot.com/
    http://brandautopsy.typepad.com/brandautopsy/
    http://bren.pintglass.org/
    http://bsetc.ca/blog
    http://carpefactum.typepad.com/my_weblog/
    http://chrisbrogan.com
    http://christinekane.com/
    http://cmm.thepodcastnetwork.com
    http://creatingabetterlife.net/
    http://customersarealways.com/
    http://cuberules.com/
    http://customersrock.wordpress.com/
    http://daveolson.ca/
    http://www.davidsfinch.com
    http://deb_inside.typepad.com/deb_inside/
    http://dmiracle.com/
    http://drewsmarketingminute.com
    http://edbrenegar.typepad.com/
    http://elementaltruths.com/
    http://eloquentauthor.wordpress.com
    http://essentialkeystrokes.com
    http://everydotconnects.com
    http://fishcreekhouse.blogspot.com/
    http://galmorale.typepad.com/galmorale/
    http://getmotivation.com/new.html
    http://hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com/
    http://ipopin.typepad.com/think_positive/
    http://www.ismckenzie.com/
    http://jeroen.typepad.com/jeroen/
    http://jibberjobber.com/blog
    http://jkrbooks.typepad.com/blog/
    http://kimandjason.com/blog
    http://kitchener-waterloo-real-estate-investments.com/
    http://learningvoyager.blogspot.com/
    http://lenski.com/
    http://makingadifference.typepad.com/making_a_difference/
    http://managementcraft.typepad.com/
    http://managementcraft.typepad.com/2weeks2abreakthrough/
    http://mapmaker.curtrosengren.com/
    http://middlezonemusings.com/
    http://monkatwork.com/
    http://movingspirit.typepad.com/spirit_in_gear/
    http://officiallifebydesign.com/
    http://passionmeetspurpose.com/blog
    http://perfectlypetersen.com
    http://positivesharing.com/
    http://qlog.typepad.com/the_qlog/
    http://rasterweb.net/raster/
    http://remarkableleadership.wordpress.com/
    http://rohitrohila.com
    http://www.rohdesign.com
    http://servantleadershipblog.com/servant-leadership/blog/index.htm
    http://sharecompassion.blogspot.com/
    http://shinsato.com/
    http://simplicityitk.blogspot.com/
    http://sixdisciplines.blogspot.com/
    http://stevefarber.com
    http://steves2cents.blogspot.com
    http://successbeginstoday.org/wordpress
    http://successcreeations.com/
    http://successfromthenest.com/
    http://syntaxandsoul.com/
    http://talkitup.typepad.com/weblog/
    http://theconfidentials.blogspot.com/
    http://www.thepracticeofleadership.net/
    http://www.thekissbusiness.co.uk/
    http://thenonbillablehour.typepad.com/nonbillable_hour/
    http://thesimplestthing.typepad.com/erikas_blog/
    http://thoughtsphilosophies.com/
    http://thriftynaturalist.wordpress.com/
    http://troyworman.com/wordpress
    http://www.terrystarbucker.com/
    http://westallen.typepad.com/idealawg/
    http://workfromwithin.typepad.com/weblog/
    http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/
    http://www.alexshalman.com/blog
    http://www.balancedlifecenter.com/
    http://www.bawldguy.com/
    http://www.becausepeoplematter.com
    http://www.bloggingforbusinessbook.com
    http://www.bobtheking.com/index.php
    http://www.bootsandsabers.com/
    http://www.brainbasedbusiness.com/
    http://www.converstations.com
    http://www.daverothacker.com/rothacker_reviews/
    http://www.davidzinger.com/
    http://www.directortom.com/director-tom/
    http://www.emomsathome.com/blog
    http://www.genuinecuriosity.com
    http://www.getfreshminds.com/
    http://www.ggci.com/blog/index.htm
    http://www.goodwordediting.com/
    http://www.idea-sandbox.com/blog/
    http://www.intrinsiclifedesign.com/scaffolding/
    http://www.instigatorblog.com/
    http://www.jorydesjardins.com/pause/
    http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/index.asp
    http://www.kimandjason.com/jennasblog
    http://www.kirkweisler.com/t4d
    http://www.lipsticking.com/
    http://www.manager-tools.com/
    http://www.maryschmidt.com/
    http://www.mikemcbrideonline.com/blogger.html
    http://www.movingfrommetowe.com/
    http://www.networkmarketingjourney.com/
    http://www.nickschweitzer.net/
    http://www.ownyourbrand.com
    http://www.perfectlypetersen.com/
    http://www.persistenceunlimited.com/
    http://www.personal-growth-with-corinne-edwards.com/
    http://www.petsgardenblog.com/
    http://www.positivityblog.com/
    http://www.priscillapalmer.com
    http://www.purplewren.com/
    http://www.qaqna.com/
    http://ravenyoung.spaces.live.com/
    http://www.ribriot.com/
    http://www.rohdesign.com/weblog/
    http://www.sayleadershipcoaching.com/mwacoaching/
    http://www.sbannister.com/blog
    http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog
    http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/
    http://www.simplerich.com/blog
    http://www.smallbizsurvival.com/
    http://www.smallbusinesstransitions.com/
    http://www.spinningsilk.com/
    http://www.successful-blog.com
    http://www.theideadude.com/
    http://www.tonymorganlive.com/
    http://www.virtualosophy.com/
    http://www.wealth-prosperity.info/
    http://youalreadyknowthisstuff.blogspot.com/
    http://zenchillcom.blogspot.com/
    http://walkingmyownwalk.com/

    Thanks again Phil, and to all of you on the list, I look forward to our current and future conversations.

    The Book Meme - Starbucker Edition

    November 12th, 2007 • Starbucker • 9 comments • Click to view Related Articles
    Filed Under: Fellow Half-Fullers • Half-Full Book Review • Link Love

    My buddy Phil over at Make it Great! tagged me for the “book meme” (he was tagged by Matthew ,who had been tagged by Karen, who was tagged by Lisa, who was tagged by Liz, who was tagged by Flowerpot, and that’s as far as I could go - great blogs everyone!).

    Here goes:

    Total Number of Books Owned: I’d say around 50; I really didn’t come around to a lot of book reading until the past few years

    Last Book Read: “The Three Signs of a Miserable Job” by Patrick Lencioni. Pretty good- I’m actually going to buy a bunch of these for my teammates.

    Last Book Bought: “This is Your Brain on Music” by Daniel Levitin. If you like music at all, buy this book. A wonderful read - in a previous post I wryly noted some of the cool facts that were revealed in it.

    Five Meaningful Books:

    1. “Einstein“, by Walter Isaacson. I now look at the Universe in a totally different (and magical) way
    2. “Good to Great“, by Jim Collins. Provides an essential understanding of what it takes to be a long-term business success.
    3. “Citizen Soldiers” by Stephen Ambrose. I could have picked three books by Ambrose, but this one left the most lasting mark on me about the courage and bravery of these men during WWII.
    4. “Pour Your Heart Into It” by Howard Schultz. As I said in my review, “The book serves as an excellent case study in “leadership with heart”. Schultz is an undying “inclusive optimist”.”
    5. “1776” by David McCullough. A real and gripping profile in courage (and great leadership).

    I tag:

    Rick
    Mary
    Joe
    Karen
    Dave

    And a 11/16 special tag: Derrick

    A Birthday Salute to Successful Blog: All Hail Liz!

    October 24th, 2007 • Starbucker • 2 comments • Click to view Related Articles
    Filed Under: Fellow Half-Fullers • Link Love • SOBCon

    Today it’s my pleasure to offer my most heartfelt congratulations to Liz Strauss, who’s celebrating her 2nd “blogiversary” today at Successful Blog with a day-long “Open Mic Night“.

    Liz has been a blogging mentor to me, ever since I discovered her back in June of 2006. I remember the exact post that hooked me - “6+1: The Ferrari Analogy for Organized Writing”.

    It only took a couple of sentences to know this was a special person:

    “A messy desk is like a garage — it’s where you keep your tools. It helps if it’s organized, but your car will run fine even if it is not. But messy writing is a sign of messy thinking. it’s proof that our ideas are not under control. “

    That post really zeroed me in as to what kind of blogger I needed to be. I was so inspired that I came up with an analogy of my own on a comment to the post:

    “Liz, I love this car analogy (and your blog too, I just recently discovered it and this is my first comment). I do a LOT of driving in the Rocky Mountain west as part of my job, so I can get these images in my mind very easily. To me, a good blog is like a good Interstate Highway in the mountains - many signs and guideposts, much visual stimulation, lots of room to maneuver and not get slowed down (4 lanes instead of 2), and easy access to other crossroads and viewing points. A not-so-good blog is like a straight 2-lane dirt road that’s flat for 50 miles - bumpy, boring, no signs or guides, and God forbid you get behind a tractor. I always try to stay on that mountain freeway when I blog. It’s a high (pardon the pun) standard that I hope with more practice I can consistently hit. Thanks for the advice!”

    Liz and I have gone down a few more roads together since then, most notably with a labor of love, SOBCon07, back in May of 2007. What a weekend that was! I can’t think of a better way to conclude this post than with my introduction of Liz at the event:

    “Liz Strauss likes to write. And many SOBs like myself are beneficiaries of the clarity, originality, and kindness that flows from her virtual pen at Successful Blog. She often says she lives “in” her computer, and judging by her amazing ability to respond to comments on her blog almost immediately no matter the time of day, I don’t think that’s very far from the truth.

    Before she took up residency on the blogosphere, Liz accumulated over 20 years experience in the publishing world, working with writers around the world. Now, Liz shares her insights on the craft of good writing and presentation every day on her blog, and we’re especially honored to have her here today to help us take our blog writing to the next level”

    Yes Liz, you have taken my blog to the next level. I will be eternally grateful.

    Much love to you, my friend. Happy Birthday Successful Blog!

    Upon Further Reflection………The Burning Questions Answered

    October 6th, 2007 • Starbucker • 5 comments • Click to view Related Articles
    Filed Under: Fellow Half-Fullers • Link Love • Personal Development • Random Ramblings

    A week ago I posted “5 Burning Questions” that were occupying my mind at the time - thanks to the great folks that responded and my own reflections, I have come up with my answers:

    Q: Can a human being really take emotion out of any decision they make, especially financial decisions?

    A: No, and I don’t want to either.

    Bob Hruzek said it best: “Let’s face it - we’re emotional beings, and everything we do is based on how we feel about it. Why not embrace that instead and savor your financial decisions (and consequences!) as simply part of life, living, and growing up?” Amen.

    Q: Can someone enjoy a vacation TOO much?

    A: Absolutely Not!

    With the benefit of another week’s hindsight, and some good advice from commenters Lisa and Bob, I came to the conclusion that a great “unplugging” vacation is well worth the shock of plugging back in.

    Q: How can a lowly patent clerk with average grades in school unlock the secrets of the universe?

    A: Here’s the secret - inner wisdom, and passionate curiosity. The great thing about this secret: these two things can be found in all of us too, if we look hard enough. We might not come up with the most famous equation in all of science (yes, IQ and genetics do factor into it, as Doug Kyle aptly points out in his great comment), but we are all capable of extraordinary things.

    Stephen Hopson said it this way: “What Albert Einstein, once a “lowly clerk.” did was he knew how to access his inner intuition, where all the answers are. The thing is, this inner part of himself is something we all have access to but either aren’t aware of it or ignore it altogether.”

    Kirsten Harrell agreed, and added: “I do believe we all have everything inside that we need to achieve greatness.”

    Q: How long does it take before I can do yoga poses with the same ease and elegance of my teachers (and those folks on the DVDs)?

    A: A pretty long time and with a lot of practice, but that doesn’t mean what I’m doing today isn’t at least “poetic”, in my own unique way.

    Liv, who is a yoga teacher and studio owner, gave me some excellent advice: “Work at the major points of attachment: look at the feet. look at the hips. look at the shoulders. Know where your body should be alignment wise in foundational postures. Stay with the breath. Harness it to heat the body and feed the practice. Keep practicing. You will know that you’re doing enough yoga when you miss a day and feel miserable the next. Must have yoga. Must.”

    KermitFan put it all in perspective for me: “Sometimes you’re more poetic than you think when it comes to yoga. Yoga is not about comparing yourself to others, rather it’s about how you’re doing on the inside and the outside.”

    Q: Is Starbucks more punch line than hot brand these days?

    A: My stop at Starbucks for that hot latte is still an important part of my daily routine, so in the final analysis, it really doesn’t matter to me.

    Lisa said it best with this comment: “The experience at Starbucks or any other place depends on you, not them. Do you feel different when you are handed your latte? I think you can find a religious (or spiritual) experience in a cup o’Joe from a gas station if you wanted to.”

    I’ll drink (a latte) to that!

    So there you have it - 5 “burning” questions answered. My very best thanks to all of you who joined the conversation.

    Now I’m back off to ponder a few more mysteries of the universe. Have a great weekend.

    A Joyful Anniversary and Two Birthdays

    October 1st, 2007 • Starbucker • 3 comments • Click to view Related Articles
    Filed Under: Fellow Half-Fullers • Joyful Jubilant Learning • Link Love

    Just a quick note to acknowledge three milestones today - one is the first birthday of Joyful Jubilant Learning, the blog dedicated to learning founded by Rosa Say .

    I am honored to have made several contributions to a year’s compilation of excellent essays on the many pleasures and benefits of learning and the learning process. Rosa is our wonderful leader and mentor, and I want to express my personal thanks to her and to all of my JJL colleagues for all you have done to make my experience as a fellow contributor and teammate a great one.

    The other two are birthdays - Tim and Abigail Johnson, father and daughter, both celebrate another year on the planet today. Abigail is three, and Tim won’t disclose his age as anything but “something-greater-than-three”.

    In writing a post to commemorate the day, Tim said this:

    “The more I think about it, the more I believe that childhood should be a lifelong state. There should always be wonder, imagination, and curiosity around every turn… even if we think we know the answers. We should continue to get skinned knees and wear them like trophies. We should check out that little forest at the end of the block because… well… you just never know…. We should revel in reading a swashbuckling adventure book under a tree on a lazy afternoon because every boy should know the finer art of swashbuckling. We should ask why… again… and again… and again. Maybe the answers the “adults” are giving are not complete enough for us to put our minds around. We should eat ice cream at our own pace, and if it drips… that’s what the dog is for.”

    Lovely and inspired, isn’t it?

    After reading this I looked at that scar I got on my knee when I was 14 for the first time in 20 years, and my inner child was reborn. And, of course, tonight I had ice cream.

    Thanks Tim for this reminder, and Happy Birthday to you both!

    I’m Making Joe’s Promise

    September 24th, 2007 • Starbucker • 10 comments • Click to view Related Articles
    Filed Under: Fellow Half-Fullers • Link Love • Listmania

    My friend and fellow SOBCon co-founder Liz Strauss tagged me for a pretty darn special thing last week while I was on vacation.

    Now that I’m back, it’s time for me to respond to the tag for “Joe’s Promise”

    Joe is a good friend and fellow blogger who writes consistently great stuff on “Working at Home on the Internet“. He’s also as honest and transparent as they come - traits which I greatly admire.

    So it really wasn’t that much of a surprise that Joe, when he realized that he was “missing” from our little blogging community for a while, decided to make a reappearance in a big way, by putting “right out there” a promise to all of us:

    - I will be sure to comment on other Blogs if I can add to the conversation.
    - I will respond to comments on my own Blog.
    - I will acknowledge any links to my Blog with a comment on the linker’s Blog.
    - I will continue to link to other Blogs that are pertinent to a posts content.

    - I will once again be a part of the Blogging Community.

    I polled the “tagees” to see how this is resonating in the blogosphere. My observations were most interesting:

    Liz called it “a stunning example of writing” (I agree).

    Chris Cree (another SOBCon co-founder), said this: “It’s a good set of promises to keep, whether you are brand new to blogging, or whether you are an old hat that like me that has been focused elsewhere.”

    Rick Cockrum asked these questions about Joe’s Promise and also encouraged us to make our own promise: “Do you think it’s a worthwhile goal? Do you think it’s a worthwhile promise? You can do it. Do it in your heart, or if you want to tell the world, do it on your blog.” He also created the cool button you see at the beginning of the post (there are two other colors too).

    Jesse Petersen puts it all in perspective in his take on the promise: “Sometimes you just need to pull back, lie low, and observe.”

    I like Giddy Tigers viewpoint on how “going missing” can so easily happen: “Some bloggers are often led astray when they have been blogging for say months on end, or years… they forget the reason why they started blogging in the first place.”

    Troy Worman cautions us to “consider it (the promise) carefully. A promise is a promise is a promise.”

    April Groves calls the promise a “commitment to untangle the wires”. I like that analogy a lot.

    Lastly, a tumblelog On Financial Success puts it succinctly, calling Joe’s post “an excellent reminder to bloggers and web entrepreneurs that communication and relationships are ‘integral to blogging’”.

    What’s my take? If I really want blogging to be a true social medium and not a personal diary, I need to fully subscribe to these tenets to make it work. Since I’m in the former camp and not the latter, I’ll say this:

    I’m making Joe’s Promise too!

    I’m passing this on to Hilda, Valeria, Tim, Jodee, and Rosa. Spread the promise!

    All Hail Personal Development, With "Priscilla’s List"

    September 5th, 2007 • Starbucker • 17 comments • Click to view Related Articles
    Filed Under: Fellow Half-Fullers • Link Love • Listmania • The Lighter Side

    Scene: Right outside the Batcave, Batman & Robin pause to consider the latest blogospheric disturbance:

    “Holy Blog Recognition Batman, have you seen the Internet monster Priscilla Palmer has created“?

    “Indeed I have, Boy Wonder, and I’m amazed at the speed and voracity with which this thing has spread through Gotham City…..I mean, the blogosphere”

    “Gosh Batman, is there anything we superheroes can do to possibly stop this phenomenon?”

    “I’m afraid not, dear chum - we can’t destroy it, we can only hope to contain it. I mean, how many personal development blogs could there possibly be anyway?

    “Jeepers Batman, maybe we should have started a blog ourselves, since in a strange, cartoon-like way, we help people too, don’t we”?

    “Perhaps so, young Robin, but the demands of blogging would take away from our time fighting crime and injustice - and we just can’t do that”

    “Holy cop-out Batman, I guess we’ll just have to keep reading Starbucker’s blog and watch him keep this monster alive and kicking”

    “That’s right my young ward - now let’s get back in the Batmobile and hit that Starbucks on the way to City Hall; I could really use a mocha latte right now…..”

    Meanwhile, back in Connecticut, Starbucker posts Priscilla’s List - and thanks Priscilla for including me, and not Batman, on this wonderful roster of bloggers:

    Aaron Potts at Today is That Day
    Adam Alexander at Adam’s Peace
    Adam Kayce at Monk at Work
    Adam Khoo at Adam Khoo’s Philosophies and Investing Insights
    AgentSully at Life Learning Today
    April Groves at Making Life Work For You
    Argancel at C’eclair
    (for those who speak french)Ash aka Mr. Biggs at One Powerful Word
    Al at 7pproductions.com
    Alan Torres at Made to Be Great
    Alex Shalman at AlexShalman.com
    Alexander Kjerulf at The Chief Happiness Officer
    Alexys Fairfield at Unraveling The Spiritual Mystique
    Albert Foong at urbanmonk.net
    Amber at Random Mangus
    Amie Ragan at Psychology of Clutter
    Amy Hedin at There is no Maximum to Human Potential
    Andrea Learned at Learned on Women
    Andrea J. Lee at Money, Meaning, and Beyond
    Andy Wibbels at AndyWibbels.com
    Anita Pathik Law at Power of four Way
    Anna Farmery at The Engaging Brand
    Antonio Thornton at AntonioThornton.com
    Ariane Benefit at Neat & Simple Living
    Ask Lucid at Ask Lucid Spiritual Development
    Barbara Sliter at Creatorship
    Belle Wong at Abundance Journal
    Bill Perry at Lucid Blog
    Billy Smith at The Organic Leadership Blog
    Blogfuse at LifeDev
    Brad Isaac at Achieve It
    Brian Clark at Copyblogger
    Brian Kim at briankim.net
    Brian Lee at geniustypes.com
    Bob at everyeveryminute
    Cam Beck at ChaosScenario
    Cara Lumen at The Success Magnets With Cara Luman
    and Your Second Wind Blog
    Carlon Haas at Possess Less Exist More
    Chris Cree at SuccessCREEations
    Chris Marshall at Martial Development
    Chris Owen at Pink Apple
    Christine Kane at ChristineKane.com
    Clyde at Feeling Good
    Colin Beavan at No Impact Man
    Conceive, Believe, Achieve at Conceive, Believe, Achieve
    Craig Harper at Motivational Speaker
    Curt Rosengren at Occupational Adventure
    Cyres at Cyres Matters
    Damian Carr at Soul Terminal
    Daniel Sitter at Idea Sellers
    Darren Rowse at Problogger.net
    Dave Schawbel at The Personal Branding Blog
    Dave Schoof at Engaging the Disquiet
    Davers at Language Trainers Blog
    David Allen at The David Allen Company
    David Bohl at Reflections on Balance
    David Fitch at David Fitch.com
    David Rogers at How to Have Great Self Confidence
    David Seah at David Seah.com
    David Zinger at Slacker Manager
    Dawud Miracle at dmiracle.com
    Dean Lacono at Law of Attraction for Beginners
    Debbie Call at Spirit In Gear
    Debbie LaChusa at 10 Step Marketing Collection
    Debra Moorhead at Debra Moorhead.com
    Denise Mosawi at Destineering.com
    Des Walsh at Thinking Home Business
    Devlyn Steele at Tools To Life Guide
    Dick Richards at Come Gather Round
    Dominic Tay at Personal Development for Winners
    Don Simkovich at Hey Don
    Donald Latumahina at Life Optimizer
    Donna Karlin at Perspectives
    Dr. Charles Parker at The Core Psych Blog
    Dr. Hal at Northstar Mental fitness blog
    Drew Rozell at Drew Rozell.com
    Dwayne Melancon at Genuine Curiosity
    Edward Mills at Evolving Times
    Ellen Weber at Brain Based Business
    Emily G. W. Lilly at The Science of Waldorf Education
    Emmanuel Lopez at The Adventures of Motivatorman
    Ellesse at Goal Setting College
    Elly Jolly at Jolly Life Coaching
    Enoch Tan at Mind Reality
    Eric Napier at Quotation Collection
    Erin Pavlina at Erin Pavlina.com
    Frank Kanu at Frank Uncovers Excellence in Leadership
    Frank Roche at KnowHR Blog
    Galba Bright at Tune Up Your EQ
    Gilad Buchman at Sigsug
    Gleb Reys at Personal Development Ideas
    Grayson at Modern Worker Blog
    Greg Butler at Life as Art
    Greg Frost at ChargedAudio.com
    Gretchen Rubin at Happiness Project
    Gustav at Success-is-in-you.com
    Guy Kawasaki at How to Change the World
    Gyanish at Diethack
    Halina Goldstein at The Inner Travel Journal
    Hilda Carroll at Living Out Loud
    Heather Goldsmith at A Creative Journal
    Henrik Edberg at The Positivity Blog
    Honman at Open Your Mind to Prosperity
    Inkedmn at The Cranking Widgets Blog
    Itzy Sabo at Email Overloaded
    Jacklyn Ker at Inspiring and Empowing Lives
    Jason and Michael at Black Belt Productivity
    Jason Ivers at A Miracle a Day
    Jason Womack at Fit and Effective
    Jay White at dumb little man tips for life
    Jean Browman at Transforming Stress Into Power
    and Cheerful Monk
    Jeff Lilly at Druid Journal
    Jeffrey Phillips at Think Faster
    Jennifer at Goodness Graciousness
    Jenny and Erin at Jenny and Erin
    Jeremiah Owyang at Web Strategy by Jeremiah
    Jerry Hart at Blue Print to emarketing
    Jerry Lopper at Personal Growth
    Jessa at clairvoyantGuidance.net
    Jim stroup at Managing Leadership
    Jim Walton at Black In Business
    JoLynn Braley at The Fit Shack
    Joan Schramm at Accelerating Momentum
    Joanna Young at Coaching Wizardry
    Joanne at I’m Happy Fish
    Joe Vitale at Dr. Joe Vitale at Zero
    John Pratt at John Pratt International
    John Place at John Place Online
    John W. McKenna at The Leadership Epidemic
    John Wesley at Pick The Brain
    Jon at Join The Secret
    Jonathan at Smart Wealthy Rich
    and Freelance Folder
    Jory Des Jardin at Pause: Meaningful Work
    Josh Bickford at Reach For Magnificence
    Josh Kaufman at The Personal MBA
    Judy Martin at The Work/Life Monitor
    Julia Rogers Hamrick at Julia’s Blog: Journal of the Journey Home to Eden
    Julie Bonner at Declutter It
    Kailani at An Island Review
    Kammie Kobyleski at Passion Meets Purpose
    Karen at Journey with Water Learner
    Karen Lynch at Live The Power
    Karen Wallace at The Clearing Space
    Karl Moore at Karl Blog.com
    Karl Staib at Karl Staib.com
    Keith Ferrazzi at Never Eat Alone
    Kevin Kinchen at Creative Power of Thought
    Killeris at Attitude, The Ultimate Power
    Kim and Jason at Escape Adulthood
    Kim George at Doing What You Can Do
    Kirk Nugent at Kirk Nugent.com
    Kirsten Harrell at Ipopin
    Krishna De at Biz Growth News
    and Todays Women in Business
    K.L. Masina at Be Conscious Now
    Leah Maclean at Working Solo
    Larry Hendrick at Motivation on the Run
    Laura Young at The Dragon Slayer’s Guide to Life
    Lee Nutter at bmindful
    Leo Babauta at Zen Habits
    Life Reflection at Universe in a Single Atom
    Linda Salazar at Awaken The Genie Within
    Lisa Braithwaite at Speak Schmeak
    Lisa Gates at Design Your Writing Life
    Lisa Van Allen at Finish Strong
    Liz Strauss at Successful Blog
    Lodewijkvdb at How to be an Original
    Lola Fayemi at Real World Spiritual and Personal Development
    Lorraine Cohen at Powerfull Living
    Luciano Passuello at Litemind.com
    Lucid at Spiritual Suggestions
    Lyman Reed at Creating a Better Life
    Lyndon Antcliff at LyndonAntcliff.com
    and Cornwallseo.com
    MT at MindTWEAKS
    Maddy at Illuminated Minds Want to Know
    Malathy Badri at Laws of Universe
    Manny at Success Books
    Maria Palma at The Good Life
    Marianne Williamson at Journal
    Mark at The Naked Soul
    Mark Forster at Get Everything Done
    Mark LaPierre at The Winding Path
    Mark McManus at Build Your Life To Order
    Mark W Shead at Productivity 501
    Martin Avis at Kickstart Daily
    Matthew Cornell at Matt’s Idea Blog
    Meg Haworth at Life Lessons From Your Soul
    Melanie Benson Strick at The Success Blog
    Merlin Mann at 43 Folders
    Michelle at aMusing My Genius
    Michelle Moore at Happiness Blog
    Michael Port at The Think Big Revolution
    Michael Vanderdonk at TOACH Performance
    Mike Janssen at Opgestroopte Mouwen
    Mike St. Pierre at The Daily Saint
    Mr.Wang at Mr Wang Says So
    My Everyday Planner at My Everyday Planner
    Nancy Tierney at Unconditional Confidence
    Neil Patel at Quick Sprout
    Nic Askew at Monday 9AM Blog
    Nick Smith at Life 2.0
    Nneka at Balanced Life Center
    Organize-It at Organize-It
    Pamala Slim at Escape From Cubicle Nation
    Pamm Larry at My Spiritual Dance
    Patricia Singleton at Spiritual Journey of a Lightworker
    Patti Digh at 37 Days
    Paul at Paul’s Tips
    Paul Piotrowski at Self Help Wisdom
    Paula Kawal at Paula Kawal.com
    Peggy Payne at Peggy Payne’s Boldness Blog
    Peter at I Will Change Your Life
    Peter Aldin at Great Circle
    Peter Haslem at Necessary Skills
    Phil Gerbyshak at Make It Great
    Philippe Matthews at Shockwealth
    Priscilla Palmer at Personal Development Demands Success
    Raymond Salas at Zenchill Powertools
    Real Modern Man at Real Modern Man
    Reg Adkins at ElementalTruths
    Ricardo at Wake Up Tiger
    Rich Schefren at Strategic Profits
    Rick Cockrum at Shards of Consciousness
    Rick Cooper at The PDA