Comments on: How to be successful

By: Will

Will — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:12:25 +0000

What a great post!
I thought you seemed pretty cool on the rocketboom talent search.
Now it’s confirmed!

You should guest-blog over at http://thinksimplenow.com with Tina Su. This post would fit in well.

Go get ‘em, Ella!

By: Uselesslines

Uselesslines — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:25:20 +0000

So true! So good!

By: Dan Sabau

Dan Sabau — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:40:29 +0000

Bravo, I like this article because its simple and to the point. If you build it they will come Ginger. Next beverage at the Tuck Shop is on me.

By: Ella

Ella — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:25:24 +0000

Miguel: Rad! Go team you! There is always room for enjoyable stuff in your day, no matter how busy you are.

Andrew: I’m pretty sure the Do Stuff app is included in the next iPhone software upgrade. And there’s nothing like moving to a new city to shake things up a bit. Props to you for taking the plunge.

Jessie: I used to moan and feel sorry for myself a lot, but it didn’t seem to make me feel better or magically deliver a plasma TV to my doorstep. Much better to take the energy you would have spent on moaning and put it toward something constructive. Like making a papier mache time machine.

pdub: Taking control is such a self-empowering action — and it’s so damn easy! It just seems hard when you’ve buried yourself under a pile of excuses. But I don’t need to tell you any of this — you lead by example and have given me some of the greatest “Go get ‘em, tiger” pep talks ever. If not for those I’d still be a timid little mollusc peeking out from my shellhouse.

By: pdub

pdub — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:10:11 +0000

One of the best things I ever did was create a list of goals (set out as action points so that they weren’t too broad) and set a deadline to each one to ensure I followed through….

The goals included:
- Go skydiving
- Get my St John’s Ambulance Certificate
- Start Spanish classes
- Start Salsa lessons
- Take a trip overseas.

I gave myself 3 months and whaddayaknow…I accomplished every single one. No more lame “i ran out of time” or “work comes first” excuses. It sounds cliché but I really believe it’s all about not letting yourself become reactive to the world around you. Taking back control.

In addition to that, by pursuiting my goals, I learnt that I didn’t enjoy spanish lessons but by chance sat in on a Portuguese class one evening and absolutely fell in love with the language. By taking the initiative and acting on my plans I learnt a lot more about what i liked and disliked in the world.

Good post Ella

By: Jessie

Jessie — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:17:21 +0000

Great post as always Ella!

Now that you mention it, it actually seems quite obvious, I can’t believe I didn’t realise this before! All I seem to be doing is talking and moaning like an old lady when I really should just get on it. Right, I hereby declare that I shall set the wheels in motion and see what happens!

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:08:19 +0000

Hmm… I’ve looked all through the app store and I don’t see any “Do Stuff” app. However, I think about this a lot. I just up and moved to California one day. It’s been more than 4 years and I haven’t been homeless or gone hungry once. It may be a small victory, but it’s something I try to keep in mind.

Thanks for the reminder.

Andrew
Staff Services Analyst/ Travel Coordinator
IHSS – CMIPS II Unit
Adult Programs Bureau – Fiscal and Administrative Branch
State of California Department of Social Services

By: Miguel

Miguel — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:03:47 +0000

Ella,

Excellent entry! This is exactly what I needed to read at this point. It is definitely so easy to get trapped in that false idea of “success”. Full of great advice. Especially that part about doing a bit more of what I enjoy doing each day. Will definitely get back to writing in that neglected blog of mine.

Your writing is pure, unfiltered awesome! Hope you’re having a blast there in New York!

Look forward to reading more of your entries and seeing more of your work!

-Miguel