Posted by Grant on May 30, 2008 – 7:26 pm
As strange as it may sound, I think writing the last few chapters of the book this week was almost as difficult as writing the first few chapters. It is this weird feeling of being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel or catching a glimpse of what the mountain summit will look like, but it seems easier to just stop where you’re at.
Regardless of what you have going on, always finish strong. There is no reason to bust your butt for 95% of a project only to give a half hearted effort for the remaining 5%. Whether you are finishing school this week or next, you are completing a major project, or you are wrapping up a current job, I would encourage you to finish strong.
Demonstrate the same energy, passion, and fervor on the final day as you did on the first day.
Posted by Grant on May 29, 2008 – 9:12 pm
Filed under Books, My Book
I’m stoked to announce that I am done writing my book! It has been quite the process but I finished up basically all the writing elements needed for this project. I ended up with an even 50 chapters plus an introduction and a wrap up chapter. I also finished writing all the extra stuff you got to do…copyright page, acknowledgements (maybe you made the list), back cover text, about the author, and everything else that has to get written.
Now it is time to transition into editing mode. This is where we throw it all in the fire and hopefully only the best will come out. Of course the whole thing may just burn up and well, that would suck. We’re still on track to have the book out by this fall, probably in late September.
I can’t wait to have the finished product done but beyond that, I can’t wait for students to get their hands on it and hopefully it will help them with the difficult transition into the real world of life.
Posted by Grant on May 28, 2008 – 8:49 pm
Filed under Family, Personal
Just thought this was a cute picture of the Baldwin family we took over the weekend…
Posted by Grant on May 28, 2008 – 11:03 am
I mentioned yesterday that I’ve been spending a lot more time over at my mom’s house during the day while I’m finishing up my book. And I end up watching kids from the elementary school play at recess.
But apparently today is yearbook day because as the students came pouring out of the school for recess a few minutes ago, they were all carrying their yearbooks, scanning for pictures of themselves and getting their friends’ autographs.
Yearbook Day was always one of the best days of the school year. I always enjoyed having other people write in my yearbook and then seeing what they put. Some people write the traditional Yearbook lines…
“Math was dumb. So are you. Have a great summer. BFF.”
But then there were those who put a little more thought into what they wrote. Those were the ones you really wanted to get because they actually meant something.
Maybe just for fun, go back through some of your old yearbooks and see what people wrote to you. And while you’re there, ask yourself: “what was I thinking wearing that outfit and doing my hair like that for picture day?”
Posted by Grant on May 27, 2008 – 1:16 pm
Lately I’ve been working over at my mom’s house a lot doing my writing. It can be difficult to focus and concentrate at home with an adorable 3 foot little girl that bangs on my office door all day asking if I want to play.
But my mom’s house backs up to an elementary school playground so for several hours each day, I see the kids running around and playing. And it made me realize…
I miss recess.
There are not a ton of things I miss about elementary school but recess is definitely one of them.
How often do you experience “recess” in your life? I don’t mean that you run around outside screaming, pulling girl’s hair, and playing dodge ball so that you can embarrass fat little Grant (sorry I thought I was with my therapist for a second there).
It’s easy to be stuck indoors all the time on the computer, watching TV, or doing chores around the house, but every now and then go outside and take a recess.
You’ll be glad you did.
(I would kind of like to go out there and get in on the game of soccer they are playing today but I’m afraid I would be arrested. I would score so many goals on those kids though. It would really help my self-esteem.)
Posted by Grant on May 26, 2008 – 6:30 pm
Filed under Family, Personal
I spent a large portion of my Friday last week putting together a swing set for my little girl. I was able to talk my dad into helping me out and even between the two of us; it took a solid 7 hours or so. Enjoyed hanging with my old man but really enjoyed playing with my daughter on this massive contraption.
Sorry you have to see my backside, but I realized it was the only full picture of the finished product…
This little grin makes all the blood, sweat, and tears worth it (I did shed all three didn’t I?)
Posted by Grant on May 26, 2008 – 8:12 am
When was the last time you had an email diet? Or better yet, an email fast?
When was the last time you went a solid 24 hours without checking your email? Or checking voicemail? Or talking on the phone?
A holiday weekend like this is a great chance to implement the idea of a technology diet. In order to truly experience time off, you have to learn to “digitally disconnect.” The danger in our culture is that it is very easy to always be available. Whether through email, cell phone, home phone, text message, instant message, or voicemail, it is easy to stay digitally connected.
But I would encourage you for just a 24 hour period to digitally disconnect. I tried this on Saturday and didn’t check my email all day. For some people this may be really easy but for me it is very difficult. But if I’m going to be balanced in my life, I have to learn to digitally disconnect.
Posted by Grant on May 25, 2008 – 4:42 pm
Every other week or so, my wife and I get together with three other couples to just hang out and share life with. We are all in the same stage of life and so we have a good time getting together, sharing stories, and just talking about life in general.
Recently we got into a discussion about “the gap” that exists in our lives. Not the store, “Gap.”
But rather the gap between how we are present ourselves to others and who we really are. And one of the questions we discussed was this:
Who are the people in your life that you feel totally vulnerable and safe with to be yourself?
Because so often in life, there is that gap between who we really are versus who we want people to think we are.
So I guess the question is this:
Who are you? When you’re at school, are you really you? When you’re with your friends, is it you your friends are hanging out with or is it someone you think they will like better than the real you?
Posted by Grant on May 23, 2008 – 8:29 am
A day that I’ve dreamed about has finally arrived. For the last several months I have been trying to build a business as a speaker and author in the work I do with students. As I have worked at this business, I have also been doing some side jobs to help make ends meet.
When I first set out to do this, I thought I might be able to make the jump to full time in about a year to 18 months or so. But yesterday I talked to a guy I was doing some sales work for and formally quit that position. So now, I’m 100% self-employed and any income we have coming in comes from the business.
Holy Crap, that’s a scary thought.
But we’ve worked extremely hard and to be at this point where I literally answer to no one but myself (and my wife of course!) is a great feeling. I love that we’re able to be in control of our own destiny by being in control of our day to day schedules.
In fact, on this first day of working for myself full time, I’m going to take the afternoon off to put together a swing set for my little girl. Why?
The weather is nice. I like to play outside with my little girl. Time with my girls is more important than any project I could work on. But one of my favorite reasons for taking the afternoon off:
Because I can.
What are you waiting for to pursue your dream?
Posted by Grant on May 23, 2008 – 6:30 am
On my website, www.grantbaldwin.com, I use Google Analytics, which is a tracking tool to help me keep an eye on the traffic to the website. I’m always amazed at the various locations that people visit the site from. I just checked the year-to-date traffic and we have had visitors from 44 different countries around the world and all 50 states! Crazy!
So if you live in some exotic, incredible country and you need a speaker for something…anything…please let me know! And I’m sure my wife would be happy to accompany me as long as there is a beach nearby…
