Success and Failure
- Comments: 10
The month of July was an interesting month to say the least. I didn’t accomplish all of my goals, however the developments of my business overshadow that let down. In my previous post about quitting my day job as a personal banker at JP Morgan Chase, I mentioned that I might quit. Well, I put in my two week notice of Monday, July 29th. However, my manager decided it would be in everyone’s best interest if my last day be this Saturday. She also said that I am completely re-hireable, in the situation I ever need a job again.
The decision came with much deliberation and careful consideration. I have done it, I quit my day job.
The opportunities that are in front of me seem to be endless, and the passion and excitement that I feel right now, I have never felt before. For as motivated and hard working as I am, I feel no need to work for anyone else. Also, the business that we are creating will be, in the words of our good friend, (who will remain nameless) “ridiculously awesome!”
Month of July Failures
1. My number one goal last month was to develop an investor presentation. The funny thing is that we as a company have decided to go into a different direction for the time being.
2. Because we are going in a different direction, I also failed to meet my second goal. I did not finish writing the business plan.
3. I am on a roll. My third goal of presenting to at least one investor, I also failed to reach.
4. My fourth goal was specific to my blog. It was to reach 75 feedburner subscribers. My peak year to date is 45 subscribers. I am starting month 3 and am about to be self-employed. No excuses any longer. It is time to step it up.
Month of July Success
5. The only goal that I managed to reach was to start podcasting. With the overwhelming amount of positive feedback that Nate and I have received, we are going to continue to do vblog posts. I am also thinking about doing podcasting where I answer financial questions and address several topics around the blogosphere. Tell me what you think of that idea.
In more general terms I did meet several great people and am meeting more all the time. With having all of this free time after Saturday, I plan to stat meeting and socializing with more bloggers in the ’sphere.
Month of August goals
As I attempted to do with the goals I set for myself in July, I am going to set specific goals.
1. I want to hit 75 feedburner subscribers. This will be a nice benchmark for me to clear.
2. Sell advertising on my blog. Once my blog is page-ranked by Google I am going to start offering advertising spots. Hopefully my blog will be a page-rank 4. I would like to have at least one advertisement sold.
3. Complete my e-book and website copy finished for my finance site.
4. Finish biz plan and investor presentation for new company.
5. Read 4 more books or e-books.
These goals I should be able to reach. Some of them might be a little of a stretch but I should still be able to accomplish each one. In order to hit the 75 feedburner subscribers is going to require me to put a lot more effort than just the couple hours a night I have been putting in. It is imperative that I continue to meet more bloggers in and out of my niches.
The other goals are going to require me to spend at least 50 hours a week working towards them. I am determined to reach each goal and not let myself down.
How did the rest of you guys fare?
Private funding will certainly be the best way to go if you can afford it
Congratulations on the switch! This is a benchmark moment that I’m sure you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Very courageous!
That’s great Josh. Congrats on getting out the rat race that is a day job. I can only hope to follow you one of these days and be able to live off my online ventures.
Good luck with your August goals. I think 75 is very attainable. I also would like to start selling a little advertising on my blog, but like you I’m waiting around on Google to see what PR I get (if any). I doubt I’ll be a 4 as you probably will, but maybe I’ll at the very least get a 2 and attract some advertisers. If not, not biggy, but it would be nice.
Good luck
Why not offer advertising now? Don’t wait for PageRank - put up a static page where you talk about how much traffic you get. If you use Google Analytics, take screen shots/data from the Site Overlay to show where people are clicking and offer advertising accordingly (more money for highly clicked areas, etc.)
And I don’t think July was a failure - it was a realignment of goals.
Nathania, you bring up a very good point. Why not advertise now? I am going to start looking. Thanks for the kick in the butt!
From failures we learn, that’s the only thing that makes us better. I’ll subscribe to your feed to help you out. Good luck with everything.
That’s a big step Josh. It really shows your commitment to the business. With yourself and Nate so passionate about what you do it’s easy to see you’re going to be very successful.
I look forward to the day that my internet ventures prosper enough to quit my day job and allow me to go full time in the virtual world. Good Luck.
Thanks Andre, I will do the same!
Oh how I wish I could get away from the 9 to 5 and move into something more enjoyable. Congrats on quitting, I hope it works out for you.
I doubt it will be hard for you to find advertisers. How much are you charging, I might be a text link.
[...] fell short of my goals for my blog in August. My biggest disappointment is that I didn’t hit my goal of 75 RSS subscribers. I am hovering [...]