I'm Placing a Little Bet Here

Trail of Bets, Tribe of Sports, and Refrigerator Art

This morning, I decided to place a wager. I decided to gamble with a small, low-risk, concrete action. I decided to take an action to test an idea with an experiment. But before I get to today's bet, you've probably noticed that I've already been doing this for a while now. You can see a trail of little bets I've placed over the past few months. I call these little bets blog posts. Once a week, since November of 2017, I have been developing thoughts and ideas, packaging them in digestible chunks of 200-400 words, and sharing them in all their imperfections with my reluctant but patient tribe of good sports. You have been spectators as I create works that are comparable to a child's artwork. Rudimentary, maybe a little cute, probably not "refrigerator-worthy," but hopefully worth a quick glance and maybe a smile. Even if it's a smile at me and not with me. But you know what? Either way, I'm good with it.

The Set-Up

So before I get to the bet, here's a little background information. Starting yesterday, I decided to start a writing project. A writing project that is actually a convergence of several writing ideas I've had that share a common theme. I'm not sure where this project is going, but I'd like to bring you all along for the ride. Whatever this experiment, or experience, or adventure, or process is, I want to share it with you. I like the idea of "organic growth." Of starting something very small, with a series of little bets, and watching the growth process. Nourishing and caring for something, and seeing how it develops. That's what I'm doing here. This project is my current something.

The Project...

I'm going to call this project "Intentionally Living the Dream." Over the past few years, I've been on this kick of "living intentionally" with the goal of creating a life of purpose. We all desire living a life with a mission and direction. My thought is that, no matter where we are in our lives, we can start living every day with the mindset of consistent, incremental growth. Starting today. Living life more optimally by taking deliberate actions. My personal mission is to "love, enjoy, inspire, encourage, and positively impact those within my circle of influence" and to "grow my circle of influence." This writing project is one way to help keep me moving in that direction. Building connections, deepening relationships, and creating a network of people I admire and value. You are people that matter to me, and I would like to be transparent and a little vulnerable in sharing my vision of a dream life, and hearing your thoughts as I continue to clarify that dream. Then live that dream with daily intention. And my hope is that you would do that for yourself as well.

...And The Bet

So here's my little bet. As I develop this writing project, I would like feedback. I would like to hear thoughts and things to consider. You can also feel free to make writing critiques as well. This is a craft. But remember, I'm a little kid holding a crayon with my whole hand. I'm scribbling, dabbling, and experimenting. My mind is small, and my skills are elementary. I may be a cotton headed ninny muggins, but I value this remarkable cast of characters, and I'm ready to learn and grow from your feedback.

What It Will Look Like

My plan is to put up some weekly thoughts or attach a link to a document. You'll look it over and throw a thought or some thoughts at me. You can do this though email or text. Or the comments box below (if I ever figure out how to do that), or you can just talk to me about it the next time you see me. I'll keep writing and developing my thoughts. This is going to be a long process. That's why I really want to have a support network behind me that will encourage me and hold me accountable. Let's see where this goes. And hopefully along the way, I can support you and hold you accountable in your projects and something important to you.

You Too

Here's another idea. I would like to see each of you begin your own writing projects. We all have a story to tell and life lessons to share. As Richard Rohr says, we all have a piece of the truth. This project is not really about me. It's about us. Sharing in a community. So let's start today. Write a single thought. Start a paper/pencil journal or a Word, Google, or Evernote doc. Intentionally create your own project starting with one sentence. It may be a small, crude start, but it may be a start of something special.

Thanks reading all of this today. This is way more than my typical 200-400 words. It's actually 862 words if you're curious. Anyway, thanks for being good sports. Feel free to print this up and put it on your frig.

Enjoy the day!

Here's where I got the idea of little bets. Good stuff.

http://petersims.com/books-articles/little-bets/