« Using Google Reader: Andy Wibbel's Flash Tutorial | Main | Too Much Experimenting »
I'm Going To Give This a Try
October 14, 2005
I just came across Jonathan Wold's blog, courtesy of a blogging list I'm on, and found this great project management idea.
It sounds like just what I need. I've been making do with lists, but I love sticky notes and lots of color, and the idea of seeing everything I need to do (or have already done) at a glance is really appealing.
While you're there, check out the rest of Jonathan's blog. He's definitely an entrepreneur with a lot of energy, tons of focus and many, many ideas, I got kind of tired (but in a nice, motivated way, if that makes sense) reading his posts. It floors me that he's only 19.
Bookmark this: BlinkList | del.icio.us | Digg it | Furl | reddit | Yahoo MyWeb
Posted by BJ at 05:14 PM in Taking Action | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/69656/3378296
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference I'm Going To Give This a Try:
Comments
What a wonderful blog! Thanks for sharing it... he really seems like a smart as well as a tres interesting guy - some great reading on there!
Posted by: jenn | Oct 14, 2005 6:37:48 PM
I knew I'd seen Jonathan Wold's name before. He's the name behind the failed hostingfrog.com. In fact, his track record seems absolutely dismal and disjointed...a teenager who wants to get rich on his own terms but can't stick with anything for longer than a year or so.
He may have energy, but my impression has always been that's all he is. No substance.
Just my opinion based on his websites and writing, but sometimes you have to really question the advice you're getting.
Posted by: Anonymous | Oct 14, 2005 10:42:04 PM
Jenn, he definitely has a great writing style that keeps you reading. Very interesting read.
Anonymous, your comment is interesting. I can't defend Jonathan because I don't know him at all aside from reading his blog today, although I definitely didn't form a negative opinion of him based on his writing style. Since I had not actually heard of HostingFrog, I did a search, and I must say, for someone so young, he sure did know how to create a buzz about his venture.
Not knowing too much about the whole thing, I'm inclined to chalk it up to his youth. A failed business is tough when you're only 18. The business world isn't easy and if you make mistakes (which most people do, it's just that some mistakes are definitely bigger than others), learning from your mistakes is probably the best thing to do. And hopefully that's what he did - learned from his mistakes, and moved forward. Not too much else you can do, really, when a venture fails.
You did read my post wrong, though, Anonymous. There's no need for me to "question the advice I'm getting". I stumbled onto his project management idea and knew right away it was something that would work well for me. Not much to question there.
I've actually implemented my sticky note board already (I know, that's a first, me doing something so quickly - the idea definitely inspired me) and I have to say, it's a great tool. I can look up and see exactly how many tasks I need to do this coming week to move all my projects forward - it looks a bit crazy right now, but it's definitely good for relieving stress.
I'm wondering if I can work this sticky note board into GTD, which I'm starting to get back on track with ...
Posted by: BJ | Oct 14, 2005 11:56:02 PM
Hey BJ!
Awesome to hear that you're giving the system I go :). I owe the credit for that idea to a mentor of mine, who recognized the challenges I'd been facing in project management. Its worked out very well for me and I'm hoping it works out well for you too!
As for my track record.. *smiles*.. A good friend of mine with a lot of experience and influence in the hosting industry, asked me just a couple of days ago about Hostingfrog. He asked if I planned to carry it on. I told him that I probably wouldn't. Hostingfrog meant a lot to me and I really gave it my all, I just wasn't ready. Yeah, by most standards, I've got a pretty miserable track record.. yet I'm not giving up :).
My hope is that people will be able to learn, even if just a little bit, from my experiences. That I'll be able to encourage new ideas and maybe save a little pain now and then, hehe..
I think my greatest success in life thus far has been the incredible people I've met. Being able to read comments, find new and interesting blogs like Jenn and BJ's, and to be encouraged to move ahead and do my very best.. That, for me, has been a success. I take encouragement from Edison.. If he was willing to stick it out for over 10,000 tries before he got the light bulb, I'm willing to keep up this whole entrepreneurial thing ;).
Have an awesome new week!
-Jonathan
Posted by: Jonathan Wold | Oct 15, 2005 8:29:15 PM
Great post Jonathan! This business is definitely full of risks and lots of learning curves!
Giving up just isn't an option ;)
I think I will give this a try myself, I need some sort of organization to follow. I just recently broke my sticky habit by having them all over the place lol. Having them in one place with a purpose just might work though.
Posted by: Chrissie | Oct 16, 2005 12:04:49 AM
Thanks for stopping by, Jonathan. Not giving up is a very good thing.
Chrissie, you have definitely got to give this method a try. I have always been very fond of sticky notes - the only problem I had with this system was that I have too many projects to have a different color sticky for each project. But if you use a different color Sharpie ;) then the combinations are, well, not quite endless, but enough to cover all the projects I have on the go. I also assigned a number to each project, which I've been finding helpful.
Posted by: BJ | Oct 16, 2005 12:24:34 AM
I definitely agree that the "sticky notes" idea is a good one! I'm considering giving it a try myself. Jonathan Wold is an awesome entrepreneur, and I personally love reading his blogs, learning different things from a young man who is learning things for himself as he goes, and is still very willing to learn from others around him. He doesn't let pride get in the way and I'm very proud of him for that! It can be difficult with all the opportunities opening up around him. He stays humble, and is one entrepreneur I am proud to say, I love very much!:)
Posted by: Anonymous | Oct 16, 2005 12:01:00 PM
..And that'd be my girlfriend :P.. *grins*.. She tracked me down! Alright, we've caused enough trouble for one weekend. Keep up the awesome work BJ! :)
-Jonathan
Posted by: Jonathan Wold | Oct 16, 2005 12:13:43 PM
BJ it sounds like you're a Right-Brained visual organizer. If you need color and visual stuff like post it notes, and everything laid out on your desk.
Have you read "Time Management for Unmanageable People"?
Posted by: Carrie | Oct 17, 2005 12:10:23 PM
Carrie, that sounds exactly like something I need! Unmanageable - that's me LOL I've put that on my list and will definitely take a look at it next time I'm at Amazon. Thanks!
Posted by: BJ | Oct 17, 2005 12:30:11 PM
