On a bitterly cold night, last Wednesday, Michael and I ventured to downtown Nashville for a concert. The electronic dance music scene in Nashville is scarce, so when anyone in electronic music comes to town we go.
The opening act started with a melodic, easy listening set (not conducive to dancing around), so we went to the balcony section and grabbed some booth seats to survey the crowd. A few minutes later two guys sat down next to us. Very close to us, I might add. They weren't your typical EDM concert goers – dressed in neon or crazy hats. They were a bit older (even at age 28 I feel a little old at these things myself) and I could tell they didn't go to Vanderbilt University.
The guy next to me asked if I'd seen Savoy, the act we came to see, play before. When I said no, he assumed I knew nothing about the electronic music scene and started rambling about different acts and going to music festivals. I rolled my eyes to Michael, who patted my knee.
After the guy finally took a breath, he looked over to his mute friend, who replied “Yeah,” in agreement. Then he asked what I did for a living. I appreciated the question, especially coming from a guy who might not understand what a “blog” really is. So I was ready to jump with my answer.
“I'm a blogger.” I waited a beat. “I have a blog.”
“Oh you are? I love blogs!”
He did? I figured he said that just to be polite. But then he rattled off a list of blogs he follows.
In bewilderment, I said, “Oh wow, that's a lot of blogs. So interesting that you read so many.”
He responded, “Blogs changed my life. I read at least a few a day. I know you probably make money from advertisements and sponsors.” (Side note, this was a full blooded American male at an EDM concert, let that sink in for a moment.)
“Yes,” I laughed, in shock. “I also sell courses on blogging.”
“No way! I love courses. Have you heard of James Clear? He's the one who changed my life. He's just so positive and powerful.”
I think I had to pick my jaw off the ground. I'd heard of James Clear, and read some of his stuff, but hadn't in a long time.
The guy picked up his glow sticks (Yes he carried his own) and he promised to read my blog. I know he might be reading this now, so I want to say thank you. He made such an impression on me.
The next day, I went to James Clear's website. His site is “motivational” in nature — helping readers with self improvement and behavioral psychology. One of his lines is, “Becoming the type of person you want to become is about the daily process you follow and not the ultimate product you try to achieve. Your life today is essentially the sum of your habits.”
This is so incredibly powerful. It means, to me, that we can all achieve what we set out to do. We have to start small and these small changes will help us ultimately succeed.
As I approach my 29th (eek) birthday on Thursday, these words felt so directly meaningful to me.
I don't know the secret to happiness or life, but I appreciate anyone who takes on the intricacies of figuring that out. And hey, maybe it entails going to raves and talking to random guys with glow sticks.
(P.S. Enrollment for my eCourse The Blog Detox is closing soon. Check out full details here.)
