Do you enjoy your success journey?
As promised, Reason-4-Smile got a new theme. The new tagline is “Happiness in Success Journey”. It’s pretty much inspired by Joyce Meyer with her program, Enjoying Everyday Lives. I wanted to do the same thing, or I should say the mini version with this blog: sharing and encouraging you to be happy and to enjoy your journey towards your dream.
As you can see, there are quite a number of changes that I have made with this blog. The new theme is taken from Wordpress Fun by Smashing Magazine. I find that the theme is quite fresh and fun, instead of melancholic and rigid as in my previous theme. You will see more updates coming in, but for now, let’s keep it simple and sweet. Hopefully it will make it easier for you to navigate through my blog as well.
The success journey
When you travel towards your objective, be sure to pay attention to the path.
~Paulo Coelho
Yes, this blog will share very much about a journey. It’s not a journey without failure, but as I shared before, it’s a journey where failure is transformed into a lesson that we all can learn from.
Success is a journey and not a destination. That’s what I believe. You can consider your life as a journey from success to success. If not the big ones, maybe the small ones. And success breeds success! When you consider the small thing or achievement in your life as a success, you’ll be encouraged to do more and greater things.
Success journey is a journey that each of us can start right now. We may struggle but we better make it enjoyable. We do not know whether we will spend your life more in the journey or at the destination. If you don’t enjoy it right now, what a waste your life will be.
The new categories
If you have been following my blog, you may notice that I used to categorize my articles based on the Serenity Prayer: the courage to change the things that we can, serenity to accept the things that we can’t and wisdom to know the difference.
Now, I’m re-categorizing this blog. It is based on the roles that I have to play in my life right now. The four areas, the four different sides of me.
The blogger…
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
~Marianne Williamson
To shine, that’s particularly a reason why I continue blogging. Similarly, a lot of people started blogging to express themselves, to let their thoughts and creativity shine through their writing. And the shine doesn’t stop there; it continued to inspire others to shine as well. That’s how I see the significance of blogging.
Blogging has also given me a taste of how it feels to have a business or something to grow. It’s a taste how I need to be decisive, to provide more values, to market and relate with other bloggers. I have not generated much money with this blog, but I hope that I can share more about my experience in blogging, which will range from things I learn about writing, internet-marketing, entrepreneurship, and networking. It’s what you will learn from this blog.
The engineer…
I’m not talking about running away or having plastic surgery or a dye job. I’m not talking about throwing away our core principles and values and morals. I’m talking about exactly the opposite. I’m talking about letting life’s experiences affect you and mature you. I’m talking about going down deep and finding out where you’re at and where you need to go next.
~Maria Shriver
“It’s not about running away!” I like what Maria Shriver has shared in her book, Just Who Will You Be. I worked as a software engineer, and I often have dissatisfaction of what I’m doing. Looking for more but not very sure what it is. And I’m sure that I’m not alone. I was being told that according to the Gallup poll, almost 80% of men feel miscast at work.
I also had a friend who contacted me about having authentic life. She has some dissatisfaction with her engineering work as well. She wanted to become a cook or a housewife but it will be a waste for all of her studies. And even more, she concerns that it will disappoint her parents.
I agree with Maria Shriver on her statement not to simply run away from the role we have right now. Having authentic life is more about how you let your life’s experiences affect you and mature you. And that includes whatever roles you may have right now. How you can grow with who you are and whatever responsibility you have right now.
That’s what I wanted to share more on this category as well. It’s the experience of an employee, an engineer, a team member, and many more stuffs and wisdoms that I have learned from software engineering field.
The leader…
Leadership is a decision, not a destiny.
~John Maxwell
It’s a dream, it’s a vision. It’s a character that I wanted to build very much into my life. Not easy I know, but it’s part of the success that I wanted to happen into my life.
I always thought that leadership is a destination. I know that leadership is not about your position, followers or certain responsibilities; but I always thought that leadership is my destination in terms of characters. It’s something like having more charisma, better people skill, and stronger character. Only then I can call myself a leader.
That seems also not the right definition of leadership, because leadership, as what John Maxwell said, is a decision. It’s all about taking the responsibility of who you are today. Not about blaming God, your parents or others, but taking the responsibility to change and grow. To start from where you are and grow.
The articles in this category will share more about the journey to become a better leader, a dream and vision that I have. How hard it may seems, I will choose to enjoy the journey, and I will be sharing with you about it here.
The human…
Our human condition makes us tend to share only the best of ourselves, because we are always searching for love and approval.
~Paulo Coelho (The Zahir)
The quote above is really a thought-provoking one for me. Some may consider it as a wrong motive, but that’s how sometimes we can see our limitations as advantages.
If you have been following my blog, you must have known that the previous tagline I have is “Turning limitation into advantages, helping introverts to be successful.” This is particularly the topic that I will continue on to share in this category. It’s a balance that is needed in pursuing your dream. It’s all about happiness, about friendship and family, about being and enjoying who you are today.
Concluding thought
Few days ago, 2nd of August is my birthday. I turned 26, and this re-branding comes about the same time. Some people may say that we need to be focus, we need to follow one path, or otherwise we will be following none.
That might be right, but I just didn’t know yet which path to follow, I’m still searching as I believe many people in the 20’s do.
I may not be blogging forever, nor an engineer forever, but I will choose to be the best who I can be today and be happy about it. I believe that is happiness in success journey. And I want to share the journey with you!
Cheers,
Robert
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25 Comments
Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Map
on 5th Aug, 08 01:08am
Nice tagline you have here. Happy Birthday to you too! Oh my…you are so young and the stuff you write here carries much wisdom in them.
For a while, I thought you’d advise your friend to quit her engineering work. I know that many personal development authors and “experts” will suggest just that. I’m glad to read the quote from Maria Shriver. As a work from home mum, I can also share that staying home to take care of kids is also a very challenging vocation. There is still every bit of stress. It is how you grow in this role as well.
Still it is not to say to continue to do the job that one does not like. It is about choosing one that is in most alignment with one’s highest path.
Evelyn
Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Maps last blog post..Raise Awareness; Release Guilt
Jean Browman--Cheerful Monk
on 5th Aug, 08 04:08am
Hi, Robert,
I like your new theme and enjoyed this post.
I’m confused as to what you mean by success and failure. What would success look like for you? Whenever I’ve been asked that question in the past it had nothing to do with achievement, it was being immersed in a project and doing it for its own sake, not for any future reward. That’s not most people’s vision, so I’m always curious about what they’re aiming for. As I’ve said before, I love blogging when it results in good conversations.
Jean Browman–Cheerful Monks last blog post..This Mystery Called Life
Jean Browman--Cheerful Monk
on 5th Aug, 08 05:08am
PS Happy birthday! You wrote, “Some people may say that we need to be focus, we need to follow one path, or otherwise we will be following none.” I agree with you, keep learning and growing and doing good work while you learn more about yourself and the opportunities that are open to you. And enjoy the process. Amen to that!
Also, plenty of successful people didn’t have a path they were trying to follow. They kept developing their skills and took advantage of the opportunities that came along. Remember the Randy Pausch quote: “It is not about achieving your dreams but living your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself, the dreams will come to you.” Again, just keep developing your skills, doing good work and enjoying the process.
Jean Browman–Cheerful Monks last blog post..This Mystery Called Life
Shamelle @ TheEnhanceLife.com
on 5th Aug, 08 07:08am
Great post. I like the way you structured it.
I love what you have done with the new blog template. Unique and easy on the eyes.
Shamelle
Shamelle @ TheEnhanceLife.coms last blog post..Career: 62 Tips To Make Your Job Terrific (Lessons Learned)
Al at 7P
on 5th Aug, 08 12:08pm
Awesome new relaunch of the blog! I like the themes you’ll be writing about.
Al at 7Ps last blog post..Do You Know What You Don’t Know?
Avani-Mehta
on 5th Aug, 08 03:08pm
Wow, your site looks amazing. I like your new themes. Looking forward to read more.
Avani-Mehtas last blog post..Salt of A Happy Marriage – When Too Much Of A Good Thing Makes A Marriage Go Bad
Robert A.
on 5th Aug, 08 03:08pm
@Evelyn, thanks so much for such a positive comment.
I’m sure that whatever you do before becoming a work-at-home mum must have also developed you into who you are today. I believe it’s true that someone is saying when we are willing to do things we don’t like today, we can spend our lives to do things that we enjoy.
@Jean, thanks for your question. Success to me is what I shared before, doing the best with what you have.
http://www.reason4smile.com/2008/04/10/how-to-be-successful-uniquely-yours/
As you raised before, it’s important to balance it with enjoying yourself, something that I’m learning. You know something, recently I read the quote below that encourage me very much..
Isn’t that so true??
@Shamelle, Al, & Avani-Mehta
thanks for enjoying the new blog theme and structure! =)
Cheers,
Robert
Raymond Chua
on 5th Aug, 08 03:08pm
Congrats for the new theme.
I just love it! Keep it up, my friend.
Raymond Chuas last blog post..The Miniature World
Jeff@My Super-Charged Life
on 5th Aug, 08 03:08pm
Robert – Great new look! I also like the new categories. I look forward to seeing what you do with it.
I think you are on the right track both as a blogger and as a person. Keep growing and giving!
Jeff@My Super-Charged Lifes last blog post..An Inspirational Story of Positive Choices and Radical Change
dcr
on 5th Aug, 08 03:08pm
Happy Belated Birthday!
Nice new look on your blog too. Good luck with the new direction; I’m sure you’ll do great!
dcrs last blog post..Make Money with Women
Anne-Marie | A Mama's Rant
on 5th Aug, 08 03:08pm
Congrats on your new theme and a happy birthday! I love how you’re bringing your categories in line with your personal philosophy. That’s a terrific way to do it and gives me some terrific ideas.
Anne-Marie | A Mama’s Rants last blog post..Back to school office supplies for writer mamas
Alex Shalman
on 5th Aug, 08 07:08pm
The theme looks great!
David Rogers
on 5th Aug, 08 08:08pm
Robert
I really like your new theme and relaunch. Belated Happy Birthday – I recently hit 50 so I envy you still being half that!
David
David Rogerss last blog post..Does taking risks build confidence?
Adam Sicinski
on 5th Aug, 08 10:08pm
This is a fantastic theme Robert. It really gives you a unique edge. I absolutely love it. You have done a sensational job. And the new angle of your blog is also a great improvement. I wish you continued success
Nicole Price
on 6th Aug, 08 05:08am
Belated birthday greetings and best wishes for many happy returns.
You have quoted one of my favorite authors and I fully agree with all that you have set for yourself. I just want to share with you another great quotation often used to define success.
“He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it…..” – Bessie A. Stanley
Nicole Price
on 6th Aug, 08 05:08am
I clean forgot to compliment you on the new look for your blog. It looks great and yes, the tag-line is effective too.
Nicole Prices last blog post..Best Companies to Work for
Robert A.
on 6th Aug, 08 10:08am
Hi guys, thanks a lot for all the birthday wishes! Also really glad that you enjoy this new theme, and new categories.
@Nicole, are you referring to Paulo Coelho? I’m planning to read one of his novel. I believe The Alchemist is the best one, isn’t it?
I stumbled into a collection of quotes from him, and found so many insightful thoughts about life.
Great ones!
@David, you must have much life experiences that I need to learn from! I don’t know how recent it was, I’ll just say happy belated birthday for you, congratz for reaching the golden age! Wish you health, wealth and happiness!
Cheers,
Robert
Nicole Price
on 7th Aug, 08 06:08am
Robert, all Paulo’s books are worth reading. You need a lot of patience though! So, be warned.
Aart
on 7th Aug, 08 03:08pm
Hello!
I’m a big fan of Paulo Coelho! You will love this! He’s the first best-selling
author to be distributing for free his works on his blog:
http://www.paulocoelhoblog.com
Have a nice day!
Aart
Aarts last blog post..Image of the Day : Sconfitta by William Blake
Bamboo Forest
on 7th Aug, 08 11:08pm
Robert, the new layout looks awesome. I’m impressed.
Welcome back to blogging. Cheers.
Bamboo Forests last blog post..What’s The True Value of Blog Comments?
Irene | Light Beckons
on 8th Aug, 08 09:08am
Hi Robert,
Love the new look and feel of your site! I guess I’m really late here, couldn’t stop by earlier as I had a hectic week … but I still want to wish you a belated “happy birthday”. Hope it was fun.
Irene | Light Beckonss last blog post..Breaking Inertia
Robert A.
on 8th Aug, 08 10:08am
@Nicole, wow, great, then I can just take anyone of them!
@Aart, thanks for the link!
@Bamboo, thanks man! Good to see your blog grows very much as well!
@Irene, thanks for the wish. It was fun =D
Cheers,
Robert
Richard
on 8th Aug, 08 10:08am
Hey Robert, great theme, you have a lot of space that you can monetize. Looking forward to seeing you around.
Eva White
on 26th Sep, 08 04:09am
I loved the classification based on the serenity prayer. Wish you luck with the new system.
Eva Whites last blog post..Halloween Party
Robert A.
on 30th Sep, 08 07:09am
Hi Eva, thanks for your message. You can look forward to The Human category for Serenity, and The Leader category for Courage. Wisdom is a bit tricky, but I found that in both serenity and courage you will find wisdom.
Hope you still enjoy the new system!
Robert