What can you do in 2 years anyways?
That’s a good question. 2 years ago, I started making some changes in my life that led me to where I am today. One of those, included starting this blog. That decision led to a whole lot of other things that I’ve been able to do over the last 731 days that I used to think were impossible. A few of them include:
- Getting my first ‘real’ job ever (at a place that didn’t rhyme with QPS). Thanks Todd!
- Running my first 5k.
- Running my first triathlon.
- Working my way up to Marketing Director.
- Running my first half-marathon
- Becoming an extra in a movie.
- Quitting a job for my first time ever.
- Getting recruited for the first time ever (by two companies).
- Making a really poor decision that eventually turned out great.
- Running a marathon
- Going on road trips to Texas, Florida, the entire West Coast, Canada, Mexico, California and more.
- Starting a clothing line
- Funding 50+ entrepreneurs on Kiva.
- Moving six (6) times.
- Going skydiving with 41 awesome people.
- Going Bungee Jumping with 20 other awesome people.
- Quitting my job for the 2nd time in 6 months.
- Speaking at Universities.
- Creating a presentation that’s been seen over 111,000 times.
- Selling my car, moving out of my apartment, packing up my Cora bag and “officially” becoming homeless.
- Visiting London, Hawaii (2x), Austin, San Francisco, Dallas, Miami, San Antonio, Portland, Denver, and a whole bunch of other places.
- Starting my own online marketing agency.
- Running my first Half-Ironman.
- Writing a book that’s been downloaded 10s of thousands of times.
- Speaking at Target HQ in Minneapolis (yes, that Target).
- Starting my own business.
- Writing 212 blog posts on this blog (we’re just starting to hit that boiling point). Boom.
- Meeting countless friends, artists, writers, entrepreneurs, working on inspiring stuff that pushes me to get better – a lot better.
Along the way, I’ve become a completely different person than I was two years ago. A few years ago, every time I tried something new, there was this voice in my head yelling YOU CAN’T DO THIS! THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE! 2 years ago, I would have agreed, given up before even trying and gone home.
2 years later, that voice is still there, but it’s a little quieter and a little easier to ignore and I usually go ahead and try it anyways – even in the little things (Yesterday for the first time in 25 years, I learned how to dive. After about a half-dozen belly flops, I managed to eek out a couple half-decent dives. There’s more work to do, but it’s a start!).
It’s quite humbling to look back at the last 2 trips around the sun and see how things have changed since then. In some ways it feels like it hasn’t even been a few months and in others it feels like it’s been ages. I look back at old posts and sometimes it’s hard to realize that I’m the one who wrote them. I look at my impossible list and wonder if I’ve really actually done all those things. But I am and I have. It’s been hard, but it’s also been worth it 100 times over.
So what can you do in 2 years anyways?
Turns out – quite a lot.
All you have to do is start.
Joel,
Great post! Yes, in two years a person can do so much! I started my blog about 8 months ago and its now ramping up which is exciting.
I also have on my list to run a triathlon and marathon before the end of the year.
Thanks for helping to tear down the “Walls of Impossibility” in my mind.
Todd
I don’t have time to make the list, but the past 2 years…I’ve conquered, ventured, adventured, occupied, changed, altered, given up, let go of, and awesome’d the hell out of a lot. Some of which, I attribute to crossing paths with you. Thank you for sharing your list of impossible things with us!!
In the space of the next 2 years I plan to run a couple of marathons, start a small business & hopefully get a novel published (or on the way to it). These are all ideas I had toyed with in the past but never seriously thought I could do. Reading your posts has given me the impetus I needed to get up off my backside & start doing things about it, believing that I do actually have what it takes. The way I figure it, even if I don’t manage to achieve everything on my list, I’ll still be a lot better off & will have so many wonderful experiences to treasure. Thanks for being such an inspiration, Joel!
It’s amazing if you take time to reflect a little bit. You realize you may in fact have accomplished a great deal. Wether big or small. It’s an important way to build confidence and reward yourself. For all the hard work and dedication you have put into yourself and others.
Keep dominating Joel! I also want to thank you for your influence and help with my own personal development.
Stay up,
J
Thanks for being such an awesome inspiration! Your post made me reflect on what I’ve been able to experience & accomplish … though I’m looking forward to the many more years I have to continue to accomplish more. Keep knocking off your impossible list!
Joel- Super impressive and glad to have been a part of the two year journey thus far! 🙂 Don’t forget your lovely friends at Fat Atom world. Congrats and have a great rest of your birthday! -Katie
Hello Joel,
Great story – inspiring! I’m doing my cold showers – not so bad! Signed up for my first sprint triathlon July 7 (haven’t run a lick for more than 35 years!) I’m on day-52 100% raw foods(tastes great-feels great!). I presented my dream to a tough crowd & they loved it(ended up toasting green smoothies)!
The launch was the scariest part – now I can’t wait to blog about my next two years. Thanks for the push!!!
Great post, Joel. That’s a lot of stuff to do in two years, man.
Do you feel like you were in constant pursuit of new things to do the entire time or did they start finding you?
Nice one Joel. Interesting how we both started our blogs at similar times and gone on to accomplish many things. I think blogs are underrated in keeping one accountable!
Wow, that is one hell of a list of accomplishments in 731 days! Awesome.
It reminds me of what Tony Robbins says: “we often overestimate what can be accomplished in a year, and underestimate what can be accomplished in 10 years.” I guess in this case, we underestimate what can be accomplished in 2 years!
I agree about blogging. While a great blog can help thousands (millions?) of people, it often provides as much value and opportunities to the blogger as well.
Joel,
Full speed ahead. You’re an inspiration to many people. it’s been fun to watch you grow & I wish you continued success in world domination.
-David
Rock on, Joel! I love reading your posts to remind me that I’m not the only one out there!
Once I recover from major abdominal surgery (just last WEd… and thanks to exercise and healthy eating, I’m way ahead of schedule… but unfortunately was rear-ended hard a few weeks before so have some other injuries to work through) I’ll be back on the physical IMPOSSIBLE trail! For now, I’m reading, writing, thinking….. meditating, philosophizing. Things a lot of people don’t take the time to do because they “don’t have time” between Angry Birds and whatever is on TV these days…
Fucking awesome. I’m so glad I had the chance to meet you at AHS! This reminds me…I need to blog more.
All it takes is action. Even one small thing a day can grow into something big given time. Thanks Joel for a look back at what you have accomplished and inspiring us to do more.
Excellent 🙂 Can’t wait to be able to accomplish my own list of impossibles! Thanks for the inspiring post
I just blogged about what you can do in 2 years. BAM. Thanks for all your inspiration. 🙂