Good Stuff from Rene: Volume 3 – Find Your Green Apron

A few weeks ago, I went to Kent, Ohio for my very first WordCamp. A WordCamp is a one or two-day gathering of people who love and work with WordPress. 

WordCamp Kent opened with a keynote speech each morning. After that, there were numerous talks throughout the day, and you could pick and choose which ones you wanted to attend. 

The first keynote was from a woman who is pretty well-known in the WordPress community, Carrie Dils. Her talk started in the early 2000s, when she was working an office job that she “haaaaaated.”

My ears perked up.

She mustered up the courage to quit and planned on traveling around Europe. That didn’t happen (money), so she traveled around New England instead. She found herself in a coffee shop and really liked the vibe, so she decided to open a coffee shop when she got back home. Once she got there, however, she realized she didn’t know anything about running a business or a coffee shop, so she got a job at Starbucks.

At this point, I was finding this story really strange, but I was into it because it sounded a) real and b) eerily similar to my scattered job history.

So at Starbucks, they give you a green apron. Apparently when you put the apron on, you have permission to step outside yourself and be… different than you normally are. Maybe more outgoing. A better version of yourself.

Her challenge to the audience was to find our green apron. We were to use the weekend as an opportunity not only to hear speakers talk about WordPress but to talk to and get to know the other attendees. We weren’t allowed to go to lunch alone; we had to make friends. 

And it worked. I had several great conversations and was only slightly anxious (you know, talking to strangers). 

Overall, it was a great experience. Next up is WordCamp Pittsburgh in September and WordCamp US in Nashville in December!

So, 2017 is half over… 

One of my favorite things about each new year is making resolutions. I have a folder of them at home from previous years – notes scribbled on pieces of paper with goals to achieve or projects to finish. 

This January, I was looking for something more official. I had bigger goals in mind, so I filled out my first YearCompass book. YearCompass is a free booklet that you can download and print, and it walks you through the previous year and the year ahead.

I reviewed my goals last week, and I feel good seeing my progress.

My big goal for the year was to “figure out my job situation.” At the time, I didn’t know what that would involve. But six short months later, here I am, emailing you for the third time! I have a bunch of classes under my belt and am preparing to move in a new direction.

I also do mini-reviews of my goals and finances each month. I have a reminder on my phone set to the first of the month to update my spreadsheets. Since starting both, I have seen much more progress compared to when I didn’t review them.

Tell me about you. Do you like making resolutions? What are your goals?

On My Mind

What do you want your days to look like? I want mine to be more flexible. The American dream isn’t my dream.

I love reading the stories of people currently hiking the AT. I’m inspired by their fortitude and the challenges they overcome.

I think I promised videos of animals doing cute things. Head on over to r/aww next time you need a pick-me-up.

What’s on your mind today? Have a question about something you read or want to chat? Just hit reply – I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading!

P.S. Like what you read? Forward to a friend or tweet me some love!

P.P.S. New here? Catch up on my past newsletters.