Ch-Ch-Ch-CHANGES!

Some of my loyal followers may have noticed that it’s been awhile since I posted anything here at my blog. Believe me, it’s not because I’m not thinking about it – or you! I’ve just been in serious “thinking mode”.

See, here’s how it all got started: Chris Guillebeau’s latest Manifesto 279 Days to Overnight Success somehow found it’s way into my tweetstream the day it launched in mid-April. If you haven’t read it, nothing I say here can match it, so go get it and come back here later.

After reading Chris’s manifesto, I suddenly got smacked in the head by the fact that I am still uncovering my unique voice in this world. What is it that only I can offer (one of his biggest questions)?

Combine this with my total frustration with the fact that the noise in social media is getting SO loud and quite honestly absurdly ridiculous. Gurus are buying friends and followers – or worse – gaming the system to rapidly increase their “apparent” influence. They know who they are and I know who they are. Not my job here to expose them.

As one of my mentors, Andrea Lee said in her newsletter recently – everyone’s newsletter (and sales pages and websites and autoresponders) all look the same! Why is that?! Do we actually think there is only one formula for success? Do we actually think we can “buy” a model for authentic communication?

I watch so called experts tout their “Gajillion Dollar Systems” and people scrambling to fork over enormous amounts of cash and it just makes me sad. Don’t get me wrong. Some experts have GREAT stuff to teach, but much of what I see is what I call Smoke N’ Mirrors. Makes me crazy.

So many of us are willing to settle for being “like” someone else instead of finding and sharing our own brilliance. Authenticity cannot be packaged up and sold. You can’t buy it; there isn’t a system for it.

Where is our sense of adventure? Of play? Of creativity? life is an adventure.... live it! by blue_i's.

Are we willing to trade that for the illusion of certainty, of conformity? Do we really want to be sheep?

Well, I’m about to find out!

You’ll notice that I’ve changed the tag line for The Maverick Mom to read: “Escaping mediocrity one adventure at time”. And that is EXACTLY what I am setting about to do. See, I’ve bought into the whole “duplicate the successful” mindset from time to time, so I’ve got some work to do! I’d really rather not go alone so I am inviting you to come along with me!

We will explore what escaping mediocrity looks like by talking about:

- Entrepreneurship
- Adventurous Living
- Authenticity
- And any other uncommon topics that might come up.

I know this is not a traditional “target market” definition. But I have a feeling this stuff will resonate with some people. And it is okay that it won’t resonate with most.

Over the coming weeks i will be changing much of the site content, so watch for that, along with some fab guest posts from people I believe truly are Escaping Mediocrity.

I can promise it will be a FUN trip so I hope you’ll pack your bags and come along!!

Artwork uploaded on April 10, 2009
by blue_i’s

No related posts.

Tags: adventurous living, escaping mediocrity, living, noncomformity, working

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 11th, 2009 at 10:37 am and is filed under Uncategorized, Uncommon Living. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

http://marketingfit.com/ Leesa Barnes

Uncommon living. Love it. Can’t wait to join you on your adventure.
http://marketingfit.com/ Leesa Barnes

Uncommon living. Love it. Can’t wait to join you on your adventure.
http://marketingfit.com Leesa Barnes

Uncommon living. Love it. Can’t wait to join you on your adventure.
http://www.MyTTV.com/Carrie5424 Carrie Mogged

WOW!

What a great post, Sarah. I can really tell how what you read affected you. And I know that your post will truly affect others at the core, too. Speaking to people as though to capture them emotionally, speaking to their hearts… getting them to stop and think what is truly important to them… what they are truly looking for. That is something that cannot be undone. It’s something people will remember.

I will remember it. You’ve got me thinking what I want to do to be different, how I can be a unique voice in my field. I have a ton of fun with what I do, but what can I do for others? And how will what I do help or matter to them?

Hmm…. Time to explore myself…

Cheers to you!
Carrie Mogged
Independent Wine Consultant – MN
http://www.MyTTV.com/Carrie5424

“Over a bottle of wine, many a friend is made…”
http://www.MyTTV.com/Carrie5424 Carrie Mogged

WOW!

What a great post, Sarah. I can really tell how what you read affected you. And I know that your post will truly affect others at the core, too. Speaking to people as though to capture them emotionally, speaking to their hearts… getting them to stop and think what is truly important to them… what they are truly looking for. That is something that cannot be undone. It’s something people will remember.

I will remember it. You’ve got me thinking what I want to do to be different, how I can be a unique voice in my field. I have a ton of fun with what I do, but what can I do for others? And how will what I do help or matter to them?

Hmm…. Time to explore myself…

Cheers to you!
Carrie Mogged
Independent Wine Consultant – MN
http://www.MyTTV.com/Carrie5424

“Over a bottle of wine, many a friend is made…”
http://www.MyTTV.com/Carrie5424 Carrie Mogged

WOW!

What a great post, Sarah. I can really tell how what you read affected you. And I know that your post will truly affect others at the core, too. Speaking to people as though to capture them emotionally, speaking to their hearts… getting them to stop and think what is truly important to them… what they are truly looking for. That is something that cannot be undone. It’s something people will remember.

I will remember it. You’ve got me thinking what I want to do to be different, how I can be a unique voice in my field. I have a ton of fun with what I do, but what can I do for others? And how will what I do help or matter to them?

Hmm…. Time to explore myself…

Cheers to you!
Carrie Mogged
Independent Wine Consultant – MN
http://www.MyTTV.com/Carrie5424

“Over a bottle of wine, many a friend is made…”
http://www.backpocketcoo.com/ Cameron Herold

I’m coming for sure. Great insight. Awesome that you’re saying what so many are thinking. When I started my biz I intentionally set boundaries to NOT fall into this trap that others are scrambling down. I don’t like what I see down the rabbit hole – so I’ve created something that allows me to make all the money I need (and its tons) but more importantly allows me to ONLY work with companies I want to mentor & coach.

Enjoy the journey…….
http://www.backpocketcoo.com/ Cameron Herold

I’m coming for sure. Great insight. Awesome that you’re saying what so many are thinking. When I started my biz I intentionally set boundaries to NOT fall into this trap that others are scrambling down. I don’t like what I see down the rabbit hole – so I’ve created something that allows me to make all the money I need (and its tons) but more importantly allows me to ONLY work with companies I want to mentor & coach.

Enjoy the journey…….
http://www.backpocketcoo.com Cameron Herold

I’m coming for sure. Great insight. Awesome that you’re saying what so many are thinking. When I started my biz I intentionally set boundaries to NOT fall into this trap that others are scrambling down. I don’t like what I see down the rabbit hole – so I’ve created something that allows me to make all the money I need (and its tons) but more importantly allows me to ONLY work with companies I want to mentor & coach.

Enjoy the journey…….
http://startuplucky.com/ Aronado

Excellent!!

Perfect.

Anybody can be “mediocre” but to really really shine takes getting out of your comfort zone, turning things upside down & inside out, being ok with being UNcomfortable and getting up each & every day with a purpose.

Good for you!
@Aronado
http://startuplucky.com/ Aronado

Excellent!!

Perfect.

Anybody can be “mediocre” but to really really shine takes getting out of your comfort zone, turning things upside down & inside out, being ok with being UNcomfortable and getting up each & every day with a purpose.

Good for you!
@Aronado
http://startuplucky.com Aronado

Excellent!!

Perfect.

Anybody can be “mediocre” but to really really shine takes getting out of your comfort zone, turning things upside down & inside out, being ok with being UNcomfortable and getting up each & every day with a purpose.

Good for you!
@Aronado
Pingback: Twitted by Aronado
http://www.armentdietrich.com/ Gini Dietrich

You know what I think about this! Kick *ss!! I love that you’re taking a stance and really living your vision. Congrats!!
http://www.armentdietrich.com/ Gini Dietrich

You know what I think about this! Kick *ss!! I love that you’re taking a stance and really living your vision. Congrats!!
http://www.armentdietrich.com Gini Dietrich

You know what I think about this! Kick *ss!! I love that you’re taking a stance and really living your vision. Congrats!!
http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5 Chris Guillebeau

This is great, Sarah! Thanks for the props, and I can’t wait to see where the adventure takes you and all of your great readers.

Wishing you well,

cg
http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5 Chris Guillebeau

This is great, Sarah! Thanks for the props, and I can’t wait to see where the adventure takes you and all of your great readers.

Wishing you well,

cg
http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5 Chris Guillebeau

This is great, Sarah! Thanks for the props, and I can’t wait to see where the adventure takes you and all of your great readers.

Wishing you well,

cg
http://www.instinctivelife.com/ Tammi

Dear Sarah – as you say, many people can resonate with this topic, and I am inluded in that group. I, almost 40, feel I have just begun appreciating my own voice, what it has to say, what it sounds like, its opinions and its beliefs. Here’s the kicker…I actually like what it has to say vs. those of the ever-popular “they” or the experts. I couldn’t agree with you more about the necessity of all of us finding and believing in our voices. I believe we’ve all been put here to sing it loudly enough so that our uniqueness, our authenticity can be heard – why else would we be here. Plus, deferring to those before us who have been successful tends to ignore that small voice within, that guiding hand that tells us to turn here, then there. Without it, we would truly be lost.
Thanks for your awesome post, Sarah – and more importantly, for showing us the way to live a unique, authentic life. (:
tammi
http://www.instinctivelife.com/ Tammi

Dear Sarah – as you say, many people can resonate with this topic, and I am inluded in that group. I, almost 40, feel I have just begun appreciating my own voice, what it has to say, what it sounds like, its opinions and its beliefs. Here’s the kicker…I actually like what it has to say vs. those of the ever-popular “they” or the experts. I couldn’t agree with you more about the necessity of all of us finding and believing in our voices. I believe we’ve all been put here to sing it loudly enough so that our uniqueness, our authenticity can be heard – why else would we be here. Plus, deferring to those before us who have been successful tends to ignore that small voice within, that guiding hand that tells us to turn here, then there. Without it, we would truly be lost.
Thanks for your awesome post, Sarah – and more importantly, for showing us the way to live a unique, authentic life. (:
tammi
http://www.instinctivelife.com Tammi

Dear Sarah – as you say, many people can resonate with this topic, and I am inluded in that group. I, almost 40, feel I have just begun appreciating my own voice, what it has to say, what it sounds like, its opinions and its beliefs. Here’s the kicker…I actually like what it has to say vs. those of the ever-popular “they” or the experts. I couldn’t agree with you more about the necessity of all of us finding and believing in our voices. I believe we’ve all been put here to sing it loudly enough so that our uniqueness, our authenticity can be heard – why else would we be here. Plus, deferring to those before us who have been successful tends to ignore that small voice within, that guiding hand that tells us to turn here, then there. Without it, we would truly be lost.
Thanks for your awesome post, Sarah – and more importantly, for showing us the way to live a unique, authentic life. (:
tammi
Pingback: Twitted by singtammi
http://www.findnewcustomers.net/ Jeff Ogden

Sounds like a blast. But I have a wife and kids, so I, unfortunately, have to pass. Have fun!
http://www.findnewcustomers.net/ Jeff Ogden

Sounds like a blast. But I have a wife and kids, so I, unfortunately, have to pass. Have fun!
http://www.findnewcustomers.net Jeff Ogden

Sounds like a blast. But I have a wife and kids, so I, unfortunately, have to pass. Have fun!
http://johnhaydon.com John Haydon

Sarah,

If anyone has the ovaries to buck the trend, it’s you. Two quick tips:

1) If you’ve scraped your old marketing plan and have drafted a new one, scrap it. Let your ovaries be your guide!
2) Listen to more White Stripes CDs.

John
http://johnhaydon.com John Haydon

Sarah,

If anyone has the ovaries to buck the trend, it’s you. Two quick tips:

1) If you’ve scraped your old marketing plan and have drafted a new one, scrap it. Let your ovaries be your guide!
2) Listen to more White Stripes CDs.

John
http://johnhaydon.com John Haydon

Sarah,

If anyone has the ovaries to buck the trend, it’s you. Two quick tips:

1) If you’ve scraped your old marketing plan and have drafted a new one, scrap it. Let your ovaries be your guide!
2) Listen to more White Stripes CDs.

John
http://www.authorteleseminars.com/ Elizabeth Marshall

Well said, my friend! Although taking the path towards authenticity, full self-expression and adventure can feel (or at least appear) more risky, it is so worth it! I applaud your courage, candor and honesty in this post and fully support you in moving in this direction.

All of us need to stop looking for magic solutions outside ourselves and start looking within to discover our own unique voice. To clarify, I don’t mean that our journey to authenticity and bold expression is a solo trip. Along the way, we most certainly get advice, direction, feedback and support from our network and from key people around us. As Keith Ferrazzi says in his new book, Who’s Got Your Back, we can’t possibly know everything we need to know to achieve the success we seek. That being said, there is a difference between getting support from our network, key lifeline relationships (Keith’s concept) and from those who have walked before us vs. short-changing ourselves and short-circuiting our own growth by simply copying or “borrowing” others’ stuff to get there faster.

Thanks for your willingness to publicly lead the way.
http://www.authorteleseminars.com/ Elizabeth Marshall

Well said, my friend! Although taking the path towards authenticity, full self-expression and adventure can feel (or at least appear) more risky, it is so worth it! I applaud your courage, candor and honesty in this post and fully support you in moving in this direction.

All of us need to stop looking for magic solutions outside ourselves and start looking within to discover our own unique voice. To clarify, I don’t mean that our journey to authenticity and bold expression is a solo trip. Along the way, we most certainly get advice, direction, feedback and support from our network and from key people around us. As Keith Ferrazzi says in his new book, Who’s Got Your Back, we can’t possibly know everything we need to know to achieve the success we seek. That being said, there is a difference between getting support from our network, key lifeline relationships (Keith’s concept) and from those who have walked before us vs. short-changing ourselves and short-circuiting our own growth by simply copying or “borrowing” others’ stuff to get there faster.

Thanks for your willingness to publicly lead the way.
http://www.authorteleseminars.com Elizabeth Marshall

Well said, my friend! Although taking the path towards authenticity, full self-expression and adventure can feel (or at least appear) more risky, it is so worth it! I applaud your courage, candor and honesty in this post and fully support you in moving in this direction.

All of us need to stop looking for magic solutions outside ourselves and start looking within to discover our own unique voice. To clarify, I don’t mean that our journey to authenticity and bold expression is a solo trip. Along the way, we most certainly get advice, direction, feedback and support from our network and from key people around us. As Keith Ferrazzi says in his new book, Who’s Got Your Back, we can’t possibly know everything we need to know to achieve the success we seek. That being said, there is a difference between getting support from our network, key lifeline relationships (Keith’s concept) and from those who have walked before us vs. short-changing ourselves and short-circuiting our own growth by simply copying or “borrowing” others’ stuff to get there faster.

Thanks for your willingness to publicly lead the way.
Sharon

Yes. Yes. Yes. I am deeply interested in this dialogue!
Sharon

Yes. Yes. Yes. I am deeply interested in this dialogue!
Sharon

Yes. Yes. Yes. I am deeply interested in this dialogue!
http://Warriror-Preneur.com/ Ann Evanston

“Escaping mediocrity one adventure at time” Wow! I am so honored to know you Sarah! I have always believed in these concepts and that a brand must reflect YOU not what you do – the “do” falls into place now! This Warrior-Preneur is dedicated to the same things, and I want to collaborate and grow in spicy fun ways together!

Ann Evanston
http://Warrior-Prneir.com
The Warrior is within You
http://Warriror-Preneur.com/ Ann Evanston

“Escaping mediocrity one adventure at time” Wow! I am so honored to know you Sarah! I have always believed in these concepts and that a brand must reflect YOU not what you do – the “do” falls into place now! This Warrior-Preneur is dedicated to the same things, and I want to collaborate and grow in spicy fun ways together!

Ann Evanston
http://Warrior-Prneir.com
The Warrior is within You
http://Warriror-Preneur.com Ann Evanston

“Escaping mediocrity one adventure at time” Wow! I am so honored to know you Sarah! I have always believed in these concepts and that a brand must reflect YOU not what you do – the “do” falls into place now! This Warrior-Preneur is dedicated to the same things, and I want to collaborate and grow in spicy fun ways together!

Ann Evanston
http://Warrior-Prneir.com
The Warrior is within You
http://www.hzdg.com/ Levi Wardell aka Trontastic

Dear Sarah,

My name is abdulah babadihaba and I am the prince of the northern most sector of Yemen. I would like send you 1,000,000 dollars to… oh crap that line is taken already.

I suppose I’ll have to come up something unique! OH NO!

Here goes nothing… Stand up and stand out. Lead, parent, teach, and love by being an example of confident humility and most of all, wear sunscreen.

I look forward to growing side by side and changing the definition of success one win at a time.
http://www.hzdg.com/ Levi Wardell aka Trontastic

Dear Sarah,

My name is abdulah babadihaba and I am the prince of the northern most sector of Yemen. I would like send you 1,000,000 dollars to… oh crap that line is taken already.

I suppose I’ll have to come up something unique! OH NO!

Here goes nothing… Stand up and stand out. Lead, parent, teach, and love by being an example of confident humility and most of all, wear sunscreen.

I look forward to growing side by side and changing the definition of success one win at a time.
http://www.hzdg.com Levi Wardell aka Trontastic

Dear Sarah,

My name is abdulah babadihaba and I am the prince of the northern most sector of Yemen. I would like send you 1,000,000 dollars to… oh crap that line is taken already.

I suppose I’ll have to come up something unique! OH NO!

Here goes nothing… Stand up and stand out. Lead, parent, teach, and love by being an example of confident humility and most of all, wear sunscreen.

I look forward to growing side by side and changing the definition of success one win at a time.
Kendall Thiessen

LOVE this Blog. Well, so far I have loved ALL you blogs but this transformation process–the process of finding your voice and letting your unique wave influence others–is moving and is so much the very path I am on right now. Love it. Let the adventure BEGIN! (or continue! hehe)
Kendall Thiessen

LOVE this Blog. Well, so far I have loved ALL you blogs but this transformation process–the process of finding your voice and letting your unique wave influence others–is moving and is so much the very path I am on right now. Love it. Let the adventure BEGIN! (or continue! hehe)
Kendall Thiessen

LOVE this Blog. Well, so far I have loved ALL you blogs but this transformation process–the process of finding your voice and letting your unique wave influence others–is moving and is so much the very path I am on right now. Love it. Let the adventure BEGIN! (or continue! hehe)
http://www.karilonning.com/ Kari Lønning

Sarah,
I just discovered this. I’d saved a reprint of you talking about Twitter, from a John Haydon post, and here I landed. Wow, a real life person talking about technology and change and creativity all in the same post. I’ll look for you on Twitter. (I’m karibaskets).
Kari
http://www.karilonning.com/ Kari Lønning

Sarah,
I just discovered this. I’d saved a reprint of you talking about Twitter, from a John Haydon post, and here I landed. Wow, a real life person talking about technology and change and creativity all in the same post. I’ll look for you on Twitter. (I’m karibaskets).
Kari
http://www.karilonning.com Kari Lønning

Sarah,
I just discovered this. I’d saved a reprint of you talking about Twitter, from a John Haydon post, and here I landed. Wow, a real life person talking about technology and change and creativity all in the same post. I’ll look for you on Twitter. (I’m karibaskets).
Kari
http://www.lauraroeder.com Laura Roeder

Say it sister!
http://www.lauraroeder.com/ Laura Roeder

Say it sister!
http://www.lauraroeder.com/ Laura Roeder

Say it sister!
http://twitter.com/jackieulmer Jackie Ulmer

Well, I just found this today and it sure “spoke” to me so I know it came at the right time. I struggle with the same thing, as someone passionate about Direct Sales and Network Marketing, but not wanting (and not willing to for the last ten years) do it the conventional way offline. There is a line being drawn in the sand, it seems these days, and so many believe that you can't be successful unless you bow down to the cookie cutter “System” with everyone doing everything the same. And yet, the top guns everywhere have personal website; books being published; videos on Youtube; Tweets alls over.

We are at a time of change and diversity. Let's embrace it across the board and just see what we get!

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer
http://twitter.com/jackieulmer Jackie Ulmer

Well, I just found this today and it sure “spoke” to me so I know it came at the right time. I struggle with the same thing, as someone passionate about Direct Sales and Network Marketing, but not wanting (and not willing to for the last ten years) do it the conventional way offline. There is a line being drawn in the sand, it seems these days, and so many believe that you can't be successful unless you bow down to the cookie cutter “System” with everyone doing everything the same. And yet, the top guns everywhere have personal website; books being published; videos on Youtube; Tweets alls over.

We are at a time of change and diversity. Let's embrace it across the board and just see what we get!

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer
http://CardsMakeCash.com Jackie Ulmer

Well, I just found this today and it sure “spoke” to me so I know it came at the right time. I struggle with the same thing, as someone passionate about Direct Sales and Network Marketing, but not wanting (and not willing to for the last ten years) do it the conventional way offline. There is a line being drawn in the sand, it seems these days, and so many believe that you can’t be successful unless you bow down to the cookie cutter “System” with everyone doing everything the same. And yet, the top guns everywhere have personal website; books being published; videos on Youtube; Tweets alls over.

We are at a time of change and diversity. Let’s embrace it across the board and just see what we get!

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer
http://twitter.com/jackieulmer Jackie Ulmer

Well, I just found this today and it sure “spoke” to me so I know it came at the right time. I struggle with the same thing, as someone passionate about Direct Sales and Network Marketing, but not wanting (and not willing to for the last ten years) do it the conventional way offline. There is a line being drawn in the sand, it seems these days, and so many believe that you can't be successful unless you bow down to the cookie cutter “System” with everyone doing everything the same. And yet, the top guns everywhere have personal website; books being published; videos on Youtube; Tweets alls over.

We are at a time of change and diversity. Let's embrace it across the board and just see what we get!

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer