You Can’t Possibly Do That - My Personal 2008 Mission Statement
December 30th, 2007
If I had a quarter for every time I heard the statement, “You Can’t Do That“…well I would still be stuck in the same dead end job packing boxes in a warehouse.
Photo by Luciano Meirelles
When I first decided to start chasing personal freedom back in the 1990’s (and including all the way up to today) I distinctly remember all of the typical responses that people would have when I explained what I was planning to do.
However, one response in particular stands out. Below I have listed abbreviated versions of conversations so you can get the gist of what I think a lot of people face when they decide to pursue a path that is slightly different than the norm.
Here is how the discussions have typically gone:
I am going to go back to school and finish off my degree - YOU CAN”T DO THAT
I am going to quit my job and go to South America for three months of independent travel - YOU CAN’T DO THAT
I am going to join the Peace Corps and volunteer in Papua New Guinea for two years - YOU CAN’T DO THAT
I am going to get a Masters degree and finish in one year - YOU CAN’T DO THAT
I am going to move to the South Pacific and get a job - YOU CAN’T DO THAT
I am going to leave the South Pacific and get a job in the Caribbean - YOU CAN’T DO THAT.
I am going to quit my job and open my own business - YOU CAN’T DO THAT
* Coming up for 2008 - I am hoping to start a successful blog network - YOU CAN’T DO THAT - you don’t think so huh?
My 2008 Mission Statement, pretty simple - I will continue to quiet the detractors and non-believers!!
What is your 2008 mission statement? Are you interested in changing jobs, traveling the globe, owning your own business, or starting your own website? How do you quiet your detractors?
Editor’s note: speaking of someone who has quieted his detractors, tomorrow I will be posting my ‘Ten Questions With’ interview with Yaro Starak of Entrepreneurs-Journey.
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December 31st, 2007 at 5:45 am
I love this! Nothing gets me going like someone saying, “You can’t.”
Here’s to a great 2008, Mark!
December 31st, 2007 at 6:14 am
Thanks Dan!
By the way, I am really enjoying your book ‘Escape 101′ and I hope to give a full review next week :)
December 31st, 2007 at 9:19 am
Mark,
Best of luck in the New Year!
You’re truly an inspiration to me. I’ll be following along your journey.
Kasia
December 31st, 2007 at 9:24 am
Hey Mark,
Great Post. I’ve noticed your number of posts has increased allot lately. Or, maybe I’m just a little to new to your blog to know your schedule.
This list of accomplishments and quieting detractors is great. I would love to hear about some of the planning that was involved in pulling off some of these endeavors. As I tend to not plan out my life to thourouly and just jump into things. Like quiting my job, starting my business, and moving to South America. I decided to do it. Sold everything. And left after two months. Though my wife has family down here that has helped us transistion and made the move easier for us.
I started a new blog yesterday as well. blogelephant.com
It will be about blogging, but have a design advice bent to it. I’ll also be posting cute illustrations with each article. Thanks.
December 31st, 2007 at 9:32 am
Hi Kasia - thanks for leaving your nice comment! Do you have a mission statement for 2008?
December 31st, 2007 at 9:34 am
Hi Sean - I have been crazy with our business (we are fully packed to the max) but I have been trying to jot my thoughts down during the day, and then posting them at night. I will be very interested to check out your new site blogelephant.com when I have the chance later today.
December 31st, 2007 at 11:57 am
Hi Mark,
Goals for 2008
Help my clients, friends, readers lose at least 1 ton of weight.(If anyone has a “ticker” or widget idea for this, I’d love to hear from you.)
More of a wish than mission statement is to live life to the fullest, appreciating each moment with my wife and kids.
Lastly, buy a bech house in Buzios,Brazil.
Best to you and your family Mark.
Coop
December 31st, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Hi Coop - if I lose my HOLIDAY ten pounds that I put on recently you can add that to your goal of a ton :)
Brazil sounds nice? How is the surf in Buzios?
December 31st, 2007 at 8:55 pm
If some one say to my face “you can’t do that!”, well god bless him. There’s nothing much of a motivator for me than, hearing that. I’m new to this blogging thing, and every day I try to learn something new from people like you.
Recently, one of my old friends sent me an e-mail, after reading my blog. He said “Hey! You can’t write in English. See… your writings are all crap!”. I agreed with his comment 100%. But I told him, “I will never quit blogging”. In fact, if I am to improve my writing skill, first I have to DO IT. Practice it. I’m a firm believer of the fact that for some one to become successful, first of all he has to “make things happen”. Just sitting and waiting for things to happen by their own, will not work out.
December 31st, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Ami - it’s funny, I have many blogging friends who do not have English as their first language and I always tell them to keep at it no matter what anyone says! Your English is really good.
If you asked me to blog in Sinhala I would have a major problem :)
January 1st, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Good luck Mark…Wishing you a splendid 2008.
As for me, I would like to make http://www.funepets.com the BEST pet website in 2008. :-)
Please help spread the word..hehe