Most popular posts of 2013
This year I finally admitted I’m not the climb-my-way-to-the-top type I was when I first started writing. Probably this happened a long time ago, and I was in denial. After all, so much of my identity was wrapped up in being a higher performer.
But I look at the most popular posts of the last year, and I see the change.
I remember when my agent said she could get me a $100,000 book deal to write about Generation Y. I thought, “That’s not me. I’m not even part of Generation Y.” But it was me. I just didn’t see it.
And now I see that the most popular posts are about admitting that life is not turning out how I expected. I don’t have any posts in this list about being king of the hill. But I do have a lot of posts about coping with adjusted expectations. And, based on your comments, it seems like we are adjusting together. Thank you for doing that with me.
We are finally admitting that most women don’t want huge careers.
How to Pick a Husband if You Want to Have Kids 2200 likes
Yahoo Kills Telecommuting, Three Cheers for Marissa Mayer 1100 likes
I Had to Take a Xanax to Read Time Magazine this Week 700 likes
We are sick of pretending that school helps us in life.
Kids Who Play Video Games Do Better as Adults 3200 likes
Universal Pre-K is Bad for Everyone 1000 likes
5 Things You Have to Unlearn to Succeed at Work 650 likes
We are done focusing on the idea of happiness. Tactics for coping are more interesting.
The Pursuit of Happiness Makes Life Shallow 1200 likes
The Real Reason Parents Don’t Homeschool 715 likes
Also, thank you for sticking with me while I launched my fourth startup. What am I even doing launching another company? I don’t know. But it says a lot that I brainstormed my new company from a hospital bed.
I did a lot of big things with the company this year, but the thing I’m most proud of is something we did together: Word-of-mouth recommendations for the course Fast Track Your Career with Myers Briggs have made it my bestselling course ever. More than 600 people have taken the course so far. Thank you!
I wanted to end on that. I wanted my biggest achievement this year to be sales-oriented. Money-oriented. Taking-0ver-the-startup-world oriented. But the truth is that my biggest achievement this year is that I wrote a list of the most popular posts that is almost all about women in the workplace and education at home. I hope this is not career suicide.
Happy 2014.
Well, maybe it’s an age thing. But one of my own blog posts that I felt best about came as I turned 50. It was titled ‘Life Will Not Work Out The Way You Expect’ (or something like that…) but what I liked best about it is the lesson that I learned over the years….that sometime it works out even better.
http://www.parmfarm.com/blog1/life-will-not-work-out-the-way-you-expect/
Happy 2014 Penelope. Wishing you and ‘Matthew’ and the kids the very best.
Amy
Its nice…
“Coping with adjusted expectations” — there’s a lot to think about in this. I used to think I love money the most, but not long ago, I realized this could no be further from the true me. All the important choices I’ve made in life, are “anti-money”. Don’t get me wrong, I still want to be wealthy, but money is simply a by-product as I answer my calling and walk the path.
Thank you Penelope!!
I continue to learn more about myself and what truly makes me happy too. I hate to think about adjusting expectations as a reduction of my career ambitions but rather an increase in my family priorities which is much more rewarding.
Happy New Year!
Thanks for the wishes Penelope. Your blogs and seminars have made the ride a little easier, a lot less lonely and I have had some amazing laughs and insites along the way – thanks to you. To another amazing year -keep writing.
Congratulations Penelope. You’ve done great work and you’ve had an important and good effect on many people.
I’ve learned a lot from you…mostly that expressing yourself; saying what you feel and going after what you want is essential for every person.
Thank you for your courage and honesty.
Looking forward to MORE.
My very best…Happy New Year.
you are awesome PT. Don’t change that. Cheers!
I for one certainly welcome the posts that help lighten the path. Learning from each others mistakes, hardships, and accomplishments are what helps all of us to move forward. Thanks for keeping it real Penelope!
I learn so much from everyone’s comments. I have found that the more honest I can be on my blog the more helpful and insightful the comments are. We feed off each other – candor and bravery begets candor and bravery. I love all your comments so much. Thank you!
Penelope
Perhaps our adjusted expectations are really an expression of us finding what we truly value, and perhaps it takes half a lifetime to define that for ourselves.
ChrisM, I completely agree with your opinion about learning about yourselves. However, in my case it took me much longer…more like a whole lifetime!
I never comment but I always read …and benefit.
I imagine there are many more like me … just thought I would let you know and say thanks … many thanks.
I think the cool thing about these truths is that now we have industries around coaching people who are lost without school, and helping mothers launch side businesses, and a slew of life management help. And, you have this cool company based on these new trends that most people don’t understand yet. Doesn’t that make you queen of the (trend) hill?
Also, I really appreciate your approach to happiness. I was pushed into a professional environment as a kid, and in a string of unlucky events, I started to lose, a lot. So, I acclimated to it and learned to be “happy” no matter what. But, really, that is lame. I have to challenge myself so I can find more meaning.
I am queen of the trend hill? That would make me happy. If I can’t have Mt Everest, then I will take another, smaller hill. Any hill, really. I think I’d probably take any hill at this point.
Penelope
You’re definitely Queen of the trend Hill!
My favorite is “Yahoo Kills Telecommuting, Three Cheers for Marissa Mayer 1100 likes” Happy new year!
Your blog photos were so great this year. I often find myself reading the post and then circling back around to study the photo.
I second that.
I’m so proud of you, Penelope. Thanks for letting us watch your growth as a person and learn along with you.
Penelope you have done a great job by selecting this post. no doubt that was one of the best post in 2013.
Hey Penelope, your awesome! Writing an article that gets 3200 likes is unbelievable. Thanks for sharing your writing with us. I like the picking a husband article the most.
Coach Oz
I continue to learn more about myself and what truly makes me happy too. I hate to think about adjusting expectations as a reduction of my career ambitions but rather an increase in my family priorities which is much more rewarding.
You’ve done a great job, Penelope. It is inspiring to see someone who does blogging and sharing thoughts consistently. I must admit I have dream of become like you before but I guess it’s not really my thing. Good luck.
Thanks Penelope for sharing this with us and as always delight us with your wonderful stories. It is a great pleasure to read the stories you publish and where I find myself most times. I wish you continued success.
yup very nice and thanks for the share… ; )