On October 6th, 2010, I challenged myself with (what I thought at the time) was a massive endeavor.  I proposed a project I called 500 Hours of Web wherein I challenged myself to the following;

1. I would teach myself web design/development.

2. I would use only the internet, specifically Google, to do so.

3. At the end of the 500 hours I would consider myself a ‘freelance web designer’ and would have acquired 5 clients within 2 months of the completion of the project.

I met those goals. However, instead of having a website for my services as a freelancer, I co-founded an internet based company dealing in live streaming, which I developed 100% by myself. I also am developing the front end of a particularly large project due for completion in the coming months. Moreover, I made 3 other websites in the meantime (sadly though, only one of which is currently used, My Health Club Advisor). 

I let the thought of the project fall aside as I completed it. I’m not sure how many hours were spent learning and how many working on projects, but in my mind it was a success. While more thorough documentation would have given the point of my project more validity, I’m still happy. 

Of course, I’m not done. As the project progressed I found I have an insatiable desire for learning. Something I’ve never felt in the past. It’s grown past just the web. It’s now every part of my life. I’ve even begun reading, something I’ve never done in the past. I’ve found myself interested in most of what catches my eye. The problem is, a lot of what I want to learn I can’t acquire on the internet. What I want to learn now isn’t just facts and figures. I realize though, I can learn from those around me.

I always worry I’ll never amount to much. That I’m behind the curve and don’t have much of a future ahead. This probably isn’t true, but I can’t be sure. If I alter my perspective, I could lose that mindset and become complacent, stale, boring. 

I turn 25 in 1604 days. I want to be way past where I am now then. I don’t want to keep myself around others who are fine with where they are, who aren’t willing to change and become more. I want to learn from others, specifically those who I look up to. I’m lucky enough to be able pick up on technical concepts by myself, but learning about human interaction happens best through itself. 

Whatever this means, I hope I figure it out. Ultimately I just don’t want to fall into my pride and be content with where I am. 

This would mean nothing without something tangible. 

1. Redesign this ugly page.

2. Stream Monkey and Show Flow should be profitable.

3. Go to Europe or Asia for an extended amount of time.

I suppose that’s it for now.