Since I had to come home a couple of months early from Korea this year, I got the opportunity to spend Christmas with my family. It was a bit of an odd experience opening gifts and such with everyone because it felt like I hadn’t done it in ages.
I received many great gifts and literally feasted on foods that I hadn’t eaten in two years. I’m fairly certain I put on an extra 5 or 6 pounds.
I feel blessed that I’ve been financially fortunate enough to actually buy a few gifts for the family this year. I bought my sister a Nintendo Wii (I’m fairly certain she got the best gift). Before, I was always in school and broke, so gift giving wasn’t at the top of my list. I know Christmas isn’t all about money and being able to afford great gifts, but I consider it a blessing because I’m finally standing on my own two feet, so to speak.
The support of family
A few months ago, I made the decision to work online. Thus far, it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I enjoy the work I do and the people I interact with every day.
Anyone that has taken this plunge knows that getting your friends to support the decision is easy. Convincing your family that you’re not crazy is the tough part. I’ve been surprised at the support I’ve gained from my family since I embarked on this online journey. Of course, they still remind me about my financial responsibilities, but that’s a good thing.
I have my friends to tell me that I can do anything, convince me that I can soar above the stars, and give me all the motivational advice one might need in a lifetime. I have my family to wrangle me back somewhere near reality.
As I mentioned, I’ve been surprised at the level of support my family has given me, especially considering that I once thought my dad believed that the Internet was the root of all that is evil in the world. Maybe I’m being a tad over dramatic there. Plus, I still can’t convince my stepmother that a search engine and Web browser are two separate entities, that each exists separately from the other.
My dad and stepmother got me two books on building a Web design business for Christmas:
- How to Start a Home-Based Web Design Business by Jim Smith
- Talent Is Not Enough: Business Secrets For Designers by Shel Perkins
I can’t speak about the quality of the books as I haven’t read them yet. The point I’m really getting at is that it’s great for my family to be taking an interest in seeing me succeed in my field.
Enjoying Christmas
I was in need of a break. I’ve been going full speed since I got home from Korea in October and hadn’t taken a chance to sit back and relax. I didn’t even turn on a computer for three days. That’s an accomplishment in and of itself.
Part of me wishes I could’ve been back in Korea for our school’s Christmas party, which was awesome last year and possibly one of the coolest Christmas parties I’ve ever attended. I do miss my friends out there, and that was the only sad thing about this year.
Overall, it was a great holiday. I hope everyone else had a wonderful experience as well.
I know exactly what you mean. I was there about 3 yeas ago, but in my case it was a hobby that became a job.
I was fired from a government department after 10 years and it was like a whole starting over, very scary indeed. Now I make a lot more money than before, but also miss my friends from the old days. I made new ones, but you know what they say, these are silver and all this kind of things.
Cheers and a happy New Year for all of us, may the Web be ours in the years to come
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The 2nd book sounds pretty good, not sure on the first
Always interesting when family get involved in business, especially when its an online-web-thing…
Al least you didn’t get “WordPress for dummies”
I’m glad to see your family being supportive of the recent decisions you’ve made, and I’m sure with them backing you, what your friends said will certainly come true.
I’m also glad you’ve had a great Christmas this year. Have a great new year ahead, Justin!
That’s a great feeling, isn’t it?
I’d add books by Paul Hawken, Guy Kawasaki, Barry J. Moltz, Romanus Walter, Saras D. Sarasvathy, and Edward Rogoff to the recommended reading list – but the best support will still come from your family and from your colleagues and fellow web design practitioners. Keep on asking them what they think, how they work, and what they are reading. We all stand on our own two feet with a little help from our friends.
You’ve taken your sites a long way in the last year – best wishes for an equally great 2009!
It’s always good to be happy for your life and the things surrounding it, it makes living a whole lot easier
A little advise for your sister. I just re-discovered my Wii with two great games. They can be bought from the Wii-shop.
- Bomberman (a highly addictive game, where you’ll learn a new definition of stress)
- World of Goo (It’s simply a brilliant game by Kyle Gabler)
j. noronha — Fortunately for me, I had a little time to prepare before jumping out into the wilderness of the online workforce. I did have to start a few months early, but I’m loving what I do now.
mkjones — I like the title of the second book better.
I actually would like a copy of WordPress For Dummies. I’m fairly certain that I won’t learn much from it, but I’ve always heard that Lisa Sabin-Wilson has a knack for guiding people in using WordPress. I’d like to see how she does it.
I’m still glad my parents didn’t get it for me though.
BoltClock — My family has really surprised me. I think a large part of it has to do with me having gotten some work experience out of college, which leads them to take me a little more seriously about making this decision.
CircleReader — It is a great feeling.
I’ll have to check out your list of recommended authors. I’ll read pretty much anyone’s work, at least once.
Thomas Clausen — Thanks for the Wii recommendations. Now, both my sister and I need to find some time to actually play the thing.
Hey Justin,
I was really just wondering if, by chance, you knew Jeff, Marty or Blanche Tadlock???
We’ve become more distant over the years, but I consider each of them very dear friends of mine!
Just Wondering…?
Jeff
Very nice post, far much better than most that I have read. I like the way you mentioned the facts of the matter and the sequence that you followed because that is where it all is.
I like the fact that your family supported what you are doing, it is alway great to have family and friend around when needed.
I like the tittle of the second book.
cao