Here I was sitting on my couch wondering what I’d write about this week when I checked the date.
January 23rd (as I’m writing this). Freaking easy. I’ll go ahead and wish this website a Happy 3rd Birthday!
This milestone surprised me most because, I’ll be honest, I usually don’t stick with something for that long.
I’ve somehow managed to publish at least one article every week since this website started. No seriously, take a look!
Before I get too cheesy and sentimental, here are some quick stats.
At the time of writing this article, there have been…
172 articles published
4,226 comments
1,096,447 pageviews
560,588 visitors from Google
3,562 active members on the email list (does not include unsubscribers and unconfirmed subscriptions)
Fun numbers to look at over the lifetime of this website, but they’re not enough to tell a story.
Since starting this website, I’ve dropped out of college, got my dream job, became location independent, lived abroad, and started my own business (which turned one year old just three weeks ago!) That’s not even scratching the surface on the amount of amazing people I’m lucky enough to call friends thanks to the opportunities this site has afforded me.
Every major change in my life for the past few years have come as a result of this website.
Seriously.
I never would’ve gotten my dream job if it wasn’t for this website and all the skills I learned while I was still actively growing Self Stairway.
If it wasn’t for that job, I never would’ve started Growth Ninja.
It all started here.
Enough about me, though.
I want to thank YOU for being here and for reading this. Whether you’ve been with me since the beginning (let me know in the comments if that’s you) or found me two minutes ago, I’m grateful that you’re here to celebrate this milestone with me.
I’ve said it before, every week is a battle with myself on what to write and how to keep quality high. It almost seems like each time I ask myself if I should just skip a week and pick things back up the next week.
Yet every time I hit that publish button I’m glad that I powered through. And each time I get an email from someone thanking me for how I helped them I smile to myself and I’m reminded that there’s something good being done here.
Here’s to the next three years and beyond. I hope you stick with me.
Congratulations! It sounds like it has been such a wonderful journey! I just recently found your blog, but I have greatly enjoyed starting at the beginning and reading through the articles. Your article, An Open Letter to People Who Don’t Know What They Want to Do, is probably my all-time favorite. This one really spoke to me and inspired me to try writing! I hope that you will have many more for all of us to read and enjoy.
It really has! Every time I think about exactly how much has gone on since I started this site, it just amazes me.
From the beginning?! That’s awesome. The open letter is one of my favorites too and just re-read it after reading your comment. Glad to know it’s inspired action. 🙂
Congratulation Vincent! old fan here (found your blog about 2 years ago, something like that), I’ve learned a lot of things from your writing. And yeah, you’ve worked very hard, you have the ability to capture people’s attention to what you’re writing about, I’ve never met you before, but I have a sense that you’re a genuine person 😀
All the best Vincent, SelfStairway, to the infinite and beyond!
Thanks for being a reader for so long, Mosab! Two years is quite a long time. 🙂
I’ve been a subscriber since before October 2013 – I still have the email where you sent the link to your first e-book…
It has been a pleasure to see you grow, and mature, and be so freaking honest with all of us about who you are, and what you are going through, and I still look forward to your emails.
Congratulations on taking what was a huge step, and turning it into a journey that we have been privileged to witness from the anonymity of our lives on the internet.
Simply amazing. This means you’ve been with me and this site since before I even went abroad and just right after I left college. You’ve definitely seen a lot of change!
What’re the biggest differences you’ve noticed in my current writing style vs. the older articles, if you don’t mind me asking?
I don’t mind you asking at all. And even if I did, would it matter? *smile*
One thing that I have noticed is your posts seem less…. forced… less edited (?) It is a very subtle difference, but it seems like your words flow a little easier (or you have gotten better at editing them!)
Just from my perspective, it seems your posts are a little more targeted, and less ‘capture the whole idea loosely’, if that even makes sense.
Now I have to go back and change my post on Facebook from (This is why the internet was created – cat videos) to (THIS is why the internet was created – finding more people to form my tribe).
I am a believer that if we surround ourselves with people who inspire us, we will, in turn, inspire others as well. (But, only if we show up, every day, with intent to change the world)
Interesting! I’m glad to hear that it’s getting better after three years, hah! 🙂
Happy Birthday! I have been grateful for all the wonderful postings you’ve been able to create. Always thought provoking. Congrats on three years, Vincent – here is to many more!
Thanks! To many more indeed!
You are my favorite pick-me-up. More power to you! Live on.
That’s something I want to hear! 🙂
Congrats Vincent…I forget when I subscribed- it has been over a year I think. But I do love being here- and love your posts. Keep going …:)
Will do!!
congratulations !! Hard work and dedication always go together and you did it . Sometimes I read the whole content ,sometimes I save it for next week but whenever I read it has a message to follow . God Bless you !!
Thanks, Shashi!
I got inspiration from you to write ,Here is my first article . Originally it was published at BBN community news ,I cannot explain how happy I was , it also printed my name so it was icing on cake . Then another website published it last year .http://www.cnnlife.info/2015/10/if-people-were-loyal-like-dogs.html
Hope you like it to read as well . Thanks and keep he good work up !
I can’t believe I’ve had that kind of impact on you! So great to hear and congrats on getting the article published. 🙂
Congratulation!! You have an awesome entrepreneur mindset!! Do whatever it take. Fear is a failure, failure is learning; And you have learning, continue learning and are willing to share to the world, you are my inspiration in some ways, and I love you and love your work!! God bless you.
Thanks, Hoi! Bless you too. 🙂
Congrats bro! During the three years days go slow, but looking back it seems it went so fast. Wishing you continued success in the next three years of your journey.
Thanks, Brian!
Half of the articles you post from what I’ve seen are just you gloating about your success.
Sounds like somebody’s peanut butter and jealous.
Just wait until you read my latest article.
Congratulations vincent! I am happy for you. Love the content on your website! Do you have any advice on how to grow an audience for a blog and eventually monetize it without resorting to ads?
Thank you!
-katrina
Hey Katrina, thanks!
Not much advice I can give on monetization or ad revenue since Self Stairway isn’t monetized. 🙂
I struggle making friends with the people who I think are interesting and also with keeping good friends. Will read more of your posts Vincent!?