I hope 2019 is going well and you’re still keeping up with those new year’s resolutions! I’m not big into beginning of the year resolutions but I am into goals. One of my goals for 2018 was to “continue to update my website to best reflect my chosen direction.” I was doing well with that goal until the day came when my website theme was no longer updatable.
You see, it seems that website themes (the platforms upon which websites like mine are built) expire. They don’t expire like dairy products and go bad a few days after a particular date. Instead, they expire like a medication, becoming less effective over time until the day when they simply cease working.
Around Thanksgiving, my seven-year-old website, which had been limping along, began exhibiting signs the end was near. Cracks were forming in the foundation on the back-end of the site. Those cracks I realized would soon be visible to visitors to the front-end. I felt compelled to move forward with a promise I’d made to investigate some possible new themes.
So, near the end of the holiday weekend, I did what anyone needing a new website would do. Scratch that, very few people needing a new website probably would have done what I did. : )
A Deep Dive
Instead of waiting to talk to my website guru, Janet Barclay, who had already agreed to support me in creating my new website, I followed the lead of my hyper-engaged ADHD brain. This resulted in me taking a very deep dive into website creation. I emerged from the depths a few days later and emailed Janet on November 28:
Good morning, Janet. A funny thing happened this weekend. I was typing up a response to the website proposal email that you had sent me and I decided to spend a little more time checking out GeneratePress to make sure it was the right theme for me. A “sale” on GP led me to me buying it, which led to me uploading it to a url I’ve owned for a couple of years, which led me to sitting at my desk for about 6 hours on Sunday trying to figure it out, which [a couple of days later] led to a draft of my new website.
Some of my fellow ADHDers might recognize this as a classic case of hyper-focus. I made a lot of website progress in those few days! Unfortunately my husband can attest to the fact I accomplished little else during that time.
Janet, thankfully was understanding and instead of creating the site agreed to support me in other ways. One way is learning to better use Mailchimp, the bizarrely named service I’m using to connect with you today.
An Invitation
This email is an invitation to check out my new website. This simplified site is a celebration of my continued integration of coaching into my work and my commitment to a more intentional and simpler life. I started coaching almost ten years ago and it’s at the heart of everything I do. Whether I’m working with an ADHD adult or helping someone create more order in their life, coaching is central. The simplification of my life began in earnest in 2015 and the focus on intentional living has become a constant. My new website invites visitors to explore the areas I am focusing on in my own life and in my work with clients: ADHD Coaching, Intentional Living Coaching, and coaching around the topic of Minimalism.
After spending more hours than I’m willing to admit creating layouts, writing copy, searching my photos for “just right” pics, and updating and migrating over 100 previous postings I’d love to hear your thoughts on the new look and feel.
Looking Forward
This new site is a work in progress and I’m sure there will be changes to it along the way, but hopefully its expiration date is far into the future.
As always, thank you for reading and Happy 2019!
Andrea
Congratulations, Andrea, on taking that deep dive into the next part of your journey! And another congratulation for receiving your PCC certification. You go, girl! The site looks great! It’s has a clean and positive feel. I’m impressed that you were able to create it on your own. WOW! It must feel wonderful to have your site be in alignment with your new direction and way of living. What a great way to begin 2019! I wish you all the best of success, happiness, love, and health as you continue on the journey.
Thank you for checking out the new site and for your comments, Linda! Alignment is good. Actually, it’s more than good, it’s amazing! I’m so grateful to people like you in my life who have served as such wonderful models and mentors over the years. I wish you the best of everything in 2019 and beyond.
Andrea, I’m super impressed with what you’ve managed to achieve on your own, and happy that I was able to steer you in the right direction.
Thanks Janet, You have been awesome to work with and I have truly appreciated your support and patience in this process. I look forward to learning more and I guess after this morning’s email snafu, it’s more than apparent that I could still use a few more Mailchimp tutorials. ; )
Love your blog’s new look and your clear focus! I always appreciate reading what you share!
Thanks Ellen! I hope the new year is treating you well! I appreciate the compliment and I appreciate your taking time to read what I have to say. I also appreciated your recent posting on ending your work day, some good reminders!