I had a Goal… then a Dream… now Less… or is it More?
On April 20th, it will be one year since I sent an email out to my friends and family and did a post on my personal Facebook page. I know it's still a couple weeks away, but I have been reflecting on a crazy year.
- I've rejoiced in reading so many emails you've sent me telling me your savings story.
- I've almost cried as I've learned how to do some technical things.
- I've cringed as I've gone back and seen so many typos.
- I've smiled when I see the "clicking" paths you've taken and can almost see the savings going your way.
- I've been sad when I see too many bargains to tell you about, with too little time.
- I've been thankful for so many encouraging words.
- I've cried as whole lists have disappeared that I had worked so hard on.
- I've been amazed at how many of you have told others about this site.
- I've neglected my children and husband some days.
- I've been amazed that strangers have volunteered to help in different ways.
- I've eaten out with my family more than we ever have.
- I've been more grateful for a hard working, supportive husband.
- I've been slightly addicted to my computer.
- I've seen my house consistently messier than it's ever been.
- I've been thrilled when I find something that I'm sure most of you will love.
- I've enjoyed 'typing to" new friends that I've never met face to face.
Beyond all that and so much more, I've been grateful to God who has taken me through the ups and downs of Bargain Believer and continues to guide me on this journey and the journey of life. Can I tell you a secret? I have very little clue what I'm doing!
When I started Bargain Believer, I didn't really have a dream. I'd call it a goal that I thought was wild and crazy. (I guess I should clarify that my goal has always been to help people save money. However, I also attached numbers to that, early on.)
My goal wasn't too complicated. It was to have 60 visitors to my website each day, after 60 days. I figured if people were insane enough to actually subscribe to the daily emails, I would count those as additional numbers since they got all the information and didn't have to come to the website. I don't remember what the actual numbers were, but I remember laughing at how specific I was about the email subscribers. There were well over the 60 visitors each day, probably even over 60 email subscribers. I don't remember the specifics.
It occurred to me that this didn't have to remain a stagnant number, but that it could grow. I decided I would dare to have a dream, numbers-wise. The number was 1000 in a year, but now I don't know exactly what that meant. I'm guessing it was visitors each day and email subscribers. (It was before I gave any thought to using Facebook or Twitter to get information out.) With all the numbers combined now, it's too complicated to even determine if I met that goal. It doesn't matter and I don't care.
In some ways, I've given up on that dream. Not in a bad way, but in a way that doesn't matter. I don't have any future dream number for this website. I will admit that I love to see the numbers grow and I get great satisfaction in knowing that more people are saving and finding the information useful. But, God will grow this when and how He wants and I wouldn't want it any differently.
I guess it seems strange to now ask, but I will anyway . . . Will you pass this website along to your friends and family? It's not for numbers, but for multiplying the benefit. So many of you have links on your blogs, Facebook posts, forum posts, emails, and I don't even know what! There are links coming in from all over the place to all different specifics posts and the general blog. Thank you! It means a lot to me that you value and trust the information enough to pass it along to others.
Here are some links to make it simple:
Website: http://www.bargainbeliever.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bargain-Believer/127671543954261
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/BargainBeliever
Email Sign Up: http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=http/wwwbargainbelievercom&loc=en_US
I look forward to spending another year with all of you and many more. Thanks for being a part of this journey!