When you come to visit my blog, it’s not personalized — not at all. The header photo is of a walking path/road leading to no where am I’m not even the person in it.
I bought the URL “rachelryanpr” with the crazy idea that wouldn’t go anywhere. That was a dumb idea. Sort of. I ended up buying the URL “The Middle of In Between.” Better idea.
Here at The Middle of In Between, I’m a raw writer and it makes perfect sense, for me and for you.
You ask, “What does that even mean?” with a really puzzled look.
Every day, you and I have a new canvas and opportunity. When you find the Community where you feel most at home, you then mold into an Identity and within that, you eventually (hopefully) find your Purpose, and then your Vision for what makes you happy unfolds day by day, choice by choice. The Vision portion is how you make your living.
“Ok, go on,” you say.
I write about Switchfoot, not a lot, but enough. Enough for people to say, “Yup, you like Switchfoot. That’s all you talk about.” Sure, I talk about them, but not all of the time. If you and I spent any amount of time together, like my roommate and I do (we’ve lived together since February 2014), you’d discover how little I actually talk about them in-person. Have I mentioned them on Facebook in 3 out of every 5 updates I’d post at one point? Yup. But here’s what it’s really like with me:
1. I rarely play their music in front of anyone.
2. I mention them (to my roommate) when I have updated news after connecting briefly with their management.
3. If they’re coming to town, I’ll ask who wants to come with me to their concert.
4. When it’s nearing Bro-Am time (duh?!) I get really excited.
My sister asked me about them the other day when we were talking on the phone and for me, that says that I’m being taken seriously by more than just two other people: my roommate and a guy on their management team.
I’ve spent a lot of money to get on their radar, but I call that investing in my future — a business idea I get to pitch to them — again.
“Again?” you ask. Correct. I had a chance to plug a man’s ear on their management team at the 2015 Switchfoot Bro-Am in July, and I bought myself time to provide a broader explanation of the concept I came up with. It all happened in about 30 seconds.
“Ok, so what’s next?”
Well, I have another opportunity to pitch it AGAIN, but this time with more flavor and spice. In order to make any of this happen, I had to get on their radar and talk to them, and that meant flying to the source (spending money) and being a VIP (spending more money) at their event. I’m not a VIP in the every day world of Switchfoot — on the road, in their studio, in their family life, within the circle of friends.
In fact, none of us are really VIP’s. But, we appear that way through Facebook, Instagram, Vine, YouTube, etc. and when enough people start to take an interest, we become a reflection of that brand to them.
I hope you like what it is you’re representing.
Some of us do the following:
As long as we keep our heads down (focus), trust what we feel in our guts, our hearts (what we’d love to get paid to do for a living). Then? We’re ready (almost).
There’s no VIP, really. The blood, sweat and tears you shed? That’s time. That means, you took off on the plane (your pitch) the right way with just enough passion that doesn’t make you look like a weirdo to the right people, or you end up appearing to look like a fool. It’s about the Vision for the direction you see yourself being a valuable asset for in the business.
Going back to Switchfoot for a split second. When they see me, they say hi and thank me for coming out because there’s really not time for other conversation:
Cool. That means nothing though. I met the band. Woh hoo.
Question: What in your Community makes you thrive, not just survive? Do you wake up every day feeling refreshed and ready to take on the challenge you’ve spent countless hours preparing for? What do you feel in your gut, in your heart?
The Middle of In Between is my platform.
I write about making mistakes, taking chances, rediscovering what the heckers my Purpose on this Earth is and maybe writing about those moments. If you take the time to read about it — holy hell, well THANKS.
The Middle of In Between is about being vulnerable — people this is the INTERNET. For realz. I’ve done a few scary things and to put it out there through this platform? People will talk about me and judge (for better, for worse).
Damnit.
At least I’m not alone.
We’re all in The Middle of In Between. Life happens.
What’s your Community, Brand Identity, Purpose and Vision?
Life is more than about just showing up to a job and punching a clock.
I’m leaving you with three notes:
1. In time, I’ll personalize my blog. (It’s so dark, the exact opposite of my personality)
2. Mel Robbins. Watch her Tedx talk here. Her #5SecondRule is awesome and I think about her rule every day which is a great motivator.
3. A Quote: “You’ve got to be closer to the edge than ever to #win. That means sometimes you go over the edge, and I don’t mean driving either.
I’ve gone over the edge. Multiple times. I show up, when I want something enough.
Stand, but don’t stay in the middle,
Rachel