Five Questions With… Doug Mitchell
Posted on November 12, 2007 in Five Questions by DM
Five Questions With… is a series on DMweblife highlighting Des Moines area bloggers and their blogs! This edition features Doug Mitchell, who blogs at “Moments of Clarity” about business, family, current events and much more.
1. What’s the focus of your blog? (Or if you’d rather, What’s the main reason you began blogging?)
My blog was born because I wanted to understand blogging as a communication medium…and because when my son was on his first plane ride (a 4:15 direct flight from CA to Chicago mind you), he got violently ill just after take off. That “Moment of Clarity” I had during that time…that I’d literally die to take away my son’s suffering in that moment… affected me profoundly. It was an extreme Moment of Clarity…and thus my blog name was born. That was just over 2 years and 554 posts ago now. I’ll be launching a new blog/corporate web site soon since I’m now in business for myself 100%.
2. What aspect of blogging do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy that blogging is my actual voice. When people meet me, they already “know me” because the real me and my way of communicating really seems to come through in my writing. Blogging introduces the world to the real me in an instant.
3. What’s an activity besides blogging that you can’t live without?
Eating a massive steak at least once per week. I’m in training for the 2008 HyVee triathlon now so I’m able to EAT A TON and still lose a bit of weight along the way.
4. What’s the best advice - personal or professional - you’ve ever received?
Work smarter…not harder. Don’t try to boil the ocean. People essentially don’t change….so try and associate with those that consistently self-examine and adapt because they will be successful while others stagnate. Whether you think you can…or can’t…you’re always right.
But the most profound advice I’ve ever received was from my dad when I used to plead with him in my adolescent years for this or that material thing. I’d say I wish I had this or that like that other guy. He told me, “Wish in one hand, and shit in the other, Son…and see which one fills up first.” My life will be complete when my boy is old enough to share this axiom.
5. What’s something you’ve accomplished in the past five years that you are particularly proud of?
I’ve changed my mental attitude about food and my eating habits for life. Notice the lack of the d_ _ t word. I still enjoy eating too much of a good thing now and then…but shifting from a scarcity mentality (eating like there’s no food left on the planet after THIS meal) to a sustenence mentality…like I’m fueling my body with the right things in the proper amounts so it will perform for me in business, for my family, and in athletics.
And the Secret Sixth question I asked Doug after reading his initial answers to the five questions:
6. “…try and associate with those that consistently self-examine and adapt because they will be successful while others stagnate…” Could you be more specific about what you think that means? Why is it valuable to avoid people who don’t “consistently self-examine”? And, how does blogging assist in the process of consisten self-examination?
I’ve had lots of long conversations about life, people, society, Star Trek, and steak with my dad. He can point to a day in his life when he “finally woke up and began thinking”. He says, he became a cognizant man that day vs. being like “the rest of society.” I guess that really had an impact on me. He consistently reinforced this concept while I was growing up. Those that wander through life assuming that they have all the answers are ignorant bystanders while the questioners/learners/self-educators shape the very lives they lead (and by the way…shape the lives of the bystanders while they complain of inequities and victimization).
Blogging is a platform that allows one to share thoughts and ideas in one’s own voice…while gathering feedback and new insight through comments or off-line discussion at gatherings. Blogging says to world, “Hey man…I think…I consider…and I know how to get things done…and I’d like to share that with you and please share your thoughts back.” Posting to a blog is effectively saying, “I have something to say…what do you think about what I just said world?” That’s the self-examination that often leads to growth. Here’s a decent example: I decided to share my thoughts on my move to Iowa via my blog. That blog was discovered by other bloggers in Iowa. Now, I know some of the most influential business people and most creative minds around the state. Those people for example are helping me re-brand myself and launch a new business. Pretty compelling.
Des Moines-area bloggers: to be considered for this feature, just drop me an email with your name, location, and blog address, and answers to the first five questions I’ve asked here. I’ll reply with your “Secret Sixth Question”!
subscribe to my RSS feed!
Comments
3 comments to “Five Questions With… Doug Mitchell”
Leave a Comment
-
Get Updates!
-- OR --
-
Good site will continue to follow
Doug,
Know our website got posted, thought it may be best to direct people appropriately to us. Thanks.
Steve
Thanks, Steve, for stopping by! Hope you will continue to read and share your thoughts! ~ Janet