A little over a week ago I ran a 5K to raise money for ZERO: The End of Prostate Cancer. If you’ve been on my list for over a year, you’d know the name as we raised almost $1,000 for them (which was then matched) through a fundraiser sale of Quit Aspiring in November of last year.
The 5K was great, and to say it was emotionally moving for me would be an understatement. It was a relatively small event by running event standards, and appeared to be completely organized and operated by volunteers in the area affected personally (themselves or family) by prostate cancer. I suppose I should’ve expected it, but I found more common ground with these folks than I would’ve ever anticipated.
What I didn’t expect, was discovering the impact we’d very quietly had on this charity.
After the race was complete, they announced and gave thank you medals to both the race winners and those who had raised the most money as part of the race.
As they announced the names involved, we all applauded and I listened to the dollar values raised, expecting them to thousands or more dollars. While the money raised was amazing and significant – nearly $80,000 raised – none of it came in from large, private chunks as I had assumed.
In fact, had we raised money with my book last year as part of this race – I would’ve been the top donor.
And it was that revelation which leads me to what I want to share with you today.
A Quick Story
I started writing on this website in December of 2016 – nearly 3 years ago. I was (probably still am) a poor writer.
I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know what to share. I was self conscious. I felt stupid. The process was awkward, and I had to force myself to do it.
But, barring a handful of missed weeks, I’ve written at least once a week to you for 3 years. At one point I was writing 3 times a week, and I have no idea how that worked or why you’re still reading, if you’re around from back then.
Some of you reading this think that I’m a special, significant human. I might have the career you want, the knowledge you want, drive and dedication, skills, resume, whatever. Point is, I know for a fact that some of you look to me and what I tell you as a guide, role model, or someone you “look up” to.
Here’s what’s funny – I’m a guy with a job. That’s it. I happen to have a career and (currently) primarily work with a company that many people wish they could or would.
But, at one point I worked as an architect’s consultant and none of you knew me from emails (and had no reason to). At one point I also made so little money that the government paid for my rent with a tax return check.
And, believe it or not, I to this day I still have problems!
This thing I do for you, where I write and I share products and resources – it isn’t even my full-time gig. I have less than 1,000 people on my email list – and “they say” to make a living you only need “1,000 true fans”. I don’t even have those!
And yet, despite all of that where I’m trying to get you to recognize the lameness I see in myself – you helped me raise probably the most money for this charity from the Pacific Northwest for this charity in 2018.
All because of some writing, time, and that I cared enough to ask you to donate and offered something of myself in return.
I’m not that special, I just pulled the trigger with a small group of people – and you responded.
We’ll do it again here in another month, I’m really looking forward to it.
You Already Have Influence
The end of that story – where we raised a bunch of money and it was amazing and life changing for me and we’re going to do it again – leads me back to the beginning.
Because I’ve talked with a lot of you, and most of you feel like you want to give more – but you don’t know how.
Maybe you feel like giving to “the community” (whatever you feel that to be), or to your peers, your mentors or mentees, or simply people who you see who could use a hand with knowledge or otherwise.
But, when you go to start, you draw a blank. You think –
- I can’t teach, I’m still learning
- I can’t give, I don’t have enough yet
- I can’t share, I’m just starting my career
- I can’t help, I’m a fake – I don’t have a job and I’m not an authority
- I’m scared of how people will judge me
- I’m scared what I have to say won’t be useful
- I’m scared I’ll steer someone wrong
Well, you’re wrong – and you’re right.
I’m still learning, and I plan to do so until I’m no longer with you.
I don’t have enough, and I’m fortunate to live in America so I’ll probably never feel like I do.
I’m not starting my career, but I felt like I couldn’t share when I did, and I still feel stupid sharing now.
I’m a bigger faker than you – I have a degree in theatre. I literally have a piece of paper that says “I have a Bachelor of Arts in pretending like I know what I’m doing”. Unless you’re a professional actor, you very literally can’t out-fake me.
And you’re right. People will judge you, you’ll say some dumb things, and you’ll probably give some bad advice – but, welcome to life. You’ve done and experienced that already, I guarantee you. These aren’t new things to you.
From my perspective, you already have something to share. You already have influence.
That may be among a small handful of people – but it does exist. Today, the rest of your audience could be the connected world. You’re not limited by anything other than the work you put in, and a little bit of luck.
3 years ago, I never would’ve imagined I actually had the ability to encourage a group of people to raise nearly $1,000 (matched to $2,000) for prostate cancer research in honor of my father.
But, it happened. Because I talked to you about games, audio, and programming.
It’s literally laughable. I’m writing this thinking to myself “how RIDICULOUS is that?!”
And you’re reading this on your screen, probably thinking you can’t – but I did that too, and here we are.
So, I want to encourage you today to share what you have to say. I can’t tell you what that is – but you have knowledge to share. Maybe life lessons, maybe audio (or other) skills. Maybe you learned something yesterday, maybe 10 years ago.
Regardless, you should share it – even when you feel like it’s not worth the effort or it won’t help. You’re (thankfully) wrong.
Here’s how I know.
“By purchasing your book, I learned that I was very wrong in waiting to make the purchase. From everything I’ve read so far (info of what this book entails, reviews, quotes from others, etc.), I’ve been learning that I’m not the only one out there who has traveled the path that I am currently on.
It’s so funny how relatable I am to your situations, experiences and thoughts. I don’t feel like I’m at the bottom of the totem pole and a “nobody.” Your book makes me feel like I can accomplish things and maybe one day become something I’ve been dreaming about. “Quit Aspiring” also gives me the kick in the ass that I need and the motivation to keep pushing forward.”
Sheri, Sound Designer
“I’ve just started working on composition/sound design this year, so I thought it might be too early to pick up something about career advice. I realized that was silly and even if I’m in the process of learning it might save some floundering later on. I was definitely right to pick it up, it helped me focus on what to do past my initial strategy of “do a game jam every month.”
Shelia, Sound Designer/Composer
“Adam – I just wanted to say that I really enjoy all of your emails.”
Jeremy, Sound Designer
“Just wanted to say thanks for always providing such positive, motivating newsletters! I always enjoy reading, and often go back and re-read old ones randomly. Really appreciate your thoughts!”
Dana, Sound Designer
“I just finished the C# implementation course with Wwise and Unity and just wanted to send you a huge thanks. I really liked how it was set up, how you introduced concepts and actions in a simple way and then point to where/how you can find more. And that’s it, you leave the rest to us. This is huge, I am working as teacher assistant on music technology and one of the things we try to emphasize (and where most issues lie) with students, is what to do with the information received and how to be proactive with it. This course really got me excited to dig deeper into C# with Unity and Wwise and can’t wait to start some projects that came to my mind while watching the videos. And of course, I’ll be showcasing them soon.”
Carlos, Music Technologist & Sound Designer
People are so incredibly kind to share these things with me, when all I’ve done is write, record, and share with them.
This isn’t out of your reach. At all. Even if you’ve just started.
So start, be bad (just like me!), and keep it up. The world will thank you, and you’ll just be able to keep giving more.
Last thing
Quick note – as I mentioned before, I’ll be running another fundraiser during the week of Thanksgiving in honor of my father. He passed away on November 28th, 1999 and literally Thanksgiving Day is the 20 year anniversary of that – so I’m going to turn that little bit of awkward sadness into something to be thankful for and to give you some of my stuff at a steep discount. So, take a look at Quit Aspiring and Like Magic – but save your money for ~2 months so we can give 100% of it to charity.
Yes, that’s correct – I don’t take any profit from the way funds are raised for this. It’s crazy, but I’m way happier that I don’t.
I’m also going to be opening up my course on C# Implementation with Wwise and Unity before the end of October. So if you’ve been looking forward to investing in that – this month will be the time to do it! As usual, the product will be available to purchase for a week – then I’ll be closing sales.
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