This has been a good year for The Change Blog, and a massive year for me personally.
In this post I will share some of the interesting things that happened in 2012, along with my favorite blog posts.
Before I begin, though, I would like to say thank you for reading The Change Blog. Whether you’ve been reading since 2007 or have just discovered the site, I’m incredibly grateful for your interest and support.
Family First
In May my wife gave birth to twin boys, Leo and Max. They joined our two other boys, Xavier (age 5) and Rohan (age 4).
As you can imagine we have a busy household. At times it can be challenging, but overall things are going really well and I feel incredibly lucky. Below are a couple of recent pics of our family:
The Change Blog
In 2012 readership continued to grow and the site now receives more than 250,000 visitors every month.
Given my family commitments this year and a history of burnout, I made a conscious decision not to undertake any major online projects or site changes in 2012.
What I did, though, was gain a lot of clarity about the message of The Change Blog and the types of posts I want to share.
During the year I moved away from publishing posts that only contained abstract advice and started to insist that contributors share their own stories and experiences with change. These are the types of posts that I want to read, and judging by the response I’ve seen since making this shift I’m not the only one.
Best Of The Change Blog 2012
Below are my favorite blog posts of 2012. They are in no particular order, however, the first one held some extra significance to me as its author, Ali Luke, was a contributor to The Change Blog from 2008 up until this year.
Four and a Half Years of Change … and a Goodbye – Ali Luke
How Breaking the Rules Taught Me to Trust Myself – Jennifer Boykin
How I Quit My Job, Moved to a Foreign Country, and Became a Ninja – Izzy
Getting Comfortable With the Uncomfortable: My Journey to Being Who I Always Wanted to Be – Justin Miller
Depression to Happiness: The 4 Steps That Helped to Change My Life – Amy Clover
Get What You Need To Change Your Life – Maya Ackerman
From Career Regret to Reinvention: How to Move Past Pain & Design Your Ideal Career - Melani Ward
Developing Self-Confidence: Why Most People Approach It Completely Wrong – R.C. Thornton
Motivation is a Luxury – Kirsten Long
Finding the Happiness That Lies Beyond “Good Enough” – Sophy Bot
Be Better Where You Are - Steve Errey
How Do You View Life? - Anne-Sophie Reinhardt
5 Items that Should be on Every Bucket List - Deborah Fike
12 Choices to Transform Your Life – Nischala Murthy
Happiness Is Not For Wimps – Ken Wert
Looking Forwards to 2013
In the second half of 2012 I’ve been slowly but steadily laying the groundwork for some interesting things in 2013.
In January I will be releasing a new ebook available to new and existing subscribers for free. This ebook will be in line with my focus on sharing stories of personal change. I’m also working on some premium ebooks which I’m really excited about and that I think you will love.
In July I will be attending Chris Guillebeau’s World Domination Summit in Portland. This will be my first conference of this sort so I’m not exactly sure what to expect, but I do know I will be meeting some remarkable people, including many who I’ve developed friendships with online over the past few years.
Overall, I’m really excited about 2013. With the clarity I gained about this blog and my life in 2012 I’m ready to make 2013 a big year.
What about you? How was your 2012? And what do you have planned for 2013?
Hey Peter – Congrats to you and your family! Its a wonderful picture of the family. The twins look really cute. Hope 2013 is great for all of you and brings your way new joys, dreams and happiness! And I must congratulate you for keeping the blog regularly updated – That itself is an achievement!
And of course, Thanks for featuring my post in the Best of 2012. Personally, that is one of my favorite writings as well. Happy New Year 2013! Looking forward to The Change Blog in 2013 :)
Nischala
Hi Nischala,
Thank you! The reason I can keep the blog regularly updated is because I receive excellent guest post submissions from people such as yourself.
All the best for 2013.
Peter
Good work. Keep it up!
Thanks Dan! I really appreciate all the comments you left on The Change Blog in 2012 – it’s people such as yourself that make this a great community.
Peter
Peter, has been a pleasure contributing a post and working with you. Our blogs follow similar content and approaches, especially clarity and focus and purpose. I think going even more personal was a good decision. Looking forward to stay connected with you over 2013 and good luck with your family and projects in 2013! :)
Hi Myrko,
Thank you for your contributing to The Change Blog in 2012. It was nice to connect with you – I can’t believe it took me so long to discover your excellent blog! I look forward to following your blog and staying connected in 2013.
Peter
I’m honored to be on the list of your favorites, Peter. Congratulations on a great 2012 and look forward to seeing what unfolds here in 2013. You have a beautiful family. You’re a blessed man. May 2013 bring health and happiness to you and yours, Peter.
Happy New Year!
Thanks Ken. I wish you all the best for 2013 as well. You’ve got a great blog – I look forward to reading more of your posts.
Peter
that’s quite an impressive achievement Peter, keep up the amazing work : )
Thanks Farouk! I appreciate your continued support.
Peter, your family is gorgeous and those twins are just the cutest little guys ever! Other than your two older boys, of course ;-)
Thanks for sharing the pictures of your family. It’s nice to see more of who is behind The Change Blog!
And thanks for listing my post as one of your favorites – very much appreciated!
All good wishes to you and your family in 2013!
Thanks Bobbi. Your post was an easy choice… it was probably the most touching story I read anywhere in 2012 and it received a great response (61 comments at the time of writing this). I look forward to sharing your next one later this month :)
Peter
Great work Peter and congratulations on the new additions to your family. Looking forward to more interesting posts during 2013. Best wishes
be good to yourself
David
David, I know you frequently leave comments on blog posts and share them with your network – thank you for this support. All the best for 2013.
Peter
Peter, it’s been a pleasure writing for you here! And I’m flattered you picked my post as one of your 2012 favorites.
I look forward to working with you in 2013 as well!
Hi R.C., it was pleasure to have you write for The Change Blog. Your post on self-confidence was a clear reader favorite and an obvious pick for one of the best of 2012. And I’m really looking forward to following your progress as an entrepreneur, as detailed in your recent post “Revolutionize Your Life and Become an Entrepreneur in 1 Easy Step”.
All the best for 2013.
Peter
awww Congratulations on a wonderful 2012, Peter. Your twins are the CUTEST!!! Wishing you even more success in 2013. Can’t wait to hear about your WDS experience
Thanks Kola! I think they’re pretty cute too :)
I really enjoyed the post you wrote for The Change Blog back in early 2012… I was very close to including it in the essential posts listed above.
All the best for 2013.
Peter
You are doing a great job here Peter. The Change Blog has indeed started a whole movement of change on individual basis.
The shift in editorial policy and putting the stress on real life stories inspired and moved by change has indeed made this blog not only to stand out even more, but at the same time be that much more personal, inspirational and real.
You and your family look great. I wish you all a fantastic year ahead! :)
I discover this website last year and it helped me a lot. The whole family look great and best wished for you and your family.
It’s an honor to make “The Best of!” Thank you for your kindness and collaboration, Peter. I am so grateful to have connected with you.
Peter,
Thank you so much for including my post on this list of fabulous contributors. I am honored and grateful.
The pictures of your family are beautiful. Congrats on the twins and I am officially even more inspired by what you are able to accomplish with 4 little boys on your hands.
I am happy to have connected. Best to you and your family in 2013!
Melani
It’s been great to be a part of the Change Blog family, and I’m very happy to see so much radiance in your personal family, Peter. Cheers to 2013!