My Blogiversary: A Time to Reflect

After a few cocktails and a little downtime, I'd like to post a few thoughts on my year of blogging. But before I dive in, thanks to those who have read, commented upon, critiqued and been motivated by my blog. I couldn't have imagined the impact blogging would have on both my personal and professional lives, and without you, well, it wouldn't have meant nearly as much. Catharsis is great, but receiving feedback and positive reinforcement is even better.

So, what have I learned from my "blogging experiment?"

• The blogosphere is full of super smart, cerebral, thoughtful people;

• A blog is an amazing way to make connections with people of like interests;

• The value of a blog is largely determined by substance and consistency;

• Many people in the blogosphere want to make connections, and are open to new people and opportunities;

• You can't imagine the high-profile people in the blogosphere who are willing to communicate with you;

• Blogging is both a challenge and an opportunity, because consistency is hard though your readers give you the fuel to create;

• Blogging can be as addictive as heroin, because being read and recognized is a kind of high;

• The blogosphere is a fragile ecosystem that depends upon a group of interested, smart, engaged parties laying the foundation for dialogues that build and develop over time; and

• There is no other form of communication remotely like it, not Facebook, not a hard-published text, not a newspaper. It is unique.

I may sound corny and I may sound trite, but this is all true. As a two-decade Wall Street pro, there is no analogy to anything I've done in my career that compares to blogging. It is a truly differentiated, powerful experience, and one which has paid both concrete and ephemeral dividends in the form of business relationships, investment opportunities, recruits for my companies and a sense of peace and satisfaction from sharing my ideas with others. It has been a beautiful, dizzying, overwhelming and unbelievable first year blogging. I can't wait to report on my thoughts after Year 2.

Comments

[AnitoKid]

Congratulations, Roger! My apologies for not seeing this much sooner - you know how it is here in Manila! :) And Josh and Jeff are having a wonderful time here! Hey! When are you coming over? :)

Again, congratulations my friend! You serve as a true inspiration to us all! And I kid you not!

[Yohan]

Congrats. Word for word this is the best blog I read. Its all killer, no filler.

[David Merkel]

You fill a real niche. If I've learned anything in my shorter time (than you) blogging, is that putting out fresh content matters. Keep it up! David

[Tim Hussar]

Congrats and good luck with the upcoming year! IA has been a must read and, as a top notch blog would require, its content and preparation have been trustworthy.

-Tim

[joe]

Keep up the good work. Your blog is outstanding because you are blogging about a subject you're expert in and and it is obvious you are passionate about the markets.

[Yaser Anwar]

Congrats! I learned a lot and made a few new connections from your blog, much appreciated.

Look forward to the next IA Fiscal Year.

Sincerely,

Yaser