My kids Rosie and Josh have grown with my blog. Photo by Lewis Stewart, otherwise known as grandpa.
Six years ago today, I hit “publish” on my very first blog post.
I was on maternity leave from my consulting business and was taking care of my son Josh, who was seven months old. I took a class from Suzanne Falter-Barns about how to get known online, and one of the assignments was to start a blog. I struggled for a few months to come up with a name, but then it finally hit me: Escape from Cubicle Nation.
What a magical mystery tour it has been.
What struck me after reading the very first post I wrote was how utterly unaware I was at that time how writing Escape from Cubicle Nation would change my life. How many dear friends it would bring into my circle. How many amazing conversations and stories I would hear from people all over the world. How many visits to cities far and wide it would inspire. How it would lead to a hard copy, printed book from a New York publisher.
The following are my favorite posts. They did not all get tons of traffic or comments, but they express specific parts of myself and my philosophy about life and work.
- Are you trapped in Cubicle Nation?
This is my very first post. What I like about it is that it captures a moment of time when I had a very big flash of inspiration. Little did I know what a sticky idea it would be! - Open letter to CXOs across the corporate world
This is certainly my most well-known post. It was written as I was pushing my son Josh around the neighborhood in a stroller, and I was reflecting on the ten years I had spent as a consultant to large corporations. I imagined what I would say to a large group of executives in a keynote speech, if I did not worry about editing my feelings. I sent it to Guy Kawasaki, he posted about it on his blog, and the floodgates to my blog readership were opened. To this day, I refer to Guy as my “link sugar daddy.” - The grace in falling apart
A very difficult and delicate part of the work I do with clients is helping them navigate the no-mans land between a well-defined corporate career and a new life as an entrepreneur. This is not always easy, and this post explains why. - Unicorns, rainbows and work-life balance
I have been lucky enough to raise two kids while writing this blog and growing a business. Very often, people ask me “How do you do it all?,” implying that I actually have things all figured out. I don’t, and that’s ok. - Avatars, ecosystems and watering holes
I refer my clients to this post all the time, and it became a central part of my digital course Ethical Selling That Works. If you base your marketing in this framework, it will be so much easier, and effective. - Double your learning speed, cut your mistakes in half
As you can tell from most of my blog post titles, I am not much for “Top 5” or “Make money now” types of posts. But I do believe in being effective and efficient, and this post outlines my very best strategy for learning new things while growing a business. - How to strike a balance between giving content away for free and earning a living
This post came from a talk I gave at PodcampAZ. I wanted to lay out the steps in using content to build a business, in a way that people could easily understand. I asked my son Jeffery to create some original art for the presentation. I love the result of his drawings and my ideas together. - Blow up traditional careers in favor of bodies of work
This sums up what I feel about the new world of work, and frames the ideas and assistance I want to provide to my market in the next decade. There is no more job security, and that is just fine. - You, less than
This is a guest post I wrote for my friend Hugh McLeod on his blog Gaping Void. It was extremely personal, especially since I talked about a painful part of my family’s history. And I wrote about my Dad, who reads every post I write. It was cathartic to write, and it touched a nerve. - Are you acting like a celebrity sheep with your marketing plans?
I can’t stand mindless conformity. Yet so many new entrepreneurs feel they have to follow expert advice for growing a business, or risk living in a van down by the river. They don’t. - Come see the wonderful things my people accomplished this year
This type of post has now become an annual tradition, but the first one was published in 2009. It is round up of all the great things my clients were proud to share that they accomplished in that year. Putting it together, I was amazed by the diversity of ideas, and astounded by the talent and creativity of the people I am lucky enough to work with every day.
Thanks to all of you who take your valuable time to read my posts. They say a writer’s pleasure comes from having written. I disagree — a writer’s pleasure comes from being read.
To writing, and reading! <clinking glasses>
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For my long-time readers, did I miss any of your favorite posts?
[…] Where to start: Check out her favorite posts from the last 6 years […]
Hi Pam,
Congrats on 6 great years! Thanks for posting this recap of your favorites. There’s a few here that I haven’t read yet, and it was a great chance to revisit the always inspiring “Open Letter to CXO’s”.
Can’t wait to see what you have in store for the next 6 years!
Best,
Brian
Happy Anniversary Pam:
Your blog has been a huge source of inspiration for me over the last few years as I have been looking to spread my wings. Two of your favourite posts that stand out for me: #5 ranks #1 as per my left-brain, #9 ranks #1 in my right-brain and heart!
Natalie
Currently working on posts #6 and #8!!
This is such a great achievement. Congratulations. First blog posts are always reminiscent especially when they hit good traffic even after so many years have gone. Cute kids by the way. 🙂
Thanks so much John! I appreciate your support. As for my kids, I am hopelessly biased. 🙂
You don’t look old enough to have been blogging for six years! Shameless flattery out of the way, congrats!
You’ve written some really good posts, and it’s great to see how your style’s evolved over the past few years.
Flattery will get you everywhere Andy! 🙂 Thanks so much for your support for the blog. I so appreciate you!
The cubicle nation one was the best. People write TV shows and movies about the nonsense and frustration that occurs in the workplace. For the online market, I think you blog blazed a new trail.
Thanks Mark! I really appreciate your support.
Happy blog birthday! You chose such an amazing name for your blog; I know so many people who deeply yearn for that escape.
Thanks Mary! The Escape name definitely had some divine inspiration. 🙂
Happy Blog Birthday! YYYYYYY (this is my attempt at balloons for you.)
Great party favors to offer your readers. I’m making my way through the posts. Gems! Gems!
And thanks, too, for the monthly call. It’s so friendly to hear your voice and advice so generously offered.
Thanks so much Rebecca! The monthly calls are so fun for me too. I am glad we can all connect that way!
Pam, 6 years goes by so quickly! And for those of you who were there then, gulp… 🙂
I didn’t want to let the occasion go by without saying a big thank you and congratulations. You’ve done so much good by staying true to what matters to you, walking the line, pushing the envelope, and standing up for what’s right. It all counts for so much and means so much – even when you might not realize it.
I’m so grateful you keep blogging – whatever you’re doing, please keep going and I will keep reading!! 🙂
whoopsie, I meant ‘those of *us* who were there then, gulp…’ sry!
Thanks so much for your never-ending support Andrea — you have been a HUGE inspiration to me. I am blessed that you have moved from “mentor” to “sister girl.” I am excited to run alongside you the next decades and see what you cook up!
[…] up this morning: My Favorite Blog Posts from the Last 6 Years from Pamela Slim’s blog. I am a long time reader of Pamela Slim’s blog and she has […]
Hi Pam,
thanks a lot for these links, I’ll definitely go through.
Although I am only at the beginning stage of the “detox from corporate life” and in building my own legacy, your blog and your book are very helpful on my journey.
Both are proof that I’m not crazy feeling uncomfortable being a corporate prisoner/sheep, despite the regular paycheck.
Thank you and wish you another successfull 6 years (and a lot of satisfied customers).
Vladimir – you are definitely not crazy! I am excited for your journey.
I am sure there might be many more posts than these which might be your best as in 6 years there can be alot.
I agree Fas, it is hard to choose among so many! These are just my personal favorites. Thank YOU for always stopping by and leaving a comment. I really appreciate it!
I’ve been listening to your book on audio, and the Open Letter post had me going yes, yes, YES – exactly, exactly, EXACTLY! You are an inspiration! 🙂
That is so cool Kristi! I want to be sure to record my own audio for my next book. So glad you are enjoying it!
Just popping in to say, Congratulations, Pam!
Thank you for leading by example. Thank you for being with me on my entrepreneur (eh-hem, personal) journey. Big love to you.
Rebecca
Thanks so much Rebecca! As you have discovered, entrepreneurship is the best personal development on the planet 🙂
Happy Blog Birthday!
I’m a relatively new reader. I subscribed to your posts after reading your book in the spring. After leaving my corporate job behind, I was struggling to figure out where I was going and what I should do next. I knew after only 6 years in Cubicle Nation that it wasn’t for me, but I felt like I was the only crazy one who didn’t want to get an MBA or work for the fancy investment banks.
Somehow, I stumbled across your book and the title alone resonated with what I was feeling. I desperately wanted to escape. Reading through your book and blog helped me realize that my feelings weren’t unfounded or crazy. There were others (many others) who felt the same way!
Thanks for your commitment to writing blog posts and books that have helped me (and I’m sure many others like me) realize that there are other career options that don’t make you feel like you’re a prisoner in your cube!
Welcome to the blog Lindsay, I am so glad to have new readers! Best of luck on your business journey!
Congratulations, dearest Pam-o’-my-heart! And what a gift to give us for your six-year blogoversary. (Which, forget even trying to spell that. Forget it.)
You are one big, fat, proof-of-concept. Only, you know, not big or fat. 🙂
Thanks for being on my journey, oh fellow Virgo blogger whom I love so much!
I immediately translated “big and fat” into “epic and phat,” both of which I openly embrace 🙂
I still remember that post – “The Grace in Falling Apart”. I even remember the image of the shattered pottery. It was so very striking to me,
There have been so many times I’ve remembered it as I’ve hit walls of frustration or been crushed by stress. It’s good too remember that it’s okay to let our shells crack every once and awhile. I think, in a way, doing that lets us heal faster.
Congrats on six years! I’ve certainly not been following that long, but I’m glad I’ve discovered you and gotten to know you just a little bit. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and letting us into your lives. I’m sure I’m not the only one who appreciates it. 🙂
I am so glad to have gotten to know you too Laura! That post is a favorite of mine too, I spend so much time with clients “in the meantime,” and go through it myself too. I look forward to many more years of connection, and sharing support and ideas!
One of my all-time favorites is your one about the 20x rule. It’s such a great reminder that results don’t come easily. You gotta hustle and be persistent and consistent if you want success.
That said, I’m totally going to check out the work/life balance post now – must have missed that one the first time around. 🙂
Thanks Carmen! That one happened to get tons of traffic because Lifehacker blogged about it. 🙂 Persistence and hustle win the race, as you prove every day in your work.
Here is the post:
https://escapefromcubiclenation.com/2011/07/13/the-20x-rule/