An Embarrassment of Riches

While we never want to complain about good things - because, by definition, they are, you know, good - overabundance can come with challenges. In the case of GFJ, there's not a day that goes by that another idea doesn't pop into our heads about how we might improve the site, integrate the user experience, bring folks together off-line, tighten the design, support other small businesses, employ a person for a fun side project, make waves, and (hopefully) get people to think AND act.

It's a great 'problem' to have, but it generates a lot of challenging questions: How do we take the tools and resources we've already built and build on them? How do we evolve our features? How do we better design our website / blog / newsletter / social media to reflect the scope of our growing community? How do we contribute to those that are asking for / need help? How do we partner up with and promote every person that comes along whose work we believe in and want to support? When almost all of the opportunities and ideas are great ones, how do you do them all?

And the answer is: you don't (talk about a tough pill to swallow). You have to choose. You have to go confidently in a specific direction. You have to keep the faith that whatever path you do choose, you will make the most of it.

With today's FOMO epidemic (Fear Of Missing Out), it's hard not to think, 'Oh, dang, but I could be doing (fill in the blank other awesome thing) right now.' Try not to fall into the trap. The greatest challenge of our generation is to be present. Really present. Fulfilled by the things that are right in front of us. Making the most of our wholehearted commitments. Open to the evolution of how things will change / grow / develop over the years.

We have the wisdom, but it's hard to put into practice. People often ask, 'So what's up with GoFoJo these days?' And it's hard not to want to blurt out the top 50 ideas that are on my mind. What comes out instead is a stuttering form of paralysis. Attempting to do it all often means you don't make much real progress.

As illustrated by our Words of Wisdom this week: Well Done is Better Than Well Said. So pick your path. Go confidently in a direction. When you create a space for action, more ideas and opportunities will follow.

Talk is cheap. So take the job. Plan the event. Plant the garden. Choose something. Make the meal. Bring others to the table. You may not be able to do it all, but there's a whole world between ALL and NOTHING, and that's where the magic happens.

SPEAKING OF OPPORTUNITIES, IDEAS, PARTNERSHIPS & PROJECTS . . .

Thanks to all of the applicants for the the Sterling Scholarship applications. Through the process we gleaned several great ideas for GFJ. and we came to the same great conclusion: the biggest goal for GFJ's growth is figuring out how to bring our community together. We have the opportunity to interact with a lot of you (via email, randomly meeting at in person events, or through mutual friends). And every single time we find ourselves saying, 'I just really want to be friends with that person.' We hear stories of where you've been, the things that you've done, and a get a sense for the things that you believe in, and we are always floored to be in such good company.

Among the ideas were:

Host a GFJ Skillshare
Create a sister site / board for learning events / educational opportunities
Tell the blog stories in varied formats, including video
Create resources for career changers to help them take the plunge and ease the transition
Create a platform for users to interact with each other

Yes, yes, YES! Did you read our minds about spending a few days in an open field, camping out and teaching each other traditional skills related to food and farming? Did you overhear us scheming about an online GFJ version of (a non-sexual) Tinder, so that you could make food friends? Did you just catch our vibes that we are all about education and passing useful skills and tools from one person to the next?

Okay, we admit: a lot to digest. While we have particular skills at letting things marinate and allowing the cream to rise to the top, we're always eager to hear what you have to say. Chime in (just hit reply to this email to do so) with any feedback. We really do read it. And it really does help inform the decisions that we make, and the resources that we build.

But above all, just tell us your story: How did you find GFJ? What keeps you coming back? What are you looking for? How do you hack GFJ? Have you had any success with the site? Who have you met through the site? Has it changed your day-to-day life in any way? Have you learned anything new / cool / useful / transformative? What have you done with the tools and resources and community?

Our favorite section of Cook's Illustrated is the one with the user contributions, and GFJ is an endless version of that. We get tremendous value from bringing together such a strong community with shared interests.

PRACTICING WHAT WE PREACH

Each week we sit down without knowing exactly what we're going to write in the newsletter. And then, somehow, we pick a direction and start writing, and the challenge quickly becomes 'how do we fit in everything that we want to cover?' Such is the case this week. In the interest of not overwhelming you (and us) we'll just leave you with a few notes and things to look forward to:

Next week's launch of our latest GFJ Instagram Challenge, where we'll pay homage to the late great Julia Child, in honor of our participation in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History Kitchen Cabinet.
A new OurLand video up on our site. As always, thank you to the Greenhorns / OurLand.tv for this rich content about rebuilding our food system.
Our plans for World Domination.

And, as always, a few more surprises.

Cheers,

Taylor & Dorothy