September 21, 2011

Officially Launching AdvanceHumanity.com

I've been dreaming of this day for a long time, when I would finally be able to launch Advance Humanity. Our new website has been up for a few weeks while we have been tweaking the design and getting things together, but now it's finally September 21st - the day I was waiting for - World Peace Day. I chose this day to launch because I want it to be a reminder that each of us can do something, no matter how small, to change ourselves and change the world.

What's the big idea?
Right from the beginning, I thought it would be good to share what I hope to accomplish here. A goal is good, a measurable goal is better, and a publicly measurable goal is best of all.

I want to write… a lot. I’ll be writing about personal development, staying inspired, living simply, doing more of what you love, and working with others to do amazing things. The theme that links all these things together is the belief that the best way to change the world is to change yourself first. With each of us doing that, together we will create a small army of everyday humanitarians at Advance Humanity that will be unstoppable.

Looking ahead from the beginning of this project, here’s what I’d like to see one year from now:
  1. 100 awesome articles that are high-quality, simple, quick-to-read and practical for everyday life
  2. 25 profiles which feature awesome everyday humanitarians with incredible stories
  3. Over 2,000 committed people who are part of our community through updates and Facebook
  4. 100+ Big Ideas which I will distill from reading 50 incredible books and
  5. 2 PDF Guides for everyday humanitarians that explain these Big Ideas and help you do amazing things

Going forward, my focus is on helping you achieve your own awesome goals and sharing resources, projects and inspirations to help you get there. After three years in the Peace Corps, losing 60 pounds, creating some awesome projects, launching a TEDx event, raising tens of thousands of dollars and getting married, I have a feeling we can do it.

While I’m writing, I’ll also be pursuing other important goals.
I also work with several nonprofit organizations, collaborate with social entrepreneurs, consult on international development, try to meditate, stay in shape and do other fun stuff. From time to time, I’ll write about these activities whenever it seems like it will be helpful. But mostly, Advance Humanity will be less about me and more about you and helping you change the world.

I hope you enjoy it and I'm really happy you're here.


P.S. Here is a short welcome video I made when I finally got to ride a motorcycle after three years of waiting (Peace Corps Volunteers can't ride motorcycles) and it even has a special guest!


September 5, 2011

Thank You, Peace Corps

It's been an honor serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer and Peace Corps Volunteer Leader here in Mongolia over the past three years.

I feel very grateful and to the many people who have made it an incredible experience, I really can't thank you all enough. Our amazing Peace Corps Mongolia staff and my fellow Volunteers in Mongolia and around the world have always supported me and humbled me. The Peace Corps really is a huge family that wraps all around the world.

My wonderful friends and family in Sukhbaatar Province and my equally amazing family and friends at home in America have always been there for me, even though "there" has been thousands of miles away.

And of course my wife Tunga who has been my wonderful friend and partner in this amazing adventure, thank you so much.

I've always wanted to be a part of Peace Corps and been amazed by the quality of people I have met in the organization and around the world. I wrote this in my book and I'll keep saying it, I think Peace Corps is a story that all of us have a chance to be a part of. It's up to us how long and how amazing the story is. I hope to make it great, with your help, and to make it last as long as possible. Thank you all so much.





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