The Life Design Project by Robert Granholm: A Site Review

Rob Granholm is someone that you may want to keep an eye on. He took the exploding world of lifestyle design, and started a blog with a twist on it: see if a regular guy can automate a passive income and free up enough time to live his dreams. Inspired by Tim Ferriss’ Four Hour Work Week, Rob launched The Life Design Project in June of ’09. His practical approach is refreshing, and educational. And, his drive and ambition inspires the hell out of me. In addition, his just a super nice guy. If you have never heard of his site, I’d recommend taking a few minutes to check it out.

Here are a few questions I asked Rob about inspiration, blogging, and life:

1. What inspires you most?

I’m inspired by people and their stories. I have somewhat of a hero complex, I’m constantly fighting against the odds for what I think is the good thing. I love seeing the qualities of courage and bravery shine in other people. It makes me want to be a hero myself in my projects, and support other people in their efforts. It’s why I love to serve.

That’s the cheesy answer at least, I also get a kick out of pure mechanical efficiency! I love making this just work.

2. What two qualities are key to having a successful blog?

Vision/Persistence: It’s vital with a blog that you think past tomorrow, or next week, and even next month. A blog is an open inviting conversation, which creates followers. You need have a vision for what to do with that to be successful, and in order to have that vision realized, you need to be persistent.

Awareness: It goes hand in hand with my above point. Again, a blog is a conversation. You are the lead, but it’s supposed to be informative, open and inviting. Gain an awareness of your audience as you interact with them and what/who your niche is involved in/with. Use that to engage and offer your audience something of value (content is king). You do have a plan to offer them something right?

Unless you’re keeping an online journal, I believe a blog should have some business path (interpret loosely) in mind, even if not openly executed during the beginning stages.

3. What piece of advice would you give to someone that wants to become self employed by following their passion?

Start talking, build relationships, put it out there. Relationships are fuel. They keep you accountable, create niche resources, build credibility and expert status if done properly, and provide networking access to bigger more known names. Relationship can be stored away and used later, or engaged immediately and provide immediate benefit, the important part is to start the conversation. I remember quite literally searching up “Philadelphia entrepreneurs” in some hour of desperation looking to talk to someone besides my girlfriend who had tired of humoring me about all my ideas. I stumbled on two great contacts I still use today that have pushed me forward and kept me in the game.

Start by putting your ideas out there, launch a blog, contribute to a column, go to meetings, get the ball rolling and relationships will fan the flame. Your passion will do the rest.

4. What is the best lesson you have learned from blogging?

Honestly, it’s the above point. I’ll say it again. Relationships are fuel. I mentioned earlier about a hero complex I have, I’m learning that people are only as strong as those they surround themselves with, including heroes. At least the ones without super powers. I was always a “I’ll learn it myself”, take it all on my shoulders and pull through kind of person, but the more experienced I get, I learn that’s simply not the way to go about building a business, brand, or message.

Thanks so much Karen for this opportunity. I typically don’t speak on feelings or subjective experience as my blog The Life Design Project is centered around real world pragmatic and mechanical testing of lifestyle design, efficiency, etc. and creating freedom businesses. I had a lot of fun answering these questions and acknowledge you for asking them!

Free Consulting Offer for Readers!
I want to open up an offering to your readers and let them freely e-mail me any questions revolving around my comments above, and especially around any technical/website/blog questions they have as they look into building their own blogs and self employment/freedom business endeavors.

I run a website called IT Arsenal which isn’t a testing project like The Life Design Project but it’s actually my passion, which is to help entrepreneurs and home users with their IT needs. It’s still in the beginning stages, but I’m looking for common IT questions and struggles to address and answer thoroughly and for free on the site as it launches. Depending on volume, I’ll do my best to answer everyone in a timely manner.

Come one come all! Contact Rob at rob @ itarsenal.com

Robert Granholm
The Life Design Project
IT Arsenal

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Thank you Rob for taking the time to answer my questions.
Please tell me in the comments…is there anyone you’d like to see in an upcoming site review?