Middle Zone Musings

Robert Hruzek on Jul 17th 2007

WILF

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Now, you’re probably asking yourself, “What the heck does WILF stand for?” Why, it stands for the group writing project affectionately called “What I Learned From…” of course! Yep, it’s a regular feature here at Middle Zone Musings, and I figured it would be helpful to create a way for y’all to easily find all the entries from our past projects. A WILF archive, if you like.

Since the theme of Middle Zone Musings is generally about lessons learned from the School of Life, I enjoy celebrating that in a special way by hosting a monthly group writing project designed to allow folks to share something they’ve learned. Each month focuses on a different topic, and it’s open to anyone.

Each new writing project launches on the first Monday of each month, and remains open for contributions through the following Sunday. I then post all links to entries on the following Monday (that’s the second Monday of the month; works nicely that way, don’t you think?)

To participate, all you have to do is write a new article or post about something you’ve learned, at least loosely-based on that month’s topic. (Actually, you don’t even need a blog to submit an entry; once I accepted an article that was posted at Helium. But a blog is better because then you can profit from the links.)

By the way, just to sweeten the pot a bit, I’m accepting suggestions for future topics. The comments have been left open on this page for that very reason. Just submit your idea(s), and if I choose one of them, you’ll be assured of a place in history (plus an extra few links)!

Here are the links to all entries for each of the completed projects:

WILF #1, May ‘07, 16 entries: What I Learned From…

… Teen Girl Squad, by Markk at My Opinions Are Important
… the Mt. Pinatubo Eruption, by Ronald Huerca at Ronalfy.com
… Drugs, by Sam Brougher at Forest Azuaran
… a Mesquite Tree, by Mike DeWitt at Spooky Action
… Drinking Starbucks Coffee, by George Manty at Can I Make Big Money Online
… My Wife!, by Rajaram Sethuraman at Thoughts of a Rambler
… Having a Daughter, by Marco Richter at FitForFreedom
… Norm, by Joe Raasch at The Happy Burro
… my mentors, by Karin H. at The Kiss Business Too
… Procrastinating, by Yvonne Russell at Grow Your Writing Business
… a Squirrel, by G.L. Hoffman at What Would Dad Say
… Blogging, by Gayla McCord at Mom Gadget
… a Weight Problem, by Monique Attinger at Insurance Guide 101
… Taking Out the Garbage, by Michael Chantrel at Mortgage Guide 101 Blog
… RUMMAGING! by William Tully at LOGICal eMOTIONs
… A Light Switch, by Robert Hruzek at Middle Zone Musings

WILF #2, June ‘07, 18 entries: What I Learned From… The World of Work

…Working in a Bar, by Genesis at the At Home Mom Blog
…Unemployment, by Markk at My Opinions are Important
…Working at a Startup, by Alex at Brick Blogging
…Working for the Government, by Lillie Ammann at A Writer’s Words
…The World of Work, by Troy Worman at orbitnow!
…Writing at Work, by Joanna Young at Confident Writing
…a power-cut, by Karin at The Kiss Business Two
…Blogging on Real Estate, by Michael Chantrel at MortgageGuide101
…Roofing Houses, by Nic Darling at Marketing Neophyte
…an Unscheduled Trip to Cleveland, by Mike DeWitt at Spooky Action
…the Corporate World, by Laura Spencer at WritingThoughts
…My First Job, by Pete Aldin at Great Circle
…Work, by Bob Glaza at One Reader at a Time
…Working at a Larger Company, by Jim Estill at CEO Blog – Time Leadership
…Homer Simpson About Jobs, by Jacob Share at JobMob
…a School Student About Business and People, by Yvonne Russell at Grow Your Writing Business
…From Industrial Cleaning, by Benjamin Penfold-Marwick at Hello Internet
…a Manlift, by Robert Hruzek at Middle Zone Musings

WILF #3, July ‘07, 18 entries: What I Learned From… Travel

… Travel – Diversity, by Karin H. at Stop/Start
… Travel, by Benjamin Penfold-Marwick at Hello Internet
… Travel, by themolk at themolk & Michelle’s Blog
… traveling in Mexico, by Joanna Young at Confident Writing
… Traveling In Mexico Without Knowing Spanish, by expatmom at ExPatMom
… my trip to Thailand, by mark at My Opinions Are Important
… Nature’s Amusement Parks, by N.O. Tate (note: this article is actually titled something else… and it isn’t even a blog… but so what? An entry is an entry!)
… the Coyote Hunters, by Nic Darling at Marketing Neophyte
… Travel, by Laura Spencer at WritingThoughts
… Being Abandoned in Mexico City, by Mike DeWitt at Spooky Action
… This Trip was Patience, by GL Hoffman at What Would Dad Say
… Travel, by Monique Attinger at Insurance Guide 101
… Working in Chile, by Terry Starbucker at Ramblings From a Glass Half Full
… Travel Writing, by Yvonne Russell at Grow Your Writing Business
… driving in India, by Rajaram S, at Thoughts of a Rambler
… Travel, by Rosa Say at Joyful Jubilant Learning
… the Passing Lane, by William Tully at LOGICal eMOTIONs
…Er, What Was That I Ate, Anyway?, by Robert Hruzek at Middle Zone Musings

WILF #4, August ‘07, 12 entries: What I Learned From… Vacations

… Forcing Myself to Watch TV, by Genesis at At Home Mom Blog
… Small Indulgences, the Four Seasons, and Ice Cream Sandwiches: What I Learned From Vacation, by GL Hoffman of What Would Dad Say?
… in Sedona, by Troy Worman of Orbit Now!
… Vacations, by Pete Aldin of Freaked Out Fathers
… Have Kids Will Travel: What I Learned, by Joe of Fathered Five
… Zoning Out, by Sam Brougher at Forest Azuaran
… My First Vacation in a Wheelchair, by Lillie Amman at A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye
… an Unscheduled Trip to the Bottom of the Grand Canyon, by Mike DeWitt at Spooky Action
… from two weeks on Skye, by Joanna Young, at Confident Writing
… Summer Vacation, by Nic Darling, at Marketing Neophyte
… Becoming Exceedingly Rich, Travelling the World, Drinking Coffee and Blogging About It, by Markk, at My Opinions Are Important
… What I Learned From Just Hanging Around, by Robert Hruzek at Middle Zone Musings

WILF #5, September ‘07, 19 entries: What I Learned From… Change

… Writing Online: It Does Make a Difference, by Rosa Say at Joyful Jubilant Learning
… My Chaotic Life, by Gavin Heaton at Servant of Chaos
… Seth Godin, by Bill Austin at Arizona High Tech Talent Partnership
… Phil Mickelson at the Deutsche Bank Championship, by Herman Najoli at Epic Flow
… (blank), by Patrizia Broghammer at VOIP
… My Client’s Expectations, by Karin H. at The Kiss Business Too
… What Have You Done So Far This Year, by Samara Leigh at Mindful Banter
… Changing My Children’s School, by Pete Aldin at Freaked Out Fathers
… Changing My Blog Template Every 15 Minutes, by Troy Worman at Orbit Now!
… networking out of my comfort zone, by Joanna Young at Confident Writing
… Mother Theresa, by Anna Lenardson at Anna’s Attic
… Change…ing Majors, by Sam Brougher at Forest Azuaron
… Change, by Bob Glaza at One Reader at a Time
… not (quite) changing, by Jon Swanson at Levite Chronicles
… 3 Things I Learned From Change, by Phil Gerbyshak at Slacker Manager
… Phil Mickelson: Applications for Change, by Herman Najoli in a follow-up to his first post listed above at Epic Flow
… Changing My Shopping Habits, by Laura Spencer at Writing Thoughts
… Getting Up Early, by the Homeschool Diva at Homeschool Diva
… Network Marketing, by Robert Hruzek at Middle Zone Musings

WILF #6, November ‘07, 23 entries: What I Learned From… Anything at All

… the Moonflower, by Anna at Anna’s Attic
… My First Sales Mentor, by Brad Shorr at Word Sell, Inc.
… Fighting With My Neighbor, by Genesis at her At Home Mom Blog
… a Currency, by Karin H. at The Kiss Business Too
… Signing Up For NaNoWriMo, by CSS at Here to Create
… John Wayne (or, Pulling the Trigger), by GL Hoffman at What Would Dad Say
… Life, by Patrizia at VOIP
… My 4-Month Old Daughter, by Eric Peterson at Leadership and Other Ramblings
… Starting Several Businesses, by John Crickett at Business Opportunities and Ideas
… Ellen Weber, by Robyn McMaster at Brain Based Biz
… Eavesdropping, by Bob Loch at Leadership Ramblings
… A Hole in the Sky, by Mike DeWitt at Spooky Action
… World Pool, by Derrick Kwa at Sui Generis
… Reading The Age of Conversation, by J. Erik Potter at J. Erik Potter
… Rejection, by Lillie Ammann at A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye
… Robert Hruzek, by Troy Worman at Orbit Now!
… Cloud, by Edith Brown at Jeteak Press Writer Blog
… My Son, by Dana Hanley at Principled Discovery
… Being Downsized, by Jean Browman at Stress to Power
… Podcasting, by Joanna Young at Confident Writing
… Waiting Backstage, by Jon Swanson at Levite Chronicles
… Striking Out on My Own, by Robert Hruzek at Middle Zone Musings
… Bob Ledbetter, by Robert Hruzek at Middle Zone Musings

WILF #7, December ‘07, 19 entries: What I Learned From The World of Sports

… (that’s all; just “What I Learned From…”), by Jackie Cameron at Consult Cameron
… Bloggers Who Think Differently, by Robin McMaster at Brain Based Biz
… Failure, by Pickel at My Two Boys
… Umpires: Calling Balls and Strikes, by GL Hoffman at What Would Dad Say
… Challenge, by Bob, at “Bob” Uncensored
… The World of Sports, by Jim Austin at Famous Quotes – Famous Sayings
… Sports, by Denise Kincy at Freelancing Journey
… Cricket, by Trevor Hampel at Trevor’s Writing
… The World of Sports, by Karin H. at Kiss Business Too
… High School Football, by Sterling Camden at Chip’s Quips
… Being a Bad Wrestler, by Brad Shorr at Word Sell, Inc.
… Quitting, by Sam Brougher at Your Scared Seductive System
… Old Man Soccer, by Jon Swanson at Levite Chronicles
… Sending My Akido Partner Through a Plate Glass Window, by Jean Browman at Transforming Stress to Power
… The World of Sports, by Lillie Amman at A Writer’s Words, and Editor’s Eye
… the language of Football, by Joanna Young at Confident Writing
… High School Sports, by Anna Lenardson at Anna’s Attic
… Youth Hockey, by Mike DeWitt at Spooky Action
… My First (and Only) Home Run, by Robert Hruzek at Middle Zone Musings

Blogapalooza! WILF #8, January ‘08, 30 entries: What I Learned From 2007 [Note: These entries were posted here at the Middle Zone. To read the entry, click on the blogger’s name; to visit their blogs, click on the blog’s name.]

… Brad Shorr, at Word Sell, Inc.
… Joanna Young, at Confident Writing
… Derrick Kwa, at Sui Generis
… Will Taft, at Will Taft.com – Healthy Living for People and Planet Earth
… Darlene Arachederra, at Creative Careers for Introverts
… John Crickett, at Business Opportunities and Ideas
… Sarah Stewart, at Sarah’s Musings
… Scott Roche, at Spiritual Tramp
… Etta Rose, at Edge of Insanity
… Sam Brougher, formerly at Forest Azuaron and now at Your Scared Seductive System
… Mike DeWitt, at Spooky Action
… Jean Browman, at Cheerful Monk
… Jean Browman (again!), at Transforming Stress Into Personal Power
… Isabella Mori, at Change Therapy
… Genesis Davies, At Home Mom
… Pelf Nyok, at The Giving Hands
… Jackie Cameron, at Jackie Cameron
… Trevor Hampel, at Trevor’s Writing
… Jon Swanson, at Levite Chronicles
… Anna Lenardson, at Anna’s Attic
… Deanna Misneach, at Soul Like a Spider
… Jacob Share, at JobMob
… Karen Zara, at Abaminds
… Lillie Ammann, at A Writer’s Words, an Editor’s Eye
… Pearl, at Fresh Perspectives
… Jeanne Dininni, at Writer’s Notes
… Karen Hanrahan, at Best of Mother Earth
… 2007 – Where has it gone! by Karin H. at The Kiss Business too
… What I Learned From What I Learned From 2007, by Nic Darling at Marketing Neophyte
… What I Learned From 2007, by Robert Hruzek at Middle Zone Musings

WILF #9, February ‘08, 20 entries: What I Learned From People

… Salvadore Dali, by Amy Palko at Lives Less Ordinary
… People, by Trevor Hampel at Trevor’s Writing
… Things I have learned from… People, by Sarah Stewart at Sarah’s Musings
… I don’t understand people! – sometimes, by Karin H. at The Kiss Business Too
… “young” people, by Jackie Cameron at Jackie Cameron
… My Business Mentors, by Brad Shorr at Word Sell, Inc.
… No Impact Man, by Karen Hanrahan at Best of Mother Earth
… People Watching, Sam Brougher at Your Scared Seductive System
… People with Down Syndrome, by Debby Y. at Three Weddings
… There’s Only One Word for What I Learned From People, by Joanna Young at Confident Writing
… People: The best mirrors of our lives, by Mike Botz (no blog – guest posted at MZM)
… the People we collectively call “our employees”, by Rosa Say at Managing with Aloha Coaching
… Kung Hee Fat Choy! What I Learned From Clara, by Rosa Say at Joyful Jubilant Learning
… the Blob in the Black Sweater, by Jean Browman at Transforming Stress Into Personal Power
… the Bass Player, by Pete Aldin at Freaked Out Fathers
… People with Magical Thinking, by Lillie Amman at A Writer’s Words, and Editor’s Eye
… a Physician with an Atrocious Bedside Manner, by Jeanne Dininni at Writer’s Notes
… People, by Stephen Sherlock at Quiet Poet
… One of the UK’s Best Known Business Authors, by Andrew Rondeau at Great Management
… a Complete Jerkbrain, by Robert Hruzek at Middle Zone Musings

WILF #10, March ‘08, 15 entries: What I Learned From the Law

… the Law, by ettarose at edgeofsanity.com
… the Law, by Sarah Stewart at Sarah’s Musings
… the law: insure to be sure, by Karin H. at Start/Stop
… the Law, by Sam Brogher at Your Scared Seductive System
… Testifying in Court, by Brad Shorr at Word Sell, Inc.
… Bureaucracy, by Ellen Weber at Brain Based Business
… 10 Things I Learned from Law and Order, by Jackie Cameron at JackieCameron.com
… Not Writing About What I Learned From the Law, by Joanna Young at Confident Writing
… the Law, by Karen Hanrahan at Best of Mother Earth
… What the Law Taught Me About Stress Management, by Jean Browman at Transforming Stress Into Personal Power
… Personal Injury Attorneys, by Debbie Yost at Three Weddings
… the Law of the Playground, by Amy Palko at Lives Less Ordinary
… the Law, by Lillie Ammann at A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye
… the Law as Applied to Writing, by Jeanne Dininni at Writers Notes
…Chaos, by Robert Hruzek at Middle Zone Musings

WILF #11, April ‘08, 43 entries: What I Learned From Odd Jobs (Combined project with Goodword Editing Blog)

Once Upon a Time I Was a Guinea Pig, by Marcus Goodyear at Goodword Editing
Steam Cleaning Carpets, by Brad Shorr at Word Sell, Inc.
Dr. Strangelove and Me: What I Learned From Riding Missiles, by G.L. Hoffman at What Would Dad Say
Lessons from Odd Jobs, by Mark D. Roberts at markdroberts.com
Lessons from Odd Jobs, by Dan King at Management by God
An Odd Lesson, by Shalene at A Proverbs 31 Woman Wannabe
Into the Ordinary, by L.L. Barkat at Seedlings in Stone
I Was a Fast Food BBQ Busboy, by Brandon Sanders at Words of Redemption
Not a Fry Cook on Venus, by Dave Zimmerman at Loud Time
My Life at Labor Temp, by Dan Roloff at Ramblin’ Dan
Odd Jobs, by Merrie DeStephano at Alien Dream
A Real Saturday Post - The Odd Job, by Rebecca Miller at A Christian Worldview of Fiction
I’ve Been Memed! Lessons About Odd Jobs, by Marlo B. Manitoba at The Joyful Christian Wife
My “Not So Odd” Jobs, by Jim Garland at The Genius’ Gumption
Lessons From Odd Jobs: You’re Fired, by Karl Edwards at Bold Enterprises
Snapshots From a Variety of Odd Jobs, by Jim Martin at A Place for the God-Hungry
On Memes and Special Things, by Carl Holmes at thoughtsofagyrovague.com
My First Job, by Gordon Atkinson at Excellence
What I Learned From Two Weeks as a Tomato, by Thursday Bram at thursdaybram.com
What I Learned From Odd Jobs, by Karen Hanrahan at Best of Mother Earth
What I Learned From… Odd Jobs, by Patrizia Broghammer at VoIP
What I Learned From Theatre Lighting, by Sam Brougher at Your Scared Seductive System
Things I Learned Being a Popsicle Man, by Otto Haugland at The OHO Report
Odd Jobs, by Tanya Dennis at In The Dailies
What I Learned From Sorting Apples, by Robyn McMaster at BrainBasedBiz
What I Learned From Pumping Gas, by Chris Brown at Branding & Marketing
What I Learned From Odd Jobs, by Sarah Stewart at Sarah’s Musings
What I Learned From Having a Job for a Day, by Trevor Hampel at Trevor’s Writings
What I Learned From Working in a Sweet Shop, by Joanna Young at Confident Writing
What I Learned From Being a Listening Post, by Jean Browman at Stress to Power
What I Learned From Odd Jobs - How Kids Start Off on the Entrepreneurial Trail, by Yvonne Russell at Home Biz Notes
What I Learned From Picking Zucchini, by Lisa Gates at 360 Alliance
Lessons Learned From Odd Moments on the Job, by Jacob Share at JobMob
My Non-Entry to MZM’s What I Learned From Odd Jobs, by Karen H. at Stop/Start
What I Learned From Odd Jobs, by Jackie Cameron at Jackie Cameron
What I Learned From Being a Pregnant Usherette, by Amy Palko at Lives Less Ordinary
What I Learned From Door-to-Door Sales, by Lillie Ammann at A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye
What I Learned From Sweeping Up Hair, by Drew McClellan at The Marketing Minute
A Lifetime of Odd Jobs, by Chris Cree at SuccessCREEations
The Strangest Job I Ever Had - And Lessons Learned, by Tim Miller at Spy Journal 3.0
Odd Jobs vs. the One Chosen Career, by Markk at My Opinions are Important
What I Learned From Really, Really Tired Feet, Robert Hruzek at Middle Zone Musings
(And from the comment box:) Ria Kennedy used to work in an apiary, which, in case you didn’t know, is a “bee yard”. But here’s the kicker: she used to be allergic to bee stings!

Stay tuned, folks; more to come!

10 Responses to “WILF”

# Mary Donnelly on Feb 2nd 2008 at 3:19 am

LOVE your logic and sense of sharing.

What is the February ‘08 subject?

Subject of interest suggestion for future writings - The Law.

For me specifically, I’m learning about this “guilty/not guilty” justice system. I am amazed that innocence is not an option. As a light bearer recently indicted on 8 counts of conspiracy to defraud the United States of America, I resent that the BEST a jury of my peers can find me is not guilty.

By the way, I have my own chicken and the egg theory. What is yours?

All Is Well,

Mary
# Robert Hruzek on Feb 2nd 2008 at 7:16 pm

Hello, Mary; thanks for the suggested topic. I think “the Law” a good one and we’ll use it for March’s project.

As for Feb. ’08’s topic… well, that would be telling! Stay tuned, though - all will be revealed on Monday morning, Feb. 4th!
# Robert @ reason4smile on Feb 25th 2008 at 10:01 am

Hi Robert,
It’s a really great idea.
It’s a very interesting way of sharing! I’ve got to know your site from Jean Browman.

I do believe that we can learn a lot of things from life. Blogging has made me on the lookout for wisdom, lookout for more opportunity on learning and sharing.

Looking forward to join one of your WILF in the future.
Cheers,
Robert
(we have the same name =D)
# Robert Hruzek on Feb 25th 2008 at 10:49 am

Howdy, Robert! What a great name!

Glad you found us, and hope you can participate with us every month!
# ettarose on Apr 4th 2008 at 11:12 am

I have a couple of ideas. What I learned from my child, and
What I learned from Blogging. Just some thoughts.
# Robert Hruzek on Apr 4th 2008 at 4:47 pm

Etta, I’ll give those some thought. Thanks for the ideas - keep ‘em coming!
# Middle Zone Musings » All Entries: What I Learned From Odd Jobson Apr 16th 2008 at 9:31 am

[…] WILF […]
# 12 ways you can become a great friend : Reason-4-Smile Weblogon Apr 25th 2008 at 12:10 pm

[…] It’s called Project Reason-4-Smile: Our Friends. I have to say that it is inspired by the “What I Learn From…” Project series from Robert Hruzek. Similarly, I am going to have a series of Project Reason-4-Smile on the […]
# Middle Zone Musings » Coming Soon, to a Screen Near You!on Apr 29th 2008 at 12:23 pm

[…] WILF […]
# What I learn from messing up with mashing up | Reason-4-Smile Weblogon May 15th 2008 at 7:49 am

[…] Hruzek has initiated projects title “What I Learn From” or WILF, it’s a group writing project where you are given a challenge about what you have learned […]

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WILF

10 Responses to “WILF”

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