Here’s my main mission statement for Urban Monk.Net. While I will review it occasionally, I doubt it will change even after 20 years.

To make as big a positive difference in the happiness, consciousness, personal power, and lives of as many people as possible, primarily through writings, interaction with readers, and recommendations. Maximise website traffic and profit without compromising the first statement, reader experience and benefit, and the author’s honesty and integrity.

Sounds high-minded and snobby, but I mean it. Read the last section to find out why.

Here are the supporting statements, as of 2007. They will probably change, although always for the better - and always in support of the main mission statement. For example, free high quality articles may change to free high quality videos if I ever find a need for it. But I will never downgrade.

1. Provide free high quality articles in any area of personal development I feel qualified to write about.
2. Pour my heart into each article - if even one person has changed their lives as a result, it will be worth it.
3. To emphasize practicality, usefulness, and honesty - I won’t recommend anything I’ve never used to good effect myself.
4. To always improve myself so I can continue making a difference. The moment I stop growing, so does the site.
5. Never sell out - while I will recommend products and make money from these recommendations, I won’t sell anything that I do not believe will make a big positive difference.
6. And lastly, to make a sustainable living as a professional blogger.

A brief history to the website

I initially began the blog with a 20% desire to help others, and 80% to cynically make the kind of money the A-list bloggers are making.

But as UrbanMonk.Net began to grow, I began getting feedback - sometimes from email, comments, forums, or from other blogs. They talk about how I’ve lifted them out of everything ranging from common stress to depression and inspired them to change their lives around. That’s when I realised - “Oh My God. I really am making a huge difference in lives.” It really, really humbled me.

That’s when I began to switch. While it is still a goal to make it as a successful A-list blogger and get paid, it is genuinely secondary. My primary goal is to reach and lift as many people as I can. Even if there is no chance for making a living, I would still do it. I know this is thrown around in mission statements everywhere, but this is a real passion. This is a real life purpose.