Who’s Picking You Up From The Train Station?

by Tim Jahn on July 7, 2010

I recently moved out to the suburbs of Chicago after having lived in the city for two and a half years. As a result, I now take the regional commuter train when I head into the city.

We don’t live as close to the train station as I had hoped. We’re only a mile and a half away, but I’ve clocked that to be a 27 minute walk exactly. And I’m a fast walker. It’s only a 7-8 minute bike ride. And I love bike riding. But even then, I’m often traveling with a backpack full of my laptop, laptop gear, video camera, video gear, etc, which isn’t always conducive to walking or biking.

So my wife often drives me to the train station and picks me up when I return at the end of the day. Sometimes, I get home late, as the trains don’t run as frequently as the evening wears on. If I miss the 7:45pm, I have to wait for the 8:45. If I miss the 8:45, I have to wait for the 9:45. Who knows what happens if I miss the 9:45. I’ve been lucky so far.

It’s an hour train ride from the city to my local train station, outside of rush hour express trains. And the trains have gradually gotten worse at sticking to the schedule over the past few years.

But she still picks me up. She’s there at the train station, waiting for me, after I’ve left her all day for meetings, interviews, lunches, and the like.

When you’re an entrepreneur, swimming against the flow (or trying to convince others that the flow should be going the other way), you need this kind of support. Someone to support your good ideas. Your bad ideas. Your crazy ideas. Your crazy-but-hey-wait-that-could-work ideas.

You need someone to bring you back to reality every once in a while. To remind you of what’s important. To remind you why you’re you.

Who’s picking you up from the train station?

(photo credit)

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Crosberg

I like to think that anyone I'm willing to pick up from the train station is willing to do the same for me. And that anyone who is willing to do it for me, I'd be willing to do it for. It's good to know that you can rely on your significant other/partner, your family, etc. But I think what's more astounding, and in some ways powerful, is knowing that there are other people, people you met at a Tweetup, or a birthday party, or you used to work with who are willing to give you a ride, ask you to teach a class or staff a panel with them, host an event, or start a business. It's amazing to see what a sense of community, even a loose one, can do to create these connections, to support them. I'm proud to say that a good chunk of the people who I would call when stuck at an airport, in need of a co-host, looking for advice, etc. are people I met, strictly speaking, because of the internet. I try not to take for granted the fact that I am fortunate enough to live in a city and exist in an online community where I can meet people like this. Not everyone is so fortunate.
http://www.BeyondThePedway.com Tim Jahn

I couldn't agree with ya more. The sense of community that can be fostered from websites, forums, live video chats, etc. is really mind blowing sometimes. The advent of the Internet and increasingly social mediums/tools created on top of it have definitely made the creation of a community much smoother and easier.

I often forget that you and I are fortunate to live in not only a big city, but a big city full of so many genuine, caring, Midwestern folks who are willing to lend a hand just to lend a hand.

Thanks for the GREAT reminder, Caitlin!
http://caligater.com/ Cali Harris

Loved this vivid snapshot, Tim. You're so fortunate to have a wife that supports you in your ventures in that way; having someone there to “picking you up” (in more ways than one…) is so crucial.

While my immediate family and my closest friends are willing to pick me up, lately I've discovered the support of new acquaintances and future-friends. I spend a LOT of time meeting people and making connections…and it's been THOSE “new” people that are exceedingly supportive of my life-work. It's amazing to have a near-stranger be willing to pick you up from the train station.

Thanks for sharing this, Tim! Good stuff, as always.
http://www.BeyondThePedway.com Tim Jahn

Crucial indeed. I think it's probably the most important element of the journey, because without someone there to lean on, to hash out ideas with, to reel you back into reality, you're going to implode (or explode!).

Caitlin touched on this idea of new connections too in the comment above, and I'm glad you did as well! I didn't even think of this part when I wrote this post, but hearing both of you touch upon it is great. I agree, in that it's so cool when near strangers are willing to support you in your endeavors and learn about what you're doing.

Thanks for dropping by Cali, always glad to see ya here!
http://caligater.com/ Cali Harris

Loved this insight, Caitlin! Funny, I had this post open in my browser for a couple hours before posting a comment, so I hadn't refreshed to see your comment. I think it's awesome–and telling–that we both were compelled to share the idea that strangers (for all intents and purposes) may be willing to pick us up at the train station. And I love that you remind yourself to not take it for granted — that's a good reminder for me!
Crosberg

Thanks Cali! Yet another reminder that great minds think alike (and so do ours xD). I have to work really hard not to take for granted that I'm so fortunate to have this city and these people in my life. I think back to the nascent days of Facebook and some of my more ill-advised forays into online dating, and it reminds me that you can't always trust people from the web. I get questions about it all the time (especially from people a little older than I, a little more hesitant about using the internet for networking) and it always reminds me how lucky I am that I don't have to worry about going to a Tweetup…I just go, knowing that I'll be surrounded by mostly awesome people.
Crosberg

Thanks Cali! Yet another reminder that great minds think alike (and so do ours xD). I have to work really hard not to take for granted that I'm so fortunate to have this city and these people in my life. I think back to the nascent days of Facebook and some of my more ill-advised forays into online dating, and it reminds me that you can't always trust people from the web. I get questions about it all the time (especially from people a little older than I, a little more hesitant about using the internet for networking) and it always reminds me how lucky I am that I don't have to worry about going to a Tweetup…I just go, knowing that I'll be surrounded by mostly awesome people.
Sindy

Our fast world of media continues to post the majority of awful happenings in the world fostering fear. The majority of the people in this world are very good. A current example of that is what Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are doing. They are trying to foster good will in the world. I, for one, am grateful that media has chosen to spread this wonderful news.

For the first time in history we have 5 generations working together and multiple cultures. We develop relationships more quickly to determine who we can trust and who we want to do business with. Yes, I would give someone a ride to the train station. We need all the help we can get these days. People are helping people more now than ever before, you just don’t hear about it. Spread the word when you see random acts of kindness. Use your social media to report the good. I do! http://www.twitter.com/SindyMartin
Sindy

Our fast world of media continues to post the majority of awful happenings in the world fostering fear. The majority of the people in this world are very good. A current example of that is what Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are doing. They are trying to foster good will in the world. I, for one, am grateful that media has chosen to spread this wonderful news.

For the first time in history we have 5 generations working together and multiple cultures. We develop relationships more quickly to determine who we can trust and who we want to do business with. Yes, I would give someone a ride to the train station. We need all the help we can get these days. People are helping people more now than ever before, you just don't hear about it. Spread the word when you see random acts of kindness. Use your social media to report the good. I do! http://www.twitter.com/SindyMartin

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