When I was cleaning up the office I found some old blogging notes from BlissDom 2010 and wanted to share some thoughts with you. From one of the Keynote sessions in which Kevin Caroll was talking about “The Rules of the Red Rubber Ball” – one of the seven rules mentioned really struck me; “Commit to It”.
How committed are you to your blogging? To your freelance writing?
I know writer’s who complain about the state of the print industry, but haven’t sent a query out in three months. Or six months. Or ever. I know bloggers who email me for “secrets to success” and feel angry when I tell them to keep writing! Keep posting! Keep on keeping on!
Direct Sales and Blogging – An Analogy
I think in some ways blogging is kind of like direct sales companies. Some people do really well – after working really hard. And some people see what those inspiration people have done, sign up and wait for the paychecks to roll in – muttering in confusion and anger when it fails to happen. Complain to others about the scams.
I’ve seen direct sales success first hand in my family. I’ve seen blogging success and social media success first hand amongst very close friends.
These people have one thing in common. They. Work. Hard. They are the ones up at midnight. They are the ones NOT playing Rancher-Town on Facebook. They are the ones who are willing to post (call). Even when they don’t feel like it.
Because they have goals and they are committed to them.
I learn so much and am so inspired from seeing these women in action. One of them I am blessed to call “Mom”. Others I call friends. All of them I consider mentors and examples to learn from.
This is so simple, but I really believe it to be true. And it’s exactly the kind of reminder/inspiration that hard working folks like us could use! Thanks!
Hard work is always the right way…
You are so right, it is all about keep on keeping on, and lots of hard work!
I’ve definitely witnessed this first-hand. Although I have not at all reached “success” by many standards, I have realized that when I commit and keep writing (even when I don’t feel like it) I get more comments, visitors, subscribers, etc., but the moment I back away is the moment all that stops. You get what you put in. The thing I’m still working on is finding balance and keeping my priorities straight.
Having worked in the corporate support side for a huge direct sales company, this is so true. You think that just because so and so did it, you can too. And you probably can, if you work as hard as they have. Anybody who is successful in blogging or direct sales has worked hard to achieve it!
Bernice
There are no two ways about it. You have to put the hard work in to get results. It takes time and effort and it may even mean not doing the washing up! But it’s really worth it.
Hey Angela, I have seen you around on Suite101, plus we are linked on Twitter I think, so it is funny to bump into your site via Stumbleupon! Anyway, nice post and it makes a lot of sense to me – simple and to the point.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Andy.
I agree also! It’s easy to look at others and think, “Why aren’t I making that kind of money?” without realizing that they have worked and worked to get to that point. Just dig in and keep working.
It also made me think of Chitty-chitty Bang-bang when they want the Grandpa to fix the car and they mutter “nose ze grindstone.” Obviously I’m tired. 🙂 “From the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success.”