And The Pig Fell In the Mud
What got you started blogging?
Like every month, I sat in a meeting with my editor and boss. We were discussing Google Analytics for one of our clients and figuring out what articles have been receiving the most traffic, shares, Facebook likes, and all of that fun stuff. I left the meeting armed with topic ideas for next month.
On my way home, I started thinking about why I love blogging and why I love writing.
It started at a very young age. My mom, a published writer, had the best bedtime stories. They always started with a pig who was always going somewhere and no matter what, somehow the pig fell in the mud.
I became entranced with this unlikely hero and the conflict that always seemed to encircle him. To me, as a 5-year-old, the plot was thick and the story was full of comedy. At that young age, I knew that someday I wanted to write.
Figuring out Google Analytics is not a favorite part of my job and sometimes writing can be overwhelming. I’d like to tell you that every Sunday night, I sit at my desk, in my New York City apartment, smoking a cigarette, writing the life lesson I learned that week, just like Sex in the City’s Carrie Bradshaw. I’d like to say that, but the reality of a dream is not always romantic.
Have you ever felt that way? You started off with stars in your eyes, pursuing a great dream and then at times disappointment sets it. So how do we keep the passion for what we do alive? How to we fight back against the disappointment that comes with pursuing our dreams.
- Give Yourself a Break: You are your own biggest critic. Let yourself breath for a second.
- Count the Smallest as a Success: If you are only looking to the big stuff to define your success, you are forgetting all the small stuff that you do on a daily basis.
- Do Not Give Up
Helen Keller said,“We can do anything we want to do, if we stick to it long enough.”
In the blogging world, it can feel like your blog and hard work is invisible. I love how Michael Stelzner of Social Media Examiner describes it. He stated something similar to: Blogging is like owning your own newspaper and you get to be the publisher.
Instead of allowing blogging to overwhelm us, let’s combine our passion with our ability to publish.
I would love to hear how your passion got ignited.
Blogging is actually what got me started on my path to web development. I lost my house in a brush fire and started blogging about it. Then I started watching my analytics and found that I was actually ranked #1 and pulling traffic from around the world. And then I started doing it for others.
I think the Sticking to It is important advice. It’s easy to get discouraged sometimes, especially when we rely on data that isn’t responding the way we expect or want.
Brooke, I agree, sticking to it is so important. I am amazed at how you were able to take a terrible situation, like losing your home and turn it into a successful passion. Thank you for your comment.
First of all, the title is absolutely stellar! Rock on!
Writing definitely comes easier to some than others, but the main key to blogging successfully – IMHO, is being true to your own tone and style. Trying to write in a style not your own will sound stilted and possibly even jaded.
Mallie, Thank you so much for your comment. You are right on, writing in your own style and tone will get your farther than writing in someone else’s. And to quote the great Dr. Seuss, “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
Thanks for the post. I like your analogy of Sex and the City and how life isn’t always that sexy. I just started blogging and feel very intimidated at times. I find myself comparing my writing to others who have been writing for much longer than I have. I need to remember to give myself a break and count the small successes!
Heather, Thank you so much for commenting! I am the same way. I have a hard time feeling successful in this business if I don’t keep in mind those small successes. Good luck in your blogging and your successes big or small.
The hardest part of blogging is getting started. Persevere and you will succeed!
Jen, thanks for commenting. I think it took me about 6 months before I really felt like I had this blogging thing under control. I am so thankful I kept with it.
You nailed it here! Even our dreams have SOME mundane tasks attached. We just have to keep going and before we know it, the fun stuff waaaay outweighs the bad!
And, – good for you, knowing at such an early age what you would love to do. Your Mom sounds cool!
Martha, my mom is really cool. Thanks for your comment. I love what you said about the fun stuff weighing out the bad. That is so true!
Love the article. I too, get stuck writing sometimes and I am so quick to blame ESL. I was 18 when I immigrated to the US and English became my new language of choice. My writing style is ‘stuck’ in 7th grade, I feel, but guess what? Doing some research on this topic made me feel good, because research shows you should target your blog posts to the reading ability of an average 8th grader. I should be fine, then.
Love the ‘pig in the mud’ title. I have five kids and I still love reading to them and telling them stories! Great read.
Dorien, you know, I’ve heard that too about the 8th grade reading level. So you are right on! Thanks so much for your comment.
This is really great because I know I put a lot of pressure on myself regarding my blog. Lately I’ve found it easier to create content for my clients than for myself. I love the three points you highlight! I’m going to make those into a note by my desk!
Shannon, I know what you mean about sometimes it being easier to write blog articles for your clients than yourself. Thank you so much for your comment!