I feel like I am trying to walk through syrup in January. Not just any kind of syrup. The really thick syrup. If it’s January, that means it’s cold, so that syrup is going to be really thick, making it incredibly difficult to walk through!
Water, I wish it felt like I was walking through water. Not in January, but in June. Flowing easily and maneuvering around any obstacles in its path! Nope, it doesn’t feel like that yet!
Starting a blogmakes me crazy sometimes. Starting a blog, for me, feels like walking through cold syrup, not water!
If you’ve ever tried to start a blog, then you understand where I’m coming from.
So what is it about starting a blog that makes us feel like we are never going to see success?
I believe its the process. It can be long and tedious. A seemingly never ending process of trying to get things to come together. All the while feeling like you’re getting nowhere! You know, like walking through syrup, dag nab that sticky stuff!
There are, in my opinion, certain universal truths when starting a blog:
►Wanting the blog to be successful.
►Wanting posts that draw readers in.
►Wanting people to think, “Wow, I relate to this!” or “That’s funny!”
►Wanting the stories to touch, change, challenge, or encourage people!
►Wanting followers, lots and lots of followers!
►Wanting those followers to return time and time again.
►Wanting to be a part of something bigger than ourselves!
►Wanting to be in community with other bloggers!
►Wanting to perhaps make money!
Then of course, there’s the question.
How will all of this ever happen?
Well, I suppose that old tale of the Tortoise and the Hare applies, now doesn’t it?
You know, slow and steady and all that jazz?
Yeah, slow and steady!
I’m sure blogging success is more like the tortoise than the hare!
Let’s keep in mind a simple equation, shall we?
►►Fast does not necessarily equal Success◄◄
Fast success probably isn’t realistic; It would certainly make blogging life more exciting, but it’s probably not going to happen.
I’m imagining, slow and steady is more than likely the pace of the blogging start-up race!
Being the hare would be nice but probably not nearly as educational and self growth oriented.
Believe it or not, learning can happen through the slow start-up process!
►Learning slow is not a bad thing. It allows us to find out what we want from our blog & blogging life.
►Learning some things takes time. What is HTML anyway? What makes a good title? How do I gain more readers?
►Learning greatness doesn’t happen fast. The Michael Jordan’s of the world didn’t get to greatness overnight. What makes us think we will?
►Learning who we are as a blogger. What kind of blogger do we want be? Want kind of commitment are we willing to make?
►Learning what we want to say to the blogging world. Is it about family? A personal story? Photography? Whats the purpose the world is going to see?
► Learning to be patient and gracious with and to ourselves. So we don’t have a thousand followers like blog ABC does, that’s okay, we’re on our way!
I’m thinking the process as a tortoise, not really the cold syrup part, but definitely the tortoise, is the key to successful blogging!
It’s about taking time.
►Taking time to learn the design, the writing, the readers, ourselves.
►Taking time to look at other blogs. Not just blogs that look like ours, but all kinds.
►Taking time to learn that ideas & inspiration can come from all kinds of sources.
►Taking time to really think about what the goal is.
►Taking time to be real with and true to ourselves.
►Taking time to listen. Listen to feedback. To what others are saying or doing.
►Taking time to implement things in an individual and unique way, that’s just right.
►Taking time to know slow is the way to go!
It’s about, remembering the tortoise won the race.
He didn’t win it fast, but he persevered and trusted in himself, which led to him finally winning the race!
Blogging Greatness, its just around the corner…no matter how long it takes to get there! Go Be a Tortoise and Win Your Race!
Hey Ya’ll, I’m Robyn, a 40 something-ish, eh-hum, working, Christian wife & mom with a passion for faith, reading, writing, frugality, simplicity, diy-ing, compassion, and love. In my world it’s about trying to figure out how to walk by faith in this sometimes maddening life. It’s about Loving to Live Simply & Simply Living to Love!
In December of 2012, I married my Mr. Right, Hottie Scotty! He’s the hottest thing since sliced bread as far as I’m concerned! We’ve both been around the block before, but this time, we got it right! Together we have three boys and a girl! Scott’s kids (the oldest boy & only girl) are both graduated & on their own. My kids (the middle two boys) are a sixth grader & a Junior (they’re with us part-time as I share parent time with their dad). Life here is NEVER dull, to say the least!
I work really hard to live by my mantra: Loving to Live Simply & Simply Living to Love.There’s nothing better than finding ways to do things as simply as possible. I’m always looking for the next frugal thing, whether that’s groceries or free adventures for my family. My greatest challenge is trying to simply love people the way I am loved (sometimes, folks can make this a REALLY BIG challenge). Still, it’s what I strive for.
Each day is a challenge to stay between the navigational buoys, but with my family by my side, I manage.
Reading is my passion with writing as a very close second, at least that’s what my Master degree says! When I’m not writing, working or being frugal, I’m reading.
I decided to blog because I think our family dynamics are worth sharing! Writing about our joys & struggles may just shine the light for someone who is living in darkness. I’m here to let my life light shine! Hope you’ll join me!