We all have it. That THING that drives us forward. That one (or maybe more than one) reason we sit up until the wee hours of the morning typing on our blogs. Our WHY.
Do you know what yours is? What is your blog’s purpose? Is it important to you? Are you passionate about it – or is this something to do just because you think you’re supposed to?
A “supposed to” Why isn’t going to get you very far. Sure, you’ll post diligently for a few weeks (maybe) and then…it will begin to get harder to think of things to post about. And then…you’ll realize you haven’t posted in weeks, maybe months – and you’ll wonder if anyone will remember you. (Here’s a free tip – they won’t.)
If you’re not clear about your Why, then you don’t really have a guiding light. Sure, maybe it’s to make money online. But is that really your Why?
It’s been my experience that the blogger whose Why is bigger than themselves – and often outside of themselves – have the most passion, zeal, focus and success for what they’re trying to accomplish with their blog.
And it doesn’t usually have anything to do with making money. That’s a very nice side benefit. But if you get into a blogging situation just because you want to make money – and nothing else – you’ll likely go after it half-assed and without a plan. Heck, even if you’ve planned out the wazoo and are focused and driven, without a passionate Why – one that comes from the heart – you won’t see the results you long for.
What I’m saying is that you really need to have emotional skin in the game. Own it. Attach meaning to what you efforts can do – if not for you, for others. Give your work greater meaning and suddenly it isn’t about the money anymore. It’s about how you can improve someone’s life through your words; it’s how you can further your beliefs or cause to make others aware; it’s educating and passing on your hard earned learnings to save someone else the pain and time you’ve had to spend. It’s sharing a piece of yourself with the world with no strings attached.
If you only blog because you think you have to – I urge you to think again.
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It’s absolutely true, a lot of folks start blogging for no other reason than they feel they are supposed to have a blog, because it’s de rigeur, or because they are envious of others’ blogging success. No ‘why’, and the blog quickly dies an early and deserved death.
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
You are absolutely right, Nick!
Twitter: SheilaAtwood
says:
Lisbeth,
I find that I have to remind myself often of my purpose. There is something about the virtual world that is so different from doing business in the real world.
I think it is because there is nothing tangible. There is nothing to make it solid.
So it is easy for me to forget what my purpose and go off in the wrong direction. Now with my brick and mortar business. I get in the car go to my clients house and work. The path and purpose is much more defined.
Sheila Atwood recently posted..I Said Blog Disclaimer and You Yawned
Twitter: coachdiana11
says:
Hi Lisbeth,
You have such a way with words! “Own It” really resonates with me. I feel passionate about what I do and reading this post, I feel I need to make it concrete by writing it out clearly why I am blogging.
On days where I have my blocks or I am procrastinating, I am going to read my WHY. I am sure that will get me started again
Love the way you write and thanks for the reminder!
Diana recently posted..Interpreting My Dream
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
Diana, thanks so much. I’m glad you found inspiration in my words.
Twitter: leannechesser
says:
Lisbeth, your post is very powerfully written. My WHY for blogging is the same as my WHY for my business (blogging is a significant part of how I do my business) and it flows from my purpose/mission and passions in life. It’s all about educating and making a difference in the lives of others.
Leanne Chesser recently posted..Communicate Your Message to Your Market
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
Wow, thank you, Leanne! Powerfully written – cool! And you are definitely making a difference.
Great points, Lisbeth! For just about everything we do, we have to have a WHY if we want to maintain momentum. My WHY for blogging is exactly what gets me up early and keeps me up late at night. The great thing is, I’m so passionate about it, I have to make myself stop.
Roz K Walker recently posted..Friday’s Inner Glow- The Power of Enthusiasm
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
Great point, Roz. It’s not just about blogging, it’s about everything we do. Thanks for adding to the conversation.
Great post, Blogging isn’t Blogging without passion! Without passion you won’t get commitment, enthusiasm, focus, diligence, consistency, quality or longevity. I feel passionate enough about Blogging to say that! Smile and enjoy! People that don’t enjoy Blogging, really shouldn’t do it! They should take up jogging, it almost sounds the same!
Peter L Masters MCIM recently posted..Social Media solutions- So you want to be a power house Blogger Use WordPress and StumbleUpon!
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
Peter, you’re preaching to the choir! Well said.
Twitter: digi_mom
says:
The one thing that drives me forward is my desire to be here for my kids, as much as I can as a mother, any thing I can do to contribute to my family that allows me to do that pushes me forward. I am blessed to be able to use my art as one of my key contributors.
Lucretia Nickell recently posted..Turning Illustrations To Graphics
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
Lucretia, being there for your family strikes me as being a #1 reason Why. Thanks so much for coming by.
Twitter: DressingMyTruth
says:
Good point!
Being passionate about your blog can make all the difference. Like you said, for one thing, it will be easier to think of topics, but it also will be easier to sustain enthusiasm for writing.
Jeanine
Jeanine recently posted..30 Day Wardrobe Challenge- Decisions- Decisions!
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
So true, Jeanine!