Why Do You Blog?

I have a reader (yes, I do have 1 as far as I can tell) and she is thinking of starting a blog. She would like to gather insights from those of us who have already done so.

She asks,"How did you determine to begin a blog? What are your process ? Are there any pitfalls?"

I will start and then open the conversation up to anyone who wants to join in. Yes, that means you!

I started to blog because my very best friend from college told me to. Do I usually do what she tells me to do? Usually. So, although I started because of someone else, I continue for myself. I continue to blog because of 3 simple reasons:

• I love to write
• I have something to say
• I am part of a much larger conversation

I have been blogging for about 2 1/2 years and it continues to be a journey for me. Hindsight is 20/20 and rather than speaking from what I know now, I will share posts that reflect my steps along the way.

Early on I considered who I would tell about my blog and whether or not I wanted to post anonymously. I discovered that blogging allowed me to move forward while capturing the past. My journey was not at all bump free and some of my bumps included the blogging blues and finding my niche.

Blogging is about taking an issue that resonates with you and creating connections with other people, their thoughts, and their ideas. It is about learning from others and expanding your horizons and it is about new ideas. Blogging is about reflection. Blogging is about insight that moves you forward by small steps and then, when you are least expecting it, by a light year.

Some newer blogs and their authors to check out are Micheal Long, The Red Recruiter, Trish McFarlane, HR Ringleader's Blog; Kelly Mittons, Life Student; Ben Eubanks, Upstart HR and ADowling, Psuedohr's Blog. These are just a few, there are so many more! You can check out more blogs on my Great Reads list.

So in response to your question, blogging is definitely something you should try. If you have any questions or need any support, advice or assistance along the way, I am here to help.

Who's with me on this?

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Creative Pathways

Bedtime stories. I used to be able to get by reading bedtime stories from a book to my daughter. Now she wants me to make a bedtime story up each night. I tell her I am not a storyteller. I tell her I am not creative. She listens and then she tells me to stop insulting myself. She tells me that I am creative and that my stories are good. My daughter is 8 yrs old and she is one smart cookie.

Another smart cookie is a friend of mine, Deb Owen. I met Deb through her blog 8 hours & a lunch about 3 years ago. At that time, she was working for a company. Now, she is working for herself. She is the living, breathing embodiment of figuring out what you want to do for yourself - and DOING IT. Change, reinvention and commitment to self? Deb has been there, done it (well) and is ready to share what she has learned with others.

Deb is offering a cool new course called "Creative Pathways," ideal for thoughtful do-ers who are unclear of what their ideal life looks like - or what steps to take to get there. If you are ready to figure out what you really want and GO for it, check it out DJO Creative's "Creative Life Coaching Series."

Go. Go right now. You owe it to yourself to take a look.

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