When my great blogging buddy Beth Hewitt contacted me several weeks ago about the 30 Day Blogging Challenge, I was hesitant to even read about it. What came to my mind was “Another thing to do?” But what happened was this kept tugging at my mind.
Well, If you know me, once I get that little red flag, I have to face it and see what it is REALLY all about. So I sat in a quiet place and reviewed all the excuses I had not to do this.
EXCUSES!!! I don’t like it when my mindset goes into the excuse mode.
Deep breath…deep breath. I focused on what would drive me to blog every day. What exactly would make me happy about doing it.
What came to my mind was swimming. For years, I didn’t swim because I was almost drowned as a child. Oh I enjoyed it before that. I high dived, and you couldn’t get me out of the water. But one day, it occurred to me that I had to face that fear because I was missing out on the enjoyment of swimming.
I challenged myself. I joined a gym where they had a pool. Mind you, I would start panicking if my feet couldn’t touch the bottom of the pool. So I started slowly, only swimming to a spot where my feet could touch the ground, all the while pretending that they couldn’t. Long story short: I can swim again! I am no longer afraid. That is a breakthrough.
When my mind says no, you can’t, you shouldn’t, it brings up a red flag for me. So here I am, in a blogging challenge for the next 30 days.
What is the motivation? Well, I would have to say competition. Not with anyone else, but with myself. That’s the best competition! Plus Beth Hewitt has been around a long time and she is a well respected blogger.
So place your bets my friends and let’s see if I can do this!
Oh…By the way, you can join me if you like by going here:
http://simplebloggingnetwork.com/blog-post-challenge/
Donna, I will place a bet that you accomplish this; since we have connected in the blogging world I haven’t seen you not finish a challenge.
Knowing you as I have come to, I feel even if you find that you are not able to finish in the manner that you would like, it would be because of a rational choice and not an “excuse”. I am very confident that you will finish and excel.
I will not partake of the challenge right now because I feel that I want to get my WordPress Blog up and running before I do an major blogging. I am excited; being a “techy” or a “geek” I love the learning.
Michael,
You know me well lol!
I’m pretty much in competition with myself. The best thing about this challenge is that I am back to doing videos which I had many “excuses” not to do – and adding them in my blog posts.
Writing every day has already given me the guideline to finish that darn book on the “shelf”
Wishing you the best at becoming a “geek” lol
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..The Inner Marketer Day 4
Blog challenges are great. If they give you a way to be held more accountable, you can probably pick up making a better habit at blogging.
It is an excuse to not blog. Even if it is 300 words, it should be at least 10 to 15 minutes to put aside to blog.
Nile recently posted..Be Careful When Title Baiting
Excellent advice Nile!
I joined the challenge because I was blogging once a week and wanted to ramp it up a bit.
Now, with only five days under my belt, I am finding it easier to flow.
Thanks for visiting,
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..The Inner Marketer Day 4
Twitter: WillenaRose
January 5, 2013 at 10:18 pm #
Ah yes… Excuses. As one of my mentors is fond of saying, “Any excuse will do!” Reading your post gives me hope that even I can do it. I have two blogs… one is for business, and the other is my new writing blog that I really haven’t advertised yet. I haven’t been keeping up with either one of them very well lately, and this might be just the key that will unlock the door to my inertia. ~ Willena
Hi Willena,
When I get those “excuses” in my mind I pay attention. Keeping up with two blogs does require a lot of attention. As long as you do things consistently, you will have no problem at all.
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..The Inner Marketer Day 4
LOL. I have to say that sometimes I hate those little red flags or niggles as I call them. It always makes you push past your comfort zone, but most of they time it really does help to find out what this is all about and do something about it. I just got done with a blog challenge. It did wonders for me. Wish you the best of luck and hope your challenge brings about awesome results for you.
Hi Gen!
Great to see you. When those red flags come up, it is time to listen!
I’m only on day 5 of my challenge and it is very time consuming, but I am practicing to write and need to finish a book I had started. This has given me not only a kick in the you know where, but has reinforced me to write on a consistent basis.
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..The Inner Marketer Day 4
Twitter: AdrienneSmith40
January 3, 2013 at 1:45 pm #
I think these types of challenges are good Donna for people who need to learn to be more consistent. You and I are NOT those people. That’s the main reason I’ll never join one of these challenges. This is not an area I need help with.
But, I wish you the best of luck with this challenge and if you put your mind to it you will finish it.
Good luck!
~Adrienne
Adrienne recently posted..2013 Here I Come
Hi Adrienne,
The reason I joined is because my blog tends to flip flop in content. I wanted to get a clear direction and write more in the personal development field rather than the marketing one.
As I looked back on my posts from 2012, I noticed that I seemed to be all over the place with content. I need to discipline myself to be a better blogger.
This seems to be doing the trick for me. Its that Law of Attraction once again. It was on my list to be more focused on the subject matter of my blog for this year and boom….this came about.
Thanks Adrienne!
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..The Inner Marketer Day 1
Twitter: Barbara Charles
January 3, 2013 at 11:12 am #
Awwwww Damn Donna! LOL! I didn’t want to read this and now you done made me do it! And it’s nagging at me too! Doggoneit!! Heading over to the link
Much love,
Barbara
Barbara Charles recently posted..Happy New Year 2013 – Dare To Dream!
He He He Barbara,
Come on..you can do it. It doesn’t have to be 30 days, it can be 15 or whatever you are comfortable with. Beth is great and has been cheering us on. I know her from way back in the day and she is a great leader.
Plus, I’m meeting so many new people it is amazing!
Beth makes things simple to do so…why not join in?
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..The Inner Marketer Day 1
Good for you, Donna! You never know, after 30 days you may want to see if you can go for 60 🙂
So although this is not the challenge for me, I’m totally on board with squashing those can’ts in our brains. As soon as my brain says “no”, I ask “why not?”
Looking forward to reading whatever wisdom you have to share.
Carol Lynn recently posted..Content Marketing Trends For 2013: 5 Questions With Joe Pulizzi, CEO Of The Content Marketing Institute
Thanks so much Carol.
Who knows? I might become a daily blogger? I know this is not a challenge for you because you can bang out so many awesome posts and articles. I wish I had your talent!
And yes, when my brain says no…I immediately say why too.
Thanks,
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..The Inner Marketer Day 1
Donna you have it right.
Everyday comes and goes. There are so many times we don’t push ourselves or we get stuck into patterns we are comfortable with. It is challenges like this allow us to push ourselves into the possibility we have within.
You have it right. Jumping in and going for it is one of the few ways we can find just what we are capable of.
Thanks for the invitation.
Teach Jim recently posted..Buiding More Than a Bristle Bot – Relationships Take Time!
Hi Jim,
Well, it has been a while since we have connected. I still remember vividly in my mind the course I took with you on time management. Oh yes, I have applied that to my DMO and I thank you.
I’m pushing myself on this one only because I want to do an exercise that will improve my writing and direction of my blog.
Thanks for visiting,
Great to see you again
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..The Inner Marketer Day 1
Twitter: marquitaherald
January 3, 2013 at 2:04 am #
I’m sure you can do anything you put your mind to Donna, but I’ll be cheering you on nonetheless. From what I’ve seen (and read) the toughest part of these challenges is less about publishing a daily post, than coming up with quality content every day, especially toward the end. Again, I have no doubt you’re already on top of that and look forward to seeing you burn up the virtual wires!
marquita herald recently posted..The Best Blog Post You Never Read
Thanks so much Marty for your support.
This “challenge” is helping me to focus more on my content. This is something I wanted to do in 2013! Voila…the challenge came my way, and I’m am getting more clarification of where my blog needs to focus.
Oh that good old Law of Attraction! This was something that I needed and it appeared. I know YOU can understand that!
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..The Inner Marketer Day 1
Twitter: MayuraDeSilva
January 3, 2013 at 1:45 am #
Hey Donna,
Now that’s accepting challenge in this new year, no? 🙂
As I witnessed, posting daily will atrract more new faces and especially traffic for you blog. That’s for sure Donna 🙂 You will see. Well, you gotta manage the routine and the more you go, the more you will grow with traffic. I hope you will make it rock and defeat yourself to show REALLY who you are.
Wishing you all the best for your challenge Donna 🙂
Cheers…
Mayura recently posted..Monitor and Manage Multiple Social Media Accounts with HootSuite
Many Thanks Mayura!
The best challenge is to challenge yourself isn’t it? I love doing that. I am in constant competition with myself in every way. I guess that’s what keeps me going. Always trying to improve myself.
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..The Inner Marketer Day 1
Hi Donna,
I commend you for taking the leap! I KNOW you can do it and it is a great way to start 2013 off with a bang! I’ve done challenges like this before and when you accomplish them, you really feel like patting yourself on the back. You will gain a lot from making the decision to commit yourself to daily blogging for 30 days! Beth Hewitt is an awesome blogger and you are an inspiration!
Raena Lynn
Thank you Raena!
It is good to work with Beth again. I have created the time to do this by shaving off other things I decided to opt out of for 2013.
I think it is a great way to improve my writing skills so I can get that book finished I’ve been working on.
It has given me a new perspective and focused me more on writing, which I need to do, especially for those emails. You know what I mean…You studied with Daegan Smith!
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..The Inner Marketer Day 1
Like you, when I started coming up will a hundred excuses I knew the challenge was something I HAD to do!
Hi Nettie,
Good meeting you. I think we all get that knee jerk reaction when it comes to a commitment of any kind. But here we are doing it one day at a time.
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..A 30 Day Blog Challenge
Twitter: ITSergioFelix
January 2, 2013 at 10:17 pm #
Hey Donna, I think this is a fantastic challenge to do!
Your story of overcoming the fear to swimming reminded me that I imposed a video challenge on myself to overcome the fear to shooting video.
Now, I may not be a video expert but I’m certainly not scared of being on video anymore!
Good luck on the challenge and this will be definitely very interesting to check out!
Sergio
Sergio Felix recently posted..Goodbye 2012, How You Doing 2013?
Hi Sergio,
I did a video challenge about 2 years ago also. I was so frightened to be in front of a camera. It was a girly thing: hair, makeup, etc. By the time I finished, I could stand in front of the camera with no make up on, and just chat away.
Now it is a breeze.
Thank you,
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..A 30 Day Blog Challenge
I have been in a couple 100 day challenges and a couple 30 day challenges. There is absolutely nothing better than joining these. First, you get the accountability of working with other people to keep content out on your site. And more importantly, you can build some great relationships as well.
Clint Butler recently posted..Daily Blogging Sales Plan for 2013
Hi Clint.
I’ve been in a few challenges and have grown in leaps and bounds from them.
I had my DMO all lined up, but then this came along. Here I am trying to finish a book, and took this challenge on. But you want to know the funny thing about it?
I’m writing like crazy, so this came just in time.
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..A 30 Day Blog Challenge
Hey Donna,
It’s been a while since my last visit. I like this idea and I will give it some more thought. Thanks for sharing.
Joe S. recently posted..Follow these helpful tips and you will save GALLONS of gas.
Hi Joe
Great to see you again. I usually blog once a week because I “Have so much to do!” But I took on this challenge to improve my skills.
Plus, the folks that are in this challenge Rock!
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..A 30 Day Blog Challenge
Donna this is a topic that I am all too familiar with. It took some years for me to identify what I natural high I would get from overcoming those moments when my mind would say, “stop”, “don’t”, “you can’t.” I too assess why I hesitate when something is presented to me ti deternine what is behind all this mess going on in my head.
Lydia Brown recently posted..How to Create an Internet Meme
Hi Lydia,
It is wonderful that you can realize these messages in your mind. I feel like it is half the battle of growth. The first step is identification. Then action.
I love growing!
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..A 30 Day Blog Challenge
Twitter: simpblognetwork
January 2, 2013 at 6:13 pm #
Hi Donna,
I am so happy you decided to join us. I have to say I had my reservations about running the challenge myself. Since managing a blogging challenge and blogging is tricky haha.
But I have pointed out that this is the people’s challenge, make of it what you will. Go for 30 or may 15. But do what feels right.
I have to say, I am enjoying the community spirit again, it feels a bit like old times once again and it feels right in my soul.
Thanks for the shout out and good luck,
Beth 🙂
Beth Hewitt recently posted..Hint! Ideas for Your Blog Are Not Down the Back of Your Sofa.
Hey Beth,
The community spirit feels great to my soul too. It does feel like old times again!
My first post was a shout out and a call to action for myself! I put it out there that I would do it, so now I have to.
I’m writing like a wild woman…thoughts are racing through my mind to my finger tips as I write my next few posts.
I thank you for starting this because I’m struggling to write a book and doing this exercise is giving me great incentive.
Thanks!
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..A 30 Day Blog Challenge
OK…I had the same response…I can\’t…it\’s too much…I shouldn\’t put myself under so much pressure… While reading your post I realized that these are all stories…I can either participate or not…it\’s a choice. There are clearly a lot of benefits…I\’m going to go for it. See you in the Facebook group!
I am so happy for you Celeste!
As Beth says, it can be for 30 days, 15 days, whatever you can handle. The great part is that we just do it.
I will see you on Facebook and Google+ in the Google+ Community
Lets have some fun
Donna
Donna.Merrill recently posted..A 30 Day Blog Challenge