Being As Great As You Think You Are
Are you holding back? Are you making excuses for not creating the success you planned on, this year? Is the world against you? Are you mired in the down economy and worried about how to move forward in 2012?
Ok… if you are… stop. Stop allowing yourself to worry or whine (yes, it's a choice – choose to stop it now). Stop making excuses for not moving yourself and/or your business forward. I know that's often easier said than done, but your first effort in overcoming this is to acknowledge it and be proactive in overcoming the issues that are holding you back.
On Facebook today, I saw a "like" that intrigued me. I clicked over to Chris Brogan's blog and found this truly outstanding post titled: "106 Excuses that prevent you from ever becoming great" and as I scrolled through it, I thought of all the people I know who would benefit from reading it. Including myself. Don't think for a minute that I don't have bad days, or sometimes wonder if I'm on the right track. I do. Just like you.
As you read the post (and I'll share a couple of the excuses that really hit me between the eyes), notice the formatting and the spacing and the way this blog post is presented. It's easy to read. You almost don't realize you're scrolling to South America, to read it. Note the bolded headers for each excuse. Notice how the answers are short, sweet and to the point. Especially note where links are placed. Are they effective? Would you have placed links there – or do you wish there were links to references for other excuses?
Let this be a guide. A Guide on How To Move Forward Without Excuses and A Guide On How To Write an Effective, but Lengthy, Blog Post. If you only have time to read one more thing today, in addition to this post, read the post on Brogan's site. It's authored by Tommy Walker.
Here are a few of the 'excuses' that hit me over the head:
You don’t have the money
Finances are a sensitive issue.
You might not have the money right now, but there are plenty of ways to increase your income.
If you have to scour freelancer sites to aquire a hundred dollars here and there, do it.
Any money you make freelancing, save it to put towards your dream project.
Can’t afford to do that?
Create a strict budget, and set aside a portion of your income.
Don’t believe what the news tells you, money is everywhere, and people spend it every day.
Right now, someone is hiring someone just like you.
Someone else is already doing it.
Which came first, Copyblogger or Problogger? Dyson or Hoover? Groupon or LivingSocial?
Does it matter?
Not really.
You haven’t done it before.
This is my favorite excuse, because it’s such a cop out.
Let’s look at some of the common milestones in your life that you got through just fine
- You went to school (hadn’t done that before)
- Had your first kiss (hadn’t done that before)
- Learned to drive a car
- Took up a new hobby
- Learned to read
Or really anything beyond lying on your back and flailing your limbs uncontrollably.
You hadn’t done anything before you did it. It’s simple, but it’s true.
This excuse is rooted in fear of the unknown.
Now it’s perfectly fine to be afraid, but “inexperience” is by far one of the worst excuses.
Life is built on a series of “firsts” and making the choice to limit your experiences only leads to dissatisfaction.
After reading this post, come back and tell us what you think. Seriously. We want to hear from you. (there's something else I want you to observe – both about Chris Brogan's blog and Tommy Walker's site… if you figure it out, tell me in a comment below – if you're right, I'll send you a present. No, I won't tell you what it is, it's a surprise.)
The “not creative enough” is the excuse that probably hit me the most. I have a science background and a matter of fact personality. I always struggle to be creative and witty but he is right, sometimes what people need IS cut and dry.
Thanks so much for sharing this, it was incredibly motivating! I admit, scrolling down to ‘South America’ was a bit intimidating but I broke the time up and digested it in small amounts.
I have added that particular post to my favorites and intend on going back frequently to revisit. I may print them off and hang them in my work area.
I am also going to refer to this in my blogpost tonight because there is something for everyone here!
What I observed about both sites, was the “work with me” or “hire me” button; which I had never thought about. Some people observing a blog might never even think about hiring that person, without that little bit of prodding, I think this is something I will also try and include on my blog.
Thanks again for this post, I am invigorated!
Excellent advice!
They both are confident enough in themselves to use their names: Tommy Walker; Chris Brogan… as opposed to ghost writing from a dog’s perspective. Ouch!
This is just what I needed to see. Thanks for this great post!
Yes, thank-you for sharing this. I really feel like I ‘don’t know the right people’, and ‘nobody will care’ resonates with me. I’m not sure if the answers really helped me though, ha. Jon at ‘My Guest Blog’ tells me that I can’t just make good content and hope they come… I have to know the right people and guest blog for them. I’m not very skilled at ‘knowing people’, so this is a bit scary for me.
there were MANY points made that resonated with me and let me know that I better start working on them now.
This was invaluable, thank you for sharing.
I also noticed the “work with me” and they both have prominent “about me” sections that are “in your face” as well as obvious links to Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Their blogs were artwork-free and were clean and concise (well, except for that loooong post!)
In a way I guess I feel that I did accomplish something off that list. I was with blogger for a long time
a. because it was free
b. because I figured it out and also won a free blog design package.
I finally quit making excuses and switched to wordpress and not only did I do the free wordpress I went to the self hosted.
I didnt know what I was doing – so I googled and you tubed and now learning how to do it step by step. I also set aside the money by budgeting for my web hosting fee.
Its funny cause I sat there and told Scott that I didnt know how to work in wordpress and how to use FTP and now im sharing what ive learned with other bloggers 🙂
I’m loving all these fab comments!
@Jodi – you were VERY close to discovering what I’d hoped readers to discover – in fact, I like you answer so much, I think you’re a winner.
@Samantha – you did it. That was what I hoped people would see – Both Chris and Tommy blog as themselves. They do not blog as a company or a pet. Their names are prominent and obvious.
@Caren – like Jodi, you noticed the right things, also. So, you’re a winner, too.
The contest is now closed. I will be in touch with each of you to share your prize. Congratulations!