My day started badly. I had an early appointment with a new Dr. I left in plenty of time but due to some weather and accidents related to weather, I was running late. Not the way I want to start my day or my relationship with a new Dr.
I called the office from the car and left a message on their answering service, explaining that I was running late and that my GPS was telling me I was going to be five minutes late.
My phone rang a couple of minutes later and it was the Dr.’s office telling me to “Breathe.” “It’s okay.” “Take your time; we’re here.”
I was greeted upon arrival by the receptionist with a big smile, a firm handshake and the offer of coffee or tea. The Dr came out, introduced herself and took me back to the examine room. Where I relaxed. At a Dr.’s office. I immediately felt so comfortable and I left feeling relaxed and rejuvenated; almost like I’d had a cleansing chat with one of my girlfriends.
Then I got settled down and started catching up on my blog related stuff and I have to tell you; I read a really great post, that lead me to another really great post.
The first post was by Yvonne DiVita over at Blog Paws and Yvonne’s post led me to Tommy Walker’s guest post on Chris Brogan’s blog. This awesome post “106 Excuses That Prevent You From Ever Being Great” is amazing! I’m not going to lie to you; this post is looooooooooong, but if you space it out, read a little; play a game of free cell, read a little more, it is so worth it.
I think this post may just be the kick in the ass I’ve been needing.
Let’s face it; we all blog for our own reasons and depending upon what those reasons are; will be the key to what you want your blog to achieve. Personally, I want to write for a living; my blog is my way of putting myself, my stories and my philosophies out to the world in order to determine if the world is indeed, ready for me and what I have to offer.
But I hide behind excuses as to why I can’t do something. There I said it. Now you know.
Honestly I didn’t even realize I was doing that; but after reading Tommy’s post I can see how I’ve been making excuses for myself and It. Has. To. Stop.
Last year I started this blog to challenge myself to write every single day; and I’ve done a pretty good job of it. I have thirty-four more days until that challenge is completed and once it is; I am giving myself a new challenge.
I’m not really sure what it will be yet, I want to really think about it and make sure it is well thought out, but you can bet that once I have a new goal in mind I intend on sharing it with you; because you will keep me on task and honest.
In the meantime tell me, why do you blog? What are your goals for your blog? And how can I help you?
Im thinking of doing a photograph a day for a year. I have this nice DSLR camera, awesome expensive photoshop software, a nice laptop but I dont ever make time to do this stuff.
I started this blog because FRED was a bad bad dog and so mean and him and Haylie were fighting all the time and I was newly single and my family and friends were so tired of hearing me talk about my dog issues so I started to blog : ) I started on a free blogger site and now running on self hosted wordpress and dealing with HTML and FTP stuff that I never knew anything about. Ive met wonderful people and been inspired along the way. I laugh at some posts I read, including my own and I have shed tears on my keyboard. Blogging is more than just an outlet for me.
I actually read about that post over and blog paws and commented with the changes I have done.
When Fred got sick and he almost was put down it made me realize that I only have a handful of pictures with me in them with Fred. I vowed that day to take more pictures with my dogs regardless of what I look like in pictures 🙂
Also I get infusions of a drug that is like chemo once a month – been doing it for about 4 years and to be hones my memory slips me 🙂 so I actually use pictures as a way to remember things.
I want to make a picture book of my favorite photos for each year.
I love that I say and do what I want on my blog. Im proud that I have stayed true to what I believe and who I am.
You ask what do you need from me? I need you yo keep being real and honest, I think its important bloggers do this – it allows us to all connect. 🙂
Thanks for commenting Kari, I think your idea for a photo a day would be good for you; especially because of the way the drug affects your memory. Would you write a little blurb about each picture?
The picture book sounds wonderful. I have made some memory books on some of the photo websites (snapfish, winkflash etc) specifically I did one for my trip out to visit my nephew when he was serving on the USS Lincoln; there were so many pictures I decided to make a book just for that trip. I also commented in it and was pretty pleased with the result.
I never knew that Fred was a bad bad dog, lol. If I had started blogging when I first got Delilah it would have been for that very reason!
I started reading your blog when Fred got sick and I am so glad he is doing better! I also know of your trials with your health and I sure hope they find a cure soon! I can’t imagine that is much fun at all.
I like that you are real and honest on your blog too and I will do my best to stay that way too!
Tommy had a great post didn’t he?
Thanks again for commenting and keeping it real. 🙂 Blog Power!
I blog because I want to go to doggie daycare, so i need to supplement Jen’s income to make up for salary cuts.
That’s a very good reason,has your blogging helped? If so, how?
I think that it’s great that you have posted on your blog everyday for an entire year. That is a huge commitment. I am looking forward to seeing what your next challenge is going to be.
The reason that I blog is because I took a writing class last March, and our writing teacher highly recommended that we start up a blog because it will help us to keep writing. I didn’t want to start a blog because I didn’t think that it would be something that I would enjoy. One night, the house just felt so quiet, and I was bored, and I started my blog. I haven’t been bored since! Blogging has kept me thinking about what I want to write next. It has turned me into a writer instead of just dreaming about writing.
I appreciate how you have made so many comments on my blog and have given me so much support! It has been great getting to know you and Sampson and Delilah! Thanks for helping to make blogging even more fun! That is how you helped me. Hope you keep visiting me!
Like you I want to be a writer. Sometimes I write a blog post and say, “Damn, that was good!” And other times I am unsatisfied. Because I haven’t found any writing classes (ok, I can’t say I’ve really looked hard) I decided the best way to improve my writing was to post every day. Some days it is really hard, but other days the topics come more easily.
I think writing is a great outlet, to relieve stress, to vent or just relax and I’m glad you found yourself bored one night. Yes you are a writer!
Anything I can do to help, you just let me know, ok? And of course I will keep visiting, I signed up for a subscription. 😉
That’s right! Thanks for subscribing.
I just finished reading Stephen King’s book, On Writing. This is a really good read! Stephen King doesn’t think that it’s necessary for writers to take writing classes – just thought I would point that out. This book is very motivational also.
I did take another writing class though! I feel so cool when I take a writing class:)
I blog because there are no rules in blogging. The rest of what I write is assigned to me by someone else. Mostly it’s a dog related blog because no one assigns me to write about dogs. But I’m sort of all over the place…
I like that aspect of blogging too Jan. No rules. I. Can. Write. Like. This. I can start a sentence with And, I can cuss. It’s a win win for me!
So what do you write about when you aren’t blogging and how did you get that gig?
I blog because I won’t get published otherwise. 🙁
That’s why I write! But let’s try not to think that way, read Tommy Winters post and see if you are using excuses for yourself. 🙂
So in 34 days, no more blogs? 🙁
I blog for a hobby. People were always asking about the dawgs so now I just point them to the blog. I try to write about what we do with the dogs…the good and the bad. Actually, I hate to type, so I much prefer reading other blogs. 😆
Oh no, I’m not giving up my blog! I just may not be as committed to every single day and may pare it down to three or four times a week, but that is not certain yet.
You know, people are always commenting on my dogs too and that’s when I need to hand them a card. I love, love, love reading about the two brown dawgs and their exploits and I love your comments, they always make me think. 🙂
I started blogging so I would have somewhere to write about Sophie. I only have a few friends with dogs and none that compete in sports. They have all been very nice about listening to my stories but at some point I know it gets boring for them. I wanted somewhere I could write stories and share pictures, even if no one was reading at least I could write it all out. =)
And we LOVE reading about Sophie and her triumphs!! Thanks for sharing Patty!
I can’t believe you’ve made it so far throught your challenge. That is just awesome, Jodi! Wowzers. Last November I participated in NaBlo and it was so hard coming up with something to write about every single day – not to mention making the time to do so. That was only for 30 days, but 365! Incredible. You are my new hero. So on that point, I don’t think you can say you have been hiding behind excuses. You have been kicking ass.
Why do I blog? Honestly, some days I just don’t know. I’ve always loved putting words down on paper and before my current site I had a livejournal, a blogger blog, and zillions of other personal blogs that fizzled after a few weeks. For some reason this time I kept it up. I’m not sure how long I will do so but as long as I am having fun with it, why not?
Kristine, your blog is awesome and we love the stories about the Sheev.
I think sometimes blogging is a great way for people who might be shy to get their ideas and thoughts across to others. 🙂
I am somewhat extrovert but don’t know if I would have the chutzpah to say some of the things I talk about on the blog….;-)
Blogging is a great way to have a ‘presence’ yet still remain slightly anonymous, if you know what I mean.
And yes, as long as you are having fun, it’s all good. Plus you are documenting yours and Shiva’s progress which is something nice to look back on. Your blog is one of the first I read each day. 🙂
Still catching up on reading and commenting but I started blogging just for fun and thought it would be a neat way of writing about what I do with my dogs and about the breeding and litter with Riva that I had waited so long for. I find the more I blog the more I like it and can’t wait to read everyones posts, just wish I had more time.
Same here. I need more time. I love reading about your girls.