I launched my first blog in September 2005, along with the first Indie Business Radio Show (which was then known as the Lifestyle CEO Show). I had no idea what I was doing, but allowed Kimberly Baron, my website designer, talk me into giving it a try.
UPDATE: Over the years, I have launched and closed several blogs as I continued to re-tool my business model. Today, I maintain only this blog and The Blog of Donna Maria, the latter of which focuses in a more intimate way on my life as a wife, mom and Lifestyle CEO.
Most posts appear at this blog, and this is my 489th entry at this blog. (You can read my first blog post at this blog here.) Here are some of the ways blogging has enhanced my life personally and professionally.
- Blogging has made me a better writer. Each time I draft a sentence, I am forced to read and re-read it to make sure it makes sense and serves a distinct purpose in the structure of the post.
- Blogging has helped me be more disciplined in my thinking. Blogging requires me to sift through the mash of ideas in my head and focus on those that help me achieve my highest purposes in life and in business. In other words, blogging helps me get rid of dead weight.
- Blogging has increased my confidence. Blogging consistently has shown me that I can accomplish anything, so long as I prioritize it. It's not always easy to think of new and interesting things to say, but because a blog forces me to do that, I now have more confidence to meet other challenges in my life.
- Blogging has made me more accountable. Maintaining a blog that other people say they enjoy ensures that I continue to deliver the kind of content that people say they enjoy. If I have not posted in over 2 days, I know that I am not living up to your expectations.
- Blogging has forced me to explore new technologies. If not for blogging, I would not have begun to embrace the amazing capabilities of new technologies. I have a long way to go, but every time I post a new entry here, or comment at someone else's blog, I learn something wonderful that technology can do to help me accomplish my goals.
- Blogging has opened new business doors. I have met hundreds of people through blogging, and many of them have engaged my services, purchased a book or magazine, joined the Indie Beauty Network, hired me as a speaker or featured me in a magazine. Additionally, I have met people through blogging, and later hired them to work on some of my projects, booked them as a speaker at one of my events or welcomed them as a guest on my radio show. I love connecting with other people, especially my peers, and blogging helps me do that.
- Blogging has helped me personalize my business. My goals include reaching people, especially women, at the place where their lives and their businesses intersect. Blogging allows me to do this in an authentic way. Rather than sugar coating the process of integrating life and business, I share some of the challenging realities in my own life. When it comes to launching a business that allows you to also prioritize your family, I believe that, if I can do it, you can do it! Blogging helps me share that message with thousands of people every day.
- Blogging has made managing my business more fun. Because blogging is so closely connected to my business, and because my business is fun for me, blogging has also become fun. I must admit, it didn't start out that way. But today, business is so much more interesting because of the great people I meet along the way through this blog.
My blogging journey did not begin smoothly. I spent countless hours creating entries that no one ever read. I was often frustrated and overwhelmed. But with time and commitment, I eventually developed my voice, and, more importantly, a format that makes it easy for me to listen to yours.
Question: How has blogging enhanced your life?
