This blog post is Day 1 of a blogging challenge I have entered.
Actually it’s Day 1 for two separate challenges I have entered.
And I’m feeling the pressure.
I entered the 1st because I have done a challenge with our host and her followers before. They were friendly, responsive and I enjoyed the camaraderie.
I entered the 2nd because it is hosted by my coach and mentor and I know probably just about everyone who will enter – it’s like a family affair!
The 1st challenge puts my work out in front of new eyes from around the world. My goal is to be eloquent enough to make them want to comment on my posts every day for 30 days and hopefully stay tuned in when the challenge is over.
The 2nd challenge puts my work on view for other on-line entrepreneurs (global) who might know me personally, but most have certainly had to wade through my smart-ass comments within our team pages and webinars. I want to be able to engage them too, in the comments section.
Is the pressure on me real or perceived?
Probably a bit of both.
My readers in the 1st challenge have no expectations of me… but you know what they say: you only have one chance to make a good first impression.
My readers in the 2nd challenge know I have been around these parts for a while now. Will they have expectations of me? I’m not sure but it is important to me that they believe I offer value within my business and my posts.
So WHY, you might ask, would I put myself out there when I could chug along quite happily never knowing whether I was making a ripple or not, let alone what size it was!
Ha Ha, I’m a Johnny Depp fan and just realized I can actually use the quote I found earlier!!
JD said: “I like the challenge of trying different things and wondering whether it’s going to work or whether I’m going to fall flat on my face.”
That’s pretty much my reasoning! Except that falling flat on my face is not an option!
I know that these challenges bring out the best work ethic in me! I think. I organize. I research. I go back to very foundations of why I am on-line… and try to produce content that speaks to very person I want to direct my message to.
Is that you? I’m not sure but I’ll find out in the comments section. Maybe not today, but sometime over the next 30 days.
Challenges… challenging ourselves… is what not only tests our mettle, but pulls our very best effort out into the air.
You can have all the excuses you want:
- I’m not ready;
- the others are so good;
- I don’t have time;
- why start when I probably can’t finish.
But the one thing I have learned is that
- you’ll never know if you are ready until you give it your best shot!
- The others may be good, but there’s a chance you are just as good and, Hey! You may even be better!
- There is one chore that can go undone for a bit longer so you can find time.
- And how will you ever know what you may or may not finish until you Start!
So go out and challenge yourself!
- Challenge yourself to Start, and Finish!
- Challenge yourself to be better today than you were yesterday, and even better tomorrow!
- Challenge yourself to Surprise Yourself!
- Challenge yourself to Succeed!
“I challenge you to make your life the masterpiece you want to paint, the novel you want to read, the day you want to wake to.” – Toni Sorenson
Great post, I loved both of the quotes!
Johnny always does that!! who was the other quote??? 🙂
I love challenges as I am very competitive. I am so glad to have joined this Blog Challenge as I need to focus on my blog this month.
Interesting about personalities, Anita… I compete with myself constantly… one of the reasons I like a challenge. the good news about our blogging is that we are not competing with each other… we are all so different!
Agnes, I love your spirit! Let’s do it!
Let’s do it indeed, Joyce!! Day 1 of 30 – let the games begin!! thanks for stopping by!
Great article Agnes!
Very cheery and positive – could feel your enthusiasm! I look forward to reading more of your blogs through our 30 day challenge 🙂
Thanks, Sonia! appreciate you dropping by!!
That was a great post Agnes you have an elegant way of sharing how you feel about a subject. I felt like you are speaking to me directly. Looking forward to your future posts as the challenge progresses.
Michael gene Pearce
Live Longer and Prosper
Thanks, Michael… you put it so eloquently… sometimes I feel like I am on a soap box!!!
Okay you had me at Johnny Depp…..
Taking on two challenges at once is definitely a challenge – good luck with both of them.
I actually had concerns you’d go into my dashboard and steal the pic, Lorraine!! 🙂
What a great post Agnes. You have really summed up why challenges are such a good idea. Challenging ourselves to see how far we can push our boundaries and step outside our comfort zone. I’m doing both the challenges too, so it should be fun. I love reading your posts, they are always so inciteful and make me think!
And any excuse for a Johnny Depp picture is OK with me 🙂
Thanks, Helen!!! there’s a few of us going to be seeing a lot of each other this month!!
I think I need to be adding more eye candy to my blog posts!! It gets lots of attention! 🙂
Great post Agnes, I am like you and love a challenge !! See you on the finishing line
Absolutely, Merle!!
I love a challenge. It helps focus and commitment if you do lack a little sometimes as we all do. Great post with great insight. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for stopping by, Barrie! We all seem to have so much on our plate these days – a production challenge does make us pay close attention to our businesses!
Like you I love a good challenge – as you say in the comments, it isn’t the competition, but that we have ‘running mates’. This means we’re working together to achieve our own ends. We can cheer each other on cos we’re in the race too, not just sitting on the sidelines shouting in frustration or giving instructions.
And…. the prize is in learning so much just from writing, from needing to think and plan and organise and use the excuses to make sure we keep up!
Welcome, Dorothy! I’m looking forward to having you as one of my “running mates”!
Great blog, I do so much better when I have a challenge and I love the sense of community that comes from these types of challenges.
“you’ll never know if you are ready until you give it your best shot!” – love this statement. Something I have to remind myself often. Just do it, do your best and you’ll be surprised by the results.
Welcome, Heather! Procrastination can come easily if we feel even somewhat out of our comfort zone! Most of the time we surprise ourselves, though, I believe!
Loved this, so very positive! Some brilliant advice and great quotes.
Hi Agnes, Excellent article. I am so glad to be back in this challenge for the second time running. I have made so many great friends from it and I have also learned so much from other people’s articles. Challenges keep us on our toes and help to keep us focused. Thanks for sharing, I look forward to more great articles from you 😉
Hey Agnes,
So I eventually got to the end of your comments good job!
I would be interested in what your other challenge is, can never have your fingers in too many challenges…:)
Glad you decided to join in again and looking forward to reading you blog posts in November.
Beth 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Beth!!! Several of us here are also in Natasha Hazlett’s Branded course and she is running a blog challenge for the month of November also!! (promo break: )
Personally, I couldn’t have picked two better women to blog with/for!!
The chances of you falling flat are rather thin Agnes!I was inspired to do the challenge because of you. Thanks for raising the bar!
No pressure, no diamonds…I LOVE that!! Good luck on your challenges, you can do it 🙂
I really enjoyed reading this post…you have a very strong “why”. I have learned that the power of “why” really propels people to become attracted to you. So many people say that they are participating in a challenge to earn more money or to want to spend time with their family. But we need to dig deeper – what does doing a challenge mean to you? And you clearly communicated that here. I am looking forward to learning with you as this is my first challenge…
Really like the lay out and the colours and the pictures – as well as the words
Agnes! I always love your cheeky humor. Great quote by Johnny. 😉
Some of my best discoveries about myself have been by joining in on challenges. Great post Agnes.