Friday, November 17, 2006
Building self confidence with blogs
An often overlooked, but very important aspect of blogging is the way it builds the blogger's self confidence. Even though a blogger might not think about it, the very committment of one's thoughts and ideas to a blog post, is a life changing event. More than simply writing a few random scribblings, the blog is a major step in entering the global community.
While the thought of being "out there" on the internet in general, and the blogosphere in particular, might be a bit scary, it's also empowering. A person who might hesitate to meet people in the offline world, or not sure of themselves in social settings, can develop strong interpersonal relationships through the blog. The posts serve as personal calling cards, and a personal introduction to the world. When bloggers meet in real life, the event is simply a meeting of old friends. That awkward silence is eliminated by the blog as a natural icebreaker.
Blogs build self confidence in the business world as well. Prior to taking the blogging plunge, a business person might hold back slightly on trying new ventures; or even making minor steps in the direction of self promotion. After taking that huge first step on the journey to success and personal fulfilment a blog provides, it becomes much easier to take aditional giant steps and quantum leaps in that direction. Putting one foot before the other for the first time is always the most difficult. A blog eases the travel from here to there beyond measure.
My good friend Toby Bloomberg (photo top left) of the industry leading Diva Marketing Blog is no exception. Toby points out on her interview with blog ambassador Paul Chaney (photo left), at All Business that personal growth was a key aspect of blogging:
Paul Chaney: How have you grown personally by blogging?
Toby Bloomberg: More willing to take risks. More comfortable with putting myself 'out there.'
More able to loosen the 'control' and let others have their input without judgment.
Better listener.
Great friendship always help you growth too!
Read more of this informative Lessons Learned From Blogging interview with Toby Bloomberg.
While Toby Bloomberg was already a well known and successful business person, with a strong background in marketing, blogging has helped her improve her self confidence as well. Blogging helped Toby to consider taking more risks in her business, and those challenges have paid off well for her.
As Toby puts it, not being worried about being "out there", is part and parcel with blogging on a daily basis. A blogger is always "out there" in a very real sense. Everything else a blogger does is merely an additional public appearance. After all, the creation of the blog in the first place was that all important and crucial first step on the journey to success. It's all a much easier and more enjoyable voyage after that initial move was made.
Blogs build self confidence by empowering the blogger to meet new business challenges and succeed. On a more personal level, blogging serves as an informal introduction leading to personal relationships and lifelong friendships.
Start a blog and give your own self confidence a boost.
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Great posting!..I couldn't agree more that blogging is definitely an exercise in confidence building. As a personal example, I waffled with starting a blog. Not sure whether my voice would find an audience, or if I had anything relevant to say...After one month of blogging , I am sharing my experiences of learning "on the job". The reception has been great! Inspired by small successes, I recently launched a second site this week..Busy, but absolute enjoyment...Keep the inspiration coming!~rick
Way to go Rick. Your experience is a great example of how blogging helps overcome fear of failure. What blogging does, in a very real sense, is show you that you can succeed; and you usually do exactly that.
Thanks for sharing your blogging experiences.
Thanks for sharing your blogging experiences.
Wayne - many thanks for awesome shout out. Funny thing is that I didn't realize I was growing in these directions until Paul asked his questions and I read your post. Sometimes we're so busy "doing" that we don't realize what we've done.
There seems to be a feedback loop between creating results and building confidence. I have learned that even supremely confident performrs such as Chuck Norris needed that "first achievement" (in his case, in Karate) to start the "confidence" ball rolling. I review his book "The Secret Power Within" here:
http://beta.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=36218793&postID=6194536118823420336
http://beta.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=36218793&postID=6194536118823420336
There seems to be a feedback loop between confidence and completed action. I have learned that even highly successful performers, such as Chuck Norris, needed an initial achievement to jump-start their confidence. I found his book "The Secret Power Within" to be fascinating. I review it here:
http://successbooks.blogspot.com/2006/11/success-book-review-chuck-norristhe.html
http://successbooks.blogspot.com/2006/11/success-book-review-chuck-norristhe.html
I have heard of people lacking self confidence are now writing on their blog everyday as a way to build
self confidence. Building a blog as an online diary that they can share with the world.
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self confidence. Building a blog as an online diary that they can share with the world.
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