I didn’t take the idea of starting a blog lightly. Having considered it for months, I was still undecided, especially after coming across a statistic that “up to 80% of blogs are abandoned within the first month.” It appears that the reality might not be as attractive as the idea.
What propelled me to take the leap was a video of Tom Peters and Seth Godin discussing the benefit of blogging, I have tremendous respect for Tom Peters, whose concepts I used in my doctoral research. He doesn’t mince words:
“I will simply say my first post was in August of 2004…no single thing in the last 15 years professionally has been more important to my life than blogging. It has changed my life, it has changed my perspective, it has changed my intellectual outlook, it has changed my emotional outlook (and it’s the best damn marketing tool by an order of magnitude I’ve ever had…and it’s free)”
After months of preparation, considering the purpose of my blog, my audience and the design of my blog site, I was ready to go live. It was time to write my first post. I thought it would be easy as I had made notes on many topics I wanted to write about. But when I sat down to write, I was struck by the temporary title of the first post on the wordpress template: Hello World. I found it both intriguing and daunting. I wondered if rather than just jumping in, something more significant might be called for in my first post.
After sitting for several moments, undecided about what to do, I set the question aside and revisited why – my purpose. These two principles have guided me for many years:
Right action arises from purpose When I am clear about my purpose, I know what to do. I get confused when I get disconnected from my purpose.
Commitment arises from worthwhile purpose I am able to sustain my focus and commitment when my purpose is about more than making money or simply personal gain.
What was my purpose in blogging? Why did I really want to blog? I have a lot of options for communicating my message. What is it about blogging that speaks to me, my own personal reasons? What is a worthwhile purpose that will keep me focused and committed over the long-term?
I had considered these questions over the past months, in reflection and in conversation, but had not written it down. Now sitting at the computer, instead of beginning my first post, I began writing my answer to this question:
The Answer To “What?” is “Why?” – Why Blog?
Here are my four reasons:
1. To express my thoughts and opinions, simply for the sake of self-expression. – I am putting myself into the world, stepping out and making a statement – “Hello, world, this is who I am and this is what I am interested in.” In my work, I am often called upon to write, but my writing is specific to the circumstances. Blogging is an opportunity for self-expression – I choose what I want to say. Starting a new blog is like putting a message in a bottle. You don’t know whether it will be found or by whom. You send the message just because you want to send it, with no guarantees it will be received, understood or appreciated.
2. To make a connection and a contribution. – The idea of saying hello intrigues me. When we say hello to another person, we are inviting them to respond, to make contact, to connect, even if it is just for a brief moment.Writing a blog implies more than self-expression. It also implies an engagement with the world. And it implies making a contribution. I have learned a lot after many years in my profession. I would like to share what I have learned, explore my current questions, and engage with others in conversation about common interests.
3. To organize my thinking. – The act of writing, forming thought into words, forces you to organize your thinking. The thought of pulling together the body of knowledge I have developed over the past decades in leadership positions and as a consultant in organizations is appealing. I have written about many topics for a variety client needs. I would like to pull these ideas and information together.Even more appealing is the idea that I can use my writing to explore and better understand the things I am most curious about now. Writing helps me become more clear.
4. To organize my day. – Making a commitment to write regularly is a discipline. It’s a practice that will be good for me, like exercise. I’ve never been much for routines, but at this point in my life, I am attracted to the idea of setting up a structure for contemplation.
In the process of writing down my purpose, not only did my purpose become more clear, but the right action also became clear. As I finished writing my purpose, I knew what I wanted to say in my first blog post.
Hello World, Welcome to my blog!.
Jesse,
Thanks for sharing part of your own story and helping me think about my own blogging efforts.
When I started it was an experiment. My goal was to be both encouraging and helpful. I’m thankful for how it’s turning out. It’s been a little over a year. Yesterday, my blog had over 2,000 pages views. It’s surprising and exciting.
I wish you success in your blogging efforts.
Cheers,
Dan
Hi Dan,
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Congratulations on the success of your blog. I suspect part of your success is due to the clarity of your focus – you are consistently encouraging and helpful.
My best,
Jesse
Should be required reading for potential and new bloggers. The soul searching you offer here is great for reflection. Now that I write a blog 2-3 times a week, II find that for me, blogging forces me to ask, “what do I think about a subject?” —any one in the press that day. As you say it makes me dig deep and then think about how to “express me” into my writing.
With this great start, you are off to great things. I look forward to stopping by
Carol Sanford, author The Responsible Business, CNBC Bullish on Books shortlisted for Biz Books for 2011 http://www.carolsanford.com
Thanks for your encouragement, Carol. And also sharing your own process. It’s helpful. I’m still finding my blogging voice – a very different writing style than what is required for writing books (as you know). But I figured the best way to work it out was to jump in and start swimming.
Jesse,
Congratulations on your blog. I just started my blog back in December and it has been an awesome experience. I blog in the hopes of helping others with how they see different situations in their leadership roles. I’ve been humbled by the responses I’ve received. You are off to a great start and will be very successful.
Hi Greg, Thanks for your thoughts. I’ve enjoyed your blog – you have a clear and worthwhile purpose. Glad to hear it’s been a great experience for you.
Welcome to the blog world, Jesse! I LOVE that video by Godin and Peters. I’ve probably watched it 30 times and never tire of the wisdom they share. Looking forward to learning more of your thoughts through this blog. Bret
Thanks, Bret. You are another person who influenced me to write. You have been quite encouraging and very articulate about the benefits. And your blog is a great model – but you set a high standard – I don’t think I’m ready for audio or video blogging …yet.
Hi Jesse
Congratulations. It is fascinating to read that you, too, experienced the same questions that I was asking when I started two months ago.
I have to agree with you that the blog allows for expression in a way that is different from the norm. I didn’t see myself as a writer, and still don’t, but have enjoyed this time of learning a new skill. And I am amazed that people out there want to read and comment.
And I am pleased to note that I am not one of the 80% who abandoned blogging in their first month!
May this be something that will continue for you, and me. Where it will lead? I have no idea but I am enjoying the journey.
I’ll be coming back to read more. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Kate, Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments. It was interesting to hear you went through a similar process.
The journey is as important as the destination. May yours continue to be an enjoyable one.
Jesse
Jesse,
Congrats. I will be joining you shortly and appreciate the awareness and openness with which you have launched your effort.
Cheers!
Thanks, James. Please let me know when you start.
Great first post, Jesse! I appreciate that you told us why YOU blog, not just why others should. Looking forward to continued learning from you –
Cheers!
C.
Hi Chris, Yes! That’s exactly the point! There are lots of possible reasons why a person might want to blog (or do anything for that matter), but if one is going to be able to sustain focus and commitment, it’s important to know your own personal reasons. I can’t give this advice to others unless I take it myself.
I appreciate your comment and look forward to continued mutual learning from each other. ~Jesse
I wish I had gone through the thought process like you did before I started my blog. I just jumped in with both feet last August. I was nervous to put my own thoughts on paper, but wanted to get the message out about certain things I feel are important. Since then, I post less, but write more, and I’m learning to express myself better on paper. It’s quite the journey.
Hi Connie,
Sounds like learning to express yourself in writing has been one of the benefits for you. I’m curious if it was part of your original intention. I understand the desire to just start – it’s better than contemplating it forever and not taking action. I had actually written two other posts earlier, but decided not to use them because neither felt right. I was beginning to wonder how I would be able to discover my blogging voice. My intention in writing down my purpose was to make sure I was clear. I was surprised to discover that when I was finished that I had actually written the blog I want to post. It was such a helpful experience, I would recommend it no matter where one is on the journey.
My best
Jesse
What a delightful starting post, Jesse! It’s good to know why you blog. I write to make my living and because writing is the tool I use to understand things. I blog because blogging is a wonderful basket to collect the pieces of my working life.
In great blogs, I think the writer learns to bring his or her “reason” for blogging, together with some other purpose (in my case helping bosses at all levels do a better job and lead a better life) and your own unique expression, or voice. This tends to take time, but it’s a wonderful form of self-development.
Hi Wally, It’s really helpful to hear the perspective of a master blogger. Thanks so much for sharing your personal reasons for blogging and your thoughts on what makes a great blog. You make a great point that there are two ways of looking at the purpose. One is your purpose for blogging and the other is the purpose of the blog itself. Understanding both are important. The purpose of my blog is on my blog page, in the sidebar next to my picture. I put it there to keep it front and center: “I hope my blog is helpful for those who want to make a contribution, as a leader at work, in your community, in your family, or in your own life.” I suspect you are right that it will become more clear over time and that I will also develop my own unique expression (which I am struggling to find right now). Thanks for your encouragement.
Jesse-
So glad your are jumping into the blog world. I must agree that blogging is an amazing marketing tool and a wonderful learning tool. I very much look forward to learning from you here on your blog. Thanks for sharing.
HI Micah, Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment. I have appreciated your interest and support and look forward to continued connecting.
Thanks for this Jesse. I have just been over analysing my Blog for the week, as for some reason I felt it was weak (it was not meaty enough). Reading your Blog, I remembered that a big part of my Blog is about expressing myself, so I don’t know why I was stuck with trying to figure out what my audience wanted to read rather than letting go and sharing my thoughts as I usually do. My Blog is now accepted and will be going through to my editor. Thanks for your message in a bottle.
Hi Thabo, When you put a message in a bottle, you don’t know how or whether it will impact someone. Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know how my blog affected you. I’m so glad it helped you remember what was important. I look forward to reading your post.
What a nice way to get off the ground. You have an easy style. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thank YOU, Robert!