I realised the other day that blogging is the most satisfying "work" I have done. My career has been varied and fulfilling but blogging is the most fun I have had. Sometimes things get us down and we forget how fortunate we are to be bloggers so here are five reasons why I am glad to blog, I wonder if you will agree?
My Dad and I were discussing what we would do if money wasn't an issue, say you had the fortune of Bill Gates. He would spend his time giving his money away. Pretty cool. I would like to do that. I have realised though that after being a professional philanthropist, Professional Blogger comes blooming close! (And if you have a modicum of success it is a decent enough living too!). You know what they say, do what you love and you never work another day (something like that).
So for a bit of inspiration and hopefully a good bit of discussion for a cold and wet Sunday, here is my top 5 reasons why I love blogging and why I hope to never have to go back to 9-5
- Independence - When you are blogger you (mostly) do not have to answer to anyone but yourself. Yes you might work for a blog network, yes you will have readers who you must please but when it comes down to it your blog is your own and you make the rules. Even the most corporate blog networks value the individuals creativity and freedom as that is how they produce the best content. Your audience is attracted to you by your uniqueness. So the only crazy mad person boss you need to worry about ... is you!
- Freedom - closely related to number 1, you are free to go where the mood takes you in your writing. Within your niche you can flit around and cover whatever you feel inspired to write about. Contrast this with daily chores, monthly tasks, client demands, all the guff of a more corporate life. Give me blogging any day.
- Geography - It is so lovely going from being tied to one crummy desk or badly lit cubicle every day to being able to work from the study, the lounge, the garden, the beach, from a hotel, top of a mountain, a friends house, a conference ... my commute has gone from more than three hours round trip door to door to a hop skip and a jump across the hall :O)
- Outlet - I almost called this one "therapy". It is so good being able to vent, rant, moan, boost, brag, applaud, whatever you are feeling. Mostly one for your personal blog but heh, it's all good.
- Connections - some of the best contacts I have made have been online. Blogging has recovered lost friendships, strengthened family bonds, in fact my parents wouldn't know what my brother was doing if it wasn't for his blog. Because of the loose structure of a bloggers day I can pick my daughter up from school and take her to swimming lessons, two things I could never do when I worked in an office. Every commentor on your blog has the potential to be a new friend, business contact, mentor..
When things get on top of you, you feel a bit low, suffer from writers block, someone narks you, your click through rate drops, it is good to reflect on all the good things about blogging. Perhaps this list will help you find your second wind and get back into it. This is only my list, I bet you can think of stuff even more relevant for you. And what a list! All this and we can earn a living too!? We bloggers are so blessed.
Tell me, what are the best things about blogging for you?
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