Writing and Blogging to Learn and Grow

Life is all about change and growth. For some of us it can be hard to see. Others? Everyday there is a new and more evolved person in the mirror.

After more than twenty years I feel like one aspect of my life has finally grown and evolved! What took me so long to grow?

Writing and blogging!

Yep, I kept trying to turn this blogging phenomena we see on the Internet into a business. One thing after another though kept getting in my way.

From the outside the flailing about I was doing might have looked like a massive amount of indecision. Most obvious in the number of different domain names I have used over the years.

The domain name as of today is one I had until about 2017. Yes, I lost this domain name after it just started to show promise. For some reason, possibly being depressed or something, I just didn’t renew it.

Not long after, someone picked it up when it became available as it had some big sites pointing at it. Which is helpful for ranking in search engine. So until I found it available a few weeks ago it was pointing at an Asian gambling site. Though offered for sale a well I didn’t want to pay the minimum bid price to get it back.

So off I went wandering around repeatedly changing domain names for years. Partly trying to find my perfect niche. My passion I could write about to help people. Failing year after year after year. Partly, trying to find the perfect brand name. Also failing year after year, in this case to meet my own expectations for a brand name.

What was going on?

At a more meta level my mind was avoiding being uncomfortable by making a choice and sticking with it. On a more nuanced or detailed level there were some real factors working against me.

In the last week I finally figured out an important piece. Though it wasn’t the realization that was key. A number of changes have helped lay the ground work. Physical health for one. Getting more than 3-5 hours of sleep a night really helps!

Plus, I have a set of daily routines including meditation and other spiritual practices. Which are a big reason why I was able to realize what I needed to do next with blogging and writing in general as a business.

Then there is the pattern in my life from childhood. Nothing works unless I take a spiritual growth perspective on it. How everyone else does a thing is guaranteed to no t work for me.

Which in the case of blogging meant stop trying to niche my writing. Don’t be concerned with what the search engine companies say is important.

I love that this domain name might now have a part of its history the search engines do not like. I can’t get lazy and hope people find me on search. No, I have to go find my readers. When I create helpful books and courses I have to go find my customers.

This domain name choice forces me to both keep my name out in the world and interact with my readers or potential readers.

Out of all that healing and re-framing of my life, beliefs, and writing I came to a conclusion. I will make progress by being my first reader and customer.

In other words, I am going to write and share on this blog what I am thinking and doing to become a provider of helpful writing. In the process, I expect for example to uncover within my writing what topics I want to write about. Both here on this blog and in any products I create to help readers I will discover through writing on this blog each step I need to take.

Why do I think this will work?

Because I am already seeing results!

A big change is in finding ideas to write about. As of today, momentum is building. More ideas are showing up for blog posts. I am not saying I am getting more than I can write about.

There isn’t a raging river of them. Just a trickle. I can feel the flow getting easier. Which is telling me I am heading in the right direction.

For now, this blog may appear to have a bunch of random topics tied together by a thread of spiritual and personal growth.

Over time I expect I will settle into some topics in which I can be a prolific writer. Sharing my experiences as I continue learning and growing as a human.

A second and just as important change I can already feel has to do with my writing voice. When I am writing I am finding words and expressions coming to me with much less effort. Ideas flow while writing with less friction. How I express myself in writing feels more natural.

Writing daily is helpful in this voice finding process. But it wasn’t enough for me on its own. My daily writing has to be part of my spiritual path. Regardless of what I am writing about the greater goal is to reveal myself more clearly to myself.

Becoming authentic in print might be a good way to describe what is happening. Not being authentic with yourself can really get in the way of most things you want to achieve in life. Because even if you reach your goals, when you get there you look around wondering why you aren’t happy with your success.

This second change, looking for authenticity, my writing voice, all starts with me. Only to get there I can’t just decide what my voice will sound like. No, I must write.

Not only must I write I need to publish what I write. Even if it isn’t what I think my best writing should be.

Writing is a two way street. There is what I write going one direction. Feedback from readers is the return path. Knowing what resonates with others helps me fulfill the service aspect of blogging.

Do people get something from the words I publish?

Of course, there is a balance. I don’t want to write just what people want to read. I am not a mimic of pop culture thought and beliefs. Quite the contrary.

On the other hand, expressing myself in ways people can understand and appreciate regardless of whether they agree is something I want to be able to do. Since clarity of thought is important to me writing in ways people can understand helps not only my audience but me as well.

Why then am I blogging?

• To improve my thinking.
• To reveal to myself my deeper interests.
• To help my readers by sharing ideas and encouragement.
• To be able to create products which my customers will find far greater value in purchasing than the money they pay me.
• To continue to grow and learn along my spiritual path.

I hope, if you find something in this post that resonates, you will consider leaving a comment. Why do you write or blog? Why do you read blogs?