Personal Growth

10 cool ways blogging can revamp your life

July 25, 2013

I used to be a blog scoffer. I thought blogging was dumb and I had declared I was never going to become a blogger, ever! Then I gave it a try. Now I can say with gusto that blogging has successfully revamped my entire life in an amazing way!

Here are 10 cool ways blogging can revamp your life:

1. Uncover hidden talents

Writing unearths hidden things within you.

I never knew I could write. Journal, yes, but write, “uh, what??” Through blogging, I realized I love the writing process, love it! Each blog post is like a mini book and the challenge of writing excites me every single time.

It also re-birthed my love of painting. Below is a recent piece of mine inspired by the artist Emma Leonard.

IMG_9285

Pen and ink with watercolor

2. Get out of depression

Depression had its talons wrapped deep into my head for years. I couldn’t shake it. Being depressed had become a habit.

Something strange changed in my spirit when I started blogging. I began to shift my focus from what others could do for me, to what could I do for others. I became happy. I always wanted to be happy!

As simple as it sounds, I had never grasped this concept before. I thought I needed to be happy before I could help other people. I thought other people just needed to make me happy.

I have found the opposite is true. I give, I find happiness. Blogging is giving. It is opening up; it is offering. It is coming beside.

3. Make money doing what you love

I look into a lot of tired, lifeless eyes. Eyes that have no passion. Eyes that drone with boredom.

Why do we insist on crunching ourselves into jobs we despise and think we are doing the best thing for ourselves and our families by doing so? NO!!! A job that is not fulfilling sucks more life from your entire sphere (mind, body, marriage, family, relationships) than you realize.

But is doing work you love really a pipe dream? No, it’s not. We are in an amazing time where opportunity abounds. Opportunity is endless, you just have to shift your focus to see it.

This blog has helped Michael and I do exactly that. And it has brought more insight and opportunities than we could have ever imagined.

4. Get a college education for free

To have awesome things to write about on a blog you need to have awesome ideas in your head. To have awesome ideas in your head on a consistent basis, you need to read. Guess what happens when you read? You learn!

Because of this blog, I have read books on business, entrepreneurship, relationships, communication, marriage, spirituality, writing, thinking, working… and the list goes on and on.

I have gotten a college education on how to do life well simply by starting a blog and putting myself into a position where I need to read!

5. Grapple with consistency and win

I have heard it said that the combination of consistency and authenticity make for a great entrepreneur. Authenticity I grasped easily. Consistency, however, had always eluded me.

This blog gave me the gift of consistency.

When you tell people publicly how often you will write, you make yourself accountable. I figured if this guy could blog consistently for 5000 posts, I could blog consistently too.

6. Feel needed

Whether you are a gardener, a mountain climber, or a stay at home mom, feeling needed is vital to feeling happy. We all need to feel needed.

I have found blogging is one way for me to feel needed. If I was gone, I would be missed.

7. Kiss vulnerabilities’ blushing cheek

I become vulnerable every week on this blog. I am vulnerable to your opinions on what I write. I expose my own fears so that they can die in the light of exposure. Through this process, I become better and stronger and I grow in character. Scary, yes! But, oh how we need vulnerability to fully live!

On a blog, the writer shares, the reader shares. There is vulnerability. Vulnerability changes lives and that’s a privilege.

8. Chop away fear

You have to do something courageous to gain courage. You have to face your fear. Each time I sit down to write here, I face fear. Each time I hit the “publish” button, I chop away at a branch on my own fear tree.

Publishing your thoughts publicly exposes you in new ways. It forces you start chopping away at fear.

9. Learn how to win friends and influence people

Yes, that is the title of Dale Carnegie’s amazing little book, but seriously blogging does it too. You want to grow your blog? You literally have to learn how to win friends and influence people.

Blogging makes you practice this valuable skill on a regular basis.

10. Meet really amazing people!

Starting this blog has given me the opportunity to meet and connect with some incredibly amazing people outside of my normal social sphere. I would have never had this opportunity without this blog!

You are one of these, dear reader, and you have made my life better, fuller, richer! I am eternally grateful.

danmiller

Jen McDonough, me, my husband Michael, and Dan Miller

Photo Credit: scottfeldstein via Compfight cc

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  • Joe Lalonde July 25, 2013 at 6:11 am

    Awesome reasons Claudia. The painting you shared is amazing.

    • Claudia Good July 25, 2013 at 2:28 pm

      Joe,
      Thanks a lot! I have no doubt you could add some great ones to this list as well! Hows your book going?!

      • Joe Lalonde July 25, 2013 at 2:41 pm

        It’s finished, I just need to touch some things up and get it out. However, life has dealt some blows that really needed to be taken care of before the book release and I’m still reeling from a major decision. Hoping to have the book out sometime in September.

        • Tom Dixon July 26, 2013 at 10:48 pm

          Sounds like a lot to deal with, Joe. Praying for you.

        • Michael Good July 27, 2013 at 8:53 am

          Joe, sorry to hear that! What’s been going on? (If you don’t mind sharing.)

          Congrats on finishing the book, by the way!

  • Ann Musico July 25, 2013 at 8:26 am

    Great reasons Claudia and what a talent you have! That painting is beautiful! What a waste if you had not tapped back into that talent and your blog posts never fail to encourage and inspire!

    • Claudia Good July 25, 2013 at 2:26 pm

      Ann,
      Thank you for your words! I have been able to use drawing/painting as a wonderful side to writing… they each help the other blossom. 🙂 I have no doubt blogging has brought about wonderful open doors for you as well. What a blessing!!

  • jodyberkey July 25, 2013 at 9:43 am

    We’re glad to have met you through your blog. Yes, we absolutely would miss you if you weren’t a part of our lives. You and Micael inspire us all the time.

    • Claudia Good July 25, 2013 at 2:22 pm

      Same here Jody, you most adventuresome and wonderful lady! We were just raving over you guys the other night, so if you felt your nose itching… it was us! 😉

      • jodyberkey July 25, 2013 at 2:36 pm

        Awww! You’re sweet. Miss you guys. I’m looking forward to the next time we can meet up again.

  • Alex Barker July 25, 2013 at 1:20 pm

    It’s so cool you’ve met Jen and Dan! It’s my goal to meet them in person at some point. I’ve interviewed Jen for my podcast!
    I’ve met so many amazing people on my blog. That’s lead to great conversations and ideas!

    • Claudia Good July 25, 2013 at 2:20 pm

      They are both top notch people that’s for sure Alex! I have no doubt your interview with Jen was a blast!
      Isn’t blogging awesome that way Alex!? So fun!

  • Noah July 26, 2013 at 9:29 pm

    Thanks so much for being consistent and open with the life lessons that you’ve learned! I’m sure every reader takes home a different nugget of gold with each post just like I do. You would certainly be missed!!

    • Michael Good July 27, 2013 at 8:50 am

      Noah, glad you’re enjoying the blog and thanks for the encouraging word. Claudia and I love providing hope and encouragement in any way we can through the blog.

      It’s interesting though, we both benefit so much from it too. Through the whole writing process and getting to interact and know so many great people!

      Thanks for the comment.

    • Claudia Good July 27, 2013 at 10:06 am

      Noah, you are awesome. Thanks for this!

  • Tom Dixon July 26, 2013 at 10:49 pm

    I’ve had similar experiences with my blog, Claudia, particularly about what doors it has opened. I’ve met people I would have never met (including Dan Miller – which was awesome). There are ups and downs, but mostly ups. I’m suffering from a big of writer’s block this week – but will persevere!

    • Claudia Good July 27, 2013 at 9:42 am

      Isn’t it an amazing journey Tom?! Love it!
      Hmmm writers block… I linked an interview from Copyblogger about Seth Godin I found to be so helpful when thinking about writing, his approach is so refreshing!!

      I’m sure you will be blasting out posts again in no time!

      Blessings

      http://www.copyblogger.com/writer-files-seth-godin/

  • Keri Bainborough November 2, 2013 at 5:03 am

    Absolutely love this post – I have to concur on all points 🙂 I have just come across your bog and I will be sticking around for a while. Love it.
    http://www.midlandsmusings.com

    • Claudia Good November 4, 2013 at 1:35 pm

      Keri,
      Thanks for stopping by! It looks like you are a blogger as well? Cool! Has it revamped your life as well?

      • Keri Bainborough November 5, 2013 at 1:08 am

        Totally – but it does come with added pressures and I have to keep making sure that I maintain a balance between work, blogging and personal/family life.

  • Lulu January 20, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    great article & came along just at the right time… thank you 🙂

    • Claudia Good March 9, 2015 at 11:25 am

      Lulu,
      Sorry I missed this comment! I’m so glad you enjoyed this post! Thanks for your comment! I hope your blogging endeavors are going well 🙂