I'm having a crisis of focus and clarity and I'm facing decision time. I am torn in two directions, but by splitting my focus I am stalling progress. Will you weigh in with your thoughts, please?
Direction one: This blog.
The Pros: I love blogging. I love writing and connecting with so many other wonderful bloggers out there. I love documenting portions of my life here and having my family and friends (and perfect strangers) following along. I love getting free stuff to review! Plus, I can do this anywhere, anytime with no constraints.
The Cons: Time and energy are spent with little true, meaningful or monetary return. At three years into the blogosphere, I need to either move on or progress to the next level - a site change (you know it's Wordpress for the pros), a name change and a major makeover are required to turn this hobby-blog into a real business. A last major con is that I really need to be around people, interacting in person, to thrive. I suppose that can be done through networking eventually, but for now it's a very isolated venture. It's fun, but not fulfilling.
Direction two: The Passion Test and Affirmative Thought:
The Pros: I want to be a Passion Test facilitator. I feel strongly that this is a vital step on my path to serve my purpose on this earth. I believe I am meant to inspire women. To help mothers rediscover the voices lost within the care-taking of their children and families. To guide them to find or reclaim their own passions and to assist them in giving themselves permission to embrace those passions! I want to do this one-on-one, but my real passion is in group work and speaking. I am great with small groups and the stage is where I shine. Affirmative Thought is the website/blog that will be devoted to this mission and my PT business.
The Cons: While I've got the "what" down, the "how" still eludes me. It takes planning and of course, money! My Indiegogo campaign was a flop and we're not in a position to spend anything extra when even groceries feel like a luxury at times. Plus, it's very tricky to schedule certification when I'm not sure where I'll be or when I'll be able to pay for it.
Also, it's a 4-day training, which means 6 days away from my kids(due to travel to and from the location, which occurs on specific dates in different areas of the world - I'm considering Tel Aviv in November or Norway in Jan, but that will change if my country of residence does). My husband will only agree with the travel if he can go with me and leave the children in the care of either his sister, his mother or mine (no judgments, please). Money and logistics are the only real issues here, but they are big ones.
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| Direction one or Direction two? Photo Credit |
Taking direction two means letting go of this blog, which I'm emotionally attached to. But so much of me goes into it, that there isn't time or energy left for more. It means figuring out what to do with all of my content and make sure it's mine and not Google's.
And if I get really honest with myself, which I always encourage others to do, there's a big fear of failure and inadequacy blocking my way. What if I'm not good at being a Passion Test facilitator? What if I allow myself to get stuck in that fear state and fail because I'm afraid to take action to make things happen? I have a history of lacking determination and failing myself and it's all fear-based. What if I'm not really motivating or inspiring to others? What if most women really have it together and I just think I have a client-base or audience because I had a desperately hard time in the early years of my parenting journey? What if no one wants to hire me or hear me. What if? What if? What if? That's all fear.
Yesterday on my Facebook Page I posted this:
Sometimes the answers you come up with for your toughest life questions are hard to hear.
Listen anyway.
You can probably tell that I already know my answers, but I am having a real challenge listening.
My first response is.... I feel you! I feel your pain - I really do. My next gut reaction is that one option feels to me like a greater risk than the other...as in more "juicy"... and for me, where the greater risk is, the more LIFE is and for me that tends to be the best path (so long as there's a certain amount of safety around that too - if that doesn't sound like a total contradiction!!). Looking forward to hearing the next installment - thanks for the post :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your response! I do understand what you mean and the greater the risk, the greater the reward. Onwards, then!!! HUGE hugs and I can't wait to meet you in person in July!!!
DeleteLife is always a leap of faith and you never know until you try! You could always try option 2 and still have casual blog, that you don't have to feel committed to, but can post when you feel like it or have the time. On the other hand, you can take the big jump with your blog, and I won't lie, it won't be easy lol, but if it'd something you LOVE, then it can be worth it :) It will just take a lot of time, patience and commitment. No matter what you choose to do, make sure it's something you're passionate about enough to stick it through. I know you can make either option work, or even both!! You just have to trust in yourself and know that you can rely on your own instincts ;) *hugs*
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brandi!!! I have been so thrilled to watch your blog grow so exponentially over the past couple (that long?!) of years. If my soul wasn't calling me in another direction, I would be all about the blog. I've made my decision and I'll be writing about it soon!
DeleteIf you already know your own answer perhaps all you need to do is ask for a sign from your totem that you're right.
ReplyDeleteI have done so, sage BeanWoman. My path has been confirmed! xoxo
DeleteWhat if you put your blog on hold? I mean it can be here when you get back from trying something new. You will never know if you could succeed if you don't try..."Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa. You are right and I will not let fear conquer me!!
DeleteWhy don't you do both - just back off the blogging a bit by doing the minimum - you never know you might find a way to have your blog help your PT work... all communication is good. Best of luck
ReplyDeleteThank you for your input, Carole. I think that's just what I'm going to do!
DeleteI took a step back from my Blog to pursue money (my blog was/is a hobby) Blogging was/is my passion but it was taking so much of my time without any financial benefit. For me, it was good to take a step back and focus on my job that earns money as I didn't have the time to do both. It was also good to take a step back and look at my blog in a different way, to see what changes I need to make when I get back to blogging.
ReplyDeleteI get the feeling that you already know the answer :-) You can do both. Can you blog about your path to become a Passion Test facilitator and help women with/through your Blog? Combine the two, if you know what I mean.
"The soul always knows what the answer is,The trick is to silence the mind"
I love that quote. Thank you, my soul-sister! I can't wait to meet you one day. I appreciate you sharing your story. I had wondered where you went because yours is among a handful of blogs that I actually make an effort to visit. Yes, I think I can do both, in a slightly different way than you've suggested. I'll be blogging about it soon.
DeleteIt's time to use your collage education..Teach, blogging will come in time.. Teach young children or older how to become strong like you..And then you can make money and maybe even put some to retirment...Use your youthful skills now and inspire people later..Love AT
ReplyDeleteMy darling Aunt, my youthful skills are inspiring people! And it all fits perfectly with my education because what I wanted to do was lead and facilitate groups! Slightly different topic and age, but that's the only difference! :) xoxo
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