This past weekend I attended Type-A Parent Conference and it was a whirlwind of commuting {I *so* never want to work uptown}, sessions, business card exchanges, & twitter flash mobs.
Being in a conference with bloggers that many recognize by their first name alone can be overwhelming. How could I ever be like her? How did she do it? It is easy to feel discouraged, but what I’ve learned about myself is that I’m okay being Sara who, oh yes, happens to have a blog. I write for the love of writing. I write for the outlet that this site has become. And I will continue to write for the football wives who email me for advice — this site connects real people across this country.
In the keynote, Chris Garrett {author & social media extraordinaire} suggested that bloggers “be yourself… after all, everyone else is already taken.” It may sound cliché, but it is all together true. Bloggers have tools in which to measure their success. We use words like traffic, uniques, page views, and klout scores. We get gigs like ambassadorships, mom panels, and conference sponsorships. In blogging, as in life, comparing ourselves to one another is not how we grow. We grow by constantly challenging ourselves to be better than the day before. Our voice is best heard when it is authentic.
Comparison is the thief of joy. – Theodore Roosevelt
Whether you’re a writer, a runner, a painter… learn from those who are doing it well. Acquire the skills to take yourself to the next level, but always remain true to the passion that brought you there.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for posting this. Learning to be myself, and letting my true self shine through on my blog has been one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned. I subscribe to you RSS feed, keep the good stuff coming!
Isn’t that the truth? It’s so important to stay true to ourselves. Thanks for subscribing.
This is so true! Big or small we all have voice and readers that enjoy hearing what we have to say.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Facts I Learned at the Type A Parent Conference
I too suffer from a bit of “I wanna be like her” I think the best message I got from the conference was that it is okay to be me. Here’s to being us!
One Crazy Momma recently posted..My Type A Conference Takeaways
Amen, Sister. I’ve got too much on my plate to research how to be someone else.
Sara – YES! Continue to be you – continue to write for the love of writing – do not compare your inside to someone else’s outside – I love that Chris’ message resonated with you – it SHOULD. Keep reminding yourself of that. xoxo
Thanks for your kind comment, Danielle. I think far too many people define themselves by their vocation {doctor, singer, lawyer, blogger} that they miss the big picture. I am so blessed in my life.
{ 2 trackbacks }