Taking the plunge.

I did it.
I finally made my first move in to creating a blog and writing a newsletter! I have debated for a long time if I would be able to find content to write or if anyone would read this newsletter but after watching How Writing Online Made me a Millionaire by Ali Abdaal it was hard not to make a start. There are three main key points I took from the video, all which can be given an appropriate Austin Kleon quote and all of which led to me sitting and writing this today. 

The Key Points 🔐

1. Don't be scared of not being original.

This is so important when making the first move in to something new. How many of us have thought about trying something only to think "I shouldn't do that, there's already so many people doing it and doing it well, I wouldn't get noticed" or "I'm only interested in that, I don't know enough about it to progress any further".

🛑 STOP 🛑

This way of thinking is only holding you back. You can't tell me there there isn't space in the market for you.

How many times do you drive around and see a McDonalds, right across the street from a Burger King as if they're not making the exact same food. Speaking of driving - would there be so many different car brands to choose from if once Carl Benz had created his "vehicle powered by a gas engine" nobody else thought they had anything to offer?

Austin Kleon, the New York Times best selling author, highlights the importance of being an amateur in his book, Show Your Work.

"The world is changing at such a rapid rate that it's turning us all into amateurs"

You don't have to be an expert to have an opinion, view or experience so don't try to be. The views you have on things as an amateur are valuable. No one will experience something the same way you do, so share your experience and I can almost guarantee someone will find it useful!

2. Perfectionism is the root of all evil

This one I'll come back to in a future post but I think you get the point - you can lose entire projects before they've ever started by letting perfectionism get the better of you. No one ever started anything being perfect at it. Do you think Usain Bolt was born the fastest man on the planet? Nope. I can in fact tell you he's even LOST some races. Do we think any less of his ability? Absolutely not. We allow the face that he's human and that he can't be the best all of the time. So give yourself the same break. Don't let it hold you back. I've had this post written for so long but thought I had to have a perfect website to host on. Realistically, I can't afford to be purchasing a whole website and maintaining it trying to juggle all of my responsibilities with work and side projects so I've settled on creating a simple blog. There's room to grow but if I don't start then I'll never need to grow anyway!

"The worst troll is the one that lives in your head"

3. Put yourself out there

The previous two key points talk about the reasons we're holding back so key point number three is simple. Don't. Don't hold back. Let go of your inhibitions and just put yourself out there. Thinking logically about the situation, what is the worst that can happen? You are just starting out and you have something you'd like to share with the world - so share it. 

"If you want people to know about what you do and the things you care about, you have to share"

Future Plans 🔮

 

Now that I've started my primary goal is to stay consistent. Will I post every day? Probably not but do I intend to keep up with content? Yes.

I have created a newsletter - Sunday Scoop which I hope to publish every Sunday (give or take!) which is a little less formal and shorter form content so if you're interested in that you can subscribe here.

I don't want to put too much pressure on myself to the point it takes the joy out of these things because right now, I enjoy creating this content. 

It's nice to know I can just post on here as and when I feel like it and you'll be here reading it!

Chat 💬

 

I would love to hear from you, get in touch via e-mail or on Twitter and let's chat! 😊