Did you participate in the Ultimate Blog Challenge?

I have been participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge during the month of October.  This has been a great challenge and has motivated me to write more often.   I’m happy I participated and I’m also very grateful to Michelle Shaeffer and Michele Scism for hosting this event.

 The goal was to post 30 blog posts during the month.   I didn’t meet the goal.  I only had 18, between two different blogs.  But that is OK.  I put forth an effort and with all the other things I had going on this month.  I’m amazed I was able to post 18 times.    

Last night I was feeling sad that I didn’t meet the goal of 30, and then I got to thinking about how much the challenge has helped me to grow and blog more often and how many other great blogs I have read because of this challenge.   It is the experience and the journey that makes it fun and worthwhile, not always the destination!  

These challenges are a great way to kick your blogging into gear and get you moving.   They take place every couple months and they send you an email every day of a blog idea.   I only used one of their ideas but hope to use many more in the future.

I hope to continue to blog in November and December with a twice a week consistency and then participate in the next blog challenge in January. 

So how about you?    Do you need something to motivate you to blog on a more consistent basis?  How do you motivate yourself?  Are you interested in participating in the next blog challenge?  Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts.

Change

A week or so ago I wrote about New Beginnings.  Today I am going to talk about change.   How do you feel about change?  Is it something you welcome or something you dread?

From the recent posts online complaining about the changes facebook made the other week, I think most people dread change of any kind.   Why is this?

When the only constant we have in life is change, why do most people dread it so?  What do they fear?  Is it the unknown or just knowing they will have to move out of their comfort zone for a little while?

Jane Knaub

I have two friends who seem to have found a way to not only deal with change but embrace change.  My friend Jane Knaub, used to live in York, PA with her husband and grandson.  She had always dreamed of a beach home.  A year ago they purchased their dream in the Mytle Beach area for their summer pleasure.  Less than a year later, Jane moved her family to Myrtle Beach, quit her teaching job in PA and secured a job in South Carolina.  Talk about lots of changes…..Jane seems to have handled them all with grace and a smile.  Jane has been recording the changes in her life in a blog, MyLife in M.B. 



Brenda Huston Fortna



My friend Brenda Huston Fortna, also seems to enjoy change.  She recently decided to sell her home in Allentown that she had lived in for 10 years and downsize into a rented cottage.  She decided to make the move on sight when she first visited the cottage. She made the decision and moved in a matter of weeks. Brenda also owns another home in Cooks, PA. which is her get-away retreat for weekends and whenever she can throw a few things in a bag and steal away from her real estate business.   Her youngest son also started college this fall.  She loves to travel and seems to relish change and just go with the flow.  She records her travels on her blog, People, Places and Books.

I admire both of these women for their adaptability to whatever their surroundings might be and their willingness to put themselves out there and take some risks and have their own little adventures.   They view change as a positive experience and make the most of any situation.

So many people live a so-so life because they don’t want to rock the boat.  They don’t want to step out of the routine.  They fear even changing their cereal brand.  A friend of mine told me she has been eating the same cereal for breakfast every single day since she was 13.  No special occasions when she eats something else, no variety, just the same bowl of cereal every day.   While to many this may seem quite normal, to me I thought, “What a boring life.”  I guess it is great we are all different.

Please leave me a comment and tell me which type of person you are.    Are you someone who thrives on change or someone who would do anything to avoid change?   Either way, how do you deal with change when it happens?

Facebook Basics

Are you new to Facebook?  Still having trouble figuring out what is what and how you do things?  I think I can help.  Tomorrow evening at 7:30 PM, I will be offering a FREE webinar going over facebook basics and how you do a number of things on facebook.   I would love for you and your friends to join me. 

 All you have to do is go to Facebook Basics and register with your email address.  On Monday you will receive an email reminder of the session.  The email will include the links you will need to log on to the webinar.  Log onto the site prior to 7:30 and you will be able to see and hear the webinar and watch the steps to do many things on Facebook.

Perhaps you have never attended an online webinar and are wondering what all is involved.  You need to have a computer with internet access, speakers or headphones to listen and the link to access the webinar.   Once you log in you will be able to view my screen and the various things I will be showing you as well as hear my voice.    If you have questions there will be an area for you to type them and I will be able to answer during the webinar.   You do NOT need a phone or a microphone.  All questions will be asked through the chat system on AnyMeeting.  It is FREE, easy and a fun way to learn new things!

So, take a minute and register today.  Also, if you know of questions you want to be sure and have answered, please enter your questions in the comments below and I include them in the webinar.

Register now……..FREE Facebook Basics Webinar, Monday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 PM.

7 Essential Sites for Beginning Bloggers

7 Essential Sites For Beginning Bloggers

Are you thinking about starting a blog?  Or have you started one, but are sort of stuck, not sure what to do next?  If so, take a few minutes to check out the sites listed below for beginning bloggers.  They have been very helpful to me as I began blogging and I continue to use them as a resource.   Lots of free information to help you get started successfully.

Blogging Basics 101 What do you want to know?  

Very basic to more advanced information.  Starts with “How do I start a blog?” and covers social networking, blogging etiquette, website and blog maintenance and more.

Decisive Minds, LLC How Entrepreneurial Women Do Business. 

Michele Scism provides blogging advice as well as business advice.  The site is full of information.  Michele also co-organizes the Ultimate Blog Challenge which is a great way to commit to posts and get traffic to your blog.

Simplifying Online Business Chaos: Websites, Blogging, Marketing & More

This site holds a wealth of information for the beginning blogger.  Info on obtaining websites, blogging ideas, working at home, starting a business and more.  Her information is easy to read and follow. She also has a variety of how to videos.  Don’t be put off by the hot pink font and decorations on her website.  It is full of great stuff.  She is also a co-organizer of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.

 Aliventures

Ali Luke provides information on writing in general, blogging, and freelancing.  Great site for beginners and includes lots of helpful tips.

Blogging with Amy  How anyone can build a business around a blog 

This covers blogging and monetizing your blog.  Very easy to read and understand.

Dumb Little Man: Tips for Life 

This is a wonderful site about all sorts of stuff.  Mostly self help.  Some days focuses on blogging, but mostly it is just how to have a better life in general.  Great for beginners.

Lorelle on WordPress

This site is full of information related to using WordPress.  She focuses on providing content to help you learn more about blogging and WordPress with help, tips, advice, and techniques. 

Take a few minutes and follow the above links.  Let me know if you found them helpful and if you have any sites of your own to suggest to beginners.  Just leave them in the comment area for everyone to check out.  Don’t forget to sign up for the blog so you know when the next post is live.