I have been blogging since 2007. When I began, I barely knew what a blog was and had little clue as to exactly why I wanted to blog. My duties as a scholar call for me to write often, so I coupled my love of marketing with a desire to write. Would there be an audience? I did not even care if anyone read because that is not why I was blogging (luckily I felt that way because I am pretty certain few eyeballs came across my blog in its early years). Blogging is like exercising, the more frequently you do it, the stronger you become. And, you gain confidence and build enthusiasm that fuels the desire to blog on.
Into a Rut
For the first time in my blogging career, I have found myself stuck in a rut. Despite posting more than 700 entries total to my blogs (Marketing DR and Sports Biz U), I suddenly found topics harder to come by and the passion for blogging missing some of the intensity I felt before. I attributed this change to having surgery to remove my gallbladder a few weeks ago. It certainly sapped my energy for a while. Blogging was not a must do activity as I recovered. However, the recovery is behind me so I can no longer blame my physical condition. Had I become lazy, I wondered. Or, is it a classic case of writer’s block? Two books I have been reading gave me the insight needed to understand my withdrawal from writing.
Act Yourself into Feeling
One book I am reading right now is The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John Maxwell. I have read many Maxwell books over the years and was interested in getting his take on how we should pursue personal growth. In the opening chapter, Maxwell identifies eight growth gaps that keep us from realizing our full potential. While all eight gaps can be obstacles to personal growth, one of them was particularly relevant to me: The inspiration gap. Growth will not occur while we are waiting for “the right time” to embark on a course of action that will challenge us to grow. Maxwell cites a quote from Harvard psychologist Jerome Bruner: “You’re more likely to act yourself into feeling than feel yourself into action.” We can rationalize our decision to delay action- “I’ll wait until after Christmas,” “I’ll be ready when the kids move out of the house,” “It will be time when all of our bills are paid.” We can delay ourselves right out of growth opportunities as we wait for a time we feel will be more conducive to challenging ourselves to grow.
Reinvent Yourself in Order to Grow
Another lesson I have taken away from the book The Power of No by James and Claudia Azula Altucher. One of the takeaways from their book is the idea of reinventing yourself. If you are stuck in a rut or are otherwise not where you want to be it is not a life sentence. A five-year plan is advocated for transforming into a “new you.” But, it will never happen unless the decision to change through action is made (act yourself into feeling). I have given a great deal of thought to this idea of personal reinvention. Perhaps that is why blogging had become more difficult, that I would benefit from a “new me” sharing thoughts on whatever is motivating me to action these days.
Defining personal reinvention is still a work in progress for me, but I see it as necessary to stoke the fire that has been smoldering. I am convinced that I am not going through some mid-life crisis (even though I just turned 50). You can be looking at reinvention whether you are 20, 50, or 70. Most of us long to have a clear purpose, one in which we add value to loved ones and others with whom we come in contact. Tomorrow is a good time to reflect on purpose; today is even better.
