Love this necklace from my pal MomJovi
It struck me while preaching to my Fitbloggin’ friends that you should create then refine, revamp, improve and update a blogging mission statement … it’s been a while since I really checked in to see if I’m true to my own. And if not, how can I change it for the better?
That, coupled with a wonderfully thought-provoking discussion with Jenn from Girl Heroes in the comments (“Credit Where Credit’s Due“) and later in person made me wonder — is the voice in my head the same one that my readers are hearing? Do you all know how much I appreciate and value your support, even when you think I’m wrong?
So, for myself and you, my beloved blends, a few thoughts on why I do what I do.
I want to be less Wizard and more Dorothy.
- I want to be curious about the world and, through my adventures and exploration, bring you on the journey.
- I will share the beauty that I find and also help you figure out how to get the dang house off the dumb witch so you can wear the sparkly shoes. To do that, I’ll start ripping the house away myself, then show you how to do it without getting splinters or wasting your time.
- I want to be cautiously optimistic about the future and believe that as long as I have friends to wake me up in a poppy field, I will have a safe home. Whether that’s in Oz or Kansas or somewhere in between.
- I promise to try and remember that preaching (ahem, first sentence) is never as fulfilling or effective as conversating (yup, I’m calling that a verb) and that it’s wise to make sure that people see my flaws even under the glittery eyeshadow and hairbows.
- I never want to spend time locked away from the world, trying to make everyone think I’m an all-powerful, all-knowing person while the real risk-takers and sages are out on the yellow brick road, just trying to chart the right course to happiness.
OK, now that those silly statements are out there, what am I really trying to say?
My blog is a compilation of lessons I learned because I was curious to get the answers for myself — and in doing so, I often figured them out the “wrong” way. So my posts are meant to be teaching tools, and the end of the story, not necessarily the entire experience.
So as much as I love hearing you tell me that something I’ve done has inspired or taught you, I never want to be a guru or a know-it-all.
I’m a know-a-little-but-research-a-lot.
Please don’t get frustrated if you don’t know all that I seem to know about social media, marketing, blogging, healthy living or whatever I may be talking about. I promise, I’m just as confused and overwhelmed as you are — I’m just doggedly determined to get those answers.
Thanks, and I’ll be back with a new series on Bloggers in Depth tomorrow — a breakdown of our blogging community based on the answers so many of you gave me in the 2011 Healthy Living Bloggers Survey!
About Katy
I totally don’t think you come across as a “know-it-all”! I love that you are able to share your “lessons learned” in such an articulate way! Kelly at Foodie Fresh recently told me that blogging (and I think social media in general) is an evolutionary process and I agree. We continue to grow, adapt, and change. We find our voice as we write and share a part of ourselves. Thanks for doing what you do!
Thanks, Michelle!
I so agree with the evolutionary aspect to blogging, and to health and fitness. The journey is just as much fun as arriving at the destination.
Wow…love this. Seriously – wanting “more” Dorothy is such a metaphor – one I feel like we should all try to apply to our own lives! (“I want to be curious about the world and, through my adventures and exploration, bring you on the journey.” <— LOVE!)
FitBloggin' totally renewed my blogging "mojo," so I feel like this would be a great thing for me to do right now as well. You may not want to be a know-it-all or guru, but you're pretty darn smart
SO great to hang out with you this weekend. Please let me know if you're ever in NY!! xoxo G
…meant to quote “Dorothy” – not “more” – it’s still way too early for me, clearly
You make me want to fly up, just to hang with the NY blogging crew
Such a great post! I love reading your blog and appreciate all of the research and insight you add.
This is a great reminder to revisit my “mission.” I just began blogging in October, but – in large part thanks to my blog and blogger community – I have changed a lot since then!
Laura, thanks so much — and yes, if I’ve inspired you to take a moment and revisit your own mission, this post is a success!
I think it’s important to add that while someone may not know as much as you about blogging/marketing/healthy living/being awesome, whatever–they may know a ton more about something else. Everyone’s an expert on *something!*
“I never want to spend time locked away from the world, trying to make everyone think I’m an all-powerful, all-knowing person while the real risk-takers and sages are out on the yellow brick road, just trying to chart the right course to happiness.”
This statement really stuck out to me for some reason, I love it! Such a great post
Thanks, Heather…it was a late add, and once I’d written it, I thought — YES. That’s what I’m trying to say. So I’m glad it spoke to you!
I love the concept of being “less Wizard – more Dorothy” since throughout life, we are constantly learning and evolving. And like you said, so long as we have friends to wake us up in the poppy field, we will have a home. Thanks to blogging and last weekend’s Fitbloggin conference, I now have many more friends I can count on.
ps-I just installed Intense Debate on my blog. I’m hoping I did it right and it works
I love Fitbloggin’
Yippee for new friends and blog tools!
(p.s. Intense Debate looks great on your site — how are you liking it so far?)
Thanks, Katy. I’m liking Intense Debate so far, but I’m not sure it’s working 100% yet. I’ve had a few friends tell me they get error messages when clicking to notify of followup comments. It’s definitely a work in progress
Love this! I read a bunch of blogs and you most definitely do not come off as a know-it-all, more a good friend with a lot of good tips to share. I was actually just writing about this same topic on my blog because it’s hard to integrate expertise, humor, and vulnerability all in one, all the while making your readers happy! Still a work in progress, but then again isn’t everyone?
As one of your “chosen ones”, I went from knowing very little about blogging to know a little bit more to be a better blogger. I am still learning from you every day, and I have FALLEN IN LOVE with social media. My blog will continually be a work in progress, but it would’ve never gotten to where it is today without you (and Jess’s) help.
Social media is a temptress, no? I love her too
I’m so glad we got to be a small part of your journey, but let us know if you have any other questions!
I must admit that I do kinda view you as the Wizard and not the Dorothy… but I think that’s where you excel and have the passion. What’s wrong with that?
Unless you feel like there’s a need or a disconnect in the way you interact or blog, why change? You have experience. You have knowledge. You share it. What could be more supportive than that?