The title to this post seems ridiculous to me because it seems to me that it’s so obvious. But I’ll admit, I haven’t always had this attitude nor this perspective.
As a member of the so-called Generation Y, I have a problem with pressures and entrapments of entitlement and being “successful” without actually having to do anything. It’s a disease I tell you (and it’s well-documented that Gen-Yers have some serious issues with “paying their dues”)!
But we have to work hard at it. We have to earn it. It’s amazing how many blog posts (and blogs) that want you to believe the lie that it’s really that easy to make it big and that all you have to do is signup for this and do that and follow this person, yada yada yada.
LIES!
Your blog and your blogging is an investment and it’s much better to understand that it’s a marathon race and not a sprint. I believe that what Malcom Gladwell says in his book Outliers is true: There is a 10,000 hour rule to practicing your skills as it relates to success. He points to Bill Gates and the Beatles as examples.
You want to be a “success” at blogging? Think long term. Think the “long road,” and think 10,000 hours, not 10.
So here’s an encouragement to you, yes you; the person who hasn’t “made it” yet: You’re on the right track.
[Image from Klash]
Kevin Ring says
Excellent point and great encouragement.
ps Thanks for the hard work and countless hours you've put in to make this what it is.
human3rror says
thanks dude!
Crystal says
Thanks so much for this. As a new substantive blogger, I sometimes feel like I'm writing to a brick wall and have no real audience. Your post reminds me of that and was definitely a good thing for me to read this morning.
human3rror says
don't quit!
Kyle Reed says
Thanks for the encouragement John. I get rather frustrated myself with my blog and wanting more "readers" but I often have to remind myself that I have only really been truly blogging and working at it for 5 months now. I am not very patient at all and want immediate results, so it is hard for me to be patient and wait my turn and work at it until it is my time.
Great points here, and Gladwell is exactly right.
human3rror says
gladwell. bomb.!
BrettBarner says
Thanks for the much-needed-because-today-is-a-two-pots-of-coffee-type-Monday encouragement John! No matter how much I pour over those Google analytic graphs or try to see why this blog or that blog is popular, I just need to remember why I'm doing this and not why my "readership" feels like it could fit inside a Burger King.
“He that can have Patience, can have what he will” – Benny Franklin.
Kyle Reed says
Great quote at the end. loved it and will remember it
Brandon Cox says
Amen John! I love it! I must admit on behalf of "our" generation (okay, I'm 32) that we whine a lot about why things don't come easier. But the hard work it takes to get there is where the fun is at!
@phillipgibb says
whooo, scaring and encouraging all at the same time.
scary that it is that long
encouraging that I can't expect much for the hour I have put in and that I can put a whole lot more.
and good that it's not 10,000 hrs in one shot
Daniel_Berman says
At this point, I think I have my mother and father-in-law as "fairly" reasonable readers. Its definitely hard, when you know there is so much ground to cover. But with patience, its amazing what skills can develop…
Coenraad says
Something I think all new bloggers need to learn. I myself have felt like I am going to MAKE it easily, but 6 months down the line, I realise what work it takes to actually become successful doing this.
LayGuy says
Like I said before dude. You control your blog. It should never control you. Don't feel like blogging? Who cares? Don't do it! Feel inspired? Great get it out into the open.
Stats, clicks on ads and authorities don't mean anything when compared to your sanity. B)
Kyle Reed says
Great point
rodlie says
So i've got about 150 hours down of blogging, which took about a year. In ten years I'll have about 1,500 hours. And in about 60 years I should be awesome at blogging. Sweet!!!
Lauren Rodriguez says
Gene Kelly told Debbie Reynolds on the set of Singin' in the Rain that it takes 104 repetitions to drill the tap move into your body's muscles, and that's only once ur a professional.
The world of technology blogging and musicals intersect, finally!
human3rror says
omg. killer. 😉
markalves says
With all that you crank out, what multiple of 10,000 are you up to by now?
If you take 10-11 hour days at 6 days a week (allowing for one day of rest) you'll get to 10,000 hours in 3 years. The public ministry of Jesus was three years. He didn't need to practice, but maybe the rest of us who do can take it as inspiration.
human3rror says
huh. never thought about that…
Mikes says
ey thanks for the encouragement…
Dustin says
Thanks for this post, John.
human3rror says
sure. 🙂