The Scramble

There are times in life where it feels like we are in a nonstop scramble or hustle. We want something or think we want something, so we aim high and charge full force into it. It feels like we’re pursuing something meaningful, and maybe we are. The effort and work feels good, like it matters. People start recognizing what is either hard work or exhaustion, as if it’s all the same.

In all that hustle we can forget what it is we are actually aiming for. When I essentially announced that I wanted to blog and really go all in, I scrambled. I spent hours looking for advice and following online groups for blogging. I tried to post things I’d never written about before and applied for different affiliate networks (read: ads). I participated in link-ups, added more photos in posts and thought about a logo. I went to networking events and cringed when I only had post-it notes with my name written on it instead of business cards like the “real bloggers” I was surrounded by. I followed my stats and tried to align my posts with the ones that seemed to get the highest reach. I started thinking how I could get more sponsorships and what kind of investments I needed to make for this blog to seem more legit.

In all that, I spent a lot of time not writing. I was striving to become a blogger instead of a writer. That is totally awesome…for somebody else. There are so many bloggers out there that are just blowing up. They have tons of followers, make the best cakes, dress like celebrities and know how to decorate a nursery room like nobody’s business. If that’s you, you keep doing your thing. I admire your work and wish you all the best, truly. But I realized it’s not really what I want or who I am. I want to be a writer, and I want the way I write to connect with people who are going after their hopes and dreams. I want to write transparently and truthfully, but in a manner that encourages and inspires. For me, my blog is just the avenue that allows me to do that. If one day that avenue happens to be in a different form, like in an article or book, then so be it. But currently, I’m not going after a book deal either. Right now, I’m after creating content that challenges, connecting with people and being the best writer I can be.

All of those other things are good and worthwhile, and I’ll admit I’ve learned so many things about blogging during that scramble. But I also have had to step back and say, what is it that I want out of this? Do I want sponsors? Do I want fame? Do I want a creative outlet? Do I want to build a portfolio of work or advance professionally? Do I want to pursue particular topics? What is it?

Many of these questions are relevant within several creative endeavors. Maybe the wording is slightly different or the medium is in another area, but the root of the question is still applicable. What do you want out of this? 

You could potentially pursue, or even achieve, many of those things. It’s not bad to make money with your creativity or gain recognition for your work. It’s really nice actually. But if your primary motive is fame or fortune, then the work might take a different form than if you hope to simply have a creative outlet or a fun hobby. Neither is right or wrong, just a different approach for a different primary focus. It’s not all or nothing, but you do need to know what is of primary and secondary importance to you. 

I can’t answer all those questions for you (look at me, I’m wrestling through this myself), but I do suggest you ask yourself and try to find the answers. Whatever it is you are scrambling towards, are you headed in the right direction? Do you know what your focus is? What is it you want from it?