Source: CANVA
Let me start this post by asking some questions:
- Would you like to have the ability to make an impact?
- Would you like to have a positive influence on other people?
- Would you like to (at least some times) to take the lead in any specific activity?
- Would you like to get recognition for the work you do?
I can keep on asking these questions... There are so many of these kind of questions one can ask.
But what is your answer to these questions? If you answered "yes" to just one of these questions, my next question would be..."Why?"
Why did you look at the question and your answer was "yes"?
Have you tried to make an impact and you couldn't? Or did you put your work out there and it felt like nobody took any notice?
Or is it rather a matter of you haven't put your work out there yet? Maybe you thought you wouldn't make an impact so you never did anything about it...
Sometimes it is our own thoughts which are the biggest stumbling blocks. We doubt ourselves. We doubt our own abilities. We tend to look at other people and the work they do and the results they are getting, and we just cannot see ourselves competing with that. We just cannot grasp the idea of somebody else paying any attention to what we do...
Especially when we are in the beginning phases and we haven't done it before.
It is so easy for that element of doubt to creep in.
But there is one other thing we normally just don't think about...
That is the fact that those same people we are looking at with admiration...those same people we envy for their success... There was a time when they were exactly where you are finding yourself right now.
They also had to start from scratch. They also had to take that first step...the step into the unknown. They also had no clue whether they would be accepted or not...whether the work they do will make any impact on anybody...
But they had the guts to take that first step.
In some instances, you might have a very good reason for doubting yourself and your ability to make any difference.
I know, I was there my self not too long ago...and I am still not completely out of the woods.
I mentioned in my Behind the Scenes post of yesterday, how I tried my hand on writing articles online.
I worked my butt off...but there was just no worthwhile results. I felt as if I could just as well go stand in front of a wall and try to have a conversation with it.
Then I arrived here on the blockchain, and I started hearing about how difficult it is to be noticed on traditional social media platforms. Wow...no need to tell me about that!
At the same time I heard (and it makes sense) that now is the time to build your brand here on the blockchain. And on top of it all, you'll get rewarded for your work while you are still learning how to go about doing it.
So did I just jump in and started creating content as if I knew what I was doing?
No, not by far.
I was full of doubt. I didn't doubt the system. I didn't doubt the credibility of what I heard is possible here on the blockchain. It all made sense.
But I doubted myself!
I realized that there is opportunity here. I had the tools. People expressed their willingness to help, to support and give advice... But what if I started publishing and again didn't get much of a reaction? What if people didn't really like my content that much when they start seeing it. I mean, the opportunity is here, no doubt...but people still need to get to know you. You still need to start building those relationships.
There is no guarantee that you will get all the up-votes you want straight out of the starting blocks. How and when will I know if I'm doing the right thing...if I at last find my self at the right place?
Although the facts of the possibilities here on the blockchain was staring me right in the face, my past experience was still haunting me...
Yes, I can see...it is possible. It can be done.
But can I do it?
In all honesty, it took me the best part of a year to really build up enough confidence and courage. I was positive and excited by what I saw and experienced. But I still didn't give 100%.
I engaged and curated content as much as possible and I posted on average about once per week. Because...what if people started getting bored with my content if I post too much?
It was only recently that I have built up enough courage to start posting more. To give my all.
I decided to go for it...it's all or nothing...
So far, the results are nothing short of amazing.
So, if that's you...if you are doubting yourself for whatever reason, conquer your fears. Put your fears aside and do what you've always been wanting to do. And do it now!
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. ~ Chinese Proverb
Created In: CANVA
Don't do what I did by waiting, doubting, wanting to do it but putting it off because you feel unsure.
The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any. ~ Alice Walker
Start now. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll know.
I hope this post is helpful to you. I hope it will encourage you to start working. Remember the three C's...Content, Comment and Curate.
This post is also part of the #ctpcontent challenge.
You can find more information about the challenge here.