Music Success In Nine Weeks (Week 5: Exercise on Blogging)
I have another confession to make. Well, more of an observation to express. I’m finding this blog about blogging to be the most challenging so far. Mainly because the reading of so many great works this past week has left me wondering about my contribution (at least at this point). I don’t mean that in a self-depreciating way at all. Clearly, we each count as human beings and have something of value to contribute to the world. No, I think it has more to do with the awareness that my current abilities do not yet match what I hope to contribute.
Most of the blogs so far that I’ve felt were worth reading are filled with tips, step-by-step how to’s, words of wisdom or helpful comparisons. They’re creative, expressive, funny, sometimes personal, but nearly always quite informative in some way. You know, they usually zero in on a few points and present clear thoughts and action steps that challenge or enable others to grab an idea and run with it. Having nearly failed English in High School and really wrestling through it in my freshman year of College, the process of getting what I think and feel onto paper in a coherent and simple flow has always been a challenge for me. I’ve worked hard at it over the years and have grown a great deal. But now I can see I’m facing a new arena of challenge.
In light of this, my reading so far has mostly charged the question, What do I have to say, and how can I say it in a way that’s clear, engaging and beneficial to others in some way? I realize my blogs can be about anything and don’t have to be everything to everyone, but I do hope to make a reasonable contribution at some point, rather than just taking up space.
On the other hand, I suppose some can benefit from my processing out loud…it helps to know you’re not alone when you don’t have all the answers, aren’t the expert at something, or are simply trying to figure out how to keep moving forward without feeling overwhelmed. I can definitely offer honesty as I work through things like that. You’ve probably heard the adage: misery loves company. But so does hope (I believe even more so). And, since hope is the way out of misery (Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life), I’m really big on spreading that around as much as possible. So, perhaps I can help lift hope a little higher for someone. Maybe that’s what my blogs are to contribute in general. Maybe…still processing.
So I don’t have much to offer yet in the way of useful tips or how to’s when it comes to marketing on the social network. I trust all I’m learning will settle into experience and advice I can eventually pass along, but right now I’m still feeling the inertia from the learning curve of this wild ride (must have pulled at least negative 4 G’s last week!). Clearly, I’m still on the receiving end – trying to absorb and process!
SIDE NOTE: To be sure I was using proper terminology and accurately communicating what I’ve been feeling, I looked up Negative G-Force and found this at coasterforce.com:
Negative G-Force Tolerance
The human body exhibits alarming symptoms at just -2 Gs. On a roller coaster, a level higher than -1 G would be considered dangerous.
So, what am I absorbing and processing?
Consistently, the Plain English videos are excellent – both the RSS & Blogs in PE were very helpful. I set up my RSS reader using Google, spent considerable time looking for blogs of interest and identifying targets for my blogroll, as well as reading, subscribing and observing to get a sense for my contribution, commenting where I felt comfortable.
Of course, my site construction is ongoing – was finally able to load some of my catalog. Also added a guestbook (drop by and say hey!), and have a couple forum ideas for the future. I’m now planning the outline for our first newsletter, working on my email contact list and still working on the plan for expanding views of our relationship enrichment video, Inseparable.
Lots to do. If you’re also in the Challenge, I’m praying for you (if you’re at all like me, you need it!). There’s a lot here! Great stuff, eh? And if you’ve just happened by and are reading, well, my prayer for you is that your day will somehow be filled with hope.
Until next week,
Brett
Brett Barry ~ reminiscent of Dave Matthews and Mat Kearney carpooling with Chris Tomlin on the way to church
http://facebook.com/brettbarrymusic
http://youtube.com/brettbarrymusic
I have another confession to make. Well, more of an observation to express. I’m finding this blog about blogging to be the most challenging so far. Mainly because the reading of so many great works this past week has left me wondering about my contribution (at least at this point). I don’t mean that in a self-depreciating way at all. Clearly, we each count as human beings and have something of value to contribute to the world. No, I think it has more to do with the awareness that my current abilities do not yet match what I hope to contribute.
Most of the blogs so far that I’ve felt were worth reading are filled with tips, step-by-step how to’s, words of wisdom or helpful comparisons. They’re creative, expressive, funny, sometimes personal, but nearly always quite informative in some way. You know, they usually zero in on a few points and present clear thoughts and action steps that challenge or enable others to grab an idea and run with it. Having nearly failed English in High School and really wrestling through it in my freshman year of College, the process of getting what I think and feel onto paper in a coherent and simple flow has always been a challenge for me. I’ve worked hard at it over the years and have grown a great deal. But now I can see I’m facing a new arena of challenge.
In light of this, my reading so far has mostly charged the question, What do I have to say, and how can I say it in a way that’s clear, engaging and beneficial to others in some way? I realize my blogs can be about anything and don’t have to be everything to everyone, but I do hope to make a reasonable contribution at some point, rather than just taking up space.
On the other hand, I suppose some can benefit from my processing out loud…it helps to know you’re not alone when you don’t have all the answers, aren’t the expert at something, or are simply trying to figure out how to keep moving forward without feeling overwhelmed. I can definitely offer honesty as I work through things like that. You’ve probably heard the adage: misery loves company. But so does hope (I believe even more so). And, since hope is the way out of misery (Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life), I’m really big on spreading that around as much as possible. So, perhaps I can help lift hope a little higher for someone. Maybe that’s what my blogs are to contribute in general. Maybe…still processing.
So I don’t have much to offer yet in the way of useful tips or how to’s when it comes to marketing on the social network. I trust all I’m learning will settle into experience and advice I can eventually pass along, but right now I’m still feeling the inertia from the learning curve of this wild ride (must have pulled at least negative 4 G’s last week!). Clearly, I’m still on the receiving end – trying to absorb and process!
SIDE NOTE: To be sure I was using proper terminology and accurately communicating what I’ve been feeling, I looked up Negative G-Force and found this at coasterforce.com:
Negative G-Force Tolerance
The human body exhibits alarming symptoms at just -2 Gs. On a roller coaster, a level higher than -1 G would be considered dangerous.
- At -1 G, humans exhibit a sense of pressure in their head (Had that)
- At -2 Gs, there will be a severe headache, nosebleed and swelling of the eyelids (My eyes did itch at one point…)
- At -3 Gs, Eyes will bleed, vision will fade, eyes will feel as though they are popping out their sockets (Questionable)
- At -4 Gs, mental confusion and unconsciousness (Definitely had that)
- At -5 Gs, humans are at risk of losing their eyeballs and death (not exactly sure...because I was unconcious)
So, what am I absorbing and processing?
Consistently, the Plain English videos are excellent – both the RSS & Blogs in PE were very helpful. I set up my RSS reader using Google, spent considerable time looking for blogs of interest and identifying targets for my blogroll, as well as reading, subscribing and observing to get a sense for my contribution, commenting where I felt comfortable.
Of course, my site construction is ongoing – was finally able to load some of my catalog. Also added a guestbook (drop by and say hey!), and have a couple forum ideas for the future. I’m now planning the outline for our first newsletter, working on my email contact list and still working on the plan for expanding views of our relationship enrichment video, Inseparable.
Lots to do. If you’re also in the Challenge, I’m praying for you (if you’re at all like me, you need it!). There’s a lot here! Great stuff, eh? And if you’ve just happened by and are reading, well, my prayer for you is that your day will somehow be filled with hope.
Until next week,
Brett
Brett Barry ~ reminiscent of Dave Matthews and Mat Kearney carpooling with Chris Tomlin on the way to church
http://facebook.com/brettbarrymusic
http://youtube.com/brettbarrymusic