Good Morning & welcome to Inspiration Tuesday #8
At the beginning of this year I started doing Inspiration Tuesdays. I just kind of felt like I was stuck in a rut, and thought that if I was actively seeking out inspiration to fuel me every week, that you all may be interested as well.
During the summer, I stopped doing Inspiration Tuesday, but now that we’re solidly within October, I think it is time to start again. So, today’s Inspiration:
This week I wanted to keep it simple and straightforward, so let me share a little bit of story with you.
When I started Retired by 40! (well, to this day, actually) I didn’t tell any of my close friends and family that I had a blog. Slowly, as these two years have gone on, many of them have learned that I have a blog, but only 1 knows the name, or even why I started it. Many times, I get asked about it, but I never tell them anything about this blog.
Why?
Because I’m scared. I’m scared that they’ll think my goal is too outlandish, scared that they’ll judge my finances, which I put out here for you all to see, scared of what they’ll think.
And of course, I’m scared that they’ll doubt my commitment to the goal, doubt it’s achievability, doubt my abilities.
Many people have give me their unbelievably honest opinions about blogging, saying things like “blogging isn’t work” and “how do you make money doing that.” I’ve even gotten the “don’t make homemaking into more than what it is.”
And to be honest, these comments got me down in the beginning.
But now, they just add fuel to my fire. Well, first, they made me mad, but then I used that anger to motivate me!
I encourage you to take today and think about everyone who doubts you. Whether it’s blogging, budgeting, paying off debt, or whatever other crazy awesome thing you’re trying to accomplish. What do people say about your goals? Does it make you angry, disappointed, or let down?
Get angry. Get motivated, and Get busy proving them wrong!
Gretchen
I always bragged about my online stuff (have built web sites since 2002) and never took the naysayers seriously. I know my goals and am determined to get there. Some laughed at me back then, I was the crazy woman with sites. Now some are shocked to learn that I make a good living as a web designer and from my network, while they still have to go to their dreaded ‘normal’ job :)
Hi Gretchen,
I have been going through that too. It is so irritating! This last person who asked what I do…I told them I blog, and you could hear a pin drop. She had no idea what I was talking about. So I added that I also sell on eBay. Then she got all excited and said “oh that’s good”. Like, at least I was earning money somehow. Actually I feel like its my little secret way of making money.
That is why I am so happy there is a big community of support from other bloggers. They get it. They understand. And they are supportive. So I continue on, and I’m glad you are too!
Your honesty is refreshing. I’m glad I’m not the only one who wants to prove some people wrong. They don’t know I think this, and just like you they don’t know what my actual goals are. I’m a bit afraid to tell people, but I’m not afraid to dream or to do the work required to get there. One day, I’ll look like an instant success to them (instant as in put in years of effort).
love this so much! I too am working on proving some people wrong! xx,kenz
http://sincerelykenz.com