I’ve now been blogging for just over three years and running my own blogging business for a large chunk of that time. During my blog-journey (X-Factor moment!) I have gone from writing purely to capture our memories, to blogging for brands and now creating online courses for bloggers to advance their own skills.
As bloggers, we are constantly learning new things about our blogs and also about ourselves, our businesses and the larger online world.
So today, as the year draws to a close I thought I would share some of the lessons I have learned so far.
- Connecting and collaborating is MUCH more valuable than competition.
- Who you are in every day life is who you want to be in your every-day business.
- Take imperfect action.
- We can do anything we set our minds to.
- Sometimes you can fail yourself forward.
- Embrace the things that make you unique.
- Being consistent = being successful.
- Find and embrace your people. You will always need them.
- Be open, honest and vulnerable.
- If it scares you, do it.
- Let go of guilt and embrace that you will be a powerful role model to your children.
- Value yourself and your time.
- Say no more than you say yes.
- Do what makes sense and what you love.
- Don’t worry about what strangers think. They don’t matter.
- Never stop learning.
- Just do one thing at any one time.
- Do your own thing.
- Keep moving forward.
- A task expands to fill the time given for its completion (o.k so this is Parkinson’s Law, but I had to get it in!).
- If your goals don’t make you feel uncomfortable, they aren’t big enough.
- Automate anything that you do repeatedly.
- Build your email list rather than your social media followers (You own your email list).
- Don’t limit yourself. You can do great things.
- People buy from people they know, like and trust.
- The best time to act is before you’re ready.
- Serve first, ask later.
- Nothing worth having is ever easy.
- You can’t do everything on your own.
- You don’t have to be an expert to teach, you just have to know more than the people you intend to teach.
- Just do it.
- We all have a superpower, we just have to find out what it is.
- Good marketing is using the exact words your audience uses.
- Write for your true fans, not for traffic.
- Use Facebook ads to validate your idea.
- Be confident and kind (arrogance is not confidence. Arrogance is being dismissive of others).
I have probably learned a whole bunch of other lessons too, but these are the ones which stand out. What lessons have you learned this year?
Comments 20
Brilliant lessons Aby! So many that I am nodding away to as I read this!
I’ve nodded my way through the list as well. I think I still care too much about what others think so this is something that I need to get over as it’s definitely holding me back. I feel like I’ve learnt so much from reading your blog and taking part in the Wrap Party so thank you. Happy 2017!
Some inspiring words of wisdom there Aby! Very good.
Yes to this! Especially doing things that scare you. They’re usually the most worthwhile x
You are so right about trying not to care about what people think when it comes to blogging.
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I love this so so much, so true in every way. I read this saying yes to each one, so important in many spheres of life not just blogging. #TheList
Wow – just shows how much you can learn from blogging and how valuable it is! I love blogging so much, but don’t always take the time to look back and think about what I’ve learnt. This has inspired me to, thank you 🙂 #TheListLinky
Helen x
This is a very honest list and has reminded me not to be scared about what others think. I definitely need to let go more and embrace the blogging fear! Thank you for all your wise words and your helpful posts, as a new blogger they have been invaluable. #TheLinkyList
So many brilliant realisations here. I love your ‘take imperfect action’ – I am slowly learning not to be a perfectionist 🙂
Already read and commented, but just popping back from #TheList xx
Happy 2017
Love this. Some really great advice, and love how it’s a mix of business things and personal things, because I suppose that what it’s like as a blogger isn’t it, it’s all mixed in together! x #TheList
This is FAB – I am going to print it out and stick it on my wall – such great advice!!! I’ve just requested to join #MomBossSquad! x Here’s to 2017!
So much advice what more can I say – thank you! #thelistlinky
I love how most of these are just get on with it , one liners. Jump 1st worry about the landing later .#thelistlinky
Those are probably the most eloquent lessons have read. Some I acknowledge myself that I have learnt some have taught me a few things. I love the positivity and assertive way in which you write it makes me feel confident xxx #TheListLinky
Every single one of these points is important and powerful. I want to make it into a poster!! #TheList
That’s an interesting one about owning the email list – I hadn’t thought of it like that before! #thelistlinky
Such a positive and uplifting list – thank you. I needed that this morning. #TheList
Great post! I really need to stick at doing a weekly newsletter!