It’s 2019, and we spend more time than ever on our smartphones, computers, and basically any kind of gadget that connects us to the web.
We’re always posting, reading, commenting, sending Tweets, taking pictures and videos, checking e-mails, messages, and notifications on half a dozen social networks.
We go on Tumblr for a few minutes before bed and stop only when the sun’s up. We find something interesting or funny, and we want to share it with the world.
This is how stuff goes viral. This is how certain YouTube channels reach millions of subscribers.
This is how we keep in touch with friends and family, with folks from around the world we’ve never even met in person. Verbal and non-verbal communication has been forgotten and replaced by…
Actually, it’s not like that. At all.
The Trick is to Keep Human
Think about the bloggers that you like most. Ever wondered why? What makes them so special?
Do you like them because they constantly share with you information that is weird or funny or useful? Or do you like them because you enjoy how they write? Because you like the style of the author, their particular sense of humor, the way they turn a phrase?
A blogger becomes popular because they have a unique style and way of thinking. Here’s the plot twist: they were like that before they ever started blogging.
We like to think that this age of technology allows people to be anti-social, asocial, socially anxious, and still get along with others. Still connect with others.
If by others you mean some 7 people who are probably weirder than you, then yeah…
If you want to become a better blogger, you need to have a style and a voice of your own — and you can’t find that on Tumblr or Instagram.
Throwback to When I Used to Have No Social Skills at All
When high-school started for me some 14 years ago, I was pretty much socially inept. Big time. It’d be hard to even breathe or swallow whenever I met people. Couldn’t look them in the eye, couldn’t control my heartbeats. It was crazy.
I had no idea how to become friends with someone.
Like, I had no idea.
I used to spend an awful lot of time on forums, I was working for a gaming magazine at the time, reading a book a week, writing short stories… yet I had no idea how to talk to people.
So, I just did what I thought was a good idea. I’d tell jokes. That was what I was kind of good at. I always liked a good joke, and I could always remember one after reading it once.
How did that go for me?
Four years later I was the rockstar at my high-school. One of the most popular kids there.
I had developed a style, so to speak. I knew who I was, what I wanted to say, and how I wanted to say it. I also had the guts to do that.
Blogging is Simple…
We just tend to make it seem like this incredibly complicated and terrifying process.
It’s not.
Blogging is all about knowing who you are.
But there’s a catch. It’s really that simple, but it’s not easy. In life, people will always tell you who to be, and how to behave. And there’s an awful lot of poison being passed around as honey.
Like being told to “be nice.” It’s not the same as being kind, or good, or brave, or anything actually. It’s just pretending to be something you’re not, and you’re encouraged to do that for something called social harmony, which is one of the building blocks of what we call civilization.
Want to know the big paradox?
If you behave in the way that others tell you to behave, and you follow all the rules, and you act nice, and polite, and never disrupt the status quo, and you never raise your voice, and you never talk without being talked to, and you….
You’re not going to be much, really.
If you do the exact opposite, guess what?
Other people will pay your price. Will love you. Will laugh at your jokes. Will admire your swagger, your style, will listen to you.
Personality is what develops when you decide to break the rules, when you decide to be who you want to be, no matter who approves or not.
The stuff you should blog about is the kind of things that set your soul on fire.
What interests you?
What would you like to be if you could be anything at all?
What would you do if you could not fail?
Close your eyes and imagine the best version of yourself. Stand up, eyes still closed, and imagine that you are wearing a cape on your shoulders. An actual cape. Like all other superheroes. Imagine walking around with that cape, imagine people’s reactions, imagine your smile, imagine how you’d hold your head high, how you’d talk to others, how you’d act… how you’d treat others.
How would you act if you were the hero of your own story? The main character in the novel of your life?
That’s how you can be a better blogger.
Walk away from that smartphone/computer (after you comment on this post, of course). Go out. Have some fun. Make some friends. Sit on a bench and just watch life happening to other people. Do something you’ve always wanted to do, but fear kept you from doing it.
Then write a blog post like only you can.
That’s a wonderful post! And inspiring!
Thank you!
You welcome brother!
Excellent Chris, these thoughts express exactly what I’ve been thinking about. How my work is percieved, what motivates me, what do I like, what does yhe audience that I want to target like. My style is very eclectic and stream of conciousness and because it is not mainstream I know that I need to target my audience better. So your tips have been very helpful.
Next up your course on blogging!
Thank you!!
Jordan
I just wanted to say thank you. You inspire me to pick up where I left off a few years ago. I hope to encourage and inspire as you do. I plan to remain genuine and the best me there is as you have stated. Thanks for putting time into your craft as a service to others! After all, that is the super heroes role.
Very useful and inspiring.
Knowing who you are and knowing yourself is a critical part of living life as you are meant to be. The world is far too eager to pigeon-hole us into something that conforms to a societal norm. Those who turn left when the rest of the world goes right, are either loved or hated for it. Blogging is guess is like that. Writing about what is passionate to you, may be like turning left when all go to the right. Some will turn away, but many will wonder, “what’s up with this guy/gal who turned left?” Thanks for posting!
Wow! This is great…thanks for sharing
Wow! This was amazing!!
Very nice! I just started blogging a few months ago and this really motivated me to push harder. Thank you
“aftet you comment on this post of course” 😁
I think that I’m developing my own unique “voice” more with each new post. My writing is improving, and I’m providing a variety of subjects. Right now I’ve just introduced a series which is an excerpt from one of my previously self-published books. I’m also running a favorite authors series. Although I don’t have a huge following yet, it’s growing steadily. I’ve only had my blog for a little over two weeks. I may be doing some things wrong, but not everything. Your posts help and inspire me a lot. Thank you.
Love this post! Thanks for the inspiration.
I agree. Content and humanity in the writing makes the post more endearing for me more than the likes and the ‘usefulness’ of the post.
I think what is really significant, is taking that moment to imagine yourself as the hero, because it illustrates something I think we rarely do. We rarely disconnect our conscious, controlling ego from ‘reality’ and allow our inner selves to explore something. Even if just for a second.
Why do we not pay more attention to this best version of ourselves?
Because we seldom stop long enough to think about it.
This is real meaning of ‘doing nothing’ 😉
Fantastic post
Thank you!
Thank you for such an inspiring blog post. It’s definitely something to really think about for me when it comes to future blog posts.
Very inspiring stuff!
Awesome post, Christian!
Right on, right on, right on!
Blogging is like the Facebook version of you, only post the best moments so everybody is jealous of your life and thinks it is perfect.
Just needed to see and read this today. Thanks for posting!
Those were a handful of useful tips. Thanks for sharing 😊😊 keep Glittering
Thank you for this post and this makes me feel like I am really doing the right thing writing my blog in my way and in my words.
Thank you for the great tips. Very insightful information all across your blog!
“personality is what develops when you decide to break the rules.” Thanks for sharing this. Definitely, 2019 will be better.
My most recent blog post is about fear of setting goals. That’s me! 🙋🏼♀️. But this year I’m gonna bust through it! Hopefully 😁🤷🏼♀️😂
You are a true inspiration and I am Reblogging this post. Love it very much. You are a real inspiration.. Some day I would like to interview your journey..
Regards
Paul
http://www.imaginationbreathing.com
Thank you so much, Paul! And, yes, you can interview me any time you want. Send me an e-mail to contact@cristianmihai.net.
Thanks a lot….will contact soon
Informative post
Yes you do know how to write inspiring, motivating posts that are quite influential on others.
Thank you, Athena.
Wow….wow…I’m gonna go out now.
Excellent post. Love the visual of wearing a cape and standing proud and fearless. Well done.
v: good job
Thank you!
I really enjoyed this one. Very good information. Now if only I could figure out who I am! My son is a public speaker and he says to know the question first. I think you did this with this post.
Wonderful and highly inspiring post. You are such an inspiration
Thank you for all your blog post! This was a great read. I will be sharing on my page.
Thank you, Sybil.
Excellent advice!
Thank you!