Discussions

Mental Block

Posted by millieriver • 9/07/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: block, blog, inspiration, mental, writing

Mental Block
Starting your own business is like writing a blog for the very first time! At first, you are excited; you envision the best case scenario having thousands of readers accepting your ideas. You put in a lot of work to be met with the harsh reality that it's not as easy as you thought it would be. Persistence, determination and flexibility are keys to succeeding in both arenas.

By now I'm sure you know that I started my own business earlier this year. I ventured off on my own providing my field of expertise. It was the next logical step in my career especially if it was me who nursed broken companies into producing machines! It's what I've always done and I'm good at it. I found my courage pulling from the circle of friends/colleagues around me that is successful entrepreneurs.

Initially in building my company, there was a lot of excitement and movement in the air. It's all I thought about all day and night. I worked my butt off! But like a blog, just because you build it, doesn't mean they'll come. Let me tell you, I hit my wall and by the 5th month, I was exhausted! I didn't even want to think about my company! I've never climbed a mountain as big as this and I'm overwhelmed and my feet are getting tired.

My inner warrior would never let me give up but my mind was beating me up for the lack of progress. For the first time in my life I started to doubt my abilities; were all my successes an illusion. Maybe I'm not as talented as I thought I was. It was heart breaking.

I knew that I needed to step back. I needed to get clear, get rid of my negative emotions/thoughts and give myself permission to be kind to myself. Sometimes, things may not go as planned, but just like your blog, you can't give up either. You'll have to listen to what your audience is telling you, flexible with the changing times and determined to get to your end result. Along the way, you'll learn many things about yourself, and when you get there it will be the greatest reward! The money will be icing on the cake! =)

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This is my blog entry today. I really wanted to share with the community because it is a subject I thought we can all relate and personal to me. If you like it please click on my profile and follow me. Thanks for reading!!!

User Comments

9/07/09

trailofpen

For me, it's sort of like a snowball effect. You start off small, and grow, and grow, and then the snowball seems like it's just going to plow you over or others start taking notice and want to try and steal a piece of your snowball, so you have to hire people you trust to guard and help grow your snowball. You may not be an expert at first, you'll hit a few bumps, you may just smash against a tree, but you get better, and pretty soon, you've mastered your craft. I like analogies btw, and snowballs.

[reply]
1. 9/07/09
  
  millieriver
  
  I am waiting for that day to come! Eagerly!
9/07/09

ubetchacan

Millieriver, it is very true that we must always keep on with our plan. If the plan is not working, take a step back and think about what the problem might be. Ask others for advice when you can. Sometimes the opinion of an outsider can show an obvious problem with your strategy that you have overlooked because you are too close to it. Always be determined to get your end result. To do this, you must define precisely what your end result is.

By the way I like your blog. It is nice to see someone blogging about kindness and civility in today's world.

[reply]
1. 9/07/09
  
  millieriver
  
  Thank you very much! This is inspiring! I'm finding that blogging is an outlet. It clears my mind. It helps in confidence building. Plus you all are amazing!
9/07/09

timethief

@millieriver
By the way I like your blog. It is nice to see someone blogging about kindness and civility in today's world.

I second everything ubetchacan has said above. I found your Rude vs Polite post and left you a comment but I can't find this post as yet.

[reply]
1. 9/07/09
  
  millieriver
  
  Thanks timethief! love your username! You're awesome!
9/07/09

crawler

Good job ! Keep up, I think you are there !

[reply]
1. 9/07/09
  
  millieriver
  
  Crawler- Thanks for your support!
9/07/09

drjalee52

The key to unblocking writing is to ask yourself questions. Allow the questions to flow. Write them down. Draw pictures. Then research all information regarding the questions and see if you can address the questions. If that doesn't work ask more questions or ask some one to question you. Good luck.

[reply]
9/07/09

HollytheHousewife

I say how about this? Let's pull a freaky friday. I need a mental block right now. I have been writing so much my hands hurt.

[reply]
9/08/09

millieriver

HollytheHousewife - I don't think you'll want to trade places with me...lol! I have sooo much to do right now that I don't even know what to do first! I hate that feeling! I need someone to just organize everything for me.

[reply]
9/08/09

crawler

Life's many stages need perseverance and patience to succeed. One who works hard achieves it.

[reply]
1. 9/08/09
  
  millieriver
  
  Crawler! I really like your insights! It would mean a lot to me if you followed my journey!
2. 9/08/09
  
  owlbarn
  
  I agree with you crawler. Patience is the key to success.
  
  @ millieriver I enjoyed reading your post.
  
  My inner warrior would never let me give .. and sleep
9/08/09

millieriver

@owlbarn - lol! To tell you the truth, I love, love, love my sleep! It's the racing thoughts at a billion miles per hour is what keeps me up...most of the time.

[reply]
9/08/09

cepoek96

is like a baby, which grows according to age and ability, was originally a baby can not walk. he will make every effort to be a way, but in the end because his business and has a natural, the baby could walk and run. so it's good to measure the ability, because if you can measure the ability to be able to control themselves, so don't get stuck in problems.

[reply]
1. 9/08/09
  
  millieriver
  
  Yup (nodding my head)! The learning experiences! One step at a time!
9/08/09

tonybeach

You can do it! thanks for the awesome and kind words today!
Anthony

[reply]
9/08/09

nothingprofound

Congratulate yourself on the efforts you've already made! You should be proud of yourself. Keep your goal in mind and take it one day at a time. Enjoy the creative process. Who knows, your goal may eventually change, but the joy you experience everyday will not.

[reply]
1. 9/08/09
  
  millieriver
  
  Thank you Nothingprofound!
  
  I really, really hope that others in the same circumstance get to read this thread because there is so much to take away from this. You all have given amazing advice and great insight.
  
  Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
9/09/09

millieriver

This one is dedicated to you all for your support! Thank you!

I can feel a breakthrough coming!

I found a clearing in my jungle of confusing and foggy thoughts and I can feel a breakthrough coming. The air is clear and refreshingly new. There's fuel in gas tank again and I feel rejuvenated!

I went back to read my last posting and it dawned on me that I have cried and held on to my - I'm stuck story - long enough! I don't want to be that girl! God has really used this blog and my new friends here as an outlet for me to redefine my direction. Looking back at events that led me here, I am in awe of His organizing power. And we never quite see it until later. I guess that's when you've got to have a little faith!

It all started when my partner and dear friend dropped a book in my lap entitle "Social Media Bible". He said you need to read this! Yeah right! A book containing 800 pages! He's crazy! But because I have complete trust in the man, I opened it and started to read it! And boy was he right. I was captivated immediately! (By the way, on page 223.)

The book contains chapters on Blogging and referred me to this web site and 100's of others. I choose this because it has the largest blogging network (222 million users). Yup! Hard to believe right!?

As a social experiment, I started to blog! And let me tell you, it's not easy but I'm glad I did. I've stepped out of my comfort zone in more ways than one and if you're a blogger, you understand. I'm stretching and growing!

So thank you God, my new community, my partner/friend for the book and for those who have supported me.

Let the journey begin! Ha, ha!

myrandomactsofkindness.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-can-feel-breakthrough-coming....

[reply]
1. 9/09/09
  
  drjalee52
  
  You are a happy little soldier, march onward to your dreams. Let your ideas flow. Write the words of your heart and mind.