Sometimes it can be hard to keep going with something, even when you know is right and good to do so. In the last couple of weeks I've had a bit of a crisis of confidence, nothing too serious you understand, just doubting my own ability to continue adding value here on MeaningfulMoney.
This has taken me by surprise a little bit. I've just started on my podcasting journey, and am really enjoying the format and all that it offers. I've only recently passed the 250 video episodes milestone and was overwhelmed with messages of support and encouragement from so many friends.
I certainly haven't lost my enthusiasm. I'm as committed as I've ever been to educating people about their finances in language anyone can understand.
I'm just struggling a little bit, that's all.
Even the best struggle to keep going sometimes
Then the other day I listened to a brilliant podcast episode of the Human Business Way by Chris Brogan. In it, Chris interviewed another hero of mine, Michael Hyatt, and Michael was talking about how he often struggles in a similar way when going on stage to speak. He is convinced that people will see that he's a fraud with nothing of any value to say. And this is a guy who is at the very top of his game. Michael said that he has learned to encourage himself by memorising some truths and speaking them to himself when needed.
I took encouragement from this. I do know what I'm talking about, I can offer value here, and I can help others. Sometimes I just need to remind myself, and be reminded externally that this is still the case.
I wonder if you're struggling to keep going? Have you begun budgeting and paying off debt, but, after a few weeks or months are losing confidence in your ability to see it through?
Remember the laser focus we talked about in Session 2 of the podcast? You've got to blinker yourself to distractions and continue staring forward towards your goals. Maybe you need to remind yourself what your goals are. Setting your eyes on the prize will help you to keep running today.
And sometimes you just need to take a breather, enjoy the view from where you are, and remember why you're doing what you're doing. Michael Hyatt calls it getting back to his ‘Why'. My ‘Why' is the comments I get from people who feel more in control of their money after watching some videos or listening to a podcast. I even keep a few of these in a special email folder, so I can revisit them when my ‘Why' feels a little distant.
Once we're refreshed, we can set off again with renewed vigour. Just don't stop for long, else it might be difficult to pick up the pace again.
To that end, I probably won't be posting many more videos for the rest of December. I should get one more podcast episode in next week, and maybe a Christmas message of some kind… But I'm going to give myself a break for a couple of weeks – hope you don't mind! It'll give me chance to recharge, to write, and to get a few episodes and sessions under my belt. Then I can hit the ground running in January 2013. At least until I go skiing 😉
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