Finding Fulfillment in the Gap [Podcast]
Just over a year or so ago, I read an amazing book by John Maxwell entitled Put Your Dream to the Test: 10 Questions to Help You See It and Seize It. The book really challenged my thinking about some of my long-term goals in a profound way.
One of the discussions in the book was about the importance of finding fulfillment in the actual journey as you move toward your dreams. Oftentimes, we think we won’t be totally fulfilled or happy until we reach a certain destination. The truth is those who accomplish their dreams have learned the value of finding fulfillment in the gap.
What is the Gap?
The gap is the space of time between where you are currently and where you ultimately want to be. In the world of blogging, it could be the gap between starting a blog and earning a full-time income from it.
Most of us never think about enjoying the journey and being satisfied with where we currently are. If you have 500 unique monthly visitors to your blog, those that are just getting started would die to be where you are now.
Yet, you are unhappy. Don’t get me wrong…a little bit of frustration can drive us to new heights. Still, we are more likely to quit if we don’t find some fulfillment along the way.
How to Find Fulfillment in the Gap
[spp-player]
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1. Appreciate Any Step That Moves You Forward
There is no such thing as an overnight success in blogging. It just does not happen. Can it happen in a year or even two years? Yes! Success in blogging is often consistent, slow growth over time. However, when you expand your time frame out, it is fast.
What is a year or two of hard work, if the result is a sustainable, legitimate online business? You will have to work hard for it, but it can be done.
While you are in the middle of all this hard work, you will not see or feel the immediate impact for awhile. We call it embracing the pre-profit time in the life of your blog. Yes, it will feel like you are working for free, but every single blog post you write is now able to be read for years to come.
What did you do this week in the life of your blog that you can sit back and smile at? [Tweet That]
- Did you purchase a domain name from a new idea?
- Write several new blog posts in a week?
- Get your first comment on your blog?
- Make your first sale?
- Get your first Adsense click?
What ever it is, take time to appreciate the everyday happenings of your blog. This will keep you moving forward.
2. Embrace New Discoveries That You Find Along the Way
There is a lot to learn about blogging. The truth is learning never stops. There is always something new you could implement in the life of your blog. What happens is we often beat ourselves up for doing something a wrong way for such a long time.
Even worse, we are afraid to take action toward blogging out of fear of not doing it right. After all, who wants to waste their time? This fear can immobilize us to stay right where we are.
It is better to fail forward.
Whenever I take action, as weak as it may be, new opportunities always open up as a result.
What new discovery have you recently made that is going to make you better? [Tweet That]
3. Have a Real Love for the Journey
Here is an important principle to remember:
“It is the journey toward our goals that gives us purpose not just reaching the destination.” [Tweet That]
If you truly love what you are doing, then it doesn’t really feel like work at times. Sure it takes effort and energy. But if you love writing, find fulfillment in the actual writing and not just whether or not you get 46 blog comments from it. One of my favorite quotes state:
“It is good to have an end to journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the end.” -Ursula K. Le Guin [Tweet That]
Have you taken time to find fulfillment in the gap? Are you discouraged because you are not seeing success fast enough? Find ways to enjoy the journey. Besides, happy, positive people get more done.
