Business Development

30. Single. Working from home. This sums up who I am and quite frankly, I am not happy with it. Sure I make a living, and yes I have the skills needed to be productive in what I do and yes, I do love my home-based lifestyle, it saves me money from clothes, food and transportation, I do not have to endure the hassles of traffic, commute and all the other stuff that took time, energy and money when I was still working a "normal job". 

I certainly, absolutely love my online career. It has allowed me to build up a network as I am adding something new to my skill set and well, I guess where I'm getting at is executing everything that I have learned and still learning and sharing the knowledge I have that made it possible for me to do that things I do online and making a living.  

Its about building my platform online and eventually a business. 

Yes, I think I have read and skimmed a couple of business books but the thing is we can never really be too sure or too prepared because business is dynamic. Specifically, e-commerce is dynamic. Then again, I have yet to draw up a business plan, neither do I have a mind map or a business model in mind.

In some of the job interviews I have had, I've always been asked why I kept on switching from one job and one industry to another. The answer is simple and constant: I haven't found the one career that will make me stick around for good. In all fairness and honesty, in each of the jobs I had, I always had a hint and a long-term plan. You see, I have made it a point not to start or begin something I have no intention of keeping for good. However, as soon as I see that its not working, it won't work or that it's not what I have in mind. I weigh things and revise my plan.

Right now, I'm what my friend calls a "solopreneur" and my online journey began just 2 years ago. Yes, I am still a neophyte but as I mentioned above, I don't do things without the intention of keeping them for a long time and well, I simply believe that we should grow where we are planted: to do well wherever we are and make meaningful contributions when  we can. And right now, I am looking at the possibility of not just getting all the necessary documents for a worker or business owner - what or however BIR will define me and the kind of work I do. Since we are getting documents to get comply with the legal perspectives, why not make the business a real one as well?

Had a long and interesting conversation with a like-minded person really early today or very late last night and well, it a way, it helped clear a few things up for me. I was able to ponder on things like who do I want to serve, the difference between my would be business and what can be considered as my advocacy. The importance of having a complete mind map can clearly draw lines on which is which and what should be priority one.

Well, I am still looking into the possibilities because the vast and untapped microcosmos of the internet offers that and more. The business has to be something as well thought of as possible not because I can only get one shot at it but because there are a lot of creative minds out there and no, they are not competition. They are a tribe and we have a lot of them. We need to join one to understand the environment, the climate and its problems. We need to know the rules and we need to know the structures and mechanisms already in place in the local cyber landscape. 

Building a tribe and an audience is also another great hurdle. Great but not impossible and in order to do that, we have to get a few websites off the ground. In the old school of selling I was taught to create the need for whatever it is that I was selling. That, and that I also have to earn the right to sell. In today's tribes, the custom is to be generous with help, information and educating not just tribe members but also others and asking permission to offer. Though there are still those that pitches their products and services.

I love my job - the team I am a part of and the things that I am learning with them. I love generating leads and writing pitches and I love writing, period. However, if I am to be of service to anyone, I'd choose to serve fellow Filipinos on how they can benefit by going online and the skills we need to get there. This is just me thinking fast forward and taking all the baby steps to make sure I get to where I want to go standing on my own feet and armed with the right knowledge and connections.

On Success

Hello and welcome to week two of the ABAD challenge! For brevity's sake, I'll be dropping the "a blog a day" abbreviation from the posts' title and we can just keep them in the tags instead. That way we get short and meaningful titles.

Since I rarely go out to socialize, I really dig and stalk social media to keep me posted on what's going on outside and what's trending. As I was half-heartedly surfing earlier, I saw someone shared a link of Arianna Huffington speaking at a graduation. I, being a sucker for such speeches took my headset and watched the video.

In her still somewhat heavy Greek accent she made me understand some simple things that can have a great impact in one's life - like being able to find one's calling, pursuing one's passion or simply letting go of things that makes life stressful all of which are definitely life changing.

I think it made sense when she said that, "you can complete a project by dropping it." Admit it, at some point, we all obsessed in doing or wanting to do everything ourselves. We refuse to delegate whether by arrogance or not wanting to share the credit with someone else. We spend time and resources trying to acquire or learn a new skill for a project. While this is a good trait and not entirely bad, when we are working on a project that might cause us our jobs or our business, we might want to think twice. If you can't do it, drop it or find someone who can and pay them good.

She spoke of a third element to add to money and power as metrics of success giving emphasis on the reality that yes, we have achieved an impressive collective lot in the various aspects of our careers, business and profession but success as we know and expect it is something that's not sustainable. This is a basic truth that requires no further amount of research. As children from the moment we began our school age until we reach retirement, there is one single expectation: to excel.

Wanting to excel and eventually succeed is not evil. However, the means we use to attain them, that's one that needs some major rethinking. At school parents expect their kids to excel academically, or in their extracurricular activities sometimes driving them just above the healthy competitive line. When we work, we often disregard our teammates or drive subordinates beyond the point of tolerance to produce the numbers to be on top. We disregard our family and friends - whom we consider the most important to us and finally we tend to disregard ourselves - our health and if we are fulfilling the desires of our heart. Our careers wont always be in the place where our heart is but in order to be at peace with ourselves, we have to find it in our hearts that we truly love whatever it is that we are doing and that it makes a difference to someone else.

Success as we know it has always been associated with grand offices and big fat paychecks. We buy the definition that's been handed out to us and we live our lives trying to fit in the mold. Today, we have more connections and more freedom, different media and platforms to choose from to deliver our message and express ourselves. Now, more than any other time before is the right moment to challenge ans express one's creativity and redefine success.

We live in a world where everyone might not have an equal opportunity but we are given the best power of them all: the freedom to express and show and make the difference. Let us be Smithies you and me and take on the challenge Arianna made. Let us shape and redefine success in a way that we'll be able to keep our sanity and remain calm and relaxed to take on new challenges ahead.

ABAD Day 7: The Business Brew

One week! Yaay!

Today will be short and sweet since I am really dead tired but I'm just so excited about a brewing business idea. I always wanted one and well, I think this might just be it. The long wait is over. You might ask me if I think this is a bit too early, well it might me be and you're probably right but if we never take the risk and hustle to get something off the ground, chances are the momentum will pass and we might never have the right time again to get great fantastic ideas out of the drawing board and into execution.

Thinking big is a great thing most success stories did not happen by accident. The opportunities may have been unexpected but most successful people dreamt and thought  big. So, I'm taking a big slice to take on that big cake of business and hopefully my beginnings is enough to be shared to everyone.

Now this isn't gonna be something that shoots off then falls down. I want something that's built to last so last which is why I'm calling on everyone on my network for thoughts and input to make sure the business model will be effective and that we really have the right market for it. The thing with research and all that preparation to get it right is we sometimes overdo it taking the biggest risk of all and that is missing the moment.

The lessons we learn on how tech startups build their business is a great reminder that no plan should be cast in stone and that w should be willing and quick when we intend to do something because aside from missing the right moment, the next risk is having someone create and introduce the same product or service that you are offering.

ABAD Day 6: A Serious Sunday Issues and Opinions

For today, we'll look into what's going on in the home front and catch up. I think this is an important part of our continuing learning, especially since these are things affect both our future and livelihood as well as the lives of our loved ones.

Filipinas, seriously?  

We talked about being sociable last time and well, when I heard it on the radio, I kinda lost it. The debate has been happening in the local social media scene for a few weeks now and my opinion is this, do we even need to do this? We already have an identity. Changing the spelling will not change our global image or economic status. And clearly, if there is no feasible support that it can make a difference in our GDP then why do we have to do it?

Those who support the idea says its historically correct. I respect that but is it legally correct? Not quite, right? That's why we need some legal form to have it corrected. However, how much are we going to expend to meet that end, further how much more to implement it? And in the end, the simple question in this is: what's in it for me? What's in it for all of us?

It think is is unnecessary and counterproductive. We already have an identity as Filipinos, and all our  business and transactions, internal and external relations and all other mechanisms will not be immediately affected by the change we even have to explain it to all the expats and foreigners we encounter.

The funds that will be spent for this might as well be spent on something that will benefit out of school youth or the urban poor or something more immediate and forward looking like disaster preparedness.

Bianca underfire

A tweet posted by celebrity Bianca Gonzales got the support of the vanishing middle class as well as the upper class but caught the ire of bashers and haters who are mostly informal settlers. 

The controversial tweet posted by Bianca Gonzales goes:

"Ang dami nating nagtatrabaho para makaipon para sa prime lot at bahay plus buwis pa. Bakit nga ba bine-baby ang mga informal settlers?

Pro-poor groups also disapproved of the host's opinion considering that she is equally popular because of her advocacies. Bianca spoke against the government's plan to subsidize housing of informal settlers on Metro Manila's waterways just to clear them. The government aims to provide Php 18,000.00 to qualified families.

I have been exposed to this business of informal settlers in my first job and the ways in which the government have been held hostage by professional squatters. Add that to the provisions of the Lina Law, the support from those who claim to be "human rights activists" and politicians jumping in not to help but for the most part woe voters in these areas and we have the perfect recipe for an age old problem.

Some of these people will tell you they came here to find greener pastures some were born in the slums and have known no other way of life. However to support them or finance anything to stop whatever they're doing or not doing, people like me who works hard and long hours are bound to question if not at least raise an eyebrow. There is a big difference between consideration and tolerance. Providing for their housing so that we can get something going is not that much of an achievement at all.

It is neither empowering or sustainable. The government would have to be creative in getting informal settlers out of NCR and would need to look beyond spending money - our tax money to support housing for informal settlers. We have to think long term. Get them out of the city and have them do some productive activities back in the provinces.

I am not against pro-poor sentiment. I know because I am poor but its bluntly not tolerable. Keep in mind the ancient adage,

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."  

We understand that these people are really desperate and in need and that they need all the support they can get to get them started but they need to get somewhere because we can't keep supporting them. The country needs money to finance priority projects too. A forward looking solution is not just to get them out but making sure they get transferred somewhere where its practical to live and make a living to get them settled in and on their feet. There has to be a term and certain goals because lets, face it 18,000 pesos per family is a big amount of money considering the number of informal settlers we have in Metro Manila.

Conclusion

I love the Philippines, I think we all do and we love other Filipinos too. Its who we are. I think we can change our names but it will not change who we are. I work at home wearing a tank top and lounge shorts using my LED TV for a monitor for an assembled computer. My name is Beth Vargas. I have been called in many names and worn countless clothes but I have built who I am neither with my name or clothes. Everyday, I build my brand, my identity with the words I say, the decision I make, the projects I take and complete, the work I do. One day I might get married and change my name, however it will not change who I am, at least not entirely. I will still have the same value system and beliefs and principles even if I chose to change my last name. 

Excuse the term, I have had my share of experiences with informal settlers but not everyone of them are helpless, there are some that have more appliances in their shanties that I have here at home, bigger bank accounts and who knows even a bigger house and lot away from the city. Do not be deceived, not all that live in the slums and claim they are a part of the urban poor really are, there are a few professional squatters. Also, do not let your compassion be manipulated. As long as there is no clear set of goals and accountability, we cannot be assured that the promised 18,000/month/family would really go to the appropriate beneficiaries. Marcos had housing projects, Erap did too but how many of these did actually went to the intended recipients and how many to their "affiliates"? 

Unless we become vigilant when it comes to accountability and practical, expressing our opinion on where our government spends our money, we cannot expect our hard-earned money allotted for the burden of taxation goes, we won't be seeing that much progress. 

ABAD Day 5: The Difference Education Makes

Yesterday was #MalalaDay. What on earth is Malala Day? Its Malala's 16th Birthday. Who is Malala again? A 16-year-old Pakistani girl who was shot together with her friends last year. They were shot for going to school.

As ridiculous that sounds, the Taliban went to murder a bunch of kids because they desired knowledge and learning.

Anyways, going back to Malala's story, I first saw this video reposted by World Bank yesterday but simply went past it. It only caught my attention when B School guru Marie Forleo shared the same link and called it a must-watch. Here is a link on Malala Yousafzai's video addressing the UN Youth Assembly.

You can read the full speech here. The simple and humbling words uttered by this young lady gave emphasis on our most potent weapon against poverty and abuse: education. It reignited my drive for education not just for myself but for those who needs the most basic of it.

In a culture where women does not share the same rights and privileges of men, Malala has proven that the importance of education should not be undermined and limited by beliefs and tradition and threats, especially when the welfare of an entire generation rests on it.

Perception and Education

Perception is a powerful thing. This is the way we see things and the way we see things affects everything else - our thoughts and actions. It may not be the main force behind everything we do but it certainly affects our preferences and decisions.

Our perception of education is also important. The value we place on the important role it plays and empowerment it provides dictates the emphasis and importance we place on education as a necessity in every person regardless of his age, race or religion.

Formal training and knowledge, even in its most basic forms has enabled men and women from all over the world to achieve something great. While the privilege of education cannot be attained by most, its foundations - the ability to read and right, to count and reason is, if not should be a universal right. These abilities may not allow them to conquer the world, but it will allow them to not be conquered by the world. It will give them a fighting chance to try and eventually succeed.

Passion for Education

When we are truly aware of the importance of education and the limitless possibilities it offers us, we only do not value it. We develop a deeper yearning and passion for learning that will not only allow us to get ahead or stay on top but a driving force and motivation that ranks fairly higher than success. 

I am talking about a passion the same passion that fueled Malala's drive to go to school despite the dangers that she faced. It is a passion that can go well beyond the required education to land a decent job and make a living but a passion for a lifelong learning - from the newest technologies, the most followed apps to the wisdom of the sages. Its that  kind of learning that never ceases not out of necessity or compliance but because of plain want and the satisfaction fulfillment brings. 

A light from a girl

Malala...she was shot last year. I have not heard of her until today but the words she spoke, as plain and simple as they are, struck something deep and sparked within me not a passion for learning but a passion for sharing learnings.

She taught me something new today, something I somehow already knew yet haven't paid that much attention to and it made a whole world of difference when one is trying to achieve a sense of meaning.

ABAD Day 4: On Being Sociable

Glad I can make it to day 4!

Looking good and feeling great. Especially since this blog now redirects to my domain. Uber cool!

Today, I must say that I have been having a pretty sociable time in the social media space. A few Facebook likes on stuff I've shared and got a number of Tweeter followers too. Connections are established, now the challenge is to make them more meaningful.

Now more than ever, we have nearly unlimited power to make connections and establish our personal networks - except perhaps the power of your bandwidth. The digital world literally has no boundaries and the internet has empowered us to reach out and make connections in any location with any culture and this is evidenced by the rampant development of different social media platforms and the rapid rise in the number of users who's routine now includes updating their Facebook walls and Twitter feeds several times a day.

Together with this phenomenon of social media explosion are certain advantages and disadvantages.

Aside from instant communication and constant updates, the major positive impact of social media usage to business owners and entrepreneurs is word of mouth marketing and connection to their customers. It helped generate leads, build a following, get immediate feedback and it allowed businesses to listen and get the pulse of the market.

As social media crossed geographic and cultural boundaries, it also leveled the playing field between big corporations and small business. Wherein the most sociable one got the advantage. Its not just between big and small business, it also facilitated delivery of service and exchange of ideas.

With all the beautiful things social media has done, it has also caused some evil. On top of the list is productivity. Admit it, we all have been guilty of this: cyberslacking. Looking at our Newsfeeds and streams or making status updates and posts when we are supposed to be working. It has made us narcissistic and lonely. It promoted me-me-isms not just in millenials but from people of all ages. We consciously beautify our lives with status updates, check-ins and overfiltered images but we don't stop there we check out friend's updates and well, you know where we can get from there: envy, discontent, depression and that list can go on and on.

Apart from slacking there is also cyberbullying. As we all have seen, anyone can be bullied and hated online from the shallowest to the deepest of reasons whether an inappropriate message was posted intentionally or without much thought, netizens' wrath can fall upon an unsuspecting victim much to his or her surprise. Sen. Tito Sotto, claims he was a victim, a student who became known as AMAlayer was harassed online for a video of her losing temper in the MRT station and celebrity Bianca Gonzales for tweeting her opinion against informal settlers. These are just some of incidents that went viral in the local social media scene.

Technology, in particular social media is defining our cultures and values in an unprecedented way. It is important that as we go onboard and adopt these new mediums of connecting and interacting, we keep in mind the basics: respect and consideration. Just because you are free to say something, you will do so and post it for the world to see. That's just you expressing your opinion and you might be wrong. Yes, you can dare your "friends" to unfriend you if they do not like the things you post but be  careful what you wish for because you might just get it and it is sad to be be deleted of one's friends list.

Where am getting at is that social media should be used to grow your network, not shortlist it. And, in order to grow that list you have to be sociable. Be gracious, generous and ethical with your online interaction. Remember that its not just the Golden Rule. Everything you put online doesn't belong to you anymore. It belongs to the web. A community of persons and technology that indexes and stores everything. Just because you deleted something you put up without thinking, it doesn't mean its gone. So be respectful and responsible. Don't indulge cyberspace into a feud that you can settle with just one person. Better yet, don't be the one to spread anything bad online.

Again, the name of the game is social media - be socially aware and socially conscious. Think hard before you click, avoid making status updates when you're mad. Always seek permission when reposting someone's word and quote them. Do everything in a way that you would want everyone else to do for you. Be sociable!

ABAD Day 3: You're a Done Deal, Now HUSTLE!

Hello day 3!

It took a long time coming up with this post because believe it or not, the problem had been choosing what to write! Oh yeah, next of course to finding the time to write. :)

Anyways, I've been hearing a lot about B School from a client but it was not until yesterday that I stumbled upon Marie Forleo and bam! I immediately fell in love - not with her but with her work and I see why people follow her. Her candid and witty approach to business and life is something that not only catches people's attention but she knows her business and that's what keeps the community tuned in. Clearly, her being a thought leader has built her a loyal following, a tribe capable of growing itself.

And, it just hit me..I'd like to be a thought leader too! :)

Going back to Marie, after watching one video, I signed up on her and got this nice little update earlier - an interview with Danielle LaPorte another mentor I've been hearing about. Marie was raving about Danielle's book called Fire Starter Sessions.

A quick takeaway from the program is reaffirming that we are a done deal. They talked about the power of visualization and how it can help us take our vision into the next level - from being a vision into a reality. Visualizing helps us identify what we want to do after we have achieved success and in a way it triggers a reverse engineering process from what to do when you are successful (as one envisioned) to how to get there and be successful.

Our visions are powerful things. Every person who went down in history had one - equality for Mandela, Gandhi and Martin Luther King, charity for Mother Teresa, financial literacy and freedom for Buffett, a dent in the universe for Steve Jobs, a PC in every home for Bill Gates and Facebook for everyone for Zuckerburg. This vision is what they had their mind when they set out to change the world. One of Covey's 7 Habits: Begin with the end in mind.

The end we have in mind determines the words we choose to tell ourselves and eventually believe. As Sean Stephenson said, the words we say to ourselves then shapes and creates our realities. So we ought to consciously pick the words to describe our vision.

Again, what I offered in the first half of this post are the theories - the ones preached by some best-selling guys. However, there is another approach that uses visualization successfully and these are done by some of the most logical brains around - IT people!

Most tech start ups come up with programs, products and solutions with a complete vision and definition of what they want it to do or achieve and go from one place to another asking for funding and selling the product as they are building it. For them, they can sell the idea for a projected monetary value that they then need to build and make a reality.

What I'm getting at is seeing ourselves as a done deal - of having a meaningful vision of what we want to accomplish as it will empower us and direct all our productive energies in hustling to make that vision a reality, nothing more and nothing less. The power comes from knowing that there is a likelihood, a possibility that we might end up living the life we want and changing the world.

ABAD Day 2: On Happiness

I'm glad I made it today...Woohoo, day 2!!! 

First, I am thankful that this challenge lets me think deep and hard about the things I believe in and the things am learning and those that I already know so I can make shifts and changes in my thoughts and belief systems as necessary. 

This is the second day of own version of a blog a day (hence, ABAD) challenge. I am inspired by a new friend to take on the challenge and since almost every writer asks about what to write, there might be times that my posts would be inspired by hers and whatever differences in opinion that we have is not meant to attack or discredit anyone's position or opinion.

Second, plain and simple truth is this is Bethylicious thinking out loud. As much as I would like to moderate and carefully consider each word that would be published here, there is always the risk of other people interpreting what has been written in a different tone and manner that was intended by the writer. Comments are welcome and Qs as well as long as they are non-offensive and can help me, the writer or anyone else reading understand further and for all of us to learn more. Topics and suggestions are also very much welcome.

Third, kiddin'! No more, we now move on to what I came here to write about today which is happiness.

We all want it. This is the universal and generic goal of every normal person: to be happy. So, how to? The short answer is  "be". In order to be happy, make the choice to be happy and do the things that make you happy. Make it a habit to see the good side of every situation no matter how difficult. Stop preparing yourself for a transformation to someone who is happier. Metamorphose now, take that leap and elevate yourself to a higher level of consciousness and eventually, higher level of happiness.  

Positivity is priceless: Happiness at Harvard

Isn't it a wonder that the more we achieve in life, the more we progress as a society, the lonelier we are. One of the most popular courses in Harvard in recent years has been Positive Psychology - one that deals basically with what makes us happy. Oh yeah, there is a science of happiness.

Money is not a key to happiness. Never has been. The most interesting proof of this is the 5-word conclusion of the Grant Study:

"Happiness is love. Full stop." ~George Vaillant

The Grant Study was launched in 1938 and followed the lives of over 250 Ivy League undergraduates for the next 75 years. Vaillant directed the last 3 decades of the research.  

One out of every 5 students in Harvard lined up for Tal-Ben Shahar's class. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to read one of his books and my take away is this: to be happy you have to strike a balance between fulfilling your current needs and desires and achieving future wants.

“Happiness lies at the intersection between pleasure and meaning. Whether at work or at home, the goal is to engage in activities that are both personally significant and enjoyable.” ~Tal-Ben Shahar

Seems, easy does it? Well, the theories are always the easiest, its the application that leave us empty-handed, most of the time. However, don't despair there are things we can do to make us happy. 

Apart from simply doing, we must make it a daily routine, an exercise, a ritual for it to be deeply embedded in our system so we can change our perception and the way we see things.

"See what we're finding is it's not necessarily the reality that shapes us, but the lens through which your brain views the world that shapes your reality." ~Shawn Achor 

Make Happy a Habit

As I was writing this piece, I received an email notification from one of the guys I follow and read: Leo Babauta and it prompted me to think on how this post will end. I read his post and reflected on the things I am currently practicing in my life and what makes me happy and so here it goes:

1. Gratitude. There is nothing more rewarding that knowing you have been very much blessed and that the more you give thanks, the more you seem to receive. I have seen this time in again not just from friends and family but have personally experienced this. In her book Thank You Power, Deborah Norville not only showed in inspiring stories how gratitude can change one's life but also showed research evidence that being thankful allows us to be happier.
2. Random Acts of Kindness. Helping someone, even in the littlest way possible is guaranteed to make you happy. Instead of ranting and blaming, shut up and do the work. You might be surprised to catch yourself smiling afterwards. Not only does this  relieve one from stress of not having things done, or perhaps the guilt of just simply watching it happen, it also feels good to know you did something that helped someone in someway. 
3. Initiative and Service. In being true to my inner Fred, this is something I continually do, as if it were second nature. I want to be someone who makes a change have an impact in anything I do with anyone I meet or work with. Evolution allows us...actually requires us to change with the times and reinvent ourselves and with the changes I've been through, service has always been constant.
4. Personal Leadership. Oh yeah, in order for us to live a life that we desire and make the change and impact we want to leave in the world, we definitely need a lot of this and I know you would all agree with me. Mark Sanborn has named plenty of heroes, leaders in their own right who does not have titles and all that crap but continue to show leadership to the highest degree. I think this is one form of leadership we all need to master before we go out to lead somewhere.
5. Quiet Moments. Noise comes in different forms these days and its hard to find a quiet moment not unless of course you go to an island without a mobile signal, then you can really find a quiet place. So its important for me to find some quiet time to be happy. Quiet moments, no matter how brief they are can certainly do anyone some good. It gives us time to reassess our priorities, count our blessings and mostly rest our weary hearts and heads. I think I already mentioned it in another blog, but its very important that our brains get freed up in order for us to accommodate new information and be more creative.
6. Authenticity. Authenticity has a sibling and its called Liberty. We are at our happiest when we can truly be ourselves minus fears that holds us back and other inhibitions. With our genuine self, we can be free to express who we really are but this does not, in under any circumstance promote anarchy, disorder or chaos. It is simply being honest with yourself and those around you.  

Be happy and make it a habit!
  

A Blog A Day Challenge - Day 1: Write

I saw this post last night on one of my Facebook Groups and the person who made the post simply said she wanted to challenge herself. Then I remembered the challenge I made to myself when I decided to transfer this blog a few years ago and created the links to my other interests about 2 years ago in order to develop my niche - aside of course from the fact that I am one OC freak. This is the very same challenge I made myself when I started my WP blog.

Bethylicious, this one is for my personal rantings and interests; And they called Me Mary is to document all the things I learn and discover as I go through careers, conversations and studies; Rhymes and Verses as an avenue for my inner poet; In search of Nirvana for sharing things that inspire me. I even intended for a cooking+DIY projects+crafts one to be called Bethy's Nook and reserved all my researched and formal writing for my WordPress blog I initially called Pavements and Skyscrapers.

Aside from my obsessive drive to get my writings organized, it was also a strategy to have them optimized since each blog, except Bethylicious and the WP blog, would have its own specific niche. I thought the number of the sites I had would be effective in establishing a more visible web presence. The downside however is that all of them had to be managed and while I had big plans, executing became the biggest hurdle and hindrance.

Now I am stuck with blogs that doesn't have consistent posts.

Add that to the sudden growth and impact of different social media circles then you'll be even more overwhelmed.

Then I have Covey's words echoing in my ear repeatedly, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." So what is the main thing? The main thing is to write.

The next thing is the purpose of writing. This purpose will help you get the words out in the right platform and shared with a targeted audience. True that a writer does not need an audience as much as he or she needs to write but keep in mind that the writer is an artist and in order for him or her to be true to form and really expressive, he or she must choose the right medium and venue for his or her creative expression.

Aside from the number, the fact that I was mostly writing for a living is also one of the reasons why I have had to set aside my own passion. I have been writing for as long as I can remember and I've had my fair share of praises for phrases but I never truly considered myself as a writer until a few months ago when I became a shadow/acedemic writer. Sure it was fun because I learned as I was writing and I also got paid but the need to bring in more project$ became the driving force behind my writing not my innate need to express in words and not with that much burning passion. It was not until I actually had a severe case of writer's block that I had my biggest moment of doubt as I writer.

It happened some months ago when I got a project. I was given  sufficient time to turn it in and the client has even granted me one extension after the other yet I wasn't able to deliver. I was mentally shaking myself in disbelief asking how hard can it be to fill up 30 or so pages with something that was meant to be researched and analyzed. Someone on that team sent me an email that basically says, "...if you couldn't write it, then you should have said so. You knew this was paper was important to the client."

Those two words haunted my writing for the next few months and even now I still find myself stopping short at those two words: couldn't write. I maintain a blog for another client and I have to admit each post has had its own birth pains despite the fact that I am already quite well-oriented on the niche.

This prompted me do a writer's soul searching. And what I found is that writing is simple. It doesn't require one to get published all the time and while a book deal is great, its really not essential. The most important element of being a writer according to experts is that one must write. In short, in order to be a writer you have to do some writing. Hence, a blog a day.

Touchdown for Day 1.

Hopefully, you'll see one again tomorrow and the next day and the day after that...for now I have to go back to writing for a living but I feel great and I do appreciate your time. :-)