I’ve had it.

No more.

I’ve had it.

The slope is too steep.

The wind is too fierce.

The pain is too great.

I could never reach the summit.

Why did I even bother?

Nobody cares.

Go on or go back – it won’t make a difference.

So scream the voices.

But I refuse to listen.

Because I can see.

And I can see …

… because I believe.

photo by Peter Gene

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Those are the three most despicable words you could ever say as a blogger. Or as a professional.

Or as a human being.

I don’t matter murders your faith, your hope, your courage.

I don’t matter exalts your despair, your doubt, your fear, your failure.

I don’t matter may be why you stopped when your blog stuttered. Why you looked back when it got hard. Why you remain silent.

Why so many bloggers will skip Blog Action Day. Why one more person will die alone.

I don’t matter is a lie. A damnable lie.

I don’t matter shoved me mercilessly to the very brink of doom one dark night in 1998. Those three words would have murdered me had a dear friend not rescued me from the abyss with an embrace I shall never forget.

If you never listen to anything I say ever again, listen to these two gloriously true words:

You matter.

And so your blog matters.

You will never know in this life how great a difference you will make and how many lives you will bless through your devoted service.

Remember these words. They saved me 10 years ago. They may save you or someone through you someday.

Please show this to a friend who needs it.

Thanks to Darren for the inspiration.

Photo by junku-newcleus

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Note: This blog is all about blog improvement. It’s what I do for a living. And I believe the best way to improve your blog is to sharpen your sense of vision and purpose – for yourself as well as for your blog. The rest becomes so much simpler after that.

Thank you for coming. I hope we can get to know each other.

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See Parts 1 through 4:

• How to overcome fear and develop courage
• How to overcome doubt and develop faith

Now let’s talk about how to overcome despair, one of the worst enemies of visionary business blogging.

What is despair?

Despair is the opposite of hope (which we’ll discuss in the next post). It’s a feeling or state of hopelessness. You might believe you nothing to live for and that nothing’s gonna come your way (name that song).

Despair is ugly.

Oh, and Despair has an ugly stepsister named Self-Pity. Together they can blind even the brightest visionary blogger.

Why do business bloggers experience despair?

1. The blog fails to make money
2. The blog takes too much time/energy
3. No one seems to notice/care about the blog
4. Competing blogs/websites appear to be doing much better

What can you do to overcome blogging despair?

1. Figure out where your blog stands. You can’t get anywhere until you know where you are and what direction you’re pointing. Evaluate your blog. Or have me inspect your blog. Turn on the floodlights.
2. Stop tying success to what people say. Start tying it to what they do. So what if a heckling comment bashes your latest blog post? As long as your key metrics are stable, all is well.
3. Learn how to rise from your rut. No need to remain hopelessly ignorant. Knowledge is power. Get it. Find the solutions to blog problems or find someone who can.
4. Move. The classic picture of despair is not a runner, but a benchwarmer. Get up and get busy. The bulk of inspiration comes when you’re on the move. The longer you sit and worry, the less time you’ll have for doing important blogging work.
5. Decide to be sometimes disappointed but never discouraged. The difference lies not in whether you fall, but in whether you spring back up when you fall. Every blogger makes mistakes. Every day brings bad news to somebody in the world. But keep your head up – you decide how to respond to blogging failure.
6. Celebrate even the smallest success. One lead via the blog is better than none. 17 blog visitors a day is better than none. Think “glass half full” and believe in your blog’s incredible potential.
7. Grab a buddy. Despair hits hardest when you’re alone – or when you just think you are. Find a cheerful soul you can trust – bonus if she’s a blogger too – and lean on her when times get rough.

Have You Ever Tasted Blogger Despair?

I have. It’s a dark, bitter thing. If you haven’t, you probably will someday. But tasting it and gorging on it are two totally separate things. I’ve done my share of gorging. It never helps.

You can overcome despair when it attacks. You don’t have to treat every blogging difficulty like it’s the end of the world. You’ve overcome worse. Case in point: being born.

Thank you for helping me overcome blogging despair time and time again. I may never be able to fully repay your kindness. If you’re ever up Despair Creek without a hopeful paddle, you know what to do.

photo credit: lavenderlou

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