Karin Hermans and her partner Ton own Wood You Like Natural Wood Flooring, in Kent, UK. I know Karin from her great blogs, "The Kiss Business Too," and "Stop/Start." Karin knows I don't love to be 'tagged,' but she also knows I can't resist her requests. A few days ago she asked how blogging has changed me and my business. In honor of her request, and in honor of my blog's first birthday, I thought I'd actually answer this one.
- Most obviously, blogging has grown my network. Over the course of the last year I have met and corresponded with around 200 folks I would probably not have met otherwise.
- Blogging helped me find my new career (executive coaching). As folks began to respond to my writing, I realized I actually had something to offer other leaders at all levels. Some comments morphed into email conversations and then phone conversations. Some of those phone relationships became informal coaching relationships, and I slowly realized that coaching was my calling.
- On a personal side, blogging has helped me find my authentic voice, and built my confidence that my voice is interesting to at least a few people.
- Blogging has honed my thinking and writing skills. There's something about having to get a concept down on paper (on the screen) in around 500 words that truly focuses my thinking. And blogging has forced me to think through concepts that were fairly vague until I decided to write about them. Blogging has also brought me the opportunity to read and review some pretty interesting new books, and I continue to review about one new book each month.
What has blogging done for you?
