Hey Marcus,
Please forgive the late reply and thanks for being so patient with me here.

I’m glad you liked this list. When I look at it again it kinda makes me realize that a few of them could serve as motivators for anyone – at least I would think.

I don’t think your main motivator sounds cheesy at all. I would hope we all share that same passion for life. Mark brought up the same point about going about life being mediocre. Well, I refuse to be that as well! I am not average! I may forget at times and conduct myself or my life that way – but I quickly remember what it is I truly was “put here” to achieve. I expect more of myself and time often serves as a motivator in that sense.

In all honesty – when I started to blog about about 15 months ago (although I didn’t really start doing it the way I am now or the way it should until about 5 months ago) I had no idea what it all entailed. And I had no idea of the relationships and friendships that I would make along the way.

People actually come or cone back to read what I have to say. It’s simply incredible and if that’s not a motivator to keep going then I don’t know what is.

The stuff you share Marcus are indeed motivating – at least to me they are. I love how you share not only your successes but your pitfalls along the way (I know I mentioned that to you before in your GP over at Troy’s). But you do it in such a genuine way that it makes it all the more pleasant to read and learn from. I think your success so far is admirable and your passion certainly shows.

I think we have to be passionate in order to succeed but I also think that passion needs a little help and skills along the way – namely marketing and good sense – two things you obviously possess – hence, your title ;).

Much like you – every encouraging comment (both here and elsewhere) or email or Twitter message I receive is rewarding in itself. To me – they are the water that keeps this blog running.

You can blabber here all you want my friend. Your blabber is what I call insight. It’s valuable and it’s always appreciated :-)!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us and I wish you continued success through out your journey.

Have a great week.
Cheers

Hey Thomas,
I totally know where you’re coming from on all points.

Watching your blog both is an incredible feeling and it motivates us to keep going. It makes us want to get better, to read more, to write more or better content, to improve the layout, the functionality, the widgets, the plugins…

Much like you – everyday I learn a little more. It’s actually overwhelming at times – or most times even. But it’s a great ride – and it’s one I’d like to stay on.

As for finding new topics to write about – we all get blogger’s block sometimes – especially if we’ve been at this a while – but there are tons of ways to refresh our minds and tons of ideas to become inspired from. I sometimes get inspired by people’s comments.

Anyhow – all that to say – I know the feeling :).

Once again – I very much appreciate you sharing your thoughts here. You’ve been a great engager and it’s a pleasure to have you as part of this community.

Cheers

Hey Jon,

Thanks for taking the time to drop by and share your thoughts with us. Much appreciated.

What you said rings so true! I get a guilty lump stuck in my throat until I finish what it is I’m supposed to. I’ve had one for about 5 days now actually as I was a bit behind in both work and blogging. I was overwhelmed by the comments I received here and elsewhere and have been trying to reply to each in a timely manner – so I apologize for keeping you waiting for 2 days.

My discipline usually kicks in – but alas…I wish it would sooner for it keeps me up till the wee hours of the night/early dawn lol.

But once I’ve set my mind on something – I make sure to go through with it. Like for today, I know I want to try and reply to the rest of the comments here, finish a project for a client and write my next Bring IT! post for tomorrow! You see what I mean? Long night hehe.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your 2 cents. I look forward to seeing you around these parts more often.

Have a great week.
Cheers

I’m not sure how I missed this Jamey, but I did :(. I’m so sorry to have kept you waiting so long for a reply. It seems my memory is playing tricks on me these days.

Much like you said – there are days when we can sit and write for hours on end and there are others when squeezing a word can take forever. It’s the mind frame that we’re in I suppose.

I think YOU motivate YOU. And that’s great. I know I count a lot on my readers and the few things I mentioned – but I also try and motivate myself. It’s funny the power that writing has on you (and me). It’s a bit like an escape – one that somehow allows us to discover more about ourselves than we thought. Some go to India and the ends of the world – we just sit and type haha.

I’m also happy with the connection I’ve made with other bloggers and readers. It’s really been a hell of ride so far and I learn more every day. That to me – should be motivating enough. The community we’re a part of is simply amazing. Diverse, intelligent, supportive, humorous, expressive, friendly…and the list goes on.

Needless to say how wonderful I think you are. And you can write the Odyssey for all I care – I’ll still read it – here or elsewhere :)).

Thanks for your amazing comment Jamey. It’s so great of you to share so much and allow us to be a part of your journey.

Have a great week.
Cheers

Hi Adrienne,

Pheww…I’m glad you enjoy hearing me repeat the awesomeness of this series hahaha. I was hoping I wouldn’t be the only one to be amused by it ;).

And I hope you know how grateful I am to each and every one of you who come here to read and even more so – take the time to leave such long and well thought-out comments.

Writing from the heart and being genuine with your readers are essential. And I think readers are able to pick up on that in a heartbeat. We each have our own unique voices which I would hope are the same both online and offline. People who know me – will tell you that the words on this blog sound the same as if I were to utter them in person.

I agree with you in that it’s our community and readers that keep us motivated. The more they come (and come back), the more you feel you’re making an impact and therefore the more you’re excited to keep going.

I’m happy you’re enjoying series cause I’m having a great time throwing these questions out there for you guys to talk about. The learning never stops!

Thanks again for stopping by and sharing your 2 cents Adrienne. Always appreciated.
Cheers

Hey Jimi,

What a great comment – thank you for sharing :).
Well your passion is clearly obvious my friend!

Seeing that blogging is your career, I can completely understand the motivating factor there.
And you’re spot on about the internet being a HUGE university. And luckily – a lot of the learning comes for free. It’s incredible the amount information we take in everyday just by reading other’s work. It’s actually quite overwhelming.

I mentioned earlier in my reply to Melanie here that I find blogging to be a tremendous challenge in itself – but it’s one that’s fun, educational and well worthwhile. And like you said – who wants things to be easy all the time right?

I share your same passion for blogging and it’s also one of my great motivators – but once in a while my passion is overcome with laziness or procrastination and it’s those other things I mentioned that help give the little extra push I need to overcome that momentary phase.

What also helps is that I tend to write about topics that interest me. No one is making me write anything. It’s not college – so I have the luxury of choosing what I want to focus on. That too is a motivating factor. When I have a few ideas that I jot down – I get excited to start on the next post.

It’s a pleasure hearing what you have to say Jimi. You always have so much to contribute and are a wonderful engager. I wish you tons of luck with your blogging career and continued success.

Thanks again for coming by and adding to the conversation.
Enjoy your week.
Cheers

Hey Bill,
Nice to see you back here :).

I greatly admire those who continuously whip up the meaningful blog posts – it’s not an easy task to do – I’ll tell you that much. But it’s worth it to give it a shot. Not every post has to be meaningful or revolutionary. But you should aim to be pleased with each post you write – it should sound like you. That’s part of my philosophy. If I wouldn’t want to read a post that I’m about to publish – then I won’t publish it.

When you’re ready – please do let us know. From your comments here so far – I know I’d enjoy reading them. Plus, you’d have your own pace and schedule. Not everyone can write everyday. Each person has their own time for blogging – depends if it’s your part-time hobby or your full time bread-maker I suppose.

Guest blogging is also another good option and regardless of having a blog or not – it should always be quality over quantity ;).

You’re right – the things you mentioned are great motivators. Knowing that people are gonna’ take the time to read my work and add their input (at least I hope) is what gets me to try and focus. It’s part of what makes this fun blogging journey worthwhile – after all – I may write for myself but I sure as heck want other people to read as well.

I’m hoping to monetize this blog at some point – but I don’t intend on plastering it with ads. Still thinking on when and how though. Just imagine the extra motivation I’ll have there :). But the fact that I’m thinking about doing that motivates me as well.

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts here and for being a great engager. Best of luck to you too.

Happy Wednesday
Cheers

Seriously Brankica,

How the hell do you make it here so fast?! Never mind, who cares – I love it!!!

That’s exactly what I was thinking to myself before I read your comment and now I know NOT to get a restraining order because this is the awesome kind of stalking. I want millions of stalkers – and I hope for them to be just like you hehehe.

This post was hard for me to write because I have so many answers but I left some out on purpose in order not to end up with 2,000 words and to give my readers a chance to talk.

I am motivated by you Brankica – and people like you who come back here to support me with their input. I love hearing what you guys have to say and I obviously love replying. It makes blogging easier – cause let’s face it – blogging can be tough at times.

I love how in the last 3 days, I’ve gotten 2 emails asking to interview me. That’s motivation!

I can totally understand how motivating it is for you to receive such emails asking for help – because you do that quite well my dear. Your posts always have something to take-in. I learn something almost every time I visit your blog and I thank you for that.

Excellent point about the friends we make. Just look at you and I. Had we given up blogging in the first months – we may have never had a chance to meet :(. Learning from each other and supporting one another is motivation enough.

By all means – do come back if you think of more factors that keep you motivated. I’m always happy to hear what you have to say Sharp Shooter. And that little medal is calling your name. Brannnnkiiiiccccaaaaaaa hehe ;).

But I’m actually gonna be making it a bit harder – now you get a medal at 5 comments – soon it will be 6! Motivationnnnnnn ;).

Thanks for being the first to brighten up my post.
Cheers