Immortalizing my favorite notes from Bloggy Bootcamp

Bear with me here… one more Bloggy Bootcamp Atlanta post. I have several notebook pages’ worth of notes, worthy of another pass forward:

“You are a brand. If you put any thought into getting dressed today, if you didn’t just grab blindly into your closet and grab whatever you could reach, you branded yourself.”

To help define your brand, answer these questions:

 • What are my distinguishing characteristics/traits?

 • What are my guiding principles/values?

 • What is my role on the web?

 • What is my promise?

 • What is my story?

(from @AmyBHole)
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How to avoid blog burnout?

 • Make tough decisions (hours, schedule, PR, features, etc.)

 • Find your tribe (anyone who is not happy for your individual success is not your tribe)

 • Use your time wisely (we only have one life – work smarter, not harder)

 • Make time for rest/play (your blog becomes more alive when you live)

• Don’t be afraid of change (“Into the highlands of the mind let me go”)

(from @StaceyNerdin)

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WHO you are is not simply a list of your roles.

Establish credibility and define HOW you are – the tangible qualities that provide insight into your skills and abilities , and assurance that you will deliver on that promise.)

(from @ShanellSaidIt)
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Because of social media, the world operates in conversations. It’s all about the relationship.


Ask yourself, “where do I want to be in 2013?”; If an opportunity or idea does not move you toward this goal, you may want to think twice about using your valuable time for it.

(from @SwayGroup)

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Visit The SITS Girls for more information on Bloggy Bootcamp and to experience an endearing, truly supportive community.

"A careful woman" (reminder for moms)

I wish I could say I wrote this, but I did not. I came across it recently and it just stuck. It haunts me in a way, not like a regret or nightmare, but as a guardian angel reminding me to strive for my best:

"The Little One That Follows Me"

(author unknown)

A careful woman, I ought to be;
a little one follows me.
I do not dare to go astray,
for fear they'll go, the self-same way.

I cannot once escape their eyes,
whatever they see me do, they'll try.
Like me, they say, they're going to be,
that little one that follows me.

They think that I am good and fine;
believe in every work of mine.
The bad in me they must not see;
my life to them, must, an example be.

I must remember, as I go,
through summer's sun and winter's snow,
I'm building for the years to be,
for that little one that follows me.

It is not easy to strive for our best every day. Fatigue transforms our amusement into impatience, and impatience chases away our calm voice. No human is perfect; all we can do is try.

But try I will.
I have no other choice.

They never say "I can't"

An ant never believes that it is too little.

An ant never says “that’s too big”.

When an ant has a massive task ahead, he marches forward. He relies on friends, family, and neighbors. He is not afraid to seek their help. And together, this army of ants becomes powerful. They build higher and higher and higher, until the anthill rises far above their little heads.

Whenever we are in times of need, with tasks ahead that seem too big to bear, we should be more like ants. Not afraid to reach out to others; not embarrassed to ask for help. Despite life’s letdowns and looming obstacles, we can band together with loved ones and march forward.

We are about five hundred times larger than ants… just imagine what we can do.
Together.

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We could all use this lesson now and then. But today, I post in honor of a close loved one who is facing what feels like an impassible hurdle. She is not too small, nor is she ever alone. Together, we will lift her up - and over. XOXOXO

Strength

Today is a very exciting day! My sister-in-law, paralyzed from a frightening fall in early July, is returning to Atlanta to participate in additional rehabilitation. She has come a long, long way since her accident and extensive spinal surgery, but there is much more available to learn from a team of true experts.

Rehab is not easy, and the Shepherd Center day program is like Marine Corps Boot Camp at Parris Island (minus the yelling, humidity, and bugs eating you alive). It will be tough but absolutely worth it.

We are SO PROUD of her for making the decision to return.

We are inspired by her fighting spirit.

My lovely sister-in-law, this one is for you!

Four generations

Inspiration. It comes in many forms. It can materialize over time or hit you over the head in a flash.

What inspires you?

Throughout my life, I've been inspired by family...

I've been inspired by my parents and their 41-year marriage.

I've been inspired by my sister, the PhD, who always strives to be the best. And always succeeds.

I've been inspired by my mother-in-law, who had to stand tall in the face of many challenges to raise three children nearly single-handedly. And then cared for her dear second husband who passed away from cancer last year.

And this summer, I've been inspired by my recently paralyzed sister-in-law, who is set to graduate therapy/rehab and return to Florida tomorrow. (She jokes - at least Florida is flat; her wheelchair will roll better that way!)

I want to introduce you to someone else this morning.
Another woman who is truly an inspiration - my grandma. Grandma is 98-years old. A new year's day baby - she'll turn 99 when you're next shouting "happy new year!".

She remembers everything. She can tell you stories from her childhood. (You could ask her about the time she was hit by a Model T car... that's a funny one.) She reads the newspaper every single day and never misses a beat in current events conversations. She made it through breast cancer and open-heart surgery. When her husband of 63 years passed away, she was heartbroken. But moved on with determination. Because "that's what he would want."

She's one tough cookie alright.

Amelia is lucky to have not only a Grandma (two, actually!), but a great-Grandma as well. When together with my mom, we are four generations. And although 10-1/2 hours of driving keep us apart most of the year, the inspiration reaches. And the love, of course, has no bounds.

Grandma does not like having her photo taken.... or shared. But I want you to meet my lifelong inspiration. World, meet Grandma. She's awesome.


This post was INSPIRED by Mama Kat's Writing Workshop. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Electrolux is working to promote awareness and early detection. Mama Kat seized the opportunity to include inspiration as one of this week's prompts.