No. 152

Inspiration vs. Perspiration

At my mastermind retreat last week (the reason I was MIA from my blog), I had several conversations with fellow business owners about content schedules. Many of them — and many of my clients as well — create content calendars for their blogs and newsletters weeks or even months in advance.

I was being hard on myself at that moment. I mean, I missed both of my blog posts last week because I hadn’t properly scheduled my time around this retreat. Frankly, I was overwhelmed and something had to give.

Several times in the past, I tried to create lists of blog topics and schedules of what I would write when. The problem for me is that it seems so unnatural.

Writing for me is about inspiration first, perspiration second.

I can’t commit to a calendar where I write posts on ‘The Top 5 Things You Need to Know to Do Something” on Tuesdays and share recent projects on Thursdays, or anything like that. It feels disingenuous. I would rather share with you what’s happening in my life at the moment I’m writing. I would prefer to be honest with you about what’s working and what isn’t, rather than “creating” content.

I want it to come from my heart, not my head.

That’s not to say the head stuff isn’t good, or that perspiration isn’t good. Once I have the idea, it’s that perspiration part that makes it happen. I value that push. I just happen to love pushing even more when something resonates with me, when it comes from a deeper place.

So I don’t think you should choose between inspiration and perspiration, but recognize how one can lead to the other and how much more exciting it is when that happens. That’s why I’m blogging what I know, what I want to share, and hope that you connect.

About brandi

Brandi is a digital strategist, website developer, and founder of Alchemy+Aim, a company that helps entrepreneurs and business owners elevate their online presence and enhance their digital experience. Her academic background in theatre, philosophy and physics was the perfect foundation for launching her business, where she’s worked with Brené Brown, Laverne Cox, Judy Smith, and other notable thought leaders since 2013. She is an advocate for using technology in ways that humanize, connect and serve people as well as for asking deeper philosophical questions and teaching others to think more broadly about impact when they create, particularly in STEAM fields.

4 thoughts on “Inspiration vs. Perspiration

  1. I battle with this so much. Do I create a calendar or do I post when I feel like it. I think for me it’s going to have to be a little bit of both. Have once a week scheduled and prepped posts like instagram love and collected and then after that one a week that is pictures of adventures or something I’m thinking about, or “life right now” or who knows what else. But then there’s always the issue of sticking to it. I enjoy it once it’s done, but the getting there… oh man. Perspiration.

  2. This is so funny because just yesterday I was on pinterest and saw a quote that said “Writing is 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration” and I just couldn’t get in on that. I totally agree that it starts with inspiration. I would say it’s more like 50/50 for me. And I have the same battle with my blog. I’ve tried doing the scheduled thing and it never works for me. Until I really feel inspired to write something and share it with everyone, I’m sticking with my dream house inspiration posts. At least I enjoy putting those together :)

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