My husband and I joke that I am very flip-floppy. It is so true. I swing from one end of the spectrum to the other on all sorts of subjects.
For example, today I might be all about saving the world through blogging and tomorrow I'm ready to quit.
And it's not just about blogging. I get all fired up about something and then next time you talk to me I'm fired up about the very opposite thing.
My long suffering husband is as even keel as they get (God bless him). It has taken him a long time to figure me out. (Ha! It's taken me a long time to figure me out.)
I process via talking. Maybe you can relate. I'm like the modern artist who throws paint on the canvas…and the wall…and the room, and calls it art. Only I don't use paint, just random thoughts that pop in my head that may or may not have been percolating there for a while.
(By the way, I write this way too. As evidenced by my overuse of parenthetical statements. But anyway…)
When my husband and I are talking about something and I start getting into my thinking-out-loud mode—or I should say, my THINKING-OUT-LOUD mode because I'm always passionate—he'll often stop me in the middle and gently ask, "OK, just so I know where you're going here…is this something you want to take action on or are you just venting?"
And then I'll be like, "I'm just venting!!" and then 5 minutes later I'm like, "We can't just sit here gabbing about it, we need to do something!!"
(I'm way off track here. Reeling myself in…)
Anyway, I've had an inordinate number of people lately (by that I mean 2) tell me I'm a "big blogger" which is very kind, but I think medium is probably more objectively accurate.
Still, it made me start pondering this whole idea of someone being "big"—in blogging or anything else. I've been thinking about it for a while.
So, a few minutes ago I had this idea to make a video (because frankly, talking seemed so much easier than writing, although by now I could have just written it) and so I did and you're getting it in its raw form.
There's not a huge point to this video and it's not wrapped up in a neat bow. It's just the thoughts that have been swirling in my brain.
Of course, everything could change tomorrow. 
(Oh yeah, and by the way, you may hear screaming from the other room. I assure you, no small children were harmed in the making of this video. There was actually a lively game of dodgeball going on in the living room. No expensive vases were harmed either.)
Can't see the video? Watch it here.
Amy, thanks so much for posting that very honest video. I'll be mulling over your comments today.
Honest was one of the first words I thought of too! You definitely gave us all some wonderful perspective and food for thought this morning! Thanks for all you do!
God Bless!
Wow! You really need to stop getting in my head! I LOVE this video! It is so honest and genuine. I have been struggling with the same thing with one website I have and with a blog I am trying to get going. I am so worried about the blog being "good" that it has paralyzed me and I'm not writing! Why? Isn't success dong what makes you happy? It is so easy to tear ourselves down by comparing ourselves with others with "more". But, we (at least I know I don't and based on your video, it seems you don't either) don't compare ourselves to others who have less because, well, that just wouldn't be nice, right? Maybe we should cut ourselves a break, too, huh?
Amy you're precious! and I get what you're saying. I feel the same way most days.
Thanks for sharing your heart.
Blessings,
Cyndi
P.S. I would miss your blog if you didn't do this because I love all your tips. You do all the behind the scenes work and then I get to read it and then do it. Ha!
Oh! I am so glad I have BWA as an outlet for all the blogging tips I store in my head. I collect them. It might be an illness.
So, I don't have plans to stop sharing them (hope it didn't come across that way). I just want the courage to be able to give away not just blogging tips, but *all* the stuff I have that might be helpful to others. Know what I mean? Thank you, Cyndi!
you're just so funny Amy, I love the way you jump around, and you do get to the point, eventually!
)
I think "the cost" you refer to, is there whether you succeed or fail (it just changes form), so better to succeed and have choices later. And the questioning your choices (or self-doubt? re-assessing??) and so on, is common. I think that comes down to making decisions/choices, rather than just "hoping things will work out". I'm sure even the successful wonder if things should change sometimes. I can't wait to see your next Vlog, and yes, you do make a difference, every day for bloggers like me!
Amy, you are so funny! This was the first email I opened this am. Thank you for the reminder that success comes at a price.
I to am one of those "Passionate" people, who changes passions constantly. And when I find a new passion I tend to go full tilt towards it and forget my priorities and duties in other areas.
I want my blog to succeed because it will help me have a thriving Knitting Instruction business. Bug I do not want to sacrifice my family for it. So I am trying to pace myself and take it slow. Thank you for the reminder.
BTW… you are making a difference in my life. I can not answer for you whether you are in a comfort zone or not.
But blogging is taking me out of mine. That is for sure!
Angela
Amy, you are adorable. I have many of the same thoughts. Btw, you are making a difference in our lives, but I get what you're saying – blogging is a lot of work and sometimes I wonder if I'm making the difference God has called me to make.
Thank you.
Amy,
I am so grateful for you. I couldn't agree more with your view on success. I struggle far too often with feeling like I'm not making a big enough difference with my blog, usually after I see the "success" of another blogger. The thing I always come back to is that God called me to action in this area, and if I do this for no one else but myself and 5 other people and we all become a little better for it, then all is not lost.
You should also know that the technical side of blogging alone as made me want to give up more times than I can count because it hurts my head and makes me want to cry. If it weren't for your blog, I would have shed far more tears and been even more tempted to stop trying. Thank you so much for sharing your gift with people like me! Even if you're not called to it for the rest of you life, you have made a difference in my life and lives of the five other people who read my blog. Thanks!
Thank you Kelly! That makes me wanna keep going!
That's a lot of big thoughts to take in over my morning coffee. What I keep coming back to is success has to be defined within the parameters of my own life. So for me, I do have success. I'm doing something I started on a whim several years ago. I still enjoy it. I've learned a lot about all kinds of things. I've been challenged. I've met friends. I'm earning money
If I compare myself to bigger bloggers, I might miss all of that.
Still mulling over your thoughts about the cost…worth thinking about for sure.
What you are calling the cost of success, I call hard work. Because I need to remember that where I want to go, my successful requires hard work.
As for the modern artist painting everywhere with thoughts, we are sisters.
Amy – you are so crazy! lol The whole reason I love coming to your blog is because you are "real" and honest and to me – that equals success!
Just last night we watched a video about the man behind Elmo. The one thought I walked away with was "his success cost him his family". It was a secular program and the focus was on how his dream became a reality, but yet you could hear in his interview, the hurt – and loss – this man has suffered because of his fame. While he did wonderful things for people and children around the world, he made choices that gained him success, but the price for that success was his wife and daughter. I am not so sure that I would call that "success" – kwim? I think you are very successful because you are keeping your focus -otherwise you wouldn't have these thoughts running through your head lol
Loved listening to you this morning – you should do more of these "impromptu" videos
So true. There are so many in Hollywood and elsewhere who have become "famous" and yet clearly live in so much pain. I wonder how many of them would do it again. Interesting…
You are the best blogger ever! I didn't even watch the video – I don't have stomach for videos – but I love love love your style and totally related to being flip floppy!!!!
Food for thought. Right there with you in the jealousy dept – funny thing was I came from the world of writing novels to blogging to get away from that! I try to remind myself I blog for fun but it's hard not to get greedy for numbers and notoriety.
First, let me say now I know why I love reading your blog. It's the parentheses, the writing as you think/talk. I feel like after reading a post that we've had a conversation. I do the same thing and even mention it in my About Me post because I wanted to warn people. My blog IS my tornado of thoughts because I'm so random sometimes.
Anyway…I love the video and feeling like we "actually" had a conversation. I love what you said about success coming at a cost and I think that is precisely why you ARE a big blogger without the numbers that you say you don't have. Your BIGness is in your quality of content and dedicated readership, your…grr, I can't think of the word…integrity (I had to go look it up
).
Integrity – but, wait, YES, YES, YES, you ARE making a difference and we (by this I mean I) need your tips and your humor. Although I know I would understand if you needed to move in another direction because family ALWAYS comes first, but YES, you are making a difference…and we appreciate you!!
Hi, Amy. I don't post comments (anywhere) often, but I just had to respond. Your video had me laughing out loud because I share many of the same thoughts and way of thinking (or should I say route of thinking). Your thoughts were about blogging, but I think could be relatable in other areas. I'm only a "part-time" blogger (ha, I actually referred to myself as a blogger) because I am a full-time (or more) teacher. I have learned a lot from you that has helped me with my blog, which in turn makes my life easier, and less time in the "cost" realm. Anyways, thank you for doing what you do
Thank you Monica. Glad I'm not the only one!
Amy -
Awesome! I resonate with everything you said and wrote. I LOVE the video. You should do more.
I LOVE how you shared what God said. That is so powerful.
I love your blog. As for meaning – Your blog empowers so many of us do make our blogs better. And in that respect your work is being exponentially compounded ~ for good.
Thank you!
lisa
Thank you, Lisa. Oh I like videos much better so I think I might just do more…
Hi Amy!
BTW I call my daughter Ame too! Anyways, I just loved your honest video. I'm trying to get my blog up and running and love all your tips. Being able to get in front of your audience by video is something I want to do but am scared to death to actually "be real" in front of everyone so thanks for doing it. Just sharing your heart and letting us see your struggles and thoughts helps us all.
Thanks,
Kristie B.
Amy, oh my goodness! I was just talking to my hubby on the phone while reading this (yes, multitasking). He was talking about my blog and blog numbers and giving me encouragement and I stopped him and said, I have to change the subject (I have learned to give him warning when I am about to burst and ramble out some random thing that had nothing to do with what we were just talking about) Anyway, I said, I have to read you this…it's from blogging with amy. and I read him the top portion.
He said "see…we aren't the only ones. That's great!" See, what you just wrote about you and your hubby and how you process and throw paint everywhere (er, I mean words). is just like me and my husband! seriously, I do so hope to meet you some day. maybe at relevant? (allume).
Anyway, I am going to go watch your video now, but I just had to say, I can totally relate to you….and this post…totally.
um and a side note about me…so, here is the thing. I am an art teacher too. so not only do I throw words around, but well, I literally throw paint around…. and clay…
LOL. So funny.
Amy, I appreciate your honesty and I doubt that anyone will read this post or watch this video who can't identify with the issue of comparing. Thank you for your honesty. Please don't ever think that what you do on this blog isn't important in the big scheme of life. It IS important and you are teaching practical skills that are helping others to get their important messages out to a wider audience in a more efficient fashion. When you get to heaven one day I bet you'll be surprised at the reward waiting on you.
Thanks again for the video. It helps to see that even "big" bloggers are real people who struggle with the same issues as everyone else.
My two year old saw this video and he must have thought you were on Skype or something because he just kept saying, "Hi!" I tried to explain to him that you couldn't actually hear him. That was just totally random.
You got inside my head. That's what I try to do as a blogger. If I get a lot of comments, then my post must have gotten inside my readers heads! And then I wonder, what is a measure of a successful blog? Is it one that makes a certain amount of money or one with lots of subscribers, visitors, comments, a high Alexa ranking?
I have found my blog's performance in each of these areas do not always reflect the other. For example, my post that got the most visitors is not the same post that got the most comments.
Tell your 2yo I said hi.
That is so cute.
Great video! My eyes were open to this recently. I feel like I am doing this successfully, more so than I had originally planned that's for sure. I saw a few other people that I was 'comparing' myself to and how I wished I was in there shoes…then I found out that it was costing them everything. It was an eye opener to me, and made me realize that blogging and success is great, but if it cost me my family and those things in life that are not replaceable…it isn't. So, I try to be sure I keep balance and do not compare myself, I am beyond blessed and thankful for all of the opportunities I have.
"Am I making a difference in the world by sharing blogging my tips" (my paraphrase). I say a resounding "Yes!"
Are blogging tips gonna change the world? Probably not, but it's not just your helpful tips that make me look forward to your blog posts each day, it's your honesty, your passion for God (that peeks out in unexpected ways in the middle of a post/video) and the way you really care about each one of us… even us very little bloggers!
Thank you Anna!
WOW! I actually am figting back tears as I write this! Everything you said is sooo very true. I really enjoy blogging (all 3 months of it so far), but I have really been struggling with the success part of it, and the balancing family part of it, AND the jealousy part of it too!! Yes, Amy, you do make a difference! Your tips have helped me and will probably continue to help me! I have had to stop, take a step back and further analyze my definition of success. Some parts of my blog I am very happy with, others were a complete waste of time. But as I try to always remind the four people who read my blog (actually there's a few more, I am just going by the actual number my dashboard tells me) Life is about journeys, and learning on those journeys, they can be long and difficult or short and sweet. Thanks so much! And keep up the good work!
Oh man, those are such common feelings and I know a lot of us deal with them so don't feel alone!
Amy, you are making a lot of difference. remember the body has all different parts…and your part, helps sooooo many other parts like me succeed! but yes, I understand that maybe you might feel you need to give more of yourself or all of yourself or something. I feel some conviction lately about this myself…anyway, your talk about comparison actually reminded me of a conversation I was just having with a friend (I really pretty much said some of the same things you just did-like about comparing yourself with people who have more and not less…) anyway, you reminded me and re inspired me for a blog post I want to do. (I will link back to this post!)
Amy thanks for being real!!!!! and know you are making a difference!
Is there any woman on the planet who can't relate to this video? I've had so many conversations with friends about the comparison trap. It's sooo easy to do, unfortunately. Your point about not wanting to pay the cost is what I call wanting the rewards without the work. We're all 100% of this at some point.
I recently read Angie Smith's book, What Women Fear. The chapter that best characterized me was the one where it talked about fear that I won't be significant. Isn't that what we're all afraid of -the idea that our life won't matter? Guess what? That's just not possible. We are more than business women. Our influence extends far beyond how many clients or blog subscribers we have. Thank you for such a thoughtful post, today. Blessings to you!
So true, Kendra! Thank you for the excellent reminder.
I love your random thoughts since I am so planned and purposeful. Seeing your side is refreshing. If you stopped blogging here, I would be lost. I send my readers here to get your step-by-step instructions. If you're not sure, just take a few days off from looking in that mirror.
Enjoy your weekend!
My friend was telling me about how her daughter in Kindergarten was getting really competitive with another student she felt was a better reader than her. She told her daughter: "There is enough room in this world for everyone to be smart. There is enough room in the world for everyone to be pretty, so we don't need to try to compare ourselves to others." I really love that and thought of it when I read this post. You are a blogger who actually makes an income and has helped so many others be able to do the same. You published an e-book that sold a lot of copies and did change lives (at least it did mine!). How many people in this world can say that? You may not have the largest numbers, but you can consider yourself very successful!
I have a competitive daughter too. I try to assure mine that the only thing worth being the "best" at is being kind to others. It worked great when she was little… Now that she's 10 she just rolls her eyes.
Oh that is very kind, thank you Dawn.
what funny timing! I just wrote an article about this for revolutionizeHer: http://www.revolutionizeher.com/2012/03/14/overcoming-overnight-success-envy/
it's always nice to find people on the same wavelength =) I think you should do more videos!
REALLY enjoyed this, and all of your thoughts here. Thanks for sharing.
My pastor describes it this way, "never compare someone else's highlight reel to your behind the scenes". Thanks for sharing this Amy! Your blog has helped me (and so many others) tremendously. Think about all the lives you have touched because you are doing what you're called to do, and doing it well, and that is impacting all the bloggers who are incorporating what you are teaching us, and that affects our readers, which (hopefully) affects their life change in this world. I blog about healthy food and lifestyle that supports fulfilling your purpose, and you have a direct impact on on my readers, whether you know it or not. That's huge! not because of numbers, I'm brand new and very few follow, but because you have taught me how to be the best blogger I can be, maybe my blog will impact someone's life for the better. I hope so anyway, that's why I do it. Sorry to ramble on. I just wanted to remind you that you ARE making a difference. Thanks again!!
"never compare someone else's highlight reel to your behind the scenes" <–love that! Thanks, Dana.
Nice perspective to share. I am flip – floppy myself. I think it's great that your husband and you laugh about it. It really works my husbands nerves. Mine to at times, makes finding my path and direction tricky at times.
Just a small happy note… Your blog is always very clear and on focus. I hope you find satisfaction with your content because it is true to all your own great advice!
I can't believe it. I just wrote you a really long comment and then I lost it because I'm sitting at Chick-fil-A and when I hit submit the wifi decided to make me log in again!
I'll try again!
Amy, it was fun to see and hear you instead of just reading and then making up my own idea of who you are.
The points I took away were these:
1. Success can be defined in different ways
2. Success has a price.
3. You'd rather talk than write.
4. If you are going to keep writing, you'd like to know that it is helping people.
5. You are very honest.
Your blog has been helpful to me. Thank you! (I wish I could remember how I found it, because I'd send that referral a thank you note.)
Wow, you were really listening to my rambling. Totally nailed it!
Ok, here we go again.
I love that you did this video. You are like me on so many levels! I'm so scattered it keeps me from moving forward and working on one thing!
It's interesting because the way you said you feel when you look at what you see as "big bloggers" is the way I feel when I look at you! It's all relative I guess. Which means unless we find a new way to define success we'll never be satisfied. There will always be some one with a bigger reach, more opportunities, and more "likes"!
Concerning whether or not you are doing something important. You can't look at blogging about blogging as what you do. You have to look at is as your vehicle. What you do is;
Help an awful lot of people find a way to get their message out; a message that people need to hear
Help a lot of women avoid having to go to work away from home
You are keeping yourself (and I think your husband?) home from the workplace. That's huge! Think of the impact of that alone, that things you can accomplish as a family because you get to call the shots!
Maybe helping other families bring Dad home from the workplace
Teaching your kids so many things; having a dream, working hard, making choices etc.
Showing your kids that everything in life comes at the expense of something else. You are choosing to reach the level of success that can be reached while only paying the price you are willing to pay! To me choosing success in life over huge success in one aspect of it (business) is a good choice.
If you had no idea what anyone else was doing, would you be happy with your results?
I'm glad you do what you do.
Thanks for taking the time to write this again, Beth (sorry you lost it the first time around). You are so right and I do not want to be ungrateful or discontent (two more struggles of mine for sure)! We all have so much to offer and we're all so unique and I hope we all feel inspired to make a huge impact. I definitely think blogging is a great tool for that. I just want to keep looking at it as a means and not the end. Thanks again!
Loved the video, Amy! And you are right that success does not come without a cost. I've been pondering this for awhile now. I mean, I want to be a great blog/graphic designer, and I want to grow my blog readership to a nice 'medium' level blogger, but what is that going to cost me?
Thanks for the food for thought, Amy! Love your insights and blog.
Thanks, Sandra!
Thank you! As someone trying emerge in the blogging world, your video made perfect sense. Someone once told me, "If you wake up wanting to do something, and if you goto bed wanting to do the same thing then do it."
I have been thinking about moving my blog over to wordpress. And after thinking and thinking-then I did something about it! I don't want to be a "big" blogger, just a good bloggers, a blogger who can make the difference in others lives. (Yep ok and a blogger who can make some extra money since I have a cruised addicted husband, and a 17 year old heading to college in a year, and yes I want a new couch…see we all get off track…LOL)
When I found your site, everything started to come together! You gave me the courage to "Do something about it (although the genesis & child pages has been a HUGE learning curve-especially when you have no idea what you are doing!) Thank you for putting "how to blog" in my language! And on April 1st (yes I thought that would be a fun day-but really I get back from the cruise the day before!) I hope to "officially" (cause I used it a bit) reveal my new updated blog!
Awesome!!
Hey Amy — I loved the thoughts you presented in the video and it totally cracked me up, as well. Great video/post.
Thank you Katie.
Great video, Amy!
Could you please post one now on your parenting success- as in a game of dodgeball in the living room and no broken vases!?!
And PS- Your footprint is huge! Not only are you really making a difference, but you're also teaching others all they need to know so that they can make a difference too. Without you many of us would still be staring a blank computer screen trying to figure out how to start a blog. So if you think about it, our success is really your success too. If you want to define your success with a number then you have to take your numbers and add it to the numbers of every blogger you've helped. That's your true impact.
That is very kind. Thank you.
Oh, and my secret to dodgeball is to make them play with wadded up pieces of paper and not balls.
You put into a video exactly what's been on my mind lately too. I am a tiny blogger
and it's easy to be tempted with the politics of blogging (You know, the "I'll link to you if you link to me" and commenting just to link back to yourself, etc.) I see A LOT of this going on, and I have decided one thing for sure- I do not want to be any part of that! I know God expects and wants more for me than that, because most of that won't matter in eternity. Just sayin.'
Loved your video- thanks for being open- it's refreshing!!!
Hi Amy – Can I say thanks? First, for feeling and expressing exactly my thoughts on life, blogging, etc. And second, for helping me blog. Your tips have been amazing and every little hand up is a HUGE step forward as you know. To answer your question about what it's all accomplishing, you need to know you're helping lots of people like me get their own message out there – and you never know how significant those messages can be in the big picture. Keep the faith, girl. I'm right there with you (and Steve Jobs) looking in the mirror! Be blessed.
Aloha Amy,
Just finished watching your video but didn't know how to leave a comment so am leaving one here.
Mahalo (thank you) for what you do. You ARE making a difference in other people's lives. Just by reading through your blog I have learned a LOT and will soon write an eBook. I also find a lot of good tips for my own website which is rather old school – but maybe will be updated because of young people like you who are so giving of yourself because you want to make a difference.
Mahalo again and again!!
Aunty
Hehe, I loved that! Very open and honest and I think my mind is wired the same way as yours! Jon often says 'janie bored now' as I dash on to the next random idea
)
The gem that I found in your video was to stop comparing myself/my blog and specifically my stats
to anyone else's. Seriously, who cares anyway??!
Thanks! x
I love your candidness. I love that you aren't afraid to be real. I think what you are pondering is something we all deal with (over and over again). For me it was working behind the scenes as the idea girl and the "how to" girl (for years) on so many successful blogs and watching them take the credit for all of it. That was hard but it was what I signed up for. And with all due respect to my former employers they work hard to and it was their brand. Not mine. Again, what I signed up for. I just had to fight my flesh while doing it.
Just a couple of weeks ago at Blissdom, God shook my world up. He helped me to see that I had sacrificed His gifts to me for monetary gain. I was helping others fulfill their purpose while mine sat dormant. I quit consulting. I quit working for the blogs I was contracted by. I quit designing (okay I am still trying to quit that). And I also sold my contributor blogs. I am a free woman. I am now free to do what I know He wants me to do. It is all finally clear.
The funny thing is that when I did my taxes I realized that I would have made more money working less hours had I not been doing all of those "other" ventures that I thought were bringing in extra cash. Truth is with all the maintenance and assistants I had to pay for I wasn't making near what I thought I was. I actually make significantly more now since I quit! I have finally come to the conclusion that success is the place where we meet or exceed our goals and are able to still give Him glory for it. That is going to look very different to all of us.
You rock, girl. But I think I've already told you that a time or two.
We need to sit and chat next time we're in the same place again. I can relate to so many things you said. I cut back on a lot too recently and also have felt so much more free. I'm so very grateful for all the experiences I've had, but I also know that I want to make absolutely sure that when I die (sorry, don't mean to be morbid) that I die *spent* and not still full of stories of God's grace and work that might be encouraging to others. Thanks, Amy!
I loved this video, Amy! And I think what you do does make a difference! I point all my clients in your direction because so many people know so little about the blogging endeavor that they are embarking on when they get started. I certainly was, and your site helped me so much when I came across it. Thanks for sharing your tips, and thanks for talking so candidly in your video!
Thank you Amy! I love a person who is real! I feel the same way and appreciate you reminding me it's not the success I need to be worrying about, it's pleasing God and letting Him take care of the rest. God Bless you!
Loved the video! It was just fun! I have had MANY of the very same thoughts you voiced about blogging. And I do very much love your tips and blog on blogging. I probably wouldn't be blogging without it!
I would love to be able to make a little money with my blog, but I have recently had that same realization that I really don't want to be a "famous" blogger(don't think I need to worry about it anyway)
. I really wouldn't want to be under everyone's microscope like Pioneer Woman. Plus, I do not have time to do everything I want to now!! And when it comes right down to it, we are very blessed and comfortable! I just started reading Jen Hatmaker's book, 7 and it has me thinking. As an American it is so easy for me to get caught up in the "more, more, more" mentality!
Thanks for a fun and honest and make-me-think post!
I hear you…there's ALWAYS someone with a bigger, better, more beautiful, or more helpful blog out there. It's a big world!
That can get discouraging to me, and sometimes I feel like, "Why bother? Someone can do this better than me."
I wrote about that in a post titled, "It doesn't have to be perfect to bless other people": http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/2010/01/it-doesnt-have-to-be-perfect-to-bless-other-people/
Do I really want to do Security the rest of my life? NO
Am I making a difference? NOPE!
I have to find out what my passion is and do that, whatever that is. I love your looks and voice on the video do not give up..you are fabulous!
Jackie, I'm sure you are making a difference somewhere! But I think I get what you're saying so I hope you'll find something that really gets you fired up!
Thanks for this post, Amy! I loved your description of the way you and your husband interact. It is perfect:). My husband and I are the same way – I am the driven, passionate one and he is the calm, collected and supportive one. I don't know what I would do without him. I love the way differences in marriage build a stronger team.
Your video is awesome and your honesty is so refreshing and thought-provoking. Everything you said strikes a chord in me.
Your blog has really helped me. It is so down to earth and extremely practical. Thank you for everything you do.
Amy, you are soooo making a difference! I feel like you're someone who would take the time to go for coffee with all of your readers, if that were possible. You seem like you care and like you genuinely want to help every single on of us. Your tips are amazing, but it's your passion that really comes across and makes us love you! Please, please do more videos just like this one:) Oh, and just a thought…maybe the more appropriate question to ask ourselves daily is: "Is this what God would have me do for the rest of my life?" Blessings!!
Oh yes, if we were all in the same place, we'd definitely have to meet for coffee!
And a great question: Is this what God would have me do for the rest of my life?"
Thanks, Becky.
Hi Amy!
I just wanted to say that you are refreshingly real, and honest! I so appreciate that you were talking to us as if we were talking one on one. I totally agree that what some people think is success others may have another view, and that there is a price to pay somewhere. Really made me think. I recently quite my day job to stay at home and have been searching for work to do from home and so it was good to listen to you and mull things over.
Thank you!
You're welcome Lucie and all the best as you start this new chapter!
Hi Amy,
I am very new to blogging and have luckily found your site which is choc-a-block full of fab tips. I watched your video today and loved every minute of it. Thanks so much for posting it!
Linda
This reminds me of James 3:6 "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." Confusion is defined as disorder – it seems like when we are lead by envy our lives end up in disorder.
Also, the "to be comfortable" idea reminded me of this video of Paul Washer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuabITeO4l8
Thanks for sharing!
You are so real Amy, I totally relate to your words….so true…..The one part I see in you is PASSION, and that is the driving cause that will take you to fullfill your life. Love it!!!
I finally got a chance to watch this and am so glad I did. First of all, when you described you and your husband that is TOTALLY my husband and me too! Oh. My. Word. Like exactly.
As to the success, I really appreciate your perspective. I love writing and sharing, but the techy stuff is driving me nuts. As a brand new blogger, I often wonder if it is worth all the time and effort because there are SO many other blogs and will I really be able to make it go? I forget the cost part. I am frustrated that I have not succeeded in even putting google adsense up, but then I realize I have not really spent that much time on it…I have spent a lot, but you know what I mean. I can do more, and work harder at learning the stuff that is really hard to learn (for me!).
I do want to blog, and I do want to share, and I do want to be "successful", but do I want to put in the time? I think so, but that has been a struggle…figuring it all out with the balance of family, etc.
Thank you for being yourself! I love it, and I so relate to how you think outloud. I am exactly the same.
Hi Amy,
I am normally like you just letting my thoughts, ideas, feelings and so on just go and flow which works great for my creativity. When it comes to business stuff I have to get serious and focused in order to do what I need to do.
Kudos on your blogging success!
Hey Amy, I found your blog for the first time today. I love it! As I watched your video I laughed out loud (several times because i can completely relate) and then nodded my head in agreement as you talked. You hit the nail on the head! Your "success" video is a terrific reminder that great success does indeed come with a price.
And envy? Oh my. Tell me about it! I have lusted after my neighbors ability to be organized! (How low can one go??) You might "get a kick" from reading about my struggle to "keep up" with my gorgeous, successful neighbor.
http://www.gimmeglutenfree.com/2011/07/getting-organized.html
Thanks so much for your wonderful blog. You are encouraging, helpful and inspiring. Thank you, Amy!
Comparison is the thief of joy.
Couldn't you just chew on that forever?
Amy, I loved this! I think so often I compare myself with others but then look at what I do have and realize what is more important: That my kids grow up in a godly home with a godly mom who has her priorities straight, or a mom who is stressed out and on the computer all the time? I choose the first one, I have been totally re-organizing my time and life the past 4 months, I hired 3 people, I take entire weekends off. I work smarter, not harder. You were right, success is defined differently by everyone. Success for me is not having regrets, and as a mommy I would hate to look back on these years and say 'What did I do? I missed all those years…."
And YES Amy, what you are doing does make a difference. You help facilitate others to make money to feed their families, achieve financial independence, and many more things. I am thankful!
I always love to hear the steps others are taking. It's so inspiring to me so thanks for sharing, Lauren!
Amy, thanks for that video! Your blog makes you look super organized and on top of all things, so it's good to know you are actually human.
The thoughts on your video are profound and helpful. I appreciate your work, and your sharing, and most of all, that you care about glorifying God.
Those are so deep thoughts to ponder on. I know that what you do helps and benefits me
Watching this made me wish I had talked to you more at Relevant this past October! (Wow, it is going to be really hard to get out of the habit of calling it Relevant!) I did stop you in the hallway one evening and chat with you about different Facebook fan page questions I had, but I think we could have talked a lot more based on this video.
You basically said a lot of the things that I feel when it comes to blogging. It is so so SO hard not to compare yourself. Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts!
I remember our chat, Rebekah…between the elevators and the door to the Prayer Room if I remember correctly. I enjoyed it!
Yep! That was me. We talked a lot about what I could do for a FB landing page. I never did get around to creating one, but now it looks like I won't have to with the new timeline. Landing pages are out, right? Have you written a post about this yet? I would love to hear your thoughts on the best ways to set up your timeline profile!
Oh, so totally deep! Definitely some great food for thought. I think so often we as bloggers get so caught up in the idea of success, that we forget why we started in the first place. I know I did. But, when take a step back and really make it your own, that joy comes back. Thanks for sharing!
I'm just getting started in the blogging world and you have already made a huge difference in my life. And in making a difference in the life of a blogger, you are making a difference in the lives of the readers. And on it goes until a child gets MORE time with his mom because you sacrificed a moment of yours.
I will certainly take to heart the sacrifices you shared (and I've already experienced). There must be a place between "Yes, Lord" and "No Way, People."
Thank you for all you have done to lead me by the techno-hand.
(My official launch date is April 2nd!)
Congrats on your upcoming launch Suzanne (and thanks for your encouragement)!
Thanks for a chance to "meet" you before the 2:1 Conference! I love some of the thoughts you shared, and I'll be linking to this on Home Educating Family's Saturday Select next weekend. Thank you!
Thanks Jenny! I'll look forward to seeing you at 2:1.
This was really fabulous, Amy. I don't normally watch videos (okay, so I didn't actually watch this one either, but I listened while I did other things), and I found myself nodding over and over. I'm so with you on so many things. (Including the fact that I'm horribly jealous of other people, even though I wish so much that I wasn't.)
I never thought about something you mentioned, and I agree with it — I never compare myself to people with less, just people with more.
Thanks for being so honest!
You're welcome and I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one.
It felt like you were talking straight to me today, as I was just letting the whole jealousy thing get to my head earlier! It reminds me of a quote I saw around Thanksgiving on a local church billboard that said, "We don't need more to be thankful for, we need to be more thankful." Sometimes it's easier to focus on what we don't have than to be grateful for what we do have. Thanks for the reminder to refocus my heart and my attitude!
Great quote! Thanks Jen.
Amy, I just love you. Your words brought tears to my eyes today, and a Hug and God whispering, "See, you're not the only one." Thank you for shining true
Wow…so funny. I've never seen someone write and think the way quite like I do…but you do;) Just found your site yesterday and saw this video. It stuck with me all day yesterday. You questioned the worth of your success since "all you do is help people learn how to blog better" or in other words that there wasn't as much worth. Holy Cow. My thoughts today were do you realize how many people's businesses you've helped build? Do you understand how many families have extra income at a lower cost because they were able to do a DIY website? You have acheived success in ways you'll never physically be able to see because there is not enough time in the day to visit all of the blogs and see all of the changes. You're magical
Hey Amy … Thanks to you I've started my little baby blog… I try to come by your site every once in a while and grab a tip or two… but I have to do it a little at a time because I have that same "what's the cost" thing going on in my mind all of the time. So when I just found this video I was cracking up… plus, you are just like I thought you would be from how you write. I love that! I can SO relate to what you had to say in the video. I do that "processing by talking" thing to my husband all of the time!! Hilarious!!
I haven't taken the time to read the comments everyone else left, so maybe this is redundant, but you are making a difference for me and my little blog in my little world online. As I state in the header of my blog, its purpose is: Resources and Encouragement for Growing Families.
You have made a difference in my life my giving me the confidence to start blogging. I pray that my blog will fulfill its purpose and therefore make a difference in the life of a mom and a family here or there. So this was the perfect opportunity for me to say, "THANKS for what you do!"
Best to you!!