I know it’s been a few weeks, but I’ve got more information to share from Blissdom.  Hope you find it useful – I know I did!

When I arrived at Blissdom straight out of the car from that 12hr overnight drive, I was so worried that I’d be too tired to function.   But I was just in time to hear the opening keynote address from Brene Brown, the author of The Gifts of Imperfection.  She did anything but put me to sleep!  Her message was one of self-confidence and strength, something that I think we, as bloggers, need to think about more often.  She’s an author, a PhD, and an overall wise, wise woman.  If you’d like to know more, you can watch her TED Talk that went viral or check out her website.

Just as with the UnMarketing recap, I’m not going to ramble on – I’m just going to share the nuggets that I jotted down.

On categorizing yourself

“Don’t reduce me to the bio box, because people have worked too hard to not fit into a bio box.”

Don’t try to be something you’re not on your blog.  It’s your blog, your space, to be yourself.

Our stories matter because we matter. Don’t orphan who you really are. Don’t make up a story about who you’re “supposed” to be. Owning our stories and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we will ever do!

On dealing with difficult decisions

Choose discomfort over resentment.

What does this mean?  Often we say “yes” to an obligation because we don’t want to feel uncomfortable, but then as we do the work required for that obligation, we build up a strong feeling of resentment. It’s OK to say NO!

On bloggers and their work

If we don’t value our work, how can we expect others to do so?

Be confident: People can feel your confidence, even online.
Advice for new bloggers

You can go far with a beautiful blog. An attractive design does help. (Note from Jane:  I’ll discuss an easy and affordable way to do this later this week.)

Buy your own domain name.

She quoted Oprah:

“You are responsible for the energy you bring into the room.”

MOST IMPORTANTLY

This was the “homework” she assigned us:
Take a small piece of paper and list the handful of people (only a handful!) whose opinions truly matter to you. People who love you – not despite your struggles – but because of your strengths and struggles. Those are the people whose opinions you should value.

That’s food for thought, huh?

Between Brene’s opening keynote, and Scott Stratten’s closing keynote, I came away from that conference with a blogging resolution:  to be myself, post what I want, when I want, and to stop worrying so damn much what others think!!  Who’s with me?