I have been blogging for a year and it has been a roller coaster ride. I began with a less than enthusiastic attitude because I was not sure about the process and there were tough decisions and commitments to make.  But now I am so happy that I tackled the learning curve because starting the blog helped me find my personal brand and gave me a reason to learn more about internet technology. Now as my first year of blogging comes to a close I have my arms up and I am screaming and laughing down the roller coaster’s big hill! It has been a worthwhile endeavor.

Blogging does not have to be a huge time commitment either. Heck, you can even use Twitter.com for micro blogging to begin building an online presence in a little by little kind of way that will add up after a few months (btw, I would be honored if you follow me on Twitter).

Examples of easy and popular software used for creating blogs include WordPress.com, Blogger.com, and TypePad.com. WordPress and Blogger offer ways to get started in blogging for free with just a couple of clicks. Blogger is an easy way for a non-techie person to get started within minutes. WordPress has more options that may be needed as a blogger becomes more experienced. It also offers excellent search engine optimization but it has a slower learning curve for the inexperienced.

An easy way to have your blog hosted on a domain name of your choice is to go with a hosting company that includes blog set up. I can highly recommend my hosting company www.hosting.com where you can set up a dedicated domain name for your blog for $45 per year. They have excellent customer service and you should feel free to call them with even the most basic questions about your new blog.

I’m probably preaching to the choir here, but blogging really is a cutting-edge way of being involved in your industry and providing proof of knowledge and technology savvy. The best thing that happens when you start blogging is that whole new relevant and deep discussions take place and new networking relationships and industry connections are made.

I’m happy to announce the release my little career movie called MondayMorningMovie. Please check it out and spread the word if you like. I hope you find it inspirational. It is also a marketing tool for me. I am preparing to launch a membershipsite for people looking for career inspiration and motivation…it is called CareerSparksClub.com. Thanks for checking it out, I really appreciate it.

Thinking about past experiences in school as a child and teen is an often recommended exercise that can help you recognize where you are naturally skilled and activities you enjoy. You have to be careful and thoughtful in the interpretation though. For example, I used to love to ride my horse as a preteen. In looking back later during a career reflection, it would be easy to me to take off on a tangent about how to involve horses in my career. If I imagined taking some kind of route like that, I would realize that it just doesn’t feel right to me. I’m not that interested in horses! So after more self reflection I was surprised to realize that it was more about the sense of freedom and independence I got from horse riding. There was also a bit of risk-taking involved as well as a camaraderie that I enjoyed building with the horse that really drew me to the activity. Now, I can see now how this past joyful experience plays into my career choice of being an infopreneur.

I’m not much for poems but here is one that I love called Desiderata.

Notice the lines relevant to self and career development…good stuff.

“If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.”

I am movin’ and groovin’ on my infopreneurial websites this week. Yes! Got Google AdWord campaign set up. My goal is to get a mailing list built so that I can be ready for a successful launch.

Most of the steps are simple. I usually spend a bit of time intimidated and worrying about messing something up. But once I take action, it is often surprising how easy it is…just one little step at a time…that is key.

With each tiny accomplishment, my confidence and understanding of the technology grows exponentially. It does seem to take a leap of faith at each point though. It also takes a bit of persistence and patience because invariably there are little problems that have to be worked out along the way. With experience, I am learning to refrain from making the problems bigger than they really are and to find a workaround when possible.

When I started my blog I felt the need to combine two ideas that, at first glance, are not connected at all – being an infopreneur and being a careerillionaire (especially since I played a part in making this one up). Actually the two ideas are connected inside me though since an infopreneurial component is part of how I am attaining my careerillionaire status. And I that is really what I want this blog to be about…inspiring others to the careerillionaire lifestyle of customizing their career in a way that encourages their own thriving (aka optimal growth & development).

Sure choosing a career and the world of work on a day-to-day basis is often much more practical than that. And of course, survival needs must be met first. But once a person has gained confidence in their own money making ability they will often begin to assess their comfort and happiness level in the opportunity they have landed. When they decide they want to strive for more, the quest begins.

I had e-mail correspondence with someone I barely know yet who asked if I ever watch “The Big Idea” with Donnie Deutsch on CNBC. When someone comes by with a little tip like that out of nowhere I pay attention. My experience shows that there is probably something I need to see there. So, I responded that I had not, thanked her for the referral, and promised to TiVo it. I have now watched three episodes and I enjoy the show very much. But I’ve also noticed an interesting phenomenon.

On the show, one of the main things Donnie Deutsch does is to try and get insight with each person featured on the show about exactly where and how they got that big idea. This makes total sense because that is the name of the show, after all, so people really should expect that question. Nevertheless, each time he asks it the person pauses for a moment and looks as if they are processing that question and aren’t quite sure what to say. As if they are saying to themselves, “hey, that is a good question, where did that idea come from?” And, it is a pertinent question because essentially Donnie is trying to educate and coach people in his audience to find their own big idea and go for it.

I think the reason that the question is difficult is because when people have a great idea, they are often fully engaged in whatever it is they’re studying at the time inspiration strikes. They just know that they were busy following their noses, uncovering clues, letting one thing lead to another and it all seemed obvious at the time…until they get this question anyway. Then they want to be able to tell others how to do it.

Creativity is something that we all have if we can open to it. I think the first step for someone who is just sitting there with no idea at all but desiring one is to remove all barriers to getting into the flow of creativity. Very “out there” I know, but creativity can’t occur while sitting in judgment of every thought that pops into your head. One has to open and be comfortable with the creative process. Some people are very good at tapping into their creative source consistently, others might have to be reminded to let go and play a little.

Begin by exploring things that catch your eye, just follow your nose a bit and see what happens. Once you have gathered some info, give yourself a rest and see what your wonderfully creative mind cooks up. When you feel a little kick of enthusiasm, you may be on to something!

I tend to jump in with both feet when my intuition sends me a shiver but it occasionally takes me a while to figure out the why or the how.

Last year I was determined to finally build a web presence and launch my internet business. First, in February I read an article in Business 2.0 that pointed me towards MemberGate. I just knew MemberGate was the solution I was looking for to turn my book into a website (please tell them Stevie Puckett sent you). Next, I got an offer to get two SBI sites at a special price and I jumped in. Then I started my WordPress blog and was off and running on that too…all this in addition to my teaching, consulting, and parenting responsibilities, mind you. WHAT WAS I THINKING?

Well, now it is about to all pay off! My plate is mostly clear to give my infopreneurial endeavors much more focus for the next few months and really give it a go…and today, to top it all off, I had a breakthrough that revealed a clear cut plan of action. I love it!

So I was going strong last month, feeling at the height of my creativity and productivity. I love it when that happens! But, like most things, creativity goes in cycles. I’m trying to learn to embrace noncreative times with the idea that if I do maybe I’ll come out of it quicker. After all, those are times that are meant for rejuvenation which is so important to keep from burning out. So I’ve lounged around a bit more than I’m comfortable with and I’ve had a lot of fun watching some footfall and being a vegetable.

I think I’m starting to come out of it now with the help of a friend who reminded me of something important on Friday… just try to complete one thing a day. I’ve learned this before but I’d forgotten how effective it can be. When things are moving slowly just a tiny step forward each day really adds up fast.

So, today I charged into my office with the intent of just updating my coming soon page for my website. Before I knew it, I had my free article completed and added to my autoresponder in addition to having my coming soon page updated. I had forgotten how close I was to having these things done.

The process for me and has been quite a challenge. I had to figure out what kind of website I wanted, which way to build it, including the content management program I wanted to use; and I had to learn how to manage that software, then how to FTP, then about getting an autoresponder to work right and on and on and on.

Most importantly, I just wanted to share with you that if you have an idea you want to pursue, just keep making small steps and things well unfold nicely for you too I’m sure. The process is very fun and it’s interesting to see how pieces start coming together when the time is right.

I had a great idea for a book back in 2003. I really thought I would have it published or out of my system by now! Turns out the idea has evolved to a website over the years. I don’t know why I didn’t pursue the website idea more after reading Robert Allen’s book the first time in 2004. Reviewing his book now, it is all right there in front of me. I had to go through my own process though, and the process has been fun if a little frustrating. The best part is that I am so thrilled about the pending end result.

That is the thing about sparks of intuition. If you decide to follow-up and take action, it is good to be open to new turns and twists on the original idea. That is probably why my process took so long. I only saw one path from the original idea for quite a while and I also lacked the confidence to go for it in a real way. But the idea was still there on the edge of my consciousness so to me that is a sign to keep moving towards it even if at a snail’s pace.