Working Through the Certificaion Courses-"What if"
Usually the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason. Lonelier? Probably. Longer? Likely. More arduous? Maybe...however, maybe not. So, what will happen if I zig instead of zag? Sometimes we need to pluck that 'what if" off its curious perch and commit to demystify the compelling "what if."
When I first began my "formal education" into WA certification courses, my thought quickly became a bit of a calamity. I did have moments of clarity, but most of the new information seemed to be in a kinetic frenzy; one thought colliding over here, only to spin off and collide with another thought over there.
Blow Out- Spare Me!
As the lessons compounded, and with each layer of new information, a sensation of swimming against a current was growing more profound within my being. At the same time I was seeing progress, my spirit was hyperventilating. I was struggling to conceptualize how each new piece of website in play would then affect the overall product.
As I thought about the ramifications of building my website piece by piece, I realized I was simmering in anxiety. Luckily, hidden within the anxiety were whispers of the directive--Think about it! So, I did...
Once I stopped to take a few breaths and then retreat into meditation, I was able to truly listen to the subtext between my inner conflict and fear...
...What if I started to build this website and, in my mind's eye, I was sure I was building a "duck," however, upon completion, I stood back to take it all in, and in my moment of glory, my smile was quickly replaced by confusion as I realized...it looks like a duck, it waddles like a duck, it swims like a duck, but it barks...yes, barks..like a do?
In any other scenario, I would probably be smitten with my barking duck, but in this instance, I wanted to avoid as many missteps and surprises as possible - my duck needs to be all things duck.
Slow Down...Don't Move Too Fast...Just Ease That Foot Back Off The Gas... --Feelin' Groovy
So, in a moment of focus and clarity, I thought, "what if?" What if I take the actual building of the website off the table and just allow myself to become familiar with each part of the whole? What if, I let myself relax into the information instead of trying to apply it? after all, a relaxed mind is an open mind and mine had become congested and inefficient. It was time to regroup and take that road less traveled.
Even though I was gently and methodically being guided along by Kyle, I thought I might benefit from going through the certification courses in their entirety before incrementally applying the knowledge.
. Hmmm...buy all the ingredients up front, read through the instructions and do a dry run before I make my 5 star meal to be shared with all my guests of honor.
My new plan of action was to disregard all of the lesson's calls to action as they coaxed me to incrementally construct my website. I was now going to take my hands off the keyboard and embrace the idea of a dry run. My new call to action was relax, absorb, enjoy!
Party On The Inside-Business On The Outside
In hindsight, I am certain I made the right decision for me. I feel like I have a much better grasp of how each working piece of this intricate organism is intended to function in unison. When I crossed over from peeker to member with WA, I was among those that had virtually no experience in this arena, no real idea of what I had signed on for... a self proclaimed GOOBER of technology.
Having gone through the "dry run," I feel like a fog is lifting. Now, when I repeat the courses and actually build out my website, I can be more discerning with my input and actions as I implement each step...most especially as I create content! I think my beginning product will be tighter, cleaner and more cohesive than it might have been as I now have a stronger foundation of knowledge and understanding of what I am doing.
Points of interest along the road less traveled:
- Learning of the blueprint to organize and build content likely saved me some valuable time and effort in the initial blog tasks, and forever after-brilliant tool!
- As key words were talked about more, in later courses, I had a better grasp how to fine tune my searches, as well as the significance of the right key words to drive content, and the balance of key word usage within content-more key word proficient
- Learning the dos and don'ts of affiliate links within general content posts vs. reviews gave me valuable insight into how I might proceed in my content structure and flow
- Learning about the different ways to monetize a site as well as the different avenues of social media has allowed me to give more in depth consideration about which to incorporate first, i.e. which will make more sens, with regard to my personality and goals, as I work to grow my site in a way that I can avoid becoming overwhelmed.
Refueling For The Next Road Trip
This website will be a living, growing, dynamic organism. I will do my best to care for and develop into the fit and elite superstar I know it can be.
I feel very good about my decision to take the road less traveled. Upon my return, I may discover sites I missed the first time through. I know I will enjoy seeing my old friends.
It may have caused me to invest more time on the front end...but it may have saved me from kicking my back end.
What are your thoughts or experiences of jumping right into build your website vs. taking the extra time to lay a foundation of working knowledge?
Recent Comments
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I understand exactly that bumpy road. After hours of reading, listening, and trying to make my website work like what I've just seen on the video but it doesn't; time for coffee a deep breathe pet my dog and try again. I will get there not sure when.
Strategy: keep the gaze forward and upward. With each new piece in place, a tweak here, an adjustment there and many curse words later...a year from now we'll look down from that mountain top and marvel in the beauty of our accomplishments.
Keep that dog handy though (he may have a bald spot by then).
Good to know we have safety nets along the way, isn't it. If you need a virtual coffee break, I'm here. Meet you at the summit!
Very much my pleasure! I really do appreciate you stopping by to read it. Wishing you a day peppered with laughter.
Hey wellyeah, I enjoyed your post very much, and completely relate to what your saying because I have actually decided to go the road less traveled and that is working out better for me also. Thank you for sharing your feelings on this. Many blessings , Leslie
Hello there "old " friend. Glad to know I am not alone. I get so excited about getting started, but I have a history of taking a running start and jumping in without any intel of what the heck I'm doing. Knowing the grief (back tracking, undoing, redoing etc) of that approach, anxiety has become the companion to that excitement as well as a bit of its governor.
Certainly older, and hopefully listening to and applying the wisdom I have gained over the years, I am trying to work with my eyes and my mind wide open.
Keep in touch. As I get in the flow, I'd enjoy keeping up with your progress. Let's do this!
Wellyeah, I thoroughly enjoyed your blog post. It would appear your directive thought processes run a bit different than mine(most peoples are lol). For me, I was churning through lesson after lesson full speed ahead trying to get to the next step, then the next, then the next. I couldnt contain my excitement from one step to the next.
So far I havent felt overwhelmed, confused once or twice but not overwhelmed.
Though I like the way Kyle goes about teaching the lessons one step at a time, I can also see the merit in taking the approach you did. For me, building websites isnt new, just something Ive gotten rushy at. In my day you didnt have plugins or themes, If you wanted something to do something you had to hard code it. So oviously for me, getting right into the training here was full of desire and an occasional OOH butterfly moment.
I would like to whole heartedly thank you for sharing your thoughts on the overall "process". Have a great day!
I appreciate you taking the time to read through it all. :)
When I first started through the courses I had expectations of having that website rocking and rolling by courses end. However, as you read
I switched tracks early on.
The good, bad and challenge of it all is there are still so many more things to learn beyond the courses. I guess that's where you know you have to get in the water before you can actually learn to swim.
I hope your roads are well traveled, and should you take a road less traveled, may it meet you with brilliance.
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Awww Linda, so lovely to have you stop by. I appreciate you reading my first blog. Much more of a production then I had anticipated...holey moley!... so when you say finding time to write is a challenge, I shiver in my seat.
I can also relate to the feeling of being "so lost." I have always had this need to know what I should know before I know it. But with absolutely no prior knowledge in this arena, there is so much to know that I feel like a tiny dot on planet earth, looking up into the massive night sky....surrounded by layers upon layers of brilliant stars. I feel alone and left behind. How will I ever learn enough to join the shining stars?
Obviously, I need to just get started. First, I have to find my niche that needs some scratching.
...and yes, we have what it takes to effervesce and we won't let anything burst our bubbles.
I appreciate you!
Over the years, I've become so much better at enjoying the journey; focusing on where I am and what I am doing right now. After all, that's really all we can affect and that's where the magic is...in the moment.
Happy Sunday to you...