How to Retire in 12 Months

Six months ago I partnered up with my good friend Amanda to start a new blog: Single to Married in 12 Months. Amanda had noticed some patterns in her love life and I had some theories on the topic that I was preparing for my next book.

My theory is that finding “the one” is all about mindset. Amanda was keen to test my theory, so the 12 Months challenge was set and the blog was born.

From my own experience blogging has been life changing and opened many doors. What rocks now is to see was that Amanda is now experiencing the same effect! As well as front page of the paper this week, she made her first TV appearance and is being featured in a documentary called “Going the Distance”. Here are some reasons why having a good blog will open doors to opportunities that blow your mind…

A blog shows how committed you are

Blogging is to make a public declaration to an outcome, and then contribute every week (or day) to the story or the body of work. To be consistent with this takes a huge level of commitment. A blog by definition shows how committed you are to a certain topic or goal.

Having a blog makes you an attractive proposition

As well as the commitment, (which people find VERY attractive!) your blog makes you an asset to any likeminded organisation, or interested party.

Say you own a sales organisation and you have two candidates for your sales manager role.

1. Bob seems great for the job, has an excellent resume and references
2. Bill seems great for the job, has an excellent resume and references and a blog with over 100 posts on his passion: How to empower sales people, maximise results and transform corporate culture.

Who do you think will get the job?

A blog is a walking, talking shiny resume that shows your passions, your skills, your ability to communicate, your sense of humour, your humanity, your achievements, your experience and of course, your commitment.

Amanda showed up to the casting of the documentary that had been short-listed to 12, the majority of them were bloggers, coincidence?

Blogging opens doors

Blogging helps people know what to expect with you. You write a certain way, you speak a certain way and you have certain values. If someone is looking for these things and finds your blog, doors begin to open.

I wrote my first book because my publisher contacted me after reading my blog. Other typical offers are speaking engagements, partnerships, consulting offers, gifts, sponsorship and of course, monetisation and lifestyle opportunities.

Yesterday Amanda left for a two week, all expenses paid trip to film the documentary that is designed to introduce her to lovely guys from different cities and towns. Talk about the world of opportunity opening up to meet you!

Bloggers are pretty cool!

It is so refreshing to be involved in such a sharing, caring community of people who think and then take action.

I attended my first blogging conference last year hosted by ProBlogger and what struck me was just how lovely everyone was! Friendly, interesting people who were real, had purpose and were up to something with their lives, no matter how big or small their community was.

I have been to a lot of small business and IT conferences (back in the day!) and the bloggers conference was very different. I am guessing they were so relaxed and friendly because they are doing things that are true to their hearts, but who knows?! Whatever it was it works!

What’s next?

Over the next few weeks I am going to share lots of tips I have for creating successful blogs, but in the meantime, if you are ready to:

• Launch into this industry
• Set yourself up with the foundation for building a solid community
• Create a new lifestyle

Then register for the Website Launchpad Course that starts January 30^th.

If you already have a blog please share it below and any opportunities that have come as a result.

Happy blogging!