A quick look back

4 months and counting

Recently, I was stunned when I realized this site has only been live for a little over 4 months – December 4, 2013. I’ve been busy. On top of working my “real” job, helping take care of 4 kids and assist Kia when needed, I’ve written over 50 posts since December.

It seems like AndyBondurant.com has been live for much longer.

Upon this realization, I asked myself,

What have I learned so far?

No matter what you create, it’s important step back and ask yourself this same question. Learning more about your own process helps you navigate the future. Here are 3 things I’ve learned over the past several months.

1. Value takes time.

Things of real worth don’t happen overnight. I already knew this, but working on this site is a great reminder.

I want more.

I want more readers. I want more followers. I want a better layout. I want faster loading times. I want better content. I want to write better.

None of this is going to happen tomorrow or magically. Things of true worth take effort over time.

2. Consistency over fame.

We live in a culture that values fame almost over all else. One of the best careers possible is being famous for being famous.

On the one hand that sounds really nice. On the other hand, that type of fame is fleeting. It can go just as quickly and easily as it came.

I want people to know about me and this site because I’m consistent. I’m consistently writing good, informative and thought provoking material.

One thing I finally figured out (I think) is consistent publishing. I have settled into a Monday, Wednesday, Friday pattern. It is working for me, and by the stats, you seem to like it too.

3. Be clear.

My best posts, both in my own opinion and how many page views they receive, are the ones which are most clear. They are well thought out, are interesting and cause you to think.

That type of post takes time – on average 1-2 hours. In fact, this is a completely different version of what I originally wrote. I have to scrap the first draft because I wasn’t clear or concise.

Where’s the easy button?

Life would be so much easier if there truly were an “Easy Button”. None of those 3 above are easy. They are time intensive endeavors.

So my bonus #4 lesson is forget the easy button. There is no easy button.

What have you learned from your latest project?