Another Everest

An Everest is a term I use to describe something on my grand list of Lifelong To Dos. It’s a large goal, something I’ve always wanted to achieve, either personally, academically, professionally or physically. I call them Everests because from far away they seem daunting, insurmountable. But as I get closer, and plow on, taking one step at a time, before I know it I’ve reached the summit—I’ve accomplished something I never thought I could or would or should, etc …. And there’s no greater thrill than the moment when you stand on top of your mountain, looking around at you’ve done. I’ve conquered a handful of Everests. By definition, it has to be a feat large enough that your sense of fulfillment upon completion far outweighs the anxiety or work that preceded it.


In the back of my mind I knew I’d start a blog … one day. I’ve wanted to for years—though “one day” didn’t seem to get any closer until it was just upon me. But timing is a funny thing. If I hadn’t had all of this time, who knows when the right time would have come along. I’m impossibly stubborn—if I’m not good and ready to do something (re: my personal life), I just big fat won’t do it. It’s involuntary. So I patiently waited for my light bulb blog moment—and it finally came while I was reading a post on TwiTip.com. The heavens parted, the stars aligned, Lawrence Taylor danced the Cha-Cha-Cha on live TV. There was no mistaking the signs—after all, I already know how awesome I am at not blogging. It was time I tried something new—it was time I joined the blogosphere.

Here are some of my favorite go-to excuses for why I procrastinated for so long. Incidentally, these can be readily applied to many things in life, not just blogging. I’ve included them here, not because the make me look good (clearly, they don’t!) but because I have a hunch that other folks might identify with them too.

And my top 3 reasons for waiting so long to start a blog are:
*drumroll*
1. I have extraordinarily high content standards, i.e., I’d have to overcome the immense (self-inflicted!) pressure to write something that will amount to more than an on-screen inner monologue. I didn’t share my diary in middle school—why would I start now?
2. On top of content standards, add the commitment factor. “I just don’t have the time right now—and blogging is a real time commitment.” HA! Moot!
3. Next up, the ever popular fear of writer’s block, i.e., the slightly minor (if occasionally rampant) sense of self-doubt that comes with the territory. How am I going to think of anything to say that will compete with the eleventymillion other bloggers who’ve been doing this since everyone else has been blogging? It’s like the Clever Olympics out there. [Note: This one is a work in progress. *sigh*]