What I’ve Learned From Blogging

Be Like a Duck

Summed up in 3 images…

Be Like a Duck
Haters Gonna HatePicasso Quotesources: 1, 2, 3
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…and 5 sentences.

  1. You have to hustle.

  2. Push yourself.

  3. You can’t please everyone.

  4. Ask for what you want.

  5. Do it for love, but know your worth.

Comments

54 responses to “What I’ve Learned From Blogging”

  1. Carla Avatar

    I love this! I really need to embrace the haters gonna hate mentality. And truly work on all 5 of your very well put sentences. Off to hustle ….

  2. Natalie Avatar

    Haters really ARE gonna hate, sadly! Love this short and sweet advice and will be putting it all in my back pocket as food for thought :)

  3. Debbie Avatar

    Yes…yes…yes to number 5!

  4. Rachel May Avatar

    Beautiful! I hope that bloggers learn that they also have an opportunity to inspire people daily, which is really remarkable when you think about it:) I find your blog very inspirational. I’m excited about all of the goal and reflection posts (particularly 30 by 30, Mighty Summit and Alt!)

    1. Making it Lovely Avatar

      Thank you — that’s an excellent addition to the sentiments above.

  5. Andrea Avatar

    Such wise words and such great advice! Totally loving the idea of being a duck, you’ve got to fake it until you make it.

  6. Andrea Howe Avatar

    This is awesome. I love it. Succinct and to the point!

  7. The Glamorous Housewife Avatar

    How funny, my post today is also about what I have learned from blogging. I guess it is something one thinks about after being at Alt. So exciting to have met you.

    Thanks doll,
    The Glamorous Housewife

    1. Making it Lovely Avatar

      I loved your post today. And so glad to have met you, too!

  8. Amber @ Wills Casa Avatar

    I love this! Thanks for the wisdom!

  9. Catherine Avatar

    Such a fun and inspiring post! Regarding the haters, I always remember what my mom told me in junior high, “At least they are talking about you.”

  10. Christine Avatar

    Such simple and great advice, Nicole! And for more than just blogging!

  11. Lane Avatar

    Thank you for making my day with this!

  12. jbhat Avatar
    jbhat

    Interesting. Those images and sentences can apply to most lines of work. But for bloggers, who are putting so much of themselves out there, they must certainly ring true.

    It’s so funny about the haters. The blogs I look at on a regular basis are frequented by supportive, enthusiastic, happy commenters. It’s always shocking to me when a commenter responds in a manner opposite to those qualities.

    jbhat

    1. Making it Lovely Avatar

      I have very nice readers, and the comments are almost always positive. I really can’t complain much on that front, but of course, there is always negativity out there as well.

  13. Grace @ sense and simplicity Avatar

    I have a relatively small blog and for me it isn’t that haters send me any hate, but rather the problem is being ignored. For example, when a bigger blog that you thought you were friendly with decides to not list you in their sidebar anymore. I’m fairly non-competitive in life, but sometimes I find myself feeling the pull towards comparing my blog to others. It’s something I struggle with. I have to remind myself what I love about blogging.

    1. Making it Lovely Avatar

      That can hurt, feeling snubbed or ignored, and I have to remind myself not to make comparisons too. There’s fantastic post by Helen Jane that you may want to read — I really liked it.

      1. Tara Avatar

        This is a fantastic post for all! Thanks for sharing!! And I totally agree with your images and sentences regarding lessons learned from blogging! Blog on!

  14. Vidya Sudarsan Avatar

    Love this post! Love #5 – I’m doing it for love.. learning something from the Duck today :) thank you!

  15. Geesha Avatar

    So true! A small but powerful post…awesome job!

  16. Lisa Avatar

    This is PERFECT and makes me laugh. Love. <3

  17. Karina Avatar
    Karina

    Love it, love it, love it!!

  18. eileen ragan | leanerbythelake Avatar

    back when i first started working, my father gave me the “be the duck” talk. such great advice!

    http://leanerbythelake.com/be-the-duck/

    1. Making it Lovely Avatar

      Such a good post! Be the duck.

      1. eileen ragan | leaner by the lake Avatar

        Nicole, I’m so touched that you stopped over to read the post! Thanks for reading my writing :) Be the duck is such a great little reminder. I’m also loving the others that you shared in this post. I’ll be keeping them in my back pocket. :)

    2. stef Avatar

      Love it. Also, Go Blue!

      1. eileen ragan | leaner by the lake Avatar

        Forever Go Blue! I love finding fellow Wolverines!

        Thanks for reading the post!

  19. Robyn Avatar
    Robyn

    Just so you know I think you’re awesome!

  20. Nycia Emerson Avatar

    This is awesome!! Thanks for sharing, I needed this!!

  21. Natalie Avatar

    love love love. I can’t even pick which image I like more but today I needed the haters gonna hate, like badly.

    xo
    Natalie
    dishesrunwaysandbriefcases.com

  22. Jennifer Laura Avatar

    I <3 number five. I struggle with this one A LOT.

  23. abby @ thingsforboys Avatar

    The duck is such a perfect description!

  24. Jess | brownpaperbelle.com Avatar

    Great advice from a lovely blogger. I’ve only just started blogging but am banking this advice for when it is required! Thanks for sharing! x

  25. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    Love this!! Thank you – some of these will make their way onto my bathroom mirror.

  26. Lindsay @ Makely Avatar

    Nicole, this is so timely! I seriously need a print of the duck for my office.

  27. Gigi Avatar

    Aptly put! I’ll make sure to remember these points for my blog too. Thank you :)

  28. Alison Avatar

    These tips are just wonderful, thank you! Just what I needed on a Thursday and I love the duck reference :)
    xo
    Alison

    heartofgoldandluxury.blogspot.com

  29. Terri Avatar
    Terri

    The “haters gonna hate” mantra seems to be popular among bloggers lately. Frankly, I don’t really see it. When I look at the comments that people leave for the most unexciting or boring posts (not your blog in particular, just a general observation), it looks to me that everyone is giving each other virtual reach-arounds. But maybe the host of the site deletes the haters’ posts before they can reach the masses? I don’t know.

  30. Cyn | decyng Avatar

    You are right! Sometimes is so hard, you work too much, make research, investigate, look for something new and then you feel there´s nobody out there to see it or appreciate it.

    I love Picasso quote. It´s what i´m trying to do, work and work in order to be better.

    I love your blog! I´ve been following you for a while.

    Greetings from Buenos Aires, Argentina!

    Cyn!

  31. Dottie Avatar

    Two words: RIGHT ON!!!

    I know this whole blogging this is so, well… tough. It is one of the few jobs where your opinions, your work, your LIFE is just out there for all to comment on and (you hope) enjoy.

    But I think you’ve handled it with tremendous aplomb and grace, which I think is kinda hard to do! Thank you for this post and the one you did pre-Alt about how you made the blog your career and used it to support your family. These posts are hugely inspiring and so great to read!

    PREACH IT, SISTER!

    xo

    – Dottie

  32. cleartrampoline Avatar

    This is great, I think this stuff could apply to lots of things in life! :)

  33. Tessa @twoinspiredesign Avatar

    Great to get this perspective! Having started our blog last May, we’ve come to realize how much you learn from the process of sharing with others…

  34. Brittany Lauren Avatar

    I love your teaching posts and sharing your story to success with others :) My favorite is #2. It’s so important to not only to push yourself but also push the send button too!

  35. becka @ life as an artistpreneur Avatar

    Perfect timing, thank you. :) xo

  36. Cebu Wedding Photographer Avatar

    This is so not me. LOL but it’s something I need to put in MY HEAD AND HEART! :) LOVE IT.

  37. […] What I’ve Learned From Blogging by Nicole at Making it Lovely. My favourite: “I am always doing that which I can not do in order that I may learn how to do it.” (Pablo Picasso). […]

  38. Alana Waters-Piper Avatar

    Boy ain’t that the truth!

    I think it applies to owning a shop, too. This post was very well-timed for me. Some good stuff to remember. One of those things you see when you really need it. :)

    You rock, lady.

  39. Aly Avatar
    Aly

    I work at Stanford where we have what is known as the “Stanford Duck Syndrome.” Everyone pretends to be fancy free & laid back but underneath they kill themselves to keep up with their peers who are (shockingly) also just pretending to have their life together. It is a vicious cycle which I definitely see happening in the blogosphere. While being poised is a great quality, we also have to remember to let our humanity shine through :)

  40. […] I love how Nicole summed it up so concisely here. She also has a post on how she took her blog from a hobby to a […]

  41. […] I styled three baby shower themes awhile back for a Huggies Pinterest campaign. I was the lone blogger among seasoned stylists and wedding/party planners, and when I learned who I’d be working alongside, I’ll admit I was nervous! I always jump at the opportunities this blog has presented though, and in doing so I’ve adopted Picasso’s motto as my own: “I am always doing that which I can not do in order that I may learn how to do it.” […]

  42. Cebu Photographer & Blogger Avatar

    We can relate to these learnings. We just started blogging and starting up is indeed really hard and you gotta do what you’re doing to soar higher! Thanks for this!