It’s the end of the year and it’s time for the thing we dread the most, end of the year reviews! The time when we get to sit down and face the long awaited manager feedback. While many people get scared or nervous when it comes to feedback, feedback can be the very that produces better results!

You see the thing that we need to understand about feedback, is that feedback forces us to grow!  

Feedback comes in many ways, on the job, in the business, in school and even in relationships. It’s easy to feel like we get more negative than positive feedback but whether the feedback is negative or positive, constructive feedback can help us to grow as employees, friends, and even as leaders. No person, no matter their position or status is above receiving feedback. 

So why is feedback important?

Feedback provides opportunity to grow as well as providing an opportunity to examine the way that we manage and handle situations. Good feedback produces good change. So instead of brushing off feedback, use it as an opportunity to examine how you are handling things and explore ways to execute change. 

Often times, we do not realize, or want to admit the areas that we are lacking in an area, until someone on the outside brings it to our attention. When you open yourself to feedback, you allow others to educate you in areas that you may need growth in.

Productive feedback leads to improvement. Whether you are an employee, parent, spouse, business owner, or anything in between, ask for feedback, accept feedback and examine feedback.

Feedback is not always about criticizing you, it is about growing you.

When you receive feedback, it is important not to take it personally, but rather to examine and determine sort out any truth. If you do find there is truth, then take the proper steps to produce changes.

​ There is no opportunity to change if you don’t allow feedback. 

While it is easier to accept feedback when we know the person is going to tell us what we WANT to hear, open yourself to receive feedback from those who will tell you what you NEED to hear. While the people close to you may be honest, they may also sugarcoat some things out of love and the desire to not hurt your feelings. 

In considering this understand that it is important to allow individuals who have no emotional investment to be the ones to provide you with feedback. 

While feedback is often scary, it can be the very thing that helps you go from good to great! Today I want you to stop playing it safe, and allow yourself to be open to feedback, and allow that feedback to produce change.

If you would have asked me a few months ago, how to have a successful blog, I would have told you, just make sure you are sharing useful information.

Well today I have a different answer!

You see blogging is so much more than content creation, blogging is an opportunity that you have to reach your audience and to connect with no matter who they are, or where they are at in life.

Blogging provides opportunity for education, connection, and transparency!

While everyone may be trying to reach the audience, not everyone is YOU! What you have to offer to people matters! In a world full of content creators fighting to get the attention of readers, you may wonder, how can I succeed, how can I build a blog that will be successful? Well today, let me share my top three tips to have a successful blog (& fyi! they may not be what you think!):
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In order for your audience to trust you, they have to know there is something to trust in! I don't know about you, but I can not stand when I go to subscribe to someones blog or YouTube page, only to discover they haven't added any new content in months! Non consistent content is often equal to no content at all. If you want your audience to stick around, you have to start by showing up!
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Now what consistency looks like for you and what it looks like for someone else may be totally different! But whatever your schedule may be, let your audience know! Let them know that you will show up, and how often you will show up!

Consistency is a form of communication, you are communicating to your audience, you are letting them know that you care about them! 

One of my favorite podcasts I listen to, uploads the first Tuesday of every month, and while that may not seem often, it seems committed. Every single first Tuesday, without a doubt, there is a new podcast filled with valuable and insightful content. While consistency may not be the same for everyone figure out what consistency  looks like for you, and do it! 

When you start by showing up consistently I guarantee the people will follow!
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Have you ever read something or heard someone speak and thought, hey I heard this somewhere before? Only to later realize some other guru said they same exact thing! Do you know why that happens so often? Because people do not take the time to establish their own voice. 

Gaining the attention of your audience starts by being you!! We have to stop trying to be someone else just because they have reached success! Your audience will connect with you best when you are true to who you are.

Remember that you too have something to offer! You do not have to be the most educated or even have the best words! All you have to do is be YOU! Be who you are and share your message how YOU choose! Do not spend your time walking in another persons shadow!

People can spot fake a mile away! And the truth is, when you are not real you WILL lose people!

Stay true to your core, stay true to your values and know that what you have to offer, is enough! 

​No it is not a typo sorry! HA! 

Whether your audience has 1 person or 1 million people, speak to your audience the same!

In the beginning stages of building a blog, your audience is often small. It is easy to lessen you abilities based on size. Learn to speak as though you have 1 million+ people reading your blog, even though you may only have 1! Be confident in your content and be confident in your voice!

When we have more people looking at our work, we are often tempted to display our best. Instead of waiting for the numbers to display your best, do your best even without the numbers!
Starting now speak to your audience as if they are many, even though they may only be few. 

​Well guys there you have it! My three ways to be a successful blogger! It is not about the best content or the greatest number of posts, its about showing up for your audience and being the best you that you can be! I wish you all in your blogging journey, and remember if you can only reach one, that is enough.

Until next time,

Tamika