What-It-Takes is Back!
I'm overly into credibility. I'm obsessed with the three questions: Who are you? What have you done? Why should I listen to you? If you don't have good answers, I'm not that into what you have to say and not that interested in learning what you have to teach.
Which is why I'm biased against bloggers. To blog, you need zero credibility. Any idiot can have a blog.
For over 12 years, until print journalism was mortally wounded by the Internet, I was a paid newspaper columnist. A professional. Hired by a professional editor, but only after being recommended, interviewed, and submitting several dress rehearsal columns. My column was called "What It Takes," and that's exactly what it was about. What it takes to be happy. What it takes to be successful. What it takes to live well. What it takes to be a good person. My credibility? Over a quarter century teaching and studying and practicing "what it takes."
My columns used to have to get past an editor. If I wrote something biased, offensive or lousy, it was rejected. If there was a typo or grammar error, it would be repaired.
Not any more. This goes online with no QC. There's nothing to distinguish it from anything or anybody else on the web. So why should anyone read me now?
First, because what I write about is vital. And different. And relevant. And because what I have to say will teach you how to be happier and more successful. And because I can teach you how to live well and be better. It's what I do.
"Blogger" has a disgusting ring to it. Sounds too much like "booger." I loved being called a writer or, better, "a good writer." I don't think I'll ever love being called a blogger, or even a "good blogger." I'm still a writer, even if I'm blogging on my own website, not writing for the Bay Area Newspaper Group.
Will this site go viral? Will I ultimately have way more readers of it than I ever did with my column?
Why not? In "Our Deepest Fear" Marianne Williamson wrote: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be?"
Yeah! Why CAN'T this website become a worldwide phenomenon? I mean, it's packed with universal values and truths designed to help anyone, anywhere, anytime. What-It-Takes can help you, too. All it takes is for you to immerse yourself in it.
Welcome.
