Lately, I’ve given a number of presentations and written a number of posts on my 3 steps to creating change.
A.W.E.
- Awareness – what do you want to change?
- Work – what steps will you take?
- Evaluation – what worked, what didn’t, what adjustments will you make going forward?
To illustrate this concept – I’m going to break down my experience with the Ultimate Blog Challenge this month.
AWARENESS –
31 days ago I decided to participate in the Ultimate Blog Challenge for a second month. The first time I completed the challenge, my goal was to blog more consistently and increase my exposure. This time, I set some very concrete goals.
- Increase my “stats” by 25%
- Increase 192 Systemsavvy Consulting Newsletter subscribers to 240
- Add 44 likes to the SystemSavvy Consulting Facebook page for a total of 219
- Bump my 649 followers on Twitter to 811
- Connect with 8 like minded individuals that I meet through the UBC
WORK –
I realized that last time I completed the UBC, I invested far more time than I had intended. This time, I created a plan for keeping the time commitment more manageable.
- I’ll utilize the 80/20 rule
- I also have an efficient system for promoting my posts
- I will have guest bloggers post on Thursday
- Friday’s posts will be inspirational quotes instead of posts
- I will use more video
- I will also create more posts in a series, which will allow me to write one post, but break it up into 3
- I will strategically repurpose 4 posts throughout the month
EVALUATION –
As I sat down this morning to evaluate, I realized, I didn’t hit any of my goals.
- I increased my newsletter subscribers to 210 – a 9% increase
- My Facebook Fans are now 184 – an increase of 5%
- 676 awesome people are now following me on Twitter – a jump of 4%
- I connected with 2 like minded professionals
Does this mean the challenge wasn’t a success? No – I DID increase my stats. Plus, by inviting 4 people to guest blog, I’m starting to increase my visibility – which is a major incentive to doing this challenge.
Did I follow the WORK plan I developed at the beginning of the challenge? Yes! In fact, I’m really excited about my Stress Free Holiday Series – and envision turning this into an eBook.
All the posts I created around A.W.E., I repurposed as I started to promote my 30 Day A.W.E. Inspired Challenge (starting soon – have you signed up?)
I published posts 29 of the 31 days. I had been averaging 12 posts each month – so this is certainly an increase in content for my readers.
But, I didn’t make connections. This was a key point in participating in this challenge again. What I realized, was once I created the post and graphic, then edited and published the post, I had used up the time I allotted for blogging. So, I quickly commented on two posts, responded to the comments on mine, and started over the next day.
I did not go searching for people to connect with. I did not interact with the fabulous readers who commented on my blog, other than to reply to their comments. I missed out on my main reason for participating in the challenge!!!!
So, as I sit here fully in the evaluation phase, I ask myself, “What’s next?”.
- Will I participate again?
- If so, what adjustments will I make?
- Will I adjust my expectations, my approach, or both?
My initial answer is, “I will adjust the action steps, not the goal!”. I certainly don’t want to lower my expectations! But, is it realistic to expect an a different outcome when I participate again in a few months – without changing the plan? Of course not!
The good news – I have plenty of time to ponder and create a different plan of action for moving forward. Some adjustments I’m considering . . .
- Post 4 days a week and connect the other 3 days (I wouldn’t be completing 30 posts in 30 days – but I would be posting consistently)
- Post every day for the 30 days of the challenge, but create (completely create with pictures and everything!) 8 posts ahead of time, and use these 8 days to connect
- Invite more guest bloggers – and have these posts ready to publish the month before – once again allowing more time for connecting
I invite and encourage and am looking forward to your feedback!
Have you used a process similar to the A.W.E. process when working through a challenge or to create change?
What have you learned from a recent challenge?
What adjustments could I make if I decide to participate in the UBC for a third time?
Please – post your comments below!
This article is full of good ideas. So often people make the mistake of simply working harder. Instead, they should be working smarter. This article tells people how to work smarter!
Janeane –
Thanks for the kudos! I’m all about working more diligently – not working harder! When we schedule time to evaluate where we are, what we’ve done, and how to better move forward, we are capable of accomplishing so much more!
Lisa
Love your post, will be saving it to use some of your tips!
Claudia –
Glad you could learn from my journey!!!
Lisa
I love your ideas Lisa! You are very creative :)
Thanks Sophie!
Hi Lisa,
I really see great value in this approach and it really sets the blueprint to reach goals.
Jason
Jason –
Thrilled you found value!
Lisa
Loved your post. I’ve never heard of anything like A.W.E. but I enjoyed your take on it.
You really outlined your goals well and showed how you might not have reached them but you succeeded regardless.
Excellent!
Sherida –
Thanks for visiting! Shoot for the moon and hit the stars – that’s my philosophy. Even though I didn’t hit my goals, I’m further ahead than if I hadn’t participated!
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
My main goal was to write consistently for 31 days both with this challenge and the one in July. I now have a stash of content that I can repurpose for my next big, bold, and daring adventure. This chicka is big :-)
As a secondary benefit of consistent blogging, my FB has grown by almost 100 likes over the last 31 days (last I checked I’m at 1,899). My twitter following continues to grow. I’ve connected with a group of like minded bloggers who I will continue to follow for the foreseable future – two have been guests on my podcast series. I’ve also learned an incredible amount from a wide range of bloggers who participated in this month’s challenge, including YOU!
Peggy
Peggy –
Bravo on your accomplishments!!!! I can’t wait to hear about your next big, bold, and daring adventure! Thrilled you’ve learned something from my blog – I know I can new wisdom and insights when I visit yours!
Lisa
I’ve found it take many months to build a relationship with a fellow blogger. But it does happen. Over the year, I’ve become close to several other people who live long distances away. That’s rewarding.
Francene –
That is rewarding!!!! I love that I meet and connect and Skype with bloggers from all over the world!
Lisa