I’ve been home from SheSpeaks for exactly one week and already I’m feeling discouraged. For the past two days I have wondered why I’m even trying to build a platform. Can I really write this book? Do people even care?
I don’t have many Facebook followers and switching to the new bog has been a bit discouraging. I can’t find anyone (that I can afford) to design it. Honestly, the thought of building my platform just makes me tired. I am SO NOT the girl to go around asking if I can speak at events. I update my Facebook page, but I don’t want to come across as desperate for more “likes.” Because let’s face it, that’s really not what it’s all about.
This morning I remembered four little words that I scribbled in my notes during the closing session at SheSpeaks.
Is HE Worth It??
Then I remembered a verse I read last night in 2nd Corinthians. Verse 3:5 says, “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.”
Another version says, “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.”
Once again I’m reminded that this is about God. It’s about the story He has written for me and about using it for His glory. Who cares how many people like my Facebook page? So what if I don’t have a ton of people following my not-so-cute blog. What matters is that I am obedient to share my story when God asks me to. I have to stop trying so hard and trust that God will build my platform one, tiny, step at a time if He desires to.
I must be obedient and write. Even when it feels like I write, hit publish and send my words into cyber world, unsure if they are even making a difference. I must be obedient because He IS worth it!
After a few days of feeling very discouraged, I received a text message this morning from a friend who wants me to speak tonight during her women’s group. She said last night God placed it on her heart to ask me to share my story, but it was too late to call me. This is a huge answer to prayer and a reminder to keep writing and to keep sharing. When I was so close to throwing in the towel, God worked through a friend to remind me to keep sharing the amazing story He has written for me.
He’s worth it and He’s faithful!
He IS worth it! I know it can be exhausting. Hang in there. You are doing GREAT!
He is worth it. 🙂 Life in His will is a hundred times more peaceful than life outside of it.
I will say this. I know what the publishers said. But if you focus more on content than platform, the platform will build itself. Yes, make connections and host giveaways if you like to do that (I love giveaways!!), but if it’s about the content, your audience will share that content, and the audience will grow. Really, it’s all about how we’re impacting the people we already write for, not just increasing the numbers. That’s one thing that I learned at SS, and it has really taken some of the pressure off for me.
Love you and your blog! You’re great, and so is your story. 🙂
It’s not about the results… it’s about the calling. Be obedient and God will take care of the rest.
Last year when I went to SS, all the publishers asked about was my platform – which I had hardly at all.
This year – not one publisher or agent asked about my platform. Not one. And I have spent a lot of time growing mine – but it is still not big.
Doesn’t matter – God will do what He wants to do when He wants to do it with whom He chooses to use. (quote from my recent blog post.)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
God will build your platform for you. He never asks us to do the impossible for ourselves. He works on our behalves. Trust that. You’ve been given a message that He’s entrusted to you. Tell the message and the people who need to hear it will hear it, whether it is through a book, your blog, or in speaking. He goes with us to our promised land.
I like what Kayse said – life in His will really is a hundred times better than outside of it.
This ROCKS! I am so very excited for you and can’t wait to hear how God uses you and your ministry! Thanks for sharing last week on Teagan’s Travels’ Linky Party. I so hope you’ll be back this week as the linky party and book giveaway are going on now. And maybe we can help each other figure out this WordPress…I am so needing to jump over but it seems overwhelming!
http://teaganstravels.blogspot.com/2012/07/giveaway-destination-inspiration-linky.html
Hugs, Michelle Axton Kelly
I so get exactly what you are saying, but I too have heard Whitney in the back of my mind, HE IS WORTH IT!! I simply have to trust and obey…easy to say not so easy to do. Part of my struggle is finding the time to write…with 5 little children, quiet moments don’t just happen, but I have to trust if it’s His plan, He will make it happen. You’re right it’s not about FB likes or followers, it’s about shining our light for HIM! I’ll be back to visit your lovely blog!!
I’ll share the quote with you from my name of God…He spoke to me thru it quite loudly – “The Lord of heaven will always fulfill His purposes, even when the hosts of His earthly people fail.” I feel like I’ve failed a time or two since returning home, but I’m reminded HE will do what He will do! Not saying my effort, work and discipline isn’t necessary, but I can only do so much!! So glad I stopped by today!!
Well, I am sailing in a similar boat right alongside you. Thank you for sharing so openly. I can barely get my blog posts written, let alone get to any articles or anything else. And, while one pub did bring home my proposals, the other passed because of my platform which I have been working on since attending She Speaks for the first time in 09. It is so hard to chart a new course after years of being a stay home mom…takes so much courage to just persevere, and wisdom to balance what feels (especially this summer) like a circus. We will keep paddling together. Thanks again for sharing, and know you are not alone, and that it IS worth it–HE IS worth it.