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It's Amazing What You Can Do When You Put Your Mind To It

by Steven Wagenheim
11 replies
Now that I have a very light work day, I decided that I wanted to learn
WordPress inside out...and I mean really learn it, just for my own personal
pleasure, no other reason.

Well, I'm not saying I can design WordPress themes and widgets now, but
there is very little that I can't do with a WordPress blog now.

Did it take me some time?

Sure it did. I'd say it took me about 2 weeks of solid research and working
with the platform.

But now I have something else in my arsenal that, if I had an immediate
emergency that had to be taken care of, I wouldn't have to come crying
for help and hope that somebody is available to help me.

I already know all the arguments against doing this. Your time is better
spent doing things that you're good at, that make you money, yada, yada,
yada. As I said, I did this for my own enjoyment and did NOT interfere with
my regular work day...which is now down to pretty much an hour in the
morning.

I do so love my new life.

Point is, you don't have to be at the mercy of other people when it comes
to your business. If you're one of those folks who can't afford to get
somebody to do something for you (unless you're fortunate enough to
find somebody willing to do it for nothing) you no longer have to be at
the mercy of others.

If a technically challenged idiot like myself can learn WordPress, anybody
out there can learn anything.

Article Writing
Pay Per Click
List Building
Product Creation
Video Creation

Anything. I don't care what it is.

If it's important enough to you...for whatever the reason...you'll find a way
to do it.

Now I have to go tinker with my blog and get it all jazzed up.
#amazing #mind #put
  • Profile picture of the author Mark Riddle
    Steven,

    Being able to take care of your business when your support team fails it worth far more than the time it took to learn the skill.

    And by you knowing what to do, you will be able to tell when you are looking for someone to fill that task if they know what THEY are doing, that to me is where the real value comes in.

    Having enough knowledge of what is involved to intelligently find help.

    I'm no Steven Wagenheim when it comes to articles, but if I have a deadline or looking for someone to write for me, I know some keys to look for.

    I am sure that Steven would look at the people that I thought were OK article writers and be able to pick out more precisely which one has the right stuff because he has deeper knowledge.

    Its all based on understanding how things work.

    Mark
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    Today isn't Yesterday, - Products are everywhere if your eyes are Tuned!
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  • Profile picture of the author Sid Kaplan
    Nice post Steven. Learning starts with either desperation or inspiration... the need or the desire to learn. For some it is easier to have others do it but I find the more I learn the more I can be self reliant and also the more I can contribute to helping others.

    As an old fart I can tell you I am far more into learning new and different things now than I was in university. The joy and the challenge brings big smiles.

    @David - love what you said. Once you know it no one can take it away.
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  • Profile picture of the author kenboss
    Thank you thank you Steven --

    I like posts that make their point by example - it is so much more inspiring. It seems to have taken me eons to learn that if we just have patience with ourselves and apply a little persistence, the WOW factor soon replaces the WISH factor.

    Hey I just made that up - let me apply for a patent, quick!!!
    Dang, my pen doesn't work.

    Anyway, let me tell you what else inspires me - it's when a guy ( yes you) has made over 11,000 posts and obviously been around the block a few times still gets joy out of learning new stuff and saying - hey lookit what I can do!!!

    thanks
    Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author gee1
    I am so inspired with what I am reading in this thread as I love continuous learning. I love the freedom it gives, to know that I can do a particular job, use an application or software if I choose without relying on others. Even when I choose to leverage a freelancer's skill...just to know I could do it pleases me...to no end. I feel a sense of control and security but as someone pointed out you have to learn it in the first place... now that's the thing.

    Although, I have now found it easier learning software or application etc, the day I started to focus on just one...yes just one at a time instead of flitting from one to another (as if I was missing out on something). That was the key for me, focusing my full attention on just one thing and moving on only when I achieved my goal with it. When I learned to use my first bit of software well I then wanted to learn the next one to the same level.
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  • Profile picture of the author helpmyebiz
    I completely agree. Learning something on your own can be a little scary, but it sure is a great feeling when you know you did it all on your own. As far as learning Wordpress goes, I can not believe how easy it is to learn. I guess I might have to attribute that to some great information I found online. I am not so hesitant to start learning something else now as I know if I I run into problems, I will find the answer somewhere online.
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  • Profile picture of the author Vincelog
    Thanks for sharing this article. I always believe that we can achieve most of the things we want as long as we put our mind to it. Great to see someone sharing the same mindset as me.

    Cheers
    Vincent
    Personal Development Blogger
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Smith
    yes, it is! i just recently went back to school and as a single mother its extremley hard yet i am truly amazed with myself!!!!
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    • Profile picture of the author Tim Whiston
      WP is such a robust software. I have a very solid handle on the basics and even beyond but I really need to do as you've done Steve and set aside some time to dig deeply into this resource.

      And I agree with your sentiments as seen here and elsewhere about outsourcing. Personally I do look for ways to leverage others where I can, be it for data entry, graphic design, or whatever; however I don't want any aspect of my business to be at the mercy of one person or party.

      Obviously hosting, domain management, payment processing, ISP, et.c are examples of 3rd parties we are all somewhat dependent upon but it's risky to go beyond this and be completely at the mercy of Webmasters and the like. Ideally, IMO, I'll continue to build my network of support agents so I don't have to always be hands on but I still always want to have enough hands-on know how to handle things in the absence of said support agents.
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  • Profile picture of the author sajae102
    I like to use visualization to make my dreams come true. I want to be successful, but I know that it takes a lot of visualizing that you are already there. Some people underestimate the importance of dreaming and wishing. Some people don't have dreams at all, and to me, this is the saddest case ever.
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