I love the five love languages book. I think every person should have to read it.
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12 Most Satisfying Reasons I Write for 12Most .com
I am proud to say that this article is the 22nd one I’ve written for 12Most.com. What started as a lark has become a meaningful part of my writing life.
Why? The answer is the reason for this list. The reasons I continue to write for 12 Most are many and most were unexpected. My original motive was simply to expand my reach, contacts, and get whatever benefit I might from the association.
While that has clearly occurred, it’s the other things on this list that sincerely keep me aboard.
1. The people
I mean both the people at 12 Most — the wonderful editors and partners as well as the incredible variety of people I meet — virtually — from the feedback I regularly receive.
2. The content
I’m primarily a dad writer. Yes, I write about subjects other than parenting, but my niche is in that general space. With 12 Most, I get to indulge so many of my other interests, whether it is my most beloved Christmas Songs or why I LOVE to ski.
3. The stretch
Writing out of my niche, my comfort zone, makes me stretch as a writer. It makes me a better writer.
4. The twelve
As a corollary to number three, it never ceases to amaze me how easily I can come up with the first 8–10 items for each article. Stretching for the last few is a challenge that, again, makes me a better writer and exercises my brain.
5. The research
Many of the subjects I cover are simply opinion-based but many others require doing some research. That research often results in having fun, learning, and expanding my horizons.
6. The money
I can dream, can’t I?
7. The friends
While I put “the people” at the top of this list, an elaboration of that are the great friends I’ve made, both virtually and in person during the six months or so I’ve been affiliated with 12 Most.
8. The fun
Writing these articles is simply fun. When I can take a subject I enjoy — like skiing — and post my own videos and photos, and espouse my unique perspective on life, it’s a kick. I like fun.
9. The struggle
See, I’ve hit number nine and I’m stuck. I don’t immediately have the final three to add. That struggle is a challenge. If it were all easy, it would be less satisfying. Isn’t that true for most of life? Why is it we get the greatest satisfaction from many of the things that are the hardest? Examples: finishing a big project, graduating from college, balancing your checkbook, surviving Valentine’s Day…
10. The learning
I continue to learn so much from being a regular contributor to 12 Most. Often, I choose topics that I only loosely have a layman’s knowledge of. That means the research I must do is more extensive than simply looking up all the best Christmas songs and choosing my favorites. Again, I like this and call this “brain exercise.”
11. The community
By extension, participation here is participating in a growing community. Beyond the people and friends, I feel genuinely part of a cool, smart community. 12Most.com is like any good web-site/business. It is figuring it out as it grows. It is expanding. It is learning from its mistakes and making adjustments to its practices and its personnel. All of this is great to be part of. I will learn from them as I hope my readers and personal community both learn from and teach me.
12. The attaboys
I am a greedy lover of positive affirmation. In the book, The Five Languages Of Love, one of those new-agey books I tend to dismiss, I actually discovered (along with my wife) what my biggest language of love is. It’s positive affirmation. It is my drug of choice. My wife’s were different. I get so much positive affirmation here that it’s taken my wife off the hook.
Writing for 12 Most is open to all writers. The above reasons are just my own personal reflections on the value I get here. If you write, you want to join this community. You will get your own rewards and they are far greater than monetary! Submit your ideas and maybe you can join this great community!
Featured image courtesy of arquera via Creative Commons.
Photo illustration work: Paul Biedermann, re:DESIGN
Bruce Sallan
Bruce gave up a quarter century career in showbiz to become a stay-at-home-dad. Those experiences fueled his desire to advocate on behalf of dads, the last remaining group it seemed everyone could disparage with impunity. He began writing a column, “A Dad’s Point-of-View” which is now carried in over 100 newspapers and web sites. Bruce’s first book, A Dad’s Point-of-View: We ARE Half the Equation is available at Amazon, iTunes, BN.com, and the store at BruceSallan.com. “The Bruce Sallan Show - A Dad’s Point-of-View,” Bruce’s one-hour radio show, is available anytime, via live stream, or to download for free on the Radio Show Page at BruceSallan.com. Find Bruce on Facebook by joining his A Dad’s Point-of-View Page. You can also follow Bruce at Twitter. Bruce hosts a TweetChat called #DadChat each Thursday from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., PST.
31 comments
2 Like
Good list of reasons. I like the 12most concept very much. The whole livefyre sign-in thing is a pain in the neck, however. I prefer sites that just allow you to post without signing in. Although now, as opp. to a year or so ago, you can sign in here via something other than livefyre.
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@weberdcom Professor, you would be a GREAT contributor to 12Most given your amazing eclectic knowledge. Submit something to them!
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Great list, Bruce. Like you, I share a passion for skiing and snow sports. :)
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attaboy @BruceSallan1 ! I love being in the company of so many writers who's posts I enjoy reading. I can appreciate the struggle of the last "3": makes you dig deeper into that creative vault!
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#6 was funny - what, you haven't been receiving your checks ;)?
#1, #7 and #11 all have the common thread of the relationships we are building as we interact on this forum (and add new people to the list w/our interaction in the comments section). I like that the relationships have matured to the point that we all have inside jokes with each other, and I find myself wishing I was there at SXSW to meet several of you (including the Dad 2.0 crowd). Need more of you to go to SocialSlam - I'll be there!
@dbvickery They keep on saying that the check is in the mail! After 23 articles - just sent in my 24th - you'd think I'd get the picture huh, BV!? lol...
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This is a really great post on many levels Bruce. It is entertaining but also exemplified what 12 Most is about as well as what Paul and I have been working towards creating. It makes me happy to know that 12 Most is really making a difference for the writers and readers - the community as a whole. Can't wait to read your NEXT 22 12 Mosts!
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@Peg Fitzpatrick I meant every word Peg...it's been a true honor and privilege writing for 12Most...
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I love your 12 Most articles and also getting to know YOU. Being a 12 Most writer really does stretch the brain and get those creative juices flowing!!! Kudos and snaps to you! :)
@AidScholarship I call it "Brain Exercise," writing outside your comfort zone. It's also what I feel when hosting #DadChat when I have to follow and respond to 1000+ tweets in an hour!
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I absolutely agree with all your reasons. The 12 Most community is very wonderful and supportive. It really makes you want to continue to contribute. I find myself thinking of everyday things in 12 different ways. Such fun.
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Agree, waves from across the pond and feel we are only a few doors apart. I love this community and the writing is like having access to the best book in the world. For someone like me with the attention span of a gnat the variety is part of the charm.
@AliHandscomb Sorry, your comment was too long to get thru, Ali...lol...we are clearly on the same page!
@WineEveryday I think I need to write for that spot. Still decluttering schedules and focusing energies. Soon. Very soon.
@GrapeBelt YES... your last blog spot could BE one!! Get the energy by looking at that site every day. 4 new posts go up every day!
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This is a GRAPE article ~~ sorry, I'm used to Wine articles!
#3 & #9 were where I grew the most ~ pushing me to think~inspire~influence~ communicate.
#1 & # 11 were the BONUS!
All this work with no #6, :( alas, there is bound to be some payoff ~ yes friends & support!
Cheers!
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Bruce, CONGRATULATIONS on your 22nd 12Most post. As a reader, your posts delight, entertain and educate me. As a member of the community, I appreciate how supportive you are of others and I value our relationship. Whenever I see your smiling face in the comments section or in the twitter stream, I smile.
Thanks for all you add to the blogosphere through your posts and everywhere else online by being you. ((Hugs)) and aloha. Janet
@janetcallaway Thx so very much, Janet - I'm behind on my commenting and replying...forgive me!
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It is hard to pick a number on this one, I really like all your points. I can say I was similarly drawn to the community for the same reasons. Sometimes the 12 items come really easily and sometimes it is a really struggle to get the last 3 or 4. That is why I have made Mondays my days to do my 1st drafts. I want plenty of time to polish them before it is time to turn it in.
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@BruceSallan1 Sometimes. I have a huge fear that some of those items end up being real mediocre. Though, it is cool when an item resonates with a reader. To me that is a rewarding experience. When you get the comment that shows some actually read all your items!
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LOVE all 12!! YOU and #7 all the way. Thank you so much for all that you do ...and for your kindness and friendship!!
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Happy #22, @Bruce Sallan! This is such a great list and thank YOU for being such a valuable contributor to the 12 Most community.
As you touched on in #11, you’re right, we are figuring out a lot of it as we go and we are all part of the success we have had together so far. Yes, the quality of the writing, the diversity of the content and the reach of our readers, etc… but also the energy we get every day that comes from interacting with and learning from so many wonderful people — the essence of this strong community.
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