You are awesome!! This is such an on-point article. One I NEEDED to hear/read. I care about humanity, but am more selfish than I’d like to admit. My husband is amazingly caring and I learn from him every day. Without rambling on, I just want to say thank you for the reminder, not just for writing, but for life. — I will be writing YOUR name down to make sure to check your posts. My heart has opened more because of your article. Thank you!!
I love your honesty here - I think most of us are more selfish than we like to admit, but a lot of people lack the awareness (or courage) to say so. So commend yourself for that 👏
Thank you so much for this reminder. This year I took the pressure off earning any money from my online business because I noticed it was sucking the fun out of things. I went back to just "doing it for fun" and having conversations about mindfulness because I love doing it. I'm having the best year and I'm getting messages about how my content is helping people (including "I actually feel bad you're not getting any money for this" 🥲)... and now, I'm launching my first (low cost) paid subscription option and people are signing up, even though I've only mentioned it twice. Yes we might want to make money doing what we love, but it doesn't feel good if you don't genuinely care along the way too 🥰
Gosh, this actually makes so much sense. Not just with writing or being a content creator, but in general. It's a life lesson.
The thing is, caring is spontaneous. How do you actually care in the first place?
After reading your blog post, I don't think it has to be 100% spontaneous. Like you said that you write down people's names or you'll forget: caring requires conscious action. It requires focus. Maybe caring is a skill. So I want to practice that skill. I want to care more.
“Caring is a skill” is a great way to think about this, Emilie! After this reading this post, I reflected on how often I put caring into action. The answer is “not enough.”
I agree Jane Deegan, this is a great article but like you, I don’t need to be reminded to care. I care a lot about everyone and it’s just who I am. I don’t have to think about it.
I DO have to be intentional as far as time goes because there are a lot more people who need care than I can possibly give. I have to make sure I give without doing so much that I don’t have enough time left for my family. Do you find this a struggle too?
Absolutely the most important piece of writing advice! You have to love your readers! Once I realized my tone wasn’t tough or resilient enough to empower my readers, I hired a life coach who helped me learn to better flex my resiliency muscle - exactly what I hope to pass to readers. Write on!
This is yet ANOTHER reason we love Tom Kuegler! Tom, you have a great idea here. I already "visit" with people all the time on Notes. Your suggestion to visit their sites and other websites and offer comments there, is a good one as well. Sincere and authentic works. Since I am an odd combination of an introvert who actually enjoys "visiting" with people, I like offering comments, both short and longer. There truly is a real live human behind the screen. I am also an empath, one who deeply "feels" the vibe or intensity of someone else. I do not intrude, I simply listen with my spirit and sense what that person might need from me. Since I am not a "Marketing" type, I do not "sell" my own Substack. I simply offer encouragement, as I have received the same. To me, selling does not work but being as you say, friends with people, the sincere caring does begin to happen. I find this to be miraculous, here on Notes. Thank you again, Tom!
I wish I had more time to do this myself Wendy. I am so busy nowadays that I just can't do this anymore. However I do try to leave a like or comment on comments that people leave me. The least I can do. :)
You are so right, it doesn't take long to reach out to people and show them some appreciation, and if you are lucky then you will find some great friends on the way.
Some of my very best friends I have never met in real life.
You are awesome!! This is such an on-point article. One I NEEDED to hear/read. I care about humanity, but am more selfish than I’d like to admit. My husband is amazingly caring and I learn from him every day. Without rambling on, I just want to say thank you for the reminder, not just for writing, but for life. — I will be writing YOUR name down to make sure to check your posts. My heart has opened more because of your article. Thank you!!
Wow thank you A.M. !!! I appreciate you. Happy my writing can help in some way. :)
I love your honesty here - I think most of us are more selfish than we like to admit, but a lot of people lack the awareness (or courage) to say so. So commend yourself for that 👏
Thank you so much for this reminder. This year I took the pressure off earning any money from my online business because I noticed it was sucking the fun out of things. I went back to just "doing it for fun" and having conversations about mindfulness because I love doing it. I'm having the best year and I'm getting messages about how my content is helping people (including "I actually feel bad you're not getting any money for this" 🥲)... and now, I'm launching my first (low cost) paid subscription option and people are signing up, even though I've only mentioned it twice. Yes we might want to make money doing what we love, but it doesn't feel good if you don't genuinely care along the way too 🥰
Lucy this is great to hear. Good job! Seems you cracked the code and found a balance between having fun and getting paid.
Gosh, this actually makes so much sense. Not just with writing or being a content creator, but in general. It's a life lesson.
The thing is, caring is spontaneous. How do you actually care in the first place?
After reading your blog post, I don't think it has to be 100% spontaneous. Like you said that you write down people's names or you'll forget: caring requires conscious action. It requires focus. Maybe caring is a skill. So I want to practice that skill. I want to care more.
You've successfully given me inspiration.
Hey Emilie! I love how you summed up the lessons of the post here. I agree with you. :) Thanks for stopping by!
“Caring is a skill” is a great way to think about this, Emilie! After this reading this post, I reflected on how often I put caring into action. The answer is “not enough.”
I feel the same, the article made me reflect on my own actions as well!
I tend to overlook showing care (I might care a lot sometimes, but I don't show it so outwardly). It really made me think about ways to express it.
I care but never knew how to show this online. This is so helpful! Thank you🙏🏽
A fresh take on the subject of engagement! Your idea makes perfect sense, but it isn't something we necessarily think about.
I love that you touched on ‘don’t just care because you want to sell something to them later’ 🔥
That's not a thought. I don't get it and I can spot that a mile away
I agree Jane Deegan, this is a great article but like you, I don’t need to be reminded to care. I care a lot about everyone and it’s just who I am. I don’t have to think about it.
I DO have to be intentional as far as time goes because there are a lot more people who need care than I can possibly give. I have to make sure I give without doing so much that I don’t have enough time left for my family. Do you find this a struggle too?
I do. Everyday! I am an empath and I want to "help them all" I have to be selective on that or my reserves get depleted and I'm not helping anyone. I wrote two articles recently about that if you want to check out https://open.substack.com/pub/janedeegan/p/why-do-you-need-to-rescue-them?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=pgla0
And a few days ago a post called I Can't be a Rock Today
Great articles on rescuing and being a rock! VERY much understand and feel simpatico!
Thanks so much
I love this take, I think that Substack provides this more down to earth and caring vibe that other socials don’t.
Well written and a profoundly wonderful reminder! Thank you!
I'm so grateful for this article. It's nice to read posts like this that actually give you good advise. Thanks again!
Absolutely the most important piece of writing advice! You have to love your readers! Once I realized my tone wasn’t tough or resilient enough to empower my readers, I hired a life coach who helped me learn to better flex my resiliency muscle - exactly what I hope to pass to readers. Write on!
Great article. I care because I care. I just do. I never thought much about it
This is yet ANOTHER reason we love Tom Kuegler! Tom, you have a great idea here. I already "visit" with people all the time on Notes. Your suggestion to visit their sites and other websites and offer comments there, is a good one as well. Sincere and authentic works. Since I am an odd combination of an introvert who actually enjoys "visiting" with people, I like offering comments, both short and longer. There truly is a real live human behind the screen. I am also an empath, one who deeply "feels" the vibe or intensity of someone else. I do not intrude, I simply listen with my spirit and sense what that person might need from me. Since I am not a "Marketing" type, I do not "sell" my own Substack. I simply offer encouragement, as I have received the same. To me, selling does not work but being as you say, friends with people, the sincere caring does begin to happen. I find this to be miraculous, here on Notes. Thank you again, Tom!
I wish I had more time to do this myself Wendy. I am so busy nowadays that I just can't do this anymore. However I do try to leave a like or comment on comments that people leave me. The least I can do. :)
Tom, PLEASE take good care of yourself. You give so selflessly and are much appreciated by myself and so many others. Wendy
Wow! This is next level. I love this.
Thank you! I will check Michael out.
You are so right, it doesn't take long to reach out to people and show them some appreciation, and if you are lucky then you will find some great friends on the way.
Some of my very best friends I have never met in real life.
I agree. There's a lot of great people I've met online who I have never met in real life and likely will never meet in real life.
I just watched your video on "How to get 1000 Subscribers", really informative! Thank you.
I completely agree with what you say on there about Medium - the boost and pay systems are not great at all.
This is a terrific gift, Tom!!