10 things that take balls (and 1 that doesn't)

Here’s something i’ve discovered: blogging takes balls.

I thought that after a few posts i’d find a rhythm. “Blogs” or “Posts” or whatever would flow naturally. I would have conquered my reservations. I’d be contemplating which publishing house to honour with the distribution rights to my first book and my PA would be considering the colour scheme for the star studded launch party.

But here’s the thing...its not easy and its frickin’ scary.

Particularly if you have a lower than average grasp of grammar, very limited time and a slightly unimaginative brain!

(BTW, I was referring to myself there - classic self-deprecating English humour, see…?)

I’ve always had a lingering respect for recruitment consultants. Almost everything I ever read on the internet (LinkedIn is a cracker for this) is whinging about how recruitment consultants don’t really "consult", how they constantly call people fishing for leads, how they pigeon-hole people and how they “don’t care about the candidate”.

Well, I worked in recruitment for 12 months (my first job out of uni) and I can tell you it is bloody hard work. It’s takes tenacity, persistence, rhino-thick skin and balls. 

Which is what I have discovered blogging takes.

It’s one of those things, isn’t it, that you think sounds like a great idea. Seems a cheap and easy way to raise some awareness for your given topic or venture and so you dive head long in. After all, how hard can it be…?

But really think about it for a second and you will agree it is pretty weird...

Lets just say, it’s not exactly natural.

I mean, imagine if you turned around to cave man Dave, and said “Hey Davo" (assuming cave man Dave is an Aussie) "why don’t you take a break from hunter-gathering to feed the family and do something useful with your life - you could start a blog?”.

“Well, its funny you should say that Shano, because I have been finding hunting Woolly Mammoths a bit tiresome lately. And if I see one more Sabre Tooth Tiger, well… I think I might scream.  But what’s a blog?”.

“You’ve been living in a cave Davo! Which is a safe and sensible thing to do in this day and age. But to answer your question, a blog is a thing where you take your inner thoughts and secrets, write them down and broadcast them to the world”.

“Inner thoughts and secrets? What are they? And what’s the point?” 

“Trust me Davo, its awesome! You just write down whatever springs to mind and you’ll get some likes and shares and follows and maybe even a smiley face with love hearts in the eyes!” 

See what I mean? 

The point I am trying so ineloquently to make is that unless your a narcissist or a politician, this level of self-promotion just doesn’t come naturally.

So I have a new-found respect for bloggers because I now have some understanding of what it takes to be successful in this space.

Like recruitment then, it takes tenacity, persistence, rhino-thick skin and big Kahunas.

And here are a few other things that take balls:

• Racquet sports (except Badminton obviously, for which you need a 'cock).
• Asking for a promotion
• Quitting your job with nothing to go to
• Asking someone on a date
• Asking someone to marry you
• Asking someone to tie you up and tickle you with a feather during foreplay. Although it does get easier. Or so I’m told.
• Bungy-jumping. Naked.
• Wearing budgy-smugglers (both figuratively and literally)

Spotted the pattern yet?

Me neither.

But it is my belief that the things that take the most courage in life are the things that end up being the most rewarding. 

For example, I read the other day that successful recruitment consultants in Sydney can expect to make $600k a year! 

The moral of the story? Have some balls and put yourself out there. 

Unless you’re playing Badminton.