Earlier this year I got the sweetest email from Jacey, asking me a couple questions about becoming a Virtual Assistant. It’s amazing to me that in the last two years I went from a corporate job to starting a virtual assistant career, to working for a local creative agency and then my dream job with (in)courage. But since everything I’ve learned about the VA business (and blogging, actually) has been freely shared by others who are generous with their knowledge, I love looking for ways to pay it forward.
So when Jacey emailed to say she’s now running the Influence Network podcasts and asked if I would want to record one, I totally did a little fist pump in the air for her and then said “of course!” I mean, she was asking me to talk about community and social media and blogging – three of my favorite things.
Listen, I love doing podcasts. There is something so fun about chatting with a friend and the comfort that comes with knowing they’ll edit out all your ridiculous moments and make you sound smarter than you really are. But by the time we’re done, I’m usually sweating like crazy and wondering if anything I said made any sense. Especially when Jacey asks such good questions, like “can you tell us how you’ve gotten where you are, how you’ve had the chance to do all the things you do?” and I can’t.
Because it’s not me.
I know that the gals listening to the podcast are waiting for me to give 5 simple steps to success, or 10 ways to achieve your dreams, or 3 tools to build a no-fail community. But I don’t have them. I have one. Obey God.Β
That’s all I’ve done, and anything He’s chosen to give me has been by His grace, not some formula I’ve come up with. There have been some seasons of waiting, trusting God to do what He promised to do. And with every “yes” that anyone sees online, there have been three times as many “no’s.” I compare myself to the same successful bloggers and writers and speakers and business owners as everyone else. I struggle with “big vs. small” and always feel on the very, very small side of things.
But God has asked me to be generous with my knowledge. He’s asked me to build and seek community. God is asking me to love others and use my words to encourage. And a lot of times it feels like so much pouring out and very little return, but I trust that God knows what He’s doing, so I do it anyway. That’s my one (not always so) easy step: obey God.
Jacey and I talked for a long time and covered a whole variety of topics, so I hope you’ll head over and listen today? The Influence Network gals are some of my favorites on the internet, and I know you’ll love it over there π
Loved the podcast!! You were great!! So relatable and fun to listen to! π
The Influence Network Podcast is one of my all time favorites. I heard you there before I read this post. You already know that I love your heart and how I do life online, but the way you talk about those things in this podcast kind of makes you one of my faves EVER.
HOW YOU do life… #mamabrain
“Thatβs my one (not always so) easy step: obey God.” – words to live by, get tattooed with, and paint on your bathroom mirror, right?! Love this. But it’s hard. I seem to be very good at wandering off the path. Prayer and strength from above are my only hope. Thanks for sharing. I probably should print this post off and read it every day!
Crystal, I loved listening to your conversation with Jacey today! And seeing how it was you who introduced me to the Influence Network, it was perfect. I love the heart behind Influence and I am blessed to learn so much and be challenged by such beautiful young women. Crystal thanks for sharing your beautiful heart for God and community, on and off line!
LOVE this so much! And what a great rule to live by… π
I’m loving the Influence Network podcast and what a treat to find out you’re the next guest! π
Yay! I just love those gals π