The Feeling Post...

Jeff Ekblad, (who is currently reminding us that it is Mustache Awareness Month) Arts Director at CCC-Yorkville came up to me at Leadership Community last month and said in so many words, "I really dig your blog...but I wish you would tell me more about what you are feeling?  Your blog feels like an update on your calendar."  So, in honor of Jeff's request this is my "feeling post". 

But here is the problem...I don't really think people are that interested in how I "feel" about stuff.  But if I'm wrong, this is your chance to leave me a comment and ask me how I "feel" about whatever you want.  Don't ask me what I think or what I would do.  Just ask me how I "feel".

How do I feel about this post?  I have a feeling that Mustache Awareness Month will be more interesting.

Comments

[Trevor]

Yeah sometimes I think I could head off reading the blog by checking out your day planner / Outlook calendar.
But maybe that's why I read...I don't know.
I do enjoy the posts about you family and more personal stuff. I don't ever skim those.

[Jen]

I think one of the biggest reasons I read anyone's blog is to find out how they are feeling about what is going on in their life.

What's jazzing you up? What are you struggling with? How do you feel about your family, friends, victories, defeats?

By sharing those things, especially since you are a leader, I can see that what I feel, what I struggle with, what is jazzing me up or bringing me down...whatever...I can either get some insight into dealing with it, or I can feel like someone else out there "gets it."

In other words, I can get a sense that I'm not alone.

[Tim]

I would use a different word than "feelings" but it would definitely be more impacting to read more insight/thought/reflection from your heart and mind. If much of your content is general information about this or that, then we lose the value of your insight as a leader. There is some value, I guess, in reading a post about an upcoming conference or a recent article about an interview but the value is multiplied greatly when you give us your thoughts/ideas about the information...

[KathyJ]

You've always been one to stay mission focused...How will your blog help the Jesus mission? If you're moving at the "speed of the Spirit" then I assume your feelings are love, joy and peace. I did love your posts a few months back when you shared your journaling. How God speaks to you through the Scriptures and journaling is insightful and models the initial steps that you and God take together that ultimately translates into the foundation for your leadership and vision and mission. Would sharing your one favorite "Scripture/journal day of the week" be a good post? I'll answer that...YES!

[Jeff]

I just look for a place to be snarky. Dave - really, I could care less about you. :)

In all seriousness, I guess I'm the opposite. I read blogs for what is going on in someone's life, opinions, fun things they find, silliness and laughter. But deep feelings is never part of my search or something I hope to find in a person's latest post. I guess I think of feelings as something presented on a more personal level - i.e. face to face.

[Darien Gabriel]

I read blogs and articles for the content. But, much like stories, I want to be moved. I guess it's delivering content more emotionally honest (read: authentic) is what I'm after. Therefore, I'm not looking for long posts that delve into your deepest emotional feelings. But if something ticks you off, why not say that and a little of why.

Seth Godin does a pretty good job of this on his blog. Great idea for a post, Dave. Now give it a try.

[Darien Gabriel]

I read blogs and articles for the content. But, much like stories, I want to be moved. I guess it's delivering content more emotionally honest (read: authentic) is what I'm after. Therefore, I'm not looking for long posts that delve into your deepest emotional feelings. But if something ticks you off, why not say that and a little of why.

Seth Godin does a pretty good job of this on his blog. Great idea for a post, Dave. Now give it a try.

This is probably why I love listening to interviews more than messages. I love the Catalyst podcast. Why? Because the person being interviewed has to answer with content he or she knows very well but without the editing and polishing that comes from a prepared message (or book). That comes across more authentic to me because it's more raw. That's why I like some blogs--they're content rich; raw with authenticity. The rest I don't read.

And I just started checking yours out so I don't know whether or not yours is this way or not. Time will tell.

[Tammy Melchien]

I think a better word than "feelings" is "personal." There's probably room for both informational and reflective posts on a blog, but I know I'm a lot more drawn to read a person's reflective thoughts about a topic, event, or circumstance than just a fact-filled account of what's going on. I think that's the real influencing power of blogs...people feel like they come to "know" the author through personal posts and the author's words begin to have the impact of a friend.

So I guess I want to know how you "feel", Dave. :) Which I think includes what you think and what you would do.

Although I do like when you write an informational article about a magazine I was interviewed for and link me so that I get more hits on my blog. :)

[Dave Ferguson]

OK, I think Jeff was onto something with his critique of my blog. This blog needs more feeling! And maybe not just more of my feelings but also the readers feelings. I'm already thinking about it. Dave

[beth Kolar]

Dave,

I DO like the 'update' aspect of Twitter on your blog. I also look for vision and sharing of ideas from the blogs I read. But what makes it believable is the passion. What I relate to is the reality.

Also I keep finding, more and more, that Jeff is usually right. (wink)

[DL]

Open up and share. What are you afraid of? It's like a small group - just a little bigger.

I agree with what everyone has touched on in their comments to varying degress. You could share a little more. However, in all fairness, I do think you show your "feelings" in a number of posts about what gets you going - your family, generosity, Exponential, your family, hpftwbtg, different ways and avenues to hpftwbtg, missions, your family, multi-site, other leaders that are hpftwbtg, etc. I think a lot of the posts are a little more revealing than they feel at first read.

All we ask it that you don't sing the song. whoa oh oh ffffeeeelllliiiinnggsss.

[Elisa Joy Ekblad]

It's good to mix it up. I think most everyone can identify with feelings easier then opinion and facts. Don't go too Oprah on us though... =)

[Corbett]

As someone who wants to grow as a leader, I look to those I believe are good leaders and I try to learn from them.

Your blog is always very upbeat and informative, but it would almost seem that family and church are perfect. Now I know you don't want to publicize all of the negative that goes on in the course of leading a church, but letting us know what you're wrestling with or at least how you wrestled with something that is already decided...that could be very beneficial.

The process is so important...help us see the process. How does that make you feel?

[Pearl Gannon]

Personally, I'm always wondering how someone is feeling. Maybe it's been my years in and out of psych hospitals (no, I'm not afraid to admit that) where they ask you constantly what you are feeling. Or, my years in therapy. Or, even, the fact that I want to go into psychology. Maybe it's just that I want to see how others are feeling, to really see if they feel some of the same things I do. So that, all in all, I'm not alone on a particular feeling. I like to know that people aren't "perfect." They have feelings on a particular subject too, that aren't necessarily happy, joyous, or other "good" feelings. I like to know when people are feeling a little down themselves. But this is just me. :)

[Desiree Guzman]

Yeah, I like stories that reveal more about your own journey more than just informative posts about conferences or the latest trend in ministry (not that those things are unhelpful.)But I think that if blogs are about trying to feel more connected to other believers, then it's good to share some stories that give people a little more insight into Dave the real person. Maybe it's just that I find stories more engaging than straight forward information.

[R]

I feel like breaking out in song..... "Feelings nothing more then Feelings" LOL!

[Eric Bramlett]

I feel like you had on your calendar today: "Write snarky post about feelings."

[R]

Hey at least it's off Dave list!

[Jeff Gibson]

Maybe it's not so much how you "feel" about stuff, but the posts I like to read best are those that talk specifically about "I had lunch with so and so and he said this that got me thinking...". Or, "here's a problem we're having at CCC and here's how we are attacking it." Or, "I went to my Mom and Dad's house the other day and he had just finished vacuuming so I wrote my name in the carpet."

[Jekblad]

Sounds like we're on the right track here. Most of these suggestions can't go wrong.

[Brian Jones]

Dave,

That guy over at problogger.com said something that has always stuck with me --stop talking about yourself and start solving problems.

Solving problems is what you do best. There are 50 kagillion guys blathering on and on about how they're feeling.

There's only one Dave Ferguson -- visionary, church plating advocate, guy with a moustache that reminds me of Will Ferrell's character on Anchorman. :) We love you man. Be yourself.

Having Jeff say he wants to hear more about how your "feeling" probably tells you more about the complexity of multi-site staff relationships than the need to tweak your blog.

Keep bringing the good stuff week in and week out.

Brian Jones

[Paul Kuzma]

"I once heard someone say" .... "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."