Blog like a honey badger

What do you think it takes to succeed as a blogger – top notch writing expertise, innate networking capability, cover-to-cover knowledge of the Chicago Manual of Style, jacked up creative juices, mad marketing skills, loads of free time? There’s no question that each of those elements has the potential to contribute to blogging success, but there’s something else you need more than any of those – something you can learn from our badass friend the honey badger.

Before I explain, I suggest you watch this video narrated by “naturalist,” Randall. Fair warning: it contains a healthy dose of bad language. If you’re offended by that sort of thing you may want to skip the playback. On the other hand, if you have a slightly sick sense of humor (like mine), prepare to laugh until you cry.

Ok, are we all back now? I’ll give you a minute to regain your composure.

Honey badger might be a slightly unsavory character (lacking good table manners and general etiquette), but he is called the most fearless critter in the animal kingdom with good reason. When honey badger sees something he wants, he goes after it. He doesn’t care who or what is in his way. He doesn’t second-guess his approach or motivations. He just does what his honey badger heart (or, stomach) tells him to do. Bloggers can learn a lot from his example.

Blogging like a honey badger means “going for it” every time. It means putting yourself out there, even if you have to risk bee stings or cobra bites. It means doing your thing the way you do it and not caring if anyone thinks you’re too uncouth (or too naïve or too opinionated or too nice or too whatever you might be). It means being slightly crazy. It means being yourself and saying what you mean – what you want to say – not what you think you should say.

Our snarling, spitting friend might seem like an over-the-top mascot for bloggers, but I believe that releasing your inner honey badger is one of the most efficient ways to carve our your blogging niche. Let me be clear, however, that I’m not suggesting every blogger out there should be savage and care only about ripping the heads off cobras (or any other living creature for that matter). My love for the honey- badger-as-blogging-coach stems from my admiration of his single-minded and ferociously confident pursuit of his goal.

He does not ask about the rules; he makes up his own. He doesn’t get tied up in proper methods; he just does whatever it takes. If the cobra is up in a tree, honey badger climbs the tree. If the cobra is deep in the earth, honey badger digs. No need to agonize – just get it done. The honey badger does not apologize for being a honey badger; he just is one – 110%. And even when something slows him down (like a dingo stealing his meal, or his meal biting back and knocking him out with lethal venom), honey badger gets back up and goes right back to what he was doing. He’s not distracted, diverted, or persuaded to change his ways.

Blog like a honey badger. Be confident in your voice and your message. Know what you want and go after it. Do not pay attention to the chattering of others who want to tell you how to be you. Listen to your own heart and your own hunger. Don’t worry about bee stings or cobra bites. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger – makes you fearless. And the best bloggers – the best writers – are the ones who are fearless.
 
Jamie Lee Wallace is a writer who also happens to be a marketer. She helps her Suddenly Marketing clients discover their voice, connect with their audience, and find their marketing groove. She is also a mom, a prolific blogger, and a student of voice and trapeze (not at the same time). Introduce yourself on facebook or twitter. She doesn’t bite … usually.

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Image Credit: Badass of the Week