I have learned many things the last few months as a new blogger. I feel good that I have done some really cool and interesting things. The feedback has been great. I like expressing myself, connecting with others, engaging. I love the new friendships I’ve made.

I also have made what I would consider some grave errors. Your personality flaws really come forward when you put yourself out there. There are traits that I have know about for some time that I am having to look at full on and frankly, deal with or else. It’s not always so comfortable. I think the unabashed honesty is healthy, but it’s prickly to see your downfalls so acutely. I sometimes want to hide and give up. But, because of the amazingly great things that I have enjoyed, I don’t.

Because of this personal and professional evolution, I make changes. I am not sure how to evolve in public gracefully so I ask that you bear with me. I beg your forgiveness as I evolve. I seek your understanding and compassion. I even desire your input, because I firmly believe that we all experience common issues and it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if you’ve gone through this too.

In short, I thank you, faithful reader, for your loyalty through thick and thin. I thank you for your encouraging emails and loving thoughts. I am so happy to be here. I am so happy that you are here.

I know many of you have your own blog, or are public speakers, or take courageous steps toward being in the public eye. I would love some comments from you on how you evolve as a public figure. How do you do it? How does a person balance their public persona (and all the expectations that seem associated with that) with their humanly frail and vulnerable self or their need to make changes? Do you handle it by not making the public you any different than the private you? Do you just not worry about it? What’s that like for you?

I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Together, we are stronger.
Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman