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The one question all bloggers face is what they should name their blog. For some, coming up with a name is quick and easy and for others, not so much. But for most, the name means and can say a lot, myself included. I wanted to share why I named my blog ReachingSelf.
When coming up with the name for my blog and brand, I wanted it to be something that had meaning and purpose to it. Not just something that I liked how it sounded, or it just sounded cool.
I came to the term ReachingSelf and thought it was a fitting name for my blog.
MindSelf was the first one I thought of many years ago when I first had the slightest idea of a blog, but that didn’t seem to have much deep meaning to it. I also thought of SucceedingSelf and AchievingSelf, but I still felt those names were limiting with the concept I had for my blog.
Growing up as an avid reader and book lover, I have always been a big believer in the power of words. I never agreed with the beliefs that words are just words and are meaningless. Studies show that’s not true anyway. I learned this when getting into psychology and self-help as well. In that case, the right name was essential to me. Different words that mean the same thing can have completely different effects. Words carry emotions, visuals, history, memories, stories and of course meaning.
I much preferred the feeling ReachingSelf evoked.
When it came to meanings, I wanted something that was growth minded. I didn’t want something that just sounded inspirational or had an easy, quick success or already successful kind of vibe. My brand needed a name that showed the journey and the process as well as the result or “end.” Something that showed the progression of success and goals. I wanted to show persistence and perseverance. I wanted to show that it takes work and effort to succeed. The meanings behind the word reaching exemplified that, which I will explain below. You have to reach in order to reach (your goal, destination, etc.)
What I loved about ReachingSelf was how it could have different meanings in itself, many of which were suitable for the concept I was going for.
The name represents so much. Or at least it can and it should.
But it was only soon after choosing the name that I realized the extent. I started exploring and delving deep into what ReachingSelf could mean and represent.
The Definitions of Reach
First, let’s look at the relevant definitions for reach (reaching).
To stretch out, strain or make effort after something
Yes, the main literal definition of reach is important. The word gives the name a visual aspect. I appreciated that aspect and wanted to incorporate it into the imagery of my blog.
Physically reaching and stretching out or toward the sky feels good too! Who doesn’t love a good stretch? When you think of someone acting out feeling inspired and successful, what do you picture? Probably someone reaching their arms out in victory or stretching tall and taking up space.
There is not exactly a defined visual for succeeding or achieving, at least one that’s accepted worldwide. Maybe a trophy? But that can seem materialistic.
Succeed: achieve the desired aim or result.
Achieve: successfully bring about or reach (a desired objective, level, or result) by effort, skill, or courage.
Then there is the not so literal definition. Reaching can mean to aim or strive for something attainable. An amount of effort is required. There is struggle, skill, and courage involved. It’s action-oriented.
To arrive at, get as far as or come to something
Reach can mean to succeed in achieving or to arrive at a specific location.
It can also refer to getting to a specific point, level or condition in some course of action, progress, etc. It’s used mostly in past tense. It’s the “after” of the reaching. The succeeding and achieving.
This is one of the primary goals of ReachingSelf: to actually make real lasting progress, to reach goals, succeed and achieve.
To communicate or make contact with
Of course, since this is a blog, reaching seems to be a fitting name for an online platform. A blog is meant to communicate and share a message or story. Bloggers reach their readers through their blogs.
Beyond that, my aim is for this blog to have an extensive reach—reaching many different people to help people with reaching themselves. I want it to have an impact on lives.
Reaching can also mean to reach towards others, in assistance, offering help or asking for help. That’s a huge part of both writing and reading a blog—especially a personal growth blog.
I mentioned earlier that one of the primary goals of ReachingSelf is to have success in reaching and achieving goals. My number one overriding goal through that goal is to first and foremost help people in growing and achieving and reaching their highest potential.
The extent or range of effective application, action, power, influence or capacity
This definition is to show the degree, and extent of goal attainment and success: how much effort is put in and for how long.
I want to test the limits, possibilities, and potential for personal growth. Who knows what could happen? And why not? There are risks and chance of failure, but the fear of regret has to be stronger than the fear of failure. I would rather choose uncertainty over misery. ReachingSelf is meant to be an experiment; it’s at least starting that way.
This definition also shows the continuousness and constant state of reaching. Reaching doesn’t end once we reach a goal.
As you can see, the word reaching itself has multiple meanings.
The Meanings of ReachingSelf In One
Now, let’s looks at the second component of the name, ReachingSelf and how ‘reaching’ goes together with ‘self.’
The two words put together as one can have two different meanings. The word reaching in ReachingSelf can be an adjective, and it can also be a verb.
As an adjective:
Reaching becomes a characteristic of a person. The self is described as someone driven and determined in striving for growth and success. It also portrays the self as reaching towards others in assistance or offering help.
As a verb:
Reaching becomes the act of reaching for the self, in other words, becoming more oneself, more authentic and reaching for your highest and truest most genuine self. The highest potential of you.
The Essence of ReachingSelf
With ReachingSelf, one is always and continually reaching.
We reach toward a goal, during the process and then once we succeed at that goal, we’ve reached that goal. Reaching is the means as well as the end. It’s how we get there and what happens when we get there.
As stated in the following quote:
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Goals are reached yes, but we continue reaching.
We continue reaching in many different ways: reaching within and toward ourselves and reaching outside of ourselves.
Reaching is not just to show that there is effort involved but the amount of effort and energy, the amount of reach. We reach in terms of the degree and extent of effort, goal attainment and success. We do this by:
- Thinking big and making big goals
- Reaching and stretching far and high
- Expanding and extending ourselves
I want to find out and show what can happen and the possibilities of truly reaching.
I don’t plan on stopping once I’ve reached a certain point or specific goals. This blog is meant to be continual; it’s lifelong for me.
We reach in the beginning, during and the end. Then start again. We don’t stop reaching until the end of our lives. There is always room for growth and improvement.
It’s the way of life.
“So long as there is breath in me, that long will I persist. For now I know one of the greatest principles of success; if I persist long enough I will win.” – Og Mandino
So reach, reach, reach. In many different ways. In all areas of life. And you will reach what, where and who you want to be.
Reach out to other people for help, reach out to people in need, reach within yourself, reach toward your goals, reach your goals, reach toward improvement, change, growth and transformation, reach a new destination, reach for the stars, reach to something bigger and better than yourself. And never stop reaching. Keep reaching. The journey continues.
Here is a final quote I love that implements the two primary meanings of reach:
“It must be borne in mind that the tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goals to reach.” Benjamin E. Mays
Let’s Reach. Achieve. Succeed.
Then repeat.
What do you think about the name ReachingSelf? Do you agree?
If you have a blog, how did you choose the name for your blog? Are you happy with it?
If you’re a blog reader, what do you notice about the titles of the blogs you read? What does the name tell you? Is the blog name important?
Let me know in the comments below!
Photography Credit:
Welcome to ReachingSelf