Every once in a while I like to participate in events that challenge me.  You know, something to motivate me to do things differently, examine alternative points of view and think about new ways to learn and grow.  Some people like to take a class; others sign-up for karate or break dancing lessons.  Me, I like entering competitions.

I’ve always been the competitive type, but not in an unhealthy way.  Growing up I did both team and individual sports, and I enjoyed being around people with a competitive spirit and a desire to win.  It would be nice to say that I thrived in those activities for altruistic reasons, but the fact is I’ve always loved the rush of being part of a great competition.  As I grew older, I learned that many work environments challenged their people to compete as well – sales, growth, efficiency, you name the measurable, and I bet most companies have found a way to create a competition for it.  I always thought this made work more fun.

I like to win too, but if I had a choice between winning at all costs or competing with integrity, I’d choose the latter.  It’s always nice to get a win though, especially when it’s in a hard fought, honest competition.

So, what does any of this have to do with Blogging Idol and Discovering Dad?

When I read the initial announcement by Daniel at Daily Blog Tips, I thought, “Funny! American Idol for bloggers!“  The more I read the more I thought, and the more I thought the more I wanted to enter.  Why? Because competition forces me to stay focused, adapt, examine, analyze and try new things.  As a publisher of multiple websites, it’s easy to lose focus, get burned out and do the same things over and over again.  Competition forces me to cut out the activities that are not producing results and focus in on the ones that are working.

Discovering Dad is a ‘good’ site, but I believe it has the potential to be GREAT!  I’ve put a lot of time and energy into it, and the recent redesign is something that I’m very proud of completing.  I am passionate about the content, goals and objective of Discovering Dad, and I enjoy working on this site more than any other. This site makes a positive difference in lives of people I love most – my wife and kids – and I’ve also received dozens of e-mails and messages about the positive impact it has had on the lives of others.

I’d like Discovering Dad to be a resource for dads around the world – one that they can come to and learn new things about being a good dad, share their thoughts and experiences, and participate in amazing conversations, like you saw here last week with the What Dads Think series.

So, how am I going to get there? Well, it’s not going to happen overnight, and there are many, many things I will need to do to reach my goal.  I’ll need a little luck; a lot of persistence; and, a willingness to take risks, try new things and listen to feedback from readers like you.  And, I’m sure that a little friendly competition will help too!

I’m excited to be a part of the Blogging Idol competition being hosted by Daily Blog Tips, and I’d definitely love to do well.  Scratch that – I’d like to WIN!!!   I won’t be able to do it without the help of all of you.  I need your help people! If you believe in the mission of Discovering Dad and you want to see the site continue to grow, then this is a great way to show your support!

How does the competition work?

Simple.  It is based entirely on growing the number of subscribers to the site during the month of July 2008.  That’s it! All I need is for you to help me get as many people as possible to Subscribe to My Feed or Subscribe Via E-mail.

What could I win if I become the first ever Blogging Idol?

Currently, the Grand Prize is valued at $3000, consisting mostly of web services that will help the winner take their site to a new level of excellence.  There is a small amount of cash in there too, but personally, I plan on reinvesting all of the winnings right back into Discovering Dad to bring you even more great content and services.

What do I need from you to help Discovering Dad win?

I need you to help me spread the word.  Tell your friends, family members, colleagues and people you know online in the various social networks.  As I far as I’m aware, of the many sites competing in this great contest, Discovering Dad is the only dad/fatherhood site on the list.  We all know a ton of dads, and I hope that you feel like the content here is worthy of recommending to them.

If you’d like to send out an e-mail, Twitter message, IM or whatnot, please include a link to my subscription page at http://discoveringdad.net/subscribe/

If you have a blog and you’ve got room to spare on your sidebar or footer, please take the image below and link it to my subscription page at http://discoveringdad.net/subscribe/

What’s in it for you?

As loyal readers, I’d like to think there is value in seeing the site grow so that I can bring you even more incredible content and services; however, since I know a lot of people are like me and love a little competition, I’m going to provide some extra incentives to you and the people you refer.

Top Referring Site for the Month of July – $50 SmartyPig Gift Card, a t-shirt from Lijit Search and a Featured Review of your site by me on Discovering Dad.

2nd Top Referring Site for the Month of July - $10 Joe’s Crab Shack Gift Card, a t-shirt from Lijit Search and a review of your site by me included in the normal rotation of posts on Discovering Dad.

Random Weekly Winners – each week I will also give out prizes to new random subscribers, including another $50 SmartyPig Gift Card during the final week of July.

*Note: If you would like to be a sponsor and donate a prize to this contest, please send me an e-mail.  I will be giving out multiple prizes each week to random new subscribers.  I’d love to increase the Referral and Random prizes even more, but that will depend on getting more sponsors.

Finally, assuming I have the kind of readers and blog friends that I do, WHEN I win Blogging Idol I will throw in another $100 American Express Gift Card to the Top Referring Site!!! (I have to WIN First Prize in the competiton for this to happen though )

I’m very excited about participating in this competition, and I hope you all will be cheering me on!

Go Discovering Dad!  Go Discovering Dad!  Go Discovering Dad!  Hooray!

Let the games begin!

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