Recently my 70 year-old father in-law paid a visit and said he now realizes all the things he wanted to do with his retirement aren’t going to happen. People make a list of all the things they are gonna do, but the reality is there is not enough time, especially when things keep getting pushed off.
It gave me a lot to think about, and I realized I’ve wanted to be a full-time blogger since I first heard about blogging, but I never really believed in myself and I had a few inconsistent, feeble attempts at it…but it hit me: I have to do this or not do this because there will not be a later.
I need to be unapologetically fierce about pursuing my blogging dreams, and you do too.
There Won’t Be More Time For Blogging Later
Every second that ticks by means there is less time for blogging in your life, or to do other things you want to do “someday.”
If you are here on Austin James Blog that means prioritizing blogging in your life is something that is important to you. It is something you would like to do successfully during your life. I’m also glad you are here because that means you are taking action on your blogging dreams. I’m just writing this article to help you take the next step which is: be unapologetically fierce about pursuing your blogging dream.
I know you got kids, responsibilities, a full time job. It’s never a good time to start a blog. But if not now, when? When we think about what we “should have done” most of the time it’s “I should have started that blog 10 years ago.” It’s what we all wish, so start NOW so in 10 years you’ll instead be saying “I’m so glad I started that blog 10 years ago.”
Most Blogging Barriers Are In Your Own Head
We project the objections that are in our minds onto other people, we envision our spouse saying that’s a stupid way to spend your time. But is that what they are really going to say? Odds are it will be: “YES, that sounds really exciting! Go for it! Let me know if I can help!”
Many don’t get past this first mental barrier: What will my loved ones think? First, not all of your loved ones need to know. Your spouse does though so they know why the heck you are typing on the computer all the time. But if they know it’s because you are trying to improve the position of your family, well, you will get 100% support. Trust me.
What “Unapologetically Fierce” Looks Like In Pursuing Blogging
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Relentless Posting Commit to 3x, 1,000 word posts weekly, minimum. Ignore that there is no traffic. Keep posting. Adjustments and strategies for obtaining traffic can come in later once you have at least 100 1,000+ posts.
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Write With Authority In Your Niche Do not give 57 disclaimers for each article you write. You don’t need to know every tiny thing about your niche, you’ll learn a ton more about it as you relentlessly post anyway. Right from the get-go, write with authority and don’t apologize for it.
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Ignore Naysayers And Aggressively Move Forward “B-b-b-b-b-b-but blogging is dead! Social media! AI! You can’t b-b-b-b-blog!” Ignore the naysayers. Old fashioned music records are printing cash. Did the CD kill them? No, they’re selling more copies than CDs. Did mp3 kill them? Nope. But surely streaming will kill records?! Wrong again. Same with blogs, blogs are anti-fragile. Move forward with outrageous optimism!
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Protect Your Creative Time This mostly means having the discipline to wake up at 5:00 AM in order to have three hours of blogging time.
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Say “No” To Distractions No need to start streaming a new TV show, no need to catch every game, no need to launch another online business not related to blogging. Focus, focus, focus.
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Relentless Posting So important I included it twice!
Maintain Your Blogging Vision In Your Mind’s Eye
You must have a strong vision for what blogging success is going to look like. I’m not talking about pointless daydreaming. I’m talking about having a very specific vision that you are going to make reality.
For us bloggers, that typically isn’t about driving a Lambo and living in a big house. It’s typically living with less so we can live more (oh man I felt the corniness and cringe when the sentence came out of my fingertips, but it’s true).
The vision for most is living in a modest, paid-off house in a good location. Financial success via blogging now is at an all-time high. While there is definitely hard work on the blog, the word on the blog can be done anywhere in the world that has an internet connection–Hawaii, Alaska, Thailand, Cruise Ships. Wherever, and also having the ability to take any day off of the week. Being able to take any week off. Being able to take a month off.
That’s the power of the blog. The power of the vision is keeping that outcome in the forefront of your mind while you relentlessly work toward it, and you will achieve it. It might take two years or six years (for most people it’s between 3 -5 years). But all the work will be 100% worth it.
Will You Answer The Call To Pursue Your Blogging Destiny Or Will You Just Continue To Dream?
It’s up to you if you will achieve your blogging vision. I recommend you make the choice to unapologetically pursue your blogging dreams with relentless action, because that’s the only thing that is going to move the needle. All it will take is everything you have in the tank!
Commit to daily writing. Commit to at least 3x per week posting. Commit to learning SEO. Commit to your blog. Commit to your vision!
I believe in you. There is a ton of room for blogging success for those who are willing to commit. By year two you will see an obvious path that will lead to your vision, it just might take you until year 5 to get there. Five years is a small price to pay for freedom for the rest of life, in my book anyway. I look forward to seeing you out there in the blogosphere!
Blog on, friend. Blog on.