Starting a blog can be an exciting and fulfilling journey. It can allow you to express your creativity, share your knowledge, and connect with like-minded individuals from all over the world.
However, getting started can be challenging, especially if you find yourself constantly putting it off. Procrastination can be a major hurdle for many aspiring bloggers. And I get it. It gets overwhelming. What blogging platform? How do I start? Do I buy a domain? What would my niche be? Do I write privately or public until my website is ready? Maybe some of these questions apply to you, maybe not, or maybe you have other things in your head that are stopping you from going forward.
But fear not, because there are strategies you can use to overcome procrastination and jumpstart your blogging journey. Here are ten secrets to help you get started:
- Start with a clear vision
The first step in overcoming procrastination is to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Ask yourself why you want to start a blog. What do you hope to accomplish with your blog? What topics are you passionate about? Having a clear vision will help you stay focused and motivated, and it will make it easier to create content that resonates with your audience. It doesn’t have to be 100% accurate and you don’t have to stick to these goals and visions no matter what. But have them at start, and while you start blogging you can adjust them.
- Set specific, achievable goals
Once you have a clear vision, it’s important to set specific, achievable goals. This could be anything from publishing one blog post a week to growing your email list by a certain number of subscribers. The key is to make your goals specific and measurable. But also realistic and make sure to read this one here to see what I mean. This will help you track your progress and stay motivated.
- Break tasks into small, manageable steps
One of the most common reasons for procrastination is feeling overwhelmed by the task at hand. To avoid this, try breaking your tasks into small, manageable steps. Instead of trying to write a whole blog post in one sitting, break it into smaller tasks like researching, outlining, and drafting. This will make the task feel less daunting and more manageable. Remember, blogging is a marathon, not a sprint 🙂
- Create a schedule and stick to it
Consistency is key when it comes to blogging. Create a schedule that works for you and stick to it. Whether it’s publishing a new post every Monday or spending an hour a day on your blog, having a routine will help you stay on track and make progress towards your goals.
- Eliminate distractions
Distractions can be a major obstacle to productivity. When you sit down to work on your blog, eliminate as many distractions as possible. This could mean turning off your phone, closing your email, or working in a quiet space. By eliminating distractions, you’ll be able to focus more fully on the task at hand. If you have family and kids, I know it’s not as easy to turn all the surrounding sounds off, but start with your phone, and try to find a time of the day when it’s quieter.
For instance, I personally do all my blogging after my son has fallen asleep. Since it’s nighttime, I know that I won’t be ready in one sitting to publish my post, so I break one blog post into small pieces and even if it takes me 3 days or a week to complete it, then that’s ok 🙂
- Surround yourself with support
Starting a blog can be a lonely journey, but it doesn’t have to be. Surround yourself with support, whether that’s joining a blogging community or finding a mentor who can guide you along the way. Having a support system can provide you with motivation, inspiration, and valuable feedback.
- Practice self-care
It’s important to take care of yourself when you’re trying to overcome procrastination. Make time for activities that help you relax and recharge, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones. When you feel energized and refreshed, you’ll be better able to tackle your blogging tasks with renewed focus and motivation. What works best for me is a long walk 🙂
- Celebrate your successes
Don’t forget to celebrate your successes along the way. Whether it’s publishing your first blog post or hitting a subscriber milestone, take time to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements. This will help you stay motivated and inspired to continue on your blogging journey.
- Learn from your failures
It’s important to remember that failure is a natural part of the learning process. When things don’t go as planned, take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes. Use your failures as opportunities to grow, improve, and become a better blogger.
- Keep learning and growing
Finally, the key to success in blogging is to keep learning and growing. Keep up with industry trends, read blogs and stay update with the rest of the blogosphere and social media. You don’t need to know every single latest trend, but just keep an eye on the major things. It will give you ideas and inspiration for your next blog post.
I know sometimes it’s easier said than done, but I truly hope I gave you some inspiration and some solid advice on how to start blogging today.
Happy blogging!
