New respect - Blogging takes lots of effort and work
Over the weekend I was doing research on my niche, reading things and doing what we do. Ideas were flowing freely and in great quantity! I love my niche and know I truly have years of learning ahead.
I kept checking keywords and the same site kept coming up time after time. I would check the article out and I never found anything but really good content and the niche covered from every possible angle I was coming up with. So instead of just reading an article I visited the site to see what all was there.
Playing guitar is something I enjoy and have fun with, not as much or as well as I used to, but really enjoy myself and appreciate watching and listening to any accomplished player. Sometimes seeing one of those players made me just want to keep my guitar in its case. Some people are just that good. This blog had a similar effect.
The feeling I had was one of awe and admiration, but also like seeing a prodigy perform. Each one of those articles represented so much more to me than they did before I started WA. The time that must have been spent, the research, the fantastic info graphics, Captivating headlines...
The visit had a double-edged effect, one hand I marveled, on the other that tiny voice of cannot was getting louder. You cannot match that, your ideas have already been executed very well, no way.... well I think you get the message.
Instead of looking at the path I saw the mountain and the stars and was overwhelmed at the immensity of it all. I recovered fairly quickly and got back to my site and my research, but was reminded of how easy it could be to let that negativity and cannot do it attitude walk me right away from my desired path and stated goals.
Looking at my site now, I like my layout much better than the other and the mobile responsiveness too :) OK just 100 or so more articles and reviews to do, but hey what else should I be doing?
I do not feel discouraged now about it, it has generated respect for that sites owner and how hard they have worked. I want to work that hard too.
Not giving in to my defeatist mentality and doing something positive to improve my site every single day is the antidote.
I want to be the competition.
Thanks for reading and hit the like button if you can relate, or please comment and let me know how you cope with moments of discouragement.
Have a great evening,
Doug
Recent Comments
17
Hey Doug,
Thanks for sharing your delima. Yes it does take a lot of content and time. But don't try to second guess yourself because you can do this!!!
Tried and True
Elaine
It takes a lot of dedication and creative skills to always having come up with new articles for your blog for sure .Good luck in your journey sir
HI, Doug, your writing skills are excellent, when you feel stuck, it is better to get away for a moment, do something else, go for a walk to relax and come back.
Be patient and you will be fine.
Jacqueline
Well done! It is easy to get discouraged when we see someone else has done far better in all areas than you, however, we all need to remember how many hours it takes to get to that stage.
Then consider your own input and time. No comparison? Probably not, so let that be your motivation to continue your work and drive you to success.
I totally can relate. I think this is what has stopped me from attempting to blog in the first place for so long. I think the thought that got me over the edge is that everyone truly has a unique voice so even if it seems like someone else has done a good job in the space you inherently have something to add to the conversation just by the nature of you being a different and unique person.
To help me remember I wrote down these two affirmations:
The people I admire started at the same place you did, the only difference is time and hard work of which is up to you to put in the same.
I have a unique perspective and there is abundant room in the world for my talents and voice. I have a lot to bring to the table...me:)
Whenever I get a little discouraged, I read or look at them.
Best Wishes:)
Nicole
Nicole,
Thank you very much! I love affirmations and is something I have neglected in recent years. Add something else I need to work on asap :)
We must program ourselves or others will do it for us. This is an imperative.
I will follow your advice.
Warm regards,
Doug
Hi and thank you for sharing this post.
To be honest I do not do discouragement when it comes to my niche.
Mine tends to come from the technical side of things such as building the website and picking a WordPress theme that works for me.
How I deal with things like WordPress theme when I have picked it i just make it work period. The technical side i just take my time and get it right the first time because repeating it or doing it over does not fit my personality. lol
I just want to end by saying this.
You have a talent and that is yours no one can take it from you. So you have a lot to teach someone who wants to learn. period.
Wishing you all the very best success here
Jennifer
Thank you for the kind words, Jennifer, I can keep them for times of trouble.
We struggle on opposite sides. Reminds me of the cartoon of a castaway on an island looking across the horizon for a boat to be rescued. On the horizon is a castaway on a raft looking across the horizon for land.
The one on the island sees the raft and jumps for joy " A boat!, A boat!" The other is on his raft seeing the island jumping up and down screaming " Land!, Land! ".
Thanks again,
Doug
I must admit the moments of discouragement are tough and I still search for ways to defeat it. But you appear to have a determination that helps you break away for discouragement and that is a good thing. I am glad you are sticking to your niche, it clearly makes you happy.
Mary
See more comments
Thanks for this article, we have all been there and I've definitely done that exact same thing!
What I have to tell myself is that there are people that every day are starting websites that make a ton of money in some of the most competitive niches possible.
So if they can do it, so can I (or you). But really though we just have to get creative and take it one step at a time, and never ever give up.