Finding the Time
Fighting with time, and right now time is winning.....
I find myself around 2 months in as part of the WA family. The first 30 days, I was extremely excited and motivated to find my niche, get my website up and finally start to work on content. I am still working full time and with a busy family, it has become more difficult to find the time, and sometimes the energy to work on my site.
Finding my niche
Finding my niche was actually easier that I thought it was going to be. I have always been passionate about coaching youth sports, and it just so happened that this season for little league baseball has been extremely challenging. I am one of the assistant coaches for his team, after reluctantly taking on the role for the manager, who struggles with the position. It has however given me plenty of article ideas. I feel like these two events, looking for something extra to generate some income, and the challenging experience of the baseball season were tied together for a reason.
Building my site
I have been involved in IT for over 20 years, but have never been a programmer. I have a little of experience with some drag and drop sites, but really not much. The hardest part for me was finding the right template. I must have gone through at least 20 until I found the one I have now. That took the better part of almost 2 weeks of selecting a theme, applying it, then once it was in production, not really loving it and trying yet another one. I spent many a late night trying to get this correct. I still do not have everything right on my site, but I am working towards it. I have to say I do love the WordPress format and the plugin library that can basically do, anything you feel you need. This has been really cool.
Adding content
At this point, this has really become the highest hurdle to overcome. The issue is not the content itself, I have lots of ideas for articles, it is getting those ideas out of my head and onto my computer, and finding the time to do so. As soon as I decided on my niche, I immediately had some ideas and got those down. I was able to review some equipment that my son uses and a mobile app. I felt (feel) like I have a good starting point. I wrote some basic diverse content to get things started during that initial push. I have other articles and reviews and even some coaches interviews, but again, it is about finding the time.
Goals and Plans
My first initial short term goal is to stay positive and not let the struggle of time start to creep into my mindset and discourage me. When I first signed up I did declare that my goals would take longer to achieve than most due to my lack of time commitment. I do feel that my niche can be a long term project that can have positive results for me and my family. I need to set some short term goals, (write at least one article or review a week) that are attainable. May is actually a very busy month, with graduations, baseball playoffs, jr. lifeguard training, and everything else life throws at you. To be honest, just writing this post has given me some needed motivation to get back going on that content.
Ticktock, ticktock.......
Recent Comments
3
I hear ya! And I am self-employed, but to have the time, brain space and all, at the same time?? Yeah... it can be tough! I make notes and post pictures around (on desk, fridge, etc) of ideas and reminders to help keep me motivated. That way the struggle does not overwhelm the effort ;)
You are not alone in the 'time bubble'. Work, school, single-mom-dom... There doesn't seem to be enough time in a day or a month sometimes. But finding things to keep you motivated is truly the key. I was beating myself up for not being farther along.. and it's only been 3 months. But I can't make other things stop, to give myself more time with the website. I think the fact that you want to eventually get all set up and then on some kind of schedule with it, is part of the motivation also. Months from now, you will look back and see how much you have accomplished and it will be a great feeling.
I wish you well as you move forward. And keep looking forward, don't look at the clock or the calendar.