This post is inspired by a friend who has recently decided that shutting down her existing blog is the way to go, because it is not making her money and is taking up too much time and effort, leaving her with “no life”. She is, however, starting a new blog around the topic of motivation, which I found quite ironic.
It appears that she chose her existing blog’s ‘niche’ based on what was popular at that time. And it was not due to passion.
In fact, I had asked her why she agreed to attend events which were not in line with her blog theme, did not pay a cent, and essentially took up a lot of time and effort. She had no answer for me.
SO how does one stay motivated about Blogging?
1) Ensure you are passionate about Blogging
I have over 600 posts on this blog now. I truly love to write and I do love reading my own blogposts. (If this sounds strange to you, please know that it shouldn’t) An artist should, well, enjoy looking at his own artwork, right?
2) Stop when you are feeling tired
Have I ever felt like quitting? YES! So, I “quit” for maybe 2 days to a week, till I am feeling better about blogging and I continue.
And when I get into the groove, oh boy, my blog subscribers know this – a sudden avalanche of blogposts will hit their email inboxes. :D
Blogging is not work. You are your own boss. You state the rules. It is ok to feel tired. Just have a break!
3) Learn to say No
Don’t accept all invites, even if they pay! If an invite doesn’t come with a paycheque, then it had better add tremendous value to this blog. If it doesn’t, I’m definitely saying no. I’m not trading my youth and energy for invites to events I don’t care about.
In fact, if the invite comes too late, e.g. two days before the event happens, I’ll turn down the invitation even if I have absolutely nothing to do that day, simply because I expect that people respect my time. I am at nobody’s beck and call. Either send me an invite in advance, or don’t. And definitely do not invite me just because some other blogger pulled out (Not that this has happened before. Just saying.)
4) Keep a list of draft blogposts
You don’t know this, but this blogpost was actually a draft I put together some time back. And now, I’m writing this paragraph in point number 4, and I’m publishing it shortly.
Whenever you have an idea for a blogpost, just create a draft and write down any points you have in mind. If the post ends up complete, publish it. If it still lacks something, save that draft till another time when you’ll complete it. :)
Blogging really is a lot of fun (for me, at least). Don’t do things just because others are doing them. Someone else might really LOVE doing beauty product reviews and make a living doing them, but if I were to attempt that, I’d most certainly end up hating blogging.
Have a question? Feel free to send me an email. I just might publish your question (and my answer) so bear that in mind. :D
