Confession. I’m guilty.
It took me far to long to write my first blog post….Try 365 days too long!
I know. It’s completely ridiculous, insane and actually quite pathetic 🙂
I knew what I wanted to write about. For a while, I even had an outline. But when I thought about sitting down to write I would get overwhelmed.
I also knew it was important, which did the following:
- Created pressure
- Lead to large amounts of procrastination
- Left me feeling stuck and defeated.
So what finally flipped the switch? Simply put it was Obedience. If I really believed this was something that I was supposed to do, then I needed to step. By stepping out in faith and surrendering the self-destructive cycle I was in, I was choosing obedience. After choosing obedience, the feelings of freedom, clarity, excitement and peace came.
So what did I learn?
Here are 5 Mistakes To Avoid When Writing Your First Blog Post.
1. Don’t Give into Fear. I felt completely inadequate. Thoughts like “why would anyone listen to what I have to say?” were constant. “I don’t even know where to begin” kept racing through my mind. I was apprehensive of others not liking what I had to say (I am a people pleaser at heart), I had anxiety over not being helpful enough to others, and the list goes on.
Choosing obedience instead of fear made me recognize what I already felt was true. That God has given everyone a unique perspective and that everyone has something to share. No. Matter. What.
2. Avoid Perfectionism Procrastination. Don’t get stuck looking for the perfect words. Revising constantly is only going to drive you crazy! There has to be a point where your best is good enough. We aren’t called to perfection in this life and that goes for blogging as well. To summarize what many experts have said – a good blog post is better than an unpublished blog post. Do your best and get it out there. Improvement will come with time.
3. Don’t Focus Only on Tech. Good content is the best thing for your blog. Don’t spend all of your time learning the tech side of things. Trying to make things look perfect technically speaking, will leave you with what I had for so long.. a visually appealing, empty shell. Yes, learn some basics. It’s a smart and likely necessary thing to do. But don’t get sucked in to making sure all of the technical details are completely figured out as there is so much to learn.
Do you need a little help with the tech side of things? There are so many tools online to help you with that. Katie Hornor of Como Blog put together The Como Blog Million Dollar Resource Guide -a comprehensive and incredible list! We also love Amy Lynn Andrews- we all together love her 🙂 – and for her quick to the point tutorials, tips and tools. Another one of our favorites is Tanya over at Blogelina. They have an amazing Profitable Blogging for Beginners Class that I highly recommend, as well as bucket loads of other helpful information. Remember to be diligent and discerning. Learn what is necessary to set up your blog and start writing!
4. Don’t Compare. We all struggle with it, especially as women. But I beg you please, just DON’T do it. I have done plenty of it. It is nothing but discouraging and it can be detrimental to your business.
Yes, we like to follow others. And it can be good to follow people who inspire you. But if you find yourself comparing, despairing or just plain depressed after viewing their shop or blog, then it’s time to unsubscribe and move on.
It’s really not your fault. They are likely amazing at what they do and I’m sure they inspire “their” community. You just have to find “your” community. Those who do the same for you. Each of us were set apart and given unique gifts to reach a specific group of people. The way you do things is going to look different from others in every aspect of life. Different, not better or worse. Embrace the individual life and experiences that God has given you. Be your uncommon self!
5. Don’t Get Caught up in Information Overload. Following rabbit trails? Who? Me? This one is sooo difficult for me. It’s a good thing that can easily become bad thing. There is an abundant amount of excellent and FREE information out there (see #3 above). You could learn to do anything online if you applied yourself. The problem comes with too much information.
Are you exhaustively researching every task or process? Did you find what you need and oh so much more? The “more” often leads to frustration, a frozen state, wasted time and feelings of defeat. Don’t get stuck and let it de-rail God’s best for you.
As I hope you can see, acknowledging that I was operating out of a root of fear was a good thing. Only then was I able to submit it, pray for the faith to step out, be obedient to step and see what God can do. Fear is not of God. 2 Tim 1:7 says, For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. And remember, although we are talking blogging today, the above is applicable in many areas of life!
So, where are you with this? Are you drowning in fear of failure? Feeling completely inadequate? Are you stuck in a cycle of perfectionism?
Which of the 5 mistakes are you most vulnerable to?
We would love to hear your thoughts or your struggles so we can pray for you, please leave a comment below!
Blessings,
Lee
O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul;
You have redeemed my life.
Lamentations 3:58
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