I’m just like any other blogger, just like you probably. Some days I just don’t feel like writing a bunch of tips and advice. Sometimes I feel kind of philosophical. So today I’m going to tell you about ten lessons I’ve learned from blogging that don’t have anything to do with “how to do this or that“, they’re just life lessons.
Be Honest
We put so much effort into research and trying to give people the best advice and tips, but sometimes the best thing you can say is just, “I don’t know.” Sometimes you just don’t know why something works or how something works, it just does. And it’s a lot easier just to just admit you don’t know why than it is to tell a lie and then have to apologize for it later or try to cover it up.
Be Consistent
Getting in the habit of posting frequently and regularly has spread out into other areas of my life and I kind of like it. Consistency adds a sense of normalcy to my life. When you have a schedule then you always know what you need to do next and you’re not so frazzled when unexpected things pop up. And when your friends call at the last minute to invite you out to the pub, you can actually go and enjoy yourself because you know you’re not behind on anything.
Be Yourself
Blogging is hard enough without adding the additional stress of trying to be someone you’re not. Like lying, it’s easier to just be yourself. If people like you, great, and if they don’t, that’s fine, too. There’s always going to be someone who doesn’t like you no matter who you are or who you’re pretending to be. Save yourself the stress and just be yourself.
Manage Your Time
When I first started blogging I just sat down at my computer in the morning and didn’t get up until I was ready to go to bed. But that kind of defeats the whole purpose of blogging, doesn’t it? We do this so we have more control over our lives, more time for ourselves and our families. Now I manage my time with calendars and To-Do lists and avoiding distractions and all those other handy little tips and blogging – AND my life – are much more enjoyable.
Meet Other Bloggers
I used to avoid meeting other bloggers because I didn’t think we’d have anything in common and I’d just be wasting time. But blogging is blogging no matter what niche you’re in. So yeah, go ahead and introduce yourself to other bloggers. You might learn a thing or two about this business.
It’s Nothing Personal
Trolls and flamers are just a part of the Internet. Just ignore them. They might not go away, but they’ll darn sure stick around if they see they’re getting a rise out of you. Don’t waste the energy. Don’t try to come up with a sarcastic comment that teaches them a lesson because they’re too stupid and arrogant to learn. They are not attacking you personally. How can they? They don’t know you. They’re just out to see how much trouble they can cause so don’t let it get under your skin.
Don’t Buy It Until You’re Ready To Use It
Don’t buy some software package or “Make Money Online” product unless you have time to sit down and use it right then. I can’t tell you how much crap I have stored on thumb drives that I’ve never even touched.
Don’t Knock It ‘Til You Try It
I used to avoid Twitter like the plague. I swore I’d never have a Twitter account. Now it’s one of my largest sources of traffic. Why? Because I dug in one weekend and went on a Twitter rampage. Now I even tweet during live events like the presidential debates.
No Man Is An Island
I started blogging because I liked the idea of working by myself but that gets old pretty quick. We’re not meant to go through life alone, we need human interaction. Join a social network or forum for personal use. Don’t even mention you’re a blogger. That way, when you start feeling like you’re the last person on earth you can find somebody to talk to no matter what time of day it is.
Step Away From Your Computer
Back in the day the used to call it “Secretary Spread.” I don’t know what they call it now but it’s that condition you get where your pants start getting tighter because all you do is sit on your butt all day long. Step away from the computer. Get some exercise. Eat nutritious foods. Drink water. Breathe some fresh air and get out in the sunshine. In other words – take care of yourself.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!