Affiliate links // Last month, I posted my first post in my new blogging for fun series, all about time management tips for hobby bloggers. I explained the need and want for this series in my post The Lost Art of Blogging for Fun, which I published last year and I’m thoroughly enjoying writing these and being able to give some advice to those bloggers out there who are hobby bloggers but still want to grow and thrive in this industry.
Photo by Andrijana Bozic on Unsplash
Today I’m moving on to talking about MINDSET. One of my favourite things to work on and talk about at the moment. I’ve been doing a lot of mindset work in my personal life, thanks to my life coaching and it’s made me realise the importance of this work in most areas of life.
Mindset work is important for everyone, as those things that might damage your mindset can certainly seep into various areas of your life in which you’re putting a lot of effort. School, work or your blog. It doesn’t matter the job – you could be a lawyer – you still need to work on your mindset. And if you do want to become a successful lawyer, then mindset is definitely important!
I’m a full-time blogger and mindset work has been CRUCIAL for me to be able to manage and cope. But it can be just as important for hobby bloggers too.
If you’re a hobby blogger blogging for yourself, perhaps you don’t spend an awful lot of time online and aren’t bothered with views or stats, then this post is NOT for you. It’s important to note here that everyone is blogging for a different reason, in a different way.
But if you’re a hobby blogger who also:
- Suffers with a lot of self doubt or lack of confidence
- Wants to grow but isn’t sure the best way to do it
- Compares easily and feels like giving up sometimes
- Is worried about stats, views, figures
Then this post IS DEFINITELY for you! And by all means, if you’re not a hobby blogger and you struggle with this too, then these points will definitely apply for you as well. Take what you need and leave what you don’t!
So let’s look at some tips to help you manage your mindset as a hobby blogger:
Set realistic goals for you
Goal setting. For me, it’s an important part of life and growth. I think when we know what we want and we take steps to get there, we continue with that forward momentum we need to succeed. The same process can be applied to blogging; whether that’s as a job or a hobby. In order to grow – you need to know what you want.
So if you’re a hobby blogger and you want to grow and set goals to aid that growth, it’s important for you to remember to set goals which are realistic for YOU. Do you have a full-time job as well as your blog? Are you a carer with limited time on your hands? You goals might be different to the goals of someone else who perhaps blogs full-time because you have different priorities and time available to you.
I have a complete goal setting eBook and workbook available in my freebie library which will help you set realistic and achievable goals. Just click the image above to sign up to my mailing list and receive INSTANT access to my whole freebie library!
Comparison is normal, but…
Comparison is completely normal and natural and you’d probably be a bit weird if you WEREN’T comparing yourself to someone about something. But what exactly are you comparing yourself to? That blogger who does it full-time who works on their blog 40 hours a week? That other blogger who’s been doing this for 10x as long as you have?
Comparison is VERY easy to do. We all know that. But in the midst of comparing ourselves to others, we’re often blindsided by the negative emotions to realistically consider the fact that hang on a sec… that person is on their own path. Doing their own thing. And it has no reflection on you.
and that jealousy? It might be an illusion
And if left to fester, comparison can quickly turn into jealousy. And if you don’t know how to control jealousy or turn it into a positive then you’re going to be left in a very uncomfortable place. TRUST ME, this is the thing I struggle with the most. Jealousy is something I am always dealing with. Remember, jealousy often comes from a place of self-doubt. So you NEED to go deep and figure out what’s going on there.
One thing my coach has been saying to me when we discuss jealousy is that often we feel jealous of just about anyone, for anything. But when we REALLY think about it, we don’t even WANT what they have. So why are we even jealous? You’re jealous of a successful lawyer for having a great job and achievements. Do YOU want to be a lawyer?
Recognize the sh*t out of your achievements
Something that ties in nicely with the above two and that’s celebrating and recognizing your own achievements. It can be hard to do when we’re surrounded by people achieving so much. But this will help you MASSIVELY manage your mindset and focus on what you’re good at. I want you to stop what you’re doing and write a list of 20 blogging achievements you’ve had. I’ll wait.
It’s okay to want to grow
Most people with a hobby – whether that’s playing the guitar, drawing, baking or something else – want to grow and learn. It’s human nature to want to get better at things. If for some reason your mind is telling you that because you don’t blog as a job or blog for money that wanting to grow your blog isn’t for you then back the heck up and check your thoughts!
It’s okay to still invest in your blog and your hobby even if you’re not blogging for money. Because there is a HECK OF A LOT you can get out of blogging. Friendships, experience, creative freedom, personal growth, opportunity and more.
Remember that blogging is a valued and respected hobby
And just like guitar playing or cake making, blogging is a very valued and respected hobby. Especially now. Blogging has grown in popularity more than I could probably put into words. People trust what bloggers have to say. Their voices are being heard more than ever.
When the fun stops, stop
I got that quote from a gambling advert but it definitely applies here too! I’ve always said that as soon as blogging stops being fun, you need to take a step back a reevaluate. This applies to me, someone who blogs full-time and it also particularly applies to hobby bloggers.
The blogging industry can be very easy to get sucked into, with the competition and the numbers and the fear of not being online 24 hours a day. I’ve definitely been there. I’ve been sucked into that void and found it very hard to get out of. So please remember, have fun. Be creative. Connect. Express yourself. Have damn fun.
