I resigned from full-time employment last week. The desire to work on some personal projects (this site is one of them) create a better lifestyle for myself and to continue my studies and practice in blogging, online marketing and social media outweighed being employed full-time any longer.
Blogs are a solo venture most of the time and with all this time and freedom now within my hands it can sometimes be hard to keep myself under pressure and get things done 100% of the time like most jobs where you work under someone barking instructions at you.
So the question begs – How do you keep yourself under pressure and perform with your blog?
In the corporate 9-5 world there was always pressure applied. It wasn’t intense, but it was there. You have to show up on time and you couldn’t just not do any work. If you did poorly or under-performed based on your expectations you would run the risk of being warned or potentially being fired.
This doesn’t happen when you run a blog. You rule, you’re the boss. So how do you keep yourself under pressure and motivated so you get that feeling of ‘this must get done’?
Here are my top ways of keeping myself under pressure and performing:
1. Setting myself goals
Every month I set myself end of month goals. This lays out a clear plan of exactly what needs to get done for the month. No second guessing, it’s there black and white – I just have to DO it!
2. The fear of being a sloth
I can remember when I was studying at university a few years ago – as soon as holidays came around I would pretty much hibernate till uni started again. Maybe it was a lack of interests or I was partying too much but I never really did anything constructive during the breaks.
I can’t afford to do that now – I’ve given myself a year to make something happen since leaving my job and give myself the lifestyle I desire. If I don’t do ANYTHING during this time I will have just wasted a whole year and have a massive gap in my resume with nothing to prove when, and if, I need to go back in search for another corporate 9-5 job ‘working for the man’.
My body is still in 9-5 mode so I’m still getting up at 6.30am automatically, even without my alarm. I’ve decided I’m going to keep getting up early and not sleep in just because I don’t HAVE to be anywhere. That’s not entirely true though – I have many things I want to get done and sleeping in and wasting the day away isn’t going to help. As soon as I get 7-8 hours sleep I get up and start my working day!
3. Proving to others I can do this
Maybe it’s a bad trait of mine, but I like proving others wrong when they doubt me. It’s improving but I don’t think many people, especially the older folk (my parents for example) really understand blogging, its potential and power it currently has and will have in the future. It’s already proven that blogs make the best websites in terms of SEO and rank higher in google than say a company website.
Not only that, blogs are being referred to as ‘new media’ where TV, newspapers etc are being referred to as ‘old media’ and blogs will be the main place where everyone will get their news (linking from social media resources like facebook and twitter).
In my situation it’s also hard to let others know what I’m doing. I usually just say ‘online marketing’ just to simplify things but even that gets funny looks. Maybe I should say ‘I’m becoming a teacher and writer’ might sound more impressive. 
It doesn’t bother me what others THINK of me, but I look forward to be able to show others what I have done with my time when they have been thinking I’m doing nothing and have been ‘chilling out’. Which isn’t the case at all 
4. Not letting readers down
I’ve got a following now, people actually visit my blog and some wonder what’s going on when I haven’t posted for a while. I don’t want to let these people down by not posting for a long period of time. I want to help others, not let them down so this is a big driving force for me.
5. I need to eat
I’ve left work in search for a better lifestyle and to pursue a career online. If I don’t work at it, and work HARD in order to make a bit of money to get by – I won’t be able eat and I will have to go back in search for another full time job which right now I really don’t want to do. I left work to pursue a lifestyle change and an online career and that’s what I’m going to do. No-one is going to stop me!
——————————
I realise a lot of my motivation factors have to do with my current situation of being unemployed now – however, blogging is still a solo mission where you work for yourself. You need to motivate and sometimes get yourself under pressure in order to perform.
So how do you keep yourself under pressure in the blogging world to make sure you get things done?
Are you currently working ‘for the man’?
How much time do you get to spend on your blog?
Write them in the comments below – I would love to know and I’m sure others would too
If you enjoyed this post you may also enjoy:
OMFG Just Stick To Your Goals!!
Why Being PERFECT Is Hurting You And Your Blog
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I so agree with you Sarge, really motivating article! I hope you can do it and reach your goal before a year from now! and I actually seeing it
Good Luck
Firas Steitiyeh
Cheers Steit
Glad you found it motivating.
Hopefully I can reach my goal, I believe I can. I’ve given myself a lot of time. But – if the worst is to happen it’s not all doom and gloom at all. In fact a new adventure and path would start.
Life is full of adventures!
Sarge,
You are really going to grab the big brass ring! Good for you. I have every confidence in your success. I just think of how far you have come in the short time since we started networking with each other and I can imagine where you will be in the next few months. Goal setting is something you have encouraged me to do and your blog is an excellent example for any “beginner blogger” just like the name says.
I currently have a full time job but it’s a very relaxed atmosphere and I’m lucky because I actually enjoy the work I do.
How much time do I spend blogging? Put it this way, if I’m not at work, I’m blogging…
Thanks for the very inspirational post! Congratulations on making the move to self-employment.
@ Ileane – thanks for the kind words and encouragement
I’m glad I’ve been able to encourage you also. Goal setting is very important in setting a direction for yourself.
I really loved my full-time job, the people there are amazing and I’m sure I’ll continue to catch up with them (actually played volleyball with a few of them last night). It was just a time issue and my desire to work on my own projects and to create a healthier lifestyle for myself which made me make the ultimate decision.
It certainly wasn’t easy!
Hey Sarge,
these are quiet some goals you try to reach there. But from my own experience I know they are definitly worse trying with all you got. I started my own company in 2002 and I’m still alive. Actually I work more then in my before job, but same time I enjoy it much much more.
I learned that motivation pretty much comes automatically when thinking “if I don’t finish this today, I can write the invoice one day later, and I will recieve the money one day later”. It’s good to know that you could stay in bed longer, but you automatically just won’t do it.
I know you need to pressure yourself and keep up the motivation. But one tip I’d like to give you: Don’t try to get the feeling “This needs to be done”. Go for “I want to do this! NOW!”. Much more fun = more effective.
Regards and best of luck! You can do this!
Firstly, I must congratulate you for your big move – make the most of it and study your craft.
It is also good to hear you have people around you who understand your passion – it always helps.
I totally understand your position, juggling 9-5 and this online business is hard work, plus, blogging on its own is a full-time job.
Unfortunately, I’m still working for the man.
In addition to staying motivated, I would encourage setting mini deadlines too.
To keep myself under pressure with my blog I always follow a deadline to perform each they. All of which corresponds to my blogging like writing and researching. You have shared fine points here.
That’s the way to set some goals, Sarge. You’ve got the juice to pull it off and I know you will.
I like that energy. As you’ve stated..”life is full of adventures!”.
@DerSchneider – I know I will have to be working more than I did at my previous job now to make this all happen, but that’s fine. I LOVE this stuff. I have the passion and desire to really make this happen and create the lifestyle I desire. I just couldn’t stand wasting away at work when I knew I had a passion elsewhere that required more of my time outside my 9-5 job.
You’re exactly right, the fact that I WANT this is motivation enough.
Thanks for the encouragement!
@Johnluffa – Thanks man. Yeah I think setting yourself goals and mini-deadlines is essential so you’ve set yourself a clear direction and actionable items so you can achieve your goals and continue trending in the right direction
@Walter – Daily tasks is something I do too. I usually set them up before I go to sleep so once I’m awake I’ve got my list in front of me ready to go. I am finding short lists are more effective than writing yourself a large to-do list.
@Jimi – Thanks for the belief and encouragement Jimi! I’m excited
I enjoyed this, thanks!! Keeping the motivation can be difficult when you don’t have a boss. As a full time mum+wife, part time employee (brand new job) and rest of the time blogger, I find working on my blog is the last thing I do each day. At the end of each day, when everyone else is in bed, I make myself a cuppa and i work for me! It’s brilliant. Having a daily routine definitely helps.
@Emma – It can be a challenge motivating yourself when you’re the boss. There are many distractions out there that are tempting but you just have to stick to your guns and stick to your goals. That’s why goal setting is so important to give yourself direction.
Glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for commenting!
Hey Sarge!
I wrote a comment on Oct. 16/09 on your post Why being perfect is hurting you and your blog and now I just read this post – OMG! It is so similar to where I’m at as well.
I left a job about a year ago and spent about 5 months “hard labor” just LOOKING for another full time, 9-5 job (remember the economy tanked at exactly the same time – Sept/Oct. 2008!). I hooked a sales contract with a startup tech company that allowed me to work from a home office – and I worked productively at home for the first time in my life. I got a taste of what it’s like NOT to have to go to an office and I LOVED it!
When that contract ended in July 2009 (just this past summer) I decided – NO! I’m NOT going to spend all this time and energy finding another day job – I love working from home – with my wife and kids close by! Plus I always wanted to be my own boss anyway!
So instead of grinding away at finding a job, I ground away at building a BLOG – another 1st in my 20 career in Information Technology (I’d always had people build that stuff FOR me!)
And I’m proud and gratified to say that I realized that PERFECT IS NOT NECESSARY and I’ve finally launched a lifelong dream – a tangible key to making a living ON MY OWN TERMS!!
MY VERY OWN BLOG!! – http://www.donpower.ME
I’m not sure where it’s going to lead but I know if I want to make a living from working at home, the blog platform is going to be the vehicle that’s going to bring me there.
So look out world! Here I come!
Thanks for all your inspiration, Sarge! I’ll be following your trajectory skyward and I genuinely hope that you, and perhaps some of your similarly inspired followers, will come follow along with me as well.
- Don Power
@donpower (Twitter)
BTW – I’m always open to collaboration ideas to all who may be reading this comment!
GOOD FORTUNE!
@Don – Yeah I’m really loving not HAVING to go to the city and work in an office all day. I do miss being around my former work colleagues and general office banter, friday beer o’clock etc but it’s the sacrifice that had to be made and well worth it given I’ve gained an extra 13 hours a day back into my life and I’m able to work on what I really want to work on.
I’m glad I have inspired you! Your comment has inspired me – nice blog btw I really like your videos you’ve put in
Have subscribed to your blog.
This is great advice!
Thanks Sarge!
I’m having lots of fun trying to figure out how to do videos on my blog. Each one gets a little better!
(Thanks for subscribing by the way- I’m a subscriber of your blog too)
I noticed you’ve got a guest post from Mike CJ – funny – over on Twitter Mike was recommending getting up an hour ot two earlier than you normally do to get some really productive stuff done.
My alarm went off at 7:00AM this morning (Sat. Dec. 5 – my birthday!) to try and get some catch up work done before my kids wake up – and what did I do? I shut off the alarm! (It is Saturday and my birthday afterall!).
Been trying to get up early but I think the fact that I’m often working on my blog till 2 nd 3 in the morning is also a testament to how much enjoyment I’m getting from the whole thing!
When was the last time you had a job where you really were wishing there were more hours in the day to devote to it?
With that kind of passion, we MUST be on to a good thing, right?
- Don
(By the way – you should really check out the subscribe to comments plugin for wordpress
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/)
@Carmen – Glad you enjoyed it
@Don – You’re awesome man – I am LOVING your passion. You’ve made an excellent point that I totally agree with…
“When was the last time you had a job where you really were wishing there were more hours in the day to devote to it?”
I 110% agree with this. It’s Sunday now – usually my ‘day of rest’ but I actually set my alarm for 7 as I really want to get a lot of stuff done today. I’m more of a morning person in terms of getting things done, I may even start going to bed earlier and start getting up at 5am or something crazy.
Thanks for the tip about subscribe to comments. I just installed it so hopefully it works now.
Happy birthday for yesterday too!
Great article! Good luck with the no more working for the man! I answered te questions you had in my own blog and mentioned you. Check it out.
[...] through the blogosphere to find interesting blog articles that I can learn from. I came upon Beginner Blogger who talks about being accountable for your blogging. He posed interesting questions that I [...]
@Angela – Thanks for checking out my blog and devoting a whole blog post related to the questions I posed in this post
I will be sure to check it out!
Congrats on being able to become independent from the man and begin working for yourself. I would dare say that you will work quite diligently given what I have seen here thus far. I wish you the best.
Sarge,
I cannot remember where I read this but another blogger offered advice on what you should think of to make sure your next post gets published and not put off.
He said something along the lines of that you need to act as if you need to use the restroom and you cannot use it until you finish the post. And then I believe he also said something about how the post is a timed assignment and it is due very very soon.
I know these are more specific because they are related to staying under pressure to complete a certain post, but I thought it would help with your point about sticking to your goals.
Best Regards,
Derek
thank god u removed disqus now i comment on ur blog from office(somehow disqus wont allow me to comment
).
blogging full time is very tough.there is no security.
the way ur blog is developing is quite good and i think i can learn a lot.
Amen on #5. LOL!
I end up working about 50 hours a week for the man and since I’m already “in the zone” after work, I just continue right away when I get home before I get too lazy.
When I hit the wall I go to the gym and get the endorphins going a bit which helps give me new ideas and refreshes me for more posts.
I think the thing that helps me most with consistent blogging is the physical regimen I’ve put in my routine.
Ryan – You mention a couple of good points there – being ‘in the zone’ and ‘routine’.
I remember when I was still working full time I couldn’t wait to get home and get cracking into some blogging and managed to do a fair bit given I had only a couple of hours best to allocate time to it. I was still ‘in the zone’ of working. It’s something you can easily lose when you have all the time int he world but I’m keeping myself just as busy now as what I did when I was working full-time. (Though I’ll admit I am enjoying a little breather being christmas time, after this holiday period I’ll be getting more stuck into it!)
Routine is also important. Even though I don’t work for the man I am still continuing to get up between 6-7, even on weekends. I work much better in the mornings
I think the picture would be more realistic if the guy was actually at least scared of the guns pointing at his head…
Blogging is not fun when you don’t know what to write, or how to get traffic.
i need it…
Setting goals and deadlines to yourself is vital. I try to discipline myself to use my free time to be productive and focus. Your article is great. Thanks