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Today I wanted to share something really personal that I’ve been struggling with in case you’ve been feeling this way too.
Since October I’ve been in a bit of a funk with my blog. I felt like I didn’t know what to write anymore. I would go to type out a blog post and the words just wouldn’t come. Or I’d think of a live video I could do in my Facebook group and I would make an excuse why I shouldn’t. Something was just pushing me away from blogging.
I’ve wondered, what is wrong with me?
We had some pretty intense personal challenges the end of this year and I thought, “hmmm maybe that has been deterring my focus?”. But it wasn’t that. Maybe I’ve been hustling so hard for so long that I’m feeling burned out? I did relaunch Pin to Profits in November and that took a lot of work, but no, that wasn’t the reason either.
Slowly, ideas of “throwing in the towel” crept in. Maybe I wasn’t good enough to do this. Maybe I wasn’t blogging because I didn’t have anything of value to say?
My husband and I currently do my blog and other business full-time so quitting isn’t really a viable option, unless I want him to go back to work, which doesn’t sound dreamy either.
As I dug deeper and leveled with what I was feeling I finally realized what the issue was.
Doubt and fear.
As I looked over my yearly plan that I made at the beginning of 2017, it was full of goals, growth and exciting projections. When I sat down to make my 2018 calendar. Nothing. I couldn’t think of a dang thing.
But then I realized it was because I was afraid of putting those numbers on paper. When I made my 2017 goals sheet I wasn’t our families sole provider so the numbers were just for fun. In 2018 I have the push of providing for my family. So putting something down, planning on it and then not hitting it was terrifying to me.
So for the last few months, I’ve just sat here stuck. Not blogging, not engaging, because I really wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to go.
Table of Contents
MY NEW MOTTO
Finally, I was able to get a little perspective.
Everyone keeps saying, “new year, new you” I’m saying, “new year, new view.”
When I was able to look at myself through someone else’s eyes I realized I don’t need to be afraid of not knowing enough, not having the cutest office background in my live videos, or being asked a question I don’t know the answer too.
The imposter syndrome is real y’all. It knocks you down and kicks you in the shins when you are least expecting it. Something I’ve struggled this year is doubtful thoughts like, “Why would anyone want to listen to me?” or “What do I know?”
I stopped sharing income reports in 2016 for various reasons, but I do feel like they are a good way to gauge how successful someone is with their blog and if they really know what they’re doing. Put your money where your mouth is, you know?
I’m not going to go into a big income report, but I did want to share a couple of quick numbers with you.
Almost every month in 2017 my businesses brought in over $10k in revenue and in September I hit my highest month ever at $20,294.
To me that is crazy!! I absolutely crushed every one of my big goals last year. So why was I asking myself, “Why would anyone want to listen to me?”
The conclusion is fear because I DO have something to say of value. I have proven myself time and time again that I know what I am doing and that I have what it takes.
And you know what?
YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES!
I know I am not alone in the fear and self-doubt. If you are feeling stuck in the same rut that I was in, here are a few things that you can do to stay motivated and confident.
FIVE WAYS TO OVERCOME DOUBT & FEAR:
1. New View
The #1 thing that I did was take a look at myself and my accomplishments from a different perspective. When I made note of some of the really big things that I did this year, I started to think, “huh, I really am capable!”
List at least five things that you’ve done that you are proud of. They can be big or small, but they need to mean something to you.
2. Stop Comparing
Oh, how I hate the comparison cycle. Sometimes when I see other bloggers in my niche publish something new, I get a pit in my stomach. Like, “why didn’t I think of that?” or “crap, that competes directly with my products,” or “whoa.”
Then I get in a panicked little pitty party and I go from creative ideas, working on things that will build my business and help my readers to being afraid and feeling like I have to go on the defensive.
Here are a couple ways that I’ve combatted this,
1. I unsubscribed from their emails.
Yep, I straight up stopped reading what they were doing. Now you make think this is counter-intuitive. Wouldn’t I want to know what they were doing so that I could know how to react and stay relevant?
Now that’s what I thought at first too. But, so many times I would get an email and then go into a tailspin about how no one was going to buy my course anymore because they just launched one super similar. However, a few months later and a new perspective and sales keep going.
I had 476 people enroll in my courses in 2017.
Thank you so much to each and every one of you!!
2. Unfollow their groups or social media
Similar to the previous point. Focus on YOU and YOUR audience. If you are always chasing down what someone else is doing you are always going to be two steps behind. Foster a relationship with your people, see where they need help and then go and do.
People resonate with different people. Just because one thing works for someone, doesn’t mean it will work for you and vice versa. You do you!
3. Start a “Smile File”
This one has been so helpful for me! Whenever I get a really thoughtful email from a student or a reader saying how much a course, freebie or a blog post helped them, I screenshot it and put it in my “smile file.” This is just a file on my desktop that I can pop in and look at when I am feeling down.
If you don’t have a smile file yet, start one today! Start putting those little drops of happiness in there to save for a rainy day.
4. Give Yourself 10 Seconds
I personally have struggled with anxiety since I was a little kid and this 10 seconds trick has helped me cope with all sorts of challenging things in life.
All you do is give yourself 10 seconds to be afraid, feel all the feels, and then just do it. If you are scared to go live on your Facebook page, freak out for 10 seconds, scream in your pillow, do whatever you’ve got to do and then push that live button and just do it.
Done is better than perfect.
If you are waiting for something in your business to be perfect, you are going to be waiting a long time and will miss a ton of opportunities to grow and learn in the process.
So in the words of Nike, “JUST DO IT!”
5. Find A Blogging BFF
I honestly have no idea how I would have made it this year without my blogging bff Jen. We’ve been there for each other through thick and thin.
A blogging bff is crucial to conquering your fears. Your bff is someone you can bounce ideas off of, get feedback from and someone who gets this whole blogging world. As much as our spouses, parents and friends try to understand blogging there are so many things that people just “don’t get” unless they are in this realm day in and day out.
On low days, or confused days, or even days that I feel like I’m on top of the world and with something exciting that I’ve just got to share, I message Jen and from over a thousand miles away we cheer each other on.
If you are struggling with doubt or fear on your blog, know you are not alone! It is okay to be afraid, it is human nature. Address the fear and then go and do.
You’ve got this mama! You can do it.
