When I first started writing this blog, it was mostly an experiment to see if I could even do it. I wasn’t sure what it involved, or what I would need to know and do until I did it.

The inspiration came from a quote I heard that went like ‘Ready, Fire, Aim!’ This little play on words encourages us to do the task first, and then redirect or re-aim afterwards. Though it can sound confusing, it’s important because it reminds us that waiting for the perfect plan and preparation is not helpful. For the most part, people learn by doing. Not by planning. You have to make some mistakes, break some eggs, and learn as you go or you might never start.

So what are some of the things you will learn while writing a blog?

Problem-solving is certainly one of the first skills. From figuring out the configuration of your website, to navigating the dozens of choices, to researching through hundreds of how-to guides, you will certainly learn how to problem-solve. There are many challenges involved in starting a blog, and while there are plenty of great resources online to help you learn, there will be numerous things that you will have to figure out on your own.

This process can be frustrating, but I believe it also helps build a better mindset by enhancing your character and resilience. Overcoming the obstacles that you face is always rewarding, and it will only make the next set of challenges easier. We all know that mindset is important, but it isn’t until you see the difference between having a positive one and a limited one. For example, if you want to start a blog and you have a limited mindset wherein you are easily frustrated, you may be motivated to press on through the challenges, but instead of finding them fun and your success rewarding, you may hate the process and grow to resent the blog. In contrast, if you have a positive (or growth) mindset, and you choose to enjoy the challenges and success, you will certainly find more motivation and satisfaction in the whole process. Thus, though the situation hasn’t changed, your attitude to it is indicative of how you will feel.

Speaking of feelings, writing a blog will also teach you how to manage your feelings through teaching you discipline. Setting clear deadlines for yourself is hard, and meeting them can be even harder, but once again, you will come to enjoy the challenge, and the success. Learning to put aside your own feelings and (let’s face it) laziness is a skill that must be fostered. You will have to choose to put your blog before your own comfort at times, to force yourself to sit down and write your next post, even when you feel unmotivated or unprepared. Remember: ready, fire, aim! You can edit and post a badly-written blog article, but you can’t post if there is nothing written – so get to writing!

It will also teach you to prioritise your time so that you can meet your deadlines. In some cases, there may be things that you have to miss out on or go without. It means you will have to get serious about the things that you want in your life and decide what you are going to do to get them. You will also learn when you can push yourself to get things done, and when you need to take a break. Life is not always about pushing as hard as you can to get everything done. Sometimes you do just need to rest, and the world won’t stop because you’ve stopped posting for a day.

That’s where perseverance comes in. If you need to skip a day or two that’s fine, but make sure that you are getting right back on track as soon as you can. Writing a blog will teach you to persevere when it’s tough, which is a skill many people are losing nowadays. It is also important because, those who succeed are rarely the ones who are blessed with raw talent or skill. It is the ones who persevere and remain consistent! They are the ones who end up with the greatest success because not only do they have the skills needed, but they also have the work ethic, patience, plans, and care already built-in from years of work.

Lastly, you will grow your creativity a hundred-fold. Though it is advised to pick a single niche and write or create content surrounding only that, you will have to get creative to come up with new ideas or ways to discuss it. Creativity is something that everyone has, but it is also something that you need to foster and grow to see the full effects. It is a practise, not the result, so it is important to keep using it and developing it.

Let me know in the comments below: have you recently started a blog? How is it going? Are you enjoying the process? If you would like to connect, I would love to hear from you – you can comment here or find me on Instagram!