Using blogging as a way to stay motivated with our goals.

Many of us who use the Internet know and understand the powerful impact of blogging. These days blogging and content writing aren't just limited to experienced and seasoned writers; everyday people from all walks of life are also engaging in blogging and content writing. Bloggers write and create content for various reasons. Some use it as a way of expression, while others may use it to educate and inform others. Regardless as to how one views blogging, it has many benefits. One way that blogging has most impacted myself and others is by helping us stayed motivated with our goals. In this hub I'm going to discuss how blogging can help us reach our goals, and how it has personally helped me do just that. Please read on.

As I mentioned in the previous paragraph, we all use blogging for our own personal reasons. When a person makes the decision to take up content writing, it can be an intimidating task for some. There is so much information out there regarding blogging, that it overwhelms most people. The most common way people use to start blogging is using platforms like Blogger and Wordpress to create a blog. These platforms are cost efficient since using them are free, but they require more effort from you to set up. The other common method people use for blogging includes using content writing sites. Common content writing sites include: Hubpages, Triond, Wikinut, Expertscolumn, and Yahoo Contributor. There are various others out there, too many to name in this article. One of the benefits that come from using writing sites from my experience is the networking aspect. These sites are writing communities comprised of writers from all over the world. Most of these sites are free to sign-up and if you begin writing on these sites, you are likely to gain followers and make a few friends along the way. In my opinion, this is where the added motivation and support comes into play. Lets discuss this for a bit.

People have different views when it comes to writing in communities. For example, some may look at content writing as a friendly competition among friends. I mean lets face it; we love our friends, but there is a part of us that wants to outdo them. I'm not saying that applies to everyone, but I'm sure some people feel that way. Another way of looking at writing in communities includes the support base that is gained. Often times when you read your fellow writers work, they will return the favor back on yours most of the time. Now only do most writers read each others work, they give and provide feedback on the subjects we write about. The feedback provided by others often proves to be very valuable. I'll give you an example. Have you ever been having a bad day, and someone said something to you to bring a smile to your face? I'm sure you have. Positive feedback on our blogs and writings can have the same effect. Not only can they keep us motivated to write, but they can also keep us motivated in everyday life. Next I'm going to share my personal experience of how this applies to me.

Many people who follow me regularly know that I recently completed my first 5K race. Want to know where most of my inspiration came from? Blogging. When I was going through the "Couch to 5K" running plan late last year, I kept my personal blog (prospectboy.blogspot.com) updated on my progression. I wrote about the program weekly, and received a lot of encouraging feedback from others. When I wasn't writing in my blog, I was writing about it on various content sites. Some of the feedback came from friends and family, but a lot of it came from people who just happened to stop by and read my posts. Upon completing the program, I continued to write about my training for the 5K I previously mentioned. I was both writing and training leading up to the event. The amount of support I gained from people online was amazing. It helped keep me honest to what I was trying to achieve, but it also kept me motivated to keep going. I felt like I wasn't only training and running for myself, but also for those who read and believed in me. There is no way that I could fail with that type of motivation. The best part is it hasn't ended with me completing the 5K. I'm going to use this in my future running endeavors, but I'm using it right this moment here on Hubpages. I'll explain that next.

I know that there is a 30 hubs in 30 days challenge on this site. I've chosen not to engage in that challenge, but I'm doing a personal 10 hubs in 10 days challenge. I recently asked people to join me, and thus far there has only been one. However, that's totally fine. That's one more person to help me stay motivated. My goal is to do 10 hubs in 10 days. Once I published this hub, it will be number four, which leaves me six more days to go. I've never written more than two hubs in a single week, so this is a personal challenge for me. Not only will I be disappointed in myself if I don't complete this task, but I will also feel like I let down the other individual participating with me. This is another way that blogging is currently helping me to stay motivated.

It's important to realize and understand that blogging and content writing have various purposes. If you are looking for or need added motivation in achieving something, I would suggest giving blogging a chance. You don't have to be a writing expert, and you can learn more as you go along. There is various information out there on blogging and content writing, so don't feel intimated by it. It's still an ever-learning process for me. Using blogging as a tool for motivation can greatly enhance your drive to achieve them. I hope you enjoyed reading.