I feel like it really is that simple.
Why can’t this blog reach millions of readers interested in shaping a new life for themselves?
Why can’t it be one of the top blogs that aspiring Ph.D. students read?
Why can’t it be a well-known travel blog that helps people reflect on their own reasons for travel?
The answer to all of those questions: it can, as long as I keep going.
Get Started and Don’t Stop
In everything I come across—other blog posts about starting a blog to entrepreneurs who talk about their success to people who have achieved mounts of success when all odds were against them—the message is clear: get started and don’t stop.
Sure, there’s plenty of luck in all this; the generation in which you were born and the country you’re from as two of the most impactful factors.
But, odds are, if you set out to do something, are passionate about it, and stay the course even when it looks like it may not pan out, you will be successful—whatever that looks like for you.
I’m sure if you spent some time thinking about it, there’s one thing in your life that you can remember sticking with and achieving good results.
As simple as all of this is, though, I feel like I’ve unlocked some sort of secret formula.
“So all I have to do is get started, improve as I go, and don’t stop, even when things get difficult?”
Yes!
Putting This Into Practice: Getting Started
Now all of this is easier said than done.
How do you continue with a venture or project that you had high expectations for, which is, by all accounts, failing?
How do you keep going when everyone is telling you you’re wasting your time?
How do you push when those close to you intervene and say this (whatever “this” is) is no longer a good idea?
You remind yourself of the secret formula. Which is?
Spoiler alert: Don’t stop!
Practical Advice
This isn’t necessarily advice, per se. I’m still thinking about how to be more consistent in my own life, and I’m far from someone who’s got it all figured out.
Secret: almost no one is, even if it seems that way.
Yet, one thing I’ve found to be helpful is to be intentional about trying to stay consistent.
This means, for me personally, creating a schedule of topics I’m going to write about including what day I’d like to read the article.
This doesn’t always work, I will admit. But the simple act of committing to the page keeps me accountable and provides me with a direction and focus that might be difficult to have in the absence of this strategy.
Also, remember your “Why”.
Why did you start the project in the first place?
What goals were you hoping to achieve?
Why is it important to keep going?
What would happen if you stop?
Most of the time, answering these questions will spur motivation, at least temporarily
Any momentum is good momentum!
Closing Thoughts
I want to be a top blogger.
I used to feel shame saying that. I’m not entirely sure why, but it felt slightly uncomfortable and kind of superficial.
That said, I know the reasons why, one of the most important being to help as many people as possible in achieving their travel, dissertation, and life goals.
But to achieve this, a lot of work lies ahead. Sometimes it feels scary, and simply easier to have a personal blog where I write a few articles whenever I feel like it.
But if I really want to achieve my goal, consistently will need to be the norm.
And hey, who knows? Maybe you’ll be reading this when Travels of a PhD is one of the leading blogs in the industry.
Only one way I find out: Don’t stop!
Till’ Next Time Travel Friends
