In 2014 I have a personal goal to publish 500 times to my own blog.
Why? Because I love a good challenge. That and a bunch of other reasons too. Let’s talk about why I set it to 500 before I jump into the core of why it’s so awesome to write, edit and publish every single day.
In 2013 I published over 400 posts on the internet. This number spanned across my blog as well as many other blogs including WPDaily.co (now Torque.io), the Adam Smith Blog and Pressgram.net. I told myself that if 400 was completely possible, then 500 isn’t that much more for me. Especially if I decided to focus on that goal. I didn’t tell myself to publish 400 posts at the beginning of 2013. It just sort of happened. With focus and commitment I know that 500 is very achievable.
But why? Why so many!? I know what you are thinking. I sound crazy. Now hold on a second. Let me explain…
Here is why I am focused on a high number of posts for this year.
- Getting ideas out of your head and out in the open. The more I publish the less I have ideas sitting around that didn’t get a chance to shine. It also allows me to see if people like it or not. Maybe I can dive deeper into those discussions with another and more refined post. Writing more helps you understand people more and more importantly who your core audience should or could be.
- Forcing yourself to write everyday with a deadline. I have to write every day in order to make posts happen. Forcing myself naturally creates a habit. Writing has become more than a habit for me though. It has become ritual. It actually gives me a sense of fulfillment to write each day. I know that every time I write, I am contributing to something bigger. Ideas can grow and develop with every page I write. It’s an amazing feeling to write, edit and publish every day.
- Developing communication skills. The more I write, the better I get at it. Every once in a while I get some great feedback to refine my writing too. We slowly become comfortable with what we write. We become more open and honest. We realize that life is too short to not write and share our thoughts with others. My ideas become a part of me and my life. I am able to help others in a better way because I have spent the time to focus on better messages each and every day.
- Clout and evidence to believe. When I can tell people (with proof) that I managed to publish 500 blog posts in one year and write and launch my first book all outside of a regular day job, it really makes a difference. Giving others physical evidence to believe that things are possible with limited resources (including time) is very powerful. I am not one to consult with lies. I tell it how it is. If I’ve never done it I say exactly that. If I’ve done it, then I’m an open book.
- Defeat fear. I am just as scared to publish as you are. I am always afraid that someone with a strong opinion is going to tear me apart. Don’t let that happen. The more you publish the more you can defeat that fear. Fear is derived from unknown futures. What if that future is bright? Odds are that it is. Especially through writing and publishing.
Committing to writing every day is a big deal. Publishing is just another step in the process, but it will change you in more ways than you can count.
If you want to take the leap and get more serious about blogging or writing daily, check out my new book here. I think you will dig it.
Update Spring 2015 – I no longer publish every single day, but I do try to keep writing a focus each day. The more you write the more you can focus and develop your best ideas. Rather than publishing everything on my mind I am deciding to be more selective about what I publish. This can help you prevent burnout. Publishing over 400 posts two years in a row definitely can burn you out, but it can test you as a writer and your level of commitment to writing. I highly suggest giving yourself crazy goals once in a while. Even if you fail, you learn amazing things about yourself.
