3 ‘Fears’ that Stop Aspiring Bloggers From Succeeding

Today’s blogging giants started small. They passed through several phases of transition, before making it to the top spot today. As a blogger upgrades through these phases, they have to face several (psychological and otherwise) challenges, which are a nasty roadblock, or ‘fears’. Let’s look at three of these ‘fears’ that hamper bloggers from succeeding:

The Fear of Change

This happens with almost everybody who switches jobs or schools or even homes. Over time, one adapts to the surroundings around them, and develops their strategies and techniques (and shortcuts) to live or work successfully in the community or environment they are currently working or living in. They also build good friends, which support them in times of need. In effect, one builds herself their own place in the community. All this takes time (possibly a few years) to develop, and she becomes comfortable living and working in a particular society.

Image: pasotraspaso

Now, when a person is subjected to change, switching schools, for example, they have to start all over again. They have to learn to adapt to new conditions, new people, new traditions, and new ways of doing things. They even have to make new friends, and learn all new things. And it takes quite a while to get used to the new surroundings. You get the point right?

It’s the same with bloggers. For months they have worked hard, and built themselves a place in their niche. It’s like a second home to them. They make new friends and colleagues. In other words, they become comfortable there. As a result, they may not prefer change, for who knows what change may bring?. In other words, maybe they fear about the possible effects of going into the next phase of their blogging career. As a newbie there, what if they get ridiculed? What if no one wants to make friends with them (a highly unlikely possibility) ? What if they cannot perform up to standards?

The Fear Of Competition

This ‘fear’ is concerned with competition, or rivalry, by other bloggers in the same niche.

There always was competition in the beginning, but now, the blogger is exposed to stronger, and increased competition from people who are more experienced. This in itself is often enough to scare bloggers away. After all, if you enter a sport where most of the people around you are experienced, wouldn’t you feel pressured by all the competition?

Competition is healthy, and that’s what these bloggers need to realize. Competition drives one to succeed, which leads us to point number 3…

The Fear of Responsibility

Destination: the sky. Image:jurvetson

With great honour comes great responsibility. When bloggers (any person with a job, in fact) upgrade to a higher rung on the ladder of success (towards the top), they come into the spotlight more than they used to. People expect more from them, and they expect them to lead. There are expectations, which are expected to be fulfilled.

What if I fail miserably in front of the whole blogging world? What if I take a wrong step and get criticised like hell? What if I’m not up to expectations and the standard?

All these whatif’s are big roadblocks for any blogger.

The Bottom Line?

Left or right? Image: the_moment

If you notice, all these three ‘fears’ are interlinked closely. But, what can we do to make this period of transition a whole lot easier, and organized?

Adapting is what everyone has to do, once their surroundings change. Everyone goes through change a few (or too many ) times in their lives, and they have to learn to adapt. True, there are whatif’s, but these often have to be put to a side during the process of adapting to change, for if you start taking these whatif’s into consideration, you might as well stay where you are.

So, you bloggers, don’t be afraid of transitioning into the next phase. Probably most of your pessimistic whatifs will be proven wrong. Bloggers already in that phase will also have encountered difficulties, and they’ll probably be more than happy to help you out. Ask them ( ). All you need to do, really, is ask!

Your Thoughts?

Are you (or have you) ever experienced such difficulties in your blogging career? Please do share!