Blogging is a popular career choice that, for many people, starts as a humble side-hustle or even just something you do for fun and not a job at all. Sadly, it can be incredibly difficult to stay focused. In this article, I'm going to teach you a couple of unique ways to help you stay focused as a blogger so that you can turn it from a hobby into a fully-fledged career choice.

Remember to Take Breaks

One thing that many new bloggers suffer from is writing burnout. Authors occasionally write far too much and give themselves far too little time to relax. Writing stresses the mind a lot because it’s an incredibly strenuous task that demands a lot from your brain, and if you don’t give yourself time to relax then you’ll easily be overwhelmed and start to lose focus. Take regular breaks and make sure you’re not pushing yourself too hard. A lack of motivation will typically mean that your writing quality drops, and if you’re unable to push out quality work then your worth as a blogger is severely diminished.

Try a Productivity Planner

If you want motivation to help you get going, then a productivity planner could be what you need to set you on the right track. The main issue with staying productive and focused is that it’s difficult to do so if you don’t have a schedule. People typically work better under pressure or even with some general direction, hence why a book or a schedule to help you stay focused is such a good idea that can help you overcome procrastination. These can come in a variety of different forms, but the most common is just a written diary that you can easily add to. Other forms include an easy-to-use online scheduling app, and in some cases, you can also use a mobile app.

Look For Inspiration

Inspiration comes in many different shapes and sizes, which is why it’s important to look for inspiration whenever possible. Some people are inspired by reading books, and others find it more effective to take a family holiday to let their minds relax. Everyone has their own idea of inspiration and finding your own personal method of getting it can make a huge difference in your productivity. When writing up a blog or looking for new ideas, it’s important to look at your sources of inspiration. For instance, if you’re primarily a travel blogger then you might find it advantageous to travel often in order to have something to write about.

Removing Distractions

Distractions come in many different shapes and sizes, but if there’s one thing for sure, it’s the fact that distractions can completely destroy any focus you have. Whether it’s something as simple as the radio being on while you write or working in the evening when your kids are back home from school, the number of distractions that affect you can have a severe negative impact on your ability to work. If you’re serious about becoming a blogger, then you need to focus on removing any kind of distraction in your home or changing your habits so that you are more focused on your work. A good example of this is changing the type of music you listen to when you work. If there are lyrics in the music that you listen to, then there’s a good chance you’ll be distracted because your mind has to process those words and it takes some effort to “understand” the song. However, if you listen to something without words, then your brain doesn’t focus as much on the music and you’re less likely to be distracted. This is why students find it much easier to work to classical music instead of pop music.

Creating Your Personal Office

If you blog for a living then there’s a good chance that you’ll be considered a freelancer. In this case, it’s important to create your own personal office and turn it into an environment that you can effectively work in. Some people consider their entire home to be a personal office, but if you live with your family or even roommates, then you’ll know that this can be difficult unless you work during a time when the house is empty. The truth is, if you try to work outside of a quiet and tranquil area (such as a home office) then there’s a good chance you won’t be able to focus due to all the distractions. This is why people tend to create personal studies and other types of working spaces that are free from distractions. However, there is an alternative. Instead of working at home, some people find it better to create their own office environment which is reminiscent of their old workplace. If you blog for a living, then there’s a good chance you’ll own a laptop that can be taken around anywhere. In this case, it’s actually perfectly fine to work in a public office space or even at a local cafe. The goal is to just find someplace that makes you comfortable and gives you the ability to focus.

Plan Your Posts

And of course, don’t forget to use a simple layout or a plan to help make your posts easier to write up. No one writes an entire post without at least some planning. Get all of your source material and compile it into a handy notebook or document. Write out your subheadings, bullet points and your title, then start filling it in with your ideas. The goal is to make use of your ideas by putting them in written form before you forget them. Everyone has that spark of motivation that encourages them to write a blog post, but unless you jot down your ideas as soon as possible, you’re going to lose them. In short, plan your posts by utilizing your ideas and type up a skeleton for your planned post before you start filling in the body of it.