October Goal Setting – Putting in the Work
Happy October! Usually, I start each new year on the blog with a recap of the past year and some things I want to accomplish for the new year. However, it would be a good idea to break these year-long goals into actionable steps each month to help guide me and hold myself accountable. So I thought it would be a good idea to start documenting monthly goal setting as well. I’ll spare you the weekly breakdown.
If you’ve been a long time reader then you’ll appreciate the recent flurry of new activity on the blog. Truth is, I have decided to give blogging a shot at being my full-time job. That is a little scary since it is still an untraditional source of income in this part of the world. I’ve been blogging for so long that it feels like I should have taken this step long ago. I’d have been much further ahead if I had believed in it and pumped my all into it. I can be that girl that gets excited at a new opportunity, pushes hard week 1 then get sidetracked and lose my motivation. (Hello, weight loss goal.)
So how does one stay motivated even in a passion project such as this one is to me? Well, firstly, I’ve already quit my job. So I have no choice but to ensure that this works. Ever heard people saying sometimes you have to make the leap and build the wings on the way down? That’s sort of where I am. I officially started blogging again in September so it’s been one full month of activity. It has also been a very challenging month.
Blog Hacked
I found out that the blog was attacked by hackers for how long I’m not aware of and there was a whole other site being hosted on my domain that had NSFW content. That was mortifying! I have since had that removed however I am now battling a redirection spam link that I’m unable to find. When some users click my links on social, they’re taken to a “Win and iPhone here” type of page. While I consider myself quite the blog expert now, I have not been able to find this piece of code and may need to outsource cleaning my website up fully to a pro.
Despite the challenges, I have managed to almost double my average visitors to the site in the short space of time. This according to one analytics dashboard I use. The Google Analytics website, however, shows a much different and depressing result. I can’t figure out the problem there. May also need a pro to step in here. I am encouraged that something is working and my efforts are paying off.
I say all that to ask how doΒ you manage to stay focused and motivated when a task seems daunting? When you really just want to throw your hands up and walk away? The love of my website keeps me coming back every time but the frustrations of these challenges are a true test of character. I’ve read so many motivational, self-help books that I know I can’t stay in that mode forever. It’s now time to put in the work and reap what I have sown. It’s time to shit or get off the pot as they say. I still want to tear my hair out though.
And Now, the Goal Setting
My goals for this month?
- Getting my website sterilized.
- Launching another blog that I’ve been working on behind the scenes.
- Figuring out what my real traffic is for this blog between the two platforms currently monitoring my traffic and growing said traffic coming in by at least 50%
- Growing my social media handles. I just broke 2000 on Instagram which is great considering I started the month at 1661. If I can add another 500 in October, I’d be ecstatic.
- Break into affiliate marketing and begin making income there.
Since writing this post I’ve contacted someone on Fiverr to analyse my analytics set up. Hopefully, I can get that fixed in short order. Do you prefer to start chipping away at the big goals first or do you clear the smaller goals off before attacking the monster? Now I’m off to try and find a security expert that can wipe my site properly. π
Related Posts:
Journaling Your Way to the Life You Desire
5 Morning Tips for the Non-Morning Person
How to Quickly Change Your Mood to Power Through Your Day
Some images from Depositphotos. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Best of wishes and prayers in your endeavors. Those endeavors and your indomitable spirit have taken you thus far. Keep on believing in you and i am sure you will never stop growing.
Thanks for the prayers! Need the blessings
Hope everything gets sorted out for you soon, I know how frustrating it can be! Despite it all, all the best for October & onwards π
Thanks girl, powering through
I’ve been hacked in the past as well. It’s challenges like this that the true lovers of blogging power through.
Keep on blogging and achieving those goals.
Thanks Jamaipanese! I know you know the struggles!
Wow what a great article I really enjoyed it setting goals is extremely important and following through with trying to get to those goals every day is just as important
You really touched on some of the problems i have been going through trying to make this my full time thing. It is scary but I am glad that you are getting more viewers to your site! I wish you the best of luck and blessings π
Thanks so much Elena, here’s to hoping that we both make it!
Congratulations on making the leap to full time! Thatβs very exciting!
Thank you! It is very exciting indeed, I can’t wait to see what the future unfolds
That sounds so scary! I hope you can get your site fixed soon. Congrats on your social media growth. Do you have any tips on how you grew it so fast? I struggle something serious with my Instagram, even though I think my photos are pretty nice. π
I do hope you achieve all those goals!!! Best of wishes to you, can’t eat to see what else you have in store
Totally didn’t realise you were full time now!! Good for you! I my never be full time but I do want mine to grow. PS google analytics, while depressing, is the most accurate reading for blog stats. sigh
yeah i know but i knew mine was off and i finally found out why so its all good now! Whew!