Here's How I Change My Self Defeating Attitudes about Writing & Earning Online

Several years ago, I came up with a list of solutions to help me deal with what I referred to as: "10 Self-defeating Attitudes".

The list was based on close observations and self awareness about the online activities I performed at the time.

No matter which writing projects and internet ventures I previously engaged in, there were often some of the very same challenges and obstacles along the way; including my own negative mindset, and way of looking at things.

That was why I became so determined to focus on self improvement, and trying to stop repeating the same mistakes over and over again.

The list I eventually came up with, was the result of closely monitoring my actions and attitudes and doing some honest self evaluation.

After narrowing down the most obvious issues I was having, and deciding what the right approach should be, I typed the list, printed it out, and posted it near my computer, as a help aid.

It's been years since I first created the list, and I don't have a clue what happened to the paper that was once taped to the monitor on my desk.

But recently, I came across the original file containing the information.

When I read the list, I couldn't help but notice how some of my former negative attitudes about working online, have managed to resurface.

With so many writers experiencing changes and complications in our writing lives and being frustrated by online activities, it's easy to get discouraged, and find yourself mentally off balance.

I immediately printed and posted a new copy of my list, and placed it where I can be reminded once again, that it's up to me to take control if I want to conquer my self defeating attitudes.

Read over the following list.

You might just discover some much needed help, adjusting how you look at your online writing and how you approach your related activities.

Here's the original list, and how the material was first presented.

I started by stating 10 different comments which acknowledged some important issues I detected, along with examples of why these areas were problematic. Then I stated what I believed to be the solution.

“When it comes to my internet goals and objectives…”

#1 I start but then I get distracted

Make concrete schedules and specific plans that focus on one agenda at a time, in order to try and stay more focused. Remember there's a thin line between multi-tasking and brain overload, due to trying to do too much.

#2 I start something, then forget why It was a good ideal

All too often, I’ve started out with a lot of zeal when working on a new ideal or online activity; then I end up changing horses in the middle of the race. For some reason or another, what seemed like a good ideal at first turns into: “Why am I doing this again?”

TIP: To avoid having this happen to you, try and have a clear cut understanding beforehand, how exactly the project or online activity will benefit you.

Write out your plan of action and your objectives and keep them handy. Don’t just document the more obvious things like: “Promote my e-book on Tuesday mornings.” Instead, add specifics.

For instance, in outline form, under Promote my e-book, you may want to get really detailed by including instructions such as:

Write a story and mention my ebook, or share the title of my e-book on social media and other platforms. Notating the exact details of your plan of action can help prevent you from losing sight of the big picture.

#3 When it doesn’t go right the first time I say forget it

The expression: “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, couldn’t apply more fittingly than to online article writing, marketing and other types of internet success. While there are countless tales of overnight success online, as a rule, becoming a successful online writer, author, marketer or entrepreneur takes time.

TIP: Since this fact remains true, regardless of what you’re striving to achieve online, stop stressing over how quickly things progress.

You don’t have time to obsess over the pace of your online progress, PLUS perform internet activities effectively. You can only succeed at one or the other. Decide which you would rather succeed at, obsessing, or performing.

Obviously, it is your actual performance that is going to eventually determine your success or failure. That is one good reason why giving up should not be an option.

The more you do online, the better you will get at it. With that being said, if you feel yourself getting discouraged from failing only once or twice, what can I say? “If at first does not succeed…” (You know the rest!)

#4 If things move too slowly I say forget it

Just because things don’t go as quickly as you want them to, doesn’t mean you are not making progress.

TIP: Don’t waste time checking and comparing what others are doing. Concentrate on comparing your progress to your own personal best. Take note of both your failures and successes and be determined to do even better. Make good use of your internet time instead of stressing and obsessing.

You could be learning to monitor your stats and analyze online activities better. When you do, then you will really be able to see where you are making progress, versus what areas you may need to work on.

A close scrutiny of your regular activities can be an invaluable help to any online writer or entrepreneur. Once you start to accurately monitor your activities AND the results of those activities, then, you will be able to duplicate the ones that appear to be effective.

It will also help you to have a little more patience, knowing that while things seem to be moving slowly, you are actually making progress.

#5 If someone else says something negative, I start to get skeptical

No matter what you do or where you go, there will always be naysayers; those who never have anything positive to say. If this an existing problem for you, then you may have to cut off some people from your life.

TIP: Hold on just a moment before you start thinking that I’m telling you to disown your mom, the kids and the dog.

In no way am I suggesting that you cut your loved ones and those people who have your back out of your life. I am not even telling you to get rid of those one or two fake friends that may be orbiting in your circle (like it or not, we all have them).

I am however, making a statement of fact that: Even those who “mean well” can have a poisonous effect on your productivity. Only YOU can make the determination about who those individuals may be in your life and what you need to do about them.

This is an area that requires a lot of thought and soul searching. I know because I’ve experienced it firsthand. I eventually put on my big girl panties and had to give some people the ax (figuratively speaking, of course)

#6 I get disappointed when I don’t get the same results as someone else

Have you tried promoting a popular affiliate marketing product everyone is having success selling? Maybe you tried a resource website that other writers swear will put you on the map.

From “mind-blowing” automated software to promotional strategies that work magic; at one time or another, we’ve all been guilty of believing the hype. We end up being disappointed because of not getting the results that we were promised or that was advertised.

TIP: For the most part, consumers generally understand that as a rule, advertisers tend to exaggerate, fabricate and outright lie. Bur for some reason, the minute people transact business on the internet, they seem to forget this fact.

It won’t take long before you realize that there is no shortage of hype on the internet, no matter what the subject happens to be about. Even when a product or service is actually quite good, the results we expect are tainted, due to all the hype surrounding it.

This means that regardless of what the product, service, or item happens to be, you will rarely get the exact same results as advertised, or as someone else. Before investing time, energy and other resources, ask yourself: “What results can you realistically expect?”

That way, when you make a purchase, you won’t feel cheated if things don’t turn out exactly as planned.

#7 I get discouraged or suspicious when I find out there’s a cost

While it may not always be necessarily true that you get what you pay for, the fact of the matter is, sometimes you do have to pay for something good.

You do want to be smart and not have to pay for everything that you come across. But don’t automatically view what may be a valuable resource as having a “catch”, just because it has a price tag.

TIP: If something you believe to be a profitable or advantageous venture comes with a price tag, consider #6 above. When you determine what you can realistically expect from the purchase, then you can decide if it is worth the cost. After an evaluation, if you believe it is worth it, go for it!

If you do decide to make a purchase after an honest evaluation, don’t keep complaining about the cost once you have forked over the money. You’ll only make yourself feel bad, and besides, you’ve already determined that it was worth the price, so concentrate on making that determination a reality.

#8 I get overwhelmed when I find out what all is required

When you write and work online, it is very easy to get overwhelmed by the activities that are connected to your overall success. There is no getting around the fact that if you really and truly want to be successful with any of your online activities, it is going to take hard work. Period!

TIP: The best thing you can do to prevent feeling overwhelmed is to learn how to take small bites.

If you have a big writing, marketing, or other project to complete, don’t get frustrated; break it down to size. When you take things step-by-step, they have a way of not looking so intimidating. It is not necessary to focus on the whole picture all the time.

As the expression goes, “Don’t try to eat the whole elephant at one time”. This seems like it should go without saying, but when you think about it, so do the rest of the tips provided here.

Sometimes the problem is not, necessarily, understanding what to do; sometimes it’s just a matter of needing to be reminded of what we already know; even on a daily basis!

#9 I change my mind about how much effort and time I want to invest

Similar to #8 above, you must make a decision, not about whether or not there is hard work to do, but about whether or not you are prepared to actually do the hard work.

I cannot count the number of times that I backed out of, or discontinued an internet related project. No matter how many “good reasons” (excuses) that I gave myself for doing so, it still amounted to: I didn’t want to invest the necessary time and energy.

TIP: If you want to find out if your writing endeavors will truly succeed, you have to hang in there long enough and allow them to work!

Here’s the ironic thing: The internet enables us to reach out easier, faster, and further than ever before, right from our own living rooms.

But on the other hand, the internet presence you’re establishing, and all those online activities need to marinate, so to speak. And as any good cook knows, marinating takes time.

In the same line of thought, by allowing all the ingredients from your online activities to come together and simmer, when they’re done you’ll have a dish of success. If you give up too soon, any positive results will end up being in vein. You may even miss out on potential business and sales due to quitting too soon.

#10 Stop being dissuaded by technical difficulties

No matter what the technical issue you're having is, generally, there's always some kind of workaround, but you'll rarely find it, if you've been up all night, staring at the problem too long so long, that you can't see straight. Sometimes it helps just to walk away, and come back with fresh eyes. Then, look for alternative options on how to succeed at whatever it is you're trying to accomplish.

Final Thoughts

I can honestly say that after spending more than two decades writing and working online; whenever I look back at this list of self defeating attitudes, and readjust my mindset once again, eventually I"m rewarded for my efforts.

Hopefully, my current writing and content creation activities will ultimately prove to be more successful, now that I'm taking a different and more positive approach in the way I look at things.

My list has taught me how to learn to come up with smart workarounds, instead of allowing unexpected problems and disappointing results to prevent me from completing my tasks and reaching my objectives.

Thanks for reading.