How to blog like Michael Phelps

Some would wonder what Michael Phelps has to do with blogging. I think there are many similarities and I’ll outline a few. As of the time this posts, Michael Phelps has grabbed 11 Gold Medals and is aiming for more to add around his neck. It would appear that Michael Phelps is unstoppable. The trick is learning from his success to make your blog explode.

Being #1 takes a lot of effort. Sacrifices need to be made and priorities adjusted. For professional bloggers, writers and freelancers, this is nothing that comes as news. What do you do to continually bring your A game to the internet? Do you have a process to follow or just jump in the pool and hope everything works out for the best? Here are a few things to think about.

Change your state of mind.

There are many ways to stay focused on the Gold ahead. I was amazed when I continually saw Michael Phelps out of the pool not necessarily paying attention to the events taking place but listening to his iPod holding a stone cold face like a poker player about to go ‘all in’.

One thing we should all be in control of is our emotions. If we are playing the game of life to win, we would make a Conscious effort to surround ourselves with positive influences and happy thoughts. Since this is harder said than done, making the effort to the best of your ability will start the ball rolling in the right direction.

Do you know what music you can listen to that gets you energized or podcast that helps bring you laser focus on your goals? I bet Michael Phelps shuffles between house music for the energy and Awaken the Giant Within by Anthony Robbins. We often over look the simple act of changing our state by the things we listen to. I listen to my music at work on a special playlist the keeps me driving forward without being a distraction.

Blogger Unleashed explains the power of focus.

You must choose which you will focus on: if you choose poorly, you will doom yourself to never achieving your goals and being successful. Count on that.

So how do you begin to think positively if you’re a natural pessimist? I don’t really believe there ARE natural pessimists, just people who have been taught how to consider the darkest side of every cloud.

Never give up…not for a second.

When Michael Phelps hits the water he’s a man on a mission. Though he may be behind (not often) in the race, he is putting out 100%. Up to the moment he touches the finish line breaking another world record, he is a force in motion. If you look at some of the other swimmers they pop their heads up or relax moments before the finish. In a race that is measure in .001 of a second, there is no time for relaxation. As the cartoon above illustrates, Michael Phelps is known for steam rolling into the walls at the finish.

The same is true with blogging. Many great writers start a blog, get some decent traffic and don’t get the returns or satisfaction they expected. If you love writing the way Michael Phelps loves swimming, you would just keep writing. You don’t need to stop or relax, just drive forward and the rewards will come. Patience is a virtue.

Have a goal

Michael Phelps came into the 2008 Olympics saying he was going to win every Gold Medal. In fact there have been many questions about the magical list that Michael Phelps has put together outlining his path to success. The media had two responses. Either they acknowledged his dream and wished him well, or they said he came across as arrogant since winning 12 Gold Medals was unheard of. Well…needless to say EVERY reporter is now on the Michael Phelps bandwagon.

Having a goal and achieving it is only half the process. You need to continue to create goals for yourself. Michael Phelps said in an interview after winning Gold Medal #11 that he wanted to change the world of swimming. Michael Phelps has become the Bavid Beckham of the pool.

What is the goal of your blog? Do you even have one? Take some time and think it through. How specific can you get with what you want from your website?

For help on writing a better blog post, check our Super Blogging tips.

Let’s say you have an amazing idea that you can envision becoming one of your most popular articles, or an idea for some strong linkbait or social media content. You sit down and write, except it’s “one of those days” and your writing quality is suffering and the words aren’t flowing like they should. Instead of publishing something you don’t like and is only half as good as it should be, either save the article as a draft that you can edit some other day, or delete it altogether. It’s better to not have a post at all one day than waste an idea on something that is low quality and won’t be appreciated. If you feel it’s not as good as it could be, don’t publish!

Blogging like Michael Phelps takes dedication, focus and determination. Can you do it?