Successful Blogging and 7 Limiting Beliefs to Bust to Make $100K+!

Last Updated on April 19, 2023

Think you don’t have what it takes to be successful blogging and earn a full-time income? Think again! In this post we’re debunking some common myths and limiting beliefs when it comes to blogging so you can bust through your limitations, rewrite what’s possible, and create sustainable change by following your dreams.

When I first started blogging, I used to be embarrassed to claim the title out loud. When I was at a dinner party or friend’s house or networking event and someone asked me what I did for a living, I stuttered and felt embarrassed and ashamed. 

Why? Because I had no idea what I was doing. And I was struggling. 

Could I actually do this? Was there really was money in this whole blogging thing? Was I just throwing my time and money down the drain… and my pride along with it? What if I failed? Would I crash and burn while working my butt off, or even lose my soul in the process? 

Sound familiar? If so, you’ll know what I mean when I say I felt trapped. Like I wouldn’t be able to actually replace my income, quit my frustrating journalism career and create the life I truly wanted. 

But then things changed. 

I studied all the existing professional bloggers and successful online entrepreneurs I could find to discover what worked for them, while putting my own spin on those systems and tools based on what I’d learned from my freelance writing business. I was constantly conducting trial and error experiments, seeing what worked and what didn’t, what was worth my time and what was a waste.

And with these powerful processes, I was able to grow my blog FAST.

In fact, my blog was so successful I replaced my full-time job income–earning $75,000 in just my second year and then $150,000 in year three–all while working LESS and directly helping people live a more natural, healthy, happy life. 

Some days I still can’t believe this is my reality, and that I can run my business around my life and my schedule. (I was even able to take 4 months off last year for maternity leave and STILL earn $58,000 during that time away with my first son–what an INCREDIBLE gift!)

That’s why I launched the Six-Figure Blog Academy (now retired) and then the Incubator, because I don’t want to keep this knowledge inside any longer. I want others who have this dream to feel this same freedom, flexibility, and joy. To know they, too, are unstoppable and can make a reliable, authentic living from blogging. 

AND my system will give you the time, flexibility and independence to enjoy your dream life.

Sound good? 

SUCCESSFUL BLOGGING: How Limiting Beliefs hold us back from our dreams

Today we’re debunking some common myths and limiting beliefs when it comes to blogging. After all, mindset is always #1 when it comes to trying something new and creating sustainable change.

What is a limiting belief, you may be wondering?

As Allison Fallon says,

A limiting belief is something you believe to be true about yourself, about others, or about the world that limits you in some way. These beliefs may hold you back from taking chances, keep you blind to opportunities in your path, prevent you from accepting gifts offered to you, or simply keep you stuck focusing on the negative aspect of your circumstances. The challenge with limiting beliefs is most of us don’t think we have them and they can be really hard to spot.

Where do limiting beliefs come from?

They’re formed through what we’re taught as a child by our families, friends, schools, churches, political climates, and culture/the world at large. Some of them are widespread throughout our society (like that we have to work super hard and sacrifice for money, or that life isn’t fair), and some of them are more personal in our own heads (like that you’re not very smart/pretty/funny/interesting, or that your sibling is always smarter and more successful than you, or that you’re just not the kind of person that would be good at XYZ).

Even though there are a variety of limited beliefs we may have about ourselves, most of them are actually about something deeper and come back to the same root beliefs, like we’re not good enough, we’re going to fail because we don’t have what it takes, or aren’t worthy of happiness and love.

Now, I want you to take a moment to think about something that’s been holding you back–maybe it’s that you don’t believe making a full-time income blogging is possible, or that there’s too much competition, that market is already too saturated, or that you simply don’t have the time, money, resources, or know-how to really get going with this. 

You may even want to write them down so that they’re crystal clear. Remember: these are BELIEFS, NOT TRUTHS!

First, we have to acknowledge them. Then, we can decide what we want to believe instead and take action on them until they replace our old beliefs.

Ready? Now let’s bust those myths!

Blogging LIMITING BELIEF #1: Not enough time

“I don’t have enough time. I’m too busy!”

I get it. My goal is to provide you with actionable information that you can implement right away… not “fluff” that sends you in a million different directions.

First, I just gotta say: let’s stop glorifying and perpetuating the “I’m just so busy all the time” belief. We are all busy, but that’s often because we’re not focusing on what really matters and end up wasting so much time every day on things that aren’t moving the needle or aligned with our goals and priorities. Time to change that and focus on what will actually make an impact in your business, and in your life.

Now, let’s think about this further for a minute. If you’ve had a dream to start a blog for a while (whether five months or five years!), or you already have a blog but have been stuck, think about all the time you will likely continue to waste if you don’t take any action to do something different. Fast forward to six months from now, and you could continue to be right where you are: still struggling, frustrated, and stalled on your business.

OR, you can make a commitment now to make this a priority in your life. What would it look like if you gave up 30 minutes a day on Instagram and instead put that into your blog? Or you carve out two hours on a Saturday morning to make some tea, light a candle, and really focus on doing something impactful for your blog. You can do this!

Imagine where you can actually be in six months to a year from now if you stopped telling yourself that you don’t have time, and instead start scheduling non-negotiable time where you make this a priority. What if you landed your dream sponsor? What if you could earn an extra $1,000/month from your blog in six months and could give up your part-time job to focus solely on your blog?

Plus, if you choose to join the Incubator, you’re actually saving time by getting an actual system and process to accomplish your income and growth goals, rather than taking shots in the dark and figuring things out on your own.

Aaaaaaand, you can do this all on your own time as you’ll have lifetime access. But if you are ready to dive in when enrollment opens, I’m hosting 6 live Q&A calls in the coming weeks where you can ask me specific questions about whatever you want–another check in the time saver column to get advice on your unique needs. 

BLOGGING LIMITING BELIEF #2: Not enough money

“I can’t afford it.”

If you’re serious about wanting to grow your blog (and thus your income), even just part-time, then this is exactly WHY I recommend investing some money into it. You NEED to treat it like a business. 

This is like saying, “I want to open my own restaurant, but I won’t spend any money on ingredients.”…. soooo, you’re going to open without food? 

Even if you’re a ‘hobby blogger’, I challenge you to show me one other hobby that exists that doesn’t require a dime for activities or materials. 

Now to be clear, everyone has a different financial situation and I would NEVER recommend you take on serious debt or spend money you’re uncomfortable with. But if you try to start or grow a blog with zero investment, it’s going to take you WAY longer to reach your income goals and be much more demanding on your energy. Smart investments are where it’s at!

I believe if we want something bad enough, we will find a way to get it. Whether that’s picking up a few extra shifts to cover the expense, asking for it as a gift, saving a little bit each week to afford it down the road, or cutting back on some other expenses to find more money in your own bank account… when we want something, like REALLY want something, we become super resourceful and always figure out a way to get it. This is human nature.

This is where I want you to remember your WHY for blogging:

Why did you start/want to start your blog? What will your life look like if you have a successful blog and earn X amount per month from your blog? How would you feel if this WAS possible and you had more than enough money?

Really take the time to think about what you want from your life. Try this: Imagine if…

• you had a flexible schedule + the freedom to work from home, watch your kids grow up, all without sacrificing self-care.
• you could financially contribute to your family, pay off your debt or travel the world, all while working on YOUR terms.
• you could grow your blog from a passion project or hobby into a legit, profitable, full-time career, and STOP TRADING your TIME FOR DOLLARS.
• you felt empowered + confident in knowing where to start and could stop wasting time + money. less overwhelm + stress, more results + satisfaction!

After you tune into that vision for a minute, I’m going to guess that intentionally spending some money to get started or grow to the next level with your blog now feels MUCH more attainable! You’ve got this, and I’d be shocked if you didn’t make a return on a wise and thoughtful business investment if you actually put in the work.

I 100% understand the concern of not wanting to waste money… so that’s why you need to learn WHAT to spend money on and HOW to earn WAY more from your blog so you have the money to both reinvest AND take home in your pocket! 

Determine where YOU should spend money, time and energy in YOUR business. This simple formula is the same one I use to decide on outsourcing and investing money into my business. 

Blogging LIMITING BELIEF #3: Not enough skills

“I don’t know how to [blank].”

Don’t I have to be a professional writer, photographer, chef, journalist, computer whiz, tech junkie, fill in the blank, etc. to be a successful blogger?

Absolutely not. Just because I’ve been a professional writer doesn’t mean you need to be as well. You have your own set of unique gifts that will make you stand out from the crowd! 

Blogging is completely self-taught; no one got a degree in how to be a blogger (although if you take my course, it’s about as close as anyone can get! In the Incubator, I teach you what I learned from being a journalist and how to apply those skills to blogging, including how to generate killer content ideas, create an edit calendar, get PR for your site, and more.)

And you don’t need a masters in computer science or programming. If you have just basic computer skills (I’m talking, you know how to navigate websites, use email, etc.), then you can create a blog and learn the rest as you go, or outsource as you wish. 

You can learn how to monetize simply by being YOU and utilizing your inherent skill sets and zones of genius. You are capable, resourceful, and worthy enough just as you are RIGHT NOW to achieve your dreams. Sound good? 

Blogging LIMITING BELIEF #4: Nothing works

“I’ve been blogging for forever and don’t make any money.”

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Einstein was right. If you want to create the life of your dreams but have been stuck in the same spot, spinning your wheels with your blog for weeks, months, or years, you need to do something different than what you’ve already been doing and STOP THE INSANITY.

Nothing changes if nothing changes. 

If you’re doing the same things every day, thinking the same thoughts, and talking to the same people–your life is likely going to look and feel pretty much the same day-to-day. You may have dreams, hopes, and aspirations for what you want in your life, but if you’re not intentionally trying to grow and change and step into something new, then it’s highly unlikely anything is going to look different.

Try acknowledging your beliefs around this topic, then replacing the limiting statements with positive ones to open up your energy. Examples:

“Nothing has worked for me.” –> “When I’m open to new ideas and ways of seeing things, exciting possibilities show up for me.”

“I have to work so hard to get ahead.” –> “When I believe in myself and follow my intuition, I get ahead.”

“I can’t do this anymore.” –> “Though this feels challenging, I trust that I’m supported and resourceful. I can succeed.”

Turn around your negative thoughts into positive affirmations, and watch your life start to rearrange. It’s quite magical!

Now, if you’re looking for more tangible support to turn your blog into a sustainable, money-making machine but aren’t sure where to start or you feel overwhelmed, you’re in luck–whether you’ve been blogging for years or are just getting started, the Incubator is about to change everything, should you choose to join us. 

If you already have a successful blog: Kudos to you! But I’m going to take a shot in the dark here and guess that if your blog was everything you wanted it to be, you wouldn’t have wound up reading this post… amiright? 

Ask yourself: Are you making as much money as you can from your blog? Do you want to quit your full-time job this year? Do you want your blog to be more effective?

If so, you’re in the right place and we’d love to have you join us in the Academy!

In the meantime, here’s an action item for you: start brainstorming about your dream sponsors and partnerships. Create a fillable spreadsheet to get you started (I like Google Sheets).

Read this post all about how to work with brands and make more money:

Blogging LIMITING BELIEF #5: Not good enough

“Blogging is dead/just a fad/old news/already too saturated!”

You may have heard rumors from “experts” about how blogging is dead.

Yes, it’s true that there are more blogs now than 10 years ago. And yes, it’s true that there are alternative ways to build your brand via social media, viral videos and podcasts. 

But it’s also true that there are many of us making six-figures from our blogs, myself being a case in point. And I didn’t even start my blog until 2015, wayyyyy after blogging’s heyday. This = Not dead. Not a fad. Not old news.

Here’s my advice: don’t let the people who couldn’t figure it out make you believe that you can’t either. Don’t let them rain on your parade! If I can do it, so can YOU! 

Think of your blog like your home base. It’s something that you own, you control and where you can lead people back to again and again from countless other channels. You don’t have to worry about it disappearing tomorrow or changing its algorithm.

A while ago, Periscope was the hip place to be (before it basically shut down), and Facebook pages were all the rage (until FB changed its algorithm and now it’s pay to play). What if you spent all your time and energy on building a following just on Instagram (or whatever new shiny object that comes out next), only for that to change tomorrow where you could lose it all?! 

Unlike third-party apps, your blog is your stake in the ground that represents who you are, where your fans can always find you. 

Just to anchor this in with some facts about the power of blogging: research shows that blog posts are still the #1 asset for engaging with your audience and generating warm leads for your business. In fact, marketers who use blogs generate 67% more leads than those who don’t. 

Not only that, but blog posts also cost 62% less per lead than other types of marketing efforts. 

At the end of the day, people will ALWAYS want and need helpful content that’s filled with value. That will never change, and that’s exactly why blogging STILL WORKS!

There’s one other mindset shift on this topic that feels important to point out, and that’s around this limited belief:

“Will anyone care what I have to say (especially when there are so many blogs out there already)?!”

While many influencers often see peers as the competition, I couldn’t feel more opposite. My peers are my friends, they are who I learn from, network with, share successes and challenges with, bounce ideas off of, meet with to vent about the Instagram algorithm… you get the idea.

I want to build each other up, not tear each other down. The world is wide enough for all of us. There is room for everyone, and that includes YOU!  Remember: there is only one you, and someone out there needs to hear exactly what you have to say.

BLOGGING LIMITING BELIEF #6: Not enough support

“I don’t have the support of my family and friends.”

Okay, I totally get that if you’re going to invest money in something, or even just your time, it’s super important to feel like you have support from your family and friends. Especially when it comes to money, it’s completely valid if you need to talk to your spouse before making a financial/time commitment.

That said, this still comes back to YOU and how you’re communicating the information. If you’re excited and confident, then your energy will spill over to anyone you’re talking to, and your spouse/friends/family will WANT to support you! If you’re wobbly, it’s harder for others to believe in you (even if they truly want to!).

For example, if you’re going to spend money on a course and need to get the buy-in from your husband, I’d highlight the importance of learning from somebody who has gone before you and has had proven results. You want to learn the cutting-edge strategies and what’s working now, versus wasting time guessing on what you should or shouldn’t do. If you’re going to do this and commit, you want to do it right and fast track your success!

I’d also recommend communicating with your spouse how important this dream is to you, WHY you want it, and how much their support means to you. With their support–plus all the support you’re going to get when you join the course and community of other people going through the same experience as you, with the same goals and challenges–you’ll have the fuel you need to keep going when things get tough.

Need proof that blogging works to show off to your support crew? Check out our income reports here!

And if you want to know where the majority of my income comes from these days, you’ll definitely want to get cozy with how affiliate marketing works.

BLOGGING LIMITING BELIEF #7: Not ready enough

“I’m not ready yet.”

Here’s the truth: you will never feel 100% ready to do anything BIG in your life. This is really an excuse we tell ourselves because we’re scared to take the leap.

Think about it–is anyone ever 100% ready to have kids? Heck no, the world population would’ve died out eons ago if we all waiting until we were 100% ready. The same goes for your business (a different kind of baby!).

You don’t need 10,000 followers on Instagram. You don’t need a bigger email list. You don’t need ANYTHING to get started other than your own desire and commitment to yourself!

Don’t let the fear keep you playing small. Yes, it’s scary. Yes, it may feel awkward. Yes, there will be challenges. Yes, we ALL feel this way at some point, but the thing is, you’ve just gotta keep going. Because…

What if you could move past that fear and achieve your big goals?

I want you to imagine for a minute what it would feel like to bust the ceiling on your limitations and finally achieve your dreams. What would it feel like if you could finally…

Make great money doing something you love and are passionate about?

Do something that lights you up every day and makes you excited to get to work?

Impact the lives of others for the better?

Work from your couch in your jammies, or on a beach in the Caribbean, or at a desk in a co-working space at whatever dang time you please because YOU’RE YOUR OWN BOSS?!

Yeah, let’s do this. The time is NOW for you to go for your dreams!

Join the waitlist now for the Success with Soul Incubator!

FAQ