The Secret To Growing on YouTube – I have been on YouTube for 7-8 years and for 2 1/2 of those years I have been making YouTube help tutorials and tips videos. I am about to hit 10K subscribers in the coming months and I have a secret that everyone can use to do the same. You have to make people care and offer them something worth their time.
When growing on social media there are a few things to bare in mind, here is my secret formula.
1 – Lead with Value – Give them something they want.
2 – Slowly introduce personality.
3 – Be stubborn – Stick with your niche, keep going, keep investing and getting better.
4 – NEVER Give Up!
The older I get the more I realise that life is a non stop opportunity to learn more about the world. In fact the older you get the more knowledge is forced into your head even if you wasn’t looking to learn something new. Now I am not suggesting that you just lock yourself a way in a cave with only pot noodles and an xbox for company to avoid learning more… embrace then knowledge.
I have learnt more about the world, myself, business and the inner workings of other peoples lives than I ever learnt from school or the education system. And what helped me learn so much… simply living. I can now appreciate how much my mum must’ve done for me when I was a little kid now that I have a step daughter of my own. All those late nights, middle of the night wake up calls. All those times she had to bite her tongue or fight the urge to slap me in the head for asking the same stupid question or doing the same thing i’ve been told not to do 1Million times. You learn by proxy that life wasn’t truly the way you thought it was when you was young, in your teens or even then getting your first job.
Now education doesn’t have to come from living the patterns of life but can also come from expanding your bubble of knowledge. The more I learn, the move services I am able to offer my clients. When I first started my YouTube channel I was hoping to educate people via videos to grow their channel. I soon learned that I could also teach people 1 on 1 with reports and video calls. I learnt how to edit my videos better for clients which led to more clients wanting to work with me. Maybe you can see the cycle… even time a client asks me to learn something new, or I have to learn something to make something work… it becomes an asset and a skill I can add to my tool kit.
Even this podcast was a lesson that I felt I was forced to learn – not in a bad way. I need to expand my brand and make it easier for people to find me. If its easier for you to listen to me on a podcast rather than a Youtube video, then I would be silly to shut you out and ignore your need. So, I learnt how to make podcasts and 15 weeks in… I am now making podcast for my clients…. a lesson that was very quickly and toolkit asset worth my time and money.
Learning doesn’t have to have an ROI of money – But if you do embrace the learning that life throws at you, you’ll never be bored.
Why You Should Continue Learning
Beyond keeping things fresh to sustain your professional creativity and passion, learning keeps you relevant in our ever-changing world. And, it’s arguably the best job security tool you could have, not to mention that achieving higher levels and honing new skills is a great argument for seeking promotions and raises at work.
“Organizations can’t keep transforming if their employees aren’t learning and their skills aren’t aligned with shifting business demands,” explains Toby, stressing the importance of creating an environment in which learning is encouraged and failure is safe as long as employees learn from it.
“All managers should make learning a core goal for their employees. It’s directly related to their team’s and their company’s success,” he says. “Employees should get the time and support to achieve learning–and be recognized for it.”
His best advice for professional development? Take personal responsibility for your learning.
So, now that you know why you should continue to learn, here are Toby’s top tips for doing so on the job.
Decide What You Want to Learn
First, consider how and in what way you want to develop yourself.
Start with broad industry knowledge, which can help you pinpoint areas that most spark your curiosity. Read broadly and often. Your reading list should go beyond regular news. Follow both general business news, like the Harvard Business Review, as well as blogs related to your field. You can also join virtual communities related to your field to read and participate in discussions with your peers.
Try to work in at least half an hour of reading and professional networking each day. As specific topics in your field inspire and interest you, explore them further. Once you identify where you want to specialize, try to attend relevant conferences and even take specific courses to further your knowledge.
Take Full Advantage of Your Company’s Resources
Companies with the most effective continuous learning programs make their resources accessible, personalized, and engaging for employees. Take IBM’s Your Learning platform as an example. Powered with Watson’s artificial intelligence analytics, Your Learning integrates formal, informal and social learning formats and curates content for each individual learner. This Netflix-style development platform offers employees a set of channels to choose from. Employees can see how others have rated the various offerings and there’s also a live-chat adviser, who is available to help them at any time.
And, employees earn digital badges based on the level of expertise and experience in specific skills they have completed, which is a great way to empower employees, keep them engaged, and perpetuate the culture of learning.
“When you’re allowed to influence your training in this way, following your own interests and even adding material you find on your own, the learning experience is irresistible. You can gain control, create your own learning pathways and develop your skills in a faster and more efficient way,” Toby explains. Customization is something the IBM Learning platform offers by getting to know you as a learner and providing personalized learning recommendations based on not only your job role, but your learning patterns and personal interests.
To get started, do some research and ask around. If you’re new to an organization, there may be a learning portal you aren’t familiar with yet. And even if you’ve been somewhere for years, policies may have changed and there could be budget available for online courses or conferences.
Once you’ve dug around a bit, check in with your manager and HR about the resources that are available and how you can best fit this into your regular work schedule. It’s not uncommon for organizations to allow employees to make time for professional development during the workweek.
Ask for More Learning Opportunities at Work
But, if you’re left wanting more when it comes to professional development resources at work, don’t let that deter you, Toby advises. When asked how employees can push for more learning options, he suggests starting by demonstrating how it will help your company.
“Have a vision of what your organization wants to look like, and show how employee learning fits into that,” he explains. Companies must recognize that the environment is constantly changing, he says, and that their responsibility to clients to stay up-to-date and relevant with the latest knowledge and tools can be best met by empowering their own employees to keep learning.
If your company doesn’t offer an accessible internal learning platform or have the resources to create one, Toby suggests employees lead the charge by requesting access to readily available external training and learning services.
“Be curious,” he says. “Go on forums, watch TEDx, be active in LinkedIn communities. And within your day to day, remember that learning happens everywhere. Reach out to your peers and communities both within and outside of your organization,” Toby says. “Continue to stay curious and find the way to always be learning.”
And make your own suggestions. If there is a professor from a local university that is an expert in a topic you want to learn more about, see if your company will organize a lunch and learn session with him. Be vocal about what you’re interested in, and suggest ways to make it happen.
So, take a proactive approach when it comes to your education. And remember, learning can happen in many different ways. Don’t discount what you can get out of a podcast on a favorite subject, or email digest focused on your industry. The important thing is you’re soaking up the knowledge, and using it to better yourself and your career.
Sometimes I find myself just sat in silence enjoying the calm. I don’t mean meditate, I just mean that 5 minutes of calm before the storm has to start again. Have you ever just sat there for 5 minutes and enjoyed the silence – no tv, no podcast, no audiobook, no toddlers, no partners, nothing to do for just 5 minutes of brain relaxing space with the madness of every day life. I am a firm believer that from time to time you need to just STOP and enjoy the bubble of nothing.
Also in this weeks podcast I share my thoughts and feelings on where YouTube have been for the last 1-2 years and where I predict it will go in the coming weeks, months and years in the future.
Our lives are non-stop. Whether that’s when we’re working or even when we’re travelling. Combine that with the time spent on the internet or social media, and we barely have enough time to take a few minutes to relax and breathe. Living life at 100 miles per hour can not only be exhausting; it can be damaging to our health. Life is happening right now, as we speak. Have you taken the time to stop and appreciate just being alive and living in the moment today?
Here are five reasons why you should take a few minutes today to slow down and enjoy life.
1. Say Goodbye to Stress
Relaxing and slowing down will help decrease your heightened stress levels. Trying to cram everything on our impossible to-do lists in one measly day adds to our stress levels significantly. With stress comes higher blood pressure, higher heart rates, exhaustion and a whole slew of other physical and mental ailments. Make time for you! Taking the time to eat slower, move slower or sit still, if only for a few minutes, can give your mind and body a much-needed rest.
2. Say Hello to Enjoyment
Are you rushing through the day but aren’t feeling happy? When you live in and are aware of the present moment, you feel happier and connected. Slowing down can improve your focus whether it be the task at hand or just appreciating and enjoying life. When you slow down, your relationships become better as well as your general outlook on life. All in all, settling for a few minutes will improve your overall happiness.
3. Say Goodbye to Close-mindedness
Creating time for things you enjoy such as travel, can open your mind and let you explore the world. So don’t forget why you got your working holiday visa, always make time to visit the country you’re in, don’t let it all be about work. Never allowing time to slow down stifles your cognitive abilities. This world was made to be explored, and with that, you can see and learn amazing things. This too, creates a feeling of wonder and happiness as you appreciate other cultures, new sights and sounds, and new faces. Try a massage or something new to eat. Take the time to relax and discover the world around you.
4. Say Hello to Creativity
Rushing around all day or all week weakens your creativity. By the end of the day, you are too tired to do anything but lay there in a vegetative state. Do you like to read, write, blog, draw or anything else? These are hobbies that you enjoy doing, which you won’t have time for. Take a few minutes to do what you love to do. This not only creates feelings of enjoyment but it lowers your heart rate, washes away anxiety, and lets you be happy in the moment.
5. Say Goodbye to Poor Quality
Taking a moment to slow your pace increases the quality of anything you are doing. Working faster does not necessarily mean better. Slowing down allows your focus to centre which improves the quality of your work, of your enjoyment, and in your relationships. Allow yourself some time to accomplish what you need to instead of racing through life. You will see better quality which increases self-happiness.
We do have things to get done, places to go and people to see, but slowing down for a bit improves the quality of life. Traveling, doing something you enjoy, appreciating the great outdoors and more boosts your happiness and gets rid of the constant nag of stress and rushing through life. Not only will taking it easy for five minutes improve your mood, but it will also improve your health. Your mind and body need a break too from running at breakneck speed.
Take a break, and enjoy the moment, you deserve it.
Sometime you have to push yourself and step outside your normal routine to test yourself. How do you know if you could deal with a situation if you’ve never done so yourself. This could be a new skill, a new job role, a new piece of software or a new chore. That new piece of software maybe harder use but might be more efficient when you finally master it. Pushing yourself out of your bubble to socialise within your industry might be the key to that lead or client sale you needed to keep your company alive or help it grow.
This week I have been forced to learn new skills for my video editing by a client – something I might admit was needed to do so, and helps me learn new skills or tools to improve my own works. I also had to become full and only adult in the household this week as my other half went into hospital and I had to learn her half of our life, and learn how to be a stay at home carer – the organisation of how to get a 3 year old to nursery mixed with how to lift and clean someone after surgery.
Step outside your bubble and learn a new life sill.
Challenging yourself can help you perform at your peak.
Stepping outside one’s comfort zone is an important, and almost universal, factor in personal growth. How can we expect to evolve in our lives and careers if we only stick to habit and routine? Reaching new heights involves the risk of attempting something we might not succeed at.
A little anxiety can help us perform at our peak, psychologists have found — in other words, when we challenge ourselves, we tend to rise to the occasion.
Taking risks is what helps us grow.
As children, we’re natural risk-takers. But as we get older and learn to fear failure, we start holding ourselves back and attempting fewer new things.
This comes at a high cost to our tremendous potential for lifelong growth and transformation.
“We pay a heavy price for our fear of failure,” the author John Gardner wrote in Self-Renewal. “It is a powerful obstacle to growth. It assures the progressive narrowing of the personality and prevents exploration and experimentation. There is no learning without some difficulty and fumbling. If you want to keep on learning, you must keep on risking failure — all your life. It’s as simple as that.”
Trying new things can make you more creative.
Creativity is innately risky — when we share creative work, we open ourselves up to vulnerability and possible rejection. At the same time, risking failure increases the possibility of great creative achievement.
Stepping out of your comfort zone even once makes it easier and more likely that you’ll do it again. Case in point: 2012 research found that studying abroad resulted in boosts in students’ creativity. Students who spent a semester in Spain or Senegal scored higher on two different tests of creativity than students who did not study abroad.
In becoming a person who regularly takes calculated risks, challenges yourself, and tries new things, you’ll cultivate openness to experience, one of what’s known in psychology as the “Big Five” personality traits. Openness to experience — which is characterized by qualities like intellectual curiosity, imagination, emotional and fantasy interests, and a drive to explore one’s inner and outer lives — has been shown to be the best predictor of creative achievement.
Embracing new challenges can help you age better.
Our comfort zones tend to shrink as we get older — but if we can keep expanding them, we’ll open ourselves up to greater fulfillment and improved well-being as we age.
A 2013 study found that learning new and demanding life skills, while also maintaining a strong social network, can help us stay mentally sharp as we get older.
DO YOU HAVE A BACK UP PLAN? – Today I share with you the importance of being self aware and having a back up plan in cases of problems. In my own personal life this week I am facing life challenges that you could never guess or even plan for but if you plan for a long term safety net for the unknown…. it makes it a little easier.
How to Create A Back-Up Plan
It’s not possible to be prepared for every potential disaster or upset in life. The universe is very creative in the assortment of calamities that might come our way.
Things can happen that you may never have contemplated, much less planned for. (I have a friend whose husband delivered their third child in the front seat of their car on the way to the hospital!)
Although you can’t prepare for everything, you can prepare for some. And you can create a general back-up plan for your own expectations, behavior, and frame of mind for those totally unexpected events.
The Events You’ve Considered
There’s a lot to be said for peace of mind, and having a safety net for some of life’s more common disruptions is well worth the effort. As they say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Here are some ideas for a back-up plan in various areas of your life:
Financial
I have an emergency fund of 3-6 months of income.
I put away savings for retirement, college funds, and other future needs/wants.
I pay my bills on time.
I don’t spend beyond my means or carry debt.
I pay my taxes regularly and on time.
I have access to a good accountant.
I don’t make risky investments.
I am financially knowledgeable and understand how to manage money.
I have an up-to-date will.
Home
I have insurance.
I keep my important papers (and other valuables) in a safe place.
I have a security system, fire extinguisher, and a smoke alarm.
I have an escape plan that I’ve shared with my family.
I have emergency contact numbers easily accessible.
My important papers are orderly and easy to access.
I have a back-up for my important computer files.
I have protection against identity theft.
I have photocopies of my driver’s license, passport, social security card, and birth certificate.
I have a friend or family member who can help in case of emergency.
Career
I have an up-to-date resume.
I have a good feel for my job security and the financial health of my employer.
I am regularly updating my skills or working to make myself more valuable.
I stay informed about other career opportunities in my industry.
I network often and have a strong circle of associates in my industry.
I have ideas for working independently or as a consultant if necessary.
I feel confident about my interview skills.
I understand how to use social media to connect with others professionally.
I’m aware that my emotional intelligence plays a vital role in my career success and I have a high emotional IQ.
Health and Safety
I understand proper nutrition and eat healthily.
I exercise regularly.
I keep my weight in the normal range for my height.
I don’t smoke, take recreational drugs, drink in excess, or consume any toxic or unhealthy substances.
I follow my regular medical check-ups and recommended preventative procedures.
I have ways to cope with and reduce stress.
I use safety precautions including a seat belt, helmet when necessary, safe sex, sunscreen, etc.
I don’t speed or take risks when driving or engage in other high-risk activities.
I get enough sleep.
I take care of my mental health by seeing a coach or counselor when necessary.
I allow myself plenty of time to get where I’m going.
If I live in an area prone to natural disasters (earthquakes, tornado, hurricanes, etc.), I have a plan of action for my escape and/or safety.
Car
I have proper automotive insurance and keep insurance info in my car.
I know who to call in case of an emergency and carry a cell phone in my car.
I don’t allow my gas tank to get close to empty.
I jumper cables and a spare tire in my car, and I know how to use them.
I keep other emergency items in my car including a first aid kit, flares, blanket, and water.
I am a member of AAA or other auto emergency service.
I keep my regular service appointments and my tires are in good shape.
I tend to problems with my car right away.
I keep a roll of toilet paper in the car.
Relationships
I understand the qualities of emotionally mature relationships, and I work to practice those.
I put my primary relationships (spouse, partner, children, parents) ahead of everything else in my life and tend to them lovingly.
I have good communication skills and can deal with conflict in a healthy way.
I don’t over-promise or over-commit.
My emotional needs are met, and I work to meet those of my loved ones.
I have many fulfilling friendships and business relationships.
I practice forgiveness and try not to hold a grudge.
I don’t associate with people who can harm me, my reputation, or my peace of mind.
I don’t use passive aggressive or openly aggressive behaviors.
The Total Out-Of-The-Blue Surprise Events
I can’t list these events because, hey, they are completely unexpected. But they might fall in the category of getting abducted by aliens, delivering a baby in your car, having a tree fall on you, learning your spouse has another family, or having a grizzly bear take up residence in your garage.
These are the kinds of events that are hard to plan for but that have been known to happen (maybe not the aliens).
How does one prepare for things you don’t know to anticipate?
You can’t. But you can prepare for how you will react and respond to these events.
Here are some ideas:
Practical awareness that life can be unpredictable can help you cope when something unexpected happens. We shouldn’t live in fear, nor should we live with the illusion that nothing bad ever happens.
Define and remember who you want to be in all situations — good or bad. Life’s difficulties can bring out the worst in us, but if we know who we are and want to be in any situation, it’s easier to step into that place during rough times.
Yes, it will be upsetting, shocking, or even devastating when an event like this occurs, but take a deep breath and know that you have the ability to cope.
In difficult situations, practice putting your feelings aside at first in order to deal with the practical matters at hand. Act first, react later.
Learn the signs of shock or panic and how to deal with those.Try to return to a calm and stable place in your mind so you can make sound decisions. Practice this in small life upsets so you can return to it for the larger ones.
Have a support system in place of people and professionals you can turn to during a surprise event. This might include friends, family, clergy, a counselor, coach, attorney, or physician.
Practice non-resistance in everyday life so you can use it for life’s turmoil. Shift your thinking to the knowledge that even negative events can offer something positive.
At the right time, deal with the emotional aftermath in a healthy way. Seek the support of a professional or friend. You can’t stuff the emotions forever, or they will emerge in destructive or debilitating ways.
If you don’t have a back-up plan in some of these areas of your life, take a few days or a week to put these actions into place. The week between Christmas and New Year’s is a great time to set aside for this.
BURN OUT! As the weather heats up in the UK I want to talk to you about mental overheating rather than physical. Mental health when it comes to life, work and YouTube can be the making or breaking of you. I know from personal experience how hard it can be to balance life, building a business, creating regular content for a YouTube channel and maintaining a healthy mental outlook on life.
A few years ago I found myself under a dark cloud mentally. A combination of failing business, poor health, failed personal relationships and other factors led me to fighting my own mental health battle. I don’t think that we talk about mental health enough these days and that leads to people over working, over thinking and burning out.
When it comes to personal factors I beg you to take time for yourself. Dedicate 5-10 mins a day if you can to just have some head space. What helps recharge you? Is it a walk on a canal? Is it saving the world in some computer game? Reading? Writing? Whatever you feel helps you turn your brain off for just a few minutes a day, then do it.
For YouTube creators I suggest you buy yourself time with bulk recording. I know it might be hard to find the first hour or 2 to do this but it will help you. Instead of panicking that you need to make a video every day or every other day, assess is you are over publishing. Then use that 1-2 hours slot you can beg, steal or borrow on the weekend to record 5-10 videos. These 10 videos you can then drip feed out 2 a week for 5 weeks and then within that 5 weeks bulk record again. What this does is gives you breathing room. No longer are you making a video every day panicking that you don’t have an idea for a video or that you’re running late. You now have 5 weeks to plan video ideas and videos in the bank to publish for week to come.
Most importantly whether its YouTube, life or work…. be kind to yourself. Give yourself time to power down for just a few minutes or go for a walk for some fresh air. Look after your mental health and it will look after you too.
Here are 12 ways to get started with your self-care.
1. Make sleep part of your self-care routine.
Sleep can have a huge effect on how you feel both emotionally and physically. Not getting enough can even cause major health issues. But stress and other distractions can wreak havoc on our sleep.
What do you do to make sleep part of a self-care routine? Start by thinking about your nightly routine. Are you eating or drinking immediately before bed? If so, it’s especially important to stay away from caffeine and sugar, which tend to keep you awake.
Reducing stress is also key. If you have work-related stress, think about the best ways to calm yourself after a hard day or relax more while on the job. You might talk to your employer about lessening your workload or settle a disagreement with a coworker.
Next, make sure your bedroom is the best possible place for you to get good REM sleep. It should be free of distractions (such as a television, laptop, cellphone, etc.). And make sure you have room-darkening curtains to keep the sun from waking you up too early in the mornings.
2. Take care of yourself by taking care of your gut. article continues after advertisement
Your gut health can have a significant impact on your health, well-being, and feelings of vitality. The types of foods you eat crucially impact the bacteria that live in your stomach, resulting in a cascade of either positive or negative outcomes. An unhappy gut can lead to an unhappy person, and vice-versa.
3. Exercise daily as part of your self-care routine.
We all know exercise is good for us, but do we really know how good it is? Daily exercise can help you both physically and mentally, boosting your mood and reducing stress and anxiety, not to mention helping you shed extra weight.
Of course, it might be hard to go to the gym every day, so try to incorporate other exercises, such as walking, tennis, or yoga, which may be able to fit into your schedule more easily. The most important thing is to create a routine that works for you.
4. Eat right for self-care.
The food we eat has the potential to either keep us healthy or contribute to weight gain or diseases such as diabetes, but it can also keep our minds working and alert. Eating the right foods can help prevent short-term memory loss and inflammation, both of which can have long-term effects on the brain and, in turn, the rest of the body. Some of the most amazing self-care foods include fatty fish, blueberries, nuts, green leafy veggies, and brassicas, like broccoli.article continues after advertisement
5. Say no to others, and say yes to your self-care.
Learning to say no is really hard; many of us feel obligated to say yes when someone asks for our time or energy. However, if you’re already stressed or overworked, saying yes to loved ones or coworkers can lead to burnout, anxiety, and irritability. It may take a little practice, but once you learn how to politely say no, you’ll start to feel more empowered, and you’ll have more time for your self-care.
6. Take a self-care trip.
Taking a self-care trip can make a huge difference in your life. Even if you’re not feeling particularly stressed, getting away for a weekend every now and then can help you disconnect, relax, and be rejuvenated. These self-care trips don’t have to be costly; simply drive to the next town over and see the sights, or go camping nearby. The goal is to veer away from your normal schedule and take the time to do something just for yourself.
7. Take a self-care break by getting outside.
Spending time outside can help you reduce stress, lower your blood pressure, and be more mindful. Studies have even shown that getting outside can help reduce fatigue, making it a great way to overcome symptoms of depression or burnout. Getting outside can also help you sleep better at night, especially if you do some physical activity, like hiking or walking, while you are outside.
8. Let a pet help you with your self-care. article continues after advertisement
Pets can bring a boost to our lives. From giving unconditional love to providing companionship, pets can be hugely beneficial for our self-care. Dogs especially can help reduce stress and feelings of anxiety and can even lower blood pressure. In fact, many people who suffer from disorders like PTSD have benefited from working daily with animals, which is why service dogs have become so helpful for these individuals.
9. Take care of yourself by getting organized.
Getting organized is often the first step to becoming a healthier you, because it allows you to figure out exactly what you need to do to take better care of yourself. A small change, like keeping a planner or a calendar on the fridge, can help you write down all your responsibilities and appointments, while at the same time keeping your life a bit more organized. You can also create an area to keep keys, purses, backpacks, briefcases, and coats, and make sure they’re ready to go for the next day.
10. Cook at home to care for yourself.
Many people don’t take the time to make themselves meals, preferring instead to stop for fast food or popping a pre-made meal in the microwave. But these “fast” meals aren’t usually sufficient when it comes to feeding your body the right kinds of calories and nutrients. Even if it’s only once a week, consider making a healthy meal for yourself or your whole family. You could even look into a meal delivery service or meal kit that can help you get started.article continues after advertisement
11. Read a book on self-care for self-care.
In today’s fast-paced world, we tend to turn to our phones for entertainment or comfort, scrolling through news feeds that can contribute to our stress and anxiety rather than helping it. Instead, consider bringing a book with you when you leave the house. Even better, bring books on self-care, so that you can learn more about how to take care of yourself while you are taking care of yourself. You might be amazed at the difference it can make when you slow down instead of always looking at your phone. Not only can it help improve your mood, but it can also help you to stay more present and mindful.
12. Schedule your self-care time, and guard that time with everything you have.
It can be hard for us all to find extra time. But it’s extremely important to plan regular self-care time. Moments alone can help you to ponder the best ways to move forward in your life and keep you grounded. And moments with friends can help you feel more connected and relaxed.
Whether you decide you want to go for a long walk, take a hot bath, or enjoy a good movie with friends, taking self-care time is imperative. Look for small ways you can incorporate it into everyday life; for example, you might wake up 15 minutes earlier to sit with a cup of tea and practice deep breathing before the chaos of the day begins, or you might take a walk around the block on your lunch break. The more you can work self-care time into your schedule, the better you’ll be able to grow, enjoy your life, and thrive.
I noted in my last podcast that you have more time that you realise. Now it’s time to make the most of that time by setting yourself goals you want to achieve and doing the hard work to achieve them! The best way to achieve your long term goal is understand WHAT you want to achieve and WHY you want it. Will it help you? Will it help your business? Is it good for your mental health? Will is lay a solid foundation for your future?
Once you know the WHAT and WHY you need to look hard and deep into the HOW. What is your goal? And be honest with yourself on what you would need to have in place in year 5 to achieve that. Write it down, rip it apart and make a play on all the tiny little steps you will need to take and micro milestones you will need to achieve in week 1, month 1 and year 1 to achieve this. Build one step at a time, and you will get there.
How To Set Goals and Achieve Them
Decide. Think of something you want to do or work towards. It doesn’t matter what, as long as it’s something you want to do – ideally something you’re interested in or feel excited by. It should be something you want to do for its own sake not for something or someone else. It can be a big thing or a small thing – sometimes it is easier to get going with something small. And it often helps if it’s something that’s just a little bit beyond what you currently can do – goals that stretch us can be motivating!
Write it down. Carefully. Writing down our goals increases our chances of sticking with them. Write down how you will know you have reached your goals and when you’d like to have achieved it by. Ask yourself: what it will ‘look’ like and how will you feel when you’ve done it? How does it connect to who or what you value in your life? Describe your goal in specific terms and timescales e.g. ‘I want to plant lettuces, carrots and peas in the empty patch in my garden by the end of May’ rather than ‘I want to do some gardening.’ Write your goals in terms of what you want, not what you don’t want. For example: ‘I want to be able to wear my favourite jeans again’, rather than ‘I don’t want to be over-weight anymore’.
Tell someone. Telling someone we know about our goals also seems to increase the likelihood that we will stick at them.
Break your goal down. This is especially important for big goals. Think about the smaller goals that are steps on the way to achieving your bigger aim. Sometimes our big goals are a bit vague, like ‘I want to be healthier’. Breaking these down helps us be more specific. So a smaller goal might be ‘go running regularly’ or even ‘to be able to run around the park in 20 minutes without stopping’. Write down your smaller goals and try to set some dates to do these by too. Having several smaller goals makes each of them a bit easier and gives us a feeling of success along the way, which also makes it more likely that we’ll stay on track towards our bigger goal.
Plan your first step. An ancient Chinese proverb says that the journey of 1000 miles starts with one step. Even if your goal isn’t to walk 1000 miles, thinking about the first step on the way will really help to get you started. Even if you don’t know where to start there’s no excuse – your first step could be to research ‘how to…’ on the internet or think of people you could ask or to get a book on the subject from the library. Then think of your next step…and the next…
Keep going. Working towards our goals can sometimes be difficult and frustrating – so we need to persevere. If a step you’re doing isn’t working, think of something else you could try that still moves you forward, even a tiny bit. If you’re struggling, ask people you know for their ideas on what you could do. They may help you see a different way. Thinking about different ways of reaching our goals makes it more likely we’ll be successful. If you’re really struck – take a break and then re-read the goal you wrote down when you started. If you need to adjust your goal – that’s ok too. Then have another think about a small next step…
Celebrate. When you reach your goal take time to enjoy it and thank those that helped you. Think about what you enjoyed and learned along the way. Now, what is your next goal or project going to be?
The older I get the more I realise how much of a rush I was in my 20’s. You have more time at hand than you think. When I was so eager to “seek the great perhaps” that I packed up my life on a whim and moved 300ish miles to live in Huddersfield. Although this is now something that I dearly love, it was something that 26 year old me didnt think through properly. In my mid 20’s I had just started my first business and I thought I was going to be a wild success. I hadn’t factored in the hard work and grind needed to sustain a business let alone grow one.
Roll forward 10 years and I this year I turn 35 years old. That first business failed and I had to go back to a “normal job” for 2-3 years, had to pay off a large amount of business debt from the first business and FINALLY learnt my lesson that there is no need to rush. I am 2 years into my YouTube Consulting business with a much more stable base, putting in MUCH more hard work to expand network reach and brand awareness. Now what made the difference here?
Time! At 25 you have much more time than you realise. You may want to grow a business and be a massive success in 2 years but you need to remember that life is a marathon and you should play that in your favour. If you dedicate 1-2 years to learning your craft, talking to people within your desired niche or industry, learn from their experience and you wont regret it. I started and failed a business, repaid the debt, started a second business and im still only 35! “Only 35” – I know that sounds old to you teenagers, i used to think the same, but in this modern day world we have 70+ years at least to live and 35 is barely half time. If i work full tilt for 5 years I will still only be 40, and 40 is not the end of life either.
Give yourself time, remove that pressure and build something with patience and hard work – rather than fear, speed and get rich quick schemes.
Grow with a niche – Growing on YouTube takes time, dedication and a hyper focused niche. You might love creating YouTube videos and been trying to grow your YouTube channel for years by throwing unlimited content at the channel but in a scattershot manner.
Imagine you have a YouTube channel you want to grow in 2019 and you upload sports videos, food videos, child care videos, wrestling videos and then some car repair videos – how is your audience going to describe your channel to a friend? How are they to know what you will upload for them to watch next week?
That is where the power of a niche comes in. I have made 300+ YouTube tutorials on my YouTube channel nearly 2 years. During this time I have niched down into helping people grow their channel and learn the features and functionality that YouTube has to offer. This means that when someone arrives on my channel they know exactly what I will teach them and what I will keep teaching them today, tomorrow, next week, next month and for years to come. This makes you known for your field and niche and grows your brand and recognition…. and trust. Trust will win you business, trust will win you subscribers, trust will grow an audience on YouTube.
How To Podcast – Podcasting for Beginners – How To Start a Podcast on Anchor – A free beginners guide to how to start a podcast in 2019 // Learn how to podcast, expand your online brand and and grow your YouTube channel. In this tutorial I step you through everything you need to know about how to start a Podcast, how to make a podcast and how to promote grow a podcast.
I started my podcast a few months into 2019 – http://www.startcreatingpodcast.com – and I want to share with you how I make my podcast so you can make your own. I use Anchor to make my podcast from my iPhone. This is free, fast and quick to set up but there are a few things you need to think about to make it look and sounds great.
HOW TO BE SELF EMPLOYED – The Hard Lessons You Learn When Your Are Your Own Boss (EP011) // In the news – FairTube YouTubers Union. Podcast – Are you dreaming about shaking of the shackles of the 9to5 grind and becoming your won boss? Have you handed in your notice and just settled down to your first week of work? or are you wondering if its he right move for you, this podcast is for you. Today I deep dive into the hardships that come with going freelance/self employed and the things you might not have considered would be a hurdle in your new adventure.
Also in the news we talk about the #FairTube YouTubers how this will effect youtube and what I feel about in with a deep dive.
TWEET ME YOUR QUESTIONS USING #STARTCREATINGPODCAST – GET YOUR QUESTION ANSWERED ON THE PODCAST!!
Are you looking to Start A YouTube Channel? Maybe you wondering if a new YouTube channel could succeed in 2019. Starting A Successful YouTube Channel in 2019 and starting it from zero is all about foundation, planning and hard work – but you CAN succeed with time and patience. Today in I deep dive into every fine detail you need to consider when starting a YouTube channel from scratch. I give you an update on my personal health. I ramble about the difference in YouTube seasonal CPM rates and why they will be like a roller coaster for the next 12 months. This weeks throw back clip is How To Grow on YouTube with How To’s.
TWEET ME YOUR QUESTIONS USING #STARTCREATINGPODCAST – GET YOUR QUESTION ANSWERED ON THE PODCAST!!
YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG!! – #STARTCREATINGPODCAST EP 006 // Failing to grow on YouTube? Hoping to grow your YouTube channel but after 5 years nothing seems to be happening? Angry or a little bitter that new people seem to join YouTube and go viral all the time within months or just a couple years and get you’re still sat there with a dead channel…. YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG!
Are You Doing It Right?
“I’ve been on YouTube/Facebook/Twitter/Instagram for 5 years and I’ve never earnt a dime!” – Jeff
“How come I was here first and XYZ is doing better than me?” – Barry
Jeff/Barry, you haven’t done the leg work to learn the platform and grow. Anyone can do it if they have the right INTENT, CONTENT and HUSTLE! Social media is not an easy game to play let alone win. So it’s time you smartened up and realised it not a lazy get out of jail free care to be first and longest anymore.
TWEET ME YOUR QUESTIONS USING #STARTCREATINGPODCAST – GET YOUR QUESTION ANSWERED ON THE PODCAST!!
Long term growth on any social media platform is hard and will take a long time to seed a foundation. This tends to be the reason many creators burn out and give up on their goals. If you are creating content just to hit a demographic or to chase trends then it can get soulless, it can get hard and it can become a chore rather than a passion. HOWEVER, you can avoid this pitfall from day one if you make your channel, your social media content or your foundation about something that you love.
Have you ever been around a Star Wars fan that loves it soooooo much that they just wont shut up about it? Imagine how much content they can make talking about their favourite franchise without feeling it’s a chore. Use that passion as the fuel that fires your brand and pushes you to make content for weeks, months, and even years into the future.
HOW TO GET 6000 SUBSCRIBERS IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS // I uploaded my first YouTube Tutorial video to YouTube in July 2017. In less than 2 years I have been able to grow my channel in a brand new niche from 0 subscribers to over 6300, and today I share with you my thoughts on how. In this weeks podcast I share with you my tips on How To Get 6000 Subscribers on YouTube in Less Than 2 Years.
