Blogging is a Continuous Learning Exercise

I’ve always been of the belief that a college degree tells little about what you know in comparison to what it tells aboutwhat you can learn. I got my degree in an IT related field, so this is especially true for myself, as the IT world is constantly changing. Anything I learn today will probably be useless in a few short years. The point is to learn to learn.

Blogging works exactly the same way. I believe this to be true regardless of your end goal. If you’re trying to make money, this is abundantly clear. There’s always more money to be made.If you’re teaching on a subject, you are constantly looking for/formulating new information to share. Even if you’re just spouting offuseless (albeit entertaining) rants, you’re continuously improving your writing and storytelling so people don’t get bored of you.

This is one of the reasons that bloggers burn out. They forget this. They think they have an unlimited amount of content just waiting to burst from their brain. They get comfortable. Then they start to run out of juice.

Sure, at times it seems that some bloggers just have it. They are experts in their fields and will simply feed us with invaluable content forever. It’s not true. Pay attention. Most of those bloggers are discussing new ideas, upcoming topics. They pull on life experiences (unavoidable learning) and allow them to demonstrate a point. Even Steve Pavlina would run out of content eventually without constant learning. Though, I have a theory that he’s a robot… but that’s for another day.

Don’t get comfortable

It applies everywhere:

• Think you’re the best at your sport? Stop practicing. See what happens.
• You’ve mastered PHP to the greatest possible extent? Don’t bother learning anything new. Someone said that about BASIC, I’m sure.
• You’ve proven that your recipe for a great TV show is flawless? Did you watch the last season of 24?

The point is apparent. Don’t think you’ve succeeded. There are plateaus, but there are no peaks. Always be learning from your experiences. See what posts work for your readers. Which get the best response? Which are completely ignored? Which bring in the most Google traffic, or get the most Adsense clicks? Don’t settle or your blog will end up with so many others in Internet limbo.
What happens when someone thinks they’ve hit the peak? They quickly begin sliding down the other side.