I’m always challenging myself, and one of the things I like to do most is content creation challenges. I usually do 30-day challenges, and they help me get back on track after some downtime.
Right now, I’m working on something called the 75 Hard challenge for artists and content creators, and honestly, it’s tough. I’ve done 100-day challenges in the past with no issues, but for some reason, I’m struggling with this one. Maybe it’s because I’m working on several platforms and putting in more time than I usually do. Whatever the case, I’m getting back on track with it today.
Funnily enough, I’ve been able to stay consistent with posting videos for this challenge, but for the writing, it’s been really tough. So, I’m taking action and implementing my strategies for getting back on the horse after failing a challenge.
To be honest, when you skip a few days, you haven’t failed, you just have to take it as a lesson, and get back on track with it.
So, here we go again!
Before I get into the strategies, I want to explain what my 75 Hard challenge entails:
- Post one article on Vocal
- One article on my blog (this one)
- One long form video on YouTube
- Two short form videos on YouTube
- Ten comments on YouTube and Vocal
- Educate myself daily
- Do something new daily (big or small)
- Affirmations for my YouTube channel and other content
It sounds like a lot right? Well, it is, I can’t lie to you. However, it’s called 75 Hard for a reason, it’s not supposed to be easy. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it, and my goal isn’t to find the easy way out. I’m willing to put in the time and hours to achieve my goals. I’m not afraid of hard work. But honestly, I have to admit that I’ve struggled with this challenge, because I’ve failed to plan everything ahead of time.
I’ve noticed that when I don’t plan, I fall flat on my face. So, to get back on track, I need to create a solid plan for my content.
Firstly, I have to plan out the content that I’m going to create in the first place, and secondly, I have to plan my content creation and posting schedule.
So, here’s how I’m getting back on track, and how you can too.
1. Reflect and Learn from the Experience
Before you dive back into your content creation journey, it's important to take a step back and reflect. What went wrong in your challenge? Did you overestimate how much time you had? Were the goals too ambitious, or did external factors cause the setback? Reflecting on these questions helps you understand the cause of the failure, allowing you to learn from it rather than feel defeated.
Think about what you can do differently next time—whether that’s adjusting your schedule, refining your process, or setting more realistic expectations. The key takeaway here is that setbacks are a normal part of the creative process, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow.
2. Set Big or Small Goals—Tailor It to What Works for You
Here’s where it’s crucial to tailor your approach based on what works best for you. Some people thrive with smaller, manageable goals—and that’s absolutely fine! Setting small goals can help prevent feeling overwhelmed and build a sense of accomplishment with each completed task. For example, instead of aiming to create an entire content series in one go, you might set a goal to finish just one video or blog post per week.
However, if you’re like me, you might be drawn to big challenges, and that’s something I personally prefer to stick with! Big goals excite me and push me to tap into my full potential. But here's the key: instead of tackling the big challenge all at once, I break it down into smaller tasks. This way, I can maintain focus and keep my energy up, all while still working toward that overarching, challenging goal.
For example, if your challenge is to post 30 pieces of content in 30 days, I might break that down into manageable tasks like:
- Planning the content strategy (2 days)
- Creating and editing content (12 days)
- Scheduling and posting (6 days)
- Analyzing performance (2 days)
Breaking a larger goal into smaller chunks keeps you motivated and on track without losing sight of the bigger picture.
3. Use Time-Management Techniques to Stay Focused
Staying productive and focused, especially when working on big challenges, requires effective time management. That’s where methods like Pomodoro or Flowtime come in. These techniques help keep you grounded, preventing distractions and ensuring you're working efficiently.
- Pomodoro Method: This method breaks your work into intervals (typically 25 minutes), followed by short breaks. After four intervals, you take a longer break. This technique works well for smaller tasks within a larger project, like writing a script or editing a video.
- Flowtime Method: If you prefer longer, deeper work sessions, this method is for you. You work for about 45-60 minutes at a stretch, followed by a break. It allows for sustained focus and is great for tasks that require more in-depth creative thought, such as conceptualizing content ideas or designing visuals.
Both of these techniques help you stay productive and ensure you're consistently progressing towards your big goal without burning out.
4. Find Inspiration—And Not Just from Others
When facing setbacks, inspiration can reignite your passion. Sometimes that comes from others—creators who've faced similar challenges and pushed through—but it can also come from your own journey. Think about your past successes and the reasons you started creating content in the first place. What made you excited about it?
Looking back at what worked for you before can help you identify what elements of your content you enjoy the most. This internal inspiration can serve as a powerful motivator when you're considering the next steps of your challenge. And, of course, drawing inspiration from others can open your eyes to new techniques or ideas you might want to incorporate into your own work.
5. Forgive Yourself and Keep Going
No one gets everything right all the time, and setbacks happen. Forgiving yourself for not meeting your initial goal is essential. Remember, failure isn’t a sign that you're not cut out for content creation—it's just part of the learning curve. The key is to not let that failure define your path forward.
Instead, treat it as a stepping stone. Reflect, learn, and then jump back into the work with renewed focus. It's important to focus on your progress, not perfection, and celebrate small wins along the way. Whether it's completing a task or simply showing up to create content, every step forward counts.
6. Adjust the Challenge to Suit Your Needs
If the original challenge didn’t work out the way you hoped, don’t be afraid to adjust it. Maybe you need to tweak your goal or set a new, more achievable timeline. If your first approach was too much to handle, there's no shame in shifting gears to find something that fits better with your current capacity and schedule.
If a small goal is more motivating for you, start there! It’s okay to shift gears and tackle smaller chunks of your project first. But, if you thrive on big challenges like I do, stick to that bigger goal but break it down into smaller tasks. You’ll keep the excitement and drive of the big challenge while also making it more manageable. Tailor the challenge in a way that plays to your strengths.
7. Consistency Over Perfection
It’s easy to get caught up in the desire to make everything perfect, but consistency is more important than perfection. In content creation, the key is to keep showing up and pushing forward, even if things aren’t flawless. By creating consistently, you’ll build your skills over time, and each piece of content will bring you closer to your ultimate goal.
For me, breaking down a big challenge into small, consistent tasks has been one of the most effective ways to stay on track. And while perfection isn’t the focus, each piece of content you produce, no matter how small, gets you one step closer to where you want to be.
8. Engage with Your Audience and Be Transparent
Sharing your journey with your audience can not only help keep you accountable, but it also builds a deeper connection with your followers. Don’t be afraid to be transparent about the challenges you’ve faced and how you’re bouncing back. People appreciate honesty, and sometimes they might even offer valuable advice or encouragement that can help you move forward.
Ask for feedback, involve your community in the creative process, and share your growth—both the wins and the struggles. This engagement will make your challenge feel even more rewarding as you see the impact on your audience.
Final Thoughts
Tackling a content creation challenge after a setback doesn’t mean starting from scratch—it’s about adjusting, learning, and keeping the momentum going. Whether you’re drawn to big challenges or prefer smaller, more manageable ones, the key is finding a strategy that works for you. If you’re like me and love big challenges, don’t shy away from them—just break them down into smaller tasks to make the journey more manageable. And remember, failure is not final, it’s just part of the process. Keep moving forward with a flexible mindset and stay consistent!
What kind of challenge are you working on right now? Maybe I can help you break it down into manageable tasks to get you back on track!
If you'd like to contribute to my creative journey, you can do so here.
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