This is a guest posts, Written by Mark Bell From BloggersJournal.com

wordpress 101 The Blogging MentalityWhat does it take to blog. How about networking. Why you must engage, how you can engage. What engaging can do for you. About work ethic, determination. Mentality – the outlook for the next big thing – ways to help.

The internet lifestyle is something that many of us reading here aspire to. It represents freedom, choice and flexibility that a regular 9-5 job prevents us from having. I firmly believe that in each of us, this is possible. However, with so many people failing to make it, and an attrition rate which is insane, what kind of mentality does it take to achieve the internet lifestyle?

I recently wrote about the Internet Lifestyle on my own blog. I focused on my observations of those who have “made it”. I wrote about the business and practical methods they put into practise to realise the internet lifestyle. Here I wish to focus on the personal traits which are fundamentally important to achieving anything in life, not just on the internet.

Where I Am Coming From…

Over the past 4 years, I have been studying for my PhD in aerospace engineering. Iʼm no qualified psychologist. However, I am obsessively analytical, and observe more than I care to admit. However, whilst undertaking my studies I learned a hell of a lot about myself. About my personality, my mentality and even how I approached things. Lost? Bare with me.

Having completed my studies, and looking back upon the mentality it required, and the personal roller coaster it was, I learned many valuable lessons. Soon after I started blogging, I found these lessons and personality traits floating to the surface again. I also observed that those who made it possessed these same traits.

Blogging Persistence

Often in life there are times that are difficult, or challenging. Things test us, and itʼs what we learn through experience that is invaluable. Through failure we learn nothing – literally. However, blogging requires persistence. You must be so highly driven that you do not get tripped up by many hurdles which youʼll face. These could be no comments on your posts, or poor traffic, or many more things. However, drive and focus, help you succeed.

Blogging Personalities

Blogging is another form of social media. Itʼs a creative outlet. For me, in a very technical line of work, Iʼve no way to be expressive – my blog provides this opportunity. Grasp this
opportunity and embrace it. Itʼs healthy of have a balanced output from your life. Now, all that wishy washy stuff aside. Your personality – who you are as a person – really dictates how you will be received in the blogosphere. Much like in real life. Some people will love you, others may not. Do not despair.

If youʼre willing to help people, then to be successful, you need to know the right people. To do this, you need to engage with your readers at every opportunity. Talk to them on Twitter, Facebook, Skype, or what ever the latest trend is. This way, you form working relationships that make you become memorable. If youʼve been remembered, soon you are recommended by different people, because you have proven yourself as reliable, or proficient at a particular job. Regardless – what Iʼm getting at is your personality will dictate how well you network with others.

Blogging Is About An Open Mind

Blogging is really about being open to anything. Iʼve always been recommended to carry a pen and paper around to jot down ideas when they come to me. It sounds crazy, but your best thinking is done on a subconscious level. So when it finally hits you that youʼve a great idea, you want to remember this.

The important part of great ideas however, is a willingness to embrace them. Who cares if the idea sounds stupid. Iʼll bet 10 years ago, the thought of wireless internet was a ludicrous idea, and was laughed at. Successful people take risks. They donʼt let problems phase them. Keep an open mind to anything, and realise it as a business potential.

If some of the most important personal traits to being successful are driven by our mentality, then ultimately those that are successful understand themselves. Have a think about what your personal strengths and weaknesses are. Itʼs equally important to know both. Do you have the will power and driving determination to succeed regardless of what is thrown at you? Perhaps youʼve a sticky personality, and people love you? If youʼre shy, allow the anonymity of the internet to break the ice for you! Remember, be open to ideas!

If youʼd like to learn more about personality traits to be successful, please drop a comment below, or sign up for Tomʼs excellent course! You can read the 7 Traits Of A Successful Blogger – Course Review. Iʼd love to hear from more people, and learn about how we view success, particularly when itʼs related to our mentality.

A researcher by day, and self-taught internet marketer by night, Mark writes about making money with wordpress. He recently released a beginner’s guide to wordpress ebook. Be sure to check it out – free! You can catch Mark on @markbell10