This is a screenshot of the metrics I track for my blog. This shows the past four months of activity, ending in August. I will share an updated version at the beginning of each month showing the last month (I will post my stats for September at the beginning of October). I’m doing this for two reasons. First of all, I love it when content creators are transparant about their stats, showing views and subscribers and income for things like blogs, YouTube, etc. The other reason is that I thought it might be interesting for my readers to see a blog grow from scratch in real time. Most of the time when I follow a blog they already have thousands of subscribers.
I have no goals except consistency. As I mentioned yesterday, I plan to post at least once per day during the entire month of September, partly as a personal challenge to create a blogging habit, and party to measure the impact of consistent posting on my stats.
You may have also noticed that I’m posting a mix of content, which varies from articles about teaching to articles about content creation. I plan to continue with both topics until I figure out whether I can sustain 2 niches, or if my stats reflect a reader preference for one niche or another.
One thing the productivity gurus like to preach is the power of consistency. One of the biggest problems people have with reaching their goals is trying to do too much at once, burning out, and then giving up. Instead, if we are able to commit to tiny changes over the long haul, we can make enormous strides toward our goals. For example, when dieting people often try to lose 2 or more pounds a week, which is not sustainable, and they give up. Most diets fail. However, if we make small changes and plan to lose only 1/2 pound a week, we can lose 25 lbs. in a year. Even though a year seems too long and 25 lbs. seems too little, in one year I’ll bet most of us are the same weight we are now, or heavier. It’s better to focus on small, consistent goals.
I remember when I first started writing my novel, I heard again and again that writers who commit to a page a day (about 250 words) can finish a novel in a year. Once again, a year always seemed too long, and I couldn’t bring myself to commit to such a tiny challenge. Yet it took me more than 10 years to write my novel (more on that in my next post).
SO, I am committing to making small, consistent changes. One way to do this is the 30-day challenge. Building consistency takes practice. I’m going to pick one small goal, which is write a blog post, of any length and on any topic, at least once per day for the next 30 days.
To demonstrate the power of consistency, I’ll also share my stats and how they have changed over the 30-day period. I know consistency works, because I blogged for two weeks straight in July and my subscriber count doubled. Granted, it was tiny to begin with, but I saw in real time how much just posting consistently impacted my blog stats.
I’m excited to see what the next 30-days brings! If you’re not already, be sure to subcribe to my blog, so you can see my journey and real time, and also because I’ll be having another giveaway at the end of this month.
The Creator Mindset is the embodiment of innovation, curiosity, and boundless potential. It is an approach to life that nurtures the belief that we are not passive bystanders, but active creators of our reality. When we embrace this mindset, we tap into our full potential and find a limitless well of possibilities awaiting us.
1. Embrace Curiosity and Continuous Learning
At the heart of the Creator Mindset lies an insatiable curiosity. Creators are always eager to explore, discover, and learn new things. They don’t shy away from challenges but see them as opportunities for growth and expansion. Every setback is viewed as a chance to gain valuable insights, not as a sign of failure. This curiosity-driven approach opens doors to unexplored territories and fuels the drive to seek knowledge beyond conventional boundaries.
2. Embrace Failure as a Stepping Stone
Creators understand that failure is an integral part of the journey toward success. They see it as a stepping stone, not a stumbling block. Instead of being discouraged by setbacks, they learn from them, iterate, and improve. This resilience allows creators to push the boundaries of what is possible and brings them closer to breakthroughs that could transform their lives and the world around them.
3. Cultivate Imagination and Vision
Imagination is the key that unlocks the doors of innovation. Creators dare to dream big, envisioning possibilities beyond the current state of affairs. They don’t limit themselves to what is readily visible; rather, they paint vivid pictures of what they wish to create. This clarity of vision acts as a guiding star, illuminating their path and motivating them to manifest their dreams into reality.
4. Collaborate and Empower Others
Creators understand that they don’t have to go it alone. Collaboration with like-minded individuals amplifies their creativity and multiplies the impact of their endeavors. They foster an environment where ideas are shared freely, and constructive feedback is welcomed. In doing so, they empower others to embrace their own creator mindset and create a collective force of innovation and change.
5. Take Inspired Action
While imagination and vision are essential, the Creator Mindset doesn’t dwell solely in the realm of ideas. Creators take inspired action to turn their dreams into tangible results. They understand that an idea without action remains just that – an idea. By taking the first step, no matter how small, they set in motion a chain reaction that can lead to astonishing accomplishments.
6. Embrace Adaptability and Evolution
The world is ever-changing, and creators are not afraid to adapt and evolve along with it. They understand that clinging to the status quo may hinder progress and limit potential. Embracing change allows creators to stay at the forefront of innovation and ride the waves of transformation, rather than being swept away by them.
7. Find Joy in the Process
Finally, the Creator Mindset thrives on finding joy in the journey, not just the destination. Creators relish the process of creation itself, enjoying the challenges, the ups and downs, and the continuous growth. It is the journey that shapes them and allows them to savor every moment along the way.
In conclusion, the Creator Mindset is not reserved for a select few; it is within the grasp of each one of us. By embracing curiosity, learning from failures, cultivating imagination, collaborating with others, taking action, and adapting to change, we can unlock the creative forces within ourselves. So, let’s dare to be dreamers, innovators, and creators – for it is with this mindset that we can leave an indelible mark on the world and inspire others to do the same.
If you haven’t already started using it, Canva is a great tool for educators, and it’s free! You can create lesson plans, reading guides, handouts, printables, graphic organizers, posters, and presentations.
It has some limited funtionality and is best used to create resources that you will print out or that students will read. I prefer Google Docs and other Google programs for documents that I want students to edit or directly interact with.
When creating resources for teaching, as well as for Teachers Pay Teachers, I prefer a mix of MS Word, Google Docs and Forms, and Canva.
The best thing about Canva is their HUGE inventory of clip art and stock photography, which can really improve the overall look and appeal of your handouts, posters, and presentations.
By the way, this is NOT as sponosored post. I wish, ha ha! 🙂
English Language Arts is a popular, in-demand topic for TpT, and can include:
Balanced literacy, close reading, creative writing, EFL – ESL- ELD, ELA test prep, grammar, informational text, literature, phonics, poetry, reading, reading strategies, short stories, spelling, vocabulary, writing, writing essays, writing expository, other (ELA)
Here are some other K-12 subject areas and topics you might consider creating resources for:
Arts
Art history, cooking, dance, drama, graphic arts, instrumental music, music, music composition, visual arts, vocal music, other (arts), other (music)
Holidays/Seasonal
Autumn, back to school, black history month, Christmas/Chanukah/Kwanza, earth day, Easter, end of year, Halloween, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, spring, St. Patrick’s Day, summer, Thanksgiving, The New Year, Valentine’s Day, winter, women’s history month
Math
Algebra, algebra 2, applied math, arithmetic, basic operations, calculus, decimals, fractions, geometry, graphing, math test prep, measurement, mental math, numbers, order of operations, place value, statistics, trigonometry, word problems, other (math)
Science
Aanatomy, archaeology, astronomy, basic principles, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, engineering, environment, forensics, general science, physical science, physics, other (science)
Social Studies
African history, ancient history, Asian studies, Australian history, British history, Canadian history, civics, criminal justice – law, economics, elections – voting, European history, geography, government, middle ages, native americans, psychology, U.S. history, world history, other (social studies)
Specialty
Career and technical education, character education, child care, classroom community, classroom management, coaching, computer science – technology, critical thinking, early intervention, family consumer science, for administrators, for all subjects, gifted and talented, handwriting, health, instructional technology, international baccalaureate, library skills, life skills, occupational therapy, oral communication, physical education, physical therapy, problem solving, products for TpT sellers, professional development, religion, robotics, school counseling, school psychology, special education, speech therapy, student council, study skills, test preparation, tools for common core, vocational education, other (specialty)
World Language
American sign language, Arabic, Chinese, en Francais, Gaeilge, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, other (world language)
For all subject areas
For educators who are not K-12 teachers, you will select either university discipline or adult education that is appropriate for your skill set. The next question is about the grade level you teach which has selections for preschool, higher education, K-12, homeschoolers, etc.
In the coming week I’ll write more about how to create resources that will sell!
If you’re not already following this blog, enter your email below to subscribe. I’ll be doing a subscriber giveway at the end of the month.
If you’re thinking of becoming a content creator or looking into creating an online course, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Here are some fun and interesting niches that have been shown to be both fun and lucrative.
Effective Communication Skills: Teach techniques for enhancing interpersonal communication, public speaking, and effective writing.
Effective Time Management: Provide strategies and techniques for maximizing productivity, setting goals, prioritizing tasks, and overcoming procrastination.
Introduction to Creative Writing: Foster creativity and teach the fundamentals of storytelling, character development, and narrative structure.
Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation: Provide guidance on mindfulness practices, meditation techniques, and stress reduction methods.
Practical Personal Finance: Offer lessons on budgeting, saving, investing, and financial planning to help individuals improve their financial well-being.
Introduction to Coding and Computer Programming: Introduce the basics of coding languages and computer programming, catering to beginners with no prior experience.
Nutrition and Healthy Eating: Educate participants about balanced diets, nutritional guidelines, meal planning, and healthy cooking techniques.
Introduction to Entrepreneurship: Guide aspiring entrepreneurs on developing business ideas, conducting market research, creating business plans, and understanding startup essentials.
Introduction to Psychology: Explore fundamental concepts of psychology, including human behavior, cognition, motivation, and mental health.
Introduction to Graphic Design: Teach the basics of graphic design principles, tools, and software to help participants create visually appealing designs.
Introduction to Photography: Help participants improve their photography skills by covering topics such as composition, lighting, and post-processing techniques.
Introduction to DIY Home Improvement: Teach practical skills for basic home repairs, maintenance, and improvement projects.
Introduction to Yoga and Flexibility: Introduce different yoga poses, stretching exercises, and routines to enhance flexibility, strength, and overall well-being.
Introduction to Art History: Take participants on a journey through different artistic movements, exploring famous artworks and their cultural significance.
Introduction to Sustainable Living: Educate individuals about sustainable practices, eco-friendly living, waste reduction, and renewable energy sources.
Brain dumping is a technique that involves taking all the thoughts, ideas, tasks, and information swirling around in your mind and transferring them onto paper or a digital document. It’s a way to externalize and organize your thoughts, essentially emptying your brain of its clutter.
The process of brain dumping typically involves writing down or typing out everything that comes to mind, without any specific order or structure. You simply let your thoughts flow freely, capturing them on paper. The idea is to create a comprehensive list or document that encompasses all your mental clutter.
The benefits of doing a brain dump are numerous:
Mental clarity: By externalizing your thoughts, you can clear mental space and gain a clearer perspective on your ideas and tasks. It helps reduce mental clutter and allows you to focus better on the things that matter.
Stress reduction: The act of transferring your thoughts onto paper can be cathartic and provide a sense of relief. It can alleviate anxiety and stress by unburdening your mind from constantly trying to remember or juggle multiple thoughts simultaneously.
Enhanced organization: Brain dumping allows you to capture all your thoughts and tasks in one place. This makes it easier to identify priorities, create to-do lists, and organize your ideas. You can then review and categorize the information, leading to better planning and improved productivity.
Idea generation: When you have a multitude of thoughts floating in your mind, it can be challenging to connect the dots or see the bigger picture. Brain dumping can help you identify patterns, make connections between ideas, and spark new insights and creativity.
Improved memory: Writing things down helps solidify information in your memory. By capturing your thoughts on paper, you create a reference point that you can revisit later, reducing the need to rely solely on your memory.
Problem-solving: Brain dumping can be an effective problem-solving tool. By getting everything out of your head, you can examine your thoughts and challenges more objectively. This external perspective often leads to fresh insights and potential solutions.
Overall, brain dumping is a valuable technique for decluttering your mind, gaining mental clarity, and improving your overall productivity and well-being. It’s a simple and accessible method that can be tailored to individual preferences, whether through traditional note-taking, digital tools, or even voice recording.
I’m in the process of learning how to create online courses for the general public. I’m currently taking a Udemy course called “How to Create In-Demand Online Courses.” This is to learn how the nuts and bolts of creating an online course, but will also benefit me in my professional life, since as a professors I also teach an online course. I’m hoping to both improve as a teacher and a content creator, but also pass along that knowledge to you.
As a full-time college professor, former middle school and high school teacher, and someone who has a doctorate in curriculum design and is in the process of learning game design and digital marketing (as fun hobbies, lol), I feel uniquely qualified to help you on your journey to becoming a better teacher or content creator, or to get started on a side-hustle.
One of my biggest frustrations as a newbie content-creator is that so many of the resources out there are loaded with generic bullshit, click bait, and useless platitudes. For example, many of these resources will tell you to “choose a niche” or “know your audience” without really giving you the nitty gritty details of HOW to do that.
That’s why I’m doing a fun experiment and bringing you along for the ride. I’m going to explore several different types of content creation, from blogging to YouTube to TpT (Teachers Pay Teachers) to Fiverr and walk you through the step-by-step details of EXACTLY what I’m doing, how it’s going, what’s working and not working, and how to see results.
In addition to doing 30 days of blogging (which I’ll report on soon), I’m also learning how to create a course and then I’m going to create a post a course. Today I’m going to learn from Udemy and several other online resources, and then tomorrow I will start creating my course.
I would LOVE to hear suggestions for things you’d like to see me build a course on. Taking into consideration my experience and expertise, some options are:
In the last few days online (I’ve been on vacation and completing vegging), I’ve discovered an amazing array of talented people who vary widely in terms of abilties, age, privilege, and attractiveness. They have all gone “viral” in some way or another and have all been wildly succesful in terms of getting attention and making money (if either of those are your thing).
They include:
A woman who just published her first book at age 58 and is rewarding herself with a solo trip to the Galapagos islands.
A woman in her 60s who is brand new at cycling and just cycled 250 miles with her son.
A woman who creates Tik Tok livestreams in which she acts like an NPC and pops corn using a hair straightener.
A woman who is not conventally attractive or rich or privilged (bascially a nobody) who has a wildly successful podcast in which she interviews celebrities. She has only posted 9 episodes! Her unique approach is to be really, really bad at interviewing. People love her!
A little old man who livestreams himself eating his lunch.
WHY have I included these examples?
Because you can do anything you want.
I repeat: YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU WANT!
I grew up in the 70s and 80s and was an adult in the 90s. It was a time when gatekeepers had all the power. I was told I couldn’t be a writer, a photographer, or a playwright. Back then, when there was no internet, you bascially had to be independently wealthy to pursue those dreams. Instead, I became an English teacher, which I LOVE, and since then, with the rise of the internet, then Web 2.0 and interactive digital media, social media, and creative sharing sites like YouTube, you can do anything and be anything.
IT DOES NOT MATTER:
How old you are.
How much you weigh.
How attractive you are.
Where you starting from.
Right now, I want you to spend a few minutes thinking about and reflecting on what you’d like to do and who you’d like to be, WITH NO LIMITS.
I’ll start first. I’m 52 years old and I’m writing my first novel. I want to finish it (it’s HARD work) and I want to sell it. I want it to become a best seller and I want to make a ton of money off of it. This is actually possible, and if I don’t sell it, I will publish it myself on Amazon, which writers can now do for free.
There are many reasons for this, which I list below. First of all, if you are a teacher, it’s okay to fantasize about leaving your profession. Teachers are not paid well or treated well, and there is no shame in leaving YOU are not the problem.
And even if you keep teaching, having a side hustle will make a you better teacher. This has been the case for me. In trying out and creating several different side hustles (mainly TpT and Fiverr), I have learned a lot about myself as a teacher, and a lot about creating engaging content. As a result, my lessons, assessments, and overall approach to teaching have gotten better, which has been a benefit to both me and my students.
Teaching is undoubtedly a noble profession that plays a crucial role in shaping the minds and futures of young individuals. However, the demands of the job can sometimes leave teachers with limited time and financial resources. In recent years, many teachers have turned to side hustles as a way to supplement their income, pursue their passions, and gain valuable experiences outside the classroom. In this blog post, we will explore why teachers should consider having a side hustle and how it can bring numerous benefits to their personal and professional lives.
If you’re here as a writer, someone in another profession, or as a stay-at-home mom, finding a side hustle and creating content will change your life for the better.
I’m going to help you get started.
What creating content and making money online can provide:
Financial Stability and Flexibility
While teaching is rewarding in many ways, it’s no secret that the pay scale for educators may not always reflect the hard work and dedication they put into their profession. A side hustle can provide an additional source of income, allowing teachers to better meet their financial needs and alleviate any financial stress they may experience. Whether it’s tutoring, freelance writing, or offering online courses, a side hustle can contribute to greater financial stability and flexibility.
Pursuing Passions and Talents
Teaching is a multifaceted profession, and educators possess a wide range of skills and talents beyond their classroom expertise. A side hustle presents an opportunity for teachers to explore and monetize their passions. Whether it’s photography, graphic design, crafting, or playing a musical instrument, a side hustle can serve as a platform to showcase and develop these skills. Not only does this enhance personal fulfillment, but it can also inspire creativity and bring a renewed sense of purpose to teaching.
Professional Growth and Skill Enhancement
Engaging in a side hustle outside of the teaching realm can lead to professional growth and skill enhancement. It allows teachers to gain valuable experiences that can be applied in the classroom, fostering innovation and fresh perspectives in their teaching practices. For instance, starting a blog or YouTube channel can hone communication and technology skills, while running a small business can develop entrepreneurial acumen. These transferable skills can ultimately enhance the quality of education provided to students.
Networking and Building Connections
Side hustles often require teachers to interact with a diverse range of individuals and communities. This presents an excellent opportunity to expand their network and build connections outside of the education sector. Networking can lead to collaborations, mentorships, and new career possibilities. Moreover, connecting with professionals from different fields can expose teachers to alternative perspectives and innovative ideas, enriching their teaching methods and broadening their horizons.
Work-Life Balance
Balancing work responsibilities with personal life can be a challenge for many teachers. Engaging in a side hustle can actually contribute to a healthier work-life balance. While it may seem counterintuitive to take on additional work, a side hustle that aligns with personal interests and allows for flexible scheduling can provide a welcome break from the demands of the classroom. By dedicating time to their passions outside of teaching, educators can rejuvenate their energy and bring fresh enthusiasm back into their classrooms.
Conclusion
As we all continue to face financial constraints and seek personal and professional fulfillment, having a side hustle has become an appealing option. Whether for financial stability, pursuing passions, professional growth, networking, or achieving a better work-life balance, anyone can benefit greatly from the diverse opportunities and experiences that a side hustle offers. By embracing a side hustle, educators can enhance their well-being, broaden their horizons, and ultimately become even more effective and fulfilled in their role as teachers.
I am creating guides to start making money right away on Teachers Pay Teachers, Fiverr, Udemy, and Twitter. Let me know in the comments what you need and what you’re most interested in learning about.
ELA Source 
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