1. Start by building your stamina

No one trains for a marathon by running a marathon. Start with a schedule you can reasonably follow, and build your stamina to ever-increasing levels of achievement. "The best bloggers are at the peak of their performance, and understand how best to use their own energy levels and inspiration to make the most of their site," notes Rondeau.

2. Set clear goals

To say you're starting a blog is not enough. You need to define your goals. What does your gold medal look like? What do you want to accomplish? Perhaps you want increased website traffic or to build your reputation as a thought leader. Whatever the case, don't type a word until you know why you're typing.

3. Don't train without taking breaks

Athletes push their bodies to the limit, but they also take time to recover from strenuous training. In the same way, you can't do without an occasional break from blogging. Step back, reflect on your output, and clear your mind. You'll feel mentally refreshed, and you'll return to blogging with renewed enthusiasm.

4. Realize the value of a silver medal

Every Olympian dreams of standing on the highest podium while her country's national anthem plays. But a silver medal ain't too shabby. And even if your blog doesn't rank first in Google searches, or generate more traffic than a rival, you're still a major player. Enjoy your success.