Jan
Back on Board!
I’ve been really bad, I broke one of the golden rule of blogging – Never have unexplained absences from your blog!
I have plenty of excuses: first there was Christmas and I’m the main family cook and organiser; then I had a 450+ page manuscript to edit; I’ve also gone back to university to do a postgraduate degree and so I’ve had a number of assignments; there were some work jobs that popped up that were of the “can you get this done by yesterday?” variety and on top of all this I have a wedding in a couple of months!
But I often wonder when a task doesn’t get done whether there’s some underlying reason to the procrastination. There’s a nice tip from the Happiness Blog (which we’ve featured in our blog showcase) – Gretchen Rubin reminds us to “Identify the Problem“. While she gives the example of a physical annoyance (too much light in her home office), this rule can apply to any sort of blockage. So when I realised that almost a month had gone by without a post I thought that there was probably something else going on subconsciously.
It was a good time for a blog review anyway, and sure enough I found there were a few things that were putting me off blogging. I had got into a blogging rut and because most of the past posts have been tutorial based, I sort of stuck myself in a neutral voice. I realised that I really wanted to be a lot more personal and direct in my blog writing. So that’s the first goal.
I also found that my goals for blog post production where just not realistic with my life. I’m actually quite a slow writer because I tend to mull over my words a lot and I try to give a lot of thought to my postings. I definitely don’t want the latter to change so I’m not going to start dashing off quick posts just for the sake of getting lots of regular content out there. I think that works with some blogs, and some topics it’s absolutely necessary to have daily posts. I don’t think it is absolutely necessary for this blog. I found having a requirement to post multiple posts a week ended up with me falling behind and well, just not loving blogging as much as I usually do. So my initial goal is to post once a week but I can post more if I want to (for example, this week is likely to have a few extra posts!). If you like what you see here, then the most efficient way to keep up is to subscribe which if you choose the email route will also get you my next commitment: a newsletter at least once a month (with surprise goodies for subscribers).
I’m also going to allow myself to experiment a little and be more spontaneous with postings on this blog to see what I gravitate towards. I’m probably going to steer away from the extended series (I’ve already done two that have gone for at least a month), instead I’ll be looking to create more shorter sharper hits of value for you.
So to sum up, my goals for my blog are:
- be a lot more personal and direct in my blog writing
- post once a week
- create a newsletter at least once a month
- experiment a little and be more spontaneous
- create shorter sharper hits of value
I know it’s going to be an exciting year!
As I sat here reading your post I began chuckling at the fact…I felt as though I was the one who wrote it!
The most ironic thing was…I just spoke to a good friend the other day about this exact phenomena.
I still say procrastination is a disease and a killer to self worth. It bits at your very existence nibbling away at the confidence once built.
I look back at what you have already achieved and admire how you stuck with program you set out before you previously…all I can say is, wow! I’m surprised your keyboard still works!
So…live off of that fact, for a moment, and let it fuel you through the next phase of endeavors. By what I have read here already there is no stopping the momentum you have already established!
If you go to my blog, as well (which is very new) you will notice it has hiccups in the dates of posts written. This eats at me!
This type of site need daily interaction to create the interest to the people who stop by…they want somewhere to go to get their daily inspirational fix…that goes for your site as well.
People love to learn and that is exactly what I do here. When I get into a bit of “blockage” I like to pop over and get inspired by consistency of information you have shared with your readers.
It “is” great to see you back!!! Once again, you have enlightened my path to continue to drive forward.
I see you have set forth a plan, a path…something to look forward to, not a ball and chain.
I am going to take your advice, and my friend’s as well, and “fall in”.
Thanks for the push…looking forward to more of your inspiring thoughts…kind of like a diary with an educated twist…does that make sense?
Rick´s last blog post..~ Quotes for the Day ~ Food Quotes
Thanks Rick! Once my series of giveaways is over (and any other special events I do), I will be going back to the weekly schedule. Of course, if I see something interesting I’ll still post it even if that means 2 posts for the week!