I don’t have a clever kid quote today. It’s pretty hard to top yesterday’s and I’m not sure I want to.
I’ve been at this blogging thing for a month now and I’m really having a fantastic time. I’m feeling creative. I’m making new blogging friends. I’m discovering smart, funny blogs. I’m feeling inspired. But here’s the problem…nothing is getting done. I mean nothing…zero, zilch, nada, nothing!
I’ve become a disorganized mess. I need to empty the dishwasher, I need to go to the grocery store, I need to pull some weeds, I need to get to the gym, I need to cook dinner for my family, I need to clean my house…I need to call my mother. But instead, I find myself drawn to my computer…drafting posts, reading subscriptions, responding to comments and searching for new, clever blogs.
So, what I’d like to discuss today is blog management. What is the key to successful blogging in combination with successful living? What is your secret? How are you balancing your day? Do have set hours that you blog or do you wing it, writing only when inspired?
I need help. I’m at a loss. I’m having a hell of a good time thanks to you good people, but I’m becoming a slave to my computer. I would love to hear your suggestions. Now I must go and brush my teeth…well, maybe after I do a quick check on my site stats.
Young American Wisdom 
It is totally addictive, isn’t it? I don’t know if I have the answer. I try to limit myself to only two minutes at the computer at a time, unless I’m actually writing (which includes checking FB for the 578th time, per day), and I try to force myself to do some task (i.e. – I can’t check the blog until I unload the dishwasher). Also, if it helps, I’ve been blogging for a few months, now, and I do think it gets a little better…
As far as writing, I find that if I write first thing in the morning, and only post once or twice a week, I accomplish more. However, I’m right there with you. As soon as I publish something, I start checking to see how many people have read it 🙂
Good Luck! Love Love Love your blog…
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Thanks so much for your kind words. I’m definitely having fun. Maybe I should invest in an egg timer. 😉
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I’ve had to make myself take a day off here and there. I don’t write, don’t comment, don’t look at the computer. I come back excited to read and write and feeling like I haven’t been chained to the computer for a week! I guess my only advice is to pace yourself. Make yourself have “off” days because then the “on” days are that much better!
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I like your advice…makes complete sense! Thank you for your words of wisdom.
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Hahaha…
what is this ‘successful living’ thing you speak of?
I don’t believe I’m familiar with that.
🙂
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Neither am I, but if I figure it out I’ll let you know.
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Your problem is not with the blog, but with time management – not your time management of course, but the time management of the maid, cleaning lady, cook, laundry mistress, nanny and chauffeur that you’re going to hire. See, problem solved. Blog away!
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Hmm…a laundry mistress. Where would one find a laundry mistress? I would seriously consider selling my car or possibly a child for a laundry mistress.
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Don’t suppose you’re anywhere near SE Ohio? I’d happily volunteer (well, for SOME pay). I hate being trapped in this dopey little town! (Well, except for my buddy Blackjack, a couple humans, and several dogs. Gotta have your priorities. 😉 )
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Hey, I read over a dozen blogs, with hundreds of entries daily. No problem! Of course, I also don’t have a job, and I rarely leave the house, and I live in the middle of nowhere. Not really an answer, is it? 😀
As others have mentioned, reading blogs IS addictive. You just need to schedule some time for it, in amongst the other stuff. You can read blogs when you’re exercising, for example – assuming you’re not into long-distance running or yoga (despite the commercials). I run through my “morning” set while watching my BBC and Deutsche Welle news, and do a second round in the evening while watching the evening network news (usually NBC) and reruns of Top Gear. I find there’s enough repetition during news stories that I can plow through a lot of stuff while still getting my news fix.
Besides, isn’t that why you had kids? 😉 (Oh boy, am I gonna get it for THAT comment!)
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Yes, that’s exactly why I had kids. Problem is…they don’t always cooperate. But seriously, I’m impressed with your reading log. How do you find time to play with the goat? 😉
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Well, I do have the benefit that it is spring, and there are a few lady goats to keep ol’ Blackjack …. shall we say … OCCUPIED. 😉
I do have the dual benefits of a fairly high reading speed, and the ability to watch TV and read. I actually find it hard to JUST read light stuff like news, blogs, discussion boards, and such. (Sorry, I don’t mean your writing simple, just not as fully involving as a fantasy or sci-fi novel. Wow – even this apology sounds insulting. I hope you understand!) Anyway, I tend to multi-task – a bad habit I picked up in my programming jobs.
Did I explain myself without sounding like TOO much of a self-absorbed twit?
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John, I’m not insulted at all. I do not pretend to be a novelist. I like to keep things short and sweet…I have the attention span of a flea these days. 😉
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LOL … I too find myself stuck at the computer, staying up way too late before heading to bed. The job sucks up a lot of daytime, so I’m mostly on at night. Being pretty much a hermit when not at work, and having the computer taunting me when I’m home isn’t helping me at all! My house is total chaos and I can’t stand it … when I finally summoned up the determination to deal with it, I got a nasty cold/flu. Sheesh.
I know that’s absolutely no help, but at least you know you aren’t alone. 😉
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Thanks Dragonfae. I feel better knowing your house is just as big of a wreck as mine. Tomorrow I getting my act together…I mean it!
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I try and limit myself to an houtr a day, baring writing time which I do whenever
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An hour a day makes sense…that gives you plenty of time to count your ducks. 😉
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Ah – getting nothing done – I know of what you type. Yet the past several days, what I have not gotten done is writing. I find I am checking my stats, just to make certain folks are still out there … I need to throw something in the water, fast. The competition is fierce! 🙂 ~ Lenore
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Don’t worry Lenore, I’m still out here. 😉
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You have to give yourself permission to take time off. You have to limit your comments and hit the like button more often. I’ve also limited the time I can blog, or treat myself to a blog period after I have achieved other things during that day. (As I am currently doing–I’ve earned it).
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Good advice Lisa! Thank you.
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When I find that blogging becomes “work”; I take a day or two off from checking the computer, site stats, FB, etc. After I get some sleep and then caffiene…the creative juices start flowing again and I start writing about ideas, which lead to blogs, etc. I’ve found that some of my best blogs come after I’ve set aside quiet time for a daily devotional, etc. (I have teenagers who don’t rise until after 11 AM so I get quiet time that you probably won’t see for another five or six years)
I don’t get too bent out of shape about site stats any longer…unless they want to pay me for them. 🙂
Rich
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Thanks Rich. I suggest a dollar a view. 😉
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I am with you and I don’t have a solution, but it’s nice to know that I am not alone 🙂
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Hi Bad Story! Thanks for popping in to check things out. I love your blog…I too, am a fan of nonsense.
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I also have no solution. My poor baby will probably grow up with some kind of complex relating to mom-looks-at-the-computer-more-than me. Sigh. However, I just wanted to say a)thanks for stopping by our blog, and b) your kids are funny. If my kids end up being half as funny as yours, all the poopy diapers will be totally worth it. 🙂 Good luck with the time management….
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I think once you become a mother all time management skills go out the window. Thanks so much for popping in for taking the time to comment. Enjoy those precious babies! 🙂
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I just found your blog and love it! You are a natural at telling the stories behind the quotes. I was reading some older blogs and had to really laugh at this one. Let me explain: I just started blogging about my unorganized life and yet here I read that as a blogger, you mention that your house is a mess. That’s my whole purpose of blogging; to force accountability (even if it is to people I don’t know), and get the darn house clean. Seemed funny to me anyway! So I’ve subscribed to your blog to get back to reality!!
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Welcome Ms. Mouse! I’m so glad you took the time to stop by and check things out. I think we have a similar view on life…laugh at the ridiculousness of it.
Thanks for subscribing. I hope you enjoy the nonsense. 🙂
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