Not a week goes by, I don’t think, in the blog world where someone doesn’t say that they have been absent or are quitting their blog because they’ve gone out and got themselves a life. And while I get this, I understand what they are saying. When it gets busy I blog less. I use photos more. BUT I don’t necessarily believe that a blog has to be an all or nothing thing. And if it is, for you, than you’ve got a time management issue, not a blog issue.
Now I may not have kids. But at one stage I had 4 blogs. And contributed to two others. Worked full time, directed and produced a play and was an available and involved wife, host mother, sister, cousin and friend. I had all my plates full and I was juggling them. I was focused and attentive. My life had my FULL attention. Fitting everything in was easy.
I was like super me.
So here are my tips to having your blog and eating out too {hmmm, not sure that works, but there you go, you’re stuck with it}. Time management tips from someone who loves it.
- Have a diary and use it. Mark out appointments and anything else that is important and use the rest for to do lists. Small daily lists work best. Have a monthly list on the overview page. But fill it out and tick it off.
- Be upfront with people and never commit to anything before checking your diary. I often say sorry I can’t help on Tuesday but I can do Thursday any time between 3 and 6. For example. You don’t always have to say yes, make a counter offer. If all else fails, decline happily.
- Only sit down to blog when the items on your to do list are done. Walk away if there isn’t something that you want to write within the first 10 minutes. If you have to force it out, it’ll be a lame, half ass’ed post that will bore everyone who sees it. If you aren’t feeling it, your readers never will. And why do you feel like you HAVE to blog anyway? Run your own race.
- If you’re on a roll save posts to draft or schedule them for notoriously big days. When I was a property manager mid and end of month disbursal days were MASSIVE for me. I knew that the most I could offer at the end of these days was a howdy, gosh I’m tired type post. Be prepared. And it’ll be easier the more you use and work your diary to know what days are going to be write off.
- If you find yourself drawn back to your blog during family and friends time it might be time to ask yourself why. Why is so important for you to check your page RIGHT NOW. Why are you on twitter? Why, why, why!? It will give you an insight. For me, when I feel drawn back in it’s because I haven’t done something I should have {posted in a few days, shared an important link or something like that}. Find out why and book yourself some time. And get your focus back on what you’re doing. You’re missing life when you’re distracted and achieve nothing.
I’ve stopped at five. I could have kept going on and on. The short version is plan your time, walk away if you’re not feeling it and make some online friends into real life friends. And again, if it’s not fun, don’t do it.
Tell me, how do you manage your time and your blog?
Suger 
Leave a reply to Ms Kate Cancel reply