Where is the time to Blog?

When I first started blogging, it was when I had specific ideas about what I wanted to write about.  These were clear topics that I could spend time pulling information and doing research on.  I had windows of opportunity here and there where I could work for 15-20 minutes, and maybe a half hour during my lunch at work.  I think the real point is that I had the “vision” of my post, and what I wanted to say. 

I have since found It harder to “find-the-time” for preparing the posts, and it’s not really because the time isn’t there, but because I don’t have a clear picture in my head of what I want the blog post to look like.  I still have ideas, but I‘ve found that I’m putting too much pressure on myself to post something that is functional, and that is something someone can directly utilize.  Now don’t get me wrong, I still endeavor to strive for those types of posts, as I think most people do.  But not every post needs to be that way. 

I know I’m not the only one struggling with this, as I have read many blogs over the course of several months, where others are going through the same thing, and learning, that hard way, that it’s ok just to blog.  Insight is something that I think is forgotten while trying to provide something you think might be useful.  Sometimes just knowing what others are going through and how they experience it and move through it is valuable too, as we all eventually find ourselves in similar situations.

SO..When this happens, what can you do to be proactive?  Well, for starters, just keep jotting down ideas as you think of them, because inevitably you’ll find yourself literally going “crazy” brainstorming for ideas and not coming up with anything useable. 

Set targets for yourself of how many posts you want to complete each week.  Quality posts are usually the longer ones, but there is value in short snippets if the information comes from a realization or learning experience.  It can be any number, as long as you are comfortable with it.

Leave the guilt behind.  The only one making you feel guilty is yourself.  If you’re having a dry spell look for others who might have posted on the same subject, and see what they did.  Even if theblog is more business oriented, you still need to let something of you come out in the writing.  There is always value in your writing and regardless if it is your best work or not.

When writing, get the “meat-and-potatoes” down, so to speak.  Get the real point written down and work on the finalizing later.  I always keep a little note pad with me to write some extraneous thought down, with the key points that I can use later.  I haven’t been using this as much, but it is truly a valuable tool.

Finally, just realize you’re not alone out there.  There are a lot of ideas that others use to help spark creative posts, and it sharing it is sometimes the best way to get good feedback and ideas that will work for you!

Best of luck to you!

Regards,
Mark