I am not sure about you, but I know that for myself as a blogger, I can get caught so caught up in trying to build and grow my blog that I just lose my focus.
Between writing and posting, commenting and networking, the days pass and we seem to end up in the same place that we started. And the ideas that we started our blogs with, start to get put on the back burner – as we focus on the ‘here and now’.
For me, when I started BuildThatList, I had huge plans that included:
- Both Free And Paid Ebooks
- New Blog Posts Daily
- Quality Networking With My Peers
But don’t the best intentions always seem to get lost when we get busy?
I have been blogging for close to 6 weeks now and here is what I have achieved:
- Some Free Squeeze Pages (One unique, but no ebooks – paid or free)
- 13 Blog Posts (About two posts per week)
- A Few Blogging Relationships (None I would consider pillar relationships)
So I have not really touched the surface of my goals yet and I have been able to pinpoint it down to one thing.
I Was ‘TOO BUSY BLOGGING’ To Focus On My Goals!
Now that statement doesn’t seem to make sense when you first read it, but let me explain.
As bloggers, it is common for us to be glued to our computers.
We are always blogging.
However, blogging usually includes:
- Checking Your Emails
- Commenting On Blogs
- ‘Researching Topics’
- Checking Your Facebook (frequently)
- Playing Games Online
My point is, that while we may be on our computers all day ‘blogging’, how much time is actually spent focused on our blogs and planning and executing the strategies we put in place to succeed?
It is so easy for us to justify our actions by saying ‘ I am blogging’, but I want to challenge you to stop blogging.
But My Blog Is Fine!
You may argue that there is nothing wrong with your blog. Your blog statistics may be increasing, your community growing – but so is mine.
For a brand new blog, I was getting some great results – but if I could get those results with an unfocused effort, then what could I achieve I if I realigned my attention to what I saw as important from the start?
So What Am I Suggesting?
Let me explain how I came across the thought for this post.
The last two days I had to go away for work (I was doing some renovations on my cousins house). I had no access to my computer, let alone the internet – which means I stopped blogging for that time.
Stopping Blogging Was The Best Thing I Could Have Done For My Blog…
Not being on my computer gave me a chance to stop and think.
It allowed me to analyze my current blogging methods and practically pick it to pieces. (Plus the ideas were flying around my head faster than I could write them down)
You see, when we are on our computers ‘blogging’, our brains are constantly working. We need to give our minds time to think – to be creative!
Unless you stop blogging… you will eventually run out of creativity!
So Where To Now?
Right now I have a million ideas on how to dramatically increase the content, traffic and value of BuildThatList.
I have at least one free ebook idea that I plan on starting ASAP and a few other things that I am sure you are going to love.
Now What About You?
I want to challenge you. Take a day away from your computer and go for a walk, find a park – do whatever you need to slow yourself down and to let your creative juices to start flowing.
If you stop blogging for a day ( that includes your computer), I know you will come back the next day with with a renewed passion and direction to catapult your blog to the next level!
So When Are You Going To Stop Blogging?
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{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
I hear you Tom, taking some time out from blogging and social media not only keeps you sane but somehow fills you with new ideas and inspiration! My favorite running in the park.
.-= Jörgen Sundberg´s last blog ..How to Prepare for Behavioral Based Interviewing =-.
Great post and challenge Tom! I did this last Thursday and I had the same result as you. Tons of new and fresh ideas came to me. I also do this with my sermons. I take a break about once every 4 weeks or so from speaking so that I can remain fresh.
.-= Kevin M.´s last blog ..Favourite Links Friday =-.
This does make sense. We are so caught up in reading other blogs and commenting and just staring at the screen that we stop thinking. I’ll generally get ideas when I’m travelling and not fidgeting with my mobile.
Tom,
frankly speaking,this is going to be hard…but i will try and see what the result will be…
No wonder why you didnt drop a comment on mine today…you maybe needed the break..you take your stuff really serious…well done
@Jorgen – I hear you. I used to go running every morning along the beach with my friend, and it was such a creative time of just sharing our latest ideas.
@Kevin – I’m glad you are already implementing this great creativity booster. That is a great idea of doing it every four weeks!
@Selurus – Yea exactly. When you stop thinking, you allow your brain to see new opportunities.
@mk akan – I really think you should give it a try. You will come back refreshed with a bucket load of new ideas to take your blog to the next level.
couldn’t agree more. I work in a library and I work with a lot of kids. Attention spans are in danger of dwindling away. My output on my blog is pretty substantial, but most of the time I’m unplugged. I never feel less creative than when I’ve been web surfing for about 30 minutes. And 30 minutes can be pretty conservative. Good post.
.-= Josh Hanagarne´s last blog ..How To Be As Confident As This Pig =-.
@Josh – I couldn’t agree more! There is nothing like surfing the internet to numb the brain.
Well though post Tom. I agree with you. Blogging comes with a lot of baggage. Often we find ourself drowning in all the non essential tasks. It is important that we focus on the key tasks to maximize the potential of our blogs.
.-= Aaron´s last blog ..8 Things YOU may not know about Google! =-.
@aaron. I think that is exactly it. We are focusing on the task not the goal!
Good post Tom! I don’t blog but once a week or so. I actually want to blog more, but I can say that at the rate of my bloggng, I get a lot of time to do exactly what you have said. I have a lot of time to focus on all these ideas and creative things.
Hey Tom,
I like your idea and I think I’ll take you up on the idea for tomorrow. I’ve been a little bit of an addict lately since starting my blog so for the next 24 hours I’m going to stop. Thanks for the inspiration / kick in the pants article.
.-= Ryan @ Planting Dollars´s last blog ..Hiking Diamond Head and Snorkeling In Waikiki =-.
Brilliant article. The most challenging yet useful method is to know when to stop and think. Most of the time we are so caught up in our tasks we hardly listen and observe anymore. After a little ‘annual leave’ I took last year end, I treasure all the quality time I should be spending with family and my true self. Yes, we need to take a break, get some fresh air and be inspired. Sometimes the results will surprise us, especially about the life/blogging lessons we may encounter even during offline moments.
Well done. Worth a RT.
@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker
.-= Ching Ya´s last blog ..7 Features to Brand, Market, Manage with MarketMe Tweet =-.
Tom,
Yep. You even made it to the front page on Blog Engage, so I think a break is due. For me blogging is my only goal, so stopping would be counterproductive. However, this lousy “high speed” internet service from Verizon gives me all the breaks I need! LOL
.-= Ileane´s last blog ..Social Networking in 2010 from EricaSays.com =-.
hi, i completely agree with you. I have been blogging for almost 6 months and sometimes i find myself not going out, sitting in front of pc whole day long. I have decided to follow ur suggestion and take a brake for a day.
i hope it will work out for me 
.-= Kevin S @Free Vector Graphics´s last blog ..Food & Cooking Vector Graphics =-.
@Ryan – Glad to hear you are taking a break! I’m looking forward to following your new website project!
@Ileane – That is great news! Let’s see how long it stays there and what kinda traffic it produces, I can see your point but make sure you do take a quick break every now and then.
@Kevin – Let me know how it goes! I hope it unleashed a whole heap more creativity and helps take your blog to an even higher level.
Hey Tom,
You’re right it’s so easy to lose your way with it. I focus on the routine I have, wake up reply to the night befores comments, write some content then answer emails.
Go to the forum and sort all that out, then reply to my @tweets and so on.
Routine for me is the biggest thing. You’re right though brother you have a great site here. Good reminder to us all though
Arg.. difficult question. But for sure i’ll stop blogging when no idea come in my mind. Don;t have anything to tell about. Or not in good condition even for typing :p
.-= kerja kosong´s last blog ..The Cool Service Technician & Service Supervisor Vacancy =-.
Checking email, facebook, twitter, they are distraction. To focus you must get rid of the distraction. Spend best quality time on your blog then only you can go playing facebook or whatever you like. This is more to self discipline
I recently took a week off from actual blogging, but since my full time income comes from a products site I have, I am online 7 days a week. I did take more time to read, research and build relationships during that time though…. when I came back to blogging, I had a fresh mind.
.-= Keith´s last blog ..Drooling On PageRank =-.
Yeap.. sometimes one day-off gives your a bunch of ideas for the whole next month of blogging. And what I have also noticed is that in blogging…you should be like a wind. What I mean is that you don’t have to build thousands of great and strong relationships.. it’s too time-consuming. What you need is to plant a seed in other bloggers’ heads. This seed is something, that you did.. that people will remember for some time.. something that will be associated with you for a long time. You need only several seeds like that… and of course – a bit of promotion.
Common conversations are mostly useless.. people need to be excited – do that! But don’t let them come too close.. if you want to stand from the crowd and have thousands of followers.
Well.. those are just my little thoughts
Nice write-up.
.-= iWoodpecker@web traffic, promotion´s last blog ..Dynamic Sidebar Plugin: Certain Widgets for Certain Web Traffic and Pages =-.
Tom, this is great advice. I too have figured out that taking a break from blogging gives your mind a break. Also, with the same results, many more ideas for articles! Thanks for the great article!
.-= Tina´s last blog ..Top 20 Greasemonkey Scripts For Firefox =-.
@iWoodpecker – What a great addition to the discussions. I definitely agree. While there are benefits of building strong relationships with other bloggers, you also need to be expanding your net by finding new blogs.
Tom, solid post and I have been very impressed with how quickly you have been able to establish your blog. The more I think about what you wrote, the more I agree. I used to think I needed to post daily and the pressure was starting to get to me a bit with all of the other projects I have going on. Most recently I have been putting up 3-4 a week and I have been using my “free time” to plan, build my brand, promote, rest, think, in short do a bunch of other helpful things for my blog in addition to blogging.
.-= Tycoon Blogger @promote blog´s last blog ..How to break the ice and make new blogging friends =-.
I am a medical student, currently doing MBBS. I got some time for blogging, but I can’t take break from blogging, its fun for me. and now it becomes as a passion for me.
.-= rajesh´s last blog ..Make your Permalinks Perfect – SEO Tip =-.
Yeah, this is eerily similar to my post!
I guess great minds thing alike. At some point you’ve got to take a break – either you take it voluntarily or your mind will make you take one involuntarily – It’s your choice!
.-= Kiesha @ WeBlogBetter´s last blog ..5 blogging niche ideas you should run from =-.
@Kiesha – That must be it! Looking forward to seeing what you have install at WeBlogBetter!
I’m sure that I don’t have to stop blogging. Because even if it makes me no money, and it’s not my mother tongue (English), I’m addicted to blogging.
.-= Aminul Islam Sajib´s last blog ..How to Add Google Buzz This Button to WordPress Posts =-.
Good article and true, too. Taking a little break to chill and forget about blogging can have great results. For those who say they don’t have to stop, try it and you’ll see. Go out for a few hours, maybe take a day off and you’ll feel refreshed. Works for me at least.
.-= Marko´s last blog ..What it Takes to Start a Successful Blog =-.
You see, when we are on our computers ‘blogging’, our brains are constantly working. We need to give our minds time to think – to be creative!
time to think, thats it.
nice thoughts
You also might find some times when you are blogging that you just can’t be bothered with it any more, but you still want to do it because the reward is beneficial.
I wrote a post http://www.createasuccessfulblog.com/topics/hints-and-tips/how-to-remove-the-cant-be-bothered-blogging-syndrome-from-bloggers that gives some helpful tips how you can over come feeling
That is really true! I am heading over to check out yous post now!
Great analysis Tom.
Human beings were not made to be constantly glued to a computer screen. Regardless of how productive we think we are and how much we achieve online, the greatest levels of creative thought are achieved through periods of rest and exposure to nature’s peace and calm.
Now that you’ve touched this topic I realize that most of my ideas are born while i’m resting in bed. Simple meditation will help you to focus better and organize your goals in a more fluid and structured way. Half an hour of deep breaths, silence, zero disturbances will help you to focus better.
.-= Robyn-Dale@Sam’s Web Guide – Web Tutorials & Tech News´s last blog ..Top 30 Massive Earning Blogs – Its Time To Take Action =-.
That is exactly it. I think we stifle our creativity way too much by spending the majority of our time on our computers.