Outside of a couple scheduled posts, I was sans blog all week. In addition, I pulled back from other online activities as well.
Did I accomplish a lot on my current work in progress? I did some research, but let's just say several new developments unfolded. Rather than feel discouraged, I'm grateful I had time to focus on those situations. (And if I am suddenly absent again, it's because my mother went in for emergency surgery on July 4th and has been in ICU for a week. She's in Oregon while I am still here in NC, so I may have to make a hasty return to Salem...)
Balancing it all as an author, speaker, photographer, the member of several organizations and ministries, a business (one I've operated for nine years now and requires 20-30 hours of physical labor a week to maintain), and wife - well, it requires effort!
So what did I learn in my absence? I realized I have spread myself thin and to the point I'm not effective anywhere. If I've not booked the speaking gigs I needed or moved enough books, it's because I've not been able to focus. So rather than scatershot, I'm going to focus on just a couple of those items.
I've also realized I can't do it all with blogging, either. I follow close to 300 blogs and about that many follow me. I cannot possibly visit them all each day. So I will set a daily limit. I'll also start with those commenting on my blog. That's something I've neglected, as I tend to just shoot through my dashboard. I'm also taking two days off a week - Wednesdays and Saturdays. Yes, I'll miss some great stuff that way, and all those who only comment on those who comment first (and I'm surprised how many bloggers function in this manner!) will skip me that day and probably the next. (And those of you who find time to comment on several hundred blogs a day, AND Twitter, AND have any time remaining to write, please pass on your secret!)
Thanks to those who commented here and on Facebook (or sent me an email) about my last Wednesday's post. I'm floored so many were moved by that piece and feel silly I failed to mention I was the one who wrote it.
I am back, ready to do the Spunky dance and post some stuff that will inform and inspire!!
Welcomee back and yes you were missed. Very interesting post which was pleasurable to read.
ReplyDeleteHave a good day,
Yvonne.
Diane, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. I'll keep her in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteI think you're doing the right thing to refocus your energy. I have my Google Reader divided up in folders-- M/W/F, T-Th...I'm trying to catch all the blogs I love reading at least once a week.
There are only so many hours in the day! I fight with the clock every day. Yes, I've cut back on sleep a little, but that's not a good long-term solution (I've always been an insomniac, so it comes a little easier to me.)
And sometimes I have to re- prioritize, like you're doing, if something comes up in my personal life. It's always robbing Peter to pay Paul!
Good luck with it all and let us know how your mom is.
Diane, welcome back.
ReplyDeleteKnowing how busy you are I'm always happy when you have a second to drop by.
Refocusing seems to be the word for the month of July.
Offering prayers that all goes well with your mom.
Mary
Thank you Mary and Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your mom. Family comes first. Keeping you both in my thoughts in prayers.
ReplyDeleteBTW, you were missed. Glad you're back and sounds as thought you're back on track.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
I hear ya! How to pull such rabits out of our hats is the ongoing dilemma. I'm liking that 'Daily Folder' idea, though.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back. The secret? It's 11pm now and I'll still be awake at midnight, and I don't think I'm as busy as you. It's a balancing act. Look after yourself. I'll send some love and healing to your mum.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, Diane. I hope your mom feels better soon.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day...:)
So smart of you to pause and redirect your focus. If only it was as simple as writing our books and sending them off anymore. I probably spend about half my work day in some form of networking/marketing/social media. This means I now have half the time for actually getting the magazine articles and manuscript done. My solution is a (hopefully) organized and flexible To-Do list. Hard deadlines first, then my "what comes next" goal. Of course, family comes first. Sending out prayers for your Mom.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how much I struggle with balance. And reading and commenting on blogs takes SO much time that I can only do it for an hour - I need the rest of the time for writing and getting through my reading pile! So take the time you need - you'll be so much better for it in the end (and everyone in the blogosphere will totally understand :D)
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! I totally hear you on the reading/commenting thing. I follow about 100 blogs, and I got burned out from reading them every single day. Now I just post whenever the mood strikes, and I don't read 100 blogs a day anymore. I read the ones that update first, and if they haven't updated in a week, I move on.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you return! I hope your mother heals quickly.
Welcome back!! Phew!! As I read through your post I started to worry that you were heading towards a total blog shut-down. Thank goodness for the compromise! I totally get your need to focus and maximize the potential in several key area's, and if you had pulled the plug I would have been deeply disappointed, but I would have understood. However, the selfish part of me is glad that you've decided to still include us. :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome back - you were most definitely missed. :)
ReplyDeleteThere is always SO much to do, isn't there. I think getting down time is super important. For the most part I treat blogging as my down time. It's about the only way to get even close to keeping up.
I use my dashboard to comment as well. It's easiest. I don't get to every post, but I try :)
Thank you, everyone!
ReplyDeleteAnd DL, I couldn't ever give up!
You were definitely missed – welcome back! I also found it necessary to limit my blog hopping time to a couple of hours a day and I take the weekends off. I do miss some good blogs, I’m sure, but I needed the time to do other things.
ReplyDeleteI hope your mother recovers quickly.
Welcome back! I feel you about being spread too thin. Hopefully you can find the right balance in your life.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jane and Elana!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to see you back!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you follow 300 blogs!! I couldn't handle that and have a life too! It is too nuts. I'm sorry to hear about your mom ... I hope everything works out well with her surgery and everything. I'm sure that was really stressful.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! I hope your mom's health issues get straightened out really soon--it is hard to be across country when those things happen.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've made some good decision--totally understandable... I need to figure out the blog reading, too because it could take all day if I were really to keep up... maybe a spread sheet or something, so I hit 'em all weekly, then catch the topics I can't resist... or something... If you figure it out, let us know.
I don't know how you do all you do. As you can see by how often I leave a comment, that most of the time, even though I read your posts, I don't leave a comment.
ReplyDeleteI'm too scattered and spread too thin (wish I were physically) and don't do nearly as much as you.
I hope and pray your mother does better.
I've taken time off from my writing blog to help re-focus, and to remember why I started blogging in the first place. It seems I got caught up in reading great tips and advise, but not taking any action. So now I may not get to all the blogs I love, but I do focus on the ones I do read instead of rushing to get on to the next.
ReplyDeleteI hope your mom's health issues are resolved quickly. Take care of you. Blog land will always be here, I think anyways!
I've taken time off from my writing blog to help re-focus, and to remember why I started blogging in the first place. It seems I got caught up in reading great tips and advise, but not taking any action. So now I may not get to all the blogs I love, but I do focus on the ones I do read instead of rushing to get on to the next.
ReplyDeleteI hope your mom's health issues are resolved quickly. Take care of you. Blog land will always be here, I think anyways!
First off, I hope your mom recovers quickly. It must be very hard for you to be across the country. Keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I think we're all in the same boat with you. I'm afraid to count how many blogs I'm following. I wish I had time to visit all the blogs I wanted AND comment AND work AND be the wife/mother/friend I should be AND still manage to write, but I can't. So I do my best and leave it at that.
I'm so glad you took a break. It sucks us in without even realizing how scattered we've become doing promotion, work, blogs, writing, and balancing our family.
ReplyDeleteI've been doing some of the same thinking. Of course that was helped(?)by not having internet for a few days. I have to say I enjoyed it. Which tells me I've got to cut back too.
An old adage I like and my mom recently reminded me of just this past week. To paraphrase, A live dog is better than a dead lion.
Hope your mom is better. Hugs!
Glad to have you back, Diane. I for one missed you, and I am sure I am not the only one who did.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you figure out the secret, let me know, please.
Sometimes that time for regrouping and reevaluation is so important. And you gotta do what's gonna work best for you. I for one support any decision you come to with the realization that one day I'll have to make similar decisions in my own life. Do what you can and do it well.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
Hi Diane, welcome back! Yes, you were missed. Will keep your mom in my prayers. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDelete