It’s another What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday and this week I decided to post a picture of my blog. For the eagle eyed amongst you you will notice that it hasn’t been updated since my last WOYWW post. And that’s something I’d like to change. I’d like to write more often or, more accurately, I’d like to write when I feel like it instead of “thinking” myself out of it.
I was reading Flora Bowley’s blog last week and noticed she had created a ’30 day blog love affair’ for herself. She wanted to shift her relationship with her blog and get back to being excited about writing so decided she would write a post everyday for 30 days, come what may.
I had a similar idea myself recently but quickly dismissed it as coming from the voice that tells me I have to do things the “right way”, i.e. from a “should”, and so saw it as something I didn’t really want to do.
This morning I read another blog that was 5 days into a 30 day writing spree and she wrote about making a commitment to writing for 30 days and suddenly the light bulb went on. I don’t want to make a commitment to writing. That feels too much like a “should” to me. Too much potential for trying to make myself do something I don’t really want to do. But I would like to break through the barriers that stop me writing or posting and see what’s on the other side. And I’d love to do that in a gentle, fun way.
I have a very strong story running of what you need to do to have a successful blog. Such things as:
- know who you’re writing for
- post regularly, on the same days and at the same time
- have a call to action at the end of each post
- use video
- have a social media strategy
- write great headline type titles
- have a point, i.e. know in advance why you’re writing
I’m sure these things work for many people and may even work for me but somewhere along the line I’ve turned these “blogging success rules according to the world of other people” into the “right way” to go about it. Rather than helping me they are blocking me. I go to write a post and then veto it because it’s not the “right thing” to write.
That’s pretty sad since I actually enjoy the process of writing my blog and, from the lovely comments I’ve received, my visitors enjoy reading it.
So for 30 days I’m going to experiment with writing a post every day, even if it’s breaking the so-called “rules”. I want to see what happens if I can ignore the getting it “right” thoughts and stop worrying about what people might think.
Already I’ve shifted to thinking that this could be fun and I’m excited to see what get’s created.
If you’d like to follow along and you’re not already subscribed please click here or click on the title at the top of the page to visit my site directly.
Ha, ha, ha! I’ve just unintentionally “obeyed” one of the “rules”. 🙂
Good luck with your goal. Action + commitment will produce results.
I treat most of my rules as guidelines rather than actual rules (to quote Barbosa in Pirates of the Caribbean) lol. But one I’m truly trying to embrace is, “Perfectionism is the antithesis of production” or something like that, and I forgot to write down who said it, but it’s a guideline I try to keep in sight anyway : D. Thanks for visiting my blog, the bonnet will be a little present for a Jane Austen fan when it’s finished. I see a few variations of these needing to be made. #74
Yep. Perfectionism is guaranteed to slow you down. Love your source of quotes by the way. 🙂
So you were not talking to me?
No, I think she was tailing to me…
“talking” not tailing…
This is great, Gillian. I love your “let’s see what happens” attitude.
Thanks Lisa. I find life tends to unfold nicely when I stop judging, censoring, over-thinking and trying to predict the future!
I know what you mean about the ‘How To’ blog rules- and I’ve decided that as I’ve very rarely followed any rules before, why should I start now? I blog about whatever I want to, when I want to- granted, mine is mainly about my crafting, but not always.
I also think that following what others say is the ‘right’ way to blog, can end up feeling like all blogs look the same- dare to be different!Have a great week, Hugs Shaz #118 xx
Dare to be different indeed! Words to live by. Thanks for commenting.
Good grief…I need to blow some of those ‘rules’ away a bit. When you start writing a blog, you can’t possibly know who you’re writing for. In my experience you have to visit others, comment and build up a readership..it’s an investment of time..and decent reading matter.
I don’t and can’t blog everyday..I’m not interesting enough. And it took me a while to work out that it’s the title and the pic that hook a lot of people because they don’t have a lot of time to read masses..and clicking away is really easy and faster than staying! I don’t have a call to action either, lunless you only visit my blog on a wednesday that is! I figure there are many challenges, self improvements and action requests out there…I use myself as the judge..if I can’t be bothered, don’t want to wade through it or whatever..I don’t include it because I figure no one else will. You don’t want to end up with a generic blog built on a structure that someone else wants you to use, you want to end up with YOUR blog and YOUR unique readership.
As for talking yourself out of it..think the power of the third thought….I can’t….I could…I will.
You have nothing to lose! Don’t over think it, just write!
Definitely want to end up with MY blog and My unique readership. Great reminder. Thanks for commenting.
Hi Gillian Just catching up with some visits. Thank you for popping by. I almost got to the end of my to do Q just the layout to finish off today. Yes UFOs are unfinished objects. I always have a pile of those – normally journalling to do on layouts!! I loved reading your post as it reminded me of all the research I do to get it right when I started to blog just over a year ago now! Then I remember it is only a person saying that that such and such is the right way so I really try to take what I think makes sense to me and then get on with it. I find the blogs I like the most are those where I can see structure and personality. At the end of the day your blog should be reflective of you. I look forward to next week and seeing what you think of blogging everyday. WOYWW Hugs to you from Helen 94
“At the end of the day your blog should be reflective of you.” My first reaction to that sentence was “but what if you don’t know who you are?” I’m in a phase of my life where I’m loving discovering myself anew and letting go of the old baggage and stories. Exploring that might make a great blog post in it’s own right. Thanks for the inspiration and for taking the time to comment.
I think I have to second every Julia said about blogging and rules about blogging. I also going to add in I don’t like to type, actually I can’t stand typing. I’m terrible at it and it makes my hands hurt and I can’t spell. But I love to write and I love to stamp and I enjoy taking pictures. and since I am a a youngest child I naturally feel like nobody is listening to me so writing makes me feel listened too. Sometime I am serious and sometimes it is only cards and art and cooking. Blogging is like tuning into a giant get together of friends, sometimes it is quiet and sometimes not. In general I am pretty boring so I write when I feel like I am less boring. And for what ever reason I’ve had 10,000+ hits in 11 months which is more than I anticipated so I feel successful. But it all boils down to this, life is short cultivate the joy and pass it on, don’t stress! Thanks for sharing Have a wonderful week! Ginny #120
Glad to hear you’re enjoying your blogging and doing what brings you joy. Thanks for leaving a comment.