On Blogging

The Bloggy Chiropractor, Step 3: Analyze and refocus

This is step 3 in The Bloggy Chiropractor 3-step program, in which we work on correcting our blog/life balance.

In this session, we’re going to focus on analyzing our blogging.  Then we’ll use this self-analysis to make positive change. 

Ready?

Good.

Analyze it

Pull out a clean sheet of paper and a good pen.  Put on some jazzy music and pour yourself a glass of wine.  It’s time for some introspection, baby!

Think about these questions.

1) Why do I blog?

2) What about blogging stresses me out?

3) What do I do under the guise of “blogging” purely because of habit, or because I think I should?

4) What do I truly enjoy about blogging?

5) What are my goals from blogging?

These are tough questions, so don’t expect that you’ll get them answered all pat with your t’s crossed and i’s dotted the first go-round.  Take a stab and then let it simmer for a few days.  Revisit your answers and make edits.  When you feel good about your list, move on to the next step.

Refocus

Pull out the brainstorming you did.  I’m going to walk you through how to use that information to refocus your blogging efforts.

1) Why do you blog

Look at the reasons that you wrote down.  Evaluate each reason for the following:

- is this healthy?
- is this realistic?
- is this maintainable?
- is blogging the best way to accomplish this goal?

This isn’t easy.  These questions require a lot of self-reflection and honesty.  But it’s worth it.

2) What about blogging stresses me out?

3) What do I do under the guise of “blogging” purely because of habit, or because I think I should?

The next part is easy.  I want you to look at what you wrote down for #2 and #3. 

Now stop doing every single one of them.  Seriously, STOP.  Don’t do those things until you feel like you want to again. No matter how important you think they are. 

You know what?  You probably won’t miss them.

4) What do I truly enjoy about blogging?

Now that you’ve cut out a whole lot of stuff from #2 and #3, you have more time.  Give yourself permission to spend MORE time doing the things that you enjoy.

Every time you feel drawn to do something under #2 or #3, consult this list and choose something here instead.

5) What are my goals for blogging?

Look at your blog as it is today.  Is this blog in line with your goals?  If not, how can you bring it in line with your goals?

Create an action plan of at least three concrete things you can do to move your blogging activities more in line with your long-term goals.

To infinity and beyond

I wish I could say “goodbye and you’re healed.”

But the truth is, this is a process. 

The next time you feel like you’re getting in over your head, do a bloggy detox and take a 2-week vacation.  Or re-read step 2.  Or go through the answers for step 3.  Or redo the whole process.

It’s your turn

Now I want to hear from you… your thoughts on the process.  Where are you at?  What are you excited about?  Let’s motivate and inspire each other, shall we?

© Jenny Blackburn. All Rights Reserved.

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Catch more of Jenny Blackburn’s humorous anecdotes on being a mom, a woman, and a whole lot crazy at Absolutely Bananas. If you have questions, anecdotes, or topics for “On Blogging,” email jenny[@]seattlemomblogs[dot]com.