Writing a blog is easy. You write. You publish. That’s it, right?! Well, not so much – and those who have done it (or at least attempted it) know well the kind of psychological games one must play to keep things flowing. That is, of course, unless blog writing is your full time job. If it is your full time job, then, well, it’s your full time job. So get writing!
Those who know me know that I am often sarcastic. Sometimes to the point where people wonder where there is anything non-sarcastic that parts my lips. My answer to that is certainly! I call it food.
Anyway, I’ve been away from blog writing for a few months now, and it is time to change that. So what happened? Where did I go? Well, I would love to tell you about all these crazy adventures I’ve been on (I have), or new businesses I have started (I did that too), but to suggest that those were keeping me from this would not be the truth. And seeing that you are taking time from your day today to read something that I have written, I feel I at least owe you the truth.
You see, I got caught in that cycle where for a long time, I was 3 or 4 or more posts ahead of what was published. It was wonderful – the pressure was off. I would write when I had the inspiration and time, and add it to the list of future posts, and through some computerized magic, my posts would publish at least weekly, filling the cyber as if I were in a regimented weekly blog writing routine.
But then I got behind – meaning that I was only 1 or 2 posts ahead. (Strange how one could be ahead and behind at the same time, eh?) And in crept doubt. I told myself I was falling behind, I will never catch up again. I cannot do this like others can.
I told myself that I must do it. That didn’t work.
I told myself that I must do it next Tuesday! Nope, as when Tuesday arrived, it was clear to me that Thursday is a better writing day.
I encouraged myself with rewards. I found a reason why I deserved the reward anyway, and took it, but didn’t write. Hey, did you know that you can play that amazing iPhone app game, slither.io, online as well?
I forced myself to sit at the keyboard and not leave until I wrote something. That failed as well – my family can attest to the fact that while no posts were published, I did come home to them each night.
Anyway, doubt is insidious. It is the epitome of a self-centered thought process – because it’s sole goal is to make you believe it, and to lead you to prove that is is right.
So one or two posts ahead became none. No posts ahead became skipped weeks. Skipped weeks turned to months. The prophecy of that doubt was fulfilled.
Can anyone relate?
I don’t know what brought me back to the blog writing today – but I’m happy to be back. I have several ideas I would like to pursue with you all. I will get back to SoundRocket’s guiding principles… those are important. But for the next few posts, I’m going to go on a couple tangents.
Stay tuned!