Archive for the Category »Save Time «

Feb

Distractions are all around us.

At this very moment while we’re reading this blog post and thinking of what we’ll say in our comment, little ones may be pulling at our shirt tails, ~~begging~~ asking for food or attention. The phone is ringing. Texts are coming in. Our email is full of unanswered messages. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and our blog are open in different tabs of our browser as we try to manage them all. Add to that, dinner time is near and we haven’t planned a thing.

Where, or where is the number for our favorite pizza joint?

Today’s Lesson

I don’t know about you, but I have a lot on my plate.

I’m not complaining though, as most of what is on my plate is by choice.

In an effort to become more efficient, I try to prioritize what needs to be done each day. As great as that sounds, my plans often fail.

Distractions happen and what I had planned to do, either gets moved to my “to do” list for the next day, or doesn’t get done. (I guess it wasn’t that important after all.)

For my blogs I use plugins to streamline some of the processes, cut back on the time I spend on Facebook and unsubscribed to most automatic email notifications.

Those little tweaks help, but I feel I could do more.

I know many of you bloggers are super efficient. I admire that trait.

But, how do you do it?

Today’s Assignment

How do you do it all – blog amidst life’s distractions?

Do you have a set schedule and/or do you use other tools which aid in your efficiency?

Care to share?

Photo credit: MMChicago

Category: Archives, Blogging, Blogging Lessons, Save Time 96 Comments

Mar

How Do You Do It?

Barbara Swafford

image of laptop for blog post on how do bloggers blog Blogging takes time out of our day.

For some, it’s just a few minutes, but for others, blogging can feel like a full-time job.

Today’s Lesson

How we blog can determine how much time we spend blogging.

If our computer is old and antiquated, it can slow us down. If we’re not comfortable working on a laptop, netbook, Smartphone or “pad”, that can slow us down, too.

With blogging, time is of the essence.

For me, I prefer using my personal computer.

My typing speed is fairly fast, however if my PC slows down or locks up, my blogging time begins to increase, making me wonder how much time I’d save if I had a faster computer.

Although I’ve tried blogging on a laptop and used a cell phone to check comments and post to Facebook, my preference is my home computer.

What about you?

Today’s Assignment

How do you blog?

On a PC? Laptop? Smartphone? Or other?

What technique(s) do you use to save time blogging?

Care to share?

Photo credit: MC4 Army

Category: Archives, Blogging, Blogging Lessons, Save Time 45 Comments

Apr

Save Your Best Posts For Later, Or Not?

Barbara Swafford

Good Day Class,

What an exciting treat we have today. Not only is Bamboo Forest of the fabulous blog, Pun Intended making a return appearance as substitute teacher (guest writer), but he has brought along his latest invention; a free online timer we can all use to monitor not only our online activities, but any chore or activity we’d like to time.

Without further ado, I’ll take a seat next to you and enjoy today’s lesson.

The floor is yours, Bamboo.

Hi Class,

It’s great to be here again.

I’m well aware time is of the essence, so let’s get started.

* * * * *

I used to be concerned when publishing something I was thrilled with while having so few subscribers and so little outreach.

I would tell myself I’m being wasteful publishing my best stuff for just a few people.

Even worse, whatever great article (at least to me) I do publish under these circumstances is going to get buried beneath the hundreds of posts it’ll take to grow a large audience.

But then it hit me. I have it all wrong.

It doesn’t matter!

Today’s Lesson

Publishing your “best stuff” now, while you’re small, builds your creative muscles so that later on you’re capable of far greater things.

It’s like weight lifting.

When you start out, you’re only capable of lifting so much. With consistent practice, however, you’re able to lift even more. But here’s the thing: You have to lift more now to be able to lift more later.

See what I’m talking about?

Look at any accomplished blogger. Brian Clark, Leo Babauta, Chris Brogan, you name it… I bet they never saved any of their best stuff for later. They published it as soon as they could. And by doing so they’ve grown into the wickedly skillful bloggers they are today.

Holding back your best stuff for later won’t get you there.

Another advantage of publishing your best material now is it puts pressure on you to continue publishing only the best you can.

For example, let’s say you just posted an amazing article that knocks everyone’s socks off. Doing so has set a standard for your blog. You’re telling your readers what to expect and there’s no turning back now. You’ve put yourself in a position where not only your readers expect more from you, but you expect more from yourself, too.

That’s the kind of pressure you probably want.

If developing into the most skillful blogger possible is high on your agenda, think twice about saving your best for later.

Today’s Assignment

Have you ever felt regretful publishing your best material while having a small audience?

Is there ever a time to save a great piece for later?

Raise your hand and share your thoughts.

Bamboo Forest created an online timer that makes bloggers ridiculously productive. He also writes for Pun Intended, a blog that’s hilarious and enlightening.