Change is coming to Blogging Without A Blog (BWAB).
Due to an increased workload on my paying job and other time commitments, I’m decreasing my posting schedule and moving the New Blog Of the Week (NBOTW) series to Wednesdays. My new schedule will be:
Monday – A post written by me which will hopefully get you thinking.
Wednesday – Promotion of a new blog of the week or two not so new blogs that are well worth reading and/or subscribing to.
Friday – Either a lesson written by a “substitute teacher” (guest post), or an article written by me.
If you’re interested in guest posting or would like to have your blog considered for the New Blog Of The Week (or not so new) series, please feel free to use the contact form to send me a message.
The two blogs I’m showcasing this week are as follows:
In no particular order, the first blog is Oktober5, which is written my Ryan and Sarah.
An excerpt from a post titled Simon and Garfunkel’s 10 Blogging Lessons, written by Ryan, says,
“I’d rather be a hammer than a nail. Yes I would. If I could, I surely would.” – El Condor Pasa (if I Could)
Write like you’re the hammer, not the nail. This is your blog, your universe, so let the hammer fall. Speak out, speak up; don’t be the nail and let others hammer you into a box. Dare to be different. And if you’re feeling up to it, tell your critics where they can shove it.
To share some of Sarah’s words, in the post titled Writing Life Cycle, she writes,
…Yesterday when you sat in this very same place, no words came. You fought for one hour with yourself and lost the battle. Three words on the page and you walked away dejected.
And yet, you’re back today…
The second blog is titled B4Success, authored by Neil.
From his post titled: How To Start A Personal Growth Plan, he says:
…Personal growth is an exercise that starts change. It begins a change from within to allow you to grow as an individual. It is a process that requires you to ask tough questions about yourself and your present situation. Personal growth is not an easy task…
He then goes on to list questions we can ask ourselves.
Neil gets us thinking about why plans fail in his post titled: The One Reason Why Your New Years Resolution Will Fail
You see the reason most people fail when it comes to their resolutions is because they forget to plan. That’s right, they develop some abstract resolution for the year decide they’re going to see it through, but they don’t plan for how they’ll accomplish the goal. That is why they fail. To all of you who are quitters (you know who you are) you probably didn’t plan either.
He tells it like it is, doesn’t he?
I highly recommend both of these blogs. They are great reads, and as you can see by the snippets I’ve included, these authors love to share their thoughts with others. Take time to dig through their archives and find more great articles.
There you have it, my dear readers, the changes you’ll see here at BWAB and my recommendations for this week.
Come back on Friday and participate in the class when Davina, of Shades of Crimson will be our “substitute teacher” (guest writer).
I know we’re in for a real treat.
.
Photo Credit:Pardesi*
Barbara–I love your blog, and it’s an honor to be featured here. You should know that out of all the blogging about blog blogs I’ve ever come across, yours is the only one I’ve been able to stand for more than a week. Thank you.
Hi Barbara. Ah ha, now I know the answer to the question I sent you. I always look forward to the NBOTW to see who’s turn it is. These are interesting excerpts you’ve shared from both blogs. Congrats Ryan, Sarah and Neil.
Good for you Barbara for making some time for yourself. Blogging does have a way of eating up a lot of time doesn’t it?
I’m looking forward to the guest post on Friday. Thanks for the advanced notice.
Davina´s last blog post..Blog + Comment = Win
Thanks for the blog recommendations. Love the concept about New Year’s Resolutions. I’d be interested to see how many of those are followed thru on.
Gennaro @ Enduring Wanderlust´s last blog post..Things To Do In NYC (For Free)
Hey Barbara
That sounds like a healthy schedule. I’m currently testing daily posting for a while, since I got the bulk of my latest book done. I’m sure I’ll re-adjust at some point, but for now, it’s good to start to clear my queue.
I particularly like the message on the image you used. It echoes a lesson I see time and again. Investing in learning now is for a future later. Testing, experimenting, exploring … it’s all good.
Congrats to Ryan, and Sarah, and Neil!
J.D. Meier´s last blog post..Precision Questions and Precision Answers
Hi Barbara,
It’s good to see that you’re not giving up on blogging. I’m a fan and look forward to your writing. Hope this new schedule works for you.
Cheers!
Chase March´s last blog post..Everyone Wants to Be Joan
Hi Barbara,
I’m familiar with Oktober 5 – great choice! The other, B4Success is new to me – I’m off to check it out!
To both of you, congrats on this honor!
And, Barbara, best to you on these changes!
Lance´s last blog post..This Is A Day Of Joy
Hi Barbara – I’m been a fan of Ryan and Sarah’s – Oktober 5 is an excellent blog with terrific talent behind it. I’ll check out B4Success on your recommendation.
Congratulations on your new schedule, and as Lance said, we wish you all the best as your blog takes this next step! Please me know how I could be of help to you.
Betsy Wuebker´s last blog post..WHAT ARE YOU MADE OF?
Barbara, thanks for featuring Be 4 Success here on BWAB! I always enjoy visiting the blogs you recommend and am honoured to be among that group.
Good luck with the new posting schedule, I know I’ve been challenged for various reasons with my schedule. My focus is to do more with less.
Neil´s last blog post..The One Reason Why Your New Years Resolution Will Fail
I hear you. I’m also in a similar situation. My challenge right now is to find time for blogging.
chris´s last blog post..Cell Phones and Relationships
I bet with you will find less really is more!
Hi Barbara, what a sensible plan! I admire you for being proactive instead of panicking (as I often do) and indulging in “all or nothing” thinking!
Good luck with all you have going on.
Vintage Mommy´s last blog post..Lucky Seven?
Oooo , I just LOVE that hammer and nail blogging metaphor.
And congrats on your new schedule, sounds like a perfect fit. As our Aussie buddies say “Good on ya, Mate!”
Jannie Funster´s last blog post..Ukulele Me!
Hi Gennaro – You’re welcome. Yes, New Year’s resolutions often get broken quite fast. Like Neil said, planning is the key.
Hi Ryan – You’re welcome. It’s my honor to showcase your blog. Although I don’t get to visit you as often as I’d like, I love yours and Sarah’s work.
Hi Davina – Thank you. Yes, carving time out each day to get things done has been one of my goals. With year end reporting topping my list, I’m buried in paperwork.
Hi J.D. – That’s right. You’re book is nearly ready for publication. WooHoo! Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at the blogs I’ve showcased.
Hi Lance – Thanks. Yes Check out Neil’s blog, too. His writing always gets me thinking.
Hi Chase – I’m hoping the new schedule works well, too. It’s like the best of two worlds. I love my job and also love blogging.
Hi Betsy – Thank you. I appreciate your support. Like you all, I’m trying to find that “perfect” balance.
Hi Chris – I know you’re busy too, so finding time for blogging must be a challenge. I’m happy to see you’re still posting.
Hi Neil – You’re welcome. Whenever I visit your site, I always either learn something new, or you get me thinking. I knew I had to share your work with others.
Do more with less? I’m hoping to do the same.
Hi Ann – Thank you. I know what you mean about the all or nothing way of thinking. Having tried that, and not having it work, creating a set schedule should help me to stay focused.
Hi Lori – I hope so. Wish me luck. 🙂
Hi Jannie – Thank you. Isn’t the hammer and nail metaphor great? I found it to be spot on.
Both fantastic blogs. Great choice Barbara. I have had a poke around both and as I was reading, some things hit home to me and I felt I could learn from these people.
Thank you again
melanie´s last blog post..My first tag for the year.
Barbara, I think life just ebbs and flows and the joy of blog writing is that WE can make it fit our needs and time frames.
We are in charge of our change. I have so appreciated just going to 3 times a week. I am back to having more time to edit and develop my ideas.
I think you will find less is more!
Looking forward to DAvina’s lesson too! that was a real joy for me…
Patricia´s last blog post..Taking it On: Architecture2030 Challenge
Hi Patricia – You’re right. To enjoy blogging it should fit our needs and time frames, and not the other way around. As we all know, when we’re under the gun, we may not perform to the best of our abilities.
Hi Melanie – They are both great blogs, aren’t they? I know I’ve learned from both of them. And, I like how they make their readers think.
Hi Evelyn – Yes, reducing my blogging schedule will definitely help me to catch up, and stay caught up on my paying job. Plus, it will give me more time to visit other blogs and learn more about Twitter. I’m looking for a win-win.
Hi Broderick – Hope to see you again soon. Like you, I also like blogs that tell it like it is.
Hi Debbie – Thank you. I doubt I could ever give up blogging as it brings me too much joy, but like you, when life calls, we know what we must do.
Hi Karl – Isn’t that personal growth article great? It’s a good reminder to stop and plan, isn’t it?
I’m happy to hear you like this weeks picks. I know I enjoy them and I think others will, too.
Your plan sounds great. I am guessing that it should be able to help ease your workload. With your announcement, it is pretty clear what to expect from your site. Thanks!!
Evelyn Lim´s last blog post..Ideas For Soul Growth In 2009
I look forward to seeing how this works out for you and I’ll check out the two blogs. I like “tell it like it is” blogs.
Broderick Allen´s last blog post..Suspend Disbelief
As someone who struggles with keeping up on my own blog and reading my favorite blog, I completely understand where you are coming from. I’m so far behind in reading what you have as it is! I’m glad you will still be around even if not as often. I would miss you terribly if you had to give up blogging completely.
Debbie Yost´s last blog post..Special Exposure Wednesday – Four!
I liked the personal growth plan article. Many of us don’t try to build on our development we just go, go, go.
You’ve found a couple nice blogs. Once again Barbara you’ve out done yourself.
Karl Staib – Work Happy Now´s last blog post..Help Employees Connect to a Larger Vision
Good on you Barbara. You are being the hammer, not the nail!
I loved the hammer and nail thing, by the way – and Neil does tell it like it is, indeed!
Robin´s last blog post..5-Year Plan For This Blog
I always thought that writing 5 posts a week must be a big challenge, especially with staying on top of comments and reading other blogs. So I’m glad you’re adjusting your blogging plan to fit the changes in your life. Sometimes bloggers forget that it’s they who controls the blog, not the blog that controls them!
Hunter Nuttall´s last blog post..What The Hell Is Value?
I’m a little sad there won’t be more frequent posts, but I also understand. I’m only planning to post 3 times a week or so on this blog and cut back my posting schedule on my other one a bit so I actually enjoy it. 🙂
Hunter has an excellent point about who controls the blog. And most readers appreciate good content from time-to-time rather than forcing content every day. Plus, as someone who enjoys many blogs, I like not having to get through 100 posts every day!! If they all post about 3 days a week, then it’s quite manageable.
Ruth´s last blog post..Judge Not? Why Not?
I honor your choice to rethink your schedule to find balance in your week. Thanks for sharing your new schedule.
Stacey / Create a Balance´s last blog post..To Enjoy Life
Good thing you have your priorities sorted out. Sometimes, in our zeal for blogging, we forget there’s life beyond the internet. And I have to say that I’ve never ever planned how to keep a New Year resolution. Never occured to me. 🙂
Hi Robin – Yes, I am going to be the hammer. 🙂
Hi Hunter – I couldn’t have said it better, “Sometimes bloggers forget that it’s they who controls the blog, not the blog that controls them.”
Hi Ruth – It’s tough to post every day, isn’t it? Like you, I read a lot of other blogs. I can’t stay current on others who post five days a week, so I certainly can’t expect others to stay current on mine. Fortunately I have over 400 posts in the archives, so if anyone wants to read more lessons, there are plenty here.
Hi Stacey – You’re welcome. I know you know what balance is all about as that’s what your blog is about, and for me, I knew I had to prioritize and not get myself into a position where I didn’t leave enough time for life.
Hi Ling – You’re so right. As bloggers, we often forget there is a life beyond the internet.
Barbara,
I just have to say that I’m impressed by how you discipline yourself and manage your day-to-day responsibilities while maintaining a professional and consistent posting schedule here on your blog 🙂 I mean that… Some people are just all over the place!
Anyway, just wanted to let you know you rock!
Ricardo Bueno´s last blog post..Greater E-mail Productivity with AwayFind
Excellent blog, thanks for linking it. I think the Simon & Garfunkel song “The Sound of Silence” can also be excellent blogging lesson. Especially when starting out. It takes a while for people to find you and comment. 😀
Squawkfox´s last blog post..Free Printable Workout Log