Have you ever noticed when you’re doing something you love, time flies? In one sense, it’s almost like time stands still. This analogy is often tied to living your passion.
Today’s Lesson
Blogging is that way for me. When I’m engrossed in blogging activities, time speeds by. On days when I think I’ll blog for an hour, before I know it, three or four hours have passed.
Late at night when the house is quiet, and I’m commenting or reading blog posts, my normal bedtime gets overlooked. The hour between midnight and one vanishes, and before I know it, it’s pushing 2 a.m. Morning comes too early.
On days when I’m working behind the scenes of my blog, learning how to do coding, adding or deleting plugins, and/or working on what will eventually become my new theme, time flies. Sometimes I get carried away and my paying job gets put on hold.
When I started blogging I had no idea how much I would enjoy it. I had no idea it would become another passion. Another favorite pastime.
I’m hesitant to call blogging a time suck as I believe it has the possibilities of leading to greater things in life. A business adventure. A stepping stone to bigger and better things. A great way to gain greater name recognition. A form of therapy. A social networking tool.
What do you think?
Today’s Assignment
Do you think blogging is just another time consuming hobby or do you see the possibilities of where it can lead?
Are you like me? When you blog, does time stand still?
How has the time you’ve invested in blogging helped you?
Feel free to share. I’d love to hear how blogging has affected your life.
.
Photo Credit: steepways’ photostream
it’s not the blogging that consumes my life, it’s the associated activities. The return comments, the follow ups, the marketing, the answers, the support, the promotion, the custom code, the new themes, the updates …….
đ without it, I might have started drinking!
I agree with you, all of it is leading somewhere. I don’t know where yet but the journey is what’s driving me.
Andy Bailey´s last blog post..ShamelesslySassy.com : Featured Site
Time consuming? Yes. While I get more and more efficient with reading and posting, I am also doing an increasing amount of it, so the time spent stays about the same. It does make time fly by, yes, which actually encourages me to more actively look into opportunities that might help me that’s been resulted directly and indirectly from blogging, since I’ve already spent my time.
Kelvin Kao´s last blog post..Cool Links to Check Out (11/17/2008 edition)
Blogging is a time consuming activity, but it’s my free time and I’m hoping it leads to something else. Like Andy said, it’s the maintenance that takes up a bulk of the time, sometimes, the editing part as well. Easy to write a post, hard to edit…time consuming. It has helped me to become a better writer, at least I think.
Blogging has given me more courage and confidence with my writing and I’ve met some cool people along the way
Natural´s last blog post..Being Human In the Age of the Electronic Mob
Barbara, you do ask challenging questions – first about Twitter, now the time I spend on blogging!
I think my answer is – it depends. I enjoy blogging enormously, all of it, like you, including the code stuff!, and I would rather do that than other things (like watching TV). I feel like I’m learing, stretching and becoming more creative as a result of the time I spent blogging, which for me = time well spent.
I think the ‘but’ comes if that’s all your doing, rather than looking for ways to consolidate and built upon that time investment.
Blogging can become a comfort zone – maybe we need to be doing some other things to capitalise on the investment we’ve made (creating products, doing deals, connecting offline) rather than doing the stuff that’s become easy.
Joanna Young´s last blog post..A Feast for Word Lovers: The Oxford American Writerâs Thesaurus
I love it, Barbara! Before I know it, I’ve spent hours at blogging and the associated activities. No more TV! I like what Joanna said about creating products and making other connections. Perhaps this is the next level beyond our current plateau?
Betsy and Pete´s last blog post..TENACITY
Hi Barbara, undoubtedly blogging is indeed time consuming. I did not know this until I started doing it. I thought the most I would need a day would just be a couple of hours, but my my no no..
Sure, I may know what I want to write about, but the editing is time consuming. Unlike the static websites where you can just post anything, you have to be very thorough when doing blog posting because it is very interactive. You also have to respond to comments and so forth.
I absolutely love it though, and yes for me TV is almost non-existent. My entertainment comes from blogging.
As to whether it is worth time, I think so. I certainly dont think it is a waste of time. Meeting like minded bloggers has been very beneficial to my personal growth.
In addition, as I write posts of a subject I am passionate about I continue to grow. I feel like I am thriving. Surely, there is no better feeling in the world. I also feel that I am making a positive contribution to others.
So to me blogging is a ‘well-worth-it time-consuming activity’.
I know of so many day to day habits which are an utter waste of time such as watching TV for hours on end..
sharon´s last blog post..10 Lessons to Create A New You
No – it’s cut into all my game playing time đ
Is it a good use of my time? Life is short and I enjoy doing it so, yeah. Could I be more productive? Maybe. Would my house be cleaner? Probably not.
I’ve met a lot of great people and it has opened up new opportunities. It’s made me less of an introvert too.
Kim Woodbridge | (Anti) Social Development´s last blog post..Google Page Rank – A Sudden 3 Point Drop!!!
Blogging is indeed time consuming, but it’s an activity that I enjoy tremendously. Just as you described, I find that time flies when I’m blogging and connecting with others. Blogging has given me an opportunity to “meet” many amazing individuals that I would have never come across without this medium. My life has opened up and broadened as a result.
Karen Putz´s last blog post..When Life Vanishes in a Flash
I try to think of blogging as a hobby, but it’s much more than that. It’s become my passion.
Blogging has helped me discover my destiny. I now know I want to help people work happier. Before blogging I was just trying to figure out a way to own a business, so I didn’t have to work for the man. Now I have a passion and an aim that will take me to the promise land. I hope.
Karl Staib – Work Happy Now´s last blog post..6 Exercise Hacks While You Are At Work
I’d have to echo Andy’s and Natural’s comments about how the associated maintenance activities can take up even more time than expected.
I’d like to also add that in addition to time, blogging can take up your creative energy as well. I had to take a break from blogging because of a project in my day job required my full creative energy and I wasn’t able to split my creative energies between this project and my blog. I’m *still* trying to get back back to the swing of things with my blog đ
Al at 7P´s last blog post..Guest Post at Write to Done
Same as you, time stands still when I’m at the computer. Blogging started as a hobby and a way to keep in touch with family back home, but it has definitely become a passion.
I do spend all of my free time on blogging activities, and maybe should get out more. However, I value both the short-term benefits–learning, exercising my writing and creativity muscle, making connections–and the possibility of long-term benefits I haven’t imagined yet.
I’m at the cusp of change. Blogging, I believe, is worth it, so long as you’re patient. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Writer Dad´s last blog post..Pen and Ink
Barbara,
blogging has become a very important activity for me, and time flies by blogging and the activities connected to it. But there is still a world outside blogging – meeting friends, reading books, watching TV, going for a walk or visiting an exhibition. I think that I need to go outside and offline to be able to write.
Ulla Hennig´s last blog post..Old and New – A Story from Berlin
My blogging time fulfilled me when things were a little “ho-hum” in my life and I enjoyed the outlet that writing in my blog provided. Right now, my life is a whirlwind and I find I do not have a lot of time to write. I feel somewhat guilty that I am not spending the time I would like. However, I need to set priorities and right now, other things are more important. I don’t want my blog to feel like work, so I will not let those guilty feelings get the best of me.
Jennifer (Danifer)´s last blog post..Okay, So I Am Jumping On The Bandwagon
Yeah it’s time consuming, but like others said, it’s my hobby and we don’t usually think of our hobbies in terms of “time consuming.”
The time I spend blogging is very worth it to me. My blog is personal (as opposed to business) and is a running journal of my family’s life. The kids love to read and re-read stories about themselves. Very very worth it. đ
Val´s last blog post..Deborah’s Baptism (Thanksgiving 38)
Blogging is a time consuming activity that has become a hobby tied to a passion. Blogging gives me a way to share my photography.
Blogging enables me interact with — and learn from — a more diverse group of people than I would be able to otherwise.
Mike Goad´s last blog post..Street Artist at Farmers Market
If I wasn’t a blogger myself, I wouldn’t read a single blog. I never read a single post on the internet until I started writing them. It just wasn’t my style. So, I think that means, while I absolutely love reading and commenting on posts, it is because I want to be involved in the writing community. And this is one method for that. In other words, if I were ever to quit writing, I would quit reading and commenting as well.
BUT since that isn’t going to happen anytime soon, I’ll keep getting lost in the wonderful time consuming world of blogging. *smile*
Urban Panther´s last blog post..Are sweatpants disrespectful?
Funny, what people get out of blogging, for me it is therapy for the soul as you type your thoughts, and can turn moments into memories as you break down the events. If it became a chore to do instead of a desire, then I would not be doing it…it has allowed the connection with people that we have met to share in our delights of the day to day living…
Sue Hutter´s last blog post..Seattle JO XC Regional Championships…
Hi Barbara,
It IS time consuming.
When I started NezSez, I thought I had plenty of ideas for posts — and I do, it’s just the “fleshing out part” that takes a lot of time.
And since this activity doesn’t pay the bills, I have to treat more as an occasional hobby.
Nez´s last blog post..Cardinal Synthesis
I’m in the same boat as Nez, I find it does take a lot of time and being that it doesn’t pay the bills I have to manage my time for what’s best for me.
I know many people blog and run a business, sure it’s possible, but perhaps I don’t have the same passion for it some people have?
John Hoff – eVentureBiz´s last blog post..Do You Have A SEO Question?
Blogging does take up more time than expected but it still is the best use of time I can make. I absolutely love all aspects of blogging – be it writing, commenting, connecting to others. Blogging is like having a small world within your own world.
Anytime it seems that it is impacting areas of my life which it shouldn’t, I simply remind myself that I do all blogging activities because I ‘want to’ not because I ‘have to’. It is all right to miss out on writing a post or disappear from entire blogging scene for a week or even month for that matter. That usually sets things in perspective for me đ
Avani-Mehta´s last blog post..Top 8 Productivity Hacks – #4
I Am amazed at the time blogging takes up. Being new to the field I have become rather engrossed. I have realised that a blog alone is not enough. I don’t want a secret diary so promotion in one form or another is needed.
Interaction is key. Commenting on blogs you like and respect is a valuable way of telling the community about your blog but it takes time………..hey ..wait a minute……..what’s going on?
I could have spent the time writing this to update my blog……….aarrgghhh
Another time thief!
the three dog blogger´s last blog post..THE Dog Book
As everyone else has mentioned blogging is time consuming. Is it the best use of my time? Depends on perspective, there are other things I could do that I enjoy as much as blogging. However, I took up blogging with a long term view of building myself up and to have more control of my life and work. The short term result is perhaps less control as blogging gets fitted around my work, son, and wife. Those precious minutes where I write a post or visit a new blog fly by and then I’m playing with my son again! I suppose life could be worse.
Neil´s last blog post..SMART Goal Setting
Good post and really made me take a look again at my schedule.
12 hours of my day are defined and I must stick to that schedule or I will not be healthy and living well….
I do put 3 hours aside to just play on the internet per week….and that seems to keep me more focused.
I am still not making any funds from my workshops, blogging, writing – just the few counseling appointments I am doing…my PTSD/Veteran’s counseling is still fully volunteer…the Fed’s don’t think they have any funds to help these vets ….except for training volunteers
I wish it did not take me so much time to learn the background blogging work.
I think I am going to stop doing workshops…they are really time consuming and tho I enjoy meeting the folks in person and the interactions…I am barely breaking even…
IF I AM GOING to make some money I have to treat my time as life giving and enhancing….I have no time to loose (I used that up being ill)
thanks again for your great words Timely!
Patricia´s last blog post..32 Years of Writing
As long as I don’t have better or more important things to do (such as being with my family or writing paid gigs), it’s fine. I’m getting better at stepping away from the blog when I do have more important things to do.
Hi Barbara – I enjoy blogging but I’ve reached the point where I’m not sure it’s the best use of my time. As a marketing tool it is good – but it doesn’t work well alone. In an email to another blogger I was just saying that when I actually had time to write a newsletter – I made more money with much less blog traffic.
I do want to carry on blogging, as I enjoy it, but i want to cut down on blog related activities, to free up my time for other marketing activities and also to develop products and services to sell.
Cath Lawson´s last blog post..Does Your Business Really Understand People?
Did you ever hear the say “take the bad with the good”?
I started blogging as a form of therapy, to put my thought in order… take things off the chest.
I love writing… so blogging is kinda second nature…
Blogging related activities consume a huge amount of time in my life… I think that is why I have decided to make it part of my professional life… not a full time thing at the moment… but let’s see how it goes…
One thing is true… it is part of my life just as much as my “day job” is part of my life and I try to make the most of it…
At least I have tried on the past 6 months or so which is when I started actually seeing the potential of it…
want an idea of how blogging affected my life?
Well… I met my wife through her blog… and from that my life turned a direction completely different than what I had planned.
feel the drama? đ
UrbanVox´s last blog post..I hate keeping secrets!!!
I think Andy said it well – it’s not always the blogging that takes so much time – it’s visiting other blogs, commenting, replying to comments, etc. But, I think it’s all so worth it Barbara. It is – because of the community that develops, the connections that are made. I am constantly amazed at the new directions that develop, the new ideas I have, and how infinitely cool the future looks! Time flies when I’m blogging – where do the hours go?
Lance´s last blog post..With Many Thanks, We Dance
Well, I started blogging because I had time to kill and needed a hobby. (I sure asked for it, right?) I’m finding that there’s an ebb and flow to how much time I spent on blogging activities. At first, it was exactly how you describe: up too late at night, time flying by. But then I started to miss some of my regular activities, so blogging transitioned to a favorite interest instead of an obsession.
I have a feeling this cycle will continue, and I look forward to it!
Sara at On Simplicity´s last blog post..Three Nerdy Confessions
I find the hours pass by without me noticing – but sometimes it feels like I’m in the flow and others it feels like an addiction – i.e. I might be better off doing something else – even if it’s just to take a break from the computer for some exercise, or for one of the other things I have got going on.
I love Andy’s “all of it is leading somewhere. I donât know where yet but the journey is whatâs driving me”
Robin´s last blog post..Why We Sabotage Ourselves
I really like your optimistic stance on blogging. Yes – why not – the skies the limit!
I need to continue to work on being more timely in writing. The wise man would ensure he dedicated every day, some amount of time – to writing.
So, right now – my goal is to ensure I engage writing on a daily basis.
Bamboo Forest´s last blog post..7 Most Fun Foods
Yes, it is time consuming but it is fun, informative and meet lots of folks.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Linda´s last blog post..Facts on Energy-Saving Myths
Is blogging the best use of my time? Probably not, but is sure is fun!! Addictive? Yes, time stands still.
When I started a couple months ago and I’d see those little orange blips on my WordPress dashboard signifying I had comments to moderate, it was a total Vegas slot-machine feeling for me. Score!! I started losing sleep.
But am getting lots of sleep now, achieving balance. Have even been to the grocery store and out to the mailbox a couple times. Kidding, of course but I’m getting myself reeled in. I do admit on weekday mornings after I drop my girl off at school I often have to fight the very strong urge to skip my run and head home to my computer. Isn’t that terrible? I now run average 3x instead of 4x weekly. If I ever let myself get down to less than 3x, I PROMISE I will seek help for blogging addiction!
I like my schedule now, I post a 3 to 4 times a week, and visit each of my buddies blogs probably 3 or 4 times a week too. (Altho… I’m going to try a wacky experiment next month and see how I do posting each and every day.) I have so many friends now that I have not been actively visiting new blogs to find more blogging buddies in over a week. If new people find me, wonderful, there will be enough love to go around for a while, until I get, like, 100 comments a day — which is a bridge I’ll cross if and when I come to it. But if I never have any more blog friends than I do now I will be more than content for the rest of my life with the pals I’ve made. Everyone is so wonderful. Writing seems to cut straight to the heart and soul so quickly, especially when friends are sharing their troubles or need advice — you connect with people in a short time. And the bond is so real and deep.
I feel as if I’ve really “found myself” in blogging, I guess that sounds a little stupid. But for now it is my reality. I love writing, joking, sharing photos and ideas. The mind’s the limit with this medium. And I absolutely love that (except for the comments of course,) my blog is always absolutely exactly as I left it when I go back there! A cool little place to keep neat and tidy, even when in my Real World dirty dishes might be piling up on the counter again and there are loads of laundry to fold.
I’m sure I’ll evolve a lot. Will be interesting to see where I am a year, three years, five, ten from now with my blog.
Now… to spend an hour or four on your blog, checking out your past posts.
Jannie´s last blog post..3 poems. And a child in a tree.
Hi Barbara. Oh yes, the time flies. Gone are the days of going to bed by 11pm. But I love it. I’m getting better at unplugging from it though. I see value in it as a marketing tool and for connecting with people, but I wouldn’t put all my eggs in one basket.
Davina´s last blog post..Small Steps To Empower Your Attitude
Hi Barbara.
Time consuming? Oh yeah, but oh the possibilities! It is leading me in directions I never knew. Wonder what’s next?
Time does stand still – or flies by – however you look at it. It’s great and it takes up a lot of time.
It allows me to help people in ways that I would otherwise not be able to.
Blogging has been such a blessing in so many ways. You are just one of them. I have made some incredible friends. And I have dedicated my last post to you and all of them.
Jennifer´s last blog post..A Thanksgiving for You
For me blogging is all a part of building my business, so none of it is wasted time. The one thing, however, that was taking up a huge amount of time was commenting on other blogs, so I now limit that to no more than an hour a day.
It’s always a change to manage time well, but as long as I have my goals clear in my head, I manage to stay on track.
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog post..Why Do We Choose to Be Unhappy?
So often, like you, I completely lose track of time and end up spending way too much time blogging. Then, like you, I convince myself that there are so many opportunities online and that my time is productive!
Somewhere in between lies a happy medium. I think spending a lot of time blogging is not a particularly bad thing, as long as you have days where you tell yourself “don’t even log on!”. Breaking it up and not forgetting to enjoy the real world is really important.
Cheers
-Ross
Ross´s last blog post..So youâve heard it all before? Part 1: Gratitude
I LOVE blogging and I LOVE reading and linking to and stumbling upon Blogs. The more I do the more I LOVE it. My writing is getting faster, sharper and more readable. I am clarifying what I am really trying to say and every time I sit down I am shocked to find I have something I want to write about or share. I feel as though I have unplugged a volcano of energy inside me. At the moment I am into the “writing” aspect. I imagine the time will come when the “business” aspect needs attention too…but right now I am going with the flow of my energy, passion and creativity.
I am not at all worried about how much time I spend. My wish is that every human being finds something that concentrates the mind, engages the heart and stimulates the imagination. Luxury and necessity entwined.
And then there is the gratitude and awe that comes with reading the blogs of others. So much out there on every conceivable subject. It’s a veritable feast.
Smiling a big smile…and off to post today’s blog. Thanks and cheers to you all!!!
leona´s last blog post..Build Trust & Mutual Understanding through Interactive Focusing
I didn’t realize how much time one blog would take me, if I decide to focus on it. Oh boy…what a journey it has been!! It may seem like a waste of time to many but to me, it is not just an investment in building an online business. It is about the community of friends that I have come to know. There are times when I feel stressed by having so much to do in relation to my blog but then I tell myself, to take it easy. It is supposed to be fun and it actually is!!
Evelyn Lim´s last blog post..7 Ways To Center Yourself In Gratitude
I gotta go with Andy on this for sure. each day I see a little more…sure it’s time consuming with all that is required, but it’s the end you envision that keeps it alive!
Dennis Edell´s last blog post..Blog Review: Thou Shall Blog Dot Com
Do you think blogging is just another time consuming hobby or do you see the possibilities of where it can lead?
I have set times for my blog which I stick to but when it comes to discovering, reading and introducing myself to new blogs I do tend to lose many hours that I otherwise should have been doing my proper job but I get such a sense of contentment that I dont care
Are you like me? When you blog, does time stand still?
Absolutely time stands still, kids go hungry…..(joking about starving kids bit……maybe)
How has the time youâve invested in blogging helped you?
I have found the best resources for my life interests – people, real live people.
Feel free to share. Iâd love to hear how blogging has affected your life.
melanie´s last blog post..And the winner is…
Time stands still. Even now, I need to be up and cleaning the kitchen, but I’m puttering with my photos and creating. I like that outlet.
I do wonder where it will take me, in the mean time I try to prioritize.
Blessings to your family!
Dr. Cason´s last blog post..I Give Thanks
Blogging for me is a hobby and I enjoy every minute of it.
Blogging from Scratch´s last blog post..Monetize your blog too soon or too late?
This is certainly a question that resonates with a lot of people. Yeah, guilty here too. When you first start your blog and are trying to get it up and running, you tend to burn the midnight oil more. Then it levels off to moderate addiction. Just love it.
Dee Langdon – BloggerNewbie´s last blog post..The Elusive Comment
One of my favorite questions to ask when somebody asks is this the best thing to spend your time on is, “what are you trying to accomplish?”
Whether it’s just fun here or improvement there, I think it’s really about just being aware of where your time goes and making the right trade-offs.
I’ve had to keep really tight boundaries on blogging lately, but here’s the surprise. It’s not about the time, it’s about the energy. Sometimes a break to go blogging, gives me renewed energy back on my main projects. When it’s a drain, that’s a sign I’m not making the best use of my time.
Is actually quite fascinating reading all the comments to this. I started blog reading before I started blogging. I do find time passes when I blog or read or comment and I have had to really reign myself in recently because I realised I spent far too much time in front of a computer, and not enough time exercising or enjoying my other interests.
Is blogging worth it? Overall, I would say yes, as SHE-POWER has really helped me hone my writers voice and has given me much more confidence in my writing. Before I started blogging I knew I was a good copy writer and story teller, but I wasn’t sure how good my actual writing was. Now I think it’s much improved. Plus, I love being part of the blogging community and can get quite frustrated when I fall “Behind” in my blog reading because I love all the different points of view that I am exposed to in this online world.
Like some people have said here, I do think blogging can get out of control and like Al at 7P I have come to see it sucks a lot of my creative energy, which is problematic for my novel writing. This is a balance I need to get better at managing because my dream is to be a novelist, not a pro-blogger. But I doubt I’d stop blogging – take breaks maybe – but stop? I’d miss it far too much.
Kelly
Hi Barbara,
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
I am looking more at ways in which I can get the most out of my blogging time. And yes I certainly do lose track of time when I am blogging. Thats because I love it.
I think you learn a lot by blogging and writing. The feedback or lack of it is great. It can be a great learning experience. I have certainly taken a lot away from my blogging experience.
Cheers,
Jeremy
Jeremy Day´s last blog post..Iâve Been Tagged! 6 Random Things About Me
Barbara – Thanks for this nice blog to help beginners like myself. I will enjoy learning so much for it. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Be looking forward to your upcoming posts also.
Kathleen
Kathleen´s last blog post..Therapy Comes in Small Packages . . .
I’m back because I have a possible topic idea for you. I’ve been trying to get caught up on my reader (over 150 posts) I recently added a woman who has a child with Ds and someone suggested I follow her. I also recently dropped someone I liked because of the same problem. What’s the problem?
TOO MANY POSTS!
Holy cow, people, I have over 50 blogs in my reader. I read every couple of days because of time so when I sit down and see you have 20+ posts in a 3 day span, I am in overload. You probably have some good stuff in there, but spread it out. If I see that many posts, it’s more likely than not that I will just clear them all or worse yet, drop you. I don’t have time for that and I can only handle so much information at a time.
Thanks for letting me sound off a little. đ
I can’t believe how much time I lose when I’m blogging. I’ll run to the computer before I get dressed in the morning 15 minutes and find 45 has passed! I was staying up till midnight every night for a while, but I have cut way back. I still love it, but I have stopped making it a priority. When I have time I blog, when I don’t, I don’t. I don’t personally get a lot of benefit out of it financially, but I have made many friends and to me that is more valuable. I’ve found support for parenting and especially for Peanut. So, no, I wouldn’t call it a time suck or a waste of time, but it is something you have to be very careful about. In the beginning, blogging takes over your life, and with time, you search for the balance. I’m getting closer and it’s only been about a year.
Hey, I have a blogaversary coming up. I need to figure out when that is! Have a great day.
Debbie Yost´s last blog post..Why I’m Thankful
Time suck? Nah, what would make you think that? I have learned, however, that I need to do my morning meditation BEFORE I start thinking about Blogging, or the whole 30 minutes on the Zafu is spent composing sentences!
I’ve also found it a good idea to set a timer and not only do stretches but also put in some eye drops, as well. Scientific Mind had the interesting statistic this month that we only blink about 1/4 as much when we are watching a computer screen. Must just be too much interesting stuff up there! G.
Hi Andy – It is the journey, isn’t it?
Hi Kelvin – Often opportunities are disguised. Continuing to look for them will often lead to a positive outcome.
Hi Natural – You’re right. We do meet a lot of cool people when we blog.
Hi Joanna – Good point. Should we think of capitalizing on our time investment? Often that is something we need to do offline.
Hi Betsy – Haha! I know what you mean about blogging and not watching TV.
Hi Karen – Welcome to the BWAB community. I agree. Blogging opens our lives to tremendous possibilities and amazing individuals from all over the world.
Hi Karl – With the desire to help people work happier, you WILL make it to that “promised land”.
Hi Al – What a great observation. I never thought of how blogging can use up our creativity, but it makes sense.
Hi Sharon – Isn’t it great when we find a “hobby” that fills so many of our needs? Who knew blogging could do that?
Hi Susanne – Those possible long term benefits keep us going, don’t they? And the learning process is pretty cool, too.
Hi Writer Dad – Oh yes, patience is key.
Hi Kim – I think blogging has helped many introverts find their voice.
Hi Ulla – Yes, there is a life outside of blogging. Hopefully we don’t get so busy blogging, we forget to step away from our computers and enjoy life.
Hi Mike – Isn’t it great how reading other blogs teach us? The world is at our fingertips.
Hi Panther – Good point. Blogging does get us involved in a community of writers.
Hi Sue Hutter – Welcome to the BWAB community. Oh yes, blogging can be very therapeutic. Just think of how much money we’re saving. đ
Hi Nez – You’re right. For most, blogging does not pay the bills. But who knew it could be such an addictive hobby.
Hi John – It’s a fine line we walk, isn’t it? To blog or work on our paying job? Like you, my paying job must come first. Darn!
Hi Avani – Yes, we can miss posting or disappear for awhile. It’s there when we return, and our blogging buddies are always happy to see us back.
Hi Jennifer – You’re right. We do need to set our priorities and often blogging must be moved lower on the list.
Hi Val – Welcome to the BWAB community. Can you imagine how much fun it will be for your children to reread your blog posts when they’re older? Maybe they’ll start blogs of their own.
Hi Neil – What a wonderful combination. A hobby you love, and a little boy whom you love even more. Sweet!
Hi Patricia – Oh yes. The backend/behind the scenes part of blogging can be VERY time consuming.
Hi Vered – It’s finding that balance, isn’t it?
Hi Three Dog Blogger – You’re right. Blogging is more than just writing. If we don’t venture out (into blogosphere), no one will know we exist.
Hi Catherine – With only 24 hours in a day, we do need to analyze where our time is best spent. When working behind the scenes on developing products, our blogging activities often need to be put on the back burner.
Hi Urban Vox – Who knew blogging could act as a match making “service”? But, what better way to meet a like minded person? I love your story.
Hi Lance – It is worthwhile, isn’t it? The connections we make are phenomenal. We could never do so much in such a short time in real life.
Hi Sara – LOL. You had time to kill! No one warned you of the time it can take, did they?
Hi Bamboo – Yep. I’m an optimist. đ
Hi Linda – Blogging is informative, isn’t it? We can more with every post we read.
Hi Robin – I know what you mean about being in the flow. Where does the time go?
Hi Jannie – I’m laughing at what you said about dirty dishes and folding laundry. Me, too. They wait, don’t they? Our blogs do too, but it’s much more fun communicating with our online friends. Your priorities sound similar to mine.
Hi Davina – You’re right. We don’t want to put all of our eggs in the blogging basket.
Hi Jennifer – I read your last post. That was a wonderful way of thanking all of your loyal readers. Thank you, again.
Hi Alex – I agree. Commenting on other blogs can be very time consuming. Having a predetermined amount of time to do so, is a great way to manage that part of blogging.
Hi Ross – Welcome to the BWAB community. That’s true. We need to have days when we don’t log onto our blogs, as real life often needs our attention.
Hi Leona – Welcome to the BWAB community – Isn’t that the truth? When we travel through blogosphere, it is a feast of information to be enjoyed.
Hi Evelyn – Yes! It is suppose to be fun. Stopping to realize that makes all the difference in the world.
Hi Dennis – Isn’t it amazing when we envision where our blog make take us?
Hi Melanie – Absolutely! The people we meet are the best resources we find in blogging.
Hi Dr. Cason – Thank you. It’s hard to stay away from the blog, isn’t it? Especially when we’re doing something we love.
Hi Blogging from Scratch – Welcome to the BWAB community. We do fall in love with blogging, don’t we?
Hi Dee – Welcome to the BWAB community. I love that, “it levels off to moderate addiction”. True, very true!
Hi J.D. – Well put. “When itâs a drain, thatâs a sign Iâm not making the best use of my time.”
Hi Jeremy – Thank you and yes, Thanksgiving was great. You’re right. We can learn a lot from blogging, the feedback or lack thereof.
Hi Kelly – Good point! Blogging does give writers more confidence. With blogging we have that interaction with others that we normally don’t have. Often our readers will let us know if what we’ve written is good, or not.
Hi Kathleen – Welcome to the BWAB community, and you’re welcome. I look forward to seeing you again soon.
Hi Debbie – Happy soon to be one year blogging anniversary. With regard to your second comment, I’ve dedicated my current post to your concern – which is also an concern of mine. I’m looking forward to what others will share.
Hi Grace – I have to agree about the lack of blinking we do when we’re on our computers. Time to sign off and find some eye drops. đ
Hi,
I started blogging on time management when was totally overworked and in need of change. I collected more than 200 time saving tips and it helped my very much to overcome my pain.
http://memytime.wordpress.com/
From this point of view every minute I have spent on my blog was worth it.
Nicolas
Nicolas´s last blog post..Save time with email templates
Hi Lindsay – Welcome to the BWAB community. And, welcome to blogosphere.
You’re right. Blogging can be great therapy. We get to put our thoughts online and others can share theirs with us. I love the interactiveness of blogs.
BTW: I came by your blog, checked it out and left you a comment. I love your photography.
I am entirely new to this whole blogging thing, and reading through your blog has been very inspiring.
I have to say, i USED to think that people who “blogged” were people who were soo self absorbed. I mean, do you REALLY think people out there care what you did today?? Well, i am learning that the answer is YES! So i take that all back.
i think it CAN be a waste if you let it consume you, but it can also be cathardic. I think that it is great therapy, and if you own your own website, it can also be a great tool..
I have defintiely fallen into the world of blogging, but for me, there is still frustration. I mean, i am putting my thoughts out there to the world, but i feel like no matter how hard i work, NO ONE IS READING>
Make me feel better and visit my site
BscPhoto
Hi Nicolas – Welcome to the BWAB community. I was just on your blog and am amazed at all of the time saving tips you’ve listed. I’ll come by again soon and dig through your archives, as I’m always looking for new ways to be more efficient.
“I have to say, i USED to think that people who âbloggedâ were people who were soo self absorbed. I mean, do you REALLY think people out there care what you did today??”
Lindsay – LOL I felt the exact same way. In all fairness though, way back then, we weren’t too far off the mark.
How times have changed. đ
Dennis Edell´s last blog post..UPDATED: Would You Like To Sponsor My *Best Blog Review* Contest?
Your post Barbara was beautifully written and expresses my own feelings too. Yes, I too justify it as leading to bigger things: in my case just practising writing.
.-= Check out Vincent´s awesome post: The Grey Wall =-.
Thank you for your kind words, Vincent.
Blogging is a wonderful “hobby”, isn’t it? I wish you well with your writing career.