So confession time. I am getting really terrible at time management. My blog has become this monster of a thing that has taken over my laptop, mailbox, front porch, dining room table, and my life. Does anyone out there relate? Maybe for you it is not your blog, but maybe it is shopping, couponing, television, crafts, or something else. I suppose you could let anything begin to rule your life if you are not careful. It is my strong belief that God alone should be the ruler of my life.
So I am making some slight changes.
I am going to set blogging limits.
Nothing drastic. Just a better way to utilize my time on this blog. I now have a plan. Some organization. I want to share more than reviews and giveaways. I want to share me as well. But I don’t want to do it at the detriment of family time, devotional time, or homeschool time.
Set Blogging Limits
Sunday: Spiritual Matters Sunday
Monday: Money Monday (Reviews, Sponsored Posts, Affiliate Posts)
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday (Pinterest and crafts will be found here too.)
Wednesday: Wordless Wednesday, Win It Wednesday (Giveaways will be posted on this day.)
Thursday: Travel Thursday, Tasty Thursday (Our family travel destinations and food posts.)
Friday: Family Friday – all things family related will be featured. (Homeschool updates will be found here.)
Saturday: My day off!
What do you all think? Do you see any room for improvement? I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
I found an online free printable blog calendar. I filled it all out for this month. It is so pretty all filled out. I feel like I have accomplished something great to have my entire month planned out. Focus. That is what I was lacking.
Pray for me. I can always use it.
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5: 15-17 ESV
LaVonne
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Twitter: savinginseconds
on September 9, 2012 at 8:49 am
I can see how it can get overwhelming. I work full-time as a teacher, so I already have a lot of work to do at home for that as well. I just do what I can, when I can, and hope for the best.
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Yes, Dede. That is what I am going to do. I will not neccesarily have a post every day but on the days I do – they will be organized this way. Thank you for coming by and commenting. I really appreciate you. Heading to your blog next!
I hear ya – totally and completely! I also printed the blog planner and started filling it out. I’m also testing out the Pomodoro technique.
http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/
We shall see, we shall see…
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Thanks Greta. I am going to check this out. (Also, forgot it was Grandparents Day. I will head to your post!)
I recently printed out a blogging calendar as well. I am beginning to get overwhelmed with the time that it takes to put into blogging! Thanks for sharing this, now I don’t feel so alone.
Survival Guide by The Working Mom recently posted..Sunday Funnies of Being a Blogger: Pitching Companies
Where did you find your calendar? I am always looking for new things to use.
Twitter: zuna
on September 9, 2012 at 10:20 am
what a great idea! my blog is also starting to take over here so maybe ill try to do something similar…thanks for sharing =]
jennifer zuna recently posted..Chastity: An Eternal Beloved Novel Review
Twitter: Sonshine1296
on September 9, 2012 at 11:16 am
Great idea! I have been feeling the need to do something like this lately. The computer has sort of taken over my life. lol
I get so overwhelmed with blogging too. I am trying to not do so much but it is hard!
melissa recently posted..Carter’s Watch the Wear Kids Clothing Review-Giveaway!
It is very hard. To get great products you have to work very hard. A job for sure. I just don’t need this job. I enjoy blogging but I need to put family and homeschool first. {More late nights for me though to keep up, which is fine.}
Twitter: WomanTribune
on September 9, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Setting limits for what you can do and how much time you can realistically spend doing it is so important, especially when it comes to blogging. I have made out a schedule for my blog several times, but always seem to deviate from it. I need to get a lot better with time management myself, and maybe a blog calendar is the way to go.
Holly (Woman Tribune) recently posted..Sundays are for Sharing: Fashion Therapy, Judy Blume’s Breast Cancer, and the Nickelodeon Big Help Book Drive (and More!)
I just had this discussion with my husband 2 nights ago! He told me I need to set “hours” for myself and find some balance (otherwise I end up blogging until midnight every day)!
He was right… it’s so easy to be wrapped up in just a little bit more or just a little bit longer… or just one more post.
Even in the last couple of days I’ve felt better! I love the schedule idea too!
My husband loves the things and money we get from the blog – but we don’t need it. It is supposed to be a hobby. So less time online is good for our family. He does not mind me staying up late though – I am a bit of a night owl. Midnight is the norm for me. The rest of my family is in bed by 9pm so having those uninterrupted hours is bliss.
Twitter: simmworksfamily
on September 9, 2012 at 6:04 pm
Having a plan makes it so much easier to get things posted. It can also create a writers block some weeks when you can’t think of content to write to fit the “mold”. Try not to limit yourself and use this schedule as a guideline and I’m sure you’ll find success! Cannot wait to continue reading your content.
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Twitter: Zalewski
on September 10, 2012 at 12:04 am
I have started using an editorial calendar so I can see how many posts are due and when. I try my best to space them out. Unfortunately I forget to schedule time off…so then I have to shift things around. I try not to post more than 2-3 times a day, but I see I have a few weeks coming up that might be more like 4 posts a day. Eeps. Lots of work for me and a lot of reading for my readers.
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Twitter: MommyTalkShow
on September 10, 2012 at 3:50 am
Darcy – I’m in the same boat. I never schedule a break for myself and I’ve been feeling run down for the last two weeks.
An editorial calendar has helped me plan a lot. I use a big desk calendar with different color pens & markers to remind me when posts are due & when I’ll be paid from sponsors.
Joyce@MommyTalkShow recently posted..Soothing & Healthy Organic Teatulia Tea Sampler #Giveaway
I’ve been unplugging over the weekend b/c I felt the same way you do….I haven’t actually made a plan but I really need to….I need to start scheduling things more too. : )
Caryn B recently posted..Is My Child Ready For Kindergarten? And First Day Reflections…
I like that you know what categories you are posting on what day. I am more eclectic, so I manage time by putting everything on my calender, then working like crazy two days a week so I can have a more mellow rest of the week.
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Twitter: MommaKnows
on September 13, 2012 at 11:36 pm
I used to do what you are planning: A post every day. Even that gets to feel more like an obligation and why blog if that’s how it feels? I now do 3-4 posts a week, and if I miss one or two it’s not the end of the world. I do try to be consistent, because I do have readers who notice things… but I don’t let my blog run my life or dictate my time any more. Keep it simple, or at least manageable!
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[...] to be a relaxing time off at home this summer has been anything but. So I blogged recently about setting blogging limits. And you know what? I feel a lot better this week now that I have a plan. [...]