Category Archives: Balancing
My Drive Ran Out of Gas
…and I’ve been running on Empty ever since.
Do I really want to admit this? Thing is I know that I am not alone in the way I’ve been feeling lately. Many I know have been there before, and I’m sure there are many who have been there, just never admitted it. 
At the end of 2009 –
I went into December with my tank half full. Got done what I felt needed to be done, but didn’t put any extra effort into my work online. Thoughts of “the ideal holiday”, plus theories that I wanted to put to the test (like trying a new type of gas) didn’t quite have the results I expected. Because of that I left my tank less than a quarter of the way full. Then it got really cold, and my tank froze and my drive wouldn’t start. Really, right after Christmas it got deep freeze cold here! lol But honestly I took the week after Christmas off from any real efforts online (stayed on top of email, etc., did what had to be done – so not completely away).
Have I confused anyone yet?
Start of 2010 –
Had to thaw out my drive to get it started. I’ve spent the first month of this year reflecting on where things went last year with my websites, businesses and the blown theories. See, I had 2 weeks of guest posts to cover the holidays. It was great to have the content there, but it also lessened my motivation with that site. I’m finding I’m not good at having things fully automated. That may be a downfall, definitely a control issue, but if I’m not actively working it, to me the personal side of it is gone. I forget about the automated stuff – again something I know can be corrected with a little planning.
So, here I am looking at February. Ran the tank dry with household health issues. By the way, has anyone determined yet who takes care of Mom when she, AND the kids are sick? We are all healthy now, I’ve got a fresh tank of gas and my drive is almost back to normal! I rode it out, spent the time I didn’t feel like being online to focus with paper and pen (always my fallback, but it’s fail safe!).
Here’s the catch…I’m still trying to figure out how to jump back into the race! Seems some obstacles may have to be removed from the track, get them out of my way! Talking about domain names that may have to go, websites that are going nowhere that may have to be scrapped, streamlining. A play on “my plate is too full” I’m finding the more I have to do, the less gas I’ve got for my drive. Too much drag.
Forgive the analogy, just the way I have been able to look at it myself.
The Balance Shifted, Again
This past August marked my 4th year doing business online. When I started my youngest was just 18 mos. old and my oldest was in preschool 2 mornings a week. So I’ve been through the months of sitting at my computer with my toddler in my lap. I’ve conditioned my sons to know when they’ll need to wait a minute for me to finish an email before I can get them something. I’ve shared my time for years with at least one child – balancing my online time with my Motherly duties.
Now, for the first time in 8 years I have a little over 2 hours to myself every weekday morning – not to be shared with anyone! The balance has shifted – a little more room for the other things that can easily take up my time. At least now I’ll be able to do some of those without being interrupted – increase in focus.
Rediscovering some things I used to enjoy…
- Listening to the radio (instead of Barney, or The Wiggles) while I work helps me focus.
- Doing dishes in a quiet house, start to finish, is very mentally therapeutic. I can get lost in thought AND have a clean sink for at least a couple during the day.
- Okay, I’ve never enjoyed grocery shopping, but at least now it is more enjoyable being able to do it during the morning hours – no kids + less crowds = quicker trip.
- Taking a shower AND washing my hair without feeling rushed – need I say more?
My balance shift has resulted in some other changes that’ll be coming up in future posts here very soon. My new routine, and a new approach to doing business online. Feels good!
Plan Ahead for Time Away
Working your business online doesn’t have to mean being absent from it for a week if you go on a trip, or want to take some time away. Having your business run on auto-pilot for a few days is not a bad thing, as long as you plan ahead. Of course with technology the way it is, you can usually decide the degree of “away” you want to have. However, maintaining an online appearance during your absence may be something you’ll want to consider.
Use your blog’s scheduling feature – Most blogging platforms (I use WordPress) allow you schedule your blog posts in advance so that they are published on specified dates and times. This way you can have have the time away from your business knowing your posts are being published while you’re gone. This keeps your blog updated, and offers no interruption and fresh content for your readers.
Keep your newsletters going out – If your newsletter goes out on a weekly basis, or some other interval like the first and third Monday of each month, it is important that you keep your schedule. Many email providers (I recommend Aweber) allow prescheduling of newsletters. So, if you’re going to be out of town on the 15th, you could format your newsletter on the 10th and schedule it to go out the morning of the 15th without skipping a beat.
Outsource some tasks if necessary – If you already work with a VA, this is the perfect opportunity to assign some tasks that will help your business run while you are away. If a VA is not in your budget, then bartering with a trusted online friend, or recruiting family members to assist might be an option.
Check in when/if you can – You don’t want emails going unanswered for days, so depending on what coverage you may have arranged, it’s a good idea to check you email everyday, or every other day. If you’re on Twitter, hop on and tweet every so often. The idea is to maintain your relationships, even while you’re away.
I’m writing from experience here, because I just got back from being away for a week. I prescheduled posts on two sites, had 2 newsletters go out with the help of prescheduling, checked my email every day or so, and kept up on Twitter through my iPod Touch Twitter app. Did ya miss me??
