During my six-month trip to 15 states, over 14,000 miles, through the south U.S., I got so used to writing blog entries in my Jeep, sitting beside some beautiful canyon or beach, now it’s difficult to remember to do it and an unbelievable two months have gone by! Life has become routine again since I returned to Nebraska. Is that just an excuse? Maybe, but it brings up a good point–actually two good points having to do with motivation and routine. Are you having trouble keeping up with your blogs? Maybe this will help.
Motivation: Writing well isn’t easy if you don’t feel inspired. I was very inspired in the middle of the wilderness or even in the big, shiny cities of Sarasota, Tampa, Pensacola, Houston, San Antonio, Tuscson, Phoenix and Las Vegas. When I came home to Lincoln, Nebraska, I was inspired because it’s the heart of America where real people work hard every day to do the right thing and build lives that are meaningful and wholesome. Plus, my children and the rest of my family live here, and I had missed them. I grew up here, and experienced many moments of victory and defeat here. However, when I had been home for awhile and routine took over, the power of inspiration subsided and the words didn’t flow as easily. That’s okay. I’m used to it. Writing well at times like that might not be easy, but it can still be done.
On the other hand, writing is impossible without motivation. If you don’t know why you are writing, it’s agonizing to try to come up with a decent message, let alone a message that gets through to people. My motivation is the creation of a stellar writing and editing organization that helps people say what they mean, and my focus is mainly on my clients. For them, I have no problem being motivated to write blogs. When it comes to writing my own blogs, I tend to think it’s not a priority. I believe my motivations lie elsewhere…until I realize my clients might see my inability to keep up my own blog as a sign of incompetence. Then suddenly, for the sake of their respect, I’m motivated again.
Routine: Once you completely understand and feel the strength of your motivation, it’s important to define a routine and remind yourself of it regularly. Hey…that’s TWO routines (defining a routine and reminding yourself), isn’t it? It might sound strange, but I’ve learned that this repetitive habit is the only way I can harness my organic-thinking mind to a linear task. It also helps that I have a new administrative assistant, Edward, to take on some of the reminding. I’ll introduce you to him later. ;)
If you are having trouble keeping up with your blog, take a few moments to examine your motivation. Write it down. Then write down your blog routine and commit yourself to it. Sometimes it helps to assign someone to keep you accountable. For me, that will be Edward. (Put that on your list Mr. Moore.)
I HAVE had many adventures I could have shared during the last couple of months that I have neglected my blog. I’ll get back at it, because there are stories to tell and powerful words to share that could help you become a better writer and/or marketer, too. Time for Kindra to wake up and banish her blog lag.
