In a quiet moment yesterday I asked my Twitter network:
“what’s one thing that you have been putting off that would improve your blog? (and what’s stopping you from doing it now?)”
The answers were quite varied – everything from redesigns, to writing E-Books, to posting more regularly to SEO optimization, to monetization.
A number of people reflected that just being asked the question helped them to move forward with things that they’d been procrastinating with – so I thought I’d ask the question again here on the blog.
Of course there can be good reasons for putting things off – timing is important and you can’t do everything at once – but if you’re anything like me there are things that you know you probably should be doing that you’re simply procrastinating about.
For me one of the big procrastinations for me until mid last year was creating a product of my own. I’d always said I’d write an E-Book – but every time I sat down to do it I never got past the planning stage (I have notebooks with about 10 different plans that never eventuated).
Why didn’t I do it? Was it laziness…. or busyness….? If I’m honest about it I’m sure it’d be a bit of both of those things – however I suspect it was also partly fear that held me back.
Fear that it’d flop, fear that nobody would buy it, fear that people would critique me for selling something and not giving it away for free, fear that it wouldn’t be perfect, fear that perhaps I didn’t have it in me to create a product like I wanted….
Actually – saying I was too busy might sound a bit better – I sound very insecure!
In the end – I knew that if I didn’t create an E-Book that I’d be kicking myself later. The time came for me to draw a line in the sand and just do it. I don’t have any secret strategies for getting over the hump of getting myself into gear really.
I did tell a couple of others that I was doing it – I did set aside two days purely to put it together – I did engage the services of someone to help me design it – I did set myself a deadline.
All of that helped me get going but in the end it was a change of attitude that got me over the hump.
“what’s one thing that you have been putting off that would improve your blog? (and what’s stopping you from doing it now?)”
PS: one of the reasons I started ProBlogger.com was to help those of us who procrastinate to be accountable to others. A number of our members over there are setting themselves (and each other) challenges to help them keep moving forward.
For example Paul recently set a challenge for members to create a free report/e-book to give away (that link is only viewable by members). What’s exciting to me is that a number of members have actually got their reports ready and launched as a result of working together in this way rather than just tackling their list of things that they must do alone.
Posting volume has never really been a problem for me, but consistency certainly has. Posting three times in one week and then nothing for two more weeks isn’t conducive to building an audience.
With my new life and web strategy development blog (that I just officially launched today), I fully intend to be much more consistent with this.
Thanks!
I would like to really break away content to some other blogs and specialize in each, but just need the time to set it up. When the new wordpress multi-site thing comes out I plan to try this.
I’ve been procrastinating with putting my mail list so I can let other people know about my website.
I mean, yes, I have had Facebook status updated every time I put something new but it doesn’t seem like that’s enough since not a lot of people are visiting my website.
I’ve been putting off creating an E-book for fear that people won’t buy it especially since the internet practically has all the answers anyway.
I’ve been following your 31 DBBB course and have been doing pretty well with the tasks but the ebook thing has me stuck. (eeek)
Nevertheless I do intend to push forward with it.
I do have to muster up the courage and just get it done. You wont know how something will turn out until you try it right? ;)
Thanks for this post.
Interesting, read my mind … Been putting off a redesign / site architecture overhaul for a site I manage
Might sound odd, but even opposite of your initial fear of failure with your eBook, you can sometimes experience a fear of potential success — and what that would mean in terms of changing your life and what has been ‘normal’ (relative anonymity, student loans, working a 9-5 job, worrying about rent) … but other than that … other reasons:
1) Perceived complexity in redesign, site architecture changes
2) Stress / Lack of sleep
3) Being too comfortable with current (meager) earnings
4) Distractions from family/friends
… and the big one …
5) Being too attached to something that you’ve custom-built over years, and wanting to avoid change, even though you know a more standard & proven solution has far better earning potential
Designing my logo and header. I have an art degree but I’m worried that my skills have deteriorated through lack of use. I need to make a logo and header to complete the overall look of my blog and to make it really official. Part of me is concerned that the idea I have isn’t going to work, or that it’s going to look stupid and put people off. I won’t know until I try it…plus, I can always change it later- companies update their logos all the time.
Continuing a series of posts I started last year. It’s about how screenwriters can use mythology to navigate the tough waters of writing their screenplay.
What’s keeping me from completing it (quickly) is that the posts turn out pretty long and time-intensive, so I’m a little intimidating by my own creation! Haha!
Here goes nothing, on to the next chapter of the 12 part series …
Thanks for the kick in the rump.
Hi Darren,
Last year I decided to stop overthinking every step I took & just jumping in the deep end. Amongst other things, I started a personal & ridiculous blog & I wrote an almost complete novel draft. It’s been wild, busy, surprising and satisfying!
For my blogging, I think now, it’s probably time to reign some things in a little & start planning more, being a little more strategic & focussed with content that audiences would find useful. Whether that’s on my current – which is a little mental, but I kinda like it like that – or on a whole seperate subject-focussed blog.
I’m still learning a lot, but I think I’ve found my voice which has given me confidence to move forward! Thanks for asking, writing this really does make me feel more accountable for the ideas that constantly bombard my brain…usually at 4:00am when it would be might nicer to you SLEEP
zz – I like the idea of stopping the over thinking and just jumping in – it’s a good way to just get yourself going. But there always does come a time once you’re going where it’s worthwhile pausing for a moment or two to think/plan/strategize a little. Good work
You know I’ve been putting off doing a About Me and a Resource page where I intended on giving away a few free reports that are awesome but I just don’t tell people about them.
I think I’ll complete those this week and let you know how it went Friday afternoon.
I’ve been putting off a couple of things: writing an e-book (planned but not executed) and splitting my blog into some smaller, more specialized blogs.
I think this has been because of fear: fear there wouldn’t be enough interest, and fear that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with multiple blogs.
What wonderful timing! I have been thinking about these two things over the last couple of days. This is the motivation that I needed to get going!
The design of my main site. It’s been around longer than my blog, but it’s still never been finished (truly cringeworthy by now) and while I’ve finally started to work on it properly it’s already taken two years.
Possibly I’m afraid to finish it off – the minute I do it marks the start of when I can really look for freelance opportunities.
My goal for this month is to get A decent site up, so we’ll see how that goes. :)
My problem is maintaining the posts frequency.
Creating blog of my own was one of the biggest thing which I held back for as long as two years. The reason was partly fear that I wouldn’t be adding any value as most of the topics out there are already taken over by successful blogs and partly inability to find whether I will really keep my interest up if I start my blog. It’s very true that one limits his ability by his own imagination only.
My main problem is there isn’t enough time in the day to get everything I want done! Great Post I’ve bookmarked it!
Just today I was monkeying around with changing my theme – but I didn’t push the button for some reason…. I’ll do it – maybe tonight. I’m sort of afraid it’ll open up a can or worms – post layout wise… but it will be more readable. — let me just put that off for a few more hours :)
I am in the same boat you describe. I am currently 1/3rd of the way done with my ebook and I am trying to stay focused and get it finished. The release of it is going to play a big role in monetizing my blog and starting to actually get some cash flowing.
It’s not my blog as much as it is the memoir I’m writing. I realized a few hours ago.. so great timing here.. that I’m afraid to take on one particular topic. I have to admit to something I’m not real proud of and the avoidance has me all jammed up.
I’m moving forward with my blog though, doing changes in design etc, … while I’m procrastinating about the book! so productive… and not so productive.
My blog issues are there, as many of us will attest to, but doing the 31DBB with you Darren last year was the best thing I’ve done so far as a blogger!!
thanks everyone for sharing the stuff that you’re putting off – I hope that this has sparked you into action to go and do some of it!
More SEO is one I’ve been putting off. It gets cumbersome after a while.
You nailed it–my biggest problem is writing the E-book. It is going to be based on live workshops I’ve presented, so it is partially written, just needs to be pulled together…but I keep feeling like I don’t exactly know how to do it. This is despite the fact that I make my living writing and have written numerous books for others. I think there’s some fear going on here, don’t you?
When I look back to my 4 years of blogging life the only regret now I have is that I jumped from one blog to another. I had seen some modest success and healthy revenue to pay all the bills and save some money but none of the blogs achieved big success in anyway. Thus, most probably, it was the only mistake I made and reading your this particular entry made me convinced that I should focus on just one blog from tomorrow.
Great Post Darren! Recently, I started planning more, and change my blog design. First did not have much time to do it
Sometime using business as an excuse for “procrastination” is plausible. After all if you’re making money how can you justify doing something that doesn’t make money.
Finding the right free reports or being able to get started with the right product is always a difficult task to get started. This always delays starting a new site. Also being able to keep readers attention is a daunting task and keeping readers coming back. Good read. Thanks!
I’ve been afraid of reaching out to other bloggers and doing guest posts. I know it’s something that I have to do – but that doesn’t stop me procrastinating :)
It’s the same problem, constantly reoccurring: writing.
I *love* writing, but the problem is I’m very critical of my ideas and only want to publish content about brilliant concepts that provide lasting change. In the long run I feel that will be a positive standard to stick with, but there are times where I become completely stuck.
One thing I need to start doing more of is just forming new, positive habits and trying interesting things. Like I started having cold showers recently and I wrote about that experience, and the post ended up generating a lot of discussion.
I need bigger and more exciting ideas to maintain my writing enthusiasm and surpass that road block. And what it come down to, I think, is just experiencing life. :-)
This post hit me on the head with clarity. I don’t procrastinate for the blog, in fact have started adding video and a newsletter, so the wheels of industry are churning. However…
My lack of confidence in an ebook for fear that people will wonder why I’m not giving the info free and why would anyone buy it is the wall I need help leaping over. I’m finally understanding the levels of value and why it would be worth it to my readers but it’s taken a lot of self-talk and bolstering to get closer to doing the damn thing. Almost, almost.
It might sound silly, but I guess I’m not alone in saying that I was putting off concentrating on my Blogs. I’m an impulse driven person, had started a couple of Blogs but at the same time I had a day Job, was studying and doing 20 more things. So the Blogs just had to wait. I tried to make time for them, at least my main blog, but every day or so felt guilty for not paying more attention.
But no everything has changed. I quit my Job last year and from Jan 1 I’m a full time Blogger/Consultant (it’s not as weird as it sounds). Now I’m putting off other things, like networking with other bloggers, marketing, but I hope to get to them real soon.
My problem is time. Right now I’m too busy to write stuff (and am only reading this because I’m procrastinating while waiting for an important email).
This is compounded because anything I do other than straight writing seems to take two or three times longer than I expect. Blogging is a time hog.
Opening up and advertising for Guest Posts on my blog.
I am hesitant because I need to guest post more (practice what I preach) although I have written a number over at http://ChurchCrunch.com , and I am hesitant because I do not know how many people will want to; zero or too many (both bad)
I am too lazy to start stuffs. May be this is the simplest reason I can give for not doing what I should do.
Well I don’t really like writing. Actually I never write an ebook because like you said fear of being failure…
Anyway. it’s good to get around with people.
Sometimes the idea makes me dizzy! This problem is often lost the idea for blogging
I’ve been wanting to generate more traffic to my blog for a while, but never really did anything. After reading this post, I have decided to do something about it now than later. I am committing myself to a 7 Day Traffic Building exercise (http://eisabainyo.net/weblog/2010/02/03/7-days-traffic-building-exercise/) and since I’ve blogged about it, there’s no turning back now. Thanks Darren for the great post!
What I’ve been quite lazy in doing is the retention of traffic. I get a lot of new visitors to my site every month, which means I lose lots of them, because the number of my repeat visitors is much less.
So, I should start my retention mechanism to keep them interested and stay with me so that they come back to my site more often.
The most significant thing that I’ve been putting off is the move from blogger to wordpress. I’ve guest posted on a few WP sites and have gotten the hang of it (and am liking it!) as compared to blogspot. I’ve seen a few designers that are willing to make the more for you, but it pains me to think about moving the 3000+ posts between my multiple site.
I’ll have to bite the bullet if google doesn’t improve blogger! :)
There is single thing that is holding me back. Me. And the excuses I come up with. I’ll do that when… I’ll do this when that happens. In the end, it comes down to doing, and focusing on the things that matter. I’m a master of finding about more things I could do, instead of just doing the things I already have. I even tweeted about this the other day, when I realized it, and now it’s time to do something about it.
The thing that has helped me the most is to pick one project and stick with it until the end. The idea phase is the most enjoyable. I too had notebooks full of projects, but once I buckled down to a single project I found away to knock them out quickly.
My goal is to create 100 information products. Each time I finish one, the reward to myself is to go back to the notebooks and brainstorm the next one.
If you give yourself a personal reward at the end, something that you really enjoy, but can’t have until you finish the first project; it will really push you to get a lot accomplished.
I went from taking 3 years to make a product, down to just a week or so, all with the power of buckling down.
My problem is finding the time. i am a mom who works full-time so when I have extra time it typically is not spent on my blog. And when I do get a spare hour or so I end up getting writers block and not maximizes the time I have. Like right now. I have some time alone and I am reading blogs instead of doing what I need to do for my own.
I think it’s interesting to dig deeper and ask the next question, “Why haven’t you done XY or Z?” On the eBook front, I’ve started writing, but I’m unclear as to how to design it — do I need a designer? How much is it going to cost? How will I host it? etc. etc. So lack of knowledge is really holding me back.
I made a list of all my questions, and I’m focusing on just finishing the darned thing now, and then I’ll attack those questions one at a time.
Thanks for a great post, as always!
I have been procrastinating on writing an e-Book; learning more about SEO optimization; establishing presence on other social media sites; and adding video to my site. My niche is handbags and sometimes I get stuck on how to set my blog apart from my competitors on a limited budget and limited tech knowledge.
Today I take the official leap into to 100% blogging, no not on my own terms I was laid off yesterday. So all the things I was procrastinating to do have no more excuses.
ebook, my own product, more clients for my off line business etc. All are in the bulls-eye and on my radar to be completed in the next 3-6 months.
Heck I may even join a forum or two or three…..
Last night I published a blog on QWebConsulting.com called “I Am My Own Worst Enemy: 5 Ways We Self-Defeat” and made the case — hopefully — that all self-defeating behaviors are rooted in FEAR. Procrastination was at the top of my own list, and it’s out of fear of missing out on doing what I’d rather be doing. “Life’s too short!” Yeah, well…that’s true, but ya gotta eat.
I procrastinate on having a quiver full of blogs ready to publish at a moment’s notice, in case the well runs dry or I’m incapacitated. I got floored by the flu 5 days ago, and had nothing to publish while I lay on the couch in a soaking sweat. Earned my procrastination stripes on that one.
This question was just what I needed to get going on my own blog! I read your tweet about this post and it jump started my thoughts. To answer your question, for me it was to write my first post on my new blog! I did it! And I mentioned you and your post in it, hope you don’t mind!
I must admit that I hadn’t fully read your post when I wrote mine. I couldn’t stop to read it because I needed to get my own thoughts down. But I have since read yours and I’m so glad that I wrote mine first, because we had very similar thoughts and it was nice to know that I wasn’t alone in mine. Though you wrote your thoughts out much better then I wrote mine. Hmmm…I may need to improve my writing skills if I keep my blog up. Yikes, another goal to procrastinate on!
Thank you!!
Brooke
I’ve been putting off publishing my newsletter to my list. I like your recommendation of content interspersed with sales products.
But I guess I don’t have the confidence people would want to read it.
I need to remind myself that perfection can evolve. You don’t have to start with it.
Start with good enough, then strive to improve.
It’s funny that you asked. See, I set myself a deadline to write a free e-book that I can give away. It was January 31st. Today is February 3rd.
Guess what? Still no e-book. Yet, I found a great way to start writing it. I am going to make a detailed plan and detailed parts of the e-book and write it as separate posts.
This way, I will still be posting to my blog and creating a free product along the way. Once I finish, all I will have to do it to compile it, clean it up and publish it :)
I hope it works out :)
Best,
Tomas
@Debbie – I don’t know about you, but I think people may even be more interested to receive one message a week instead of three in my case. So, at the end of the week, when you’ve already published your posts, you can sum it up by introducing your past week’s posts plus a few other items as added value for your weekly newsletter subscribers.
Therefore, on Sat & Sun, if you’re not publishing posts, the number of your visitors may go down. Such enewsletter may increase your readers at the end of the week.
So, I would say take heart and go for it. This is what I want to do as well: my lazy zone is here as well!
I am going to hold some content for the blog as they are not seem very unique for the blog and the thing we need to update is very unique and rich content to the blog. Right now i am thinking to write myself for the blog creation.
One thing i’ve been holding back on is setting up my mailing system. Its all there in the background(Aweber) but just needs setting up on the blog itself.
At the same time too, i’ve been putting off the creation of a consistent image right across the social networking sites.
Well, this post has given me the kick to get this all completed.
Cheers Darren.
it is very hard to maintain a good article. You need to put a lot of time and effort to make it perfect. However, you are not sure if readers will like what you have posted.
I put off the task of submitting articles to article directories, even though I know that is the best way to get backlinks.