It never occurred to me when I started blogging to have goals. I started my blog as a way to share all the ideas, tips, and recipes I had learned over the years from friends and family to anyone who might possibly be interested. Two years later, I realize that I need to prioritize my blog, just like I prioritize my life. My computer time is limited and I need to focus on getting things done during this time. There are so many distractions that it is easy to get online and spend fifteen minutes accomplishing nothing! This year’s theme for my blogging: Finding a Balance.
- Create a blogging schedule. As I mentioned above, blogging can take over your life, with Twitter, Facebook, Skype, email, gmail, and who knows what else, I need to set a computer schedule and stick to it!
- Prioritize what I blog about. I am a bit surprised that after 2 years I haven’t run out of things to say. The problem lies in discerning what will serve you, my readers. I don’t want to post things that will not benefit you or at least make you laugh at me. Even if it means less posts, I prefer quality over quantity.
- Take 24 hour computer breaks. Shut off the computer for a 24 hour period each week. Since I do everything on the computer, from banking to blogging, this will be hard. But I always feel better when I am able to unplug for awhile.
- No computer until school time is finished. I have a habit of checking my email during breakfast, or hopping on during lunch and inevitably there is a crisis, that must be solved right this minute! Or at least that is how it seems. I need to accept the fact that the world will not end if am not available to everyone in cyberspace 24 hours a day.
- Improve interaction between myself and my readers. I installed this nifty little plug-in that allows people to respond to comments. It is a great way to encourage conversation between everyone, including me! In 2010, I want to do a better job of answering all those questions in the comment section.
- Catch up on my email. I currently have 2717 unread messages in my inbox. 🙁 If you have emailed me lately, I am sorry for not responding. I hope to clear out my inbox this month and do a better job of staying on top of things.
- Organize my recipes. Do you know how many recipes I have on this site? Neither do I. Many of them are buried in posts about things that have nothing to do with food. My goal this year is to make my recipes easy to find.
- Collaborate with other bloggers on projects. It has always been my belief that there is strength in numbers and working with other bloggers on different projects brings a fresh perspective and a variety of readers. I have a few projects up my sleeve already that I can’t wait to share with you.
- Newsletter and Radio Show. I am super excited to have teamed up with two of my favorite bloggers, look for more information in a few weeks.
- Grow my BlogFrog Community. I love my little community, it has been really fun over the past few months to interact more with readers. I hope this form of reader interaction continues to grow in 2010.
- A Picture in Every Post: I love posts with pictures. This year I plan to have an image in every post.
- More DIY posts: I love DIY projects and committing to blog about it might motivate me to get more of my half finished projects done around here.
- More Video Tutorials: These seem to be very popular and even though I hate watching myself on video, many people (including me) learn by watching others.
- More sewing/ craft tutorials: I am a crafter at heart, but got way off track this year with Cora. I like easy projects that even a person with little or no sewing experience can make and I hope to share those projects with you.
You can read more blogging goals and link up your own on the Savvy Blogging 2010 Blogging Goals link-up.
DeAna @ Balancing Act Basics says
Outstanding, Toni!! You definitely have your work cut out for you. 🙂 I’ve got a great mental list but I haven’t managed to write down all of my goals. You have motivated me to get them written down to keep me accountable for my accomplishments in 2010.
Andrea Kruse says
I love your list. I completely agree that our online lives can easily overcome our real physical ones. … and I am looking forward to seeing you at your crafty best. I am also wanting to get back to my crafty side and maybe I will be able to blog about it, too!
stacy says
Great goals! I like the one about taking a 24 hr break…it’s very easy to let the computer take over.
Adventure Mom Janna says
I agree 100% – Quality over Quantity.
This, by the way, was a quality post.
One of my blogging goals is to follow you and comment on your posts because you have developed a blog with the kind of spirit of welcome and learning that I want to have on my own blog as well.
I feel very welcome and encouraged at your “blog home.”
Southern Gal says
I’m having to implement some computer goals/limitations this year also. It has more to do with hopping on the computer all during school to check email, my feeds, etc. I don’t want my youngest looking back on his childhood and remember the back of his mom’s head as she sat at the computer interacting with everyone else EXCEPT him. Thanks for posting your goals. It helps seeing what others are doing.
Christin says
Love all your ideas! I need to make some blogging goals, too. Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
Ann Marie @ Household6Diva says
Finding a Balance. Well said!
– I hear yah on the email! (They seem to multiply like rabbits while I’m sleeping!)
– I look forward to surfing your cooking and recipe adventures!
– And I too have found it’s better to have a schedule with computer/internet/blogging – or it will eat up my time! (AND my SLEEP!) 🙂
Judy says
Great goals!!
I have been thinking myself about my computer time. I can get on here and the time just flies. I don’t want the kids to look back some day and remember must my back.
I have been following you for over a year and half and I really enjoy your blog.
Bree says
Ditto what you said Judy. I plan to schedule my time on the computer and also set limits to when I check my phone/texts as well from friends and family. When my husband gets home from work I am putting up the phone, most things can wait till the next day.
Anne-Marie says
LOL! Oh, I’ve had those thoughts too of my children remembering mom…it definitely involves a laptop.
Mama Laundry says
I totally agree!
My husband and I were talking just yesterday about a paper planner vs. an online planner. I voted paper planner b/c I’m afraid my kiddos are only going to know my back if I’m not careful! I wanted to eliminate one item from being online since it feels like *everything* I do is online.
Love your perspective, Toni. 🙂 Thanks for a great read!
Ann MacIntosh says
I would love it if your recipes were easier to find. You are a blessing to my family and I appreciate your blog.
Katie @ Frugal Femina says
Scheduling is going to be key for me this year. You have a very well-thought out list!
Tammy and Parker says
Your goals sound a lot like mine. I really need to figure out a blogging schedule.
And….if you haven’t already found all the collaborating partners you need yet, let me know. I love this idea and would love to work together on a project with you.
Tammy and Parker
http://www.prayingforparker.com
@ParkerMama on Twitter
Tamatha says
Just found your blog in the last few weeks and have so enjoyed working through your posts! I *think* we were at the same base your husband works at currently, back in 1998-2001…
A *little* off topic…you can get a free calendar with your own photos at Shutterfly through January 6th. The promo code is CALENDAR2010 although I do believe you have to pay for shipping (unsure how much that would be).
Happy New Year!
melissa stover says
some great ideas and things to think about regarding blogging. i love a picture in every post.
Amy says
I love reading your blog, and I’m hoping that we get another installment of your story! I feel like I’m in the middle of a great book. 🙂
Young Wife says
I really enjoy reading your blog. It sounds like you’ve got some great goals for 2010!
Kelly says
Toni,
You are dead on with the Finding A Balance, that is my number one goal this year! I feel like I just flop through the day. But, when I have a schedule and don’t go to the computer until them, I am so much more happy. Let me know if you want to collaborate on some projects, I have a few ideas! 🙂 Love that I have gotten to know you this year!
rj's mama says
wow! and you also homeschool your kids? amazing. do share how you can do all these things in just 24 hours. do you have a sitter?
mandi @ it's come to this says
I think a big one for you should be to finish “our story” … you know I’m still on pins & needles!!! I mean, if I was prioritizing goals for you:) Looking forward to meeting you at SavvyBlogging & Blissdom!!!
TheHappyHousewife says
Um, yes I did think about adding “finishing Our Story” to my list of goals… but you all do a great job of reminding me that I haven’t finished, lol! It is coming….
Brandie says
Thanks for all the tips and advice Toni. It really means a lot to me!! I know I am not your only target but it feels so personal the way you blog. I really enjoy it. Thanks
TheHappyHousewife says
Thanks Brandie-
I really love blogging, learning from others and sharing what I have learned. It has been a great experience! So glad we were able to connect through the BlogFrog.
Melissa Multitasking Mama says
Those are great goals.. Reading your post inspired me to join the linky and make my own blogging goals public for accountability, if nothing else. Happy New Year!
susanna says
I can’t wait to read more of your blog. Really like what you are talking about. Especially looking forward to the video tutorials.
Angry Julie Monday says
I have very similar goals. I’ve actually been re-organizing this past weekend. So I haven’t had time to jot down my goals. But a goal is re-organizing. Anyway….must write down bloggy goals….
Chrissy says
Funny you should put something about your recipes . I usually just google what ever I want to cook and add happy housewife to see if you’ve got a recipe for it . I did that just a couple of days ago and found your “Easy No Rise Cinnamon Rolls” Let me add that they were delicous !!
TheHappyHousewife says
Thank you. Yes, I am slowly working on organizing my recipes. The more I work on it, the more I realize how hard they are to find!
Toni