"Wait! What time is it? What day is it? Where have I been? Has it really been 2-1/2 weeks since my last post? Oh crap......no one will come back. I've let everyone down. My reader's are going to be dissapointed. Have I just created "blogger suicide" by taking too long off between posts? My head's spinning......." Okay, time to slow down and take a step back, and let's try to explain what's been going on.
Yes, these were all thoughts going through my mind the last couple weeks. I wish I had some great excuse for not writing in 2-1/2 weeks, but I don't know that I do. I've been stuck. In a funk. Maybe it was writer's block, (which is just a myth as shown here by Scott Ginsberg), or blogger's block? The thing is, I have lots of topics I want to write about, but I just haven't gotten it done. I've still been "out there," in the blogosphere, reading and commenting, but I failed to give my own blog the proper attention it needed. And for that, I must apologize, and ask my readers for forgiveness.
So, where did I go? After some reflection, I realized that much has transpired in the last two and a half weeks. My 2-1/2 year old daughter contracted Pneumonia, and my 5 month old daughter has an ear infection and RSV (a nasty virus that attacks the respiratory system). Couple those with one of the most busy times at work I have ever seen, and "Voila!" as they say! My mental capacity became drained very easily.
I know those are just excuses, but to me, they are very valid. Beyond that though, I think it's important to realize that many people hit the "mental wall." Tim Johnson just posted on his website the other day about his struggle with writer's block (or maybe it's thinker's block) on his new book. April Groves talked about finding balance on her blog. Well, I realized that the last 2-1/2 weeks I was knocked out of balance when the tight rope I was walking on snapped.
Lucky for me, there are places to turn when needing a swift kick in the pants (or at least a little motivation). Joanna Young over at confident writing had a post on 5 tips to beating blogger's block. If you ever find yourself in my shoes the last couple weeks, give it a look. Or, you could email Tim Johnson asking for a swift kick in the a--. He is very responsive and seemed eager to help ;)
Seriously, though, thank you to those that questioned where I'd been and what I'd been up to. I do apologize to the readers for taking such a long break....But hey, in my previous post I did say I was taking a "short hiatus, returning on Thursday." I guess I failed to mention which Thursday!
Thank your for your patience. I'm officially back - full strength. Look for good stuff in the coming days!
Yes, these were all thoughts going through my mind the last couple weeks. I wish I had some great excuse for not writing in 2-1/2 weeks, but I don't know that I do. I've been stuck. In a funk. Maybe it was writer's block, (which is just a myth as shown here by Scott Ginsberg), or blogger's block? The thing is, I have lots of topics I want to write about, but I just haven't gotten it done. I've still been "out there," in the blogosphere, reading and commenting, but I failed to give my own blog the proper attention it needed. And for that, I must apologize, and ask my readers for forgiveness.
So, where did I go? After some reflection, I realized that much has transpired in the last two and a half weeks. My 2-1/2 year old daughter contracted Pneumonia, and my 5 month old daughter has an ear infection and RSV (a nasty virus that attacks the respiratory system). Couple those with one of the most busy times at work I have ever seen, and "Voila!" as they say! My mental capacity became drained very easily.
I know those are just excuses, but to me, they are very valid. Beyond that though, I think it's important to realize that many people hit the "mental wall." Tim Johnson just posted on his website the other day about his struggle with writer's block (or maybe it's thinker's block) on his new book. April Groves talked about finding balance on her blog. Well, I realized that the last 2-1/2 weeks I was knocked out of balance when the tight rope I was walking on snapped.
Lucky for me, there are places to turn when needing a swift kick in the pants (or at least a little motivation). Joanna Young over at confident writing had a post on 5 tips to beating blogger's block. If you ever find yourself in my shoes the last couple weeks, give it a look. Or, you could email Tim Johnson asking for a swift kick in the a--. He is very responsive and seemed eager to help ;)
Seriously, though, thank you to those that questioned where I'd been and what I'd been up to. I do apologize to the readers for taking such a long break....But hey, in my previous post I did say I was taking a "short hiatus, returning on Thursday." I guess I failed to mention which Thursday!
Thank your for your patience. I'm officially back - full strength. Look for good stuff in the coming days!
note: picture courtesy of Google Images via http://z.about.com/d/nutrition/1/5/2/3/pen_paper.jpg
9 comments:
Eric, these are always hard posts to write and you did this with great style, charm and panache. I'm sure we all recognise something of ourselves in what you write (= great for rapport!). You've also learned one of the most important principles of blogging. Writing the posts is only a fraction of what goes into it. Reading, commenting and linking are much more important, and what will make you a treasured member of the blogosphere.
Joanna
PS And if you link out like this, guess what, back we come!
Welcome back! I figured you meant this Thursday. . .besides those comments over at April's blog have gotta count for at least two posts.
Family before blogging any day my friend. Hope the girls are on the mend.
Thanks for the shout...Tim once told me we all need a break once in a while and we shouldn't be so hard on ourselves. I am now passing on that great advice to you.
Anyway, I'll read whatever you write...regardless of the break.
I really hope your babies feel better :)
Eric - great to have you back and happy to provide you with the motivational kick in the A$$ whenever needed... that's what any good prof would do, right?
Joanna - Thank you for the encouragement. And yes, it is important to read, comment, and link. It's been a great ride the last 3 months, and I'm looking forward to continuing to build relationships. I hope my blog can either teach or touch others!
Erik - I knew you and I would be on the same page ;) And yes, I did write a short novel over on April's site! I think my hand even started cramping up! Thanks for stickin' with me.
April - Anytime...Anytime... It's hard to NOT give you a shout out, because your writing is inspirational. Thank you for passing on that great advice. Hopefully I won't need such a long break next time.
The 2-1/2 year old has that Pneumonia about whipped. Now we just need to get my 5 month old healthy!
Tim - I really do appreciate the help! Your emails were just what I needed to get me going again. Let me know if I can ever return the favor....It's not often I get to give the prof a swift kick ;)
Like Joanna said, I can feel your pain. I think that is why I like reading your posts. I always seem to connect. Maybe you should try marketing:)
Bob - Marketing....Hmm...Now you've got me pondering!
Thanks for staying with me. It was good to see you get a post up too. I love "Whack a Mole"!
Eric - I had to come find this post after you mentioned it. The other part of the "excuses" post I wrote is that sometimes they aren't excuses. Sometimes you're writing to your friends and they do appreciate knowing what's been going on. I struggle with this all the time. What is a business/professional blog and how much of me and what I'm doing belongs in it? We're all working it out, aren't we?! Nice to see you back!
Ann
Thanks Ann! I appreciate you seeking out my post. I have struggled a little with that as well. I would love to consider what I'm doing a business/professional blog, but I don't know if I'm quite in that "position" or "place in my career" to where I can really perform a "business blog."
So, I figure that I will network as best I can, and build as many relationships as I can, and part of that journey will be getting my thoughts and ideas (whether personal, about leadership, or other "business topics") "out there" so people can get to know the real me!
I really do love your insight, and I appreciate these conversations that we can have.
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