Isn't Writing a Blog A Waste of Time?

Personally I have found the more I write, the more ideas I get, and the clearer they become. - Jeffrey Gitomer, Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Red Book of Selling

I couldn't agree more with Mr. Gitomer. Time spent writing "pays" for itself multifold. There is no process better for crystallizing your ideas. Writing is thinking, as Harry Beckwith says. The process of setting it down polishes the idea and reinforces its impact in my mind. I can recall something I've written much better than something I've only thought about. In addition to blogging, I carry an idea journal wherever I go. A lot of folks ask me how I find time to blog. Heh, it once was the #1 biggest obstacle to starting to blog for myself. 

Where would I find the time, I moaned. Then I saw the then-State of Utah CIO blogging a few years back. Hmmm, if surely he can find the time I guess I could.  And a brief conversation I had with Jon Udell cemented it. I thought it was easier for journalists - you know, they're paid to do this sort of thing of course blah blah. But it was clear that blogging wasn't a part of his duties. Reading between the lines I saw that he made the time because he enjoyed it. (Thanks Phil and Jon for surreptiously nudging me by your example.)

I didn't understand the pull of blogging fully at the time. I do now.

If you only choose to believe ONE THING that I tell you: Believe that writing will take you from where you are to any place you want to go. Think you can write. - Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Red Book of Selling

I think even if you don't know what in the world you'd ever find to write about, just start one day writing about what you want to write about in that sitting. Write for yourself. Don't worry about the overarching theme of the blog or "where it is going" - just say yes and begin. All that will emerge.

Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray. - Rumi

I was thinking that blogging could be an excellent practice for someone in "transition" figuring out and wondering what they would like to do next in their lives. Your writing will lead you into what's next for you if you just focus on one day's post at a time. The pattern between your posts will reveal what your voice whispers but is too shy to shout. And your surroundings and other writers and readers that stumble across your path will inform you as well. Writers become keen observers - about the world about them and the world within. Pay attention to what tugs at you and write about that.

One of the things I’ve noticed since I started this blog is how much more attention I pay to the details, whether its something someone says or a painting and its vibrant colors – or not -- on a shop wall. If you really want to see the effect that blogging has had on me or how much more perceptive I have become since I started blogging, read my Let Music Take you blog post.  This is the reason why I blog and the reason I recommend others do so. It should tap into your inner passion and pull it out, kicking and screaming, wanting to share with others in ways that will entertain, heal and teach people. - Renee Blodgett

No, this isn't my Why I Blog post, but I just wanted to clear up misperceptions about time and blogging. Sure it takes time, but time warps and falls away while you're blogging, so it's all just fits in the end.

Comments

[Johnnie Moore]

Evelyn,good stuff. I suppose the answer to the question "How to find the time to blog?" is: Yes

[Mike Rohde]

Evelyn, I agree wholeheartedly. I've found that blogging or writing seems to cement ideas I'm ruminating. It forces me to think through thoughts I have as they go down on the keys or paper, and the re-reads and edits further help me solidify my statements. Throw in some good commentary and I get a reflection of how others view my ideas.

Because of blogging, I've now started a work diary (just a good old plain text document) to start capturing my thoughts on work projects, conversations, ideas, URLs or whatever I see relating to my work. This has been very beneficial as a reference, but even more, I seem to recall ideas more clearly.

I think the processing of thoughts is critical -- now that I see the value of the time spent writing.

[Diego]

Great thoughts -- writing in a blog is a way of prototyping ideas; by iterating along the way you find things you never knew you would find but you them when you find them.

[Juan Arellano]

Very interesting post. I think writing helps you clarify ideas. It is also a good therapy. (If someone needs one). I use to read a lot, and usually forgot a good part of that, since blogging (And the fact of writing about what i read) i remember almost everything.

I linked yor post here

http://arellanos.blogspot.com/2004/12/es-escribir-un-blog-una-prdida-de.html

[Jim Buie]

I came across this blog after writing a post on my own blog reflecting on how blogging is a "waste of time." I think we have some synergy. I've linked to this blog entry. I'd welcome your comments on my own blog:

http://jimbuie.blogs.com/journal/2004/12/why_blog_isnt_i.html

[Kamran]

I think its a great post! I am now more interested in blogging than i previously was! I used to blog but that was once a week maybe... and then later on i deleted my blog coz i thought its a waste of time... but your article shows that blogging is indeed a great activity. thanks a lot. and now i will blog again.

[tarocchi]

i appreciated a lot reading your post, and that s almost the same for me...writing helps me thinking...