I’ve had a problem with consistency these last few years.  For over two years it’s been a never ending struggle of writing zero to three posts per month–ridiculous!  Last year was the absolute worst with a whopping 12 posts the entire year.  I’ve spent more time wanting to write than actually writing.  I had a habit of logging in, sitting in front of the computer and just staring.  For months.  Then as the new year approached I decided to create tiny habits to make a big impact on the future of my blog.

Going in, I knew I wasn’t ready to walk away from my blog just yet.  For the simple fact that I know I haven’t given this my all.  And with that in mind, I can’t and won’t give up–until then.  So here’s how I’ve changed my ways in order to be consistent and make writing an important part of my life again.

Small Changes Call for Big Results

• Focus On One Thing At A Time

In 2012, I made steps to become my own boss starting my photography business.  It was a big step for me as it had been something I wanted to do for a long time but was afraid.  At 7 months pregnant with Mason, I decided I’d had enough of the work life that was causing me to be bitter and resentful.  In doing so, I thought I’d be able to multi-task blogging and starting my business.  Figuring the ins and outs of a running a business, learning new skills and equipment took more energy and time than I’d anticipated.  My days and late nights were dedicated to photography and finding clients.  I didn’t have the energy for blogging and when I did, the minute any photography related business came up, I’d immediately ditch the blog.

This year, I made a decision to focus on one thing at a time and quit multitasking, cold turkey.  When starting any task, I put my phone away to avoid the tempting notifications and close all other web windows on my laptop.  During blog writing sessions, my blog gets my undivided attention for the allotted time.  “Multitasking” is not multitasking at all.  It’s bad for productivity, increases stress levels and makes little impact on “getting it all done”.  When “multitasking”, I experienced more overwhelm and wasn’t able to think as clearly.  There’s no way to put in full effort if I’m working on one thing while thinking of all the other things I need to complete and running from this thing to the next.

• Read More Books

Reading on a regular basis kept me inspired to write.  I felt connected to words and they flowed more readily during blog writing sessions.  When I disconnected from reading, I started also to become disconnected from the desire to write.  I’ve always loved to read but family and business life took over.  I no longer had time–or didn’t bother to find time–to sit down and read.

Last August though, I vowed to read at least two books of interest a month.  I’m not able to read as much as I’d like to but I’ll find and make to time.  Reading also forces me to focus on one thing.  Losing myself in the stories also help me to feel relaxed and centered afterward.  Since then, I’ve been able to write more readily and freely.

• Do It With Love

Plain and simple: I started to resent blogging, yall.  As an OG blogger (blogging since 2003), I’ve watched the blog world grow and blossom–which was a good thing.  Until it wasn’t.  First, it was a community of people who wrote for the love of writing, sharing the stories of their lives, views on love and politics.  And then the blog world exploded and began to grow into what it is now.  People were writing less for the love of writing but more for the love of being seen as cool in order to sell you something.

I’m not knocking it though, because it’s great to get paid for doing what you love genuinely.  Blogging takes alot of time so I’m here for it.  But when the desire for money is all there is, when there’s no real love, passion or story in it, I don’t want it.  I don’t want to sell to you just because I can make a dollar.  And I don’t wanna be sold to by someone who’s never used or never would have thought about a buying a product if money were not involved.  Money is not and never will be a motivator for me, only the bonus.  Hence, why I rolled out on a secure $70k/year paycheck to DO what I love. (Admittedly, I do miss the certainty that paycheck provided.)

Now, I’ve decided that doesn’t have to be me.  I can continue the way I always did: with love.   I’m going to do it without compromising the trust of my readers, simply with love.  And as  the money comes, it’ll be all the more sweet.