I’m not saving lives over here.
I am not a surgeon, or an oncologist, or a firefighter.
If my blog traffic slogs because I don’t have something riveting to say this week, it’s okay. The world will tick by, unfettered, not holding its breath wondering what happened to me.
And then…and THEN…
When I do have words, when I do have something to say that needs saying, when my mind is a flurry of fireworks and the words come tumbling out because they need and want to find life and breathe on the page, then I will write.
Or when I have something to teach. Something to share. A question I can answer. An idea I can explore. Then, I’ll write.
I don’t make my living based on my blog, so my job it is not. I want to see the cresting and falling waves on the analytics screen, the moments where all of you rise up around here and cheer, or contribute, or holler at me because something was worth talking about. And then when the tides ebb a bit, and all is a little more calm and quiet, I’m hopeful you’re out there finding something else to get excited about. It can’t be my turn all the time.
I work hard. I learn a lot. I cherish my blog here at Brass Tack Thinking because it’s my own intellectual and professional playground, my place to explore what things are yet unfound, what ideas need me to sit with them and talk for a while.
But it’s just a blog. And you, dear readers, I hope will be here in those moments when the thoughts are clawing their way to the surface, needing a place to land. Because I want to give you something that sparks, that challenges, that questions. You’re deserving of that.
Now. Go find something inspiring to read for today. When we have something important to talk about, I’ll be sure you have a seat right over here.
This is a wonderful post and it’s really rare for bloggers to have such a balanced prospective on readers, stats and their own content. I love this and am bookmarking it for a bit of a breather when I feel pressure to always be “on” myself.
Preach it, sister!
Love this post. I used to force myself to come up with a blog post each and every day when I first stated blogging and within a few months came to the realization that quality should always trump quantity and some days we *don’t* have anything riveting to say … and that’s A-OK.
I still think there’s a case to be made for blogging your face off, depending on what your aims are. When I was starting, I wanted to build awareness and establish credibility. So I blogged my face off. Sometimes it was awesome, sometimes it wasn’t. But at the time, it was just about earning my seat at the table.
Three years later, I’m in a different place. I don’t so much feel the urge to prove myself as I once did, but rather to refine what I’ve built. Different place, different state of mind.
It all has to be about what reflects you, your purpose, your vision. And not everyone is building their blog to create a business around. Some are. How you tackle that is solely your own adventure. 😉
I love this post. Perfectly crystallizes the differences between us. I feel a burning obligation to be “on” at all times. Taking days off would be like swallowing molten glass for me. I’m either insecure, freakishly rigorous or both. I think I like your outlook better. Maybe someday I’ll get there.
I like that we’re different. And when I started the previous iteration of this blog, I absolutely felt that pressure to be on, constantly. And I was. I suppose I’ve just shifted my perspective a bit in terms of what I want for the future of my own thoughts and ideas. And your path is very much your own, and I think you’ll be awesome regardless. No molten glass for you.
Amber, I’m a first-time commenter on your blog, but this resonated with me. I write because I like to write, and because something struck me and I felt it was worth sharing. I might have something great to post, but I don’t want to push hard to create when the thoughts aren’t there.
Thanks for writing this.
Same boat as Mari.
Everything for a reason.
Great post Amber. I agree with your approach, and as a “fan” of your blog and what you share, I would rather a blog not be forced, but rather let it flow. With the blogs I work with (both personal and business), sure I try to have some kind of regular schedule of content, but if it’s not happening..it’s not happening. Missing a week, or that magic posting window, in the end isnt going to matter that much. Not to mention that sometimes other priorities come up, either at work or at home.
Keep doing what you are doing. The things that are shared here is awesome, and I know that is due to the fact that are jazzed about what you are blogging on…and it isnt forced.
Learned a long time ago that life trumps blogging. Not the other way around. And that goes for trumping twitter and facebook and the rest, too. Great post – thanks again for putting that to fresh words.
I must admit, when I don’t see new content, I get sad. But that means when I DO see new content, I am even happier! And I think more about what is being said, and it is of higher value to me because it is fully baked and well-though.
No one should tell you when/what to produce. Keep doing what you’re doing.
One of the nicest posts I’ve read in quite a long time. It’s one thing to have people read your stuff because you’re an authority or consultant. It’s quite something else to have them read because you’re a nice person to be around. I don’t know you Amber, but somehow I feel now like I do know you, at least a little. And I read your stuff because you’re both.
This was a creative post of nothing. I mean that in a serious respect. I wish I would have done this sometimes when I was struggling for topics. It’s authentic and transparent and endearing even. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
I feel exactly the same about my own blog, not my main job, but something I enjoy doing and I am happy when people find it interesting.
Ha! Just the other day I noticed you hadn’t blogged in awhile, and I wondered what you were up to. But — but! — I haven’t blogged in awhile either. And it’s extremely comforting to see that sometimes “rock stars” drop off the map too. Meanwhile, I know that any post I get here will be top quality. And that’s what I’ll aim for as well.
I have days like this as well. I can totally relate.
i get the same way with my boxsets of Stargate SG1 and? Charmed and
Heores and Primeval and Black Adder and Merlin and Flashforward and
Twilight………
nice.