Writing Challenge Update
A few weeks ago, I took a blogging challenge and I failed in my goal of writing for 30 straight business days. I started on 9/1 and did pretty good for 3 straight weeks, writing 15 blog posts in total. My downfall was 2 weeks. My goal at the beginning of the challenge was to write at least 1 case study / white page on a recent project we'd completed. I figured it would take me about the same amount of writing 3 blog posts, so I set aside 3 days to complete it.
I did start it and I did write for those three days, but there was just too much to it all. I wanted to chronicle the step by step process we took in redesigning the www.montlick.com website. I had a lot of photos, screen shots, notes and sketches to pour over.
I'm still in the process of writing it and hope to publish it soon.
Couple of lessons learned...
Consistancy is hard
Doing anything consistently is hard. If you really want to do something consistently, you have to be truly dedicated to it...whether you're exercising, dieting, working, or blogging.
Long term goals are more difficult to achieve
When I was blogging daily, it was easier to publish something. The goal was clear, the end result was within grasp. I did fall behind once or twice, but I didn't want to miss a day so I always caught up. By contrast, the 3 days I spent writing the white paper was more ambiguous. I wasn't sure how much I needed to complete each day. Also, the goal of three days was not set in stone.
I liken this small example to working on creative projects, which are notorious for being late and over budget. If an overall project deadline is not set with milestones along the way, then there's usually a good chance the project will drag on and on. I learned this early on in my business. I'd have 2-3 larger projects to work on but also daily small tasks on existing projects. It's so easy to take care of the small tasks and forgo the dedication it takes to working on something due 3 months away.
Summary
Good habits are hard to form. Starting small and committing to be consistant are key.