Dec 31, 2015 / Beginner

Three Thoughts on Sustainable Blogging Resolutions

How to set goals you’ll be more likely to keep.

I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions, writing-related or otherwise. Something about the ritual feels contrived and ineffective — possibly because I’m an undisciplined, chronic procrastinator who loves finding loopholes in self-imposed rules. As esteemed behavioral economist Dan Ariely said a few years ago, “If you don’t have resolutions, you can’t break them.”

And yet here we are, mere hours before ringing in 2016. You want your blog to shine next year, you want to feel productive and energized, and you might think to yourself that maybe a little champagne-fueled commitment can’t hurt. And unless you’re one of the writing 1 percent — that group of three self-satisfied people who think that “writer’s block” is an actual block on which you write, prolifically — you’re right. Ceremonial rituals can’t hurt (why would anyone ever get married otherwise?).

So here are three ideas to ponder as you make — or consider making — your blogging resolutions for next year. They’re tailored to the skeptics among you, though true believers are certainly welcome to adopt and adapt them as well.

Make it about process

Every year, there are people who set out to publish a new post every week or even every single day (if that’s you, you deserve a badge!). Some follow our Daily Prompts while others come up with their own ideas. I genuinely admire anyone with that level of commitment to anything, but I also recognize that we can’t all aspire to a goal as lofty as that.

By setting up circumstances so that the good decision is the default, it takes more work to slip back into old habits.
— Scott Huettel, Duke University Psychology Department

Which is why a great resolution to make is not “I will publish every X days,” but rather “I will build an editorial calendar and stick with it.”

How detailed a calendar ends up being depends on your own temperament — for some, a loose statement like “I’ll post a couple of new recipes every month” is already more than enough. Others might need more specifics, and opt for a list or a chart to shape the serial posts they’d like to write (and their frequency), strategize how to balance their blog’s multiple niches, or make plans for contributions from guest bloggers.

The idea, in other words, is to create a framework that helps you succeed, rather than obsess over a number which you might come to see as arbitrary or even counterproductive.

Take pleasure in connections

Most of us live in cultures that valorize things you can quantify. That’s probably why writing events (and writing resolutions) often establish some numerical goal to achieve: write X words in Y days, publish Z posts over the next month, and so on.

It would be nice to change the culture, but it might take us a while. So, why not stick with numbers — but attach them to different, less output-focused goals?

If don’t already have a network of bloggers you care about and aren’t sure where to start, join one of our free Blogging U. courses in 2016 — they’re the perfect setting for finding other bloggers to interact with (while also working on your blogging or writing skills).

Sure, you can commit to three posts a week or 5,000 words a month or any other metric you feel comfortable with. But consider adding other types of goals to your list: find three new blogs to follow every week. Once a day, leave a substantive comment on someone else’s post. Try out a different blogging event every month.

You get the idea — make resolutions that push you to connect with people. These connections and stronger sense of community will only make it more likely that you meet your other, publishing-oriented goals.

Find a penalty you love

Self-flagellation shouldn’t be part of the blogging or writing process — all of us have work, family, and other obligations to attend to. Our lives are complicated, which is why they’re interesting and worth blogging about in the first place. (It’s also why you should never start a post with “Sorry I haven’t posted in so long!” — see #2 here).

Instead of feeling bad for falling behind on your publishing, find a productive way to penalize yourself. I mentioned earlier my knack for finding loopholes within my own rules. These often take the shape of bizarre, convoluted negotiations with myself: “if I don’t finish this post now, I have to spend 30 minutes looking through my photo library for featured images for future posts.” And so on.

Tip: You can start a list of to-do items for your blog, from design elements to general maintenance. That way, whenever the muses are gone for the day, you have a solid plan B.

The idea is to establish penalties that aren’t too severe (but also not too much fun, or you’ll just intentionally skip your initial plans!) and that still serve a purpose in the grand scheme of things. Come up with a couple of “if… then…” scenarios. “If I don’t publish today, then I’ll audit my tags for consistency.” “If I don’t finish creating those custom Image Widgets I’d been working on, then I’ll come up with three post ideas to explore down the line.” Your “penalty” doesn’t even have to be blog-related. A 15-minute stroll through your neighborhood is a perfect way to not write — and might just inspire your next post. Or it might not. And that’s fine, too.

Whatever your blogging resolutions for next year may be, we can’t wait to see you here in 2016! Happy new year!

 

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  2. Thanks for the amazing tips! I am a newbie blogger and still learning the ropes. I just love writing but technology is a big problem for me. I tried sharing my posts thru social media but no photos appear. It’s getting frustrating. I hope you can help me please. Thanks!

    Liked by 3 people

      1. Thanks! I’ve spent hours googling but there are so many things I don’t understand especially when it comes to editing HTML codes. I probably just need a lot more time reading 🙂 Thank you again!

        Liked by 2 people

  3. I am not a fan of making New Year’s resolutions either. 1- because rather than inspiring me, I feel pressured to meet an arbitrary item on a list. 2- Although, I am a very organized person, when it comes to writing, I tend to be a panster. 3- life sometimes gets in the way and I don’t like feeling obligated or feeling a failure for not keeping a resolution.
    This only thing I resolve to do this year is “double-down” on getting my novel finished. I’m half-way there.Thanks for the post.

    Liked by 3 people

  4. Way to make me read a blog post! Headline is so much of the mix, isn’t it? And I am so in need of sustainable solutions to my epic procrastination issues…. thanks for the post. Good luck to all of the bloggers and would-be bloggers out there! Happy 2016 to y’all!

    Liked by 3 people

  5. Great read! I was considering, this morning, how I haven’t written much of anything since opening up my site. Changes are on the horizon and I am excited to share the journey, but concerned that I will fall off the blogging wagon as soon as life presents a distraction. I appreciate the tips. We’ll see what 2016 brings for this amateur blogger! Happy New Year!

    Liked by 5 people

  7. I’m a new blogger and have been struggling with what I’m actually doing. Sometimes I’m shocked by the amount of traffic a post gets; other times I cannot believe how little interest it generated. I’m still figuring things out, for sure. I’m definitely starting to learn what my (very few) readers like to read about. This was a great read. I especially appreciated the goal for looking at other blogs and posting. I always have every intention to do that, but once I have finally finished a post, I’m ready to stop looking at my computer screen for a bit, only to return to write not read. I would love to hit more of a stride and see a little success with my blog. Crossing my fingers! If someone who thinks they might have some tips reads this, I would love it if they’d show a little mercy and glance at my page 🙂

    Liked by 5 people

  9. Thank you for the tip! I only really started working on my blog as of yesterday. I don’t believe I am very good but I sure as hell need an outlet of some sort and I definitely found this helpful, so thank you.

    Liked by 4 people

  10. These are some great ideas to keep motivated throughout the year. I try to stick to my editorial calendar, but often find that I miss some posts. This year I will try to find a “productive punishment” for myself.

    Liked by 3 people

  11. Totally relatable. I find that I’m only good during beginnings. Then, I slowly spiral out of control… I’m a little ashamed of it, really, so definitely keeping these in mind this year!

    Liked by 3 people

  15. Resolutions do not change people. You change when you know the implications of your old behavior and you can only know what is right or wrong by your your inner convictions by the truth. You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. It is truth that ultimately liberates men from their old pathways and not resolutions. Therefore, it is not necessary.

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  18. This is my very first commitment of ‘word to print.’ There’s nothing on my Blog yet. This is a useful thread. It acts like a kind of framework and has caused me to ask further questions about what on earth I’m doing; why I’m doing it; and why anyone else would ever be interested in it! I can identify with PursuePeaceBlog saying, “I’m a new blogger and have been struggling with what I’m actually doing. Sometimes I’m shocked by the amount of traffic a post gets; other times I cannot believe how little interest it generated.” Iron sharpens iron so it would be useful to get insights from others but if there is none, what then? That question caused me to look again at the title of my blog, key words and such. After all, you don’t want people to waste their time reading something of which they have no interest.
    I have one key reason for wanting to Blog. I was doing a doctorate then got an acquired brain injury. I was interchanging words, couldn’t spell any more; even when a word was spelled correctly it didn’t look right. As for numbers, when my mobile phone was brought to my hospital bed I stared at it; I didn’t know what to do with it; the numerals on it were like pictograms that I couldn’t decipher. I had to give up the degree but I still have a keen interest in my subject. So I shall blog.

    Liked by 5 people

      1. Thanks dehggial. Am feeling pretty nervous – about the technicalities of the site and about being vulnerable. I’ve had some pretty out-of-the-ordinary experiences. Rhetorical question: Should I share them? It strikes me that we are all searching for meaning but isn’t our meaning formed in relationship to one another?

        Liked by 1 person

      2. you’re probably right, relationships give meaning to our lives and to our experiences 🙂 but don’t feel like you have to share anything; you do it if you feel comfortable. I’d say just play around with the blog a bit until you get used to it, don’t put too much pressure on yourself until then. Maybe I can be of help if you have any questions about using the site, just reply here and let me know 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  29. I really like the suggestion of following three new blogs and leaving comments – I am new to this blogging stuff, but I know that, like radio, you can convince yourself that no one is listening.. until you mention the thing that shan’t be mentioned, and then you find out who’s listening / reading!

    Liked by 3 people

  30. Great suggestions! My resolution in 2016 is to blog more and I really like the idea of an editorial calendar and making goals for things other than posting (following new blogs, commenting on other blogs, etc). Thanks for these wonderful ideas. Very helpful! 🙂 Happy New Year!

    Liked by 3 people