Comments on: Probably unwise, going offline: the working parent’s dilemma http://www.johannabates.com/2008/07/unwise-going-offline/ Drupal Themer, CMS Specialist, Website Builder, Nonprofit Techie, Independent Consultant Sun, 18 Apr 2010 20:15:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Johanna http://www.johannabates.com/2008/07/unwise-going-offline/comment-page-1/#comment-26 Johanna Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:31:14 +0000 http://www.johannabates.com/?p=13#comment-26 <b>Michaela,</b> It actually helps me to hear you say that you're stepping back, too. I have a lot of respect for you as a colleague who is extremely involved in/passionate about nonprofit tech and social media. I can't imagine that if you continue to step back a bit from blogging, anyone would ever forget about you. It is so important to remember that there are many ways to be involved that are not blogging. I just started blogging, but I've been involved in NTEN conferences and discussion lists for years, which is how I've connected to most of the people I am now conversing on this blog and on Twitter. If it means we blog a little less because we are engaging with life, and with our careers in other ways, we are still offering a lot. <blockquote>If I were an independent consultant I’d feel that my blog would be a critical launching point for new client relationships, but the reality of my busy life is that at the end of the day I want to know that my life was diversified.</blockquote> Amen, sister. :) Michaela,
It actually helps me to hear you say that you’re stepping back, too. I have a lot of respect for you as a colleague who is extremely involved in/passionate about nonprofit tech and social media. I can’t imagine that if you continue to step back a bit from blogging, anyone would ever forget about you. It is so important to remember that there are many ways to be involved that are not blogging. I just started blogging, but I’ve been involved in NTEN conferences and discussion lists for years, which is how I’ve connected to most of the people I am now conversing on this blog and on Twitter. If it means we blog a little less because we are engaging with life, and with our careers in other ways, we are still offering a lot.

If I were an independent consultant I’d feel that my blog would be a critical launching point for new client relationships, but the reality of my busy life is that at the end of the day I want to know that my life was diversified.

Amen, sister. :)

]]> By: Johanna http://www.johannabates.com/2008/07/unwise-going-offline/comment-page-1/#comment-25 Johanna Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:16:29 +0000 http://www.johannabates.com/?p=13#comment-25 <b>Laura</b>, thank you! Quality not quantity... that's definitely what I am aiming for. So you've quit other work to focus on web work! Wow. This is part of the dilemma for me. Working for a small but early-adopter org, reading blogs/listening/commenting is part of my paid work. And perhaps blogging will be part of my paid work soon, too. But right now, I do it on my own, because I love talking about nonprofit tech etc., even if it's on my own time. Part of being a paid consultant or a cutting-edge social media expert usually means you're paid to blog, too. That's ideal, but right now it's not the situation I am in. Laura, I hope your work change means we all get to hear more from you. Congrats! Laura, thank you!
Quality not quantity… that’s definitely what I am aiming for.

So you’ve quit other work to focus on web work! Wow. This is part of the dilemma for me. Working for a small but early-adopter org, reading blogs/listening/commenting is part of my paid work. And perhaps blogging will be part of my paid work soon, too. But right now, I do it on my own, because I love talking about nonprofit tech etc., even if it’s on my own time. Part of being a paid consultant or a cutting-edge social media expert usually means you’re paid to blog, too. That’s ideal, but right now it’s not the situation I am in.

Laura, I hope your work change means we all get to hear more from you. Congrats!

]]> By: Michaela http://www.johannabates.com/2008/07/unwise-going-offline/comment-page-1/#comment-24 Michaela Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:09:10 +0000 http://www.johannabates.com/?p=13#comment-24 Hi Johanna, I hope you have a fantastic vacation in Maine. What you write is all too familiar to me. I don't have an obstinate toddler, but I do care for a particularly fiesty 1 year old pup, work a job from 9-5, have a serious relationship, am training for a marathon, etc... The list goes on and on. I have so much to say on the web front, but for better or worse, I've had to accept that right now it's a hard time for me to keep my blog up-to-date. If I were an independent consultant I'd feel that my blog would be a critical launching point for new client relationships, but the reality of my busy life is that at the end of the day I want to know that my life was diversified. When inspiration strikes and I have some free time, I definitely go for it, but after having blogged almost religiously since 2003, I'm letting myself be more lapse and focusing on those things in my life that need the most attention. Even sadly if it means social media et al. have to be pushed on the back burner. I live this stuff, it's not going away, and the time will come to blog again. Enjoy yourself and unplug! I'll be here when you get back :o) Hi Johanna,
I hope you have a fantastic vacation in Maine. What you write is all too familiar to me. I don’t have an obstinate toddler, but I do care for a particularly fiesty 1 year old pup, work a job from 9-5, have a serious relationship, am training for a marathon, etc… The list goes on and on. I have so much to say on the web front, but for better or worse, I’ve had to accept that right now it’s a hard time for me to keep my blog up-to-date. If I were an independent consultant I’d feel that my blog would be a critical launching point for new client relationships, but the reality of my busy life is that at the end of the day I want to know that my life was diversified.

When inspiration strikes and I have some free time, I definitely go for it, but after having blogged almost religiously since 2003, I’m letting myself be more lapse and focusing on those things in my life that need the most attention. Even sadly if it means social media et al. have to be pushed on the back burner. I live this stuff, it’s not going away, and the time will come to blog again.

Enjoy yourself and unplug! I’ll be here when you get back :o )

]]> By: Laura Whitehead http://www.johannabates.com/2008/07/unwise-going-offline/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Laura Whitehead Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:34:54 +0000 http://www.johannabates.com/?p=13#comment-23 Johanna - a post that resonated with me! It's great to hear your passion for blogging and wanting to communicate! I had a roll with my blogging, then with work overload managing a nonprofit, and a growing freelance business, and also two vibrant young children to manage too, as well as family issues (and the list could go on...!); it forced my blog to slow, then take a virtual back seat for the moment until things settle more. (I've been fortunate to give up my day job to focus on the web work now but only in the last week or so at that!) I hope to be back blogging and better soon. But know it's just not yet as need to get the 'other stuff' in order first to allow that space to happen again. It can be difficult and frustrating, especially at the pace that conversations whizz along in web 2.0 world. Instead of my constant personal battle at the time of not being able to find enough moments in the day to blog about the current topic, I began to comment more on other people's blogs who were discussing the issues, and that often compensated and enabled some great conversation. The tip that I was passed when I had similar feelings a few months back is that it's 'quality not quantity'. The only time I blogged daily was when I was part of the 30 days to a better blog challenge I participated in last year, it was good fun but also hard work. I tried thereafter to tell myself I'd blog at least once a week, and usually did and sometimes more, until 'busyworld' suddently took over. Finally, we'll all be here listening and ready to converse again when you're back! And of course we'll still see you on Twitter no doubt in the meantime! (and if you find SuperBeths secret to being such a blog superstar - be sure to pass it on!) take care! :) Johanna – a post that resonated with me! It’s great to hear your passion for blogging and wanting to communicate!
I had a roll with my blogging, then with work overload managing a nonprofit, and a growing freelance business, and also two vibrant young children to manage too, as well as family issues (and the list could go on…!); it forced my blog to slow, then take a virtual back seat for the moment until things settle more. (I’ve been fortunate to give up my day job to focus on the web work now but only in the last week or so at that!) I hope to be back blogging and better soon. But know it’s just not yet as need to get the ‘other stuff’ in order first to allow that space to happen again.

It can be difficult and frustrating, especially at the pace that conversations whizz along in web 2.0 world. Instead of my constant personal battle at the time of not being able to find enough moments in the day to blog about the current topic, I began to comment more on other people’s blogs who were discussing the issues, and that often compensated and enabled some great conversation.

The tip that I was passed when I had similar feelings a few months back is that it’s ‘quality not quantity’. The only time I blogged daily was when I was part of the 30 days to a better blog challenge I participated in last year, it was good fun but also hard work. I tried thereafter to tell myself I’d blog at least once a week, and usually did and sometimes more, until ‘busyworld’ suddently took over.

Finally, we’ll all be here listening and ready to converse again when you’re back! And of course we’ll still see you on Twitter no doubt in the meantime! (and if you find SuperBeths secret to being such a blog superstar – be sure to pass it on!)
take care!
:)

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