Stay ahead of the wave of ideas that you have so you don't get squashed.
I don’t care how good that blog idea is – if you’ve already got a blog then stop!
You see, one of the challenges that many of us face is our tendency to outpace our ability to actually execute on the many ideas that we have for our blog(s). Some of you might have a huge list of things you want to do but that you will honestly never get around to actually doing.
These could include simple things like adding a new WordPress Plugin (or finding the perfect one for that very particular feature and functionality), installing a new WordPress Theme, trying a new 3rd party script, or even finishing that simple blog series that you promised yourself that you would get to (a month ago).
But one of the larger (and more costly) ways that we outpace ourselves is simply buying new domain names that we know, in our heart-of-hearts, we will never actually get around to writing for or launching much less. I mean, I’m susceptible to this myself as I have a list of domains I’m even trying to get rid of!
So how do we stay focused so that we can be more successful with the few things that we’re already responsible for? Here are five things that I try to do every single time I get that “itch” that might put me in a bind:
- Ask My Wife – I always ask my wife what she thinks about “new” ideas before I actually commit to them. In fact, I’ve already shared with you how smart she is and she keeps me on track with my current commitments. If you aren’t married then ask a trusted friend about your new idea who’s willing to keep you focused.
- Remember Your Focus – Review this post here on your true focus and ask yourself if adding another blog or project is going to actually fit in your plans of taking over the world. If not then you should probably back off!
- Stay in the Black – My goal and my recommendation to bloggers is to try to stay financially “in the black” as much as you possibly can. What that means is that you shouldn’t spend money that your blog hasn’t necessarily earned. Have your blog keep itself afloat first then start spending on strategic areas that will prove to be profitable both financially and from a traffic perspective.
- Just Say No, Politely - Develop a habit and/or reflex that makes your first reaction to a personal new idea as something like this “That’s a great idea but not right now.” Developing this reflex takes time but it’s important if you’re going to be successful.
- Remember the Marathon – Your blog’s success is a long-term strategy and it requires hard work and focused effort every single day. If you want your blog to grow in the ways that you dream about then why would you risk diluting it with other energy expenses in other directions? If you do then just don’t expect the “runaway” success that you think about during your 9-to-5.
You see, most of us bloggers are already entrepreneurial in nature and so our tendency is to “start and ask questions later” – it’s only until we see the bank statement with 10 new domain names that we cringe and the feeling of regret sinks in.
Do not outpace your ability to execute on your current blog properties and you’ll reap the benefits in ways that you honestly can’t imagine right now. It takes focus, time, hard work, and a bit of luck but it’s well worth it!
guilty!
me to. for sure.
I’m a big “dreamer” but it takes me a while to start something new – I’m afraid of failure (even though I know some failure can be good). I’m also very hesitant to spend money on my blogs!
I haven’t spent anything but time on my blog…
I’ve spent very little on my blog (and it took me two years to do that), but I’ve definitely invested a LOT of time! I waited until my blog was able to “pay for itself” before spending money.
ah, yes!
and this is where it starts….!
and this is a good thing! don’t spend money that you don’t have!
Definitely. I’m a little too quick to activate sometimes. Thankful that I’m too broke to buy a lot of domains!
don’t like being broke… but don’t like sitting on domains either.
ummmm…anyone want to buy “BestChristianSpeaker.com?”…… ha,ha,ha..
make a profit!
Very good points! I have an idea file that I jot things down in. That way, I don’t lose the idea but I also am not jumping full on into something unless it’s free
I like the point of staying in the black. We need more practice of this in the US.
Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
i seriously advocate this approach!
Oh man, this is a tough concept for anyone with lots of “great” ideas.
I definitely do this. The problem is that my capacity to execute on ideas changes based on how busy I am, so something that seemed well within my reach becomes completely impractical 2 months later.
Currently my issue is trying to decide which ideas will be most profitable and trying to execute on those and let the less profitable ones sit for a while.
Not a great strategy perhaps.
the ones that have been the most profitable have actually surprised me.
Too many ideas to execute well = story of my life
I’m blessed to have a really awesome wife who keeps it real.
that’s awesome!
This post is interesting to me. While it’s certainly sound advice, it seems to be the opposite for me. I need to push myself out of my comfort zone and launch something rather than just thinking and thinking and thinking about it. I guess you just have to know your individual personality and respond appropriately!
loren,
for sure. you need to execute!
Ahhhhhh…I don’t have a domain name yet! I have a question for anyone out there who might know the answer:
I’m trying to get a domain name for my wordpress.com blog. Do you have to go through them to get it or can you go through another service?
Also, if you go with another service, do you have to pay the $12 mapping fee? I’m kinda confused with it all…
Brandon, I just checked out your blog. Nice job! If you would like I would live to chat with you about this stuff. Most of your startup stuff is easily found on this site or by googling but I love chatting about this stuff. Just hit me up on twitter or something.
To answer your first question. You don’t have to purchase the domain through wordpress. I use namecheap.com. The hosting plan is what your going to want to look into seriously. John has some great posts on that.
sweet! ben can help out!
It seems as if another good safeguard would be ‘curiosity’. Like the article you wrote earlier http://tentblogger.com/curious/
This has helped me rethink my online adventures.
ah, great point! for sure.
With my wife’s incredibly valuable input and “lessons learned” from reading Quitter I have set aside 5 ideas/sites, put 1 site/idea on hold, and am focusing on only two.
I even updated my personal page (thanks for that John!)to remove the stagnant dreams.
Yea, that was hard. But, I am getting more traction with the two that I am focusing on.
Good timing on this – very encouraging – as I was recently thinking about a new (new) idea not included above.
http://simon.saintdepraved.com/
love this! question, what was your decision-making process about the sub-domain?
Sometimes the most important decisions we make occur when we say “no” to an idea. Just because it is clever, creative, or innovative does not mean it is the right fit.
A good question for me is: “Will this (fill in the blank) help me be a great blogger?” If the answer is no, then I have to pass on it.
“Good is the enemy of great.” – Jim Collins.
love that jim collins quote! it’s true.
I am terrible at letting my ideas get ahead of me. Often though I do not spend the money on the domain name because I can’t find an available one that fits. My perfectionism sometimes kills the idea. But at that point, I have already wasted too much time thinking about it when I could have been more productive.
i’m subject to this as well chris.
I have a sneaky suspicion I was the impetus for this post. lol
haha. nope… don’t blame me!
Definitely guilty as charged!!
I’m somewhat tempted to launch another blog, even as I write this comment, full well knowing that I have already neglected my last project. Luckily I haven’t spent too much on it yet.
This is certainly a good reminder.
cool. do you get help from anyone to bounce off ideas?
For sure in the past I’ve been guilty too. But late last year I decided to drop a whole bunch of ideas and projects and solely focus on ichrch.com. It’s been a rewarding decision, one that I continue to see the benefit of the more time goes on.
pretty surprised you got that domain, btw.
I am guilty of buying one too many domains but I am sure it is tame compared to most.
I purchased a domain for a photo blog but I think what I really wanted was an awesome camera.
Great article and helpful tips.
sure thing david!
Thanks for this post very helpful reminders. No. 1 is a well proven strategy (ask your wife). This post definitely reeks of personal experience
and I can totally relate.
sweet! do you have a gravatar? http://tentblogger.com/gravatar/
Guilty as charged for sure! I’ve had so many websites with nothing on them – just the hostmonster logo :0(
Now that I’ve found this resource, I am slowly starting to delegate the website building process to others, teaching moment! I show them how I’m developing my brand: me! Then ask them to do the same for the other websites… I’ll help them out and teach them what I learn everyday. It makes a team better!
i’m all about the team!
Number 5. . . . its that each and every day bit. I wish I knew the secret to enough time!
budgeting is how i do it. and boundaries…!
Jon,
It never ceases to amaze me how timely your posts are. I just finished my MBA and now have more time on my hands to pour into my blog, but I still don’t have the financial resources. Additionally, there are other projects I want to start, but you make a great point about staying “in the black” when it comes to funds and energy.
Great stuff. Thanks again.
congrats on the MBA…! wow! i had no idea you were doing that!
Very timely post John!
where have you been bro?
Thanks for asking man! No excuses; I need to be more consistent in the area of blogging. I’m writing this comment after viewing Seth Godin’s clip about success. My focus areas are crowded: education and community development. Perhaps, I’ve been too dialed in on the traffic.
I’m discovering there has to be a balance in what you do online and your influence offline. Impacting students and serving communities is what I’ve been blessed to do. However, my writing doesn’t always reflect those areas.
Question: Is there a directory of blogs/websites using the Standard and Live Themes?
i believe @dewde has one…
Jon,
Not only is this advise great for blogs but also for just plain ol’ life! Thanks for the rich, common-sense content…truly love it!
sure thing drew! you’re right, this applies to a lot of things in life!
Perfect post….as I’m always looking for balance!! I, too, get so many ideas, but the two blogs I have are keeping me busy!! Making a blogging to-do list is the latest idea I’m trying to keep myself on task!!
two blogs… yikes! it is more than doubly hard!