“A simple life is not seeing how little we can get by with—that’s poverty—but how efficiently we can put first things first. . . . When you’re clear about your purpose and your priorities, you can painlessly discard whatever does not support these, whether it’s clutter in your cabinets or commitments on your calendar. ” ~Victoria Moran, American writer & speaker
I’m surprising myself with this blog post.
Forty-five minutes ago, I told my husband, “I’m not sure what I’m blogging about tomorrow.”
Five minutes later I looked at him and said, “Now I know. I’m going to let everyone know that I’m taking a break from blogging on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
Really?
Yes, really.
It’s not like life in the blog-o-sphere will come to a screeching halt if I don’t post on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a few months (or never again, for that matter.)
But here’s what will happen: I will have a bit more time to focus on writing my second novel, which is due to my editor on May 1. And May 1 is not that far away, believe me. I have a little counter ticking the days down on my website because May 1 is also launch day for my first novel, Wish You Were Here.
So I am, as today’s quote so aptly puts it, putting first things first. Writing my manuscript takes precedence over writing Tuesday and Thursday posts. Stay tuned on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for In Others’ Words — blogs about quotes. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy the conversations we’re sharing together. On occasion I may toss in a vlog or two and give you a little glimpse behind the scenes of Wish You Were Here, just for fun.
In Your Words: Have you had a “putting first things first” experience recently? I’d love to hear about it.
And here’s my open invitation to share a favorite quote with me at beth@bethvogt.com. If I use it in a future installment of In Others’ Words, I’d love to introduce you to the group — it doesn’t always have to be me starting the conversation!
Comments 39
Welcome to the M-W-F crowd, Beth! 🙂 No, but seriously, I think it’s always a good feeling to know what your priorities are and be able to take an action that supports those priorities. So, while I’ll miss your fun Tues-Thurs posts, I’m glad that it means more novel-ing time for you. Counting down the days til May 1 with you!
Some of my favorite people are hanging in the MWF crowd, Melissa!
🙂
Yup! I recently dropped from 3 posts to 2 a week–I just wasn’t getting done what I needed to!
I love quotes!! I keep a word doc open at all times to paste in new ones that I come across. In fact I don’t think I post without one 🙂
Look forward to you posts Beth & Happy writing!
Coleen — as I said, there’s an open invite to help start the conversation here at In Others’ Words …
And that’s just one of the things I love about your blog: the quotes!
😉
Beth, I’ll miss you on Tuesdays and Thursdays but totally understand why the break. I’m working on my website/blog now and will start posting soon…just keeping it to 2 days a week for now. I love your blog. You always make me think outside the box!
Truthfully, I’m already missing the T/Th posts … but the occasional vlog will help me with that. And once book 2 is sent off, I can always come back to every day blogging.
🙂
Thanks for being so encouraging, Pat. And I can’t wait to see your site up and running.
Life requires rearranging things to fit God’s calling on our lives. Yours is writing, so bravo for having the courage to fight the waves of expectation and do what you need to do to fulfill God’s calling on your life.
🙂
Thanks, Michelle.
I applaud your decision, Beth. It can be hard to give up something we enjoy, but there are only so many hours in the day. I’m glad you’re doing what you need to in order to have the time for your writing. We’ll still get to enjoy your posts three times a week, and I look forward to that. Plus, I know you hang out on Twitter, so I can find you there Tuesdays and Thursdays if I get to missing you too much. 🙂
Keli,
Ah, there’s a method to my “magic” of hanging out on Twitter … sometimes I’m there when I’m not.
😉
Ditto Keli. 🙂 You GO girl. 😀
Good for you, Beth. You are such a good example of keeping right priorities. Brava to you!
Thanks, Jeanne.
Totally, totally understand, Beth. I’ve thought about giving up a blogging day, but at this point, I’m enjoying being part of the MWF crowd, as Melissa put it! I don’t think you’ll lose any fans, friends, or commenters over this decision, that’s for sure. 🙂
I think of every single person who comments as a friend — part of the conversation. I love the flow of thoughts we all share.
We will love having your blog 3 days a week and are cheering you as you meet your novel deadline (and then the next). They always say we’re after quality, not quantity. Hurray for your wise decision.
🙂
Thanks for those encouraging words, Dee.
When I first started blogging, I did it M-F. I realized that first things needed to come first. I’ve been a MWF blogger ever since. Sometimes, we feel guilty for things we don’t need to, and I’m glad you don’t!
I enjoyed the M-F routine, but something had to give, even with short posts. We’ll see what happens in the future … although I don’t see deleting any other days.
81 days….wooohooo!!!! Can’t wait! Even if you don’t blog every day, I hope you’ll keep updating your FB status with your word count. You inspire me, Beth.
One of my favorite quotes (obviously) is the one on my blog about cultivating an eye for life’s mercies.
I think we need to have you do a guest post about that, my friend. 🙂
It sounds like a wise decision, Beth. Don’t you love when this happens, when you “don’t know” and then suddenly “you know?” And then you know WHY you know and WHERE the answer came from!
MWF are my “work at writing days” so I usually read blogs on T/Th. (I’m usually at the nursing home at this time on Thursdays but am home sick today. Could use prayers as I am to fly to Salt Lake City next Tuesday to meet a new grandbaby and have much to do before then. Thanks!)
Your commitment to write has not gone unnoticed, Beth,and I know it’s affected others, as it has me, Beth.
Coleen-I love the idea of a quote document. (I keep a notebook but a document is so much faster!!) Thanks.
I’m thankful that I can encourage you and others, Patti. That’s always my heart’s desire. I know that others have done the same for me.
I love this quote, by the way, and all of the ones you post, Beth! (Just started the Quote document.) They are like bits of a road map, and truly do help us find the way to the life we want to live.
OOh … I’m seeing a visual … a quote map …
🙂
You’ve got your priorities right, Beth! Your debut novel is your newborn that needs the utmost attention and care. Blessings as you gear up and head down the home stretch!!
🙂 Right now my “debut baby” is cranky. I gotta get this thing to settle down today.
As one who still hasn’t gotten into the groove of regular blogging (wince), I am amazed you were even doing 5 days a week. Bravo & thanks for the inspiration to prioritize, and the courage to stick to your guns. Maybe I should take up the slack on T & Th since so many seem to be MWF. Maybe. Or not. For sure once a week. Twice a month at least. Or…often. How about when the mood strikes? Or stick with blogging when I have something profound & amazing to share, which is at least twice a year. *sigh* (Another side of “Priorities” to discuss some other time, perhaps….) 🙂
You GO girl. Get that novel written, I can’t wait.
Camille,
I love reading your blogs … when you do, um, blog. You’ll know when you’re ready to be a “regular” blogger.
But, then again, you’ll never be “regular.”
I KNOW, right?? (So am I off the hook??)
🙂
That’s wonderful. I was wondering how you were doing it all. I’ll be here reading, commenting or just thinking when you do post. Happy writing!
I was doing it all … but felt like it was time to find a little margin, as they say.
😉
I’m thankful you are one of the “regulars” in the conversation.
This couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I just decided last night to close down my blog because it was taking so much of my valuable writing, editing, and family time. It was a difficult decision to make, but I’m becoming more confident that it was the right one.
You made the right decision, Keri. A difficult decision, for sure, but the right one.
I read this post when you posted it, and it has been on my mind all weekend. I think God used it to confirm a few things in my life. Last week, as mentioned on my blog, I struggled with priorities. I’ve been thinking about increasing my blogging to 5-6 days a week instead of 3-4, because my heart is to interact with and help others. However, my priorities are not quite in tact now, and although my desires are for good things, the Lord confirmed that I cannot take on more blogging–and time away from my family–at this time. I commend you and respect you for making this decision. I’m sure it wasn’t easy! But it’s a good example to the rest of us!
I’m thankful you have clear direction, Christi. I admire you for waiting and listening.
Every day, Beth. Every day. LOL
I only blog once a week when I used to blog every other day. I miss the time I had to do all that blog-hopping, but once a week works too and I still feel like I’m maintaining my friendships and stayin abreast of what’s going on out there.
I hope you get the MS finished up!! 🙂
Whatever works the best …
And I finished the fast draft, despite real life interruptions.
Now on to rewrites.