{A Blogger's Guide To Budgeting Time}

You've practiced spring cleaning to simplify your life, why not practice some fall time budgeting?! It's much easier than rearranging your wardrobe and all you have to do is read! I have created a set of rules for any blogger who really needs help managing their time. Just a few helpful hints from one ocd blogger to all of you... good luck!Rule #1: Identify Your Goals
What do you want from your blog? Do you have a specific demographic that you'd like to reach? How about an age group? What do you want to write about? Once you've decided on this criteria, create one long term goal for your blog. Next, set small yet reasonable short-term goals that will eventually lead you to your end goal. My personal long term goal is to be self-employed. Each time I complete a short term goal I reward myself in one way or another. It's incredible to look back and see how far I've come and how much closer I am to my end goal then when I first began blogging. It's also saved me the frustration of not knowing what my future holds. I'm creating my own future and it's wonderful.

Rule #2: There's Personal and then there's Private
It's a fine line to walk, but one that is very important. Telling the world wide web personal information about yourself is expected from a blogger. How old you are, your major in school, what you drank at your favorite coffee shop, you get the gist. These are things you could also tell an employer, acquaintance or someone on a first date. These bits of information make you who you are and allow you form friendships and relationships. They form trust - the most important aspect of lifestyle blogging. Your readers will feel comfortable and begin caring about you and the events you share with them. Be honest and get personal.
Private facts are delicate pieces of information, that contain an emotional connection. These details are ones you share with your best friend, boyfriend or your parents. Frankly, private information will only make readers feel uncomfortable. No one wants to hear (or needs to know) about your cramps, a fight with your friend or how unhappy you are with your body. It's all in the phrasing, for instance:

You have been really upset lately because a family member has taken ill. Instead of sharing the details of this private matter, communicate to your readers that you are having family struggles and ask for them to keep you in their prayers or good thoughts. Update them on the progress by saying that things are looking up and that you're grateful for all the kind things they've been saying, etc. This is appropriate and gets that weight off your chest. You are being open and it could explain certain behavioral traits you evoke on your blog.

Again, it's all in the phrasing. Get it? Good! Knowing the difference between personal and private information will cut your blogging time in half. Ideas will be more focused and direct. You'll be able to write more blogs, in less time with a more enjoyable reading experience.

Rule #3: Separate your blog from other areas of your life
This may seem like one of the hardest rules to honor. I've been there, toting around my camera to coffee with friends, just itching to get the perfect picture to show what I did over the weekend. On occasion, I'll get it. Most of the time however, it's a complete distraction and an unnecessary obligation I put upon myself. Here's the truth: Your blog is not your life! It should not interrupt your time with family, friends or from doing the things you enjoy most of all. When I began blogging, I felt the divided when it would come down to spending time with family or writing a blog post I had committed to post on a weekly schedule. So what did I do? I budgeted my blog time and here's how.

• Make a list of all your obligations, ie. work, classes, etc. I know that I work on weekdays anywhere between 40-60 hours each week. This is a large chunk of my time that is marked unavailable.
  
• Now, mark your free time according to the spaces in your Obligations list. I know that I have free time from 6-11pm on weeknights, all day on Saturday and Sunday.
• Mark the time you are willing to work on your blog. I do not want to waste my Friday nights or Saturday blogging when I can be out with friends, enjoying the vintage stores, and playing around town. I have chosen to work on my blog on Sunday afternoons (after I sleep in and clean the house) and Monday evenings (while I watch Gossip Girl, hehe).

This is how I created my own custom schedule. It keeps my life on track and allows me to complete my obligatory tasks, enjoy being around friends and family and I also get some me time. Since creating my blog schedule I have yet to feel trapped by my blog. It's been a huge weight off my shoulders.

Rule #4: Keep Track of Your Ideas
Once or twice a month take some quiet time for yourself to brainstorm. Let your mind be open and jot down what comes to mind in a notebook. Once you have a page full of ideas, go through and narrow it down to ideas you love. These ideas are the materials you can use to frame your blog posts. Don't follow the trends, start them! If some ideas don't pan out, keep them in your notebook for the future...you never know when an idea will develop. I can't tell you how many times I've lost a great idea for lack of writing it down. I learned my lesson. Your ideas after-all, are why you blog - keep track of them! Focusing a little time and energy into brainstorming will save you time and energy in the future. You'll be surprised how fast and fun this can make the process.

Rule #5: Are You Having Fun Yet?
Do you remember why you began blogging? I imagine the point was to bring some level of joy to your life. Take a moment and be honest with yourself - are you having fun yet? If the answer is yes, keep up the good work! If your answer is no, however, it's time to switch things up. Nothing is harder than attempting to write a blog you're unenthusiastic about. It's time to re-evaluate your blog content. Focus on things you're good at, things you love and things that inspire you. No way you can go wrong with passion and conviction in your tone. Whenever I write about something I'm excited about, I tend to fly through the post. I love seeing the feedback people give and it brings real joy to my blog life.

Obviously all these time budgeting rules are my personal opinions, but as I see many of my friends struggling with maintaining the commitments they've made I wanted to take a crack at easing their burden. Take a risk, grab a journal and see how setting up your own blog budget can benefit you and pave the way to a bright blog future! Happy planning!
xxoo chelsea