Adjusting expectations
Post: 17 Word count: 9324 Words to go: 90,676
Okay, it looks like I’m going to have to adjust my expectations. Less than three weeks into the 2010 Blog Project, I realize it is just unrealistic to think I am going to be able to do this every day, at least not to the standard to which I hold myself.
When I made the 365-day resolution, I created a few rules for myself, which I did not publish. For example, I was never going to cop out with a single line post such as: “I don’t feel like blogging today,” which would have technically counted; I wouldn’t publish without doing my very best to make sure it was grammatically correct, factually accurate, fair and balanced; and I would refrain from stream-of-consciousness ramblings in favour of coherent, editorial-style columns.
Finally, I set a goal of writing an average of 500 words a day.
Alas, as so many resolutions go, that bar is much too high. Perhaps that is why so long ago I decided not to make New Year resolutions. If I were making a living at this or had some kind of motivation for concrete gain other than the satisfaction of succeeding, it may be a different story. If thousands of people were reading in daily expectation of my profundity, I would likely be compelled to a new level of discipline.
Unfortunately, I have far too many other things on my plate and I must admit I have failed in just 21 days. Sigh.
All is not lost, however. The exercise did prove to me that I can at least keep the thing going. As such, I have modified the goal to keep up Blogging at the Big Dog with a modified goal of one year and 100,000 words.
Ok Thom, after adjusting my reading expectations for the year I have now caught up, I need something good to read again, you can continue…please.
Hey, I didn’t think “adjusting expectations” included quitting blogging altogether. I think I can safely speak for your fans by urging an occasional “blog”, subject of your choice!
I like the idea of adjusting expectations based on setting a goal, striving to achieve it and learning from experience. Coming as it does at the beginning of a new year, this particular article is as good for the reader as it is for the writer. In choosing to “lower the bar” in order to “maintain a high standard” one does not have to “throw in the towel”. This is good stuff, Thom. Thanks!
I like the idea of adjusting expectations based on setting a goal, striving to achieve it and learning from experience. Coming as it does at the beginning of a new year, this particular article is as good for the reader as it is for the writer. In choosing to “lower the bar” in order to “maintain a high standard” one does not have to “throw in the towel”. This is good stuff, Thom. Thanks!
You need not feel failure; you are partially successful and the quality has been top-rate. David Warren only writes a column for The Citizen three times a week and he has the Divine on his side!
Ditto to everything BJ said. I’ve enjoyed reading your columns, Thom and I’ll keep checking in to catch any you write. Thanks.
Good plan. And luckily for us you are not abandoning the whole resolve. We will keep posted and enjoy however many columns you manage. Thanks.