I have a problem: I need to maintain and extend two blogs, two WordPress plugins, and start work on a new piece of code for a web application.
I have to blog and program…
…but blogging and programming seem to require slight but important differences in how I work. Blogging requires a different sort of attention than programming. This difference is evident. Most bloggers do not program, and most programmers blog only once in a while, if at all.
Reactionary blogging
So much of what I read about blogging success falls into a category I call “reactionary.” Successful bloggers have to stay on top of everything, all the time! Having Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) seems to be an advantage for successful bloggers!
Successful bloggers must:
- Regularly keep an eye on trending topics
- Watch traffic on a regular basis
- Manage business systems for advertising
- Maintain the blogging system
- There’s more, leave a comment!
These activities require pounding on different parts of your brain, requiring your to shift context. With more experience, you will build a “blogging context” which will make it easier.
Actionary programming
Programming requires action, forethought, planning and long spans of concentrated attention. I call this “actionary.” People with ADD, otherwise brilliant, sometimes have a hard time sitting down long enough to be effective on a long term programming project.
Blog and program if possible!
Blogging and programming together can be very difficult, unless you limit the blogging topics to stay very close to your programming.
Do you have experience doing both? Would you like to discuss it? (I’m thinking of you, JP, and this would make an excellent guest post as well!)
If so, please tell us about it!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Sometimes I feel like my blogs are pets. I have to feed them, clean them, take them for walks, play with them, whatever.
When I ignore them for a day or two, I think I can hear them barking and whimpering, asking for attention.
Sean´s last blog ..What is a woodblock print?
Sean, by God, I think you’re on to something! Something big!
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