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Saturday, April 03, 2021

It's Okay to Try Something New (Then Change Your Mind)




This past month I made an enormous mistake of getting an idea. I have to say it was actually a pretty brilliant idea, and I even made efforts into making it happen.

Then I changed my mind.

I don't know about you but I get "bright shiny object" syndrome when it comes to stuff with my blog and writing. I like to go after new ways of doing things, and that's happened to me a couple of times this year. First, I wanted to do some massive celebration of my blog's 10 year anniversary. I even started contacting some of the original contributors from when I first launched my blogs and some of the authors I featured those first few years.

Well, that fizzled out when I didn't hear from anyone. Then I began to wonder how worth my idea was to pursue.

Then I got another, and likely you heard about it. I wanted guest book reviewers on my blog because I felt like it filled a need of people wanting to review books and connect them with the authors who want reviews.

I got it all set up - like really set up, way more than I thought I'd do - and then I realized something:

What am I doing?

This year has been a doozy. WOW! has been wildly busy with tours, and then my new job has really taken off this year. I'm barely giving my brain a mental break. Then it didn't help that not a single soul on my email list expressed an interest in participating when my first newsletter went out.

I wondered if this energy was worth it? 

I asked myself...is this really where I want to put my mind during my off time?

I realized the answer is no.

If you are anything like me, and you tend to want to try out new projects, and see how far they get - kudos to you! I encourage you to keep trying because you just never know.

However, there's a lot to be said about knowing when you've hit your limit and taken on too much. I remember years ago when I was really active on my writing blog, I hosted a weekly writing prompt, and for the longest time, I loved it. Until that began to add to my stress at work and further drained me. So, I had to back out, even though I felt really bad for a while. Even missed it. Yet, I was glad I set those limits. 

So now, I've realized it again, but luckily I didn't get too deep into this.

Of course, I'll still be reviewing books on my blog, and featuring authors as much as I can, but I'll be giving myself enough room to back away and ease up when I need to. And that is something I hope I don't forget the next time another bright shiny idea comes along.

Nicole is a writer, blogger, bookworm, and blog tour manager who obviously bites off more than she can chew sometimes. Say hi to her on Twitter by visiting @BeingTheWriter, or follower her writing blog, WorldofMyImagination.com, where she promises not to get sidetracked by time-consuming ideas that go nowhere.

7 comments:

  1. Nicole--Realizing your limitations--and your priorities--is crucial when it comes to writers. We... uh, we digress at times. Shiny things. New projects. A brilliant gem of an idea.

    I applaud you for reflecting and rethinking. Your time is valuable, Nicole. You're wise to protect it.

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  2. Nicole, I've been there! You know I always check in with you, and others I work with, to make sure you're not starting to get burned out. I know it all too well, and I want to prevent it from happening if I can, whether it's bringing on another person to help or finding other solutions. You're smart to realize when you've taken on too much. Starting new projects takes a lot of energy! I admire you for going for it, and they are great ideas, but it takes a lot of time to grow them and your health and well being come first. :)

    One thing I'm a sucker for is self improvement, investing in intensive workshops that take a lot of time. And I just signed up for Camp NaNo yesterday! I'm only putting myself down for 20k this month though. It's all about finding balance.

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  3. I so relate to this. For months now, I've gathered gear together to start a YouTube channel. I even wrote out scripts. However, to my dismay (and my husband's disappointment in the cash I've spent), I realized even if I did post the first video, my schedule wouldn't allow me to be consistent (which is key to getting views and possible subscribers). I haven't taken it completely off the stove, yet. I just moved it to the back burner. I knew starting the posts wouldn't end well...at least not right now.

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  4. I too have done this Nicole, and had to realize that every bright idea, if it's going to cause me to feel stressed or overwhelmed, it may not be the best idea, or I may need to revisit it at a later time if that idea keeps popping up. I agree with Sioux, "your time is valuable and you're wise to protect it", and Angela, "it's about finding balance." I'm glad you're learning to do both.

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  5. @Sioux: Thank you Sioux! That was definitely easier said than done of course but I feel so much better having done so!

    @Angela: It sure does! And I had to let a few people know I was backing out; I got snark from one, but understanding from most, and I'm glad for it. I have felt so much more relaxed this weekend having prioritized right!

    @Angela H. : That's the block I ran into! I realized I would need to faithfully stick with this and I just didn't have it in me to commit to this idea like that. Maybe one day I'll change my mind but I can't imagine that being anytime soon.

    @Jeanine: Thank you! I like the idea of being open to revisiting it later, that's for sure. It definitely isn't easy to prioritize like that!

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  6. It's a skill like any other, Nicole, knowing when to say when! And yes, your time is valuable so take care of yourself by protecting the time you invest in projects (said the writer who is STILL learning that lesson. :-)

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  7. @Cathy: It really is a skill! Ha and it's a daily battle to win, isn't it?

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