Time feels like it’s flying by.
I’ve been working pretty hard lately and spending more time working than sleeping, eating, and relaxing combined. I’m not complaining, it’s just that when you get really wrapped up in what’s going on, you tend to forget what day it is. Tuesdays feel like Wednesdays. Thursdays feel like Fridays. Sundays feel like Mondays. I’m confused…what day is today?
I have goals to reach. Daily, weekly, monthly, and by the end of the year. I am trying to attain certain events before they pass me by. I want to do this, that, and the other thing. I have “to do” lists and grocery lists. I have notes, scraps of paper, and phone numbers jotted down in the car. Basically, there’s a lot going on – and most of it is real estate.
With all of that, there seems to be a lack of time. No, let me correct that, there isn’t a lack of time, there’s a lack of a controlled, acceptable speed to how that time passes. By the time I wrote that sentence I felt as if my day was shooting past me. Like watching the trees pass as I speed down the road, I see transactions, potential transactions, and everyday real estate work whizzing by my head. Zoom. Zip. Gone.
This is a good thing.
I’m not complaining, I love being busy and working hard. What interests me though is what I do when the pace picks up. Finding sense in the madness. Allowing myself time to do what I know is and has been essential to my business. What do I find so essential? Blogging. That’s right. The one thing we’re all here championing everyday is one of the essential keys to my business. And if I can’t remember what day it is, I may not be able to keep my business flowing.
The key to my blogging success (and I have begun to see the fruits of my labors) has been to try to do it more often than not. Whether it’s here, ActiveRain, or my own RErockstar.com site, I find that writing isn’t a hobby, it’s a dedicated part of my business.
It’s not a hobby, it’s a job.
Making blogging my job as opposed to my hobby is becoming more important to me everyday. I’ve seen the effects of taking a few days off here and there. I know of an agent who found himself ranking number one on Google for some very good keywords…how’d he do it? Wrote a post once a day for fifty days. Many of the posts weren’t even about real estate. Google recognized his overall theme and gave him authority on the topic and gave him the ranking to prove it. My consistency is not always there, so I’m going to have to try stepping up my game in that department. By blogging consistently, it’s like calling Google once a day and saying “hey, I’m over here – pay attention.” Sure there are other factors you can work into everything to make it notice you faster and more often, but the simple act of one-a-day can boost your blog to the top.
It’s time to decide where to invest myself and blogging is a huge investment that I’m ready to make work for me more than it already is. It doesn’t matter what day today is – I have an article to write.
photo courtesy of omniNate
Atlanta Real Estate
September 9, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Been there, done that. You can’t do everything at once.
The biggest time vampire is when you are physically out with clients. This kills entire groups of days and like you said, next thing you know it’s Friday and how did that happen.
However, being out with clients is how you make the money so it must take first priority. When you are with clients, just literally forget about all the internet stuff, blogging included. When you get back home from all the showings, you will have client follow up to do and prep for the next day. Again, just blow off the internet and get it done. One thing at a time, keeps you sane.
Lastly, call me really naive, dumb whatever, but how can one make a living from Blogging? Owning a big successful blog site and running ads?
Have a good night and chill,
Rob in Atlanta
Joe Loomer
September 10, 2009 at 7:54 am
Thanks Matt – I’ve been lax in my own efforts and saw my Google ranking drop by one spot – time to re-energize and get to posting!
Funny how we can trick ourselves into believing the clients are the time-suck when they’re the reason we’re doing it in the first place!
Navy Chief, Navy Pride
Missy Caulk
September 11, 2009 at 7:38 am
Hi Matt, I say that everyday. Blogging is a job, fun but a job. Sometimes other parts of our job scream at us and require more attention. Been there done that…back on track.
Matt Stigliano
September 11, 2009 at 7:39 am
Rob – I can’t always do everything at once and there are times where one thing must take precedence over another, that’s a fact of life. What I am learning is where there is time. I spend a lot of time in the car, which isn’t really great for blogging (laptop while driving is just a little dangerous for me). What it is good for is thinking about my next blog or which blog needs more attention. When I’m making dinner, I usually start writing out some of my next post, finding the photo for it, or dreaming up it’s title. After dinner, I can sit and focus.
I guess you could make a living with a blog site full of ads, but that’s not for me (I hate ad stuffing on websites and won’t even put a few seemingly innocent Google ads on my site). Blogging isn’t my only focus, but it is a core of my business plan.
Joe – When I’m out with clients I often find some of the best ideas for my next post. A simple question from the client can turn into a few posts in seconds. Sorry to hear you slipped one spot – hopefully you’ll gain two!
Atlanta Real Estate
September 11, 2009 at 7:46 am
Matt-
I got it.
” Blogging isn’t my only focus, but it is a core of my business plan.”
You were not saying you would/could quit everything else and just blog, I misread it.
Carry on my wayword son,
Rob