I am prone to making things more complicated than they should be, but oh my stars, I totally outdid myself last week.
I had this idea (famous last words) that I needed to simplify all of my blogging endeavors.
So, I set out to design an entirely new site and install it on all my blogs, thus seamlessly integrating all my online projects into one. By Saturday.
I know this will come as a shocker to you, but last night at 1:00 am, I had an ephiphany. It went something like this: Um…WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?
So after more than 5 days and 20 hours of work, a shortage of sleep, money spent on something I won't use, many hours of using the TV as a babysitter and nearly putting my head through a brick wall multiple times, I shelved it. Oh yes I did.
I'm not always the brightest bulb in the bunch, but there's one thing I do well and that is self reflection. Oh, I reflected last night. Boy did I. And here's what resulted:
1. There's no shame in quitting, except when you do it too late.
I certainly quit late but I don't think I quit too late. "Too late" means the damage is irreparable. Like I regularly say to my kids, most things in life are fixable. Sure, there's loss, but losing something valuable now makes us work harder to keep it in the future.
2. If you've got too much on your plate, no manner of rearranging will reduce your stress. You must pare down first.
I already said this so I don't think I have anything more to add other than, hello, this is simple math. I believe it to be true and one day, I'm gonna act like it. 
3. The best kind of failure is a fluke, not a pattern.
Everyone fails. Last week was my week! It's not so much that I fail, but how I fail. If my failure happened because I tried something new and it didn't go as planned, eh, live and learn. I have to pay attention to the ones that happen again and again because it means there's something deeper that needs to be addressed.
So much for simplifying!
I've gotta go read Tell Your Time again and remind myself what I wrote. Ha!
By the way, speaking of simplifying…how about $375 worth of simplifying tips for $29?
Oh yes, my friends, it's hard to go wrong here. There's a MONGO sale going on this week. $375 worth of ebooks about simplifying life for $29. Um, that's over a 90% discount. Ebooks from some of the best bloggers in the blogosphere.
Bonus blogging tip:
I can always find a good blogging tip somewhere.
My recommendation?
Buy the bundle and pick up great tips about simplifying your life. Then! Spy on other successful bloggers to learn their tips and tricks for writing ebooks! (You know that's what I'll be doing, right?) Tell Your Time is in the bundle too, so I'd be grateful for your support as well (I get an affiliate share).
Click on this image to see what you get and the amazing list of authors…
LOL Join the club!
#2 is the one that's getting to me. But how, oh how, do you cut back when you've already cut back to the basics? I'm so afraid blogging will end up on the chopping block. Sigh!
Maybe the solution is to exercise so much and eat so well that you can cut out 2 hours of sleep a night, which would net you an extra hour a day, once you add up the extra time used up by exercising and eating well….
LOL, well, I suppose that's one way of trying to make it work. But then life without chocolate and peanut butter would be so not my cup of tea.
Good points… Problem is, I really like to have a lot on my plate: until mornings like this when I have to call a prospective client and appologize while trying to resched our consultation b/c I forgot about a class at that time
Oops
And Amy, I don't even want to think about live if there were no chocolate or Peanut Butter!
Okay, I know it stinks, but sometimes it's nice to read things like this. So many big bloggers put on a happy face. In an attempt to be positive and upbeat, so many bloggers paint a really rosy picture of perfection. But, it's nice to be reminded that you are human like the rest of us and things don't always work out the way you intend!
So sorry for your week though, all that wasted time must have been so frustrating! I had a similar thing happen last week. I had transferred my blog to wordpress from google, but lost my 150+ followers. So, I decided to go back. I spent hours creating my blogger blog, and at the last minute, google deleted my entire google account–my blog, all my photos stored on picasa, my email, and tons of other stuff. So frustrating, but you move on.
PS–just to clarify, I don't like that it happened, only that you chose to share your not-so-perfect moment with us as well as the good ones.
Oh I know exactly what you're saying.
I'm so sorry to hear about your mishap as well. Bummer.
I think blogging is dangerous for us in that it's easy to only put our best face out there. My goal is to be transparent and say things like they are, like how I sabotage myself, get jealous and just generally waste way too much of my time whining.
Crystal, that is terrible! I thought I was the only one back-tracking lately. I will visit your site right after I leave a comment for Amy.
Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us. I don't feel so "alone" now because I have done things similar to this
I do try to run things past my husband first so that he can "analyze" the situation. I don't always agree though – and that usually gets me into trouble as well 
LOL, I often kick myself after not listening to my husband too.
Good thoughts, Amy! I have had a couple of computer projects that have sapped my time and energy…they are a necessary evil. Simplifying my life is an ongoing challenge for me. Thanks for your post.
MakingTheWriteConnections
Oh Amy–You sound so much like me–except you have the time management think down WAY more than I do!! Thanks for the post.
Uh, well…I'm not so sure about having the time management thing down.
I often tell my husband I feel like a total hypocrite because that nice little schedule I created in Tell Your Time? Well, lately, it has been totally thrown out the window.
Amy we are in the same boat. I'm calling it unrealistic to do lists. I've been tracking my blogging time to figure out what I am reasonably capable in a day. It's much less than I expect of myself.
And yes, there's no shame in quitting.
I know, in my head, I am totally superwoman. I like living in that thought…and it's always such a drag when I realize my reality is so not superwoman.
I would save myself so much stress if I would just stopping thinking more highly of myself than I ought. LOL
I always remind myself that we really don't move forward without these moments of failure…babies learn to walk by getting up, taking a few steps, falling down… and getting up again. We're born to be resilient & persistent! As one who tends to walk cautiously, I think I'd grow more with a little more "failure" in my life, rather than avoiding risk, Time management only goes so far in preventing these choices! Good job for taking a risk! I bet you learned lots- and you're already sharing nuggets with us!
So true! I'd much rather fail than not have tried at all. Well, with blogging anyway. I agree, there's so much good stuff to learn through it!
I think one thing to remember is that a lot of the big bloggers have a team of paid posters.
If it seems impossible for one person to do it all, it probably is!
Time management is pretty much a lifelong battle of mine. Some how I thought I'd be more of a grown-up by now! Thanks for the honesty, as always, Amy!
Again, I can't believe how much you sound like me! I've got plans for 5 new sites. I'm trying to find a way to not have to let any of them go! (they do cover only two topics so that makes it easier). I see some outsourcing in my near future!
Great post as usual.
Makes me think of John Maxwell's book called, "Failing Forward". Basically failure will happen, but it's what we learn from it and whether we use it as a learning experience to go forward or let it totally defeat us. It's too easy for me to want to give up when something doesn't turn out like I thought!
I feel a bit better; you know I think you are the best so I am sorry to admit I am happy it's not just me. I have so many ideas that twist and turn that by the time I am close to the finish line I realize the work wasn't necessary but I try not to feel bad but figure out the lesson?? (if there is one, haha). Blogging is not easy when you are starting out especially…your thoughts go in so many directions. I am going to try to "get it together" soon!!!
#2 reminded me of meetings I had with my former boss back when I was 24-25. She was in her first management position, the company was downsizing, and everyone was doing the jobs of like 3 people and everything had to be done yesterday.
OK, maybe that was an exaggeration, but it seemed like my list of things do to seemed very overwhelming. I sat down with my boss and showed her my to-do list, explaining that I needed help prioritizing, and that perhaps some things were such a low priority they could be removed from the list.
She helped me prioritize, but nothing was removed from the list, and I suspect some of the things weren't really that important. And half of my to-dos were still a "level A" priority. (I was using the Franklin Covey planner at the time.)
I can relate to using the TV as a baby sitter too. I try to plan an activity for my kids in my morning so I feel somewhat less guilty about the hours my 5 year old spends in front of the TV while my 2 year old naps, and I do various projects.
My self-diagnosis: Website Creation Disorder. Sometimes it's true business development. Other times it's simply the "doing" trap. A fun distraction (but not wholly productive), to see what I can make of it. Then I get satisfaction from paring down!
This is so me.
Wow this is totally me right now! In an effort to simplyify my blog I actually complicated it and ended up going through a week of total overhaul and regret. It all seems to have worked out in the end but like you said…keep it simple is better!
Great insight as usual! I think it is a blessing that you share your self-reflection with us. I try my best to look within but I think I am best at rationalizing, lol. I am really good at making excuses for myself. It is something that I work on daily (hourly?) In the mean time, thank you for sharing
Wow! My Monday post this week is a cry for HELP! I suddenly realized that I was on major overload.
I called out for writers to guest post for me…and I will advertise it on FB and Twitter like crazy. If it's really good, it'll get Stumbled, too.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! I am so new at blogging and I have been using your site to get up and running . Your information is written for people like me who need to read it and even watch it too! I love your blog and love it that your transparent too. Any feedback for a new blogger would be welcome. Blessings to you!
I'm glad it's helpful, Pam, and my advice is slow & steady!
I do this ALL the time. I usually end up going back to what I'm good at and what works…but in between that time, I make things harder than they should be!
The IRS and the Texas State Comptroller's office don't seem to be on board with helping me "simplify my life" – Quarterly Sales Taxes and Annual Income Taxes due within three days of each other – the Perfect Storm!
So glad to be done with both!
Hope you have a better week.
This poem has ministered to me lately as my goals have been a little bigger than my schedule can handle.
Bradford Torrey 1875
Not so in haste, my heart!
Have faith in God and wait.
Although He linger long,
He never comes too late!
He never comes too late;
He knoweth what is best.
Vex not thyself in vain;
Until He cometh rest.
Until He cometh, rest,
Nor grudge the hours that roll;
The feet that wait for God
Are soonest at the goal,
Are soonest at the goal
That is not gained by speed;
Then hold thee still my heart,
For I shall wait His lead!
Totally understand!!!
Amy, Sorry you had a bad week but love that you shared it with us. I try my best to do the same on my blog and I wonder if in the sharing I'm coming off as some wishy-washy loonie bird… but after reading your post and the helpful replies I've learned that I am in good company! Here's to changing ones mind and sharing.
Me? I've perfected wishy-washy.
That is too funny because after reading number 3 I was thinking..you must go back and read your FANTASTIC ebook..LOL Live and Learn for sure..the best part..you shared it! Thanks again Amy
I feel so good knowing "I'm not the only one" who experiences moments like this. Phew! So frustrating but at least you can somewhat smile about it too.
Am stopping by today to award you the Versatile Blogger award. Feel free to check out this post for all the details. I love your blog. Congrats!
Oh dear…I sent the wrong link on your blogger award post. Please forgive me. Here's the correct one. http://www.cornerstoneconfessions.com/2012/04/versatile-blogger.html
Thank you for your honesty. It helps the rest of us who do the same things!!
Hi Amy,
My first time here (landed here through some combination of clicks). There's a question that's been on my mind a lot lately, and it's about simplification. I currently have two blogs of my own that are very very different and so can't be, nor should they be, cross-marketed. This then means that not only do I have two blogs, but two overall online social media identities.
Additionally, I help manage social media platforms for some clients and represent the agency I work for in an online presence.
Finally, I have a third blog/website I want to start that WILL overlap with one of the other two I mention, and it really does need to be it's own space.
So my question, if I can sum it up (simplify, heh) is do you have to operate different social media identities, and if so how do you manage it? And anything else you want to add.
Well, I have to say, I'm trying to figure out how to do the opposite–combine all my online stuff into one online identity! It's easier said than done and I find myself going 'round and 'round about if I should do it and how exactly to do it. So, I'm not sure I'm much help to you here. I would probably use the multi-site feature on WordPress to make blogging easier and then I'd use tools like HootSuite to make social media interaction easier.
Hi Amy,
I have enjoyed your blog – however, I am still SCARED to start a website for my small business and Bloging! I just watched the 2 minute ad on Wix.com that seems easy enough. I have so many questions like when I make a comment on your blog how do I add a picture of myself like you have. Plus I want to be able to link my blog and website to an existing website through the company that I am a consultant with. I feel like maybe I need to hire someone to get me started and help me sort out what I really need or want to accomplish! Any suggestions? It seems I have a little learning curve I need to over come! I am computer literate just illerate at blogging, websites and doing business on the internet. Thanks for listening. Ruth
Hi Amy,
I have looked all over the net as well as on savvy blogger for a good marketing blueprint, but thought that I want to hear if you have a recommendation on this one first. You are the person that I trust, and believe in getting an honest opinion and answer from.
Thanks Amy.
Zanet.
Hi Zanet! Are you looking for a marketing blueprint for your blog or ebook or something else?
For my blog.
No, I don't have a specific marketing blueprint, however, if you really want a comprehensive resource, check out The Noob Guide to Online Marketing. I'll warn you though, it could be overwhelming, but it's certainly thorough.
Thank you Amy. At this stage I feel like I have leprosy and has been casted from the village. I asked for help and was told "aokey", just to be left in the dark…I think my skin is not thick enough, but it is a struggle. I have been trying so hard and it feels like I am just hitting a wall all the time.
Thank you for the info I will give it a try. I really appreciate it.