is this year any different?

At the start of every new year I write up my goals for the year, breaking them down into different categories and writing an action plan (generally just a couple of steps) for how I aim to achieve these goals.  Invariably, somewhere in that list is the goal 'Blog more'. Like most goals, I start the year with good intentions but it hasn't lasted. I don't blog more. Im not quite sure why it doesn't happen. I enjoy writing, I love to share ideas and techniques and I often bemoan that the limited interface of platforms like Instagram and Facebook doesn't allow for in-depth learning or real discussion. But yet, I still don't blog, and as I'm writing this I'm trying to figure out why that is. Is it because blogs no longer have the same engagement rate they once did? Is it that I feel like I'm possibly just talking to myself? Or is it that the whole "busyness" and demand of the other social media leaves little time or room for blogging? Perhaps it's that in writing out my action plan for my goals I don't really think through how I'm going to achieve this one, beyond "just do it". 

I'm not sure if I've shared my approach to staying on top of all the different weekly tasks of a small business. I have a timetable, much like a high school student does. It seems incredibly anal, particularly for someone like me who doesn't follow time and lacks organisational skills, but it's what I know from my previous existence as a teacher. It's my one-known sure fire way for keeping on top of things. If I know that on Wednesday afternoons at 1:30 onwards I'll be either writing a newsletter or a blog post, it makes it easier to keep on track. I don't tend to procrastinate about what I should be doing, or get distracted by shiny projects.  I'll fully admit that I'm not always fantastic at sticking to my timetable, I do "wag" and sometimes do my own thing or the kids' activities dictate otherwise. This year, however, with that big fat Wednesday 1:30 Blogging or Newsletter boldly inked on my timetable will hopefully see some writing action. 

Beyond the setting myself a clearly defined time to actually write, a goal like "2-3 blog posts per month" really doesn't cut it or lay any foundations for success. So what to write about? What is it that I want to share or write about? What is it that I have to share that would be worth reading?  What is it in this industry that I feel passionate about? If you follow me on Instagram or have read previous posts, you'll know that I'm passionate about Australian local yarn and supporting our local producers. You'll know I'm passionate about natural fibres. You'll know that I love a good knitting short cut because at heart I'm a lazy knitter. You may even know that I like a nifty technique. And right there I have it, a direction for what I'm going to write about - not just the two words "blog more" but something to actually blog about; Aussie yarns and producers, stuff about different fibres, tricky tips and techniques. And that my friend, I think is a good start.

But it's just a start, and I do need to refine it down a bit more to specifics because "Aussie yarns and producers" as a blog topic is pretty wide and honestly looks like a topic for inviting procrastination. So hit me with your best shots readers, what would you like to read about? What yarns/producers do you want to know more about? Do you want yarn reviews? What aspect of our industry intrigues you? Is there a technique you'd like to see me explain a bit more about? What do you think we should be having a discussion about? Hit me with it!

Georgie xx