Knowing When to Give Up

I signed up for the A-Z Blogging Challenge this year with one blog -- this one -- but for all the wrong reasons.  I wanted to be able to say I did it.

While it might be enough for some, I had to stop and analyze whether the effort to blog every day was going to be worth it to me and have decided that it's not. I have several blogs, and even though I did the challenge once with four of them, it didn't do much for me except allow me to display a badge on the sidebar.

Maintaining a successful blog takes time and effort, and doesn't happen overnight.  One of the biggest challenges most bloggers face is to post consistently, and the A-Z challenge can certainly help you build good habits in that regard, but that doesn't work for everyone.  I've never been consistent enough with my blogging to make any money at it, and earning a buck is my goal, not a badge.

I write articles for pay and have a hard enough time focusing on the things that bring revenue, and blogging in the A-Z challenge every day is going to take away from that.  I know my limitations, and also know that if I take on the challenge, I'll want to complete it.  I can't afford to do that.

What I AM doing is a little different spin on the original AtoZ Challenge.  I'm going to write and publish an article every day that corresponds to the letter of the day in the original challenge.  It might be for one of my columns on Examiner (Dogs, Crafts, TV, or Christian Entertainment),  or YCN (about anything at all).  I won't get a shiny badge, but I will earn money, and of course have the satisfaction of completing a goal that makes more sense for me to strive for.

So I'm not dropping out of the big picture of the challenge entirely, but I am taking this blog out of the running in the original AtoZ Challenge and not going to feel guilty about it.   I'm not quitting, I'm readjusting. There's no shame in reevaluating goals to fit what's best for you.

~ Marie Anne