3 Reasons This Blog Is Moving (And Improving)
Written by Dave Navarro on April 2, 2008
You may have noticed a bit of radio silence on the blog lately. But my inbox, on the other hand, has been on fire. I’ve been trading phone calls, emails and instant messages with a number of people who run successful blogs, and they all have the same message for me: “Focus your blog, man.” And so I will.
The new focus of this blog will be more on productivity tips and time management for life/business rather than on business strategy - basically, how to manage your day (and your focus) better rather than how to get your business to make money faster. So in just a short while when I get the technical details worked out, I’ll have a new domain name and a changed feed for you to update to. Moving a blog isn’t a small undertaking, as I saw with James’ and Harry’s move just a few months back. Whenever you change a feed and domain name, you’re bound to lose subscribers who don’t update (which hurts), but their blog is more popular than ever and is growing like crazy (which makes it worth it).
3 Reasons Why A Move Is A Good, Good Thing
The move will be good for everyone - for you and for me, for 3 good reasons:
- First, you’ll be getting more targeted articles. My posts on time management, productivity, and “getting unstuck” consistently get more traffic than the ones on business strategy. So my blog audience (that’s you!) will get more of what it’s coming here for.
- Second, the move will help the blog grow as I’ll still be writing business strategy articles - I’ll just be doing it on other blogs as guest posts or regular writing positions. When I write articles on business blogs on business strategies, tasty 500+ Digg goodness ensues, which translates to more traffic here.
- Third, focusing on productivity will help me make sure my blog is fulfilling my core business objectives as Michael Martine outlines them - since this blog has been a great vehicle to my time management audio coaching course and my early riser program.
Now It’s Your Turn - What Topics Do You Want To See?
I’ll probably still keep this blog’s tagline: “Get Focused, Work Smarter, and Stomp Your Stress Levels Flat, Baby!” because that’s what I’ll be writing about. In light of that, what topics in that area do you want to see me cover first? Drop your suggestions in the comments section below and I’ll put it in the stack of topics to write about. Thanks, and I’ll let you know when the move is coming, Dave
As one of the first (if not the first) to suggest a blog overhaul in a major way, I’m looking forward to seeing what comes.
What I like about your blog - you write well. You nail it. You’re interesting and entertaining, so I read more. When a post goes up, I’m here.
You have GOOD content. Productivity? I’m not too much into that. But you talk a lot about efficiency, and I’m all over that. How to do more with less versus doing less to get more. See the difference?
Glad to see you taking my advice. Please do not sue me later, okay?
If there’s one thing we don’t need, it’s another “lifehacking” kind of blog, so please don’t do that.
I appreciate great tool recommendations and reviews and tips that help us see ourselves in a new way so that we can get around our own self-created obstacles. I like to be challenged to think and reconsider why or how I do things.
Hm. Leverage it with some sort of fast consult.
Let’s say I came to you and said, “Dave, I have way to many emails.”
Somehow, you could tell me how to better handle my time so I could get the management out of the way to have more free time for other stuff.
Like a drive-by consult or like a “ask dave a question”. Case Study Mondays. Like that, yeah?
@James -
Thanks for the props. I’ll be sure to tackle efficiency on a regular basis for you. Love the drive-by consult idea. (If anyone doesn’t know what I mean by that, check out how James is doing it.)
@Michael -
Trust me, this will *never* be Lifehacker-ish. Life does not need to be hacked, and technology and gimmicks rarely help. I’ll be focusing on how to make habit changes / perspective changes that help you move past those self-created obstacles.
Awesome. I’m so on board with that!
Glad to hear that Michael! Be sure to send your billion subscribers my way
Awesome! I was kinda wondering where you’ve been. I agree with Michael, life-hacking, while it’s a ‘hot’ niche right now it’s also a really crowded one.
I just love your writing, so honestly, no matter what you chose to write about I’ll be there… ok, I have a thing for posts about efficiency and time management… Of course I’m here cause the information is kick-ass, but one of the main reason is cause your writing rocks! (how many times have I told you that? hehe)
Dave,
I know from first hand experience your advice works (that is if you read the instructions first…). Glad to see you’ve decided to stick to what you do best.
@Jon -
Yeah, kinda dropped off the radar for a little while there. Took some time off to get the focus back - and I am back now! Check your email in 10 minutes for a recap
@Harry -
Instructions are good stuff. So’s listening to you and James. Thanks for all the encouragement over the last few months!
I’d love to hear more about time management for people who fit freelancing in around another job.
I was excited about the early riser program until about two weeks into it and it was clear I was actually getting a lot less done. When it’s time for work, freelancing had to stop, but at night, I can just push a little later if I get in a groove.
I may have not done it right - I admit getting up early was a new concept for me.
Anyhow, I enjoy this blog, and will be following you when you move.
Thanks.
@Kara -
You’ll get your wish - as I’m doing exactly that! I’m building my freelancing business while working a full-time job with a long commute …
As for getting up & productivity - it’s different for everyone according to temprament/work styles. It was hard for me to move away from the night owl side (I was a typical bed-at-1am entrepreneur) because I could get in my night groove after all were asleep, once I made the change to earlyness I found it easier to focus and balance.
Also keep in mind that you were implementing a significant change in your life, and that takes ime to get used to. It took time for me, that’s for sure.
But if you truly feel you’re wired for late-night productivity, you can still take advantage of all the components of the program that are designed to help you get more restful sleep when you do hit the sack - which will make getting up the next day a whole lot easier.
Which is very helpful when you have the occasional very very late night, which happens to me more often than I’d like …
Great to have you here, Kara. The move’s coming soon and you’ll love the new content that comes up. Check out today’s post as well.
I never saw the original - but this looks interesting and motivating to me. I’m looking forward to seeing more.
Sylvia -
Haven’t moved just yet, so this *is* the original
Just getting the new theme / images squared away … it’s gonna be fun!