If you’re reading this in an email, you need to click over to see the fancy, high-tech graph I’ve created to show the status of my blog goals for 2009.
I set three goals for my blog at the beginning of 2009: to get to 50,000 page views per month, reach 3,000 subscribers/followers, and earn $500/month. I did all three, which is great, but I’ve also seen a real problem in the amount of time I’m spending on the computer, mostly fooling around on Twitter and reading other blogs, versus other things I used to do–like standing, stretching, walking, moving. I wish I was kidding. I wasn’t in great shape at the top of the year, and I can tell things are worse now. I have problems with the circulation in my legs when I sit at the computer for any amount of time, I have a nice callous from the mousepad, and I get a sore shoulder from too much typing. It’s time to make a change.
My goals for 2010?
1) Be more active. Hard to do with three small children in a winter climate, but I vow to move around my house more. Go up and down the stairs (instead of sending a toddler to fetch things for me), dance with the kids, walk when I can get outside, try the Wii Fit again, etc. Sit at the computer less (see #2) Since I’m a numbers person, the easiest way to make this measurable for me is to wear a pedometer.
2) Sit at the computer less. This is tough. I love the computer. I love my blog. I love writing. I love reading blogs, laughing at blogs, getting inspiration on all things decor, crafts, cooking, parenting, etc. I love zoning out to computer games. I love chatting on Twitter when I’m stuck in the house with three little ones and 20 inches of snow and there’s no other adults around. Sigh. But I need to decrease my computer time, so here’s my plan. I’m going to schedule work time, use my time wisely, and learn to write faster. I’m not a fast writer. I go off on a tangent, edit while I write (you’re not supposed to do that), spend time clicking around looking for coupons, etc. I need to get better at this and my work time will be much more effective.
I will write out some real, tangible goals for the blog this weekend, so look for those Monday along with all my highfalutin’ plans. I like to have a combination of numbers-reality and fantasy-crazy, just to keep me on my toes. Have a Happy New Year’s Eve!
I'd love to read more about how you make money on your blog!!! Please share.
I just wanted to pipe in here. I love your blog. I have received a number of excellent ideas and tips, so it is only fair to pass one back. I know how hard winter can be. It wasn't until I moved to Minnesota a few years ago that I finally learned to enjoy winter. Try snowshoeing. I am addicted to it. You can usually rent a pair for about $15 dollars or so. Where I live we don't have that option, so our local library has pairs you can check out and try it before buy your own. It's great for kids too. I have a niece and a nephew that HATE the cold and snow, but now they want to snowshoe any chance they get.
Hope it helps!
Annie
Pelican Rapids MN
I think those are wonderful New Year's Resolutions.
Good luck in turning them into reality! 
Thanks for the support! LLK–I'm starting a series in January on how to make money on your blog, so stay tuned…
I'm with you Gina! After caring for my Mother who just had her hip replaced, Hubby and I have vowed to take care of ourselves in the hopes that we don't have to ask our girls to care for us. We'll see how it goes! Look forward to seeing you in 2010! Here's to being healthy enough to keep up with our kids!
I hear ya! My butt has doubled in size this year….at the same proportion of my site growth!!! ha ha!
I LOVE your blog so I'm glad to see you met your goals for 2009. I'm with you on the exercise part so I'll be interested to see what plans you come up with. We moved the exercise bike from the dark, isolated basement up to the office so part of my plan is to get back on it. . .
Your blog is great and I love reading that you reached your 2009 goals!!! I, like you, LOVE my computer time. And it does get away from me too. Here are a few things I do to help monitor myself: Not allowed on the computer until X,Y,&Z are done (in your case it could be up and down the stairs so many times, for me it is a list of morning "chores". . .b'fast, load of laundry, etc) and then I set my kitchen timer. Since the timer is in another room I have to physically get up, away from the computer, to turn it off. I'm right there with you on this one — it is so HARD. Good luck to you!!
i am laughing becuz you sound exactly like me!! only you get way more readers than i do and i don't earn any money.
Your graph is pretty funny and it looks like we have a lot in common. I need to move around more as well. I have some health issues that prevent me from sitting for long that that discomfort can be really bad. I find that moving every 10-30 minutes is very helpful. Can sometimes interrupt the creative process, but necceary for comfort.
I love your blog… Happy New Year.
Thanks for all the time you do spend on blogging. Your blog and many others have inspired me to blog also. I can't wait until my 16yo son to finish creating my blog. I also appreciate you putting it all into perspective. I easily get sucked into the computer as well. I LOVE Twitter, Facebook and reading the many, many blogs I subscribe to, including yours. I will need to follow your example when I start blogging.
I am so with you on the blog growth = weight gain issue. I think I need to have a treadmill-powered laptop!
Like you, I have twins and a singleton… and sometimes the internet is my only connection to the outside world, so I know how challenging it is to find a balance.
I'm thinking a kitchen timer and streamlined to-do list will help. Or maybe I have to do 15 crunches before I can go online!
I too love your blog Gina… but I'm right there with you… the computer can totally suck me in and time just flies by. Time for me to work on prioritizing as well!!!
Thanks for all the encouragement. So far in 2010, I'm still eating like I'm on holiday and not getting around much. Hopefully with school starting Monday I can get into gear.