Monday, November 17, 2008

Adventures in Time Management and Other Horror Stories - Part I

When I first started blogging, I'd write each post the night before it was due to publish. Although someone mentioned scheduling posts, yours truly had no clue how to accomplish this task. Net result: stress-out time.

A fellow-blogger put me out of my misery by teaching me the mysterious process of scheduling a post. For all of you scratching your heads, it's easy. When you're creating a post, there's a button on the bottom, left-hand side of the page that says, "Post Options." Click on it. Put in the date and time you want to publish, and hit the save draft button. Once you're satisfied with the post, hit the publish button. Don't worry, it won't publish until the date and time you've specified.

Another blogger mentioned she creates posts for two weeks at a time, schedules them, and she's done. This inspired me to block out a couple of hours each week. So, if I'm sick, I no longer have to drag myself to the computer or skip a post. If I'm on vacation, at a conference, or life gets crazy, no problem. My posts will publish automatically.

There is something satisfying about completing one or two weeks' worth of posts at a sitting. It's one less thing on my to-do list for the upcoming week. Then I can sit back and enjoy responding to reader comments. Ah, I can skip the chocolate tonight. Maybe I'll lose some of those pounds I put on and can't seem to shed.

8 comments:

Jessica Nelson said...

You're right. There have been a few times I scheduled mine and it definitely loosened me up.
Time management is so important. Good post.

Sarah said...

Hmm, I didn't realize it was that easy to schedule posts. I've never been tech savvy, but I think I can follow your directions. I'll have to try it.

Great tip. Thanks!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jessica -

It's amazing how a simple change can make such a huge difference. Now, if I can only figure out how to juggle my writing and the renovations being done on my house, I'd be all set.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Sarah said...

Oh no, it happened again. I left a comment and it didn't show up! What in the world could I be doing wrong?

Oh well, the comment I left just happened to be about me not being tech savvy. As evidenced by the fact that I still can't figure out how to leave comments correctly...

Having to re-type comments is definitely not good time management, Lol!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sarah -

I'm not sure why you're having a problem. Your comments are turning up on Blogger's Comment Moderation page but not in my email. Without the email notification, I don't know they've arrived.

I'll check the Blogger page and see if your original comment is there. I don't know if I can publish it, but I'll try.

I still have challenges with the technology. Blogger has a help group. Maybe they can give you some tips.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sarah -

I went to the Comments Moderation page and published your comment from there. Why the original comment is not showing up in my email is a mystery.

Give the scheduling a try. Half the battle is finding out how to do things.

Blessings,
Susan :)

quietspirit said...

Susan:
Thanks for sharing the secret. I wondered about that recently. I share my computer with our son. His work/sleep schedule sometimes wins out over what I can do online.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Quiet Spirit -

I'm glad the post helped you. It's tough working around other people's schedules.

Whenever I learn something about blogging, I try to share it with all of you. :)

Blessings,
Susan