ClearPM

Congratulations to ClearPM (i.e., me) for reaching the one year mark.  I haven't exactly been a prolific blogger.  I've definitely gone through some significant lulls.  But the site is still alive and I feel my passion for it kicking in again.  Not that I ever really lost the passion.  I think it was just usurped temporarily.

I think I thought when I first started in Nov 2008 that this would be pretty easy.  I like to write.  I like project management.  I want to be known in my field.  I want to grow.  What could possibly go wrong?  Well, life could interfere a little.  Kids, soccer, baseball, school, the house, the day job.  Get some sleep now and then.

So what does it take to keep a blog going?  I came up with five traits that I don't think I could blog without.

1. Passion.  It all starts with passion.  The more passion you have, the less you'll need of these other traits.  A little passion = interest; a lot of passion might = fanaticism.  Regardless, if you don't have some level of passion about your topic, the amount of discipline, time, and knowledge you'll need will be nearly impossible to reach.
2. Discipline.  I like project management, I'd love to have my own business in some shape or form, I enjoy interacting in the PM community, and I feel like I can add value.  Despite my level of passion, sometimes I just have to make myself do it.  I've read many blog posts on improving my blogging consistency.  How to overcome "blogger's block."  How to create your own editorial calendar.  But all the good intentions amount to nothing without the self-discipline to follow through.  Or almost nothing.  My desire to succeed at least kept the dream of ClearPM alive and now I'm getting back into it.
3. Time.  Day job: 10 hrs.  Kids' homework, tutor, soccer, baseball, etc: 4 hrs.  Eating: 1 hr.  Other interests (sports, choir, reading, a movie now & then): 2 hrs.  I know I don't do all this stuff every day (plus there's always the weekend!), but I'm sure I'm leaving stuff out, too (a couple hours of sleep maybe?).  Bottom line is something's gotta give.  Somehow I have to manage to create time for the blog.
4. Knowledge.  Every day I learn that I know even less than I thought I knew the day before.  But I do have a little knowledge.  I pick up things here and there.  Maybe I can participate in the 21st century trend where everyone shares just about everything.  I can try to contribute to my field and grow at the same time.  If I had zero PM knowledge, it wouldn't be my blog topic.
5. Fearlessness (or less fear anyway).  Over time, if it all goes right, some people, many of whom I don't know, will be reading my stuff.  It could even turn out to be a lot of people.  It could be my boss.  Could be a potential partner or client.  Could even be my mom!  Every blogger is putting a part of themselves out there for the world to see.  It's gotta be a little intimidating.  I have to push past my natural fear of being rejected or criticized or ignored.

OK, so it's not rocket science, but after a year at least I've learned something!