Today I did something I’ve been meaning to do for a while. Like two years. OK, I’m slow to act on some things. But I just couldn’t justify spending time doing what I did when there are so many other things I need to do (like answering comments on Facebook). [Note the sarcasm, please.]
Today I tidied up and organized my . . . feed reader.
I use My Yahoo as my reader of choice, but I’d simply been dumping blog after blog into one page. So, my political blogs were mixed with my news blogs, which competed for space with my business blogs, which – you get the picture. It was a mess. It also meant I’d usually forget I had a specific blog captured for future enjoyment. I did, in fact, say, “Oh, forgot I had that” more than once as I moved things around. I also found duplication. Oh good. My feed reader looked like my spice shelf. Oy.
My reason for doing this was simple. I finally admitted that I’ve been organizationally challenged – and it’s cost me in more ways than one. Organizing this one part of my online life has reminded me of all the amazing, wonderful, controversial and humorous sites I’ve been drawn to that can serve as fodder for things I may decide to blog about. After all, there are no new ideas, just new ways of presenting information from our own unique viewpoints.
Another reason I took the time to do this (which, all told took about one lousy hour), was my desire to keep up with the many new bloggers I’ve gotten to know or are just getting to know through the 31 Days Blog Challenge, the Blogging Mastermind Comment Tribe, the T.L.C. Club for Bloggers, on Twitter, from live events, etc. Now when I find a blogger I want to follow, I can just add their blog RSS feed to My Yahoo under the appropriate tab and they’ll always be there until I take them off. In this way, I can keep up with what they’re writing about and be a better commenter, too.
Now when I visit My Yahoo, it’s nice and tidy. I even added a Google Alerts tab. No more email alerts for me! Aaahhh.
After doing this, I got to thinking about other things I can do to tidy up my blogging life and become a better, more organized and frequent blogger. This post officially kicks off my discussions about Organizing for a Better Blog. I’ll be blogging about those things that I think are important to consider. You may disagree, or you may want to add to the list. And maybe, you’ll read something and thing, “Hmmm. Never thought of that.” For me, that’s the best compliment.
*Note: Blogging Mastermind Comment Tribe and T.L.C. Club for Bloggers are on Facebook and you must request to be added.
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Lis:
what a great idea! I too, am a bit disorganized with my blogs and I used to be a professional Organizer!
I am going over to my yahoo right now!
It’s the little things that escape notice, Maureen.
Hi Lisbeth,
As I’ve told you before, I am learning so much from everyone’s blog. I have heard about readers but didn’t know exactly what it is all about. I am going to check it out this evening because I think that organizing is crucial for me to keep my “head above water”. I love reading the blog’s but getting lost as to where they are. Organizing them with the reader makes so much sense so I am keeping up with all you great bloggers!
Many thanks!
I have many new friends who are either technical, computer savvy,in marketing professions or know a ton about the blogging world. Almost every word that comes from them via voice or in print can be so overwhelming because they have all of this knowledge that are able to share on their interesting professional topics. That also gives me a headache because they are sharing so much information and I want to also absorb it and understand it. This post gave me a headache…but only because I know that there is useful information shared, meaning much for me to learn. Thanks.
So, Veronica, is this where I say, “take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning?” Sorry for the headache, but glad you found learning in my words.
I totally get the wanting to absorb everything that comes your way; I’m the same way. And now I know even more bloggers who are imparting such great wisdom – oh, where do you draw the line? 
Hey Lisbeth, you’ve really given me something to think about too. I have been using an “old” reader for years – and I haven’t been using it much as a resource at all. I think it’s time to use a new one – and make it do a little bit of work for me. This was a very inspiring post for me.
Anne – good for you! It’s so easy to get comfortable with things and forget that we can update them (or clean them up! Glad to hear you’re inspired. I’m humbled.
Awesome post! My reader was organized in the sense that I had all my business blogs clumped together, followed by vegetarian blogs, followed by other blogs (all on one page). However, I had no idea that I could add tabs and drag and drop stuff onto different pages
. It’s now much better organized!
A twinge of guilt came over me when you mentioned your ‘spice shelf’. “Oy” is right!
And why stop at spices? I have to dig around the back of a bottom cabinet to get to the doggone skillets I like to use. I moved into this rental almost eighteen months ago and have been promising myself to get the kitchen cabinets organized. And I know when I’m finished, life and cooking is going to be a whole lot easier and less time-consuming.
My favorite line in your post …
“There are no new ideas, just new ways of presenting information from our own unique viewpoints.” Truer than true!
I’ve totally enjoyed your “Organizing for a Better Blog” kickoff and I’m anxious to read more! But, for now, I have a little date with my feed reader.
I need to do this too, Lis. My reader probably looks much like yours did and a swirling mass of confusion isn’t conducive to productivity. Thanks for the push!
Wow, Lisbeth. This is stretching me a little. I blog about one topic mainly so have an RSS button on my blog and thats it. You have opened my eyes up to the world of more with google reader. I had no idea such things existed.
Thats what I love about visiting other blogs, you learn so much.
Thanks for sharing
Maureen – I’m glad my blog gave you new information that could change your blogging world!
Thank you for stopping by!