Swamped! What the heck does this have to do with online marketing?
“Swamped” is a state of mind – right now, my mind.
It’s too easy for one who lives in the world of search to feel like an alligator in a swamp. Even alligators need to come up to breathe.
Flickr photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/judybaxter/434068129/
Online marketing is far from the stale waters of a swamp. A better metaphor for the constantly changing tides of search and all things social media is a river categorized as a Class 5 rapid!
I, however, have felt more like an alligator in a swamp, holding my breath under water, fast-forwarding life in the rapid waters of numerous changes, unforeseen challenges and shifting career goals. Instead of taking the time to close the chapter on one aspect of life before opening another, I’ve been swamped with a multitude of items on the plate.
I’m just now closing out my previous agency, Pixel Position, which I was co-operating while rebranding to Yo! Yo! SEO. I didn’t fully close out either before starting full-time with Blast Advanced Media. I now realize that …
If you don’t take time to close the books, you won’t get the most out of the next book you start to read.
The result leaves one “burning the candles at both ends.”
Each of us has only so much wax to burn. It’s our responsibility to plan time accordingly, to plan time so we balance life in order to breathe long deep breaths.
Swamp of Multi-Tasking
Alligators have valves in their ears and nostrils to keep water out.
Each of us must implement “valves” to keep us from drowning in the swamp of multi-tasking. How?
Scheduling uninterrupted time to keep distractions out.
I have not set aside dedicated, uninterrupted quiet time at the beginning of each day to prioritize and plan. The first items on one’s list should not be reactively responding to emails, Twitter replies, Facebook comments, etc. Before you know it, multiple browser tabs are open, multiple windows and applications.
One hour into the day, and you’re in “alligator swamp” mode.
Every professional has to dedicate time to plan, to review one’s available bandwidth and then schedule accordinlgy. Staying focused throughout the day takes a lot of discipline. It’s the only way to truly be efficient and productive. I wrote about Getting Control of Your Social Media Life on Search Engine Journal. (Ah, good reminder to get out of the ER!)
Coming Up To Breathe
There’s a song by MercyMe that summarizes how I’ve felt.
I’m in way too deep again
I’ve forgotten how to swim
I can’t tell which way is up or down
Save me before I drown down here
I just need some air
I’m making changes to get more fresh air. I’m currently crawling slowly out of the swamp. By the end of 2009, I’ll be closing some chapters of life and coming up to breathe!
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Very true, what you say there… Realizing the situation is the first step – changing one’s habits to escape that “swamp” is another.
It’s always tough to close old books and change is never easy. The benefit is tremendous though.
Good Luck for you + you gained another rss subscriber : )
Wow, Jan … Amazing how the words of encouragement are like a breath of fresh air in themselves! Many thanks!!
I myself try to work as simply as deciding before every day, that what are my goals for the day. I do not organise when I do them, but I just make up mind and then I start to paddle away. Works for me, but probably not for all.
Hopefully you get your old books closed soon, so you can focus more on the future.
Thanks, Bloggeri, for the “deciding what goals are for the day” input!
I started using productivity forms to list tasks. They recommend only 3 major tasks for each day. Before entering a 7th major task, the form says, “More than six major tasks? Don’t burn out!” I’m learning not to “stuff” too much in a day.
Greatly appreciate your taking the time to comment!
Hi Dana, I was a little shocked when I read this: It could have been written by me. Seems we’ve all been ’swamped’ lately. And if we do all this for a living and we’re swamped, what about everyone else? lol.
You’re absolutely right that focus is key. No more multi-tasking for me. Sigh.
Patricia, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your comment!! I saw you online last night and wanted to interact more. What timing!
Those of us who are “in” this business are social marketers because we are social. It’s tough to balance being social and getting work done. It’s especially hard when there are people, like you, with whom one really enjoys sharing and we don’t have the time. I often see great discussions in Twitter & Facebook streams and say,
Then during times of closing everything down, which is quite often lately, I feel left out and that I’m loosing my “edge” and not keeping up with the latest findings. This industry is moving so fast that we cannot afford to not be listening, studying, reading, participating.
I’m trying to schedule social time and be in that “mode” to really participate when I can and shut down when I cannot.
Look forward to the times when we have both “come up to breathe” and able to share more. Best to you in also working to find that balance!
Big hugs!
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