approaching joy

And now a word about my to-do list...

All this week, I'm blogging about blogging and how I juggle it with the rest of my life.
Check out the Benefits of Blogging Part 1, Part 2, and what a typical day looks like for me.

It was while I was at my first real blogger conference (AWBU which I mentioned here and here) that I met Jackie Wolven: a modern day renaissance women who is a master of marketing and public relations, keeper of two blogs, and the soul behind a pair of eyes that absolutely draws you in to her inquisitiveness, intelligence, and overflowing desire to help.  

She asked a group of bloggers to answer a few questions about our personal to-do systems for a series she's do called "The To Do Files".  I am honored to be in this series.  Check it out here and drop in and visit her at MoxieWorks.

Lately... A day in my life

I recently realized (because of insights made at AWBU, because of this Fashion Week opportunity, and because of some good ole' encouragement from friends and family) that not only am I a writer but I am a full time blogger.  That realization makes me crazy grateful for the life I am leading despite the crazy schedule that comes with it.  

Here is a snapshot of one day last week:

• 6:15
  Wake up before my alarm (lots of things to do and ready to start my day). Grab a soda to get my brain caffeinated and going.
• 6:30 - 7:15
  Get ready while emailing about upcoming appointments and catching up with Twitter.
• 7:15
  Where is my make-up bag?!?!?
• 7:18
  Make-up bag found!!
• 7:25
  Out the door and on the road to south NWA. Listening to the news about Hurricane Issac and sending positive thoughts to all the people who were affected.
• 7:55
  I stand outside to take a picture of the coffee shop where I have my first meeting.  My appointment comes to the other door to show me the way in and realizes that I'm just a photo happy fool.
• 8:00 - 8:55
  First meeting of the day. I'm hoping to get my site optimized and am ecstatic that the folks at Haden Interactive are helping me with the process.  
• 8:55 - 9:20
  Shop for a hard drive and battery back up at big box tech store.
  I have been lucky by not having any major back up catastrophes so far but my boss Dale has thoroughly convinced me that luck only takes you so far.  The battery back up is for my upcoming travel.  Have you ever been stranded in the Memphis airport minus a cell phone while a hurricane invades the south?  I have and it's the most vulnerable position I have been in during recent memory.  I'm determined not to let that happen again.
• 9:30 - 12
  Back at the original coffee shop. Writing, writing, writing.  Asking permission to use pictures that aren't mine. Editing pictures that are mine.  Writing some more.  I have so much to catch up on since I was conferencing this past weekend and I've got insanely busy weeks ahead.  I have to take every spare second available to make sure that there will be something new and intriguing up on this site consistently during the next few weeks.
• 12 - 12:30
  Talk to my mom.  She's catching up on my plans for the fall and there's a lot to tell her.
• 12:30 - 12:45
  Confirm two meetings tomorrow morning.  Everyone's schedule is busy and even though I don't have set hours I still have to be able to work with others during their hours.
• 12:45 - 1  
  Wrap up a couple posts and head out to my next appointment.
• 1- 1:15
  Confirm scheduling details for my upcoming bridal shots with my hair and makeup master.  (Her name is Fallon; she blogs at WearBender and rocks my world!)
• 1:15 - 2
  Visit Mae's Emporium here in town and finally catch up with the owner.  This vintage jewelry store is nothing short of fabulous and she is allowing me to wear several of her pieces during fashion week.  So honored!!  (Did you see the post where I showed off her store the other day?)
• 2 - 2:30
  Pick up fast food lunch as I drive across town to get to work.
• 2:30 - 7 Work at Benfield Photography.  I told you about how I got the job here but I'm transitioning into a different position within their team and have lots to learn.  I am excited about the possibilities that this will bring and the skills that I will surely learn, but it's a level of responsibility that is humbling.  Bonus points: That night they fed me and it was nothing short of amazing.
• 7 - 7:30
  Head home to north NWA. Josie Dog is not going to know what to do with herself, since the Mister is out of town and she hasn't seen anyone all day.
• 7:30
  Yep, she's excited.
• 7:30 - 10
  Polish off the posts that I scheduled earlier in the day.  My writing generally goes from a rough outline (which I sometimes tap out on my iPhone) to a correct grammar but bare bones post to a polished, pretty, and scheduled post.
• 10 - 10:30
  Chores. Boo. Hate them.
• 10:30 - 11:30
  I recently started working as a virtual assistant for a local author.  This lady (who I promise to share details about later) is as good at finding humor in a everyday life as she is at being a modern day business woman.  Totally thankful that I'm a part of her team.
• 11:30
  Get ready for bed.  I am reading "The Creative Habit" as something to learn but also unplugs my brain for the evening.  I've got a meeting at 8 a.m. in the morning and both of us have confessed to not be morning people.  I'm going to need every ounce of sleep I can get.

Any other "work at home"  folks out there understand the craziness of this schedule?  Anyone else knew what it's like to camp out at a coffee shop for hours at a time?

And don't forget the giveways here and here! 

And now a word about the benefits of blogging... Part Two

This post is Part Two of The Benefits of Blogging.  You can read Part One here.  Like I mentioned yesterday, I don't claim to be a "pro blogger", the "best blogger", or even a "super experienced blogger"; more than anything I am a woman who recently (within the last nine months) started blogging and has learned a lot along the way.

Yesterday, I spoke about how blogging is the most perfect form of communication for anyone looking at showing both the word and themselves that they have something to say.  When presented on a blogging platform, what you have to say and support can be a true benefit to everyone involved.

Here's a few tips to get you started:

• Know the basics.
  Spelling and grammar matter. If you're not sure, ask (even if it's Google that you're asking). You are presenting yourself to the world; show them that you care enough about their time to catch your own mistakes.  
• Encourage input and grow your community.  
  Tell your friends you're blogging and if you are really proud of a particular post put it on Facebook. Ask questions at the end of a blog post to get your reader's reaction to what you've just told the.  If anyone has a discouraging comment channel Dr. Suess: "People that matter don't mind, and people that mind don't matter."
• Be yourself.
  There's a reason Brad Pitt and Julia Robert get paid the big bucks: It's hard work being someone else. If you bring your own voice passion and opinion to your blog from the beginning you won't ever have to struggle with finding the right words to say, you'll just write what's in your head.  

That being said: blogging isn't necessarily easy.
It takes self determination, to push past writer's block and to consistently create content of which you are proud.  The second part of continually searching out and then engaging the community that you want to build around your place is equally vital as well.  It's only as you build these connections that your blog becomes an example of the power of how how social media can make a difference in your life and the things that matter to you.

And now a word about the benefits of blogging... Part One

Hi friends!  This week I'm writing a series about how blogging is a big part of my life. Hope you enjoy.

My friend (and social media wiz kid) Chris has asked me to talk to a group of new bloggers.  Instead of simply talking about my experience with them, I wanted to actually share what I would say to all new bloggers if I had a chance.  I don't claim to be a "pro blogger", the "best blogger", or even a "super expereinced blogger"; more than anything I am a woman who recently (within the last nine months) started blogging and has learned a lot along the way.  

I feel the need to clarify something that I have realized for a while now: I am a big proponent of blogging. Blogging allows both space for creativity as well personal challenge.
Want to recount those stories from college that still make your family laugh?  Blog about it.  
Want to explain your views on a certain political situation?  Blog about it.  
Want to show the world that your particular product (from photography to food to planning a fun event) is the best available? Blog about it.

My personal journey into blogging started out as a place to let my creativity flow while I was working on graduate papers.  Since then it has morphed into what I mentioned in a recent post: It's changed from a private refuge into a public area where stories are shared alongside photography, food, fashion, and good design.  I am so thankful that it has become a place where encouragement and support and laughter are main staples.

What I appreciate more than experience that comes with reading my blog are the results the have presented themselves because of it. Along with the comments, compliments, conversation, and interaction that this space has spawned, I consider the blog itself a living breathing resume.  

• My iPhone-photography became the training grounds where I practiced good composition and played with the affects of lighting.  Through my own rule of almost always posting my own images here on Approaching Joy, I gradually improved.  Now I have started to shoot weddings (alongside my wonderful employers) and catch one in a lifetime moments.
• My design skills began poorly and bordered on being obsessive (20 blog redesigns in the first two weeks... I only wish I were exaggerating).  Thankfully these skills have matured and I have learned so much. Again, thanks to my bosses, I am designing priceless albums that families will cherish for a lifetime.
• My writing was always there but often in the background. It wasn't until recently that I publicly claimed something that I had known for a lifetime: I am a writer.  In the past month alone I've had the opportunity to show that skill off to multiple communities beyond my own and have the opportunity to share on an even larger level in the near future.

If you're saying, "Paige, I'm not into photography or design and my writing isn't the absolute best," you are missing the point.  Blogging isn't about a visually appealing site or your technical skills as much as it is about communicating your story.  I totally believe that the time and effort it takes to successfully maintain a blog is time and effort well spent.  By taking that time to tell others your story, you are telling people that the things you believe in matter and that your opinion matters as a result.  

The absolute beauty of a blog is that it is a love letter instead of a billboard.  It's a unique form of communication in that it acts as a way for people to talk with one another instead of simply talking at the other.  In my personal example, I could have posted pictures all day but until I invited someone to see them (via Twitter in my case) it wouldn't have made a difference, no one would have been there to appreciate them.  I could have personally supported good causes (like this post on St. Jude and this one on Heifer) but it wasn't until I had a community to share these with that I could make a more substantial difference.

My question to you new blogger (or maybe even to that person who has yet to stick a toe in the blogging waters) is this:  What is stopping you from telling people your story?  What is preventing you from showing the world that your passions are worth their time?  You, friend, are worth the time and effort.