3 Years Of Organize IT (Or, Why We Should All Start Blogging)

I’m pleased to announce that this month marks the third birthday of Organize IT. Unfortunately there won’t be a party or cake but I’m still very proud of this achievement, and just a little bit amazed because, ignoring such things as holidays and the little matter of my wedding last year, this blog has been active each and every week of those three years. Given that most blogs die a lonely, neglected death within their first month, it’s safe to say I’m pretty damn happy with what I’ve achieved so far.

From the outside it’s easy to think that I’m wasting my time. I suppose it can seem like I’m writing about getting things done (note I’m talking about the generic activity here and not that book) rather than actually getting things done. But would I know what I know about time management, being organized and productive without this blog? Probably not. Would I have developed a working routine that meant I could finally write those books I’ve always wanted to do? Almost certainly not. I’m going to come out and say it – it wasn’t reading The 4-Hour Work Week or GTD (whoops, I said it) that did it, it was blogging about it.

I think blogging can be an invaluable exercise for anybody who is willing to stick with it and not get blinded by the dream of the Superstar Blogger. There is nothing quite like writing your thoughts, experiences and ideas down. It allows you to really think about them and come up with your own conclusions in a way that just reading books or having it taught to you can never achieve. Keeping your thoughts locked up in your head just doesn’t cut it. Regardless of whether your interest is gardening, cooking, marine biology, getting yourself out of debt or breaking free of the 9-to-5 lifestyle I can’t see how it wouldn’t be a beneficial experience.

And then there is the fact it’s public. Some say blogging is indulgent and nobody really cares about what you have to say and unless you’re a top 100 blogger that’s probably statistically true, but I find it to be an added benefit. It’s what distinguishes it from just writing in your journal or jotting your ideas down in a notepad each night. Everytime you post you’re getting invaluable feedback. Whether it’s a person validating your beliefs, somebody providing constructive criticism or an alternative view, or just a smartass who is so rattled by your post he feels compelled to spam on it.

I wrote a post last year giving several reasons why I find blogging to be a great hobby to pick up so I won’t repeat the points here. Suffice it to say, while I continue to learn something about personal development, productivity, lifestyle design, time management or whatever the heck it’s all called these days (suggestions are always welcome) I’ll still be here updating this blog. Thankyou and goodnight!