Venus Trapped in Mars Sports and Lifestyle Blog Dallas

18 January 2015

7 Tips for Balancing a Blog + A Full Time Job

Working a full time job is time consuming enough, but when you add a blog and a blog design business on top of it all, it starts to take over your life. For quite a while, when I was really struggling to make new friends in Dallas, I welcomed the constant time spent at the computer. Now that my whole life has changed, and my social agenda has bulked up,  I had to maximize my productivity in the after work hours.  Giving up blogging or designing was never on the table. This blog is one of my proudest accomplishments, I genuinely enjoy blogging. I just needed to figure out how to have it all while doing it all! 

I used to use my desktop computer all the time, but as of late, I haven't so much as touched a key on that keyboard. I need to be able to work from anywhere, at any time. If I'm over at CB's on the couch, at Starbucks or even at one of our monthly neighborhood events. I often times feel more creative or inspired when I'm out and about anyway. 



I was lucky enough to test drive the HP Stream tablet with Intel Inside®, and incorporate it into my blog and design routine. The HP Stream is a new kind of tablet with Intel Inside®. Not only is it lightning fast because of the Intel Inside®, but get this, it comes with free 4G data right out of the box. Yes, I'm not joking, free 4G data. That is huge for me, it literally means I can work anywhere! It also comes with a year of Office 365, and 1TB of free cloud storage for one year, so I can save all of my gigantic photo files, no problem. This tablet allows me to #WorkFromHappyPlace, which for me, is essentially anywhere with CB! Haha, sorry for that mushy-ness y'all!!!! I just can't help myself sometimes! 




Over the past several months, I've picked up some great tips that have worked for me to continue to run my blog and Social&Chic, while having a full time job. 

1. Write everything down.
I have ideas all day long. If I have a great idea, and I don't write it down, poof it's gone, and sometimes within seconds. I'm weird in that I like to email myself the idea, but I'm sure most people would use a reminder app. Whatever you prefer, type your great blog post idea up and save it for later! 
2. Constantly be drawing inspiration
Designs don't just pop out of thin air. I struggle with color combinations. Always be on the lookout for colors, textures, patterns etc that catch your eye. Snap a photo and use those colors or that pattern in your next design. 
3. Make everything an adventure
Great bloggers always have content because they turn ordinary meals out or neighborhood events into something memorable. Use your nights, and the fun things you go do to your advantage. Everything can be a blog post if you look at it that way. Document everything in a way that tells a story. Take your readers out with you, and you'll always have easy, fresh content.

4. Take pictures on top of pictures
There is no such thing as taking too many pictures. The more pictures you have, the easier it makes blogging, and in turn, the faster you have a post up! 
5.Don't be bashful
You've got to get over worrying about people around you. If you see a great photo opp, but there are people around and you're embarrassed, you'll never get the shot. Take the same approach to blogging that you take to vacationing... who cares, you'll never see these people again! 



6. Make every space your work space
Sure we all see those beautiful Pinterest work spaces with the gold stapler and inspirational "get it guuuurl" posters hanging on the walls, but when you are a busy girl constantly on the go, that work space collects dust. Put your tablet in your purse at all times, and you can work from anywhere. 
7. Tell Your Friends
I know there is a lot of debate in blog land on whether or not to tell your friends about your blog. Personally, I tell everyone that I have this blog, because I am so proud of it! Look at all the effort you're putting in, why wouldn't you want your friends to be apart of that? I find that my friends often notice things that would be great for the blog, and will point them out to me! 


What are some tips you've acquired over the years for balancing a blog and a full time job? I'd love to ready about some ideas I may have missed!  
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24 comments :

  1. Great post and I totally agree. I was shy at first but then I gradually came out to my family and friends. They asked a ton of questions at first, but now they are use to it and it's normal. I agree with how you can make anything into a post. In the past, I would only post scheduled post but now I have included a lot of short random posts and my readers seem to enjoy the mix of content.

    http://www.delabellesbeautyblog.com

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  2. great tip. All my friend know about my blog. Even my neighbors know about my blog.

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  3. Those are really good tips! It's always good to know that I'm not the weird one over here thinking, "Ooooh, that would make a great post." Your polka-dotted jacket is totes adorbs, by the way. And I really like your hair curled.

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  4. Awesome post! Working full time and blogging are not easy tasks to juggle. #5 is definitely something I still struggle with. But you're right - you're never going to see these people again so why not just go for the shot. At the very least, it's a story in and of itself to tell. #3 is also one I need to work on. It would definitely help with the writer's block!

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  5. Love these tips! Between working retail and trying to balance my blog + general life things, it gets kinda crazy sometimes. I'm trying to work on #3 more... I always love how you turn everyday happenings into a really fun blog post! Also, WHAT is that adorable place you took photos in? I spy lotsa records that would make my little soul happy.....

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  6. Were these pics taken at Lula B's? I thought I saw you at the wine walk, but I wasn't sure! I should have said "hi"…next time!!

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  7. Good tips as it's something I struggle with all the time.

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  8. This was such a great post! I started my blog over the summer and I love it! But then I realize holy crap it's been 2 weeks since I posted anything! I have to find that happy medium. (Hello new years resolution). Do you use a planner? I have heard great things about the Day Designer planner but not sure if I need a fancy planner to get everything organized...

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    1. I do use a planner! It is certainly not fancy though... like $19. The key to planners for me is to have TONS of room to take notes. I don't want to have a planner AND a separate notebook, I want it all in one place!

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  9. I love these tips, especially take pictures on pictures - so true!

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  10. I have been struggling with this. Struggle with time management. I come up with ideas but feel I don't have time to make the post come out way I want or the post would not be up for a month

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  11. this whole post makes me jealous because I know you were at the wine walk!! and you went to the thrift store!! ahh. next time my friend, next time.

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  12. So many great tips! And I just now started telling my friends about my blog. I don't know why I waited so long.

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  13. Hola! i just wanna say, Thank you!!! so much!! i really really really mean it!
    my name is Maria and i want to create my own blog but im a little bit scare about somethings (How to start, How can the people like my posts, if will fail) and im working full time too, so even that scare me,
    But sincerely reading your post make me fee a little bit more confident and my goals, it was like you were talking with me.
    So really wanna thank you! about this
    :)

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    1. Awww that is a great compliment!! Thank you so much and nothing but luck to you!! I think EVERYONE should start a blog, it is the best thing I ever did!

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  14. I bought a planner in July and it has really helped me. Writing things down somewhere really helps keep track of good ideas... and lists... a place for my thousands of lists. I also need to get better about being embarrassed to get the shot when there are people around... good advice. I have kicked myself many times after missing it!

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  15. Great list of ideas!!! I think I may need to jot these down to always have handy as a good reminder ;)

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  16. great ideas! working full time and blogging can definitely be tough. for me, it's all about setting aside some time for blogging and then separate personal time so i don't go nuts. i need to work on taking more photos!

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  17. This is something I've been struggling with lately as I've tried to bring my blog to a new level so these tips were wonderful and well appreciated! I need to work on getting over what people think when I do things for the blog in a situation you don't normally find people photographing.

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  18. I really relate to the point about telling your friends. When I first started blogging, I felt self conscious and embarrassed to tell my friends that I started what now is my passion in life. But they're my biggest supporters and always find things for me to include in a blog post!
    www.myfairdaily.com

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  19. LOVE that bag, is it Kate Spade?

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  20. I never shared my blog with real life friends other than a small handful of people. That is until I was featured on a local morning news show because of my blog. Now the cat's out of the bag and it's not so bad.

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