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What kind of Blog am I?
It seems silly that a blog could have an identity crisis. Well, maybe “crisis� is a bit over the top; blogs aren’t important enough to deserve the word “crisis.� Anyway, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the core purpose of this blog, what I want to accomplish here, and how what I write here might aspire “to improve the quality of the day� (to borrow from Thoreau).
When I started this blog, I did a middling amount of research about how to succeed with a blog. (I am a sickening perfectionist in all aspects of my life and it is so tiresome both for me and for everybody else.) One of the most important points that researchers (and other bloggers) make is that a blog should have a mission. So, I have focused almost exclusively on writing about business management strategies, primarily in the cultural sector. I’ve tried to create content that is 1) useful 2) accessible 3) insightful and 4) interesting. I harbor no illusions about my success here; sometimes I’ve hit the mark and other times I’ve missed it.
Occasionally, I’ve related some personal stories, reflections, and experiences. In most cases, I’ve tried to relate those stories to the blog’s purpose. I’ve believed that readers are coming here to get what I might call “on-strategy� content. For the most part, I’ve avoided making this blog a venue for personal reflections, even as they might relate to business and the sector.
I’m having second thoughts about that decision and I’m hoping that those of you who might occasionally read will give me some input and help me decide how I shape things moving forward.
Obviously, the last post, “From a distance,� breaks every rule that I’ve set for myself. It is completely off-strategy and has nothing to do with strategy. It is completely and unashamedly personal.
As is obvious, the name of this blog, “Living and Working in the Creative Sector,� is both about work and life. For better or for worse, a great deal of my life has been more about work and less about life. As passionate as I am about what I do - and as much as I love my work - I think that most of the value that the creative sector adds to most peoples’ lives is in their life, not their work.
What I’ve been pondering lately is the nature of separation between life and work or life beyond business. I can’t help but wonder whether this Cartesian dichotomy that our culture propagates and promotes somehow diminishes or dampens how each of these aspects fuel and enliven one another? Enough philosophy. It’s getting deep in here.
I would so appreciate - if the spirit moves you - if you would let me know what you want here. There is a new poll up where you can vote. If you want to extend your opinion with a comment, that, too, would be very welcome.
Posted on June 14, 2007 09:12 AM | Permalink
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Comments
Neill,
One of the things (among many!) that I admire the most about you is your ability to tell stories and to inspire through words when you speak and when you write.
Your blog gives much food for thought in arts management, but I must tell you that when I read your blog and I see that an entry is personal, my heart skips a little in anticipation. Perhaps it's the turns-of phrase that do it for me, but mostly I think it's the beauty of life that you relate so remarkably.
Thanks so much, Neill.
Shawn
For what it's worth, I'll share my opinion on this.
The intersection of life and work has been of great interest to me, too, since working for a magazine publishing client called Life@Work Journal some years ago.
Life and work aren't as separate as we all seem to want to make them and the older I get the more okay with that I am. There's a beauty in the pursuit of the right balance, I think.
Concerning your blog, you have such an ability to articulate your thoughts in both matters of work and matters of life. They are equally enjoyable and you could be one of the people leading this charge in the pursuit of balance.
Your post on the train ride, for instance, is a perfect example of a work related setting leading to a life moment shared with everyone.
Ultimately, it's your blog, and a blog is a personal thing. I think your audience will embrace more of the train ride kinds of stories because they remind us all of the balance and of the context for the meaning of work. You're definitely a thought leader in that regard.
Neill,
I have enjoyed reading your blog for sometime now and look forward to each post you make. I think the thing that keeps me coming back is the interaction of the work life intermingled with the personal side of life.
I have tried for many years to separate the two but have found it very difficult to do completely.
With this in mind I will vote for both types of post.
Keep up the good work my friend and please continue to add the personal bits to make us remember that sometimes we all need to slow down and "smell the roses" in life.
I know I have found the sweet smell very enjoyable.
Robert