When I started this blog in January 2008 I was like a first-time mother. I devoted all my time to it because there wasn’t anything else clammering for my attention.
Today as another project I’ve been working on for months launches, it feels like having baby No 2. I’m excited but nervous I won’t have enough time and love to go around.
Being the mother of not two but three, I know that’s a crazy way to think. Of course you can love two or three kids – or in this case blogs – just as much as you can love one. But that doesn’t stop you from wondering how the heck you’re going to make it all work.
And now I’ll stop with the motherhood analogies.
First the part I’m excited about. I’m happy to announce the launch of SecondAct.com, an online magazine for people over 40 from Entrepreneur Media, the publisher of Entrepreneur Magazine. Cynics will call SecondAct a magazine for boomers. But really it’s not. It’s a publication that celebrates people who may have gotten older but haven’t stopped discovering new things, about the world and themselves.
At SecondAct.com, I’ll be reporting on the same things I’ve covered most of my career: business, workplace issues, technology and careers. You can see some of the first stories I’ve done now, one on bridge jobs, and another on people who start a company for the first time in their 40s and 50s.
I’ll also be contributing to SecondAct’s group blog, called PrimeTime. That’s exciting in and of itself. But it also represents my first paid blogging gig, something I consider to be a pretty major career milestone. I wouldn’t have landed it if it wasn’t for this blog, which showed SecondAct’s editor Donna Wares that I could do it (at least that’s what she’s told me). My first couple posts are up too, one on using LinkedIn, and another on why when it comes to the world of work, older really can be better.
Which brings me to the part that’s making me nervous. How will I adjust to blogging here three times a week – or more during the blogathon that starts next month – and stick to my SecondAct two-times-a-week blogging schedule? I’m not the world’s fastest blogger; even posts like this that sort of write themselves, take time because of the tags, links, pictures, etc., etc., you need to add after the writing’s done.
I’m giving it my best shot. But if my posts here seem suspiciously short or if I start running lots of best of lists, you’ll know why.
If you’re reading this and you write for multiple blogs I’d love to know how you manage to juggle it all.
Wish me luck.
Congratulations, Michelle! I’ll definitely be checking out the new blog baby. And I can relate to the time concerns. I’ve had to sit down recently to do some scheduling to make sure I manage to update my own blog once/week. Most of my writing happens in the evening, when there are fewer distractions around )although this does mean I’m completely out of the loop on trendy TV!). I’m endlessly inspired that you’ve maintained a three times/week schedule!
Welcome to Entrepreneur, Michelle. One of the bloggers on our Daily Dose site, Mikal Belicove, manages to juggle his commitments to Ent, American Express Open Forum, and his personal blog very well. Shoot me an email and I’ll put you in touch!
Thanks Tanya – it’s nice to know it can be done.
Michelle
You will rock your paid blogging gig, just like you rock this, Michelle. I’ve never known a more disciplined, productive writer & reporter!
As always, you are too kind.
M
Congrats, Michelle! If anyone can it, it’s you. I’m juggling several blogging projects at the moment, but they’re all over the map which makes for some nail-biting moments before deadline. You’re smart to focus on a few specialties (business and social media/web topics). I need to be better about this in the future!
Thanks Susan, though at the moment it doesn’t feel all that focused, not compared to this blog, which has a very clearly defined focus. I’m still getting used to running ideas by someone else before I plunge in, and filing in advance – ah, the beauty of blogging for yourself, when you can let fancy dictate what you write and wait until the last minute to post!
Michelle
Michelle,
What Carroll said…. Congrats and I know you’ll do great! Second Act looks terrific — and what a good idea, too.
Kathy
Congratulations, Michelle…can’t wait to read!
Hi:
I came upon your blog from your Second Act articles so I wanted to congratulate you that there was no reason to be nervous. The articles are great 😉
As a fellow mom, entrepreneur, and 40+ second act-er (though I think I am in my fourth act), I’m really looking forward to the useful articles and being inspired by those the magazine is covering.
Elena