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All Blogged Out and Nowhere to Go

By Gary Woltal

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

October 19, 2008 01:21 PM

Blogged Out As I enjoyed my last bowl of cereal for the day and conked out for my mid afternoon nap in my high chair I got to thinking about Real Estate blogging and Social networking in general. I have been at it myself in addition to my work for awhile so I know quite a lot about it.

I also am a heavy reader of many blogs with topics ranging from core real estate to the day's weather. Some of the topics get pretty far off real estate industry related sometimes but that's ok, as there are only so many days and ways to write about how to do that perfect open house.

Video Phone

In today's technology world we are so well connected particularly in the wireless world with voice, data, video, and text. Think of sending and reading blogs, email, photos, and videos over your cell phone.

Yet I read out there in the blogosphere of burn out. Boredom. I want to get away from this. I want to unplug. It indicates addiction to the medium, obsessiveness, compulsiveness, and lack of balance.

Little Kids

I'm here to remind everyone there is a life OUTSIDE of blogging. You remember that don't you? Back there in the past before you started blogging.

It is the offline world. Some call it the real world.

Keep your life in balance always. Communicate, entertain, grow your business sure. But use your precious time wisely. It is one of your most valuable resources.

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Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

William: I agree with you that some early AR members faded. Some can come back, others don't care to. Some kind of renewal or recharge has to take place.

Pat Preston: Checking back. You are the reader. You'll have to tell me in an email or if you blog about it about these Photography classes. Sounds highly interesting. Richard is turning into a blogging machine, I agree these days. Hope he is doing it with balance.

Lynda: You always make me laugh you workaholic on vacation. I bring my laptop on vacation too so I am EQUALLY guilty.

Patricia: Sometimes the break is what rejuvenates us to pick up and get back with something with fresh ideas.

Lisa: I like where you link it to happiness. So true.

Arina: If anyone can speak to burn out I am sure you can. When you experience balance again, it is refreshing. Too much or too little of ANYTHING is not good for us. Just be YOU Arina. That's what the world needs. Don't ever feel guilty for changing directions. Sometimes that is EXACTLY what we need at times.

Oct 19, 2008 04:24 PM

Laura Watts

Positive Properties, LLC - Laurinburg, NC

Gary-Great reminder to us all. I am one of those bloggers that what ever I come across that day, I blog about, whether it is serious, real estate, funny or maybe spooky. I work Real Estate all week and enjoy getting on Rain to read and write blogs that don't alway consist of Real Estate issues. There are times that I miss being on here a couple of days and sometimes more, but I be busy and just do not have the time. I do miss all of your blogs though and try to play catch up when I can get back on. Thanks for another good blog.......

Oct 19, 2008 04:41 PM

Steve Shatsky

Dallas, TX

Hi Gary... I am often reminded that everything is better in moderation... even blogging! Thanks for reminding us all! :)

Oct 19, 2008 06:14 PM

Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR

Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV

Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

Gary - I have been working on balance. I now get off the computer and make dinner for my husband, then spend the evening watching movies with him or something. Life is too short. I seem to have extra energy for work and get more done when I know I have a 'quitting time'. Sometimes I get back to my 'puter to visit AR, but I am not religious about it like I was. Not burn out - just prioritizing.

Oct 19, 2008 07:19 PM

Brian P. Forrester

VanDyk Mortgage - Palm Harbor, FL

Gary - I just want to not feel guilty for taking time for myself and not working!

Oct 19, 2008 10:15 PM

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC

Gary,
Yes, there is life outside of the Rain and we must work hard to keep the Balance, not easy. We can take breaks, AR will still be here when we come back. Do we think we are so important it will fall apart without us? LOL!

Oct 19, 2008 11:03 PM

Don Rogers

Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO

Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Good morning Gary,

I have been working on balance for a short while and think that I am now at about a full bubble off and improving. Thank you for helping me with that it is much appreciated my friend.

Oct 19, 2008 11:48 PM

Leesa Finley

RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC

RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Gary - Thanks so much for the reminder! Yes, this place can become extremely addictive but we just need to remember that life goes on and we must participate! I love the pics and the commentary - it reminded me of my favorite commercials for eTrade with the baby - Those CRACK me up!

Oct 20, 2008 12:26 AM

Gail MacMillan

Titusville, FL

Hi Gary - Please keep hammering on this concept, some of us need to hear things many...many times before it starts sinking in. If I go outside and pull weeds today - does that count ;-)

Oct 20, 2008 12:41 AM

Carol Culkin

Diamond Partners Inc - Overland Park, KS

Overland Park Residential Real Estate

Gary - I bet most people here are like me - Given the choice, I prefer computer activity to watching TV. At least with the computer you can read and learn about anything you want. For some reason I get stir crazy sitting in front of a TV. Occasionally, I will sit through a movie and make it through the end without falling asleep. But, I can sit in front of a computer for hours - and blogging also builds my business. But, there are times when enogh is enough - balance is key.

Oct 20, 2008 12:54 AM

Petra Norris

Lakeland Real Estate Group, Inc. - Lakeland, FL

Realtor, Lakeland FL Homes for Sale

Gary - Balance and cereal are key words - Balance for life - Cereal for breakfast - both makes life great. I love your blogs and your analogy you present is "Blogging for the Soul".

Oct 20, 2008 03:51 AM

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA

Put 40 years of experience to work for you

During the days when I have the luxury of exclusively working from home -- meaning I have no appointments to keep -- I take breaks during the day and go outside to deadhead flowers, pick up a few scattered tree branches, maybe just grab the binoculars to look for birds in the trees. It helps to balance my computer life with my in-person (I don't use the word real because the computer is real) life. :)

Oct 20, 2008 04:15 AM

Ron Wysocarski

Wyse Home Team Realty - Port Orange, FL

CEO, Pricing Specialist

Good reading. I am on my sanity break from crunching numbers. Looks like we agree on a lot of things about making time for the important things.

Oct 20, 2008 05:57 AM

Susan Mangigian

RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA

Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Gary, I know there is a life outside of blogging, but this is such a nice escape from life sometimes. It's very easy to get addicted.

Oct 20, 2008 09:36 AM

Jennifer Fivelsdal

JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY

Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Gary - balance is very important and that is why a lot of my blogs are actually related to some activities I am involved with, gardening, taking pictures during a walk etc.

Oct 20, 2008 01:29 PM

Mara Hawks

First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL

Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

hey Gary, I loved the high chair conversation... very fun and funny... ahhh, yess, I've become a bit of a blogging bum...blogging and beyond... but have been feeling LIFE that I've needed to rediscover...I won't be gone long... I do love it here!

Oct 20, 2008 03:54 PM

Colleen Fischesser Northwest Property Shop

NextHome Experience - Chelan, WA

A Tradition of Trust in the Pacific NW since 1990!

Gary, balance is probably the most elusive of all in my life these days, maybe because the world seems so off balance? I'd love to be able to attribute it to a retrograde or Nostradamus prediction. The scary thing is that the more deeply I dive, the less balanced I am. Sigh...................

Oct 20, 2008 03:55 PM

Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI

Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Gary, I think and I said think I am over my blogging addiction. Oh I still blog and still comment but I am super busy right now and as I had to spend more time IN the business rather than ON the business, my addiction has been broken.

Now I come on AR, comment at least 10 a day and write 3-4 a week, as time allows and as I have the passion to do so.

Yes, life is good.

Oct 22, 2008 03:00 AM

Cecily Parks

iMove Group, Knipe Realty NW, Inc. - Salem, OR

What did we do before blogging was possible?? I can't remember...hee...hee. I just have to remind myself to step away from the computer. Although, sometimes it feels like someone has glued my fingers to the keyboard.

Oct 22, 2008 03:42 AM

Chastity Guevara

Camelot's Quest Realty - Casa Grande, AZ

Thanks for the reminder Gary. It is good to keep one's life in balance. That dof looks just like my sister's.

Oct 24, 2008 01:55 PM