"Losing" a Blogging Challenge by 30 minutes, When Technically, it's Still September 8th!

Niema ~ You're right, blogging daily is not easy!  There always seems to be something else that demands my attention, and so I find myself pushing the 9 pm deadline on a regular basis.  I really needed to get a day ahead, and post the blog for the next day around this time.  Didn't do that, so here I am.  I also started reading on AR for the great information - I had no intention of Blogging, I just always seemed to end up here whenever I was looking for answers to my own real estate questions!

Pamela ~ I understand a reasoned decision not to particpate, quality is important, but I really needed to get in to a regular posting schedule - even if not daily, at least several times per week.  The challenge forces me to write that post that I tend to put off until tomorrow, then tomorrow, then (well, you get the idea).

Vicky ~ Thanks for the suggestion, but I really am a rule follower.  I'd like for the rules to be different, but the rules are the same for everyone, and I'm not looking for an exception.  Too much of that happens throughout life already!

Bridget ~ "Maryland Mortgage Mama"... I LOVE that!  I need to think up some creative and catchy name.  I had a specific goal on total points, that was the main reason I ws disappointed in missing out this time around, but ultimately, I don't blog for points, and I know how big a difference it will make in my business if I'm regular in posting.  Of course, I really would like to understand why I can't make use of these last 3 hours of my day, when that is a time that I get a lot done.

Thanks for all of your comments, I feel better already!

~ Melanie

Evelyn ~ "those are the rules".  Yes, and I knew that. Which is why I won't be asking for any exceptions.... though I appreciate the suggestion.

Emmary ~ Awww, you're in the no points boat with me!  This is such prime blog-writing time, sure hope they'll consider changing the time to local time, would sure make things easier on us.  Still, good job in getting your blog posted, even if it's "point"less (lol)!

Fred ~ Oooh... a chance to use my negotiation skills that I brag about to clients, now THAT may be worth trying to get back on track with the points, but I'm not a fan of rule twisting, just sets a bad precedent.

Janna ~ Ha! I just mentioned precedent to Fred, and now there you are talking precedents!  I think it would be fair if they just said we have until the end of the day to post, and the day is defined by midnight wherever we happen to be, but since I knew the rules, and just didn't make it, I think I'll save my request for clemency for a situation that is more out of my control (like your iPhone glitch).  This was more a case of getting busy and just not realizing I'd missed the time.  

Well, if nothing else, my frustration has got me lots of support, and people to 'chat" with.  It's not ALL bad!

~ Melanie

Linda ~ Character counts, right?  If we are in the habit of compromising on the small things, then what happens when we are tested with something bigger?  I've noticed that the posting times show East coast time, so you're probably right... but I still wish I could utilize those last 3 hours of my day.  Next challenge, I'll have to make sure I get a day ahead from the beginning, and then when I post after 9, it will be for the next day. Planning is key in all aspects of life!

~ Melanie

Carla ~ I think that the default to "draft" mode is a recent thing, that many were happy was implemented.  I think that previous to the change, many posts were made public before they were really ready (I know I forgot to change to "draft" a few times).  Now, those who were used to the previous default are having to adjust.  For something like that, I might ask for an exception, mine was just not paying close enough attention to the time on a busy day.

Jerry ~ It seems I'm not the only one who has experienced this.  And the post seems to have changed into a discussion on exceptions, instead of a question of why we don't ALREADY have until midnight local time, without even NEEDING an exception.

Janna ~ I understand the sprit of the contest, and where there is a specific reason for not getting the post in under the stated rules, I say go ahead and ask for your exception (as I indicated when you had problems with your intended method of posting).  However, if there are rules for a contest, then the rules should be the same for EVERYONE, not exception after exception for those who don't quite make it and think to ask for one.  I'm sure Kerrie doesn't need to be inundated with special requests, and if it is so easy to just get an exception because I ask for it, then why even have rules?  

My intended point with the post was that there ARE rules, and I think that an adjustment is in order.  It is my understanding that the post is to be made BEFORE the time stamp changes, and if they don't intend that, but feel that it should be ok to post by midnight local time, then they should make it policy.  But if they don't make the change to allow LOCAL time to be the cutoff, then I personally believe that there should be a good reason for requesting an exception, not just I had a busy day, didn't plan accordingly, and so was 30 minutes late with my post (as happened in my case).  

I definitely think that as a general life policy, it is important to follow the rules, and society as a whole has become accustomed to just hoping no one is looking as the shortcut is taken.  When one gets used to doing this on a regular basis, then it becomes harder to draw the line on the bigger stuff.  I try to set a good example for my children by making the right decisions even when it seems like it's not a big deal, and I try to live it in my business.  

~ Melanie

Sondra ~ That "burn out" happened to me after the last challenge, but I find that if I don't have the challenge, I post a lot less.  So, I'll take part when I can, and do my best to complete the challenges I've signed up for.   I get that it's not the end of the world, I just was frustrated by the rules, and the fact that I blew it.  

The main push for frequent blogging is to improve my business, so I know it's not all about the points.  Of course, the points are built around those things that DO increase business, so if I'm doing it anway, I want the points!

Ah, I think I just talked myself in a circle...  it's always just about our best efforts, and I'm still learning.  Thanks for stopping by!

~ Melanie