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My name is Jonathan Washburn and I have BCD (Blogger Comment Disorder)

By
Real Estate Agent

It's true.  I violate the #1 rule of blogging. The rule that is even more important on ActiveRain where community is so important.

I really can't help it. 

I try so hard, but I just can't seem to bring myself to comment on my own posts!

When I do follow the post and comment like I should, the experience consumes me, and before I know it I give up on blogging.

I have a really tough time looking at the work that I put out. I am pretty tough on myself and commenting on my own posts requires that I go back and reevaluate what I just wrote, over and over again. 

It's not just with blogging either. I cannot bare to watch videos of myself and even seeing pictures of me stresses me out sometimes.

I am a weird cookie, and probably have deeper issues I need to deal with. :) 

However, like anyone I suppose, I love receiving comments and wait eagerly for them to come in.  So please know that although I am often a little late in participating in my own conversation, I am watching it intently.

P.S. At least I am not alone in my BCD affliction.  I remember reading a while back that one of my business idols, Seth Godin, suffers from a similar condition. 

Update to this post at 11pm, Jan 1st: This is a lame post. There is no excuse for violating rule #1! 

Show All Comments
Jon Washburn
Seattle, WA

Will, I don't mind the generic comment too much.  I usually never realize that it is just a cut and paste.

Lenn, Absolutely! Responding to comments is the heart of blogging. And you are so true about the "grateful for the time it takes to leave a comment" comment. Right now I am trying to leave a comment that addresses each commenter individually after about a day. So my comment doesn't really help move the comments along, but I will respond to each commenter.

Right now I am taking one blogging step at a time.  

Joeann, It's your blog, you should not feel guilty about however you handle it. Just know that responding to comments is Jonathan's successful blogging rule #1.

Sean, You noticed the flat spot on my head too?  lol

Dan, Lighten up.  Easier said than done.  Not sure if an AR group will help. - Light-bulb moment - Thanks, you just gave me an idea for another blog post!!! 

Jan 01, 2008 08:22 AM
Sean Allen
International Financing Solutions - Fort Myers, FL
International Financing Solutions
LOL .....yes,but I wasn't going to point that out.
Jan 01, 2008 08:58 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Perhaps middle ground--respond to a few pertinent comments, and post a thank you to all other members for joining the discussion.

Jan 01, 2008 09:09 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

That's nice that you're thinking about responding...maybe I'll come back and leave a comment more often lol!

How about this?  If you guys are going to the Inman thing in early Jan....will you consider coming to our ActiveRain Gathering on the 28th?  (CRS Sellabration and a lot of members will be here nationwide) .

Okay..thought I'd slip that one in...I've asked a couple of the others :)

Does this comment make for conversation? 

P.S. Came back to see if you answered lol!  And I spend a lot of time responding....and reciprocating. Isn't that what we're supposed to do?

Jan 01, 2008 10:31 AM
Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent
Realty Executives -BRIO - Seattle, WA

I'm with Lenn (and many others) about responding to all my comments, although I don't know how she and others who receive many comments keep up so well with them!  When I read posts with a lot of comments, especially on "Hot Topics" I usually learn something I had not considered before because of the comments.

You know that disorders are about extreme behavior, and that the BCD could also swing to the other extreme...a blogger who only comments, and comments, and comments.  :  )

Jan 01, 2008 10:34 AM
S W
Seattle, WA

If Seth Godin suffers from it too, I guess you're in a good boat! ;)

Jan 01, 2008 10:58 AM
Christine Bohn
RE/MAX Professionals - Gainesville, FL
The Bohn Team, Gainesville FL
Jonathan - I "completely" understand what you are saying.  I love to see comments on my posts also, and always say thanks....but now worry that just saying a quick thanks is a bad thing?  I just like folks to know I appreciate them "reading" what I post.   Geee.... can BCD be judged by the blog/comment ratio....Now, I am worried, LOL. 
Jan 01, 2008 11:20 AM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
You're in good company with Seth Godin - I enjoy reading what both of you have to say. Sometimes it takes a LONG time to reply to others comments, but that's what keeps a conversation going.
Jan 01, 2008 02:19 PM
Laurie Manny
Long Beach CA Real Estate - Long Beach, CA
I'm thinking about commenting.  Will let you know if I decide to..........
Jan 01, 2008 04:57 PM
Jon Washburn
Seattle, WA
Norma, Responding to only the most pertinent comments makes sense.

Sally, I am trying to find a way budget to make it down to HA for the CRS AR gather.  There is little I would enjoy more. Would we be invited even if we are not CRS's?

Commenting and reciprocating is what it is all about! I totally agree. I just get stuck sometimes when I go to make comments.  With practice I will get better.

Deborah, I wonder what the "perfect" ration of blogs to comments are?

Sara, ;)

Christine, Exactly! I hate responding to a comment with just a generic "thanks". I also feel a little cheap replying to every comment with a separate reply comment, like I am trying to jack up my comment count.

Sharon, Thanks for grouping me with Seth!  And okay, okay!! I get it.  :) This post is lame and I am just making lame excuses.  I should reply to every comment.   

Downtown Long Beach Laurie Manny, I am thinking very strongly about replying to your comment.  I will let you know, once you let me know, whether or not you decided to comment.
Jan 01, 2008 05:18 PM
Laurie Manny
Long Beach CA Real Estate - Long Beach, CA
lol...
Jan 01, 2008 05:30 PM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI
Jonathan, I think we've all experienced this at one time or another.  I got over it quickly though, finding that my normal shyness doesn't extend here.  That was pretty darned cool to discover!
Jan 01, 2008 10:40 PM
Suzanne Sands
Pavao Real Estate - Somerset, MA
Somerset MA Real Estate

Jonathan,

Perhaps you have other issues, but you already know that...LOL! ;)

Jan 01, 2008 10:54 PM
Allison Werner
To Be Announced - Middletown, NJ
I get "comment block", especially when I am replying to comments that are all either agreeing with me, or are all disagreeing with me. I like to reply to each person, but it gets hard if they are all the same type of comment. It's much easier when they alternate between agreeing and disagreeing. That way it feels more like a conversation.
Jan 02, 2008 01:12 AM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

Jonathan... I hate my voice.  I seriously don't like the sound of it... when recorded.  I don't mind hearing myself talk, but recordings of me annoy me.  It has kept me from pursuing podcasting...  I'm going to get over it, though. 

Look at it this way... Sara puts up with you, so you can too.  

Gail (my wife) puts up with me, so I must not be terrible... or she has a high BS tolerance.   

Jan 02, 2008 02:08 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME TO THE CRS SELLABRATION....CRS OR NOT. I am unable to attend the three day conference (have to hold the fort...uh, office down) but the AR gathering is here:

"HAWAII ActiveRain Gathering Scheduled for January 28, 2008!"  by me

or

Active Rain Gathering in Honolulu - January 28, 2008 by Randy

 

Yes.....I put links in your comment section :) 

 In any event, the CRS conference is at Hilton Hawaiian Village...and non members can still register here: http://www.sellabration.com/  or just come for the party...others are coming earlier or staying later....so we can do other stuff :)

Jan 02, 2008 07:01 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate
Hi Jonathan:  Please do not worry about being a "weird cookie."  My mother used to tell me all the time... "Karen, the other kids only call you weird cuz they're jealous.  Please remember, my dear, that 'weird' is just another word for 'special.' "  And, I remember that my dear mother used to tell me quite often how very "special" I really was.  You don't really think she meant "weird"... do you ?
Jan 02, 2008 08:39 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate
Excuses excuses.....and yep that excuse was pretty lame.....but hey the 200 lb. Gorilla can make up any excuse they want :)
Jan 02, 2008 12:50 PM
Jon Washburn
Seattle, WA

Kathy, The funny thing was that no one cut me any slack.  They called "BS" right away.

Karen, I've been called "special" my whole life... This is a good thing right.

Sally,  Sally, I'll try.  Kinda expensive and considering we don't have a lot of revenue yet, it might be a little difficult to swing.

Lane, My wife has a high tolerance too. That is what you were saying right? ;)

Kris / Allison, I think I am already over my case of BCD; at least for today. 

Suzanne, How dare you.  HOW DARE YOU!               Just kidding. I think it is safe to say I have issues.

 

Jan 02, 2008 03:48 PM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy
Jon - I didn't say your wife had the high tolerance... just mine...  BTW, I met Sara at the party.  GREAT girl.  Count yourself as the second luckiest guy around...  ;^ )
Jan 08, 2008 02:49 AM
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