Read Less Do More In 2010. Focus, Focus, Focus

by Steve Sherron on January 9, 2010

FocusHoly Cow, I’ve been posting a lot of little short worthless posts lately. I’m buzzed a little on Blue Moon right now so I thought it was time for another meaningless post from a Problogger. That’s right, I’m declaring myself a Problogger. Everybody else is lately. In a way, I actually am, but not here on BloggerLens. If you don’t like my self description, let’s set up a time and place for a fight. I have a goatee and I look like a bad-ass. Sporting a goatee tells the world you are a bad-ass and not to mess with me. See my picture in the upper left of this site? Would any of you mess with Ally Hane? Ok, case closed.

Today, I went to my Google reader which I don’t go to that often. I mostly subscribe to all of the other geniuses by email. My Google Reader was packed with crap and I probably unsubscribed to 50 or so blogs. I want my stuff delivered to me in my in-box where I can sip my coffee and man scratch myself each and every morning.

I started thinking to myself that in 2009 I earned a Masters Degree in some of the things that mattered on the internet. I learned to separate the garbage from the good stuff. I could not believe the crap I subscribed to. It was amazing the number of the blogs I had subscribed to had not posted in months. They were basically abandoned. I removed all of those blogs completely off my radar. I’m getting my focus on.

I don’t get too distracted online anymore. I’m pretty focused. I run my own sites and they take the majority of my time. I’m attempting to make a full time income online. I am first and foremost a hyperlocal blogger. I launched a network of hyperlocal websites in 2009. I have just partnered with a major regional newspaper for a year long “news sharing” experiment that is funded by a national journalism thinktank. I’m very proud of this. There are some dark days when you work online and this was the highlight of my year and validation of what I do that many consider important.

Will I blog about this experience? Maybe. I have worked my ass off for over a year and I have learned many things through trial and error. Will I freely give away what I have learned? The answer to that is hell no for the most part. Now I’m being asked to speak to some local organizations and my local profile is rising. That’s pretty cool but I don’t believe in giving away all of your proprietary information just to gain a following.

RosieIf you have developed a technique for shaving hog’s asses that is revolutionary, I think you are an idiot for giving it away for free just so your readers will tell you how great you are in the comment section. Focus the knowledge you have worked to obtain and monetize it. Rosie was the best picture I could find of a hogs ass.

I’m still trying to make a passive income online. The very thought of that is very intriguing. I dabble in the “make money online” niche but it is not the full focus of my efforts online. I love Griz Grizzly and what he teaches. I wish I had more time to devote to it. If your focus is to make money online, why don’t you just do it and stop making excuses. Read less and do more.

2009 was the year that I developed some genuine online friendships. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t visit the sites of my online friends. Click the Friends tab on the top of this page to see who I read and respect online.

If you are not involved in video in some form, you are missing out. I’m totally focused on video. I’ll be doing more here on Bloggerlens but 2010 is year of the video. For $150 or less you can become a cool video blogger. I will watch your $hit before I will watch Lost on ABC. If I like what you do, I’ll make you a cool intro to your videos.

I hope you will get off your ass, read less and do more in 2010. Focus people, Focus!

  • ssherron
    @Josh, you are good at video because when I'm on your site I see your readers asking for more.

    @Lis, That was last week on the Problogger thing. This week I'm declaring myself a rank amateur again. Allyn should take some blame for my new fondness of trying new beers that are high in alcohol content though.

    @Jessie, I totally get your point and you are spot on. BTW, I saw another comment you made about my Realtor/Twitter post and it was in my spam folder for some reason. I approved it and it totally disappeared. Feel free to comment again.

    @Dave, I had a hunch that hyperlocal would do well over a year ago and so far it's panning out. I've been paying my dues.
  • Hyperlocal websites may take over the community newspaper. I hope so.

    Just between you, me and the side of the browser window, I'm about 99% certain none of the Big Time Players - in any field - give away sh*t until they've strip mined 90% of the cash out of it.

    This first couple of years we're in we have to build the skills for handling all the tech work, then the prospecting work.

    @jessie - you and me both bud.

    I *hate* watching video and listening to podcasts... but I'll make 'em if that's what people want. heh.
  • Jessie
    You will find that once you start making "passive" income you will want to protect it and grow it thus it will never be passive.

    I quit my job almost one year ago and I have never worked harder. At least it is something I enjoy. I probably work 60 hours a week but at least I am working for me and not someone else. It can be done and the more creative you are the better your chances.
  • Shit another bloody pro-blogger that drinks beer - what's my corner of the interwebs coming too! I think I going to turn into an amateur blogger - you know the type that doesn't get paid for anything - which is what it feels like at the moment!

    Thanks for the mention - and thats pretty cool what you did with the combo feed thingy on the friends page - if I start getting traffic looking for beer I will blame you LOL
  • I can attest to the cool video intros. I am a video idiot when it comes to shooting, editing and uploading but Steve hooked me up.

    Good luck on your focus but I predict you fail with each passing beer, ha.

    Friends are so cool for getting shit done quicker, good feedback both positive and negative, and for drinking lots of beer together. Best of luck on your shiz for twenty ten.
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