Oh For The Love Of God! It’s Just A Blog Post.

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There’s a little parrot that sits on my shoulder that criticizes me ALL the time.

Okay, I’ll admit it.  I’m neurotic.  I’m a perfectionist.  So what?  There’s got to be at least ONE other person like me on the planet!

I take my writing (blogging) seriously.  Is there something wrong with that?  I know I’m not writing a novel, an essay, or a resume.  Oh, darn, there goes that pesky parrot sounding off again …

“Maybe you’re just not cut out for this blogging thing.”

Wrong.  You’re dead wringer wrong.  I AM cut out for this blogging thing.

I just happen to think that proofreading, editing, and re-writing makes for a better blog post.  I might add that proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling count in my book, too.

So is THAT a sin?!

Uh-Oh.  I really wish I hadn’t asked that question.  Too late.  Here comes an unwelcomed remark from that blinking bird …

“Oh for the love of God! It’s just a blog post.”

I’ve been listening to this parrot forever and when I sit down to start blogging, I’d like to shove an old dirty sock in its mouth!

Oh, brother.  I knew it.  I could feel it coming.  As always, the parrot’s got to have the last word …

“You can’t be serious.  You’re not going to publish THAT, are you?”

Do you have a parrot sitting on your shoulder?  An inner critic?  Or am I the only one?

{mysig}

  • Glad to know I’m not the only one who does this! Great post!
    .-= Kate´s last blog ..Day 6: I’d Like To Thank The Academy… =-.

  • This is so YOU, Melanie – but I see so much of me in there too. I think we all obsess way too much about things that probably don’t matter that much. As you all have seen, I really don’t care that much about capitalization. If you want to hear from me be grateful for what you got..LOL..thanks for bringing us all back to reality.

    Terrie

  • Melanie, your thoughts (and your inner parrot’s) are reflective of a prime challenge we all face.

    It can be dealt with effectively with really easy math. If investing another 30 minutes into a written piece will result in an increase in income (or in followers, or list additions, or whatever measure you use to track your progress) which is at least equal to what you think your time is worth, then go for it!

    It not, let it go. Let it go out into the world and do its job, slightly imperfectly.

    Great post, Melanie!
    .-= Rick Hamrick´s last blog ..Argue as if you are right, listen as if you are wrong =-.

  • Melanie,

    I love your humor and the way you think. We all have a bird moment in our lives from time to time. I just keep trying to feed him crackers. If you keep his mouth full you won’t hear a word he says.

    All the best,
    Kevin
    .-= Inspiring Speaker Kevin Thompson´s last blog ..A Talent Based Work Environment =-.

    • LOL! LOL!! Kevin, it’s comforting to know you’re having some “bird” moments, too.

      Crackers! Why didn’t I think of that?! I better start stockpiling cases of saltines! 🙂

      I love your humor, too. And quite frankly, I’m having a hard time controlling the laughter from reading your comment long enough to write this reply!

      Break a leg,
      Melanie

  • Girl, my inner critic looks more like my mother than a parrot, but yep, she’s there. The good news is that I am learning how to tell her to stuff a sock in it. 🙂
    .-= Angela Atkinson´s last blog ..7 Ways to Become the Houdini of Funk =-.

    • Angie ~

      Good to have another “sock-stuffing” blogger on my side! 🙂

      Uh-Oh. You say she looks like your mother? My condolences.

      Thanks for knocking on my door,
      Melanie

  • Right on the money honey! It is just a blog! I do sometimes feel like I should write apology letters to all my former english teachers though! Thanks for the great post,

    Michele
    .-= Michele Scism´s last blog ..Top 6 Ways to Grow Your Email Marketing List =-.

    • Michele ~

      I definitely KNOW what you mean. I excelled in language arts in school (thanks to the super-duper teachers I had) and I studied journalism for two years. Writing for the web is a horse of a different color!

      I have to constantly remind myself, “Oh for the love of God! It’s only a blog post.” 🙂

      Melanie

  • Hey Melaine and bird,

    I wouldn’t call mine exactly a parrot.
    Yes, I’m going to start my reply to her like that.
    It’s more like a dark and evil twin of mine.
    I’ve have always thought of you as evil, you little twit.
    Ever with the comments and criticisms, never quiet or forgiving even when I write something that I think is pretty good.
    Can you give it a rest, puhpleeeze?
    He’s most prominent at the computer (or when I actually put pen to paper) but never once has he given me a rest. Speaking of which I’m going to have to end now.
    I know you’re hungry, you little blood sucking monster.
    Seems we have to be fed.
    Until later, Melanie, got to run.
    I’m coming, I’m coming.

    Hugs,
    RICK… (and shadow)
    .-= Rick Lelchuk´s last blog ..Brand Creation – The Healthy Networker =-.

    • Rick, is that really YOU?!

      Well, I’m honored. I love the conversation you’re having with that little blood-sucking monster! Now I’m wondering about all the different ways other people might describe their inner critics. Could end up to be a raspy, nasty list of adjectives. 🙂

      Hey, have you thought at all about getting on board with me and 200+ other people who are doing the blogging challenge? You’re too good a writer and online marketer to miss out on all the benefits of this thing, Rick.

      Say hi to Lynn and hugs back at ya,
      Melanie

  • I think I have the same parrot. My answer is to not feed the parrot by not paying any attention to it and eventually it went away.

    • Oh, Ralph, I really like your idea!

      I just need to stop feeding this blinking bird! That ought to do the trick!

      Thank you for stopping by today,
      Melanie

  • LOL I like Joyce’s advice. 🙂

    You aren’t alone. I proofread and edit mine, too. I am working to let go of the perfection thing though and focus on getting things done (knowing that I can always revise later). It’s a challenge.
    .-= Michelle Shaeffer´s last blog ..Free Your Comments! =-.

    • Michelle ~ I love seeing you here!

      It’s really comforting to know I’m not alone. Seems we actually have a pretty big membership in this “club”!

      “Revise later” is another bug-a-boo issue for me. I don’t know why it is, but I can’t stand loose ends. I’ll actually lose sleep if there’s something I need to finish and I haven’t gotten it done. It probably has an awful lot to do with the way I was raised — “A place for everything and everything in its place” – “The next thing to Godliness is cleanliness.” Those are the kinds of mantras I grew up with.

      I really enjoyed reading “Free Your Comments” this morning and it’s a very timely piece considering the blogging challenge going on!

      Melanie

  • LOL @Joyce. I agree with her!

    What’s funny is you managed to write a blog post talking to an imaginary parrot. If anyone could do that, it’s you Melanie!

    Gwen
    .-= Gwen Tanner´s last blog ..In Response to Nancy’s post: Why I Hate Video =-.

    • Really great mastermind call with you today, Gwen. Thank you so much for your insights and suggestions!

      Sometimes I just like to have some plain old-fashioned fun on my blog. I do have a goal in mind, though. If I can bring a little bit of laughter into just one other person’s life for the moment, I’ve met my goal and I feel successful!

      I can’t wait to rush over to your blog and read your response to Nancy. You’ve grabbed my attention bigtime.

      Melanie

  • You made me giggle. With my blog I can let go of the perfectionism thing. I write from the heart and sometimes straight onto the blog. When I read it afterwards there are spelling mistakes and grammatical errors, but that just shows my readers that I’m human. It also gives them an opportunity to correct me (which they do – and I thank them lol).
    However, I can get very picky about my other work and for the last few weeks I have been demanding perfection from myself and everyone else involved in my CD production. I want it to be RIGHT. It’s so important to me and at times I’ve had to let go and say ‘it’s good enough – it’s more than good enough’.
    We are always a work in progress lol
    We are human and we are doing the best we can with what we’ve got.
    much love
    Heather x
    .-= Heather Bestel´s last blog ..The Magical Meditations Blog is now Live! =-.

    • True to your character and inner core, Heather, you possess an uncanny ability to “prioritize” perfectionism. Most of us can’t do that!

      You’re able to pick and choose, with relative ease, the moments you need to make absolute certain that things are done 100% right and moments when it truly doesn’t matter.

      It is always a good idea to show people your “human” side. Little spelling boo-boos and things like that resonate with others who say, “Gee, I make those mistakes sometimes, too. Heather is just like me.”

      Glad you got a bit of a giggle today!
      Melanie

  • My inner critic still pops in fairly regularly, and I’m finally learning to live with her, thank goodness. I have a hunch that no matter how long we do this, we’ll always have to deal with those voices in our heads!
    .-= Jean Sarauer´s last blog ..6 Things That Get Easier About Blogging if You Just Keep Going =-.

    • I’m delighted you paid a visit here today, Jean!

      Sounds like your inner critic is at least taking a couple of days off here and there. Don’t you wish you could send her on a “permanent” vacation?!

      Tell her the Bahamas are looking good this time of the year. 🙂

      Melanie

  • For the love of God Melanie go to your local pet store at buy some parakeets. They will drown out the sound of the parrot. Besides they sing a sweeter tune.
    .-= Joyce Hansen´s last blog ..Female Brain Attacks Happen – How You Can Help =-.

    • LOL!! Now that’s the best advice I’ve heard in a long time, Joyce. Parakeets! 🙂