Although I don’t usually get too excited about making New Year’s resolutions, I guess the energy of the season got to me this year.
I’ve just spent the week focusing on what I want to do and where I want to go with my business (and life, really) this year.
One thing that became clear to me was that trying to maintain two separate business websites was completely unproductive because I ended up not maintaining either one very well.
So I decided to completely eliminate Writing Portland, which is where I focused on writing and publishing topics with an emphasis on what is happening in Portland, Oregon. Then I completely redesigned (yet again!) my Story Mentor site.
My goal was to bring the story back to Story Mentor.
It was also to make a clear statement that I am passionate about working with people who are passionate about making a difference–who want to make the world better in some way–whether that means designing a beautiful piece of furniture, opening a wine bar that welcomes guests and makes them feel at home, or creating best practice guides that teach practitioners how to keep nuclear materials secure.
I found a graphic of a wonderful painting by Deborah Dewit, who is an Oregon artist that created a series of paintings focused on books. I just love the paintings’ look and feel, so I was thrilled when Deborah gave me permission to use one of them on my website. I am really pleased with the results and definitely think the story is back!
I created Writing Portland originally because it felt–for keyword/search engine purposes–like I had to blog only about website design and SEO issues on Story Mentor. When I did write a blog on Story Mentor, it felt like I had to demonstrate expertise and teach something every time.
My goodness how boring all of that can be!
So I am turning over a new leaf–even if Google gets a bit confused by what this site is all about–and I am refocusing on what matters to me. And maybe to you, too.
I am going to speak in my own voice and write about feelings now and then. I am going to mix writing and publishing and philosophizing with web design and SEO. Sometimes my posts will still be geeky and focused on a “how to” that interests me and that I think might interest you, too. And sometimes they will be less focused, more personal and more meandering.
From where I look today, I am heading into 2012 with a new web design, a newly-reawakened newsletter, and new determination to have more fun and give perfection a rest. (At least as much as a perfectionist can.)
What about you?
Are you making any changes to your business–or your life–in this new year? What really matters to you?
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