This month’s EVE Blog Banter comes to us from Manasi of A Mule in EvE.
Manasi asks “How do we, EVE bloggers, adapt to changes as they are thrust upon us (speed changes, no more ghost training, all the dev blogs, etc), or as our lives make playing the game different (more time, less time)?”.
“A little revolution every now and again is a healthy thing”.
We all have to learn that our time management skills, no matter how could we think they are, will always be put to the test when things change. EVE Online is an evolving game. It’s constantly changing in scope and in game mechanics (not a complete rewrite like SWG). It can be a bit chaotic, but that’s part of the appeal. You have to ‘adapt or die’.
How do I keep up my blogging with all the changes that come our way? Well, I look at it from this angle. Everyone will have something to say about a recent in game change. I like to look at changes and put in my perspective on something unless it’s already been said, then I comment on that person’s blog entry as I don’t like to steal other people’s thunder. It can be a bit challenging as we have a diverse community here and many people have some very good views on a great many topics.
Game changes are a muse to my blogging. They give me inspiration to write on a specific topic with what I think and feel. Look at much of the discussion from the past year on the topics cited as examples in this month’s Blog Banter. Speed changes, Ghost training, the many dev blogs. They all generate posts on our blogs. They are one of the many ‘idea faucets’ that we all crave. From those discussions and perspectives, additional idea flow forth and more and more posts are made. Every blogger has the challenge of making regular posts of quality content. That’s the point. We are providing a quality product to ensure that people come back and read our blogs again. It’s a valuable resource for me and I for one do welcome the inspiration.
Time management is the key to all things in life. You have to learn to put what is important at the top of your to do list. You also have to learn to do things in an intelligent fashion. Take this blog entry for example. It was not written in the hour or so it was posted, it was written a few days ago and scheduled to be posted. I had some free time where I was stuck in traffic due to a traffic accident and I pulled out my pad and pen and began to write. I later typed this up in Windows Notepad during a lunch break and emailed it to myself to post on this blog when I got home.
Now, there are times that I can’t play EVE mainly because I have responsibilities at home with chores, our puppy (The Coconut Fluff-Ball of Fury) or spending quality time with my wife and famliy. It helps that my wife likes to play computer games as well, we both get to do our own thing, however, my wife would tell you that I spend too much time playing EVE.
You have to look at it from this perspective. Everyone has their family life, their work life and their ‘me time’ life. Some people collect stamps, other play sports. I play EVE. Keep things simply, divide up your time among those three things and in the order I listed here and you will find that you can adapt to pretty much anything in life and in you ‘me time’.
Please do read these other fine posts on this month’s Blog Banter!!!
- Attitude is Everything
- The Game with the Thousand Faces
- [OOC] January’s Blog Banter
- New Ballgames, Same Home Team
- EVE Blog Banter #4: I Don’t Know
- Adaptation
- CK’s Blog Banter #4
- Roll With the Punches
- Blog Banter 4: Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
- We, the EVE-bloggers
- Adapt or Die
- I’m in ur blogosphere, hijackin’ ur Blog Banter (4)
- Blog Banter
- Opportunity or Burden?
- Mystic Pizza
- “Stay on target…”
- January EVE Blog Banter
- Re-Prioritization
- Bonzai in my Bookcase
- Delicious!
- More to come…
January 30th, 2009 at 12:46 am
Wise post, very wise indeed! Eve is, unfortunately, a time sink like none I have ever seen. It is so difficult to plan to play for "just an hour" when you sometimes can't predict exactly how long some activities are going to take. Fortunately, I have most evenings to play due to my husband's work schedule. I fit blogging in before and after work, or during lunch (I work at home and have some flexibility in this regard). In a week where the Muse strikes, I often spend more time blogging about EVE than actually playing. But I love doing both, so the time spent is enjoyed regardless.
January 30th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
As per normal, I was thinking from one angle, and you came from another! Thanks for the info bro and your are very right time management is a critical skill!
January 30th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
LOL, caught you again did I? Yeah, I like coming up with the different angles. In fact, my prey when I am pirating hate it when I do that!!!
February 1st, 2009 at 12:25 am
Very nicely put ! I like the Coconut Fluff-Ball of Fury comment
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Family? Damn, I knew I was missing something this month…..now, where did I put them……hmmmmmm