You guessed it – I have been having MAJOR FOCUS issues lately.

The short version is summer is here, I’m in a very slow process of moving, I have a wonderful man in my life who just so happens to have a lake house we visit as often as we can and my two, very active teenage boys keep me hopping. We all know how bored teens get and how absolutely disastrous life can be when that happens.

While taking some “me time” to read over some of my favorite websites and blogs, I was pleased to find a particular blog entry from Rosalind Gardner. The post is entitled, “Affiliate Marketing: Mixing Pleasure with Business” and is SO appropriate for these summer months when what I really want to be doing is relaxing by the water with my family.

As I am determined to concentrate on focusing, I have begun a stockpile of articles that are my way creating fuel to help get me get back on top of my game even when the water is calling my name…

I’ve never been officially diagnosed, but it goes without saying, I’m a classic textbook case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. In fact, I think I could be their Poster Child.

You can find me, on any given day, wiping down my kitchen counters at least 50 times per day or washing my hands twice that much.

I can’t say for certain, but I’m quite sure, that’s why I have taken to blogging like I have. There are times that my O.C.D. tendencies carry over into my blogging personality.

If you could take a glimpse into my early days of web design and blogging, you’d probably scratch your head and wonder — it was truly a mess! Nothing lined up (I love things that line up) – graphics were a complete nightmare.

There were many times I’d feel as though I were stuck and spinning my wheels trying to get the LOOK just right or the sidebars so-so.

When it comes to blogging, is there one thing you obsess about?

Have you found a way to deal with it and move on or are you still stuck?

I know, firsthand, the blogosphere is a virtual playground for people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, so I know there are plenty more of you out there.

Where are you?

Income:

Being a work at home mom of course means that I have to be earning my money online somehow, right? Well, though blogging is fun, social and entertaining, it does provide a nice little income for myself and my family.

Current Events:

I’ve always loved watching the news and discovery type shows – so I found blogging to be a way to learn and participate in current events.

Teaching and Support:

Having started my online career 11 years ago as a patient advocate working primarily in support, I find I never get too far away from the advocate in me. Teaching others how to do what I do is a way for me to feel as though I’m contributing to my community somehow.

Socializing:

Being a work at home or stay at home mom can leave a person feeling rather cutoff from society. Through blogging, I’ve developed some very rewarding friendships and find there’s never room for a dull or lonely moment.

Entertainment:

There are days I find myself wasting an entire day just reading blogs. You wouldn’t think it could be so darned entertaining, but it is! Blogging is like a drug to me! Mostly uppers

My Question for YOU:

What are the reasons YOU blog?

I’d like to take some time to touch on a topic that’s brought up SO often in the blogosphere. Certainly audiences vary across the board, so that’s something to consider.

There are some aspects of my life that I choose to keep very private, however, as a stay-at-home-mom slash work-at-home-mom, I have to say that blogging isn’t just about developing an online business, it’s about keeping my own sanity by providing me with actual ‘adult’ interaction.

Now, I’ve heard several bloggers recommend the “water cooler” gauge in monitoring the level of information you’re providing via the net. In other words, if you wouldn’t discuss it around the water cooler with your boss or co-workers, then it’s probably not a good topic to be mentioned on your blog.

For me, I’d have to say that my own gauge is if the topic is something I wouldn’t feel comfortable discussing with a grandparent or minister, then it’s probably not going to make it’s way to my blog.

My Question for YOU:

How do you keep yourself from becoming too personal on your blog or is there truly anything at all that you won’t blog?