Earlier today, I walked out of traffic court after accepting a plea deal from the county for a traffic infraction earlier this summer. I really wanted to write a post ranting about how my willingness to pay a higher fine resulted in a zero point parking violation exposes the hypocrisy in the system. The entire system is nothing more than a shakedown to generate revenue. But I said I wouldn’t rant (anymore than I just did) and here’s why.
Your blog is not a journal
Okay, admittedly some blogs are journals and that’s okay. However, if you’re reading this blog, I suspect you are looking for inspiration to fuel your personal and professional growth. That’s my goal when I write here. Me going on a rant about what is a societal/political issue is not why you come here. If you want that, check me out on Twitter. I let it fly there sometimes.
Shelby Sapusek, my editor here, has vetoed three or four posts over the last six months. It’s not that she has forbidden me from running with them. She’s just said it would not be in my best interest to publish those posts. I’m human. I get upset, I rant, I’m damn passionate about issues I care about and I swear. Yes, I do all those things and, by and large, none of that belongs on this blog most of the time.
Find a way to make the post useful
After my traffic court incident, I was talking with Shelby and describing the rant I was going to write. Being the awesome editor and critic she is, she listened patiently. Before she even had to veto the idea, I had turned it around into what you are reading now, which is hopefully a useful post about why not ranting is a better way to go.
Writing that rant would have kept an incident on top of my mind for a little while longer when I know it’s better to put it behind me. It’s time to let go of what I can’t control and move on to that which I can. Along with my business ColorMetrix, I’ve got a growing array of web properties generating revenue. Those business interests are my responsibility and require my continued attention. I have business partners, clients and customers counting on me. That’s where my focus needs to be most of the time when I’m awake.
I’m not going to focus on the petty speeding ticket I received while driving my new car to the airport to fly out east and visit my wife in New Port, RI. Yes, get over yourself, Jim. There is important work to be done and you’ve got a damn nice life. Stop ranting and keep working.