Are You Addicted To OPO?

I have a bit of a confession to make. Since starting StandOutBlogger.com, I have started to get addicted to something called OPO.

Now don’t worry it’s not a drug. But it can be just as dangerous.
It’s not alcohol. But it may well just be as consuming.

OTHER PEOPLES OPINIONS (OPO)

To be honest, I have never really cared about what people thought about me. I mean I did when I was younger. I had my fair share of problems that cause me to care what people thought. I mean it started with my height. I didn’t get my major growth spurt until I was about 18/19y/o, so I was always the shortest person in the group, and then when I hit about 15, acne set in – and I mean set in! And just to add another thing for people to say things about, I was (and still am) extremely skinny. I would always get they, ‘You need to eat more,’ or the ‘wow, I didn’t know that guys could be anorexic too.’ jokes made about me.

But you know what, I can honestly say that what people say about me, has no affect on who I see myself to me. I like who I am, and nothing anyone can say to me will ever change that. I was sure I had overcome OPO.

OPO In Blogging

This last week, with the launch of StandOutBlogger OPO has started to sneak back into my life. Starting a new blog after having medium level success with my last one made me wonder if I could do the same again – but quicker!

From day one of the launch I was checking my traffic stats, and now my affiliate and feedburner stats with a not so healthy frequency. In fact I would leave my stats page open so I could refresh every 15min or so. I was so desperate to know if people would like my new blog as much as my previous one.

I craved unique visitors. I craved comments. It had become like a drug to me.

And as always you don’t see the signs until you are in pretty deep, and the struggle now is to get out and stay out.

Now don’t get me wrong. Check your traffic stats and your affiliate stats. It is healthy to know how much traffic you are getting and where it is coming from. I mean that is good business. But don’t let it take over you so that it starts taking up valuable time and thought.

Although over the last day or two, I have cut down my stats checking dramatically. I still check it more than I should. So I guess my question to you is:

How do you manage a healthy balance between checking your stats and becoming obsessed?

I’d love to know your thoughts, so please leave a comment below. If you would like to be a StandOutBlogger then subscribe to our feed or email updates.