Analytic Depression
I love my numbers. So much so that I have made a career out of staring at them. So when I run my blog, I am inclined to look at my figures at a regular interval. FYI, I use Google Analytics to collect stats and it provides me with enough flexibility to slice and dice the data.
The trouble in getting too involved with anything is that at some point, it will turn around and kick you in the goolies. I don’t mind it but thinking about this prospect is a downer and I call the condition creatively as the “Analytic Depression”. It does not help when your stats look like this.
The Left side is mid March and the right side is mid-end April.
March was a great month, I had recently taken the Trans-Siberian trip and I have been brimming with enthusiasm to share my stories. I wrote a lot and I guess it is a popular topic that people are seeking information about. After a few weeks, I have been at work and generally uninspired to write. And as a consequence, the audience started dimming and the traffic is scraping the bottom of the barrel in April.
In march, the worm has been steady and I was pretty happy about it. To the extent that when things started to go down, I felt bad. It is funny how I can get carried away by something so senseless and write an article about it. No wonder people feel attached to their spouses, family, children, friends etc., and regret when things don’t go the way they want it to.
The trick to deal with this is probably to not worry about the outcome but enjoy the process. I like to write not because someone wants to read (though the recognition adds to the enthusiasm). Does that mean that I will stop watching analytics? Of course not. Like Travis Bickle on Taxi Driver, I will be stalking and watching but unlike Bickle, I will keep the distance and appreciate the difference between process and the outcome.
Note: The self referential nature of the article is totally Fellini’s fault. I had a over dose over the weekend.
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April 26th, 2010 23:29
I am inspired by your spirit, that is, not worry about the outcome but to enjoy the writing process. Perhaps I can apply it in my work too.:)
April 27th, 2010 09:00
Like I say, keep one eye on the performance at the same time
take pleasure when things go up and don’t take pain when they go down. Difficult to do, but worth doing 
April 27th, 2010 10:10
There was once I was getting 50 hits a day. But that was because some idiot out there claimed that my site had something about Tammy NYP. After that I stopped caring about my hit stats.
7 years after writing on my first blog, and 12 years after keeping a regular journal, I write because it’s become a habit.
April 27th, 2010 10:44
No publicity is bad publicity eh
High traffic makes me feel like I am making a difference, but it is hallucinatory. But still, I like to indulge once in a while
I guess you just hit the wrong end but have successfully rehabilitated.
Why does this strangely sound like alcohol / drug addiction… May be data IS bad for health.
April 28th, 2010 10:40
Nat, I share yr view that stats does give me more motivation to write but our passion is not a numbers game. We blog because we want to share our ideas, express our views and for me, build focus communities. You will find that more will visit yr blog given time and when people realise your postings are interesting.
I follow your blog regularly so keep blogging! You are doing great. Appreciate your honesty.
Al
April 28th, 2010 11:56
Thanks Al, Good to hear from you again… The post is mildly tongue in cheek. There is actually less disappointment and more of a point of view.
I find it amusing that it is easy to find comfort in something inane and feel withdrawal when it is not there. I guess I used the stats as a context to explore this idea