Today’s “Save the Ocean” post is on whale-watching trips. Go read it 
My half-French-half-Canadian friend, Zhu wanted to know what I have learned in 2007. I wished I had kept an account of the things that I have learned in the entire year, but I didn’t, so my list wouldn’t be comprehensive 
ON BLOGGING
Blogging is time consuming. Actually, I have just learned in 2007 that blogging is a very time-consuming activity. Especially when subjects needed to be researched and points and facts needed to be doubly checked before anything is published. On top of that, the process of sourcing an image and making sure that the right credit goes to the right picture also requires a certain degree of attention to details.
Blogging is therapeutic. Not that I am depressed, but whenever I feel down (we all feel like crap once in a while, don’t we?), I could research and write a few blog posts at one go! On top of that, blog-hopping and networking also takes a lot of those gloominess away 
Blogging keeps the mind active. I think about what to blog most of the time when I am alone. When I started blogging in 2005, I always thought about the things that I could blog about to bring traffic to my blog. But lately, I kept thinking about the things I could blog about to increase awareness on certain issues. I think about how to promote the issues, and I think about all those bloggers whom I could approach for assistance.
Blogging for money isn’t my cup of tea.
I have gone a full circle from thinking about “blogging for money” to actually doing it, to doubting myself for writing those sponsored posts because I sometimes tried too hard to blend it into my blog, to empathizing with my readers, to thinking about the directions I wanted my blog to head to, to not writing those sponsored posts anymore.
I wanted to be a campaign blogger.
I enjoyed spreading awareness on issues that needed the attention, and I enjoyed sharing with my readers the many ways that they could help the needy. And over time, that particular post grew into a category by itself and then a website by its own!
ON A MORE PERSONAL SCALE
Taking action pays. This definitely is the most important lesson that I have learned in 2007. I have learned that taking action and following up on it get things done. I have also learned that if you wanted something badly enough, you will go to great lengths to achieve it. At the beginning, it wasn’t easy but eventually it became a habit and taking actions slowly turned into a habit of mine.
Good time management increases productivity. I have started using a diary-cum-organizer in 2005 but only in 2007 I realized the power of good time management. In my not-very-fancy organizer, I wrote down things that I could and couldn’t remember, things that I wanted to remember, things that I needed to remember and other things that other-people-should-remember-but-I-bet-they-won’t. I started writing my TO DO list whenever I anticipate a hectic day so that things that needed to be done are done.
It doesn’t take a year to write a thesis. We’ve all heard our seniors say how difficult it is to write a thesis and all that jazz. Yes, it is very difficult to START writing it, but once momentum is gained, it becomes a routine, and when you see your Word document grows from 15 to 85 pages, you get the kind of satisfaction and motivation to even work harder on it. Saying that “it is very difficult” is only an excuse. All you need is a strategy. And possibly a company 
The sky is the limit, when the heart is in it. ‘Nuff said.
So what did YOU learn in 2007?
If you think this post might benefit other bloggers:
Well said Pelf. I agree entirely with the first three. I don’t think I really realised what I was getting into when I started my blog!
The main thing that I learnt in 2007 is that good deeds aren’t just their own reward; they have tangible rewards as well!
I daresay that almost all of my lucky breaks have come from a good deed, which the recipient responded to with their own. What a nice bunch bloggers are.
Michael from Pro Blog Design’s latest blog post: Pro Blog Design in 2007 and Beyond
You are right. When you want to provide value to your readers blogging does take time.
Ottayan’s latest blog post: What do you want out of life?
I learn that pelf has real determination in writing something about the environment
yenjai.net’s latest blog post: Miss Tourism
Well done on you pelf! More to learn in 2008 as well too?
april’s latest blog post: Morning cuppas with Khao Shong
I like the “u comment i follow” and “you comment i reply” things :). It’s a good way in maintaining a blog and serving its readers, and yes that’s one of the reason why blogging is time consuming.
aroengbinang’s latest blog post: Closing Ceremony of FTJ 2007
This is a very simple yet complete list of things you’ve did in 2007!
By the way…
Guess this is the only reason that keeps me blogging up to now. Thanks for your constant encouragement, dai kah cher.
littlebro’s latest blog post: t e r e n g g a n u
i learned that about blogging as well. but more importantly, I lrealized that blogging is addicting. I sometimes find myself thinking of posts to write when driving, in church, anywhere!
You’re right. Blogging is not just about politics/religions …i’m back..though not as actively as before.
I’ve started another blog, will be a bit busy with that. Do check it out and comment when you’re free. 
Alvin’s latest blog post: Blog and Portal update
Thanks for doing the meme! I read it last night but I was too sleepy for a smart answer/ comment
Blogging takes time, so true. And like you, I can’t do the blogging for money things. I did add a couple of ads on my blog recently though, because well, I spend so much time on my blog I feel I wouldn’t mind a a small compensation. But that’s about it.
And on the thesis… wow! Not everyone is as efficient as you!
Zhu’s latest blog post: Canadian-ism (s) — Part I: The Weather
Congratulations on the completion of your thesis
Bernard’s latest blog post: What cartoon character am I?
Well said pelf -
” I enjoyed spreading awareness on issues that needed the attention, and I enjoyed sharing with my readers the many ways that they could help the needy.”
I’ve enjoyed your work on “The Giving Hands”, and one blog that I be checking regularly, and hopefully participate in your future campaigns!
Ever think of “blogging for money” and donate the money to different organizations? That be for a good cause, and of course fully utilize your sites too
just a tot.
pktan’s latest blog post: Malaysia Student Pass / Student VISA
Well done Pelf! I’m sure you had a magnificent year in 2007! Blogging is definitely time-consuming and I am sure every blogger can attest to that!
Giddy Tiger’s latest blog post: Giddy cauldron broils over
Yes, PK, I have definitely thought of raising money from blogging and chanelling them to different organizations, but in the end, I found that it requires too much time and effort, something that I can’t commit to at the moment.
Plus, it requires a certain degree of transparency too (which translates to more work), since some people might be skeptical and all. And of course, we haven’t even come to the fact that response from fellow bloggers might not be encouraging (especially when it comes to dealing with money and donations).
So you see, there are actually a whole list of hurdles to be crossed
You can see from the reducing frequency of my entries that it is indeed, a time consuming effort to keep up with blogging. Thank goodness for best friends like you who keep supporting me from time to time
moz’s latest blog post: What the heck …
Aww, moz.. That’s so very flattering
But then again, that’s what best friends are for, right? 
I agree with the first three points!
I learned a lot of things in 2007, but it will take me too long to write about them
Diana13’s latest blog post: Improve your RSS feed
3 things I learned in 2007:
I learned that any advice is good advice if it really works for you.
I learned that quick fixes can break down if you don’t have the dedication and push to go the whole way. A full fix can only be achieved if - as you say - your heart is in it.
I learned that when you’re doing all you can possibly do, it’s time to do some more!
Martin’s latest blog post: EduLinks - Catching up
And they say that if you wanted something urgently done, give it to the busiest person.
Aww.. The truth behind it!
Pelf, you write about things you learned in the meaning of “knowing, understanding”. Great.
Still I prefer to talk about things I am doing, so for me “learn” means “learn to do” or “learn how to make”.
For instance, I have learned to communicate with aggressive folks.