Taking a Three Week Break

It has been an amazing six months since I restarted my blog after an extended break last fall.  I have averaged 12 posts a month, have interacted with some other awesome bloggers and stats guys, and have seen readership and interaction on social media go through the roof.  I am truly grateful for being able to write on such a topic as soccer statistics, be trusted with so much data, and be able to interact with everyone on a daily basis.  This blog has led me to have regular conversations with a Cornell professor studying similar statistics as me, a local blogger I've followed for several years, a phenomenal Liverpool writer who has entrusted me with his precious data, an independent data miner who has the Gunners and the game's integrity in his heart, and a manager of a sports desk for a major European stats bureau showing me around Utrecht and eager to collaborate with me.  Not to mention the daily Twitter conversations with all of my followers interested in any facet of the game.  Truly a wonderful experience.

It's with those experiences in mind that I am taking a break for the next three weeks.  I know what you're thinking - if I am having so much fun why am I taking a break?  And how will taking a break enhance such experiences?  Let me explain the several reasons why I feel taking a break will be a positive thing.

1. It will allow me to focus on a work-related certification for the next three weeks that is critical to my job.  I do all this blogging recreationally, and occasionally my job demands enough of my time that I must forgo other activities during my free time.  My recent long hours in Europe are one example of this, and the upcoming three weeks are another example.  If I am not happy or too stressed at work, it makes blogging difficult.  So focusing a number of my free hours on this certification will help with that.
2. Everyone needs to take a break to recharge, and it appears this is my best chance to do so.  The main team I follow in the EPL - Arsenal - pretty much has their table position secured at this point.  Most of my analysis is longer-term rather than match-to-match, so I don't have to stay involved in the final two weeks of the season.  And as one Twitter user pointed out, Arsenal seem to have already gone on their summer break so why shouldn't I?  The challenge for me is that I already have several large analyses lined up over the summer months, so I don't see much of an opportunity for a break there.  That's why I am taking my break now.
3. Beyond recharging, I am looking to upgrade a few of my databases over the next several weeks.  The desire to publish two quality original pieces a week drives the need for good databases.  I've had a good run of luck in acquiring a number of them this season, but as the season is closing down I need to focus on upgrading them for the next season.  That takes time, and it is time I need to take away from making original posts to accomplish the task.

Taking the break from making posts full of original content will allow me to focus on recharging, reloading data, and think about subject material I would like to explore in the upcoming summer and season.  My emphasis is on not making posts from original material.  I will see be on Twitter, and will make my Friday Night Links posts of my favorite material from the week that was soccer journalism/blogging.  I won't totally unplug, but I will unplug enough to come back refreshed, recharged, and certified at work and be able to focus on top quality posts.

Thank you for making the last six months very successful in the blog's growth and coverage.  Enjoy the last few weeks of whatever European league you're following, and I will see you in the month of June!