Why am I not doing better in my business? I was asked that question recently by a client. And the answer? She's not doing anything to move her business forward.
I know all the excuses. I used to use them myself. "I'm not sure this will work." "I need more information." "I'm waiting until the new _______ (computer, software package, printer, etc) goes on sale." "I can't afford _____ (to advertise, host a website, hire a coach, etc)." "I don't have enough time." "I just need my _______ (website, infoproduct, ebook, etc) to look a little bit better."
I don't use those excuses anymore. After attending one of Ken McArthur's jvAlert events and meeting successful people like Felicia Slattery, Carrie Wilkerson, Bob Jenkins, and Adam Urbanski - and of course Ken himself - I saw what was possible. Listening to their advice helped me get up and running. A speech by Bob Jenkins gave me the push to go back to my room that same night and launch my first blog - "The Adventures of Traveling Bob". He said "Take action. Revise later." That was also the day Carrie Wilkerson told me that to be successful one needed to take massive action - to completion.
They didn't just give me pep talks that weekend. They also gave me concrete advice on how to proceed. So in keeping with the spirit of jvAlert - people helping people - I pass on to you today some of the knowledge they shared with me. Use it to make your business better.
1. Learn what you need to know. Don't waste your time buying every book, course, and seminar that's offered. Determine exactly what skill or knowledge you need and then find a way to obtain it. For example: Before hearing this I had books on every conceivable way to make money online you could think of. Problem: I had no idea how to even begin building a site of my own or researching to see if there was a viable market for my ideas. Once I focused on obtaining just that information I progressed pretty quickly - and I saved a ton of money on infoproducts that I didn't need!
2. Advertise. I was so excited when I started my first Pay-Per-Click campaign. It was a thrill to get online each day and see that I was actually getting traffic to my site! From there I learned about Ezine advertising, and then Adsense and Adwords. Now I was getting traffic to my site and they were actually signing up for my newsletter which started building my opt-in list. Which allowed me to start advertising by email.
3. Follow up. It wouldn't have done me a bit of good to learn about advertising methods if Bob Jenkins hadn't casually asked me if I had an autoresponder. Not wanting to appear completely dense, I did not admit I had no idea what that was. But you can bet I went back to my room that night and found out. What a concept! I didn't have to try and follow up with each lead/subscriber individually. I now had 24/7 follow up capability. Awesome!
4. Network, network, network. You never know who you might meet. I started out in business as a meeting planner and Ken McArthur was one of my clients. He often invited me to attend one of his events and finally one day I was able to. That event changed my life simply because of who I met there. Not only did I learn what I have shared with you here, I also learned the value of networking. It was here that I was introduced to Ryze, and Twitter, and LinkedIn, and Facebook. And it was through these social networking sites that I met Terri Dennis aka PopArtDiva, Bev Mahone, Heidi Caswell, Wendy Y. Bailey, Heidi Richards Mooney, and so many others. Each of them have taught me something that has helped me take the next step. Learning to network also gave me the courage to attend local networking events where I met Linda Gracy, Carrie Perrien Smith, Linda Concoby and many more. These ladies have also taught me a great deal and have quickly become friends. And all of them have introduced me to others in their networks.
5. Perhaps the best advice I received that weekend came from Ken himself. I confessed to him that meeting planning, while fun, was not where my heart was. I told him I had been trying various things to get an online business going but nothing was working. His advice was stop trying various things, figure out what my skills were, determine what my passion was, put the two together and focus on that.
What are you waiting for? Take the next step. Use the advice I received from the experts. Stop making excuses and let's do this!
ads
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Decide to Take Action
Ever wonder what the difference is between successful people and those who are not? I've been reminded of that lately and I want to share it with you.
I'm a big fan of Carrie Wilkerson. And for the last week or so on Twitter, she has been tweeting posts related to one specific topic - Progress Is On Purpose. Reading these each day reminded me of something she said the very first time I met her several years ago: If you want success you must be prepared to take massive action.
I've spent the last 10 or so years of my life studying successful people and I've found that there are 3 main steps to becoming and staying successful.
1) Taking action
2) Making quick decisions
3) Surrounding yourself with successful people
And over the years I have discovered that the number one cause of failure for most new entrepreneurs is failure to take action.
Why do people fail to take the steps necessary to move forward? A variety of reasons. People are unsure of where to start so they don't start at all. Or they are afraid that their family and friends will laugh at them and so they do nothing with their ideas. Or they try one or two ideas and fail or don't progress as quickly as they hoped and so they get discouraged and quit.
I truly believe that success can be learned. Anyone can be successful if they work smart and take action. But you have to study and learn the right steps to take. And then you have to take them.
I love quotes. I have many of my favorites posted around my office so I can read them when I need a reminder. I want to share some of my favorites. I hope at least one of these great quotes will inspire
you to take your next step toward success!
"Determine never to be idle. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing"
Thomas Jefferson
"There are risks and costs to a program of action. But these are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction"
John F. Kennedy
"While one person hesitates because he feels inferior, the other is busy making mistakes and becoming superior."
Henry C. Link
"In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."
Theodore Roosevelt
"In order to be successful, you must be prepared to take massive action to completion."
Carrie Wilkerson
If you have given up on your business, now is the time to begin again. If you have a great idea, but have been hesitant to try, now is the time get started. Make the decision today to take action!
Decide to take the necessary steps to start or grow your business. Decide to make the next 30 days awesome. As Carrie has been reminding me - Progress is on Purpose!
To get your daily reminder, follow Carrie on Twitter - @CarrieWilkerson - and look for her tweets on progress (#PIOP).
I'm a big fan of Carrie Wilkerson. And for the last week or so on Twitter, she has been tweeting posts related to one specific topic - Progress Is On Purpose. Reading these each day reminded me of something she said the very first time I met her several years ago: If you want success you must be prepared to take massive action.
I've spent the last 10 or so years of my life studying successful people and I've found that there are 3 main steps to becoming and staying successful.
1) Taking action
2) Making quick decisions
3) Surrounding yourself with successful people
And over the years I have discovered that the number one cause of failure for most new entrepreneurs is failure to take action.
Why do people fail to take the steps necessary to move forward? A variety of reasons. People are unsure of where to start so they don't start at all. Or they are afraid that their family and friends will laugh at them and so they do nothing with their ideas. Or they try one or two ideas and fail or don't progress as quickly as they hoped and so they get discouraged and quit.
I truly believe that success can be learned. Anyone can be successful if they work smart and take action. But you have to study and learn the right steps to take. And then you have to take them.
I love quotes. I have many of my favorites posted around my office so I can read them when I need a reminder. I want to share some of my favorites. I hope at least one of these great quotes will inspire
you to take your next step toward success!
"Determine never to be idle. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing"
Thomas Jefferson
"There are risks and costs to a program of action. But these are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction"
John F. Kennedy
"While one person hesitates because he feels inferior, the other is busy making mistakes and becoming superior."
Henry C. Link
"In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."
Theodore Roosevelt
"In order to be successful, you must be prepared to take massive action to completion."
Carrie Wilkerson
If you have given up on your business, now is the time to begin again. If you have a great idea, but have been hesitant to try, now is the time get started. Make the decision today to take action!
Decide to take the necessary steps to start or grow your business. Decide to make the next 30 days awesome. As Carrie has been reminding me - Progress is on Purpose!
To get your daily reminder, follow Carrie on Twitter - @CarrieWilkerson - and look for her tweets on progress (#PIOP).
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Get Excited!
We just bought a new Jeep. After several trips to different dealerships and what seemed like a few dozen test drives, we finally made our choice.
We didn't buy the one with the lowest price. We didn't buy the one with the most "stuff." We bought from the salesperson who was able to get us excited about owning a Jeep. In fact, Jeri has sold me every car I have owned since moving to Arkansas - no matter what make she is currently selling. Why? Because she always gets me excited about whichever vehicle she is showing me.
You must be excited about your business. If you can't get excited about your own product, service, or opportunity do you really expect me to?
Everyone responds to excitement! If your passion and fire show through, customers and prospects will respond!
The best way to have real excitement shine through your presentation is to start writing down every benefit of your product, service, or business opportunity you can think of. How can you help your customers? How will joining your business opportunity help your team members? Writing down a list of benefits will get you excited and the rest will fall into place.
Excitement is contagious! Fill your presentation with it! Make your customer or prospect excited and watch your income soar!
We didn't buy the one with the lowest price. We didn't buy the one with the most "stuff." We bought from the salesperson who was able to get us excited about owning a Jeep. In fact, Jeri has sold me every car I have owned since moving to Arkansas - no matter what make she is currently selling. Why? Because she always gets me excited about whichever vehicle she is showing me.
You must be excited about your business. If you can't get excited about your own product, service, or opportunity do you really expect me to?
Everyone responds to excitement! If your passion and fire show through, customers and prospects will respond!
The best way to have real excitement shine through your presentation is to start writing down every benefit of your product, service, or business opportunity you can think of. How can you help your customers? How will joining your business opportunity help your team members? Writing down a list of benefits will get you excited and the rest will fall into place.
Excitement is contagious! Fill your presentation with it! Make your customer or prospect excited and watch your income soar!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
15 Home Office Safety Tips
This post was prompted by two things. First, it's Home Office Safety and Security Week. Second, I have a spectacular bruise on my shin - from the file cabinet drawer I slammed it into. (I was working and left it open until I was completely finished - ouch!). So, to help keep others from sporting the same shade of purple I am, here are some safety tips for your home office.
1. Keep file cabinet drawers closed when not in use!
2. Install a smoke alarm - and test it regularly.
3. Unplug office equipment when not in use.
4. Keep powerstrips and electrical cords out of walkways.
5. Keep scissors, letter openers, staplers, paperweights and all sharp or heavy office tools away from the edges of the desk.
6. If you purchase a paper shredder, make sure it has safety features.
7. Make sure your computer workstation is stable.
8. Anchor heavy furniture such as bookcases to the wall or floor.
9. Install safety covers on unused electrical outlets.
10. Make sure electrical outlets are not overloaded.
11. If using extension cords, do not run them under carpets.
12. Connect your computer to a surge protector to protect it from power spikes.
13. Make sure your office is not overcrowded. There should be plenty of room to move freely about without tripping or bumping into furniture.
14. When talking on the phone, never indicate that you are home alone.
15. Keep emergency phone numbers posted near your phone or, if you have speed-dial, program these numbers into your phone.
1. Keep file cabinet drawers closed when not in use!
2. Install a smoke alarm - and test it regularly.
3. Unplug office equipment when not in use.
4. Keep powerstrips and electrical cords out of walkways.
5. Keep scissors, letter openers, staplers, paperweights and all sharp or heavy office tools away from the edges of the desk.
6. If you purchase a paper shredder, make sure it has safety features.
7. Make sure your computer workstation is stable.
8. Anchor heavy furniture such as bookcases to the wall or floor.
9. Install safety covers on unused electrical outlets.
10. Make sure electrical outlets are not overloaded.
11. If using extension cords, do not run them under carpets.
12. Connect your computer to a surge protector to protect it from power spikes.
13. Make sure your office is not overcrowded. There should be plenty of room to move freely about without tripping or bumping into furniture.
14. When talking on the phone, never indicate that you are home alone.
15. Keep emergency phone numbers posted near your phone or, if you have speed-dial, program these numbers into your phone.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Top 10 Success Strategies for 2012
The new year is less than two weeks away. Now is the time to examine your business. Are you where you expected to be at this point? If not, what can you do differently next year? If you are, what strategies can you build on to keep up your momentum?
Here are my top 10 success strategies for a successful 2012.
1. I have already broken my number one rule for success - treat your business like a business! Which means not to let things (like holidays) interfere. As you can see from the date of my last post, I have not been so successful at this. But we all backslide every once in a while. But in order to be successful in your business, you have to work at it every day until it reaches that point where you can step away for a vacation and it will continue to function without you. Just make sure you come back prepared to work. So the family vacations, shopping trips, and holiday parties are over and now it is time to get back to work.
2. Set your goals. You won't know if you have been successful if you don't know what successful is. What do you want to achieve next year? Increased cash flow? More traffic to your site? Additional income streams? Set your goals for next year now so you will know when you reach them.
3. Take it one step at a time. Once you have set your goals, determine the steps necessary to reach them. Create an action plan will get you where you want to be. Then follow it - one step at a time. Don't try to accomplish everything at once or you will become overwhelmed. By taking your overall goal and breaking it up into manageable steps, you will steadily come closer and closer each day to accomplishing it.
4. Learn to serve. Your value to others is directly related to how well you serve them. Focus on providing the best possible service to as many people as possible and the rest will take care of itself. The Bible says it very well - "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." Focus on serving your customers and I promise the money will follow in direct proportion to your service..
5. Use your time effectively. Do you often find yourself wishing for 48 hour days? Then perhaps you aren't managing your time effectively. Are you focusing on activities that give you the most benefit? Or are you wasting time on activities best delegated to others - or even best left undone? Track your activities for a week. Use a spreadsheet, calendar, planner or even just a notepad. Note each activity you perform throughout the day and how much time you spent on it. Then review it to see if you need to make some changes to get the most out of each day.
6. Stay on course. I have a friend who has been part of so many different "business opportunities" it's hard to keep count. Every few months, he is calling me about "the next big thing" and encouraging me to get on board before it's too late. Needless to say, while he has been moderately successful, he has not reached the goals he set for himself financially. He blames it on the fact that he has not yet found the perfect "opportunity." But the truth is, he never sticks with anything long enough to build it as big as it could become. Decide what the focus of your business is and stick with it until you reach your goal.
7. Never stop learning. Attend a seminar. Read books - business books, leadership books, inspirational books. Take a course. The more you know, the more you can offer. And the more you can offer, the more valuable you become.
8. Network, network, network! Even I have had to concede and jump on the Facebook bandwagon. You never know where you might meet your next customer, mentor, partner. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn all have hordes of loyal users. Learn to put yourself and your business in front of them effectively using these tools.
9. Build your business team. You cannot do everything - nor should you. Surround yourself with others who can do the things you can't or don't want to do. It Should be a Dog's World requires lots of graphics and art work. I could spend my time on this. Or I can give my ideas to my graphic designer and let her deal with it. Since ideas are one of my strong skills and artwork is hers, I am more than happy to let her take care of that part of my business. Delegate or outsource what you can and should and focus your time on what you do best.
10. Plan your day. Every night before I bed, I make my to-do list of what I need to accomplish tomorrow. When I get to work in the morning, there is no time spent deciding where to start. I have my list ready, in order of importance. All I need to do is start at the top and work my way down, checking off items as I go. If I don't get everything on the list finished, I simply carry it over to the next day. But having my list helps ensure I get more done each day because I arrive in the office already prepared for what needs to be done and what is most important. You can use whatever tool works best for you. I just you a notepad. You can do it last thing in the evening or first thing in the morning. But do take time to plan each day.
Here are my top 10 success strategies for a successful 2012.
1. I have already broken my number one rule for success - treat your business like a business! Which means not to let things (like holidays) interfere. As you can see from the date of my last post, I have not been so successful at this. But we all backslide every once in a while. But in order to be successful in your business, you have to work at it every day until it reaches that point where you can step away for a vacation and it will continue to function without you. Just make sure you come back prepared to work. So the family vacations, shopping trips, and holiday parties are over and now it is time to get back to work.
2. Set your goals. You won't know if you have been successful if you don't know what successful is. What do you want to achieve next year? Increased cash flow? More traffic to your site? Additional income streams? Set your goals for next year now so you will know when you reach them.
3. Take it one step at a time. Once you have set your goals, determine the steps necessary to reach them. Create an action plan will get you where you want to be. Then follow it - one step at a time. Don't try to accomplish everything at once or you will become overwhelmed. By taking your overall goal and breaking it up into manageable steps, you will steadily come closer and closer each day to accomplishing it.
4. Learn to serve. Your value to others is directly related to how well you serve them. Focus on providing the best possible service to as many people as possible and the rest will take care of itself. The Bible says it very well - "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." Focus on serving your customers and I promise the money will follow in direct proportion to your service..
5. Use your time effectively. Do you often find yourself wishing for 48 hour days? Then perhaps you aren't managing your time effectively. Are you focusing on activities that give you the most benefit? Or are you wasting time on activities best delegated to others - or even best left undone? Track your activities for a week. Use a spreadsheet, calendar, planner or even just a notepad. Note each activity you perform throughout the day and how much time you spent on it. Then review it to see if you need to make some changes to get the most out of each day.
6. Stay on course. I have a friend who has been part of so many different "business opportunities" it's hard to keep count. Every few months, he is calling me about "the next big thing" and encouraging me to get on board before it's too late. Needless to say, while he has been moderately successful, he has not reached the goals he set for himself financially. He blames it on the fact that he has not yet found the perfect "opportunity." But the truth is, he never sticks with anything long enough to build it as big as it could become. Decide what the focus of your business is and stick with it until you reach your goal.
7. Never stop learning. Attend a seminar. Read books - business books, leadership books, inspirational books. Take a course. The more you know, the more you can offer. And the more you can offer, the more valuable you become.
8. Network, network, network! Even I have had to concede and jump on the Facebook bandwagon. You never know where you might meet your next customer, mentor, partner. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn all have hordes of loyal users. Learn to put yourself and your business in front of them effectively using these tools.
9. Build your business team. You cannot do everything - nor should you. Surround yourself with others who can do the things you can't or don't want to do. It Should be a Dog's World requires lots of graphics and art work. I could spend my time on this. Or I can give my ideas to my graphic designer and let her deal with it. Since ideas are one of my strong skills and artwork is hers, I am more than happy to let her take care of that part of my business. Delegate or outsource what you can and should and focus your time on what you do best.
10. Plan your day. Every night before I bed, I make my to-do list of what I need to accomplish tomorrow. When I get to work in the morning, there is no time spent deciding where to start. I have my list ready, in order of importance. All I need to do is start at the top and work my way down, checking off items as I go. If I don't get everything on the list finished, I simply carry it over to the next day. But having my list helps ensure I get more done each day because I arrive in the office already prepared for what needs to be done and what is most important. You can use whatever tool works best for you. I just you a notepad. You can do it last thing in the evening or first thing in the morning. But do take time to plan each day.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Don't Get Scammed!
I get all kinds of emails and phone calls about online scams - either asking how to avoid them or complaining because someone thinks they have been the victim of one.
The majority of internet marketers are hard-working, honest people who create and promote valuable products and willingly help those who are just getting started. But, as in any business, there are those who will try to take advantage of others for their own gain.
We've all seen the ads or gotten the emails. "Make $10,000 Overnight - While You Sleep." "No Product, No List, No Website - No Problem!" "We Do All the Work For You - You Make the Money." If you are just starting out online, promises like these can be very exciting! If only it were that easy. But being successful online takes the same work that being successful offline does. Create a detailed business plan and implement it. Offer a high quality product or service at a reasonable price. Provide excellent customer service.
If the internet "guru", product, or opportunity is claiming that you can just put up a Web page (or better yet, use the one they will provide you), sit back, do nothing, and be cashing huge checks in no time, you might as well save your money because this is just not possible. One web page, especially one generic web page used by possibly hundreds of people, is not going to enable you to retire early. Building a quality site filled with original content is still the best way to draw internet traffic - and money.
How can you tell if the person/business/product you are considering is a fraud? Here are some simple rules.
1. Do they make claims that sound too good to be true? If so, they probably are. Don't get scammed.
2. Do they provide contact information? A physical address or a phone number? Call the number to see if it is correct and working. If not, this could be signs of a scam.
3. Is there an active email address provided? Inactive email addresses and emails sent from free accounts such as Hotmail and Yahoo could be signs of a scam.
4. Is there a guarantee? Ask the company what will happen if you want to return the product or stop the service. You might even ask for references of people who have returned the product and received refunds. If the company is not willing to guarantee their product or service, look elsewhere.
5. Do they use high pressure sales tactics? Don't fall for them. Take the time to make an informed decision.
6. Ask! The internet is filled with people who know this business inside and out. Ask your friends. Ask on forums or social networking sites. Look for online reviews/references. Check on ScamBusters. If this is a scam, chances are you are not the first.
The internet is a great tool to use to build a business. It's full of knowledgeable, helpful people that will help you learn the ropes and outstanding products and services designed to make it easier than ever to build your business. You can be successful online. But it won't happen overnight, with no effort, and one Web page. Don't get scammed.
The majority of internet marketers are hard-working, honest people who create and promote valuable products and willingly help those who are just getting started. But, as in any business, there are those who will try to take advantage of others for their own gain.
We've all seen the ads or gotten the emails. "Make $10,000 Overnight - While You Sleep." "No Product, No List, No Website - No Problem!" "We Do All the Work For You - You Make the Money." If you are just starting out online, promises like these can be very exciting! If only it were that easy. But being successful online takes the same work that being successful offline does. Create a detailed business plan and implement it. Offer a high quality product or service at a reasonable price. Provide excellent customer service.
If the internet "guru", product, or opportunity is claiming that you can just put up a Web page (or better yet, use the one they will provide you), sit back, do nothing, and be cashing huge checks in no time, you might as well save your money because this is just not possible. One web page, especially one generic web page used by possibly hundreds of people, is not going to enable you to retire early. Building a quality site filled with original content is still the best way to draw internet traffic - and money.
How can you tell if the person/business/product you are considering is a fraud? Here are some simple rules.
1. Do they make claims that sound too good to be true? If so, they probably are. Don't get scammed.
2. Do they provide contact information? A physical address or a phone number? Call the number to see if it is correct and working. If not, this could be signs of a scam.
3. Is there an active email address provided? Inactive email addresses and emails sent from free accounts such as Hotmail and Yahoo could be signs of a scam.
4. Is there a guarantee? Ask the company what will happen if you want to return the product or stop the service. You might even ask for references of people who have returned the product and received refunds. If the company is not willing to guarantee their product or service, look elsewhere.
5. Do they use high pressure sales tactics? Don't fall for them. Take the time to make an informed decision.
6. Ask! The internet is filled with people who know this business inside and out. Ask your friends. Ask on forums or social networking sites. Look for online reviews/references. Check on ScamBusters. If this is a scam, chances are you are not the first.
The internet is a great tool to use to build a business. It's full of knowledgeable, helpful people that will help you learn the ropes and outstanding products and services designed to make it easier than ever to build your business. You can be successful online. But it won't happen overnight, with no effort, and one Web page. Don't get scammed.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Inch by Inch, Success is a Cinch
I love old adages. You know the ones I mean - those old sayings your parents used to tell you all the time that drove you crazy, but make sense now that you've matured. "A penny saved is a penny earned." "Pride goeth before a fall." And one of my favorites - "Inch by inch, success is a cinch."
Actually, it wasn't my parents who introduced this one to me. It was success coach Mike Litman. And I did take the liberty of rewording it just a bit. The actual saying is "Yard by yard, life is hard. Inch by inch, life is a cinch." But the path to success is also easier if taken a step at a time. So inch by inch, success IS a cinch.
When starting a new business, or trying to expand an existing one, it is easy to be overwhelmed by all the "stuff" there is to do. Sometimes you just don't know where to start and there seems to never be enough hours in the day to get everything done. In fact, it can be so overwhelming and exhausting that many people quit before they ever really get started.
What can we do when we have too much to do? Instead of giving in, try tackling one thing at a time. Don't try to do more. You'll only wind up tired and frustrated. In fact, you might actually want to do less. But do it right. Instead of running around taking potshots at each of your to-do items, pick one today and focus all your attention on it. Starting a new business? What is one thing that you can accomplish today that will help you move forward? Have you done your market research? Written your business plan? Decided on a business name? Choose one task today, complete it, and check it off your list. If it's a large project like research or writing your business plan, break it up into smaller pieces and then finish one of these each day. Once you have completed your task for the day, move on to something else.
Are you trying to expand an already established business? The process is still the same. What is one thing you can do today to move your business forward? Write an article for publication? Develop a new product? Create an advertising campaign? Choose one thing and devote yourself to it. Again, if it's a bigger project such as creating a new ad campaign, break it into smaller, manageable tasks. Then choose one of those and tackle it. Focus on it until it's completed. Then move on to the next step.
This may drive those of you who, like me, want instant gratification, just a bit crazy. I admit - one step at a time was very hard for me in the beginning. But it works. Small steps planned with care will achieve more than leaping in without thinking. And each step moves you that much closer to your overall goal - and success!
What ONE thing can you do today to move closer to your goal? Take that small step. Because slow and steady wins the race. Rome wasn't built in a day. The hurrider I go the behinder I get. Haste makes waste. And inch by inch, success really is a cinch!
Actually, it wasn't my parents who introduced this one to me. It was success coach Mike Litman. And I did take the liberty of rewording it just a bit. The actual saying is "Yard by yard, life is hard. Inch by inch, life is a cinch." But the path to success is also easier if taken a step at a time. So inch by inch, success IS a cinch.
When starting a new business, or trying to expand an existing one, it is easy to be overwhelmed by all the "stuff" there is to do. Sometimes you just don't know where to start and there seems to never be enough hours in the day to get everything done. In fact, it can be so overwhelming and exhausting that many people quit before they ever really get started.
What can we do when we have too much to do? Instead of giving in, try tackling one thing at a time. Don't try to do more. You'll only wind up tired and frustrated. In fact, you might actually want to do less. But do it right. Instead of running around taking potshots at each of your to-do items, pick one today and focus all your attention on it. Starting a new business? What is one thing that you can accomplish today that will help you move forward? Have you done your market research? Written your business plan? Decided on a business name? Choose one task today, complete it, and check it off your list. If it's a large project like research or writing your business plan, break it up into smaller pieces and then finish one of these each day. Once you have completed your task for the day, move on to something else.
Are you trying to expand an already established business? The process is still the same. What is one thing you can do today to move your business forward? Write an article for publication? Develop a new product? Create an advertising campaign? Choose one thing and devote yourself to it. Again, if it's a bigger project such as creating a new ad campaign, break it into smaller, manageable tasks. Then choose one of those and tackle it. Focus on it until it's completed. Then move on to the next step.
This may drive those of you who, like me, want instant gratification, just a bit crazy. I admit - one step at a time was very hard for me in the beginning. But it works. Small steps planned with care will achieve more than leaping in without thinking. And each step moves you that much closer to your overall goal - and success!
What ONE thing can you do today to move closer to your goal? Take that small step. Because slow and steady wins the race. Rome wasn't built in a day. The hurrider I go the behinder I get. Haste makes waste. And inch by inch, success really is a cinch!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
