As I mentioned earlier, I started writing down my thoughts before I even got on the plane.
I realized so many things I was doing wrong. But I also realized something else…I had the ability to do things right!
I wrote down an immediate action plan for the following day that I was going to accomplish. One of the steps was just completed (you will be able to guess which one soon), but the next 5 were to happen the next morning.
UNSCUBSCRIBED FROM ANY AND ALL NONPRIORITY EMAIL LISTS!I never put a value on time. Huge mistake! I was spending way too much time reading crap or browsing over things that were completely unimportant. This included non-internet marketer lists as well.
If I hadn’t taken action with any of them in the last week, why did I think I needed to keep getting these emails? It wasn’t easy at first, but as I got into this task, I quickly decided which ones I wanted to continue getting contacted by.
As I mentioned earlier in Chapter 4, I was on 214 email lists. I was actually on more-that was just what I unsubscribed to that day.
I PURCHASED A DAYTIMER!I love technology as much as anyone, especially with the world of opportunity within internet marketing alone.
But, I also found myself not sticking to my schedule and falling behind on my tasks even when I did schedule them on my digital calendar.
How is this possible? Especially when I worked in such time- oriented businesses in the past.What I found, and it can absolutely be validated, writing helps motor, visual, and auditory recall. Meaning you will remember it much easier than just typing it in. This may not be the case for everyone, but for the vast majority, I believe it to be true.
If you have ever made a major purchase, such as a house or a car, do you recall the feeling you get when you sign your name to the contract(s)? It is a commitment to complete the task-paying the note on time every month. It is really no different when writing your “TO DO” list by pen.
I recommend the desk version which is 8 ½ x 5 ½ size, 2 page per day calendar. They also offer starting dates by the quarter so if it is in the middle of the year you can start it in July. They are one of the only companies to do this.
You can click here to check out their website.By writing out your “TO DO” list, you can keep track of your tasks for the day as well as keep a diary of the time spent on each task on the diary section.
When a task is completed, use a highlighter to mark it off.You aren’t going to get everything done for the day every time. What you will do is move the task(s) not completed to the top of the next day so they take priority over anything else.
This one change alone has helped me tremendously in my time management skills.The Old Fashioned Index Card
On additional thought on this – you don’t need to start with a Daytimer if you don’t want to.
For several years, I have carried 3” x 5” lined index cards with me along with a pen. A number of times, I wrote my daily “TO DO” list on the front side of one card. Whenever I added more than what one card would hold, I almost NEVER got those tasks done. You can buy them at any office supply store in packs of 100 for less than $5.
I recently came across another resource that is very useful for time management. It’s called RescueTime. You can track how much time you spend on different websites. We all know we spend way too much time on Facebook and emails already. This will give you a little nudge if it gets out of hand. They have a free and premium service.
Step 3This is probably the hardest one of all. Especially if you have purchased multiple products from several marketers.
I will tell you this…UNTIL YOU START FOCUSING YOUR EFFORTS ON ONE…
When you start to map out an action plan, you will be able to narrow it down very quickly based on where you are currently at.
As far as an action plan goes, it really is as simple as writing down your short term and long term goals AND how you plan to get there. An action plan isn’t worth the paper its written on if you don’t TAKE ACTION! Hey, that’s why it’s called an action plan!
Some other points I would like to share with you in picking your key mentor.With anything they offer, make sure there is a no questions asked guarantee. This may seem silly, but I have been burnt in the past-due to S.O.S.
Match your goals with the mentor who has the best strengths.Again, it may seem elementary, but after going to a live event, I realized how different everyone was to their approach in their business model. That is also why it suits so many different personalities.
Make sure you go in a direction you will enjoy!There are some incredible research tools available before you decide on whose steps you want to follow. I learned this AFTER I had spent thousands of dollars trying to learn this business.
Here are 3 that I use to check on anything or anyone before I make a decision.The first one is imreportcard.
It basically uses a grading system like school based on reviews from anyone that submits them. Again, since user’s opinions are used, I will usually dig into some of the reviews to see exactly what they are saying. Just because someone doesn’t have an “A” doesn’t mean they won’t be right for you.
I always like a second or third opinion. Another one I have found useful is the Warrior Forum. This is an internet marketers forum. Again, I take people’s opinion with a grain of salt. I will read into something deeper if I need to.
There is another forum that I have really started to use much more lately. It is the Work At Home
Forum and it is very helpful for most areas in marketing.
All of the above services are free. It is a great starting point when you want to gather information on a specific marketer or product.
One note. You will sometimes find that you search for a person and nothing comes up. This doesn’t mean they aren’t worth looking into. Rememberthe internet is just in it’s infancy stage! We are only at the tip of the iceberg!
The last, but certainly not the least…Google. If you need the link, here it is www.google.com . How many companies do you know this young and the founders are billionaires? I can only imagine when they were coming up with names how they came up with this one!
It is an incredible search tool that literally everyone knows about. It is amazing how we use it for free but the owners are wealthy beyond most peoples’ imaginations.
There is a quote I would like to share…
WITHOUT A MENTOR, YOUR VERY BEST THINKING HAS GOT YOU EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE TODAY.
This is the step I had already completed, but what better way to meet a potential mentor or one you already have face to face? Also, it is an absolute blast! You will not only learn-you will make some new friends as well.
Make it a point to be on time! Show respect towards the presenters by being there especially first thing in the morning.
Remember, they are taking their valuable time to talk to you. You may one day collaborate with someone you have met there.
Be prepared to take notes. I take a dedicated notepad for each event, even if I don’t write on every page. It is the best way I have found to keep my thoughts organized.
This personal interaction has seemed less important with all of the automation through technology. The reality…
Through these events, it will help spark your ideas and hopefully turn them into an action.
You are reading this story because of a Live Event I attended. This is only 1 several ideas that came about from a live event.
As you can see, I was inspired and took action with one I felt important. I want to help you understand through my own mistakes and inspire you to TAKE ACTION!
UTILIZE FACEBOOK TO START NETWORKING WITH LIKE MINDED INDIVIDUALS!
When you start seeing several of the same names in the internet marketing world, you see very quickly that they associate themselves with others in their field.
Facebook is FREE! There are currently over 500 million active users! It is an amazing tool not just to stay in touch with friends and family, but to also network with others for business.
To grow your businessyou must collaborate!If you don’t like talking to people…
THIS BUSINESS IS NOT FOR YOU!
The one common denominator everyone I met in this business has…
THEY ENJOY TALKING TO PEOPLE!
Remember-this is marketing.
THE PRODUCT IS…YOU!
I am adding like minded individuals to my FB friends who also have some correlation to internet marketing. I actually schedule time each day searching to add friends and GROW MY LIST!
As my list has grown, my exposure is helping me get friend requests back my way which helps it grow even faster.
One note though, I always double check friend requests that come my way because I want to try and avoid any bad apples or someone that uses derogatory/foul language. My friends already think what I do is crazy, I don’t want them to think any business associates I have are even crazier!
Step 6I have seen a transition in the internet marketing world. It is absolutely essential to feel comfortable in front of the camera if you truly want to be successful.
There is something very personal when you can actually watch someone’s actions, even on a computer screen. It helps you feel connected to them.
I have a decent HD video camera. Even though it is small, it is still not that easy to carry around all the time.
Knowing that I wouldn’t carry it as much, I decided to buy one of the ultra compact video cameras.I purchased the Kodak Play Touch Model Zi10 through Amazon for about $150.
It is smaller than my phone. I carry it everywhere with me. You can record video or stills.
You need to start using one just to build your comfort level in front of the camera. Even though I have been involved in video shoots in the past, I still get a little nervous every time I do it.
But I know it is VERY IMPORTANT in this business. Since I am running a business, I am taking action to do it.
We recently went on a vacation with my wife and she was laughing at me because I kept talking to the camera narrating what we were doing. I think the people walking around me must’ve thought I lost my mind!
As you may already know, there are several things that must take place to make this business successful. But first, you must have a basic skillset in place with a systematic approach or you are destined to fail.
I want to share with you how I changed my focus so that I could progress with my business.