Tag Archives: action

How Perfectionism Kills the Online Entrepreneur

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“No, I’m not ready to release my….(fill in the blank here with ezine, ecourse, ebook, blog, website, etc.) because it’s not quite ready. I need to…(fill in with your excuse here: do more work on it….have it edited….review the copywriting, etc.)”

How many times has a statement similar to that come out of your mouth? I know for me that it’s happened more often than I care to recount. I am a recovering perfectionist who used to utter some variation of the above sentence with great regularity.

What I’ve discovered in my time as an Internet entrepreneur is that my need for perfection in my products or marketing materials is simply another excuse to procrastinate. Yep, when I try and convince myself that the ebook needs more copy editing or that my website needs just a few more pages to make it say just what I want it to say, all I’m doing is creating plausible excuses to put something off for a few more days, or even weeks or months. Why?

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Kiss Procrastination Goodbye!

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By AnnA Rushton

Have you heard of K.I.S.S? It is much used in business and particularly in training, and it stands for Keep It Simple Stupid. Now I agree with keeping it simple in principle, but calling me stupid is not going to help tackle procrastination.

I prefer a much kinder, and more effective way of thinking of it that tackles one of the fundamental problems that procrastinators face, that of being overwhelmed, so that is what I use:

Keep Implementing Small Steps

Every part of that is an essential tool to dealing with procrastination. Whatever it is you are procrastinating about, I promise it will be easier to tackle if you just follow those four simple instructions.

Whatever the issue, if you can look at it as a series of small, achievable, actions you are on the way to overcoming your procrastination.

Keep is the first part and what does it mean? Well it means keep going, or keep repeating an action. Do something to move your project forward, and keep on doing it. No stopping after just one attempt, by all means rest and recoup if it has proved difficult but the key lies in consistently addressing yourself to the problem.


Implementing is straightforward enough; thinking of how to overcome your procrastination is all very well but it is action that will move you forward. I know how easy it is to get seduced into thinking over your options and debating what you ought to do. That is great, but you actually have to do it! To quote the immortal Elvis, ‘a little less talk and a lot more action’ needs to be your motto.

Small is another key word that will help you be successful in tackling procrastination. Not actions that are so huge you can?t get them done in one session, or are so numerous you get exhausted just thinking about which one to do first.

I will let you into a secret; it doesn?t matter which action you decide to do first, as long as it is small, manageable and you do it. Most procrastinators tend to see the project as a giant mountain they have to move in one go; reality is if you take a shovelful at a time it will get moved.

Yes, it takes longer, but not nearly as long as if you never start to move that earth.

Steps are where you catch up with Keep; in other words one step at a time will get you there and you keep on making them! The simplest way to do this is to write a checklist of the actions that need to be done, and put Write checklist down as the first item and keep it limited to items you can do on that day. When you have done your list cross that line out because you have done it!

You are already on your way and taken action. Even the longest and most difficult task only consists of a series of smaller tasks, which if you see them as small steps will be are easily achievable. They may be small steps individually, but they are a giant step for a procrastinator.

AnnA is the author of ‘How To Kill Procrastination And Get On With Your Life’. She is an inspirational writer and speaker on health, personal development and creativity. For free weekly procrastination postcards to motivate you, then visit http://www.procrastinationkiller.co.uk . For free email newsletters, creative resources and archives then visit her main website at http://www.catalystonline.co.uk

One Way to Overcome Stress

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By Emma Wortt

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” Winston Churchill.

You have a problem. In order to solve it you’re going to need to make some changes. The thought of that is making you stressed, but the thought of leaving things as they are is even more stressful.

You want to make changes but you know that there are risks involved in doing so. Perhaps you’re thinking there’s someone who won’t approve or someone who may be upset. Maybe you’re wondering where you will find the time to make those much needed changes or you are telling yourself it’s not possible to improve the situation. Whatever you perceive as the risks involved in moving forward is making you anxious, and that is holding you back.

The first step in overcoming your challenge is to work out exactly what outcome you want.

Ask yourself:

In an ideal world how specifically do I want this situation to operate in the future?

The word ‘specifically’ is important here. Decide when you want the situation to have changed and then imagine yourself at that point in the future. Allow yourself to become immersed for a moment in that vision of the resolved issue. Write down now in detail and with clarity what will happen and what you will see, hear and feel when you have resolved this challenge.


The next step is to see this challenge in terms of who you are as a person.

Ask yourself:

Taking into consideration my personal and professional values; my work ethics; my peace of mind; my goals; – am I willing to continue to tolerate this situation as it is now?

Now ask:

What are the risks involved? What specifically am I anxious about? What is stopping me from sorting this out? Make a list.

Now one last question:

Is the outcome I want worth the risks involved in attaining it? If your answer is a resounding ‘Yes!’ then you can now start to work out your action plan to reach the goal.

Stress itself is not the problem. If you want growth and you want change then decide to tolerate the anxiety that will be inherent in it. As long as you continue to balance the risks involved against your desired outcome and who you are as a person your anxiety will begin to dissipate. Then instead of holding yourself back you will empower yourself to move forward.

© Emma Wortt of Em-powering Executives, 2008. All Rights Reserved.
Em-powering Executives help leaders and their teams to achieve excellence through executive coaching and training. To receive similar articles direct to your inbox, you can subscribe to the FREE monthly Em-powering Executives newsletter at http://www.em-poweringexecutives.co.uk

What to Do in a Crisis?

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“The man who does things makes mistakes, but he never makes the biggest mistake of all – doing nothing.” Benjamin Franklin.

Last week we took the first 3 steps towards resolving a very tricky situation. They were:

1. Identify – How to identify whether or not you are in crisis at work.

2. Accept, Face, Decide – If you are in crisis how to accept that fact, face it and decide to do something about it.

3. Set the Main Goal – Deciding precisely what you want instead of the current situation, checking it is the right goal and exactly when you want to achieve it.

This month we are going to cover the final 4 steps so that you can really begin to move forward, change the situation you are in and reach the one you want to be in.

Step 4 – Set the First Journey Goal

If you were going to take one step, right now, towards the main goal you set last time, what would that step be? What is the first mini-goal which when achieved will have started you on the journey and moved you one step closer?

Just to be clear, I’m not talking about an action point here, I’m talking about a mini or journey goal (which will require a series of actions to achieve it). Let’s say that your main goal is to achieve promotion to a particular post. The first mini-goal may be to improve relations with a particular influential colleague or improve the results of one of your teams (remember goals must be specific so ‘improve’ is not sufficient. You would need to state exactly what changes you want). This would then require several actions to achieve.

Put a deadline on the first mini goal. By when are you going to achieve it?

Step 5 – Work out your options

Now what action could you take in order to achieve the journey goal?

What else?

What else?

Allow your subconscious to come up with whatever ideas it likes. It doesn’t matter if they seem outrageous or impossible, just accept them and note them down.

Would finding yourself a mentor be a good step? What about talking to a trusted friend or colleague who could help you move forward? Perhaps signing up with a coach that you trust and can work with is the answer.

Keep asking ‘What else?’ until you are sure you have everything covered. And then ask once more.

Step 6 – Commit to your action plan

When you have a full list of options read it through and notice which actions leap out at you. Choose the actions you are going to take to achieve the mini goal and discard the others for the time being.

Make a fresh list containing the actions you intend to take.

It is vital to commit yourself to taking these actions so give each one a precise deadline. Write the date next to each one.

Ask yourself what could stop you taking each of these actions and how you could manoeuvre around those obstacles.

How committed are you to taking these actions? Answer on a scale from 1 to 10 where 1 is not at all and 10 is nothing will stop me.

If your answer is 7 or less you are not sufficiently committed. Go back to your goal and mini goal and re-assess them. Tweak them until you can get to this point with an answer of 8 or more.

Step 7 – Maintaining Momentum

Once you’ve achieved the first mini goal, you can use the same process to create and reach the second step and so on.

Each mini goal you reach is one step closer to that main goal.

If you find yourself losing focus, panicking or getting anxious re- read this quote from R.I. Fitzhenry – ‘Uncertainty and mystery are energies of life. Don’t let them scare you unduly, for they keep boredom at bay and spark creativity.’

Now allow yourself to be creative and flexible and change the way things are to way you need them to be.

© Emma Wortt of Em-powering Executives, 2008. All Rights Reserved. Em-powering Executives help leaders and their teams to achieve excellence through executive coaching and training. To receive similar articles direct to your inbox, you can subscribe to the FREE monthly Em-powering Executives newsletter at http://www.em-poweringexecutives.co.uk

Accept the Crisis

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‘Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.’ Benjamin Disraeli

I have developed 7 steps to enable you first to determine whether you are in crisis at work and then to give you a kick-start to taking the actions necessary to change the situation.

Step 1 – Identify

Answer these 7 questions quickly and without thinking about the answers too much:

Do you constantly feel stressed or anxious at work?

At the end of the day do you often think ‘I have added little or no value today. I have made little or no difference.’?

Is there always too much to do and no time to do it?

Do you think you are unworthy for or unlikely to get a promotion?

Do you think your boss does not respect or value you?

Does it feel as though you have little or no support at work?

Do you think often of resigning or of losing your job?

If you answered yes to 5 or more questions, then you are in crisis.

Step 2 – Accept, Face, Decide

Now that you’ve realised it the next step is to accept it and face it. Until you do nothing will change. Ask yourself these questions:

Do I accept now that I am in crisis at work?

Am I now willing to face the fact that I am in crisis at work?

Now you have a decision to make:

Are you going to take control and do whatever it takes to change the situation and yourself (because undoubtedly changes are required in both)?

Or are you going to stay as you are and allow things to take their own course without your influence and regardless of your wishes?

Congratulations! You have just taken the first couple of steps towards changing the situation. They were difficult and even scary steps I know. So take a moment to pat yourself on the back and give yourself the positive feedback that you have started the journey towards where you want to be.

Now let’s start working on getting you from the situation you are in to the one you want to be in.

Step 3 – Set the Main Goal

We need to start with a very clear idea of what you want.

Pick a time frame for when you want to have resolved everything successfully. Is it 1 month? 3 months? 6 months? 1 year? Or something else? Make sure the deadline seems right for you, that you believe it is possible at the same time as giving yourself a slight stretch. Work out the exact date and write it down.

Now what is your goal for that day? You need to come up with a sentence that is phrased positively, is specific and is measurable. Imagine yourself on that day. Think about what you want to see, hear and feel. Again ensure that you believe it is possible at the same time as giving yourself a slight stretch. Write the goal down next to the date.

It is vital to be truly honest with yourself when setting your goal. You would be amazed at the number of my clients who say they want one thing, set that as a goal and start moving towards it when in their heart of hearts they truly want something completely different!

Once more imagine yourself on the day your goal is achieved. What are you seeing? What are you hearing? What are you feeling? Take a few moments to completely immerse yourself in that vision of the future. And then ask:

On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is not at all and 10 is completely and utterly, how much do I truly want to reach this goal?

If something isn’t quite right or you realise that goal really isn’t what you’re after, then re-visit the goal and tweak or re-write it until you can answer the above question with a minimum score of 8.

If that goal seems like the summit of a mountain right now, relax. We’re not going to try to fly straight to the top.

In Part 2 of this article  we will take the next 4 steps to break the journey up into manageable bite sized pieces and start to move you forward.

© Emma Wortt of Em-powering Executives, 2008. All Rights Reserved. Em-powering Executives help leaders and their teams to achieve excellence through executive coaching and training. To receive similar articles direct to your inbox, you can subscribe to the FREE monthly Em-powering Executives newsletter at http://www.em-poweringexecutives.co.uk

Is Your “Altitude” Determined By Your Attitude?

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Keith A. Shaw, of http://www.MindBodySpiritCentral.com is an authority on motivation, success, qigong, self improvement, health and happiness. For more “secret recipes” on how to win at any game, no matter how challenging, see my website to order my Powerful Motivation and Success Systems.

1195576_giving_handsAre you currently where you want to be in life?

Do you have control over your life?

Are you getting what you want out of life?

Are you winning, (or losing)?

If you can not answer “YES” to any of the four questions above then perhaps you need to take a good look in the eyes of the reflection in the mirror (yes, I mean you!).

I will bet the problem is your attitude. Not just for today, but for tomorrow and the next day, and so on. It all comes down to what I call the “attitude of your mind”. The attitude of your mind affects many things including the expressions of your face and impacts your internal and external physical health – it controls and regulates your entire being.

And there’s more. Your attitude determines and fuels your actions. You must realize that every action you take, no matter how big or how small, defines everything that you achieve in life. If you want to lead a great life, you have to take great actions.

As you prepare yourself to take great actions and steps toward what you want everyday, you must begin to condition your self to always having and maintaining a great attitude.

Think how much better you would be at everything you do, if you had a great attitude toward life. For example, if you practiced being respectful to others, no matter how they treat you, you become more respected. If you practiced looking for the good in others, you would begin to attract more of the good in others. If you practiced smiling more often, you will see more people smiling back at you.

Anything you do repeatedly becomes a habit – either good or bad. There are some people that have conditioned themselves to be cynical and negative. They always question things and doubt things will work as planned. They tend to be very pessimistic and would be considered a naysayer.

At this point many of you, especially those who have painstakingly built your life around negative habits like those above may ask: “How can I improve the attitude of my mind? How can I, after months and years of crushing defeats and of going through the motions, suddenly develop and implement a plan for doing something that will create a positive change in my current situation and make my life more satisfying?”

The answer is that it can always happen, and others just like you have done so when they have taken action.

Even if you consider yourself just an average Joe (or Mary), you can taste the delicious flavor of success, become independent from your shackles, free yourself and loved ones of worry, and become the master of your own destiny, forever if you can commit to do these things.

1) Become forever dissatisfied with what you are doing and forget the things that have happened to you in the past. 2) Know that the word IMPOSSIBLE was not intended for you. 3) Build confidence in your mind that enables you to realize your full potential.

Instead of negativity, which is a reflection on your self, what if you tried these attitude adjustments? Imagine that every time you got out of bed to face the day, you said “YES” with an eager and enthusiastic attitude. Every time you met someone you looked for the good in them. What if you spent more time thinking about what you do want, rather than what you don’t want?

You must condition your attitude everyday for making it a great day. By doing this, you’ll soon develop great habits that will have a positive impact on both your personal and professional life.

Copyright © 2009 Mind Body Spirit Central, LLC

Taking Powerful Action

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691596___jump__Many people who desire success often get stuck at the vision stage. They may seem clear about what success looks like to them. They visualize their success and know what it will feel like. Yet, they don’t become successful. Why is that?

They haven’t taken the next step. The next step to creating a successful life is to take powerful, significant action. You must act effectively to create the life of your dreams.

In the Science of Getting Rich, Wallace Wattles asserts that “If there is something that may be done today and you do not do it, you have failed insofar as that thing is concerned – and the consequences may be more disastrous than you imagine.”

He also states that “You cannot foresee the results of even the most trivial act. You do not know the workings of all the forces that have been set moving in your behalf. Much may be depending on your doing some simple act, and it may be the very thing which is to open the door of opportunity to very great possibilities.”

To create success you must do all that can be done each day. However, don’t overwork yourself. Don’t try to do a week’s work in a day nor do tomorrow’s work today. This isn’t efficient action for it reflects scarcity thinking, the fear that you won’t have the time to do tomorrow’s work tomorrow.

Instead hold a clear mental image of your vision firmly in your mind. Focus on what it will feel like when you have the income to send your children to private schools or to give to your favourite charity. See yourself enthusiastically writing the cheque to the agency. Thank God for the successful business that you are creating.

As you do, you enter into a state of relaxed expectation, for you are certain that your goal is being manifested. You are calm and enthusiastic about the life that is unfolding before you. You know that it is on its way to you.

Consequently you can take action that prepares you to receive your vision. You act from the certainty that your vision is coming to you.

As you think about your mental image, you return to the enthusiasm and excitement about your goals. You fall in love with your goals again and these feelings empower you as you take action.

In fact you will be directed to the specific action that you need to take and you will act from a place of inspiration. This perspective will totally transform how you act to achieve your goals. You no longer have to focus on what you think you should do.

As you concentrate on your vision, enthusiastically thanking God for your goals, you will be shown the exact action that you must take. As you take that action with the certainty that you goal is coming to you, the vision is made manifest.

Your powerful actions lead to the creation of a joyful, successful life! Enjoy your journey to success!

Andrea Scott is a joyful internet marketing entrepreneur who shows others how to have a successful online business. To find out how to have an online business that generates a 6-figure income in your first year, click here