The Most Overrated And Wrong Advice Given On Here:

by 48 replies
65
Hey warriors,

This is my first "real" thread since getting back from a 4 week vacation, so I thought it might be nice to challenge you and push you out of your comfort zone...

TAKE ACTION!

How often do you see this?

Information overload? TAKE ACTION!

Shiny object syndrome? TAKE ACTION!

The gurus are there to rip you off! TAKE ACTION!

WSO are a rip off! TAKE ACTION!

None of the WSO's I bought ever made me any money! TAKE ACTION!

Almost ever thread, you see this advice being dished out as if it is the panacea to everyone's problems.

Well guess what? It ain't!

It's a half-truth. Just like the old saying that if you want to be successful then you must have an education, or that money is the root of all evil.

All of them half-truths. They have some merit, but are not 100% accurate.

Just like: Practice makes perfect... another half-truth. It's perfect practise that makes perfect, stoopid.

The same goes with taking action. And I should know because I can share with you a list a long as a roll of toilet paper of "to do's"and action steps...

Which cost me a ton of time and money.

Is the light starting to flicker yet?

You see, it's not merely taking action.. it's taking the correct action that will bring you results.

No pint having a to do list that takes you no further than you were yesterday, is there?

Heck, it's hard enough battling through procrastination and negative beliefs... and then when we take action - it's the wrong blood y action. Oh for goodness sake, I did it and I'm sure most of you have probably done it at some stage as well... if not right now.

So what's my point?

quite simply that you have to plan things out. You need a medium term vision and a short term vision.

Ask yourself: what single piece of action can I do today that will bring me success or closer to my goal.

If you want me to dumb it down further... only focus on money-making activities and leave the rest until later.

Define exactly what it is that you want to achieve today. Then take exact and specific action that will help you accomplish it... nothing else.

In my case, it comes down to identifying the core activities of my business: traffic, products and selling.

The allocating time to each on a regular basis... and not get distracted. I then identify what specific actions I need for each activity... then apply them.

This means that on any given moment, I am taking the right kind of action. It means that I have thought long and hard about my business, I have a vision and I have a plan to achieve that vision.

Planning is the key and focus is the answer. If a product or system isn't for you, then cut your losses and move on.

Look, we all examine different opportunities at different times. And frankly, I'd say that 95% of the stuff I have tried has failed miserably. But the 5% has made me a lot of money.

Now some of this may be different to what you usually hear, but perhaps it needs to be said. We all have strengths and weaknesses. And bluntly, it's up to the individual to identify these and then leverage them for success. Sadly, not may will do this. They blame the product or the system or whatever.

Know thyself, friend and know thy limits... know thy risk tolerance... understand why you are doing this. Then find a system or method that fits in with your capabilities. If it doesn't then accept the lesson and learn from it... then move on to the next until you find your place.

Master your first skill then master the next and so on.

So, yes... take action, but please make sure it's the right action.

And not just action for the sake of action... don't be busy for the sake of being busy.

Sal
#main internet marketing discussion forum #action #advice #overrated #wrong
  • I am so glad you TOOK ACTION and posted this. :p:p

    And tis a good friendly reminder.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • There has to be one in every village eh? :p
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
  • Great post! Of course taking action is required, but that kind of should go without saying. Offering offline services this is something that really hit the spot, "only focus on money-making activities and leave the rest until later". When I go through a dry spell, its time to stop the beast I have in motion and get back to simple direct revenue generating activities!
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • The only problem with that thinking is, I do not know I am taking the wrong action until I learn a better or smarter way to do something, and to learn that, yes I need to take action regardless of the outcome.

    Many things I do are a failure and it is only by taking action and failing, that can I learn to take the right action and succeed.
    • [ 3 ] Thanks
  • Sorry, I did edit this and add more, so go back to check.

    The key to the right action is to understand yourself first. This them eliminates the majority of activities that you should not attempt... if that makes sense.

    For example, say the dollars are tight...why would you roll the dice on PPC that can wipe you out if done incorrectly?

    That would be incorrect action in my book.

    Correct action would be to try something that I can manage, regardless of potential results. Sure, something could make you a ton of money if you succeed, but it might not be the right course of action for you.

    I can't speak for others, but I had unrealistically high expectations when I started out. This led me to try stuff which promised high returns and ignore easier stuff with more modest returns.

    Bottom line is that had I mastered the modest stuff I would have been where I am now... 5 years ago.

    Now the problem I see a lot on here is that there are many people desperate for money... quickly. So they take the wrong action because their better judgement is clouded by their survival instinct.

    This mindset then leads to rash decisions. Instead they should first consider if they can sell a service to raise some cash etc.

    I hope that clarifies things somewhat.

    Sal
  • Best advice right there.. Thanks for this post!
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Lololol. Yeah. Plan, then take action. Then plan again, then take more action.
    • [1] reply
    • Plan of action:
      -Start making money posting good content to very active forums with sig file (make $100) keep posting
      -Add Articles (3-20) submit to directories, keep submitting
      -Expand each articles reach, to docs, free ebooks, synidcation, social media via pingfm or hoot owl, more (keep expanding and continue each method)
      -build your blog start using trend marketing and montinize. Add weightloss (great montization for hollywood trends)

      this could very well be a couple thou a month and more if you outsource ?????????

      There ya go you guys
      -
      • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • I agree with most of what you say however one of the problems i see is people buy a program then PLAN to do something with it but never do. For these people the simple advice of "take action" is appropriate even if it turns out to be the wrong action for them individually.

    Imperfect action is better than no action and even wrong action can be better than no action if you learn from it.
    • [1] reply
  • Sometimes taking action means taking less action personally, too. Letting go of the need to do it all yourself often takes you from doing just "OK" to making a real living. If you have trouble outsourcing or letting go of the control over everything, try baby steps. Take one thing that is easy to do but time consuming and necessary and find someone else to do it for a reasonable price. You might be surprised how big a change this can make. I consider this a form of taking action, even though in reality it's actually removing action from your own plate.

    John
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • Taking incorrect action is better then doing nothing. At the least you are developing a strong work ethic.
    • [2] replies
    • Sorry, but have to disagree.

      Pulling the trigger is a different issue altogether.

      But action for action's sake can be the worst thing to do.

      Remember that it's only a lesson if you learn from it.

      I too had a strong work ethic and spent 20 hours a day chasing my tail for a few years.

      sal
    • Banned
      Excuse the dissenting tone, but I think it's often far worse than doing nothing, in internet marketing.

      It's taking incorrect action that makes people get disillusioned and give up when - all too often - with just a little better information, direction and guidance, they could equally easily have become successful.

      Action without education is one of the many paths to failure.

      It was taking incorrect action that made me work very hard and not earn any real money at all for my first 4 months. Most people would have given up, at that point. Most do, I think.

      This ^^^^ exactly.

      Just my perspective ...
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
  • Very nice thread! I agree and tend to think of all worthwhile action I take as 'imperfect action' and the time-wasting action as 'distraction action'.

    Just out of curiosity, where'd you go?
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Took the family up to Bateman's Bay for all of January.

      Nice place Catania. Been there many times.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
      • [2] replies
  • As I always stress to myslef and others,,, Research,, and then Research,,, and then Research,,,, then take action. Get it right the first time. You might as well take a little time to do it right and not "rush" into taking action. It takes longer when you get it wrong. Get it wrong and you're back to square one
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • That's a great perspective.

      @Zeuss... yes absolutely. I prefer To Not Do lists over to do lists. John, I think that's where knowing oneself comes into it. You have to have the wisdom to let go of things. Hard to do at first, but it's the old 80/20 rule.

      Sal
  • It's not as simple as just taking action but a lot of people are over-thinkers and that's not good either.

    So I believe that's why sometimes people yell, take action vs. over-analyzing everything to death.

    You'll learn more by taking action and failing then just sitting there consuming content from action takers.
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • Any action, regardless whether 'right or wrong' will still teach you something and point you into the right direction.
    Everyone will make mistakes when starting something new and that's really the best way to learn what the right action is.
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Yer I have to agree with that. That's how it's been for me. I've advanced light years in learning and skills development as well as in tangible outcomes then I ever have when caught in analyse paralyse as was often the case in my younger years.

      None the less I also agree with the OP that there is far to much "Take Action" rhetoric be tossed around. It's just one of a number of terms that get used to death like that hit song that you used to love but now loath due to too much airplay.

      Besides taking action is overrated. After all everybody knows the moneys in the list.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • It's a question of how much information is required to take a decision. With average experience, You can time limit it, 20 hours of core information is normally required to enter a new market, do not go over this limit those, 20 hours have given you 80% of the knowledge you require to make an initial decision. Make your plan. then build your site.

    The next stop is crucial see the market response, if there is a bad response, be prepared to kill the site, or change tactics and start again. If it is a good response ramp the site up: More links - More content.

    The faster and more streamlined you can make this process of: learning-starting aborting or ramping up the more successful you will be.

    Awareness during the process is crucial: Know why you are succeeding, and know why you are failing and the take the appropriate action. If 1 out of 10 plays is successful and you do 100 plays a year you haves 10 successes.

    Like you I have learnt from bitter experience that's it's not the taking action that counts rather it's:

    1.Good information
    2.Market opportunity
    3.Market entry
    4.Evaluate entry
    a)Abort entry or b) ramp up site.

    And doing this fast is crucial.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Although some might disagree, I think getting advice is the first action anyone should take. It's a Biblical principal (anyone else read Proverbs in here?) that when you decide to do something on your own, it is easy to go about it wrong, but if you can get enough people, whose opinions you can reliably trust (there are too many critics who just want to bring you down,) then your chances for success increase significantly and then you would be foolish not to take action on that advice.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Great post.

    Vision + focused action - got it in one!

    Will
    • [1] reply
    • Eggs-actely, will.

      Understanding one'self is also vital because it governs your vision and subsequent actions.

      Sal
  • Action without direction is like a jumbo jet without a pilot...

    ...lots of thrust and momentum, but no likelihood of getting anywhere you want!

    If you're not the pilot of your own actions then as other have said; it's simply wasted energy and money.
  • Now I know why I become frustrated every time I see this phrase given as an advice to newbies. Thank you for letting us clear this misconception Sal. I am so relieved that you did and of course such comments will be lessened too. :p

    Cheers!
    Ryuchi
    • [1] reply
    • Thanks for the share. You are so correct. Action without a plan gets you nothing but a shot in the dark. Makes so much more sense to formulate a plan and action it.
  • I agree with the majority of what you said. And I have noticed this many times too and of course taking action is not the only component.

    To give those who say that the benefit of the doubt, maybe it is because they have, on more than a few occasions, given people what they felt was step by step instructions of what would work (because it worked for them) on how to make money online and they feel that if that person just took the ACTION laid out, they would be fine.
  • Hey Sal,

    It very true.

    I always remember the quote from Peter Druker

  • Enough talk! Now take action
  • Great post, Sal... there's no point in rowing harder if your rowing up the wrong river.
  • I don't think "TAKE ACTION" is the only answer to success...just like buying wsos aren't the only answer, having the right tools, aren't the only answer.

    It's just it tends to be the one element that people leave out or forget to do. Thus why it's constantly said as a reminder to people.

    Building a successful business is an overall machine and all the cogs need to be moving and working properly. If one of them is out of alignment, the machine fails. Take action is just the motor that makes the whole thing run.

    Just my $.02
  • True story!
  • wow, only 4 months? I did it for 4 years before I woke up!

    That is an awesome analogy. I love it.

    And if I may add... when you have a pilot, you can then reach a level where you can switch to auto-pilot.



    Sal
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • I think similarly.

      When i created and distributed my first infoproduct, i was in a "know it all" mindset just because i managed to find a new solution to a problem.

      However, at this time i didn't know all parameters which can influence the problem and the solution, so what i explained and the way i explained it was not correct, and even if it produced sales, it also produced some negative comments.

      It is impossible to know all the parameters that can influence a problem or a solution but it is possible to know more than most people, and more than most competitors.
      And that's where the gold is, because when you have more knowledge, more experiences, more techniques than most people and most competitors, you have faith.
      And when you have faith, you can act and communicate in a certain way and it will attract the persons interested in this subject.

      Morality : learn and experience things related to your subject before posting crap on the web.
      This will give you a better reputation on the long term.
  • Yeah it's alamsot always from a guru who just shanked a buyer into buying his $5,000 coaching course and when the buyer says he isn'r making money the excuse is.... Agreed. Taking action doing the wrong thing is worse than doing nothing!
  • Here's another thing I noticed...Stand back form the forum a few days..no posting, no taking sides...just keep reading the posts.....and then it starts to hit you...99% here aren't business owners, building a biz, or entrepreneurs...they are scratching around trying to pay the bills or make a little cash on the side. Nothing worng with it but you have to ownder why after XX years they aren't really moving ahead.

    Try it.
    • [1] reply

    • That's a pretty accurate observation in my opinion.

      The answer? Mindset.

      Sal
  • [DELETED]

Next Topics on Trending Feed