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You might be FAILING in IM because of this...

by writeaway
15 replies
Do you feel that you invest a lot of time in your online ventures but get little to no results?

Are you frustrated because you feel that it is taking forever to see any results from all your efforts?

Have you stopped taking action and focused on 'researching' and 'learning' instead?

If any of these apply to your current situation, don't worry. You are hardly alone. People won't come out and say it but many of us are in the same boat as you. I was in the same situation as you. I know how you feel. Here is ONE thing I've discovered that helped me achieve results.

I discovered that only 20% of the things that I do produce 80% of the results. Conversely, 80% of the stuff I do, produce only 20% of my results. So how did I get more results? I focused on putting more time into the 20% that gets results. I delegate, postpone, automate, or outsource the other 80%.

It truly is that simple. Here is the step by step breakdown:

1) List down EVERYTHING you do for your IM or online business in the span of ONE DAY

2) List down the results you get from each activity. How much money does each activity produce? If it is an activity that supports your income but doesn't generate income directly, note down how much impact it has on your income.

3) Rank the items based on direct income or effectiveness in producing indirect income.

4) Study your completed list and move things around so you are doing more of the things that produce direct/indirect results.

I know you might be emotionally drained and frustrated but you need to see the fog and realize that sometimes, all it takes is a few minor adjustments here and there and THE RIGHT FOCUS for you to truly unleash your PRODUCTIVITY POTENTIAL.

Please share any other tips you have that involves making small changes to boost personal productivity.
#failing
  • Profile picture of the author MartinPlatt
    Originally Posted by writeaway View Post

    Do you feel that you invest a lot of time in your online ventures but get little to no results?

    Are you frustrated because you feel that it is taking forever to see any results from all your efforts?

    Have you stopped taking action and focused on 'researching' and 'learning' instead?

    If any of these apply to your current situation, don't worry. You are hardly alone. People won't come out and say it but many of us are in the same boat as you. I was in the same situation as you. I know how you feel. Here is ONE thing I've discovered that helped me achieve results.

    I discovered that only 20% of the things that I do produce 80% of the results. Conversely, 80% of the stuff I do, produce only 20% of my results. So how did I get more results? I focused on putting more time into the 20% that gets results. I delegate, postpone, automate, or outsource the other 80%.

    It truly is that simple. Here is the step by step breakdown:

    1) List down EVERYTHING you do for your IM or online business in the span of ONE DAY

    2) List down the results you get from each activity. How much money does each activity produce? If it is an activity that supports your income but doesn't generate income directly, note down how much impact it has on your income.

    3) Rank the items based on direct income or effectiveness in producing indirect income.

    4) Study your completed list and move things around so you are doing more of the things that produce direct/indirect results.

    I know you might be emotionally drained and frustrated but you need to see the fog and realize that sometimes, all it takes is a few minor adjustments here and there and THE RIGHT FOCUS for you to truly unleash your PRODUCTIVITY POTENTIAL.

    Please share any other tips you have that involves making small changes to boost personal productivity.
    These are great ideas that people don't often think about.

    If you've ever read 4 hour work week, that talks a lot about this stuff too.
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    Martin Platt
    martin-platt.com

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    • Profile picture of the author writeaway
      Originally Posted by MartinPlatt View Post

      These are great ideas that people don't often think about.

      If you've ever read 4 hour work week, that talks a lot about this stuff too.
      I haven't heard of that. Is that an actual book or an ebook? Anyone else have other productivity tips to share?
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      • Profile picture of the author shane_k
        Originally Posted by writeaway View Post

        I haven't heard of that. Is that an actual book or an ebook? Anyone else have other productivity tips to share?

        I remember reading in this one book, (I don't remember which one) but it was talking about the qualities of entrepreneurship

        The first one was the ability to Focus

        The second one was the ability to Descriminate (which you are talking about)

        The third was the ability to Eliminate (which you are also talking about)

        The fourth was the ability to Communicate

        And the fifth was the ability to Delegate

        Anyway, I think what you wrote is very important.

        But I find that alot of people don't get to that point where they actually have a lot of tasks to mark out to show what they are doing, because they lack the fundamental skills of being able to focus on what they need to do.

        They are easily distracted by facebook, twitter, youtube videos, etc.

        I had this problem myself when I first started and what helped me was "The Pomodoro Technique"

        This is where you set a timer for 25 minutes, and choose to focus on one task only for that 25 minute period. Then you take a 5 minute break and then work for another 25 minutes. And after four 25 minute work periods you take a longer break.

        What this technique does is it trains you to manage your impulses and distractions, and helps you to realize that things that appear urgent are usually not as urgent and important as you first thought.

        Anyway, you can download the free ebook here (no opt-in)

        The Pomodoro Technique®
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        • Profile picture of the author writeaway
          Originally Posted by shane_k View Post

          I remember reading in this one book, (I don't remember which one) but it was talking about the qualities of entrepreneurship

          The first one was the ability to Focus

          The second one was the ability to Descriminate (which you are talking about)

          The third was the ability to Eliminate (which you are also talking about)

          The fourth was the ability to Communicate

          And the fifth was the ability to Delegate

          Anyway, I think what you wrote is very important.

          But I find that alot of people don't get to that point where they actually have a lot of tasks to mark out to show what they are doing, because they lack the fundamental skills of being able to focus on what they need to do.

          They are easily distracted by facebook, twitter, youtube videos, etc.

          I had this problem myself when I first started and what helped me was "The Pomodoro Technique"

          This is where you set a timer for 25 minutes, and choose to focus on one task only for that 25 minute period. Then you take a 5 minute break and then work for another 25 minutes. And after four 25 minute work periods you take a longer break.

          What this technique does is it trains you to manage your impulses and distractions, and helps you to realize that things that appear urgent are usually not as urgent and important as you first thought.

          Anyway, you can download the free ebook here (no opt-in)

          The Pomodoro Technique®
          Please share step by step techniques for focus.
          Signature
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          • Profile picture of the author shane_k
            Originally Posted by writeaway View Post

            Please share step by step techniques for focus.

            Well, The Pomodoro technique is that simple, there's really nothing more to share about it.

            It will teach you how to focus and handle distractions.

            Just download the ebook and you will see.
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  • Profile picture of the author zeroaffiliate
    Goal setting.

    I always set achievable goals to be focus on what i am doing and if i achieve the goal, i give myself some form of reward to motivate myself all the time.

    I also try to take 20 -30 mins before i turn in to do some reading at forums or blogs, so i can learn new strategies and be prepared on what to do the next day.
    Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author zeroaffiliate
    Goal setting.

    I always set achievable goals to be focus on what i am doing and if i achieve the goal, i give myself some form of reward to motivate myself all the time.

    I also try to take 20 -30 mins before i turn in to do some reading at forums or blogs, so i can learn new strategies and be prepared on what to do the next day.
    Signature
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    • Profile picture of the author writeaway
      Originally Posted by zeroaffiliate View Post

      Goal setting.

      I always set achievable goals to be focus on what i am doing and if i achieve the goal, i give myself some form of reward to motivate myself all the time.
      I like this.Give yourself a reward. Also, make snapshots of traffic and income reports so you can VISUALLY TRAIN yourself to perform a certain way because there is a CLOSE LINK between your actions and your INCOME.


      I also try to take 20 -30 mins before i turn in to do some reading at forums or blogs, so i can learn new strategies and be prepared on what to do the next day.
      That's right. If you want to EARN MORE, you have to LEARN MORE.
      Signature
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      • Profile picture of the author angshuy2k
        Really nice post and that how I keep going:

        a) Set plants
        b) Execute plans
        c) Monitor and evaluate progress
        d) Adapt to the changes and keep progressing

        It works.
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  • Profile picture of the author fpdeziner
    I remember reading in this one book, (I don't remember which one) but it was talking about the qualities of entrepreneurship

    The first one was the ability to Focus

    The second one was the ability to Descriminate (which you are talking about)

    The third was the ability to Eliminate (which you are also talking about)

    The fourth was the ability to Communicate

    And the fifth was the ability to Delegate
    these are the basics and must for any IMer.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sushiman1111
    Originally Posted by writeaway View Post

    Do you feel that you invest a lot of time in your online ventures but get little to no results?

    Are you frustrated because you feel that it is taking forever to see any results from all your efforts?

    Have you stopped taking action and focused on 'researching' and 'learning' instead?

    If any of these apply to your current situation, don't worry. You are hardly alone. People won't come out and say it but many of us are in the same boat as you. I was in the same situation as you. I know how you feel. Here is ONE thing I've discovered that helped me achieve results.

    I discovered that only 20% of the things that I do produce 80% of the results. Conversely, 80% of the stuff I do, produce only 20% of my results. So how did I get more results? I focused on putting more time into the 20% that gets results. I delegate, postpone, automate, or outsource the other 80%.

    It truly is that simple. Here is the step by step breakdown:

    1) List down EVERYTHING you do for your IM or online business in the span of ONE DAY

    2) List down the results you get from each activity. How much money does each activity produce? If it is an activity that supports your income but doesn't generate income directly, note down how much impact it has on your income.

    3) Rank the items based on direct income or effectiveness in producing indirect income.

    4) Study your completed list and move things around so you are doing more of the things that produce direct/indirect results.

    I know you might be emotionally drained and frustrated but you need to see the fog and realize that sometimes, all it takes is a few minor adjustments here and there and THE RIGHT FOCUS for you to truly unleash your PRODUCTIVITY POTENTIAL.

    Please share any other tips you have that involves making small changes to boost personal productivity.
    Good, solid tips for anyone who's spinning their wheels. I'd add one more thing: get one thing done EVERY day. So long as you maintain momentum, you'll eventually get to where you're going. Once you stop, though...maybe you stop forever.
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    • Profile picture of the author writeaway
      Originally Posted by Sushiman1111 View Post

      Good, solid tips for anyone who's spinning their wheels. I'd add one more thing: get one thing done EVERY day. So long as you maintain momentum, you'll eventually get to where you're going. Once you stop, though...maybe you stop forever.
      Excellent point. So true. Many people shoot to do many things and end up doing nothing.
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  • Profile picture of the author nthomas00
    I think the main point that he mentioned in this post that keeps people from being successful is that they try to do too much and they don't outsource or automate the process which would allow them to see results faster and they get frustrated. That is Key part that's missing from alot of people's marketing strategies.
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  • Profile picture of the author betterwtveter
    I pretty much use a similar concept. I only spend about 80% of my advertising efforts on automation and 20% on testing.
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    • Profile picture of the author writeaway
      Originally Posted by betterwtveter View Post

      I pretty much use a similar concept. I only spend about 80% of my advertising efforts on automation and 20% on testing.
      Makes sense. Focus on what works while experimenting to find better ROI.
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