I’ve been participating in an excellent discussion over at (at only $5/month this is one of the best deals in town for finding help and support with your online businesses). The subject is dear and near to me-how to get focused in your online business.
This is an area most of struggle with a lot. I sure do. We are bombarded with so many things on a daily bases that it’s hard to get focused and not become overwhelmed. Internet marketing is a lonely business. Yes, there are a lot of forums and other areas of support but in the end it’s really just you and your computer. Throw in your other family obligations (you know the little things like raising your kids- 
) and you’re in for a frustrating ride. No doubt about it.
Ignore the hype, making money online isn’t easy. Sure to make a few extra bucks here and there is pretty easy but to make a living online is hard work. It’s fun work but hard work nonetheless.
I don’t claim to be an expert and I struggle with focus and organization issues but I have working on it and I have noticed improvements.
My affiliate websites are doing okay and one of my proudest achievements is that I’ve completed my very first product. An info product that I created called .
So I’m starting 2008 with a bit more focus and here is a tidbit I would like to share on how I’ve accomplished this.
I started using and a gadget/widget called to create a daily “to do” list. Believe me-it works. If you knew me personally you would know how big of a struggle focusing, organization, and procrastination is for me. If it helps me, it can help you.
I write 3-5 things I need to do the night before. The next morning I try to complete the first task on my ToDo list before doing anything else (checking mails, visiting forums, etc.).
It’s hard but I do find it helpful that way I feel like the morning is starting fresh and on a positive note once I cross item #1 off of my list. If I start checking forums or emails I’ll feel bad that I’ve spent a couple hours in the morning doing that instead of working on my todo list. I knew growing up with Catholic guilt would come in handy.
My “to do” list can include things like:
- write 5 articles
- submit them to article directories
- record xyz podcast
- write 10 pages for my new book
- etc., etc.
This helps me zero in. Do I always finish off my “to do” list. Ha-ha-ha-are you kidding me? No. But I am getting better at it. I feel guilty (see note above about growing up Catholic) about moving uncompleted tasks to my next day’s “to do” list.
Doing this will help you keep focused and keep that sinking feeling of being overwhelmed at bay. It won’t make it go away ever. Nothing will. We’re wired that way. That is normal and nothing to get down about. I sometimes get things done when I put a deadline on myself and trying to beat it (what can I say I’m a bit sadist when it comes to that).
As you can see your feelings of being overwhelmed and unfocused is quiet normal in this business as it is in most any other business. So, don’t let it get you down instead start working on getting yourself focused and you will notice that overwhelmed feeling will dissipate and ease up a bit giving you much needed breathing room to work on your project.
