Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I can`t figure it out sometimes i`m just so motivated that nothing stops me, or i get over motivated and can`t focus on one aspect of my startups. (got two in the pipes). I`ll sit down to hash out business plan docs (or parts of) or i`ll play with web design etc but it get SO easily distracted. When i`m at my day job i think about the startups and when i`m home i either veg out, or think about work. i know what i need to do it`s just forcing myself to do it...

HELP!

If you`ve got your own `what the` feel free to post those as well....

what you might do ... is when you`re in that manic state write out pieces of your business plan is a small to-do list form. When i mean small I mean 30 minutes or less. You don`t have much time when you`re home to get in the mood to "start it up!! " You just have to look at the to-do list and plow through it.

Many people like to use computers, and that`s fine for the business plan and master list, But for me, the to-do list is made of  this wonderful thing called paper.  It folds up and goes right in my pocket too. It`s super cool and very light weight.

Seriously... when you get all motivated, spend that time trying to figure out how to keep yourself going when it all gets all boring again.

Funny because I had that same problem when I first got off the ground.  So many ideas, so little time, and not sure where to go so I ended up not getting very much accomplished!

I learned how to regulate myself, and maybe my experience might help.. and it did involve the great above suggestion.

I call what Degrees mentioned (writing on that wonderful technology) "Brain Rain" (not my term) that you let the no-holds barred thinking out from rattling in your head so it stops rattling.  It`s a great idea, and I put no rules on what may pour down to paper.

That said, focus is very key, in my experience, to make anything happen.  It`s very easy to get distracted (and quite honestly, it can be fun too) but you gotta keep your eye on the ball.  To be honest, I really couldn`t stay focused until I found the type of biz that I`m going to be really passionate about.  And I also accept I`m the kind of guy that with my close associates will rattle off half-ideas and brainstorm randomly.

Another thing that I like the idea of is that if you want to start a biz, set aside times during the week... make an appointment with yourself... where that`s what you do.  Not errands, not anything, whatever time you set, be it an hour a week or an hour a day, that`s the time you work on your fledgling project.  It helped me when I worked full time to make it a scheduled part of my day, because it then automatically gave it the importance I wanted it to.


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"It`s not work, it`s network!"

Portage Media Solutions
http://www.portagemedia.com
My Blog: http://www.interactivemediatips.com

yes, i know what you are saying...we all are a little too serious!! you have to make your work a pleasurable activity and don`t be afraid to stand-up and yell - "i got to get this knocked out!!" (i also find that reading old how-to books on integrity, character, persistance are helpful!), just don`t take work too seriously!! shift into something that is working and back to the original task when it flows - swinging back and forth from different tasks will build mental strength(and self awareness of what is working at the moment)...sometime i will go to the kitchen for a beer and a good laugh...hope that helps.

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I am no longer posting on this forum. A fellow citizen here suggested that I should Think before I add commitary to my postings. I thought he was wrong, but I am mistaked(not everyone digs Mr.Wicks) E

all good suggestions and wise words of wisdom. I`ll start applying them tomorrow and will report on my progress. I`ll make it a point to spend my lunch time brain raining :)

anyone else got some tips?

great advice MR Wicks i`ll take it to heart for sure!

Nothing`s wrong!
Sometimes, Jonese, I think you have to go with the flow.
Your mind has rhythms and you have to respect them.
When you`re in those creative highs, make sure you pursue them. Write down every idea. Don`t even worry about organizing. When you settle down, do the grunt work  (at least it`s grunt work for me)--organize, test, develop, etc.
I do have one tip that helps me, so I don`t use creative pursuits as a form of laziness... it`s "do one thing." Even when I`m totally not in the mood, I try to do one thing... whether it`s work on the business plan, write web content, or just stare at a power point pitch.
I find this keeps me on track.

Jonese and everybody else that goes through this...

Every time I think of what you are describing--and believe me I go through the very same thing-- I remind myself of the many great people that have accomplished many lifetimes worth of work in their very own lives. I`m talking about, Leonardo DaVinci, Shakespear, Bejamin Franklin, Johnann Sebastian Bach, Thomas Edison, The Wright Brothers, Howard Hughes, Beethoven, Helen Keller, John Williams, Oprah Winfrey, and so very many more.

The one word that I believe should be applied to each of these individuals is DRIVEN. They had a passion that had them wanting to do nothing more than work on their interests. You have to find a way to be able to make your interests drive your life and your life should reflect and be driven by your interests. 

I also keep in mind that often this is done at the expense of family and friends. One`s passion, although capable of exploiting the genius hidden within each of us, also must be carefully bridled lest we forget the things in life that are most important to us all. I think that you will find that many of the great names mentioned above have some significant sacrifice in the areas regarding personal social relationships and that they may have forgone many of the joys in life that most would agree are the keys to true happiness. Notably they are love, family, friends,and the opportunity to pass along the joys that you have experienced throughout your life.  

You have a balance. Find that position that has you comfortably moving forward and you will find that you do not have to sacrifice the simple joys in life to become successful.

 

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~Eric
JE Design Group, LLC
If all you do is what you`ve done, then all you`ll get is what you`ve got.
www.jedesigngroup.com

Jonese,

Your challenge is one that is universal.  My business before what I do now was holistic professional organizing.  I hear this comment constantly from people both in the home and business arena. 

Here are a few suggestions that just might help you get "unstuck".  

First off take a look at yourself and determine if you are trying to be a perfectionist.  By that I me do all the planets have to be aligned just perfectly before you can get started?  This is a crucial part of things because I can almost guarantee that the "perfect amount of time, or perfect circumstance" will never happen.  In our busy lives we need to just grab small blocks of time and plow on forward. 

Perfectionism is the number one leading cause of Procrastination!

We get that all or nothing thing going and since it can`t be perfect we just do nothing!

Next I suggest that you carve out a piece of time and sit down to write out what it is that you don`t want in your life.   Give this some real thought. Once you have that done then write out another list of what you do want in your life.  It is amazing to me that most people spend more time planning a week`s vacation then planning out what they want in their life.

Next be aware of your self-talk.  This will take some work in the beginning.  However it will amaze you just how very often you will find yourself telling yourself all of the reasons that whatever won`t work, or how your too busy, or sometimes even how you are not smart enough to get the job done.   When you hear yourself going into these negative thoughts or when your mind goes to what you don`t want in your life you must actually interrupt yourself and replace the thought with  a good powerful thought that reminds you of what you do want!

Wow, I could go on and on however I will stop hear in hope that this has helped you see things a little differently.

I wish you the best of all possibilities! 

 

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Our success is measured not only from the money earned or advancements achieved but from lives enhanced, rivers not polluted, kids not poisoned, illnesses prevented and lives financially tranformed

jonese,

one thing to say . . . welcome to my world.

I too, asked the same type of thing a while ago.
when you figure it out . . . let me know how you did it!!

 

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But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrew 11:6