Some days, you wake up to challenges…
The alarm clock didn’t go off. The modem isn’t working. The milk has spoiled.
And yet, with those challenges come opportunities…
You awake to sunshine streaming through a window. You enjoy reading a newspaper instead of quickly scanning news online. You drink your coffee black, and realize you like it better that way.
What if you could turn all your business challenges into opportunities, too?
It’s possible, because I do it every day.
Here’s the secret: Focus attention on the daily tasks that will lead to success.
Before you make your coffee… Before you butter your toast… Before you drop the kids off at school or complete any part of your morning routine, ask yourself this question about your business goals: “What am I trying to accomplish?” More specifically, “What am I trying to accomplish today?”
It’s a short question, but it packs a big punch.
Let’s say, for example, that (like many of my coaching clients) the idea of having a successful online business is enormously attractive to you. Not only does it sound cool to say “entrepreneur,” it gives you the potential to make lots of money without spending much upfront. Yet, the same low-cost barriers to entry for an online business can mean a low probability of profit if you can’t address the question: “What am I really trying to accomplish with this business?”
Whatever your goals, whatever your talents, you have to give this question your full attention every day. Anything less will lead you in the wrong direction – closer to frustration and further from your goals.
So, ask yourself again: “What am I trying to accomplish?” And continue to ask this question every day, several times a day, to maintain your focus.
Many wannabe online entrepreneurs struggle with this question. It’s not because they lack confidence. It’s not because they are trying to be evasive. It’s simply because – no matter how long they have been thinking about building an online business – they just haven’t given the question sufficient, serious thought.
What are you trying to accomplish with your online business?
If you choose to give your attention to something that will become your livelihood, you should certainly know what you hope to accomplish with it, right?
Think about companies like Starbucks and Apple. Their corporate and critical successes are due to passion, customer service, and paying attention to the right things.
You have to find those same magic seeds for your online business.
Without a well-researched and well-executed plan for growth, you stand little chance of succeeding as an online entrepreneur in a world of competitors.
Remember, the Internet is not located on a street corner. It’s located on the World Wide Web. Your competitors may be anywhere on the globe. Are you ready to compete with them and win?
Do you know what you want to accomplish long-term? Just as important, do you know what you have to accomplish on a daily basis to reach that goal? Do you know what you have to accomplish today?
If you’re struggling for answers, here are some techniques you can use to focus your attention on the right things – the things that will translate into success for your online business.
Prioritize.
Learn how to organize your tasks in a way that aligns with your goals. For instance, Michael Masterson uses daily task lists to help him plan out his time.
Determine really clear short-term goals.
Long-term goals are great, but short-term goals give you a “scorecard” to make sure you are completing the important things that will keep you moving forward.
Professor Richard Wiseman – leader of a yearlong study on goal setting – found that people have a better chance of reaching a major goal if they break it down into smaller short-term objectives. So instead of a big, broad goal like “I’ll write a novel this year,” you might plan to write five pages of the novel every week.
Upgrade your ability to deal with information.
Take a speed-reading course. Discover new methods of research and study. Become informationally efficient. Check out my article “Getting Smarter” for more ways to amp up your brainpower.
What’s your objective for your business?
- Do you want to become the best Internet business coach?
- Are you hoping to sell self-help books online?
- Have you discovered a way to feed the masses and end world hunger?
Once you know what you want to accomplish, you can focus your attention on setting the short-term goals that will get you there. And it all starts by asking yourself “What am I trying to accomplish today?”
[Ed. Note: If you're going to be successful in 2009, you need to make Rich's suggestions a part of your day-to-day life. Of course, you may need a little extra help to get moving and keep yourself motivated. Get year-round success strategies, motivational resources, and goal-achieving tools right here.
Rich Schefren - one of the world's best small-business strategists - knows a thing or two about what it takes to be successful online. His businesses have done over $500 million every year - piling up more than $1 billion in sales every two years. Visit his blog to learn how to streamline your business while skyrocketing profits.]
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