Are You Inventing Things To Do To Avoid The Important?
Sometimes it seems like I'm working my arse off and getting nowhere! I wonder if anyone else is having that same feeling.
According to "Timothy Ferris'' in his book The 4-Hour Workweek, There's a difference between being productive and just active. Here are some questions he suggests we ask ourselves to help focus our attention and time on what's really important. As a marketer that would most likely be making money. Why else would we be marketing?
- If you had a heart attack and could only work two hours per day on your business what would you do?
- If you had a second hear attack and could only work two hours per week on your business what would you do?
- If you had a gun to your head every day and had to stop doing 4/5 of the different time-consuming activities you normally do which ones would you keep doing?
- What are the top three activities you use to fill time so you can feel productive?
- Who are the 20% of people who produce 80% of your enjoyment and propel you forward and which 20% cause 80% of your depression, anger, and frustration?
I'm learning to ask myself, "If this is the only thing I accomplish today, will I be satisfied with my day"? Why not take a day and set up only two mission critical tasks for the day and then do them one at a time until they're done. Everything else is just smoke and mirrors.
If my mission as a marketer is to convert leads or traffic into money then why am I looking at my email, posting on facebook, looking at youtube videos, and yes spending my time trying to get higher in the WA rankings? Is any of that really putting money in my bank account?
Why not get the mission critical things done first and spend the rest of my day doing what I want.
To be a financially successful Internet Marketer I have to learn the specific tasks I need to complete on a daily basis that will result in my end goal. Then I need to complete them before I start in with the busy work that takes up most of my day and doesn't get me closer to that goal.
You'll notice, I hope, that I'm talking about myself here and not trying to judge anyone else. Maybe we can get a discussion going as to what WA members think are the truly important things we need to be concentrating on and then being honest enough with each other to say whether or not we're doing them.
A little introspection from time to time can be a good thing.
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.....but then again I could be right:)
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Recent Comments
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Those are great questions! They help one to reflect on their priorities and that is always a good way to maintain balance! :) Christa :)
Thank you very much for sharing. :) I like this blog.
Especially :
"There's a difference between being productive and just active"
and "To be a financially successful Internet Marketer I have to learn the specific tasks I need to complete on a daily basis that will result in my end goal. "
That's why my daily goal is to promote my hubby and my own site before I do other stuff. :)
You give a lot to think about. Making the most of my time is a challenge for me. I am working on a daily schedule to become as productive as possible without sacrificing time with my family.
Wow, does that hit home! I could probably spend a lot of time figuring out the two most important things to put on my to do list...I'm just a procrastinator at heart.
Question is: "Do You Feel Like You Have Accomplished something today?"
As long as Your answer is YES, I do not see a problem.
Good advice! I know I waste time during some days. Other days, I'm spot on target. I like the idea of picking two tasks to concentrate on. Going to try that tomorrow. Thanks, Thom!
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Good questions!
Yesterday I thought I was having a very productive time only to lose all my work (don't ask!). I couldn't face it so shut the laptop and found other things to do. If I only had those 2 hrs a week you mention I probably would have made a different choice...interesting. :)