Momentum - The Key Difference Between Success And Failure!
When we are in business for ourselves, one of the advantages that is promoted is we can work our business at our own pace. Think about that for a moment. Pace can mean different things to different people.
- For some, it could mean a couple of hours a week.
- For others, it could mean a couple of hours a day.
- And for some, it could mean to do whatever it takes, no matter how many hours a day it will take to get results.
Out of these three scenarios can you guess which approach has the better probability of succeeding? My guess it would be the third option.
Why? Momentum is the key difference between success and failure.
The Train Analogy
Think of this as a train taking off. Especially those original trains moved. by steam engines.
It takes a great deal of energy to get the train moving. But once it is moving, it takes much less to maintain that momentum. What would happen if only a little energy is applied? The train would hardly move, if at all. It would just stay there.
The same principle can be applied to building one's business. At the start, if you applied very little energy to get it going, the chances of success is virtually nil.
Momentum Leads To Residual Income
The proof is there for all of us to see. One of the most common traits of successful individuals here and in any kind of entrepreneurial business is the effort applied at the start of their business. If they came across hurdles, they worked hard to figure out ways to overcome them.
Keep that momentum going was all that mattered to them. They knew if they slowed down or stopped, their business would also stop. And the effort to get it going would be a great deal.
The question I have is, do you want to stop and start to your whim and fancy? If you did, you will have to expend a huge amount of effort each time in order to gain momentum to achieve the success you wish,
Talk about inefficiency. This approach is the surest way to delay the success you desire.
Do You Want A Hobby?
If you decide to build a business and feel you can do it at a slow pace, why do it at all? Unless you wish to treat your business as a hobby. There is nothing wrong with that as long as your expectations for success are also low.
It is HARD to build momentum. It requires a great deal of planning, learning and taking action. Continuous action. Relentless action.
Momentum Also Leads To Motivation
Momentum has its benefits. The chances of seeing result sooner rather than later is a huge motivator. Success breeds success. Sadly the opposite is also true. Failing to get results, even small one's, breeds failure.
The cold hard fact is to succeed massive action is required. This fact cannot be sugar coated.
Some may say they are applying a great deal of effort. And they cannot see any success. This brings up the age-old saying, if you keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect different results, you won't get it.
Measure Your Progress
Analyze your activities to see if they are value packed or just the make work kind to help you feel good that you are doing something. Whatever action you take, it must be the kind that has a high probability to generate results.
Wealthy Affiliate teaches what these have to be. The biggest is writing content. Have you noticed in the Online Entrepreneur Certification Course we are directed to write 12 posts each month? That is THREE posts a week. That is designed to not only to put what you learn into practice, but also to build momentum.
Tim McKinlay put this into perspective in one of his early lessons after Wealthy Affiliate launched its recently revised platform.
Content Is King Or Queen
Google Analytics can help you discover which one's. Once you have that information, you can create more posts that match the style and objective of those posts.
If you are lucky, you may find the answer to this question after writing only 25 to 30posts. Usually, it will take writing 100 to 200 posts to find out the few that get the most number of clicks that result in views.
Google Is Your Friend
Have you written about 100 posts? Check your Google Analytics to find out which one's have received the most clicks. Then read those posts again to see what they have in common,
I have discovered which of my posts received the most clicks, I am doing three things to build momentum.
- Read those posts to find out what they have in common
- Find other posts in that category and improve them
- Write more posts that incorporates what I learned from this exercise.
Roope Kiuttu said in one of his recent YouTube videos that successful affiliate marketers, including him, do this once they have written hundreds of posts. In the beginning it is more important to ficus on just writing posts. At that time it is too early to expect high click throughs.
After you have written more than 30, then start to look at the performance of your posts. But don't spend too much time on analysis until you have accumulated over 100 posts.
If writing content is not something you want to do, then affiliate marketing is not for you. Sorry to be that blunt.
The Secret Sauce - Provide Value
The best way to succeed, is to hone your writing skills to provide increasing value to your readers. Your objective is to help them solve a problem or meet a need they have through the products or services you are writing about.
In this way you can help them make a buying decision. You are saving them time. And time is a valuable commodity. They will thank you for it by returning to your website for new posts. And this is another good reason to write regularly. It demonstrates you are serious about your business.
Does any of this make sense to you?
I'd love to hear your thoughts about momentum in the discussion area below.
I wish you much success in your affiliate marketing journey.
Cheers!
Edwin
Recent Comments
48
I think you put it all together quite well to make your case, and you have a strong case indeed! Not everyone is in a place where they can turn their lives over to their site, but if they give everything they can, they will find success ultimately. Determination to succeed will always help overcome life's challenges.
Good to see you sharing a post! I know how busy you've been!
Hi Jeannine,
Thanks for your great response. There was a reason I wrote this.
I joined a mentoring group last March where each week different topics are discussed to help us in our ventures. This group is mainly for people who are entrepreneurs who are not based online. Such as Insurance, Finance, Contracting etc. I happen to know one of the founders through Toastmasters and that is why I joined and became a founding member.
The most recent topic was Momentum. I felt that was so appropriate for affiliate marketing that compelled me to write this post. I will be doing this occasionally as I feel I can be of help to members here.
I have a long way to go and need to follow my own advice.
All the best to you.
Edwin
Wow, Very Interesting points, Edwin.
Thought I think they are one-sided. Remember there are two sides to every coin unless the coin is a cheat coin. Speed kills!
It is true that momentum should be built, but also stress what Geoffrey is hinting at, Consistency. You have to be able to be in control of your momentum and that comes with practice. That requires baby steps as you call it hobby mode. When your hobby becomes your business, you have no stress, you will make money while you are rested and at a place of comfort.
At the same time, your analogy speaks the truth. You have to pull hard at first then when you gain momentum I suggest you take time to see if you can slow down at your command and pick up speed when you desire. Then you are I full control. Imagine picking up all the momentum and running in the opposite direction. By the time you realize your mistakes - you will be too far in the wrong direction.
In the story of the woodcutters in the forest, the one who takes time to sharpen his ax ends up with a greater pile of wood, The one who builds momentum and keeps going...
In short, speed kills, and if you crush with all the momentum you may never recover. As ideal as your suggestion is, I would also suggest caution. It is not a race! Someone said this to me and I learned the hard way. Take your time even when it feels like a hobby, maybe just maybe, that's what you like and need. Go for it it is yours. The money will come when it is time.
Thank you, Edwin, for your informative post.
Ntlhane
Very well stated. I like your point that if you are going in the wrong direction, momentum can kill.
There was a hidden assumption I should have stated. And that is members of Wealthy Affiliate are shown what the proven formula is so they have an edge. This means better chances of going in the right direction .
If someone goes in the wrong direction one reason could be they want to try it their way. And that is OK. In that case they should take it slow until they can see the results they expect.
There was a reason I wrote this.
I joined a mentoring group last March where each week different topics are discussed to help us in our ventures. This group is mainly for entrepreneurs who are not based online. Such as Insurance, Finance, Contracting etc. I happen to know one of the founders through Toastmasters and that is why I joined and became a founding member.
The most recent topic was Momentum. I felt that was so appropriate for affiliate marketing that compelled me to write this post. I will be doing this occasionally as I feel I can be of help to members here.
I have a long way to go and need to follow my own advice.
All the best to you.
Edwin
Excellent points and information.
Also very true. Too many people are looking for short cuts and secrets they will never find (because they don't exist!) and continue to waste time and money for years pursuing nonsense.
On the other hand - if all that wasted time had been used to just consistently make a little progress each day - every day - then in that same amount of time that was wasted chasing shiny pie in the sky guru garbage, they would already have a real business consistently making money each and every month, and that is growing year over year in income production.
Your article will help anyone who finds it, reads it - and heeds its lessons. Great article Edwin!
Best regards,
L.D. Sewell
Great to hear from you Ld.
I made one premise that members here have an advantage over those going it alone in building their business.
The objective is to build that momentum using the lessons learned here. Of course, if one chases shiny objects, they do so at their peril.
The advice I gave also applies to me as I have a lot to learn in the area of making the best decisions for my business.
All the best to you.
Edwin
Great advice Edwin! Yes! I completely agree with you.
When I find myself having a bad week and doing less with my site because I can't seem to concentrate on it, it is SO much harder to get back into things. Even doing the little things seem hard some days.
So I have decided to get the "momentum" going and keep it going by writing down daily/weekly tasks.
They may not get done at the same time every day, kinda hard to keep a solid schedule with 3 kids under age 5, but I get moments in between the craziness and that's when I get things done.
I have to keep telling myself everyday, this is my future and I need to keep building! No matter what!
Thank you for this reminder of always keeping what I want in the forefront of my daily activities!
Angela
Hello Angela,
I commend you for challenging yourself while bringing up three kids. Since I have not been in that situation I cannot begin to imagine the effort you need to make to build your business.
You have the right attitude and plan. Success will be yours, even if it may take a little bit longer.
Are you able to spend time on your business after you out the kids to bed? Just curious. It helps if you can have an hour or two without interruptions, But then, I don't know your situation and only guessing,
I wish you much success in your affiliate marketing journey.
Edwin
Yes. I get some time in the evening to get things done. Sometimes I'm too tired and have to push myself but for the most part I get things done : ) it is challenging though. Self motivation is not as easy as people think lol
I know what you mean. When one is tired it is really hard to self motivate. It takes almost superhuman power to break through. In your situation may I suggest setting modest activity goals and doing your best to do them consistently. Rather that then take on too much and get burned out.
Each of our situations are different and that requires different approaches. Thanks for driving that home to me. I will take that into account in my future posts.
All the best to you Angela.
Edwin
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Thank you Edwin,
I am just catching up with many posts after my absence for a month.
You have provided me with a reminder, of the many things I need to concentrate on to improve my business & move forward.
Completion of the OEC training is essential, re creating a plan for 2021, & ensure I measure my performance , write more posts & use Google Analytics to see what works & what does not.
I like "The Secret Sauce - Provide Value" - most essential.
I will also bookmark your post so I can return & ensure I have not missed anything.
Denis