What to do if you miss the SWAG targets: DON'T PANIC!

Signing up for the SWAG training is awesome. There is such a lot to learn (in addition to all the other training on the site) and many action points to complete each month. Many of us are working part-time at this and although we committed to 20 hours per week, sometimes this can change as we go through the ups and downs of life.

So what should we do if we miss the targets and goals?

In my book, there are 3 options:

1) Give up thinking it is all too difficult

This approach will definitely get you nowhere. Everyone has life things that get in the way, everyone has times when they just can't think of anything to write about, and everyone has days when they just feel a bit off colour. But does that mean you should give up on your goals and throw the baby out with the bath water?

Of course not. It is only by learning through experience that we can find the path to succeed. So I suggest that if this is your first thought, at least read on to see the other options you have available to you. Remember that many famous people have failed at something before they went on to become phenomenally successful; how about Walt Disney, Henry Ford, The Beatles and Einstein! They're not a bad set of people to follow in my book but they didn't give up and eventually became more successful than most people.

2) Give yourself a hard time

Giving yourself a hard time and telling yourself that you are useless, didn't work hard enough and you must ensure you do better next month is putting even more stress on you that you may not need. Deciding to put in all the hours under the sun to make sure you complete the tasks may sound like a good idea but it may not be the best for your health or your personal life.

This might not be the most productive states to get yourself into either. You will be feeling bad and chastising yourself for things that have already passed. There is no point in going over what you cannot change. That will only keep you standing still. It is a good idea to learn from what you did or did not do, but it is never a good idea to tell yourself negative things because this will not serve you in the long run. If you approach the next months' tasks with the attitude that you are hopeless because you didn't complete the first month's tasks, then you will be setting yourself up for another failure.

3) Be kind to yourself, praise yourself for the things you have done, and move on from there

If you can do this and make peace with where you are, you will be in the best place to set about catching up with a positive attitude for next month and get yourself back on the road to success. There is plenty of time, there is nothing that is urgent than cannot wait and approaching your work with an "I can do this, all is well" attitude is much more likely to keep you focused on your goals and keep you sane!

This is not a competitive race; you do not need to do better than anyone else; you only need to do your best and feel good about doing it. If you achieved 300 sales but lost your family life, put a strain on your marriage or your health, would it be worth it? Keeping this in perspective is key. It is supposed to be FUN. Yes, of course, work hard. But if things crop up that take you away, then BE KIND TO YOU. Motivate yourself with a carrot, not a stick. It will serve you much better. And remember too that it is better to write 6 brilliant articles that people want to read and which will get ranked, rather than 12 mediocre ones than languish on page 99! Isn't it?

So there they are - 3 options to choose from: I know which one I'm going with!

And remember: SUPPORT IS OUT THERE.

We are all helping each other. Reach out to others in this amazing community and you will find what you need!

And in case you are wondering, I only completed 15 of the 18 tasks from month 1.

But I'm really pleased that I did those 15; it will stand me in really good stead going forward and I'm eager and excited for the month ahead. I have my eye on the prize of getting to Las Vegas and I'd like to see as many of you there as possible.

This is my 'helping hand'...TOGETHER WE CAN DO IT!

Have a wonderful and productive day.

Gail