Techno-crastination. the bane of my WA existence
Howzit WA Ohana !! [ Howzit = What's Up or Wassuuuup in local speak ]
I just made 3 months with WA on March 12, 2016 -- since the 2nd week of joining WA, I have procrastinated the Lessons and I am still stuck @ Course 1, Lesson 4 -- creating my website. I have Two Reasons (aka 'Excuses') for procrastination:
1) I've been a little pre-occupied with a new Part-Time J.O.B. -- 12 hours per week as Asst. Program Mgr. for Waipa Foundation, to help develop and manage a brand new tour activity offered right here on the island of Kauai; and
2) If you've read my previous blogs, you know that I'm not tech-savvy or tech-passionate, so I'm not exactly motivated to go on.
If I could afford to, I'd hire someone to do all this techno stuff for me, but that is simply not the case... in fact, I can't even afford to pay my existing bills right now, hence the PT J.O.B. What DOES motivate me to go on with WA, is that I am excited about getting my own business up and running, and I am absolutely passionate about my niche --
Speaking of niche (pun almost perfectly intended - depending on how you pronounce 'niche'), my niche has become a brain-fart "run amok"... originally, the premise of my niche was/is to blog about Things To Do on the island of Kauai; I would 'monetize' by including links to companies that have affiliate programs for Kauai-associated things (hotels, restaurants, tours, weddings, books, souvenirs, novelties, etc.). Another way to monetize, as recommended by several WA members, is to create my own products -- be it eBooks, Videos, Craft Items, or what have you, and promote/sell on the WA website. I thought... greeeaaat !! So I went off in that direction... and I mean it when I say "went off"... I started brain-farting up the yin-yangs... next thing you know, I'm running amok! Like I said... niche... brain-fart... run amok --
As I develop my niche and build my business, I continue to feel apprehensive about the techno-thing, and continue to procrastinate the lessons... admittedly, I have a severe case of TECHNO-CRASTINATION. Heavy sigh...
I do, however, find solace in the fact that I can depend on the WA Ohana (Family) to help me through the techno-thing. Couple that with my sales experience, and I have a recipe for success -- so why do I continue to TECHNO-CRASTINATE? Allow me to answer myself with an illustration...
"Here's a story, of a lovely lady", who is building up a business of her own:
Course 1, Lesson 4 -- choose a theme for my website... immediately, I realized the importance of choosing a Mobile-Friendly Design -- especially since the Primary Target Market of my business is Kauai Visitors. Unfortunately, browsing through the 2,000+ themes became a daunting task in and of itself... feeling overwhelmed and completely unmotivated, I escaped into the world of Techno-crastination, which has now become the bane of my WA existence.
Today, when I jumped online to catch up on WA emails and messages, I happened upon a Tutorial posted by WA Member "stephhill", titled "Importance of Mobile-Friendly Design". Very Useful Information and Extremely Helpful. Reading Steph's Tutorial was an affirmation that I have a pretty good business sense, and it gave me a boost of confidence for building my website... the timing was impeccable -- Thanks Steph !!
All that said, I feel much better about moving forward... I've re-thunk the direction I want to go in and I've already taken steps in that direction. I've refocused and reset my goals... working on getting my HI State GET License; a PUC License; Liability Insurance; and of course, Marketing -- with every intention of using my WA Website as the foundation of my business; ... now I just have to build a bridge over Techno-crastination Waters and get over it -- lololol !!
Aloha,
Holly
Recent Comments
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The main thing you recognize the area's you are struggling with and so long as you do something towards building your business you are progressing we all get the days when we are just not feeling it and work falls by the wayside, however we do need to find balance and have some fun to, I am sure you will get back on track
Thanks Katie!
I agree with your comments 100% ! I believe in "balance" and "fun" too... Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts --
Mahalo,
Holly
Hi Holly! I'm glad to see that you're still hanging in here at WA. Remember as I said before you're really not competing with anyone. Learn and build your online business at a pace that you're comfortable with. It might take extra time to learn what is taught here at WA. But if you can absorb the training, even piece-by-piece you'll be much better off because of it.
An idea just came to mind. You stated that your original idea for a website would be to have one focused on things to do on the island of Kauai for visitors, where you've specifically lived. What about including some of the other islands - Maui, Oahu, the Big Island and feature some activities that are offered on those places as well? Being a person who has lived there all of her life, very few others could match your depth of knowledge regarding "tourist" attractions. I also know that if given a chance, MANY human beings especially on the North America continent would gladly visit Hawaii if but once in their lives!
From what I read in the WA blog you've also got your plate semi-full with the part-time job which does keep you busy. Hang in there Holly I truly believe that things will take a severe upturn for you!
Sincerely,
Jeff
Howzit Jeff !!
Good to hear from you -- thank you for the recommendations... I'm hoping the "local girl" approach, coupled with the fact that I AM a former Ms Kauai, will help draw attention to my services.
Eventually, I hope to include the other islands as well, especially Oahu since I am well versed on that island too --
And thank you for the words of encouragement - it really helps to have the WA Ohana cheering me on; I am hanging in there, but struggling for sure... praying for that "upturn"... hopefully sooner than later.
me ke aloha,
Holly
I personnaly take the techno challenge one peace at a time, and it works for me. And I use the philosophy that I can improove it on the road so it challenges my perfectionnism habit that used to stop me...Aloha, Jeff
Thanks Jeff !
I think that's what I need to do... one step at a time -- the first step is always the hardest... thanks for your words of encouragement --
Mahalo,
Holly
Nice to hear from you again Holly and that you are still moving forward with your site. I wonder what the odds are of your new word being entered into the dictionary.
Don't feel tooooo bad about where you are with the lessons, I am still working through course 2 at lesson 7. I started a PT J.O.B. in January and I also suffer from a little "Procratinitus Syndrom" as well. We all work at different rates. So long as we are moving forward and not giving in, then that's progress.
Hang in there and all the best.
Thanks Wayne !
"Techno-crastination" -- brilliant, right? That's what I thought; so then, I had another one of those brain-farts... I figured, heeeyyy... I'm-a gonna copyright it, print t-shirts, and sell it online -- target the Baby Boomers like me - lol ! Phff ! I Googled the word, it popped right up... so I wasn't the first to come up with it -- Oh Well ~
Thanks for sharing your occupational status and WA level... it really does help... I don't feel tooooo bad, thanks to your sense of relate-ability.
Hanging in there --
Holly
Once you get used to the whole Wordpress thing the easier it gets. I struggled a bit at first too. I have a bunch of duplicate pages and posts etc.
Just keep at it, don't be afraid, and never give up!
David
Thanks David !
That's what a lot of WA members are saying... once I get onboard with the Wordpress thing, it gets easier as I go along.
never, Never, NEVer, NEVER Give Up -- Winston Churchill
Thanks for the support --
Holly
Wonderful post Holly. I read Steph's blog too! You seem to have an excellent head on your shoulders - you'll get past this obstacle. You have a nice writing style, so when it's time to fill your site with content, you should have no problem. One step at a time! Blessings, Robin
Thanks Robin !! 'preciate your response; especially the comment about my writing style -- it really means a lot !!
Mahalo,
Holly
You can do this Holly. Choose a theme but remember if it doesn't work out you can always change it down the track. The important thing is to start. If I can do it, so can you. So lets go girl.
Christine.
Thanks Christine !! You make me feel like a cheerleader all over again... bring on the pom-poms -- We Can Do It !!
Cheers to Us !
Holly
If you encounter an issue and can't move on just ask me or put a question to everyone :) We have all been there.
Christine.
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You are so good with your writing. And Good Content Writing is a must for all website creators. You already have that gift. All the best. Sadie.
Thanks Sadie! Reeeeeally appreciate the comment about my writing, which I do take a certain amount of pride in, so it helps to have validation.
Several people have commented on my writing style/skills... for years I've been contemplating writing books... starting with my story -- which MANY people have encouraged me to do... in fact my "friends" (said in jest...) have a saying -- "If anything can happen, it will happen to Holly" -- lol !! Actually, something happened today that supports that 'theory'... I slipped and fell on the property of my new Part Time job -- the first person to fall on the property... heavy sigh...
Anyway -- thanks again for the words of encouragement -- it gives me a boost in confidence... maybe I WILL start writing that book...
Mahalo,
Holly
See how good you are even on a reply! However, not to discourage you on writing books. I found many good Authors investing time and money on writing books, and getting nowhere which is sad. What you should do, built up a brand name first. Give away EBooks you write for returns of namelist. Write blogs on your site, do guest post. Don't put all eggs in one basket. You get what I mean. Regards Sadie.
AWEsome Advice -- Thank You !!