Coping With Stress - Looking For Ideas
There have been many stressful moments on my journey of creating a website and for the most part I have made it through. Here are the three biggest stressors so far:
Creating A Business
I went into engineering to avoid any sort of writing. Man, things were going good until I decided to find a way to earn some extra money. I came to Wealthy Affiliate because the process made sense to me.
So I started the training and learned that I had to blog. I set out to create an About Me post and it almost broke me. Turns out, the hardest thing to write about was myself. I struggled, but created the post.
Once I got past the About Me post, most of my writing has been pretty quick and easy. I guess once I get going I have trouble stopping... I really do want to write a short post, but haven't been able to yet.
That was a pretty big stress, but I wasn't quite prepared for the next one...
Affiliate Program Review Request
The next stress came after I signed up for an Affiliate program through CJ Affiliate. So I added a company and received an email. They asked if I wanted some "samples" to help my review.
My first though was... this is a beer niche so duh, I will take the samples. Then they arrived and suddenly, I was stressed. I was going to enjoy some free samples, but then I had to write about it. What if they all were horrible (they all weren't, but still)
Well, I focused on the experience and the positives. I am still not sure I like the way it turned out, but that is the best part. Get it out there, learn some more, and update as you go.
So I thought I had gotten over the biggest stresses, but I was wrong...
Organic Review Request
As a relative newbie, I check my traffic and ranking far too often and get lost in my email too easily. Well, one morning I woke up and saw I had a comment waiting on my About Me page...
I fully expected my mom or an aunt commenting that my site was "cute" or something. What I found was a comment from someone asking if I was accepting product reviews!
The best part, the review and product would fit perfectly with my niche. We have started down the road of getting the products printed. They don't have an affiliate program, but that is fine by me. It is good practice.
So I began my review tonight and went to their website. It turns out they are a little over 2 years old...
For some reason, this has stopped me cold. I know the review will be positive as the experience so far has been great, but something about promoting a relatively new business is stressing me out.
Their company name is actually a great keyword (AVG 450, QSR 83). So this means it is perfect for ranking... what if my positive review can be read as a negative review by some? My writing style sometimes reads differently than in my head.
Plus, they may have niche specific products (coasters), but they sell other items as well (drink sleeves). This means my review will (confidence) be read by people outside my target audience.
Ok, I am rambling. Here are my questions, let me know in the comments so I can learn from fellow business owners:
- How do you deal with the stresses that come with building a business?
- How would you approach a review like my most recent?
Cheers!
Nate
Recent Comments
15
Nate,
Write your review with honesty, and remember, you cannot control 'how' someone reads your review. (Some people are just negative in general).
AS for the stresses of building a business... there are stresses with NOT building a business, so breathe, and build!
Shaunna
That is great! I never thought of what kind of stress I would have if I wasn't building a business...
Thanks Shaunna
I've known this for sure that WA is rich with some people endowed with ability to help others and I should think you are one of them.
Thanks for sharing this.
Cheers.
Hi Nate, I was initially going to PM you and then I thought if I write my thoughts here then that in itself is part answer to your question. Whatever I say you will read and then decide of it's good/bad or indifferent advice. I give you my thoughts based not only on my own experience but my personal 'take' on things. Is not that the whole point of a review ? If I read a review I do the same. You can lay out the facts and the rest is your opinion. How someone interprets that, is up to them, your experience will add weight to the review, that's why they've asked you to do it. Say it like it is. You're never going to please everyone and we all have a different perspective on the same thing.
As for stress, how long have you got ? Seriously, again from my own experience, I no longer do it, that's right, why ? because it's a choice. Same as guilt and worry. Worry normally manifests in conjunction with something that hasn't even happened, might never happen. Sure, they're always going to try and sink their claws in, I just don't give them the time of day. It's part of the reason I'm here, two-thirds of what I was doing before, I didn't enjoy. Duh. Took me a couple of years to realise it though.
PattyMc got it spot on. Try not to second guess yourself or the reactions of those reading your review.
Hope some of this helps.
Be well.
Thanks Twack. It sounds difficult to just not stress, but I have done it at work so why wouldn't it work here. I will write it as best as I can and let it do the work.
I appreciate you spreading your experience and knowledge
Cheers!
Nate
That sounds ideal, using yourself as a 'role-model'. If you've already done it then just use yourself as a template. It's a bit like following a recipe.
Nate, you do what you know best and that is your business! How would I approach a review like your most recent? I would tackle it honestly, diplomatically, but honestly. Don't you dare start doubting yourself. You know your stuff and you've got this!! :)
Thanks Patty! Not quite sure what happened, but I did have some doubt. You are right... I got this... and so do you
Cheers!
Nate
Well today I did some more of my training and after getting my website setup and getting my own domain, I am proud to say I have made my first post other than the About Me post. I feel at this point in my training this is a great accomplishment to myself and a great success towards my future and the future of my fellow colleagues. I know my success here will be great and I have my hard work and colleagues to thank for that. So thank you very much, as I will continue my training and may my success be fruitful.
Thanks and to our future success,
Sherrane
Great job Sherrane. Remember these kinds of comments if you get stuck or stressed. Celebrate the accomplishments and you will go far.
Cheers!
Nate
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Hey Nate,
Dealing with the stresses: Exercising and regular daily breaks are what I do. Keep your mindset positive and just know you are doing the best you can. The acceptance of knowing there are good and bad days. Have a monthly goal => break into mini weekly goals => daily goals. Work on 1 website.
Hope these help...
Monica
These help Monica. You are absolutely correct that I need to break my goals into smaller milestones. That is a great way to help because I will keep feeling a sense of accomplishment.
Cheers!