Help! How did this happen
This has been the strangest two weeks I’ve experienced in a long time, a total roller coaster ride, one moment I’m whooping with glee and the next I’m screaming let me off .
Let me explain ! I started out two weeks ago with a plan, a full and comprehensive plan, I was sticking to it and all was good but somehow, I ended up procrastinating like a professional and suffering from a massive dose of information overload.
How did that happen?
I’m seriously confused I have racked my brains but still don’t know how this happened so I figure if I explain the events of the past two weeks you may be able to help me workout where it all went wrong.
I took part in the 100 blog comment challenge that was organised by Jacinta Dean and a couple of other John Thornhill masterclass students.
The idea was to visit 100 blogs throughout the month of August read the posts leave a comment and socially bookmark each blog. It was a fantastic idea and a great experience, I loved it and would recommend it to anyone who gets the chance to be involved in something similar too go for it. I learnt so much, not only from the blog posts which were excellent but also from the comments left by previous visitors.
Now even though I enrolled on the challenge late I added it to my plan and was determined to complete it on schedule. It was like my own personal challenge within a challenge. Although the whole thing was way more intense and time consuming than I first imagined (I spent way to long on each site oooops) I loved it and am proud to say that I visited my 100th blog with a full day to spare, so that was a real success for me.
During the challenge I met a host of wonderful people all working towards similar goals, with varying degrees of success but all with the same willingness to help others succeed. It was like a breath of fresh air.
The idea was that once the challenge was over I would go back to working from my original plan – It should of been so easy right?
Reality however proved to be very different. My computer decided it didn’t want to play anymore and totally packed up so I was without access to my online world for a few days while the PC doctor worked his magic.
I stayed positive, and took the opportunity to have some very enjoyable days out with my daughter prior to her returning to school. It was really nice to spend some quality time with Jessica and even got to achieve a personal goal and take a horse and carriage ride along Blackpool sea front, something I’ve wanted to do for years, it was fantastic.
The trouble started when I got my computer back.
Instead of picking up where I left off as per my plan, I’ve spent the whole week bogged down checking emails scoping products, listening and reading all the latest online hype and being led totally off track, my motivation levels had dropped to almost zero, it was like I was in self destruct mode doing the exact opposite of what I knew I should of and purposefully avoiding anything productive.
I should of been blogging (I wasn’t) or going through my training modules (I wasn’t) or interacting with all the new friend I’d made Guess what! (I wasn’t).
Now the big question is why? and I’d really like to know why?
I have a blueprint, a complete step by step manual, a brilliant mentor in Alex Jeffreys and I’m surrounded by fantastic, knowledgeable and helpful people so there is absolutely no reason this should of happened but it did.
Why wasn’t I able to complete one productive task this week?
It’s totally illogical, I have a plan and should of been working to it, we both know that but last week my plan may as well of been written in a foreign language for all the notice I took of it, it makes no sense.
So for my ramble but I’d really appreciate your opinion on this – Have you been in this situation? Do you know what causes it or what it is? What did you or do you do to overcome it (whatever it may be)
Please leave your comment below and help me and others that may not of experienced this yet understand.
Tagged with: help • Information overload • life
Filed under: Alex Jeffreys • Blogging • Online Success
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Hi Michelle,
I’m quite in a cycle myself. As I believe the confidence or even the opposite, fear can make you too laid back. Thus, if you can crack the whip somehow to light the fire below and get back on track, that should me something to take note of. I’m aware of it and not letting the fear nor the lingering thoughts of ‘taking it easy’ to overcome me. Thus, working on the mindset, meditating, visualizing or even throwing yourself back into the process is much better than falling victim to the analysis paralysis.
I wish you well!
Thu
Thu Nguyen@BloggingFor recently posted..Gems of the 100 Blog Comments Challenge Part 3
[Reply]
Michelle Reply:
September 14th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Hi Thu,
Whatever you are doing seems to be working so well done.
I’ve now taken a step back and am working to my plan again and just taking it one step at a time which is really helping.
I Struggle with the Mindset thing at times so I’ve invested in a mind movie and have it playing in the background while I’m working and this seems to be fighting the fear.
Talk soon – To your success
Michelle
[Reply]
Hi Michelle, we all have a way of sabotaging ourselves from time to time. The key is ask yourself how bad do I want this? It’s OK to have ups and downs, it’s just the way life is.
The main thing is that you are aware of what’s going on. Seems like you are so think about the results of your goals and you should get back into things.
You have already started making an online presence with your great content blog so keep at it as you have been.
As the students of the John Thornhill Masterclass Program know, go at your own pace, the important thing (the key) is that you finish what you plan to do.
Terry Conti
Terry Conti recently posted..The 100 Comment Challenge- what a ride! Lets keep the list Alive!
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Remember, you are the author of your destiny. If you allow yourself to be defeated by the challenges that come then you will certainly be defeated. It’s your choice.
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It is certainly easy to get bogged down with mundane tasks. Particularly if you have been away from a while.
One method is to be strict with yourself. Set up a plan and only allow certain time for things.
For instance check email only 1x a day and limit time there. Answer most important stuff first. If you can;t get to something in allotted time it must not be important enough.
Something as simple as a little egg timer can do the trick. (there is even an egg timer program you can get online that will buzz you)
If you force yourself into a plan, you will always have time to be productive. Sometimes this does mean you have to let things go, though…
Steve@Lifestyle Design recently posted..How to Get 300 Visitors a Day from Twitter
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Twitter: barry_wells
says:
Hi Michelle, I’ve had a similar couple of weeks since my return after a 4 week brake to recover from my latest operation.
When i got back i could only sit up for an hour or 2 each day and had to build up my sitting tolerance again. That done i returned full time to a list as long as my arm to catch up with.
I started by replying to blog comments that had been left and then got my scrap paper out and made notes of what i had to do. Currently I have 4 sheets beside my PC and as i complete each task i strike it off of my list. The reason i make notes on scrap paper is so that once i’ve written it down i can get it off my mind and focus on what’s at hand. I find it helps keep the info overload at bay.
I’ve still got all the blogs from the challenge to revisit but i don’t let it stress me as i can fit a few in each day and still get on with my day to day work. There’s always something to do Michelle, but for now my friend just make a note of all your tasks and sit down with a coffee (relaxing) and prioritise your tasks. Honestly once they’re on paper and off of your mind you should find it easier, I certainly hope you do mate.
Take good care Michelle
Barry
Barry@The Newbies Guide recently posted..The Newbies Guide Part 11- Plus A Gift- A Guide and A Video
[Reply]
Hi Michelle
I know only too well what you mean, you have periods when you are on fire and then you start to struggle with a small problem and inner doubt pushes through and returns you to the opportunity seeking mode.
When this happens I will accept it take a break, chill out and watch a comedy, then return all fired up the next day take another look at the roadblock that caused the doubt and push on through.
igor Griffiths@ebook marketing recently posted..The Warmth of Family
[Reply]
Twitter: barry_wells
says:
Hi Michelle, are you still suffering my friend?
I notice you haven’t posted for a while. Forget the emails and distractions, write down what it is you want to do and blank eveything else until you’ve ticked off 75% of your list.
If i can help in any way let me know my friend,
R&R Barry
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