In This Issue...

- FEATURE ARTICLE: Are You Putting in Too Much Effort?

- TELECLASSES
- RESOURCE LOUNGE
- VIRTUAL CONNECTIONS

When I started my first newsletter a couple of years ago, it was a struggle to write each month. I loved the idea of a newsletter, but I was coaching anyone on anything, so coming up with newsletter topics was a struggle each month and some days I dreaded writing my ezine.

Once I effortlessly discovered my niche of working exclusively with Solopreneurs, suddenly I had more newsletter topics than I could cover in a year. Before I decided to publish this ezine every two weeks, I wondered whether I would struggle to get it published that frequently. To my surprise and delight, publishing every two weeks has actually been more effortless than publishing monthly! Instead of re-inventing the wheel each month, I’ve put a system in place (with the help of my fabulous Administrative Consultant Angee Robertson) that pulls each issue together rather than me pushing and struggling to complete it.

This issue’s topic is all about effortlessness. Sometimes effortlessness means doing a lot less work, and sometimes it means doing a lot more work easily. As you read this issue, ask yourself where you are efforting too much in your business…

Dawn

Feature Article: Are You Putting in Too Much Effort?

Are You Lazy, or Just on the Wrong Track?

When I first discovered the concept of effortlessness, I thought it was perfect for me because I’ve always called myself “lazy” (I’ve made a lot of progress on my name-calling habit since becoming a coach, I promise)! After analyzing my laziness in more detail, however, I realized that it was actually a gift that I had mislabeled because it flew in the face of the traditional work ethic.

I tend to make unbelievable progress on my work when it is “easy” and no progress at all when it is an “effort”. Like any good hard-worker, I had always discounted the easy things and struggled harder to complete the things that were an effort for me to do. That was until I discovered the wisdom of effortlessness.

Striving and Efforting Only Result in More Work

Have you ever spent all day working hard, only to discover that you got very little done? If so, then you are probably putting in too much effort. The only thing lots of efforting creates is more work!

Would Your Rather Swim Upstream or Go With the Current?

So what is effortlessness? It is paying attention to your gut and energy levels. It is taking steps when they present themselves to you and stopping to re-evaluate when you find yourself struggling against something.

I’m sure you’ve experienced times when everything flowed smoothly, your work got done easily and you had energy to spare. I’m sure you’ve also experienced times when everything you did felt like you were pushing uphill, seemed to take triple the time you expected, and left you feeling exhausted.

Looking at things this way, it would only make logical sense to do those things that go with the current rather than cause us to swim upstream. So why do we continue to strive and effort in our businesses and personal lives?

What’s Wrong with Easy?

Since I’ve heard it so many times now, I’m never surprised when a client is suspicious of things that are “too easy”. Many clients will actually say they aren’t getting any work done because they don’t count the easy stuff. Instead, they strive hard to push through things they don’t enjoy because it feels more like “work” is supposed to.

Your Struggles are Trying to Tell You Something

When something is effortless, it’s a sign that you are on the right track. Pay special attention to following what seems effortless and stop if you notice something has become a struggle. Maybe it’s not the right thing for you, or maybe the timing isn’t right? If you stop and pay attention, you’ll learn a lot more than if you continue to struggle.

Sometimes the Best Thing to “do” is to Let it Go...

Have you ever struggled to remember something and try as you might, you couldn’t make yourself remember? Then, once you left it alone, suddenly you effortlessly regain your memory.

This technique works just as well in business. If you’ve been struggling to attract clients or find your niche, do the opposite – let it go. Instead of pushing to get what you want, leave yourself open for clients or ideas to come to you.

Can You Build a Business around Things that are Effortless for You?

I personally can’t imagine building a business any other way. When you are doing things that are effortless for you, not only are you enjoying yourself, but your clients benefit too. You job as a business owner is to package your gifts and share them with the world. Your ideal clients want to buy the services and products you love to produce. Successful Solopreneurs know that struggle and effort keep their unique gifts from their clients because it wastes too much time and energy.

So, effort less – for your clients’ sake!

Want Some Tools to Make Growing Your Business More Effortless?

Join me next Tuesday to learn how to create an Effortless Marketing Plan (see Teleclasses section below) or join our new email Discussion Group (see Virtual Connections section below) to ask questions and trade tips instead of struggling to figure out everything on your own!

“Thanks so much and I REALLY LIKED listening to the teleclass. I could see myself making these kinds of "mistakes" by doing this marketing and that marketing, and I've blown a lot of money without following up. THANKS SO MUCH and I'm sure I'll be listening to it again and more.....” Jacky Lynch http://www.justaskjacky.com

For Package Pricing, Class Details and Registration, visit www.solopreneurzone.com/Teleclasses_Live.htm

Can’t make these class times? All of our teleclasses are available for purchase Today on Real Audio for only $15. More details at http://solopreneurzone.com/Teleclasses_Purchase_RA.htm

Timeshifting: Creating More Time to Enjoy Your Life. Stephan Rechtschaffen
I read this book 7 years ago and effortlessly met him in person a month later at a talk he was giving. Stephan weaves his own personal timeshifting experiences into this simple, but powerful look at how we view time, busy-ness and stress in our lives. If you only take away the concept of being “present”, this book is more than worth the price! You can purchase this book through Amazon for only $10.47. Click here to buy now.

InstantPublisher.com www.instantpublisher.com Do you have a book in you? Has your idea been collecting dust because you have no idea how someone like you would actually go about publishing a book? With the new print-on-demand technology, your book could be printed in a matter of weeks or even days! I finally stopped saying someday when I checked out the Pricing page on this website and realized that self-publishing was easily within my reach. Expect my book out by the end of next year. When will you release yours?

For a complete list of resources we love (growing weekly), visit the Resource Lounge at http://solopreneurzone.com/Resource_Lounge.htm

This discussion group was created to support you in trading questions, ideas and tips with other Solopreneurs. Why go it alone, when you can build your business more easily with the support of others? Questions, thoughts and ideas should be directed to the entire membership. I will read the messages regularly and contribute my thoughts to the discussion when appropriate.

The group will be moderated by Angee Robertson, Administrative Consultant for The Solopreneur Zone, to make sure you only receive messages from members who want to be an active part of this community.

Join Today, by visiting our home page at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/solozone

Have you checked out The Virtual Water Cooler? It’s a free monthly community teleconference call where you can share ideas and questions with peers from around the globe. Join our next call on Thursday, November 13 from 4-5pm ET. For details visit http://www.solopreneurzone.com/WaterCooler.htm

DID YOU LIKE THIS PUBLICATION? Please forward it to your friends and associates and anyone else who you think might appreciate it. Thanks for your feedback and encouragement.

PRIVACY POLICY: The Solopreneur Zone never sells or gives out subscriber names or email addresses.

SUGGESTIONS? Want to CONTRIBUTE to future issues? Send an email to info@solopreneurzone.com

© 2003 Dawn Nichol, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from the Solo Flyer publication as long as you keep the entire publication intact.