In This Issue...

- FEATURE ARTICLE: Don't Just Sit There, Do Anything

- COACHING
- TELECLASSES
- RESOURCE LOUNGE
- VIRTUAL CONNECTIONS

Some days, I'm stumped on what to write in this newsletter. Or, two weeks roll around too fast and it's time for another one. And sometimes I'm just too tired and wish clients would just magically walk in the door without any effort on my part. (I'm hoping you all feel this way sometimes too and I'm not alone out there on this one).

But my newsletter has to get out the door every two weeks whether I'm in the mood to write it or not. So, what do I do? Actually, the mere fact that the newsletter is expected by my readers every two weeks is a great motivator. It also helps tremendously that I have created a system to get the newsletter done. When I don't feel like working on it, I know that I only need to do step 1. Then, I can do just step 2, then step 3 (you get the picture). Instead of seeing it as writing a "whole newsletter", I'm simply following a series of steps.

When I'm struggling with what to write about, I always start with something simple that will make me feel like I'm making progress. I take my newsletter template and simply update any dates and adjust the sections that tend to stay the same from issue to issue. This works well for me because I feel like I've made progress on the newsletter, and yet this requires very little brain power to do.

Then, I pick my topic. The easiest way to write anything is to write about what's currently on your mind. Typically, my topics come from something I've noticed several clients working through that week, or that I myself am wrestling with. Because the topic has such immediate relevance for me, I'm able to "talk" through the topic right onto my laptop. In fact, my best articles are the ones I write straight through without any editing. Instead, I'm just chatting casually with you, the reader.

Another trick I use when I'm challenged on what to write on a topic is to create all the subheadings first. I like to write the subheadings in a way that those of you who scan an article may actually be able to get the "gist" of the content without having to read every word. With the subheadings done, all I have to do is write 5-8 individual paragraphs about those sub-topics -- much easier than taking on a whole article!

My point? Your final product is always a result of several small steps. There's no need to let yourself get overwhelmed on how you'll get to the end. Simply start somewhere, anywhere. Eventually you'll run out of steps and will have your final product.

You Don't Always Have to Know Where You are Going to Begin

I've noticed that many Solopreneurs have tons of great ideas that they don't act on. Why? Because they aren't quite sure where they are going, or what step #52 is going to be. So, instead, they find themselves stuck at step 1 and afraid to begin.

We are often taught to begin with the end in mind. I am as guilty as anyone in subscribing to this logical theory. If you know where you are heading, you can then work backward and know which steps will get you to that end. While this theory has plenty of merit, it tends to cause many Solopreneurs to stay at a stand-still until they know all the steps they need to take.

We end up in that lovely place called "analysis paralysis" where we think so much about something, but do so little. We're afraid to move forward because we're not entirely sure where we're headed.

An Object in Motion Stays in Motion

You've heard of the phrase "an object in motion stays in motion and an object at rest stays at rest"? This is definitely true with self-employment. Sometimes, we just need to get in motion. Then, we often stay in motion long enough to do what we need to do and hardly notice how hard it was to do what we were procrastinating.

The Hardest Part is Starting

So what do you do when you know you need to do something, but can't seem to get yourself to take action? The answer: do anything. And when I say anything, I mean it. Just the mere movement in any direction will often generate enough energy to do what you need to do.

How do I get myself to start anything? I have a rule that I have to give at least 3 minutes of undivided attention to a task (most people have a 10 minute rule, but 3 minutes feels so much more doable to me)! With a commitment of only 3 minutes, I can usually get myself to start any task knowing that I can be done in 3 minutes if I want.

What happens then? Once I get started, I find the task is not nearly as horrible as I had imagined and suddenly 15 minutes or a half hour has passed. However, if I really don't feel like continuing, I don't have to feel guilty because I've met my 3 minute commitment. I win either way. And, best of all, I feel good about what I've accomplished which helps me take action on other tasks.

The 10 Minute Rule

In this week's free teleclass with Gillian Hood-Gabrielson, "What if You Were Paid to Exercise", we talked about how most of us don't exercise regularly because we don't have a spare 30 minutes or hour each day. Gillian countered this excuse by suggesting we simply commit to exercising in 10 minute increments.

Most of us would be hard-pressed to say we couldn't find 10 minutes to walk around the block or do some stretching. Just like anything, if you give it 10 minutes, you can get past your resistance to start and end up getting some great exercise. Again, if you stop at 10 minutes, you've accomplished your goal and have nothing to feel guilty about. Win-win. (See the Resource Lounge section of today's newsletter for a link to the recording of Gillian's class).

Consistency Will Get You Everywhere

My clients often ask me what the successful Solopreneurs are doing that makes them so successful. The truth? They are consistently doing something every day. Every day, they take just one step forward. Sometimes, they take the right step. Other times, they learn a tough lesson. But they stay in motion. They aren't successful because they always make the right moves. They succeed because they continue to try things. They take action knowing that not all of their ideas will pan out. They don't just sit there, sometimes they just do anything.

Build in Time and Money for Mistakes

This is a wonderfully radical idea. I recently heard about how many large companies actually set aside 20% of their time and income for mistakes. Yep, they create time and money for mistakes! They realize the only way to be truly successful is to try new things. They also realize how valuable mistakes are, so they plan for them.

How freeing would it be if you did the same in your business? Would you then be more likely to take action, knowing that it's fine if it results in a mistake 20% of the time? Would you then be able to start some of the things you've been stalling on? Hmmm...

Have you been considering The Solopreneur Zone's new Coaching Membership Program? I will be taking a sabbatical from July 1 through the end of the year to finally write my book. You can still join the membership program between now and then and be in a totally different place in your business three months from now.

Members have access to me during my open coaching hours, access to a growing group of business advisors (marketing/PR, web design, virtual assistance, etc) and hours of recorded and live teleclasses and group coaching opportunities. All at a cost that won't break the budget: only $150 per month!

Sound intriguing? Here's a link to the details about the program to learn more http://solopreneurzone.com/Membership_Home.htm.

Teleclasses

One-Hour Teleclasses: the best way to spend an hour...

Creating Partnerships and Alliances Wednesday, April 14, 2-3pm ET
Turning What You Know into Products Wednesday, April 21, 2-3pm ET

MAY

Establishing Yourself as an Expert in Your Niche/Specialty Wednesday, May 19, 2-3pm ET

JUNE

Marketing Your Business Virtually Wednesday, June 9, 2-3pm ET
Taking Vacations & Sabbaticals as a One-Person Business Wednesday, June 16, 2-3pm ET

Each 1 hour teleclass includes worksheets and access to the teleclass recording via Real Audio.

Cost: $25, Members: Free

What if You Were Paid to Exercise? -- Real Audio Teleclass Recording http://www.solopreneurzone.com/Exercise.htm
Gillian Hood-Gabrielson has generously allowed me to post the recording and notes from the class she offered to participants of the Coaching Membership Program this week (see link above). Trust me, this class is about a lot more than exercise. She discusses the secrets that most CEOs of Fortune 500 companies already know about success -- that exercise and healthy habits impact more than just your physical bottom line. To learn more about Gillian and her programs, visit http://www.flexiblefitness.net.

Holding On or Letting Go worksheet http://solopreneurzone.com/Resource_Office.htm
This powerful worksheet was created by Angee Robertson, Administrative Consultant for The Solopreneur Zone http://www.assistx.net. Angee has been interviewing Solopreneurs to find out how they handle their workflow as a one-person operation. She's created this simple tool to help us determine which parts of our daily tasks we love doing and which would be better outsourced to someone else. You'll find the worksheet under Organizing Tools at the link above.

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

DISCUSSION GROUP: Have you signed up for The Solopreneur Zone's Yahoo Discussion Group?

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

* Check 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. Have a quick business question? -- you can also pop onto the call to ask Dawn a quick question -- and begin making progress on growing your business again.

Join our next call on Thursday, April 29 from 3-4pm ET (the call is always the last Thursday of each month at 3pm ET). For details, visit http://www.solopreneurzone.com/WaterCooler.htm

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

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Copyright 2004 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.