What’s been going on?!

The past couple of months have been busy but frustrating for me and this has been characterized by the problems I have had getting this blog post written. I’ve tried starting several times, but have found it difficult to get into the right frame of mind, or I have started and then needed to do one of the many household things a mum has to do.

But are these just excuses?

They probably are. I just haven’t had the umph in me to really get going. It’s there in the mind, but not in practice.

It probably hasn’t helped that I have been ill. At the beginning of November I suffered a recurrence of the post-viral fatigue that kept me off work for an extended period three years ago. Although this time my symptoms are not quite as severe, it has still been enough to mean that I have not been at work for a month and the doctor has signed me off work until the start of the new term.

One of the main problems I have found has been the ability to concentrate for any period of time as it often leaves me feeling extremely light headed. The doctors have said that the best way to recover is through rest.

This has left me thinking about how I can move forward in small blocks of time.

For several years I have subscribed to Flylady. It began as a site to help get your home decluttered, but has grown to be much more than that.

One of Flylady’s sayings is “You can do anything for 15 minutes – except whine!”. I have that posted up on the wall over the computer, so I see it regularly. Although I have taken some of the ideas on board and tried to do the things that she suggests, I have not been particularly disciplined with it. Perhaps that is why I am still living with lots of clutter around me!

That is also true for working online.

Time and time again I have read that you must have goals, be disciplined, put in regular effort etc etc. My head knows that, but I so often find excuses and don’t carry through with what I had intended to do. Yet once we actually start those jobs which we think will take us a really long time, they take a lot less time than we expected.

So why do we do this to ourselves?

For my own part I know that I am not as disciplined as I should be with my time management. I use the excuse that as a mum I have so many other calls on my time and energy which often change at the last minute. I don’t have the luxury of being able to put everything else on one side whilst I concentrate on writing a blog post or article, working on our online business etc.

For example as I write this I have washing in the washing machine, Christmas letters and cards to write (it’s the last posting date to USA, Australia and New Zealand today and I haven’t written any cards, letters etc!) as well as the 101 other things I have to do to keep the household running smoothly. Yet I know that I have used this as an excuse and even a small change in the ACTION I take on a regular basis will make a huge difference.

It is a year since I began my coaching with Alex Jeffreys who is giving away free places on his next coaching course. One of the first things that he taught us was to make our plans and to be disciplined in keeping to them. I’ve done this in my head, but have I done it in practice? Not really and that is where I have come unstuck.

A couple of nights ago I clicked on the links in my blogroll to the other blogs set up by Alex’s students a year ago. I was saddened, but not really surprised to find many of those blogs where the domain had lapsed. For several others the last post on the blog had been at the beginning of 2009.

I was more heartened to see those where they were not posting on the original subject of the blog – i.e. the list building that we were learning with Alex Jeffreys and that particular type of internet marketing – but they had found a new route to take and were using the blog for their new line of business.

One or two blogs were still providing the useful and entertaining content that I have become accustomed to over the past 12 months.

It is not my role to speculate about why this has happened – it is merely an observation; but as for me, I have not been as consistent in posting as I should have been. My blog is metamorphosing (very slowly!) into a new area, but I am still here!

Added to all of this I have been working together with my husband Richard on our new enterprises. We attended the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp run by Andrew Reynolds at the O2 Arena in London at the beginning of October and we signed up to Brett McFall’s Warp Speed programme.

The good thing about this is that we have begun to work together on this enterprise. We have different skills and if we put them together we can cover more areas. At the moment we are not as accomplished with this as we could be but by practising a little each day we can improve.

Isn’t this what life and business is about?

I had intended to write about our new enterprises in this post, but I think my musings have gone on for long enough now. I’ll start a new post about what we are doing and save it for later publication – now that would be a first! But in the meantime if you want to have a quick peek at what we are doing you can look at our Eminently Ebooks site or at our Positive Lifestyle Choices site. We’d be interested to know what you think about them.

So what are your ideas on this matter? Is it just because we are all human and have so much to do that we don’t dedicate the time we need to if we say that we want to have our own online business? Or are there other factors that stop us in our tracks?

I’d be really interested to have your feedback and comments on this.

6 thoughts on “What’s been going on?!

  • December 18, 2009 at 11:22 pm
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    Hi Hilary,

    Firstly, I hope you are well and it was fabulous to hear that you attend the Andrew Reynolds Entrepreneurs Bootcamp at the O2 Arena. I was originally planning to go but unfortunately I was so tied with so much going on that I couldn’t attend.

    You post is certainly most informative and as for your question with regards as to whether we humans simply have to much to do that we neglect time to start an online business?

    Well, I can’t really comment much, other than there is certainly other factors involved that stop one from building an online business and achieving the success that they desire. and it just so happens that I just finished writing a new ebook the other day with a similar theme, but more related to success and less IM focused.

    Anyway take care and all the best

    Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Nest wishes for 2010 and with your new enterprises.

    Nigel
    .-= Nigel Yip´s last blog ..I.M.Mentality is finally out – FREE Ebook Edition!!! =-.

    Reply
  • January 2, 2010 at 12:39 pm
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    Hi Hilary

    I think you have hit the nail on the head when you say you have too many other things going on to distract you and as Alex said “If you fail to plan you plan to fail”.

    I have also been distracted too much this last year but have now set goals down on my blog for 2010 and intend to reach them. If you would like to see them go to: http://richardmoloneyblog.com/946/new-year-resolutions/

    Good luck with your journey to success in 2010.

    Richard
    .-= Richard Moloney´s last blog ..New Year Resolutions =-.

    Reply
  • March 13, 2010 at 3:45 am
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    Hi Hilary

    Just read right though your blog. A lot of us have the plan but implementing it is another thing. I find myself like you some times but then I just have to pull myself back and look at the big picture where I want to be. I wish you well.

    As you see my name is Sue McDonald and I live in Australia. I am at present doing the Newbie course with Mark Terrell who originally did the course with Alex a few years ago.

    It’s interesting learning and like everyone that starts these types of courses we all want to make money and have more time to ourselves. I hope you are making a great living and if you have time over the next few weeks and you could take a look at my blog and leave a comment, I would certainly appreciate it.

    Kindest regards

    Sue
    .-= Sue McDonald´s last blog ..The Newbie Learning More =-.

    Reply
  • April 19, 2010 at 7:59 pm
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    Hi, I read your post…you asked for comments. I think perhaps you are overextended. Pick one or two things, make those fully functioning and successful, and then expand on. For things like Christmas cards, etc., find a simpler way…I do ecards now…no more written for me…it is much easier…you have to find a way to simplify your life. I get rid of what I don’t need or use…give it to the Salvation Army or Goodwill or some similar charity. The less you have, the more you have…more time, freedom, and liberty to do what is important to you. I am one of Mark Terrell’s students and I focus on his training and some other prior coaching and don’t keep adding new programs to the list…it keeps me focused. If you would like to visit my blog, I’d be pleased if you would comment.

    Thank you in advance.
    Cheryl Jones
    .-= Cheryl Jones´s last blog ..Ready to go… =-.

    Reply
  • April 20, 2010 at 5:01 pm
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    Hi Hiliary,

    I am a new student of Mark Terrell’s and I am popping by to read simular blogs from internet marketers, it sure does look like you have a lot going on but I am sure you will put priorities first, good luck in what ever you choose, and when you have time I would appreciate you stopping by my blog and leaving a comment

    Best To You
    Karen
    .-= Karen´s last blog ..My Journey to Internet Marketing =-.

    Reply
  • May 15, 2010 at 9:11 pm
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    Hi Hilary, it saddened me a little to read your post, I feel sorry for those who never took enough action to secure their success online, but it’s a harsh business we try to work in, sadly more fail than succeed. Sally 🙂
    .-= Sally Neill´s last blog ..In It To Win It And Need YOUR Help =-.

    Reply

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