What Slows You Down?

There are three major things on my “I Want to Do” list that have been there much too long. I began to wonder why I was putting them off. 

 

It may be that what’s on my list is just not a priority. I’ve wanted to do videos for some time but I’m writing the 15 ebooks in my “How to Craft Series” instead. That’s my priority and is taking most of my time and focus. In order to change the priority of the videos I traded some coaching sessions with someone versed in the technical aspects I need to know in exchange for my help in developing information products. I now have someone who will help me get the videos up so guess what – I wrote three two-minute video scripts. It’s a start. 

 

A project takes as long as you take to do it. There is always enough time if you schedule it in small consistent steps. One of the tricks I use is to take my “I Want to Do” list and beside each item write how long it will take to do it. The entire list always ends up being only a few hours of concentrated work. I can do that! 

 

This is where I start to slow down. I don’t really enjoy reading instructions for technical things. I’d much rather have someone show me exactly what I want to know how to do. I want it to be easy and instant. I am putting off relearning Camtasia because I will have to look at the tutorials. I was never very advanced in it and it will be like starting over – or so I think. I want to learn it so I can do my videos. I don’t even know how much I don’t know! I need to schedule an hour to see where I stand. 

 

 I put off learning Sound Forge for nearly a year because I thought it would be hard to learn. It’s not. It’s very easy. I’m not advanced in it but the basics are easy to understand. I’m smart. I can read. I can think things through. I just thought it would be hard to learn.  If it seems hard break it down into smaller steps. But schedule that first step soon. 

 

Look closely to see if the need to make a decision is keeping you stuck. I think the reason I’m putting off putting my three new ebooks on Kindle is because of the decision’s I have to make – specifically around pricing. I have them priced and bundled on my web sites. I just can’t bundle them on Amazon – I don’t think. Maybe I can. I have to go look that up. Get the information you need to make an informed decision or to shatter a non-accurate belief.

 

Decisions are about change. Change is about growth. I want to grow. What decisions are slowing you down? 

 

It’s true that you may not know the next step to take but if you have an overall goal in mind you will know the next major objective. I want to make it easier for people to connect with me on my blogs. I have no idea what plug ins will help me do that. But I have my coaching exchange with a person who does. If you don’t know what to do find someone who does. A coach can save you both time and money by guiding you to the next best steps in an order that helps you get results in a hurry. 

 

Seth Godin suggested the possibility of fear keeping you stuck but I can’t think of anything I’m afraid to do. What’s the difference between being afraid and not being willing to work outside your comfort zone? I’m not afraid of making videos and I’m a good speaker. I’m clear it’s the technical steps that are slowing me down there. Maybe you’re just out of practice. Maybe it’s something you’ve never done before that you want to learn. Maybe you are afraid of success – or failure. Do look to see if it’s fear that is slowing you down. 

 

As an entrepreneur you’ve always got the authority to do it. As a new entrepreneur the resources might sometimes be a bit iffy. I figure there’s always a way around a blockage if you really want to do it. You may want to have a published book but you can always self publish and if you don’t have the resources for that there is always Kindle and iStore to publish on for free. You might wish for a VA to post your article submissions but one hour a week on your part can make a lot happen. Can a family member help? Is there a high school student you could train who would be glad to learn? Who can you trade time and skills with? Who can you hire to get you over your slow down period? Do you need a coach for this next project? Get as creative developing your resources as you are about creating your business 

 

 I learn when I write. I learn from blog posts and articles and books I read and webinars I attend. On-going study inspires my; own articles and posts and books. I learn by doing. What you need to know is available for free on line. Do the research. Find the answers. Do the work. 

 

A long list is a show stopper. Choose three things to accomplish each day and do them. That may mean spending an hour on moving a product a step forward rather than completing the project but those hours lead to the finish line. Schedule an hour to start learning that program you need to know in order to take the next step forward. Do an outline of the Table of Contents for a new ebook. Take off a lot of small cluttered ideas from your daily list and schedule only three action steps per day. That will help you move forward with no more slow down periods. 

 

I know how to do so many things well myself that it never occurs to me to hire anyone else to do it. The truth is we need to stay close to the money since we are the only ones who can produce the projects that will bring in more income. Make a list of what you love to do. Then list those things you know how to do but someone else could do. Make a third list of what you really truly don’t want to do and find ways to give those away. Look at the second list and see what can be outsourced. Find people who can do some of the things you don’t know how to do it easier and faster. Your time is worth money. Spend it on doing the things that only you can do.

 

Identify what slows you down and find ways to overcome the thoughts and considerations and beliefs that are keeping you from moving forward. Let’s get to work!

 

© 2011 Cara Lumen