I look back and sometimes feel like there isn’t much movement forward. I feel like I’ve been a financial rut constantly struggling. Lately, as I struggle to be motivated, I began to wonder if I’m holding myself back. Maybe I’ve gotten comfortable in my rut. Comfortable at the lack of progress. I’m use to the struggle of it all.
There are so many teachings about thinking about what you need to make it happen, that we attract what comes into our lives, praying until something happens, just believing, and speaking success into reality. I think there is something to those teachings, but it must be balanced.
The reality is that I could start today and believe it is Sunday, even though it is Monday. No matter how strong my prayer, my belief, or how many times I speak it out loud, it will Monday until the stroke of midnight tonight. I could continue on for the next 6 days, and guess what…….it will be Sunday! Some things just happen, that is reality. There are some things I have no control over.
A few days ago, I realized that some of my lack of motivation may be the fear of the unknown. Even if there are glorious unknown things, I’m a bit anxious! I took a few individual tasks and thought about them. Here’s one that might be helpful for the visitors to this blog.
Writing for pay or myself
How I feel and what I fear:
- I feel like it takes a long time
- I fear I will get too many jobs and not get to my work
- I feel like I should do writing to bring in money right away (for other’s projects) instead of writing to bring in money in the future (write for my projects)
- I fear my writing isn’t good enough
What I can control
- Before I start writing I take a few moments to picture writing going smooth and quickly
- I remind myself I can say no to writing jobs if they pile up or put completion dates farther in the future.
- Working only for others makes me dependent on them for income
- Rewriting too much, over researching, and putting off delivering till it’s “just right” is slowing me down and it is bad business, I need to be easier on myself
- I need to write for myself on a subject I feel confident in (I choose to write posts for my Jan’s Group Home Support)
- I need to write for someone who always like my writing (to keep my confidence up (I chose to get some articles I was doing for my son, Bob Schmuck, done early)
The results:
- Writing is going smoother and more quickly
- The group home blog is showing up on searches and getting some traffic
- Articles are getting delivered sooner
- I’ve moved from making pennies with AdSense to making nickels and dimes!
I’m not sure why lack of motivation and progress seems to be common among netpreneurs, but it is. Is is a manageable problem. It is managed by accurate evaluation of the events to know which will happen no matter what you do (don’t waste time, effort, and resources trying to alter them) and which you can control (put your all into these). This will create balance. Identifying fears and feelings will give you a starting point to know what needs to change so you don’t hold yourself back.
It’s OK to take breaks, but when a break becomes a rut, it’s time to do what you need to so you can climb out.