As I was running today, I was reflecting on all the things I want to accomplish professionally. I was especially thinking about my time management and the methods I use to get work done.
With my wedding coming up in 8 days, I found I was getting worried about getting behind and not getting “enough” done. Then, I realized that there was a fundemental problem with how I was doing things – I have been putting too many things on my ‘to-do’ list each day, and rushing to get them all done. The seduction of a completed to-do list is amazing.
What’s the problem with that? Well, my client work (web site updates, PPC management, etc…) was getting proper attention, but my efforts to grow my business…both affiliate and otherwise were getting shafted. Things were getting done, but were they getting done with the level of quality that I want? No.
This is especially noticeable in launching new sites – I was wondering why my conversion rates were lower than I wanted…until I realized I’d spent 30 minutes pushing out the content.
This upcoming week – my focus is to hold off on trying to drive revenue to my business, and to just produce a few pieces of absolutely awesome content. I am going to focus on a couple sites and make some investments in their overall quality. Then, once the wedding madness is over – hopefully the habit will have stuck.
I think the key in doing this will be patience. Once I get an idea “out there” I want instant success. Going forward, it’s going to be more important for me to focus on incremental improvements each day. The underlying beauty of that approach is that it sacrifices short term little victories in favor of:
- Long term, sustainable success
- Development of critical thinking and writing skills
- Deeper knowledge of my niches
- A more relaxed, nurturing approach to my business
Scrambling to make a quick buck every day isn’t nearly as fun…and that’s what this whole thing is about anyway!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Good thoughts. Thanks for the reminder to keep things focused and in perspective.
…oh, and 8 DAYS!?!?!?! Are you freaking? Is Erin?
Good luck in the impending nuptuals!
Nah – not freaking too bad. Yet