Persistence Unlimited

7 Ways To Trigger “The Zone” and Reader Tips…

The Zone is a beautiful thing. Time doesn’t matter. Your senses are heightened. Everything you do feels effortless and good. Often called Flow, the Zone is where you are at your peak productivity.

The only drawback is the zone can be elusive. It can be difficult to reproduce. That is why it’s a good idea to document how we get into the zone. The more tips we can collect, we can get into the zone more often.

Here are a few of my tips for getting in the zone and an invitation for you to share your tips as well.

1. Put in 5 minutes - I like to call this the 5 minute productivity breakthrough. It works thusly… If you are putting off a task, or not feeling like getting to work on it, that is the time to put in 5 solid minutes on it. This is one of my best Zone inspiring tips. For some reason, just putting in that 5 minutes when you don’t feel like it is enough to start the flow process. It’s great for self discipline too.

2. Eat a mid-morning apple - Eat a light breakfast of a bowl of cereal or two slices of toast and a cup of coffee. Then at 10 a.m. eat an apple. An orange works just as well. The fructose zaps your system and puts you into overdrive. Good for regularity too.

3. Get Regular Aerobic exercise - The central part of any productivity plan is aerobic exercise. It seems like it would make you tired. But consistent heart work keeps your body in tip top shape. An efficient body works efficiently and is more streamlined for the zone.

You get out what you put into aerobic exercise. But I recommend 4-5 times a week of rapid walking or jogging for 30 minutes or more.

4. Take A caffeine nap - If you are on the edge of the zone, but sort of cloudy in the head, try a caffeine nap. You just drink a cup of coffee and immediately doze for 15 minutes. The caffeine clears your body of adenosine, that sleepy time chemical that makes you want to slack off. I’ve taken a few caffeine naps in my time and some I can call inspirational, because I actually woke up in the zone.

5. Stop working at a fun part - If you’ve worked a long stretch in the zone, one way to ensure you get back into it is to stop working at a fun part. Almost like a kid at an amusement park, stopping gives you that “awww man!” feeling of not finishing something fun. By stopping when the fun feeling is high, you will be looking forward to starting again. Often times, you can pick right back up where you left off and the zone will be shortly behind. If it’sjust not happening, try the 5 minute productivity secret until it does.

6. Work fast, very fast - This tip works very well with the 5 minute productivity breakthrough… Take a project and work it as fast as you can. Get some adrenalin going if you can. 1, 2, 3… knock ‘em down and take names. Remember, an object in motion stays in motion. Make your motion faster than flow state and you should relax just fine into the zone.

7. Do 5 on 5 off for 30 - Sometimes your mind just doesn’t want to cooperate. How to deal with it? Beat it into submission. Not literally of course. But take a timer and go on for 5 minutes, then take a 5 minute break. Refuse to work on your project for that 5 minutes. When the next bell rings get back to it for another 5 minutes. Repeat this for 30 minutes. By the end of the half hour, you should be sailing along so smoothly you’ll want to throw out the timer for interrupting you.

Bonus Tip:  8. Anticipate - I believe a critical element of entering the zone is anticipation. There is considerable excitement and enthusiasm when you are experiencing the flow state, so start out by anticipating. Take a 5 minute break and think about your project. Imagine how fun it would be. Imagine how exciting it would be if you were working it in the zone. Try to get in the picture, thinking the thoughts and taking the actions you would if you were operating at your peak.

Like I said above, I welcome your tips on how you get into the zone. Please share them in the comments below so we all can benefit. Thanks!

Every time you stumble one of my posts an angel gets into the zone...

If you are new to my blog, don't forget to get your free copy of the book 107 Goal Setting Breakthroughs. Thanks for visiting!

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Why Sharing Makes You Smarter Plus 2 Productivity Boosting Articles

I learned the power of teaching from Jim Rohn. According to him, passing your knowledge to others makes you smarter.

In his audio program The Art of Exceptional Living he says:

“Here’s what sharing does… makes room for more. Key question, if this glass is full of water can it hold any more? If the glass is full of water, can it hold any more? And the answer is yes, yes, if you pour some out. So jot that down. If you want more, you’ve got to pour out what you’ve got, then you have the opportunity to receive more.

Now, unlike the glass that remains the same size when you pour some out; not so in consciousness human beings. Your capacity will increase the more you share. You’ll get bigger and bigger and bigger. “

So in an effort to share, here are two articles I wrote for other sites I thought you might like:

6 Arguments for Embracing Hard Work and Avoiding Laziness at Dumb Little Man

How EOM Makes Your Email More Efficient at Lifehacker

I welcome your raves or criticisms in the comments below…

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Sway: Playing to win vs. playing not to lose and 5 Ways to Avoid Irrational Actions

According to the book Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior, the authors Ori and Rom Brafman claim we all (yes you too) act irrationally at times.  Some of these actions cause more profound pain than others.  But overall, seeking to end irrational behavior is the goal - does the book Sway help end irrational decision making or does it simply chronicle different examples?

In 2000 I bought Cisco stock for, at the time, a low $56 per share.  It was my first chance to dip my big toe in the water of stock market investing.   Almost all analysts said it was a great investment - it had historically proven strong.  With the bonus incentive that Cisco had made many investors millionaires.

But then the Internet bubble burst and Cisco stock started dropping.  It went down to $50 a share.  Then dipped to $45.

I decided if it hit $40 I’d sell.  Well, it breezed right on past $40 to around $37 and I still didn’t sell because I wanted it to go back up to $40 and Then I would sell.  It never hit $40 again.  So I set a new figure.  If it hits $35 a share, then I’ll sell.  Sadly, I still didn’t sell.  I kept riding it out.  How far?  I’ll tell you in a minute.

But first, if you look at the behavior of riding out a dropping stock, you’ll notice it seems like irrational behavior, no?

So why would a seemingly rational person (me) make an irrational decision like ride out a falling stock for his first investment in the market?

Playing not to lose and losing anyway…

Irrational decision making by normal people is what Sway is all about.  After all, my Cisco investment experience went from a simple test of the market to losing my entire leg to the sharks of Wall Street.  And although I haven’t completed the book, the chapter about playing to lose is brilliant.  They call it the “Swamp of Commitment”.  I know that I must be careful with my commitments otherwise I’ll drown in that swamp.  It explains my behavior in my Cisco investment very well.

So why would I have continued such a mistake?  According to the authors Ori and Rom Brafman, in staying with my investment, I was chasing a loss.  Much like a gambler who sits at a blackjack table until the repo man takes his car, I went against everyone telling me to “Brad, for the love of God, get the F— out of CSCO!!”  I simply hoped to recover the money I had lost.  Sadly, I sold out in 2002 for approximately $16 a share.

Before you put on your best Fred Sanford impression and scream “You big dummy!”  I’ll note that playing to lose in this instance isn’t confined only to me or my actions.  It’s quite common.  

• A salesman who takes actions against his company’s best interest so he won’t lose a customer - instead of trying to win more customers. 
• A wife who says things she’ll regret later to her husband so she won’t lose an argument instead of playing to win by formulating a solution where both would win.
• A group of Harvard MBA students who traded $200 for a $20 bill instead of cutting losses at $10 and going home (example from the book.)

Loss Induced Stress

Losing what we have is stressful.  We not only experience a gap, we often have to deal with remorse of losing in the first place.  Friends question us about the loss.  For me, on each successive downturn of the stock, it made the loss greater, thus, the pressure to recover was even more intense.

This leaves me with a number of questions. First and foremost:  If we have a tendency to act irrationally at times in order to avoid loss and we know in hindsight that it’s not good for us, how can we tell ahead of time whether we are acting out of the irrational fear of loss or not?

For instance you know I am persistent, it’s the name of my blog!    I think sticking with things is one of the cornerstones of success. But how do you know what to stick with and what to drop? I am hoping Sway answers these questions for me.

Avoid Playing Not To Lose

Here are five of my ideas based on experience on how to avoid acting irrational out of fear of loss:

1.  Plan before major investments of time, money or energy - Considering an investment in hard earned money?  How about investing months of your life into a new project?  I think it’s crucial that there’ll be a plan in place. How long do you expect to stay in before the payoff happens?  What is an acceptable loss?  Be it time, money or energy, how much can you stand to lose in this investment?  

Example: A lot of people want to start a blog but they give up after the first month. That’s definitely not enough time. But what is enough time?

2.  Set a deadline for progress - Decide on how long you will stick with the investment for it to show a return and stick to it.  On the date of your deadline, take an accounting.  Are you showing the expected progress or is it more or less.  In investing money are you showing more money?  In the investment in a project, is the project close to completion?   

Example:  If you have started a blog and your 6 month deadline was up.  You would want to see the results of your dedication.  Do you see a profit in ad revenue or have you reached your goal 500 readers? Are you at least close to your intended results?

3.  Simply ask yourself if you are taking actions to avoid loss - This step will take some soul searching.  But here is a tip.  Think of all the times you have said “I have to do… or else____ will happen.”   If you are taking a compulsive action to avoid something from happening, you are likely playing to lose.  

Example:  We all have a “whipped” friend or two who jumps through seemingly crazy hoops to please their significant other.  We wonder how a guy can baby talk on the phone 5 times a day.  We wonder how a woman will put up with a cheating husband.  I am sure the thought “I have to do this or they will leave.” has crossed their minds.

4.   If it’s not working, consider restructure - if you created something like a blog for people who like jaywalking and you find that you have absolutely no readers. What else could you spin your idea into that would be successful? Perhaps a blog on walking for fitness would be more successful.  In my stock investing example, I could have traded Cisco stock when it hit the emergency level of $40 for something outside the technology sector.

5.   Give up gracefully and learn - At the end of your deadline, you may decide what you are doing is not working.  Also, there is no satisfactory way to restructure it.  Many business partnerships work this way.  One person wants out the other doesn’t.  One person does the bulk of the work, the other is a lazy jerk.  In the case where your deadline comes and you are showing no progress and it doesn’t appear progress in on the near horizon.  Give up gracefully.  

Giving up gracefully means not beating up on yourself or others.  It also means not giving up on yourself.  Take your loss in stride and learn from it.  While many people will stick with a long failing business because of the fear of loss, they never consider what they gain by letting it go.  They don’t consider the free time they’ll have to do other things.  They don’t consider the money they’ll recover since it’s no longer going into a bottomless pit.  They don’t consider the valuable knowledge that can come from failing at a business.  Only through failing can they know at a reflex level dozens of actions not to take in their next venture.

I’m sure you have some ideas on diagnosing irrational behavior and stopping it.  Please share your ideas in the comments.

For more articles about playing to win subscribe to my RSS Feed.   

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The Law of Attraction: How to Untangle A Crab

Sometimes pushing and pulling is not the easiest way to get what you want.  Here is a story that reinforces that philosophy.  It is about a man out in the wild.  Like a Hemingway novel, it’s about a man against a terrible beast - a dreaded blue crab with the fighting spirit of a marlin and the mind of a Rubik’s cube… 

On vacation with my family last week we stayed in the Outer Banks in North Carolina.  It was there that I learned about crabbing.

I’ve never been crabbing before, but we were located on a canal supposedly brimming with blue crab.  One of the managers of the resort taught me in a few words how to go crabbing.

Go to any supermarket and buy a rig.  It’s just a string with a weight on it.  Put a chicken neck on it and throw it in the water and wait.  You’ll feel a crab tugging on the string.  Just pull it in real slow and scoop it up with a net.

I bought two rigs, baited them up and threw them in the water.  Within minutes, the strings shifted from right to left and vice versa.  I commenced to pulling back.  After pulling the bait close to the dock, I could make out the crab playing tug-o-war with the chicken neck. 

I got the net ready and quickly snatched up the crab. 

It all seemed easier than I originally thought…until… I tried getting the crab out of the net.

The crab’s strong claws gripped the net fiercely.  Its other legs fought frantically, thereby tangling the crab more and more with each movement.

I grabbed a pair of kitchen tongs and tried to pry it’s legs out of the mesh.  Each leg I released was replaced on the other side with a leg digging further into the netting.  For an hour I tried to free it.  The crab was so tangled, it began to look like it was wearing a green sweater.

Luckily, one of the grounds keepers walked by and noticed my struggle on the dock with this creature.  Knowledgeable about crabbing he instructed me to hang the crab, net and all, an inch or two over the water in the canal.

I did as he said.

For a minute the crab didn’t move a muscle.  Then the crab started to move.  One leg free, then the next.  Like magic, the crab attracted to his watery home, undid every knot and sling holding him in place. 

Then “plop” he dropped effortlessly into the water.

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New Build: Achieve-IT! Goal Software for Desktop Computers

Hi all… A quick note to let you know I’ve put together a new build of Achieve-IT! goal software for Windows computers.  Like Steve Austin, this version is better, stronger and faster than it’s been before.

I’ve spent a lot of time cleaning and polishing the little stuff so it looks better too.  (I’ll list out the changes later) But for the early adopters, you can download the installer here:

Achieve-IT! Desktop Release Candidate 3 (build 2.99.3138)

Unless I hear any bad news about this, this will be the final version of the Desktop app.  The sync component and Pocket PC update will soon follow.

So please take it for a spin and let me know how it does. :)

Download Achieve-IT! Desktop Release Candidate 3 (build 2.99.3138)

Update: For people who use European style date settings only: There is a file called A.I_Euro_dates.mdb in the Achieve it folder. Delete the A.I.mdb file and rename the A.I_Euro_dates.mdb to A.I.mdb. This should fix the registration problem.

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Would You Like My New Book on Goal Setting?

I am excited to announce my new book 107 Goal Setting Breakthroughs - The Definitive Collection of Simple Ways to Turn your Dreams into Reality. I will be releasing it in limited commercial avenues. But my newsletter subscribers know how much I value you as readers!

Newsletter subscribers got it free.  I am also extending it to new subscribers to the newsletter as well to say Welcome aboard!

So if you aren’t yet a subscriber, what better time to get your free subscription?

Here are some of the comments from people who read it:

I think you may actually be a bit insane to produce such a massive list! - Mike King

The compilation of the list itself demonstrates the steady work to achieve a worthwhile goal! -Dick Hamblin

The (count them!) 107 suggestions that Brad gives here are sure to encourage you into action. - The University Blog

There are 3 simple ways to sign up for my newsletter:

1. Fill out the blue form at the upper right hand corner of the blog.
2. Fill out the form at the very bottom of this page
3. Send a blank email to ainewsletter@aweber.com

100% Spam Free

Just make sure you verify your subscription so I can send you the book. I am committed to running a 100% spam free newsletter. Thus, I can’t send you the book or anything else if you don’t verify you want to get information from me.

I might eventually make it available to the RSS subscribers too. But I’m not sure the best way to distribute it at this time.

- Enjoy!

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6 Simple Web businesses You Can Start in an Afternoon

Back in the dark ages of the Internet, 1995 or so the number of web businesses you could start were limited.

There was web page builder.  If you didn’t like that, there was always web page builder. 

Now, there are options.   There are many little cottage businesses you can start.  Some require more experience than others.  But a little creativity can go a long way in creating a side business quick.

Photo by Steve Woods  

Seth Godin posted two simple web businesses the other day that are both great ideas:

The world needs fixed-price web podiatrists…  

So, a pretty smart web-savvy person could have a checklist of fifty items and work her way through a corporate website. She could come back with a simple, easy to execute list of things worth changing:
–put USA above Afghanistan on your country pull down list
–make it so clicking on your logo takes me back to your home page
–the font is too small on this page and it’s hard to read
etc….  

…Second gig: Web analytics pro. Someone who can, for a generous hourly fee, set up analytics for a website and do weekly reports (by email) that are actually useful and actionable.

I find myself in need of services all the time.  There’s just not enough time in the day to do it all.  So if you are wanting to dip your big toe into the water of entrepreneurship, here are 4 of my simple web business ideas you can start in an afternoon:

1.  Comment moderator - The bigger the blog or web forum is, the more comments.  With comments comes spam, off topic jeers and endless irritations for the blogger or webmaster.  You can relieve these woes by stepping in and firefighting all these comments.

2.  Virtual assistant - This one is great for the Jack or Jane of all trades.  Here you’ll handle day-to-day tasks for a business owner.  Making copies, writing emails and so forth.  Do the smaller tasks right and it will open doors to the bigger ones.

3.  Software/web support - Is there a software program or site you are head over heels in love with?  If so, you can be a support specialist for the product.  As long as there is software, there will be people who don’t know how to use it.  This is where you step in and save the day.

4.  e-book from Blog Creator - Prolific bloggers write a lot.  Much of their best stuff gets buried in their blog archives.  You can be the one to dig it out, format it nicely and convert it into e-Book format.  I think this one is my favorite because I need that right now ;)

Do you have any ideas for simple web businesses you can start quick?  If so, share in the comments!

To get more articles on improving your success and personal income, subscribe to the the Persistence Unlimited RSS.

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Master the A+C+@ = Success formula

There’s a formula that I use to bring clarity when I am not sure what to do next. It clears confusion.  The a+c+@ = S formula can lead to surprising insight and direction.

Big goals are a journey.  They are a series of smaller goals or steps.  Each step completed brings you closer to the destination.

One of my most oft asked questions is about where to start. Your important goals will have steps you don’t yet know.  You are treading on new ground.  It can be confusing.  Sometimes confounding.  That’s where the a+c+@ formula will help. 

A Powerful Question

Ask - The letter A in the formula stands for Ask.  Asking implies several things.  One, you need to know who to ask.  Two, you need to know the right question.

Who to ask -  Ideally, you will want to find an expert.  So many people waste time asking the wrong people questions.  If you want to achieve a certain goal.  Ask someone who has achieve said goal. 

Experts often charge money.  But it’s money well spent to get their ears and direction.  You can often barter for their services though.  Offer to trade them for their time.  Some experts will settle for a nice lunch at a decent restaurant. 

What to ask - Spend time developing the right question to ask.  Don’t waste an expert’s time beating around the bush or explaining vague circumstances. 

Experts can be like computers, garbage in, garbage out.  If you ask the wrong question, you’ll get the wrong answer.  Asking “why am I not more successful?”  Wastes everyone’s time.  Who knows, I’d just as likely say “Because you are what we call smelly,” as any other answer. 

And you have to focus.  No need to introduce your problem as if you are in a Kafka novel.  Experts value their time.  So get to the point.  I suggest crafting your question before you have opportunity to ask it.

Often, someone will contact me with a question about a goal they have.  If he wants to lose 15 pounds, I don’t need to know where he was born.  I don’t need to know where his kids go to school.  It makes it easier for everyone if you simply craft a question that cuts to the heart of your problem.

What one question, if you had the answer to it, would solve your problem? 

Taking Winning Notes

Capture - the letter C in the formula is for capture.  When you capture, you own the answer evermore.  If you don’t, it could be lost forever.

A capture device can be as simple as writing with lipstick on a paper napkin (ugh!).  It can be as complex as a camcorder. Personally, I like a combination of Evernote and Moleskine, when PC use isn’t convenient. 

Pick what you like.  But, make sure you have a way to keep the answers. 

Some tips for a good capture device.  Make sure you have one and it’s handy for times when ideas and answers are present.  Key:  You don’t want to scatter your answers.   No sense in recording answers on napkins if you are just going to lose them.  That’s as bad as not taking them at all. 

I’ll never forget one of the best brainstorming sessions I had while working on a client’s marketing.  We were driving and for some reason, the ideas were flowing like crazy.  Great ideas.  But we didn’t have a capture device. Like a tape recorder.  I commented how sad it was we didn’t capture all those ideas.  He said he’d remember them all.  But I’m not so sure. 

Lose the Laziness

@ = Action - The most important aspect of the formula is taking action on the answers you have captured. 

The topic of action implies that you will ask questions that result in an answer that involves action.  In other words, “Dear expert, what are the first steps I need to take to solve my problem.” is what you should aim for.

Taking action also proves to the expert that you value their expertise.  It sets you up for more success because you’ve asked, received and acted.  I don’t know how many times, somone asks me for help and then either argues with me about it or doesn’t do anything.  This shows me that they don’t really take their goals seriously.  So why should I? 

Therefore when you get the advice of an expert, by all means take action.

Today’s exercise

Today’s exercise will give you great returns for the effort you put in.    Get good at working the a+c+@ formula by picking your top goal.  Then, based on your most pressing problem or hurdle, develop a targeted “action oriented” question.  Think of it as an elevator speech 

Take your time.  Make it concise and focused - as the elvator speech, you might only have 90 seconds to ask the expert, so make it good.

P.S. I’ll be here to help.  So I encourage you to post your goal focused question(s) below.  If I can answer, I will.  (I don’t know it all.)  If not, I’ll help you hone it to laser-like perfection for when you do encounter your expert. 

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The #1, Single Most Important Question A Goal Setter Can Ask All Year.

This post is for online and offline professionals who are sick of chasing their tails.  It’s for people trying to market their business.  It’s for job hunters.  And it is for employees who want to get ahead at work.

You know who you are.  You try the next big thing trying to get sales or subscribers.  Little tricks and techniques to get you ahead of the game.

But many of these produce little or no results.  We’re still confused.  We’re still not getting what we want.

This isn’t an indictment of you or anyone else.  I jump on many of the “latest techniques” as quick as the next guy when I am searching for answers.  But more often the techniques end up as interesting diversions when all is said and done.

In the past two weeks I’ve had 2 companies contact me for help with their marketing.  One had read an online affiliate through Adwords e-Book.  The other was a stand alone business.

In both cases their questions went something like..

I am struggling with my business, how can I market it so that I am making money?  My web site is popular and gets decent traffic.  But few people buy.  Lately, however, I am making no sales at all. 

A quick visit to each of these sites revealed the main problem with both.

Both company sites were nice.  Created by professionals.  The designs were slick.  The graphics were eye-popping.

But they lacked one important feature.  The feature itself can be summed up in a question.

Before I tell you the missing piece of the puzzle, let me tell you about a recent chat session.  Rick contacted me about his goal to make more money.  He professed good computer skills equal to or greater than others in his industry.  But he was making less money than the others.

He wrote:

I keep contacting these companies to set up job interviews.  I go to the interview and think I make a good impression.  But they never call me.

Rick, like the companies above hasn’t asked himself the most important question anyone should ask before marketing anything…

BTW, marketing can be any promotion.  You promote yourself at work.  You can promote a book.  You can promote your church to other churchgoers.  It doesn’t matter, it’s still marketing.

By making that connection, you’ve won half the battle. 

A universal problem in all marketing

Which problem?  You are thinking.  Yes, there are many problems in marketing.   You can have bad breath one day.  You can say the wrong words the next.  But there’s something else that outweighs all the others. 

The problem all marketers face, be you a job hunter, shoe store owner or web affiliate is action. 

Action decides it all.  Someone takes action and you win.  Someone doesn’t take action and you lose.  Could it be any more simple?

Ahh.. but it’s not simple.  It’s a struggle.  Getting other people to take action is hard.  Heck, sometimes it feels I fight tooth and nail just to get people to sign up for my motivational articles via RSS which is only one button click away!

Or how about when I try to persuade dieters to take up walking and eating more veggies?  Some people will take action, others won’t.   But that’s ok.  I learned a long time ago persuading others to take action is tough.

The point being as a marketer you want someone to take action.  If they don’t, your message is flawed.

The #1 Question for Marketers

If your message is flawed, then what? 

You’ve been marketing up a storm, but the action response ain’t happening.

Do you quit trying to sell your products?  Do you stay working at a job you hate?  Do you deed a Kindle over to me?  By all means. On the last option anyway. ;)

Instead of quitting, consider the #1 question.

By answering this question, you will be far ahead of your competition.  After years of doing what I do, I’ve come to realize very few people ever ask this question.

When I tell you, you’ll probably see it as being obvious.  I did when I first learned it.  I took it for granted.  I didn’t apply myself.

Only when I realized how important it was did things start to turn around in my work advancement, my software sales and my subscriber numbers.

Since action is the main result you seek from any marketing, it begs the obvious question.

What 1 action do you want your potential client to take?

The Power of the #1 Question

Let me break down the #1 question and explain why it’s so powerful.

1 Action - I stress only 1 action because you’d be lucky to get someone to take 1/2 an action if it were possible.  See the examples above.  A positive action - however small, opens the doors. 

If you throw more than 1 action at someone, statistically, they will do nothing.  People get confused.  They get overwhelmed by alternatives.  Sure there are those enthusiasts who sign up for everything.  But the key to marketing success is in the one action realm. 

What action do you want them to take? - Wow, here’s where you get your say.  What do you want a visitor to your web site to do?  What do you want the interviewer for that hot IT job to do?  Choose the action carefully.  You’ll almost always get what you want.

Hopefully a light is going on about the power of this question.

You can see what a disadvantage someone is at who seeks a second job interview or a phone call.  Shouldn’t she put first and foremost in her mind that she wants the company to offer her a job? 

When I first started marketing my software, I wanted people to take the action of downloading it.  So people downloaded it.  But what is critical to a business?  You have to make sales.  Since I focused so hard on getting people to download, I let things slip on the sales side.  Often times the sales link was broken.  Other times, I’d get emails telling me the sales page was missing entirely! 

It was Michel Fortin who got me to take a hard look at how I was running things.  Although he didn’t start out with the #1 question, he pointed me to the answer anyway.  The answer being that my business (or any business) could not survive on downloads alone.  I needed sales in order to survive.

Asking will change you

The second you know what one action you want others to take, a light bulb should go on.  When you set your sites on the action, your message will more effectively persuade others to take that action. 

Contrasting examples from a job search:

• A job candidate who doesn’t know what action they want the company to take.  He asks if they need a copy of his resume.
• A job candidate who wants the company to take the action of hiring her. She asks for the job.

Contrasting examples from an small business selling an e-book:

• The business owner who doesn’t know the action she wants her customer to take asks visitors to bookmark the site.
• The business owner who knows the desired action, places a special 1-time offer on the book for an immediate sale.

Contrasting examples from the world of work:

• An employee who doesn’t know the action he wants his boss to take works hard, keeps his head down and waits for a raise.
• An employee who does know the action also works hard, but makes it clear to the boss that he is working to one day run the company.  Therefore, the hard work is always in the context of him one day taking over the operation.

I know this is a subtle difference.  But if applied, it will make enormous changes to your results. 

Exercise for today:  Write down your top goal.  What bothers you most about this goal?  And what 1 specific action (if you could get someone else to take it) would help you reach that goal?

P.S.  Again, I’ll stress how important it is for you to subscribe to my my motivational articles via RSS.  You don’t want to risk missing content like this in the future do you? ;)

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July 4th Happiness & June Article Reminiscence

To everyone celebrating, I hope you have a happy and safe 4th.

Today is an opportunity for fun.  It’s a chance for family.

Have a cookout.  It’s not too late.  Make memories.

Fireworks aren’t my favorite.  But I still go.  My ears are sensitive to loud noises.  I go more for my kids and the ice cream.

But mostly, I remember…

Today represents freedom.  Most who live on this planet lack freedom. 

Not only Americans are free.  Most who read this enjoy freedom.

You have a choice.  You can work.  You can sleep.  You can brainstorm.  It’s up to you.

Freedom is a burden for the ignorant.  They are free to do nothing.  So they do nothing.  They never grow.

January 1st is the New Year.  July 4th is the refresher course. 

What great timing. 

We get a second chance half way through.

Enjoy the fireworks.  Let them remind you.  Freedom is powerful. 

If not used, it is wasted.

- Brad Isaac

June’s Best:

Freeware: Turn Off Windows Update Restart Nag

You’ll Pay to Quit This Job! One Company’s Nightmare Hiring Policy…

9 Important Reasons to Eliminate Personal Debt & Me Taking My Advice

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