Sandra Martini's Success Strategies

Staying Focused, Getting Things Done and Balance

The survey has resulted in several questions around the idea of implementing, staying focused and doing it in a way that you're not working 60+ hour work weeks in your business. 

The below question seems to sum it up...

How do other people "force" themselves to stay focused on the task at hand? How do they get everything done and still have time for a personal life? Balance ... how do they achieve balance?

Let me start by saying that if you feel the need to "force" yourself to stay focused, you may want to consider what you're doing and if that particular project/task is something that can be delegated. 

If it's a matter of too much to do, what do I do next, it's a matter of prioritization and I'd like you to ask yourself the following questions:

1. What is my NUMBER ONE priority right now?  It it growing my ezine list?  Is it increasing revenue (getting more paying clients)?  WHAT is it?

2. Once you know the WHAT, HOW are you going to achieve your goal/priority?  Grab a pen and paper and brainstorm ideas about how you can reach your goal (no censoring -- write them all down). 

3. Start implementing.  If you don't know how to do everything on your list, that's okay...start with the things you DO know and ensure that you do AT LEAST 2-3 things PER DAY to move your goal forward.

Many of my clients lose focus because they're not sure what their WHY is.  WHY are you in business doing what you're doing?  What's your biggest, brightest goal?  Do you have a Vision Board (which you see every day) with words and pictures of what you'll have or what you'll do once you've attained your goal?

These are all ways to keep you focused on doing what you need to be doing in order to reach your goal.  You'll be amazed at how this simple act of prioritizing will allow you to get more done. 

And remember my absolute hands-down favorite tool for getting more done while in the office...my Polder timer (you can get them at Target or other department stores).  When I'm working against the timer, I hunker down and stay completely focused on the project at hand.

For balance, it's important to remember that your home office is just that -- AN OFFICE.  Establish business hours for when you are working (even if your "office" is your kitchen table) and when you're not.

A great source to help with this is JOTT (www.jott.com) -- if you're hit with a business idea, pick up the phone and "call it in".  When you go back into the office, an email will be waiting for you with whatever you said transcribed.

Don't like the phone?  Keep a notepad nearby and jot (no pun intended) down your thoughts.

I'm guessing that you didn't go into business for yourself to be a workaholic -- set boundaries, with clients, with yourself and with your officetime and stick to them.  All aspects of your life will improve as a result.

Dear Sandy: How do I find what my target market wants most?

Dear Sandy,

How do I find what my target market wants most?

-- Wanting to please

Hi "Wanting to please",

The easiest way to find out what your target market wants most is to simply ask them.  Assuming you have a list of email addresses (of any size), create a survey using Survey Monkey and ask them to complete it -- much the same as I did when you asked this question.

Another way to ask your list is to hold an Open Q&A teleseminar -- give your list the call-in information, send a few reminders and sit on the phone for an hour answering any questions they have.  This will help you figure out what they most want and need.

With love and abundance,

Sandy :-)

Dear Sandy: Not sure what I can offer

Dear Sandy,

I've been told repeatedly that I need an email list. I don't feel that I have any special information to offer to a prospective client in the way of a newsletter or special report, so how can I get started with gathering email addresses without something to offer them in exchange?

-- Not sure what I can offer

Dear "Not sure what I can offer",

Not knowing what business or industry you're in, my response will be pretty general.  I'm certain that there is SOMETHING you can either write a report about or create a template or checklist for.

As an example, one of my previous clients is a painter -- as in painting residential homes (inside and out).  We came up with a checklist of things to know/ask before you hire your next painter.

Doing that one thing set him apart from the competition as he is "pro-consumer" as opposed to "hire me, I'll give you a discount price".

By creating a giveaway that your clients can actually use in some way (sample recipes or recipe cards from a chef, a budget template from a bookkeeper, etc.), you'll get a lot more QUALIFIED people on your list and those people will want to hear from you again and again.

Your newsletter can simply be tips and checklists of items or lessons learned -- it doesn't have to be long articles.

We'll be delving more into creating ezines and building a qualified list during my next Online Business Builder Mentoring Program -- if this sounds like something you may be interested in, you can sign up for advance notice and special bonuses at http://www.90DayIntensive.info

In full and unwavering support of you,

Sandy :-)

Dear Sandy -- "How do I get out of the red?"

WOW!  I'm receiving a great response to my survey (http://snipurl.com/obbmp) and will be posting answers to many of the questions I'm receiving:

I've received so many questions that I've decided to turn this into a "Dear Sandy" set of posts.  :-)

Dear Sandy,

How do I get out of the red?

-- In The Red

Dear "In The Red", 

This is a great question as no one wants to be "in the red" or losing, rather than making, money.  Without knowing the specifics of your situation, I'm going to make a few assumptions and recommend the following:

1. Assuming you have/aspire to have, some form of online business, you must first focus on incoming cash flow.  If you have a list, what product or service can you offer them TODAY? Can you promote a teleseminar and charge for it?  If you don't have a list, you need to focus on building one (see today's ezine article).
2. What are you spending your money on?  If you're purchasing every "get rich quick", "you can make millions online" program out there, STOP!  Before you purchase anything, ask yourself "What result will I get?  Is it worth the $X I'm about to spend?"  If you have to *do* stuff, ensure you've set the time aside for it on your calendar BEFORE you purchase.
3. Stop charging.  Pay cash (or debit card) for all your purchases so you really have to think twice before you "swipe".

Getting out of the red is just like losing weight -- more money needs to come in than go out (only with weight, you want more out and less in).  What can you do NOW to jumpstart your revenue?

In full and unwavering support of you,

~Sandy :-)