Sometimes we just find ourselves to become lazy and demotivated. It easily happens to all of us and can sometimes occur on a regular basis. Luckily for you this is easily fixable as well as preventable if you follow these eight simple tips.

1. Write down a to-do list

Every night before I go to bed I take just 5 - 10 minutes to simply write down a small list of things I have to do the next day. I make sure to write down “do-able” tasks. Each task would be something that, if I look at it, I can DO it and tick it off.

For instance, if task number one is “Set Up Wordpress Site”, I will make that my heading and break down the tasks like this,

1.Buy domain name (namecheap)

2. Install wordpress software (fantistico)

3. Find a theme (themeforest.net or woothemes.com)

4. Install correct plugins (All in one SEO, Akismet etc…)

and I’m done. If I do all those tasks above, then my main task will be DONE and I can tick them all off.

2. Get into a new environment

This is one of the BEST and easiest things you can possibly do for yourself if you have trouble getting into working mode. We get so used to our own environment that we spend less time working and more time doing other things. If you are working from home, then you definitely know what I’m talking about. You can easily find yourself watching too much television or simply sitting in front of your PC and browsing numerous sites that doesn’t really add any value.

The answer to this problem? Get out of the house! That’s right! You can even leave your PC at home as long as you just get out of the house and to a new location where your brain can focus on the task at hand.
Visit the library or just go sit at a coffee shop (in the quiet area!!) and use an hour or two to think about your business and the tasks that needs to be done in order for your plans to become a reality.

Take a pen and a little white page book with you and just write down everything that you need to do in order to make your plans work. You can even brainstorm NEW ideas. You have no idea how powerful this new environment technique can be for you. If you want to take your laptop with then do it, but make sure that you only work in the new environment. DO NOT browse facebook or twitter while in this new environment, otherwise you will create a new habit which will turn this new brain stimuli technique into another useless time waster.

3. Cut distractions

Turn off your T.V. Your television is a massive distraction. You might think that it keeps you awake or that it provides some form of periodical entertainment, but it wastes an immense amount of time…not to mention breaking your concentration which can only be regained again after 20 minutes.

You might not know this, but your PC/laptop is also a HUGE distraction. If you work from home then your PC is literally stealing your time. So many people get caught up in Facebook, Twitter, email or games that they go in circles, never getting ANYTHING done during the day. And then they wonder why they are not making any money. When you are working on a project, ONLY open the software and browser windows that you need. You might find yourself to sporadically wanting to quickly go “check” on something. DON’T. I promise you that if you first finish the task at hand and THEN go “check” on that something, you will have a feeling of greater satisfaction. Stay away from the temptations.

4. Break down big plans into smaller task clusters

If you are planning a biggish project. Do yourself a favor and work out the entire plan in mind map format.
By doing that you are essentially taking something that looks like a big one-sentenced paragraph and breaking it down into more “readable” chunks. Mind maps are fantastic for this and there are several mind map software or services on the web.

5. Make contact with a mentor

Do you have a mentor? If not, get one! They are there to motivate you to do better than you are currently doing. They also help light the spark under your ass, because they have successfully done what you are still trying to accomplish.

6. Make contact with other like minded passionate people

Some people might not have a mentor to talk to, but the next best option is to collaborate with people who do what you do for a living. You HAVE to connect with these people in person. I have stayed under the radar for 2 years until I finally met other affiliate marketers in person. When I met them in person, my passion for this career exploded. You can also learn a LOT about the industry just by talking to them.

If you have trouble finding them OFFLINE, then why not arrange an online meeting with conferencing software. Contact them and ask them to join a free conference call and have a chat with you.

7. Log activities

Activity logging software/service is a great way to track and see how you spend your time.

The Action Machine is a software that helps you stay productive within specific time frames.

RescueTime is an online service and is a MUST-USE for any online marketer. Rescue time actually tracks what you are doing online and aggregates the data so you can see how much and where your time is spent.

8. Exercise

This might sound redundant, but it’s a fact. Regular exercise improves your health and your brain’s ability to focus better. If you are a couch potato, get OFF the couch and do a bit of exercise. Go to the gym and get on the stationary bike or do a bit of weight training. You will soon find yourself addicted to it. If you are a person who trains regularly or does body building, just watch out not to over train your body. The brain does not respond well to a fatigued body.

Regards
Reinhardt

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Filed under: Affiliate Marketing

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