In a world gripped by what is potentially a deep recession, we are surrounded by a sea of negativity and cynicism. Every news bulletin focuses on the impending doom, every newspaper is laden with headlines that scream that more people will be laid off or that another “household name” company is about to go to the wall. We also seem to be going through a phase where our young people are even more than normally at odds with our generation – it’s just not cool to be enthusiastic about anything if you’re under 21, and a cynical underlay seems to subsume every song, book or magazine which appeals to youth culture.
As bloggers, net entrepreneurs, web 2.0 practitioners, or whatever the hell we’re calling ourselves today, we are especially vulnerable to this negativity. Why? Because we don’t have the support of a guaranteed paycheck every month, we don’t have the help of co-workers we can meet and chat to around the water machine, we don’t have a boss to kick us up the backside, and we don’t have to get out of bed every day if we don’t want to!
For these reasons, we need to insulate ourselves from negativity, and from the people we all meet, who are just dying to tell us the latest bad news. Basically we need spades of self motivation and a positive attitude, and I don’t mean that horrendous false “high five” approach to business, which involves invoking the word “Awesome” every three minutes. I’m talking about that deep down resolve which gets us to haul ourselves out of bed at 7AM on a Sunday to write on our blogs, and the grit it takes to plough through an inbox full of crap when you can hear Kristin Scott Thomas on the television in the next room.
We also face daily a lack of understanding from friends and family about what we do for a living. How many of you reading this have had a conversation like this?
“So, what are you up to these days?”
“Well, I’m an internet marketer”
“So, you sell the internet?”
“No, I sell things on the internet.”
“Oh, like Ebay? Yes, but what do you do for a living?”
To overcome all these problems, we need to create a positive environment for ourselves, almost a “bubble” of positivity.
The first thing we must do is leave behind the truly negative people we spend time with currently. This may seem harsh, but we really need to do it. You’ll recognize them – they are the people who always seem to criticize, to complain, to find fault in everything. They will tell you the horror stories about plane crashes and murders. They are bitter, dissatisfied and envious when others do well. Ditch them now! Liken them to someone walking into your house and tipping a bag of rubbish onto the floor of your lounge – you’d kick them out, right? So do it!
Secondly, think before you speak! Are you speaking negatively? If so, stop yourself and switch to a positive track.
Thirdly, when faced with a negative person, respond positively – find something good to say – you’ll be surprised how quickly they will move on when you keep doing that.
Finally, adopt the ten principles of a positive person:
• You are positive
• You have objectives in your life and you know what they are
• You smile a lot
• You are enthusiastic
• You can overcome problems and difficulties
• You rely on yourself
• You know your own strengths and weaknesses
• You help other people
• You have confidence in your own abilities
• You are always ready to learn
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The Temptation to Lie in Your Blog
Anybody who has done a bit of blogging will, I am sure, agree that there is often a temptation to tell a “little white lie” now and again. A well placed lie can either drive more traffic to your site, result in some more sales or even get people to donate some money to you.
I was tempted a couple of days ago – to the point where I actually typed the lie! I was writing about putting a Paypal “Donate” button onto my blog, and I was explaining the reasons I had done so, using the usual “…….if people really enjoy my work, then they may wish to make a small donation to me….”. I then found myself typing these words: “And thanks so much to the people who have already contributed via the donate button – thanks so much for your support!”
Now this was a total lie – nobody has used the button yet, but my thoughts were that if others felt people had made a contribution, they might be tempted (guilted?) into doing the same.
Setting Goals and Objectives for your Blog
I call it setting objectives, my American friends will call it setting goals – to me goals are to do with football, or should I say soccer?
Firstly, let me apologize to readers who follow this blog chronologically – this post should have been the first! Although,……does anybody read a blog chronologically?
I digress. Before you buy your domain name, before you think about which CMS to use, before you do anything, please, please, please, set some objectives and write them down! Now I know you’re going to ignore that advice, because you’re an action person, and you want to be doing things and your head is full of great ideas. So at the very least, stop where you are right now, and if you don’t have written objectives, do them, now.
Managing Time Effectively as a Blogger
John Chow www.johnchow.com produced a terrific video, which you can see right here .
The premise was that although he enjoys the money he makes from his online businesses, the thing he most relishes is the time it creates for him. In the video, you’ll see him in the park with his daughter, at a time of day when the rest of the world is hard at work in their offices. He and Sally have the park to themselves!
Inspiring post
What I've done and continue to do is just weed out the negative people in your life. It can be difficult but you'll see a big increase in quality of life. Surround yourself is positive up-lifting people who are very like-minded.
Soon you'll see yourself among the top ranks of the Interwebs!
Also, I'm learning how to develop a great "elevator pitch" that would circumvent the "what are you up to these days" when you talk about your job. You'll want to make your career sound so good that the person asking the question will want to join you :)
Haha! Thanks for the comment
Haha! Thanks for the comment Rowell, and I look forward to hearing / reading your elevator pitch!
Cheers
Mike