The Next Level

Note from the Editor

Wow - another year has begun! I hope your 2006 started with a bang!

This month, we're focusing on procrastination. Why? Because so much of our procrastination starts in January - from taxes, to resolutions, to planning, and more. Time and again we find ourselves at the end of the year with plans out the wazoo, only to find ourselves in mid-June with nothing accomplished.

So take some time to figure out your true reasons for procrastination - hopefully this will help shed some light on your plight, and help you break through the cycle!

Warm Regards,
Erin Banister
TrinityJacobs - Your Personal Virtual Assistant

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Action Plan Marketing

In the past couple months, I've received many requests for basic marketing services - Elevator Speeches, core marketing messages, etc. etc., and I would like to pass along to you this great book I found by Robert Middleton of Action Plan Marketing.

This book walks you step-by-step through the basic marketing process, and gives you instructions on many topics, from your basic core message to writing effective web copy, and a plethora of other great marketing ideas! A MUST READ if you're doing your own marketing, or if you would like to understand more about the marketing process!

Ask Erin...

Question:

When I think about hiring an assistant, I always backpedal because I think that I'm the only one that can do the task well. How can I overcome this thinking?
Marcus

Marcus, you're not alone. So many solo business owners find themselves in this same situation. You've done it all yourself for this long, and you know exactly what you want the finished product to look like.

The problem here isn't about not knowing if anyone can do the task as well as you - the real problem is actually trust. Before you get an assistant, you have to trust that the person is going to do what they say they will. You need to trust that if you give them directions and/or examples, that they will be able to turn out work as good as or better than what you could do.

Whether you're looking for a full-time employee a VA, you need to take the time to sit down and talk with your potential assistant. Ask them about their background, ask them about their strengths & weaknesses. Conduct this as any HR department would - because you're your own HR department. Once you've taken the time to speak with some people, you will find the person to hire - the one with the skills you need, qualities that compliment your own - someone you will grow to trust. Once you have that special person, then you two will work together to find the system that will work best for your company.

As with anything in life, don't worry about that step until the time comes. More than likely, the person you end up working with will have the same concerns and want to achieve the same goals as you. Take it one step at a time, and you'll be fine.

Have a question for Erin? Send your questions to Erin about virtual assistance, business, or marketing topics, and you may be in a future issue of The Next Level!

Uproot Your Procrastination

Procrastination is defined as “to put off doing something.” But to me, procrastination feels like being stuck. It feels like you are physically being held back – almost as if procrastination comes from outside of yourself instead of within. The truth is though, procrastination does begin – and end - inside of you. And, only you can overcome your procrastination. But how?

Well, the first thing to do is to get to the root of your procrastination. Find out why you are stalled. Sure, you’re putting off a task, but there is something deeper at the heart of your procrastination.

Many times, the root of procrastination is fear. Fear of failure, fear of having to confront a new situation, fear of the unknown. Sometimes, procrastination happens because we’re depressed, or because we’re just too darn tired. Procrastination can happen if we don’t have the necessary tools to complete the task, or we are not sure how to complete the task. Other times, procrastination happens for the simple fact that we have no interest in the task.

For me, I’ve procrastinated tasks for all of the above reasons. The important thing to remember is that everyone procrastinates from time to time and you can overcome it.

It’s pretty easy to recognize when you’re procrastinating something. The thing to do though is to figure out why – figure out what is at the root of your procrastination, and move through it.

Try this exercise: Think of something you are procrastinating. Write it down at the top of a piece of paper. Under that, write a paragraph about what will happen when you overcome your procrastination and get your task done. Now, write a paragraph about what will happen if you do not do the task. Ask yourself why you are putting off the task. Write down your answer and be honest. See what comes to light. Are you afraid you will not do it correctly? Are you afraid of failure? Is there information you are missing that you are afraid to go after? Once you get an honest answer as to why you are procrastinating your task, write down what you can do today to get the process moving.

Now that you have some thoughts around why you are procrastinating, you can take steps to move through it.

The best thing you can realize about procrastination is that there is a root to the matter, and you can find it, and work to overcome it.

About the Author
Jenn Givler, Coatesville, PA, USA
jenn.givler@gmail.com
More Details about procrastination here. Jenn Givler is a life coach who can show you how to find your inner power and wield it to create enormous success. Get her free e-book Be Empowered! http://www.jgivlercoaching.com/newsletter.htm

Putting off an easy thing makes it hard. Putting off a hard thing makes it impossible.

~George Claude Lorimer

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