For some reason, I’ve been thinking a lot about New Year’s resolutions lately. Might seem kind of odd given that we haven’t quite reached the midway point of October yet.
Maybe the gray skies and brisk mornings are getting my brain ready for the upcoming winter. Or, maybe it’s just because my plate is already full (overflowing, actually) with goals through the end of November (when the 90-Day Content Marketing Challenge concludes). Then, there will be the holidays and the endless stream of activities that accompany that time of the year…
Regardless of what has my thoughts jumping ahead right now, I have become preoccupied with where I want to focus my online efforts in 2010 and beyond. It’s not that I am wishing the time away (definitely not!) – instead, I am formulating my own version of the “Big Picture” and figuring out exactly what that means to me.
One gift the 90-Day challenge has given me is a reminder of how valuable time is. And how fast it flies. 
With my clients, my involvement is focused mainly on the content creation aspect of Content Marketing. With my own online business, that is just the beginning of the process. Great content forms the foundation, but that content still needs to be distributed and promoted in order to find an audience and impart any value. Making these things happen requires an investment of either time or money. There is only so much that can be accomplished within a 24 hour period – and finding the right balance between the amount of time and money I can invest in online projects will be a key focus of mine in the coming year.
That said, I have not committed my 2010 goals to paper yet. In fact, they are still taking shape in the back of mind at this point. However, I do know that I will be kind to myself by setting realistic and attainable goals. Yes, I will continue to challenge myself, but will try to remember that the really important thing for me is to do one thing every day to move my business (and life) forward.
One thing.
That’s it.
One thing a day over the course of a year can – and will – really add up. Figuring out my own “Big Picture” will be the first step in making this a reality.
Throughout this process, I will also try to always remember that this is supposed to be FUN. I never want to forget that!
I want to challenge you to do the same. Where do you see your online business heading in the months and years to come? Have you taken any time to really consider that – or are you floating along hoping for the best?
If so, just pick a point on the horizon and shoot for it. You can always change your mind – and direction – later. The important thing is to identify what matters to you and then chart your path accordingly. Setting your own goals (rather than trying to follow what anyone else suggests) is really the only way to get where you want to go.
Even if you aren’t sure. DO something. Remember, baby steps forward are infinitely better than standing still.
Til Next Time,
PS I would really like to hear some of your thoughts and ideas for what you want to accomplish long-term with your online business. Are your daily activities in line with that? Please leave comments and suggestions below!
Have a great weekend!!
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
{ 4 comments }
Oh boy, what timing! I have hit a stumbling block with my business the past few weeks and need to take some time to really figure things out. Can’t really share quite yet about goals because I don’t quite know where I’m headed. But it’s definitely something I have been thinking about lately.
I totally understand where you are coming from on this, Angie. I think it’s great that you are taking a step back to determine where you want to go next.
Everyone has different goals and different things that make their lives fulfilling. If your current direction isn’t enhancing your life – I say “good for you” for stopping and taking stock of your priorities.
Please do keep me posted as you work through it, though!
Thank you, Vicque, for the great comment – I really appreciate that you took the time to write that out! I am so happy that you’ve gotten some inspiration from this site. How awesome that you’ve been applying these techniques and growing your own online presence as a result.
Thank you so much for sharing that!
As a reformed (or is it a “trying-to-reform”?) multi-tasker
– I so agree with your thoughts on that topic. It is nearly impossible to get the best results with less-than-your-best efforts.
Right now, my biggest challenge is when the things I “must do” take over and squeeze out the time I want to spend on my own projects. For me, that happens more often than not when I don’t set a schedule in advance. What I had to do was start “paying myself first” (from the old investing philosophy that if you invest 10 or 20% of everything you make immediately before you pay any other bills, you will never miss it. However, if you try to do it AFTER you’ve started spending your hard-earned dollars – it is next to impossible to accomplish).
If I don’t make whatever my “one thing” is for that day an absolute, no-excuses priority – it doesn’t happen. Embracing the “just one thing” philosophy has been key for me in getting things done.
Thanks again for the comment!
Once again, an excellent and inspiring post!
When I try to take in all of my goals (whether for the day, the month, or my life, in general) it is often so overwhelming for me that I spend more time THINKING about all the “stuff” I need to get to instead of taking action and actually DOING SOMETHING – even one little step – to make those goals come to fruition.
What often helps me, of course, is looking at the thing I MUST DO immediately – what do I have to do today? What project must I finish right now? By setting those immediate goals, it then “frees up my brain” to begin to embrace all those other goals I have placed “on the backburner” for another day.
As a direct result of connecting with your website, I have posted articles to article-content sites, started a twitter account, and added more meaningful blogs to my website than I could have ever imagined!
It is really all about focusing on “one thing at a time” – as I have never been a believer in or an advocate of multi-tasking. To me, it is impossible! How do we create something, or help someone, or bake that pie, or hold a meaningful conversation while simultaneously watching tv, reading our email, driving, or talking on the phone to someone else?
To accomplish our goals, we must be IN THE MOMENT. Focused. Concentrated. Otherwise, what’s the point? We owe it to ourselves and to our clients and to the people we love to PAY ATTENTION, do one thing at a time – (and thus do it well).
Now, as a result of all that – of getting “stuff” done – one step at a time – the number of new visitors to my sites has continued to double each month (!) – further, the number of repeat visitors has also increased significantly. Maybe it’s the Native American tune I have on that site, maybe it’s the content, maybe it’s the writing contest, maybe it’s people seeking help with a writing project or an answer to a career-related question. Maybe it’s a combination of all those things.
But for sure, it is a direct result of your inspiration, Trish.
{ 1 trackback }